11 Month Old Update

Fox is zooming all over the place on two feet! He started taking steps about a month ago, but this past week he has gotten really brave and he's letting go and walking everywhere. And he has also started making turns while he's walking instead of just making a straight path across the floor. Once he makes it to his destination he claps.

He has two adorable little teeth on bottom and I think he may be working on a third although I can't see anything so I have no idea which one it may be. For those of you who are wondering -- he has NOT bit me yet! And boy am I thankful.

He is doing really good with meal times. He eats food I've pureed, jarred baby food, whole fruits and cooked veggies, and loooves his whole grain Cheerios and Goldfish. Pretty soon we are going to start giving him pieces of meat from our supper... I was waiting until he had enough teeth to chew but he's doing good with just his front two so I think he's about ready.

Birthday plans are coming together. We have the park picked out, invitations made, envelopes addressed, and almost all of the decor made. All we need to do is book the park (on the agenda for tomorrow), send out the invites (I plan on getting them in the mail on Saturday), and figure out the menu. Then wait as the month of September flies by!

Big 10

Fox turned ten months old on Monday!

Some of his latest accomplishments:

• Dances to music and "sings" when someone is singing to him
• Walks by himself for a few steps
• Copies us when we shake our head, wave, laugh, or scream
• Picks up food and feeds himself a lot more now
• Gives kisses
• Blows kisses

Two more months to go until he's a whole year old! It's gone by quick but I am so fortunate to be able to spend most of my time with him.

First Steps

This morning Fox was standing at his little music table taking a breather after I'd chased him all over the living room. I held my arms out for him to come to me and didn't expect him to do anything since I've never done it before. Well he just started walking towards me like he'd done it a million times! He made about 4 steps and fell into my arms. I was so excited I screamed and cheered, picked him up, and smothered him with kisses. Since this morning he has gotten super brave. He's been letting go and trying to take steps a lot today. I can't wait until his daddy gets home so he can show off his new skill!

Nine Months

Sorry so late updating, but Fox is now 9 months old! He spent his 9 month birthday celebrating his cousin's birthday at a barnyard bash with a petting zoo and pony ride. He also got to go swimming this month for the first time, and he absolutely loved it.
Fox and I spend most days together and he has some serious separation anxiety. I can't leave the room without him crying or trying to follow me. Even when Brent is home he still freaks out. As long as I am in the room with him he's perfectly fine and will go play with his toys. I really hope he gets over this stuff FAST!

Some new things Fox started doing in the past month:

• Playing Pat-a-Cake both by himself and when we say it or do it
• Pulling up on and cruising along furniture
• Standing by himself for a few seconds
• Babbling all kids of nonsense
• STILL not saying momma! Grrr....
• Does the hand gesture for "come here"
• Calls the dogs by clicking his tongue
• Walking behind toys

 His growing hasn't slowed down yet and he eats like a piggy! At his 9 month checkup he weighed 19.2 lbs and was 28.25" tall.

Birthday Planning and Reflection

Three months to go until Fox turns one. Every single parent I come in contact with has told me to "cherish every moment because it flies by" and so I have. I am so lucky to have witnessed him smile, laugh, roll over, sit up, crawl, and pull up for the first time. I have been a mamarazzi and taken pictures of him nearly every day (I stopped posting them on Facebook all the time, but you can follow me on Instagram @haleynicole71 to get your Fox fix). I smother him with kisses, suffocate him with hugs, and attack him with tickles. We laugh together and sometimes I want to cry together. But I wouldn't change a thing.

I decided on his first birthday theme of monsters about 4 months ago. Since then I have collected invitations, goody bags, thank you cards, a onesie, and a bib for when he eats his cake. I have been searching Etsy and party blogs like crazy and pinning all kinds of stuff on Pinterest. Here is some of my inspiration.

 

 

I hope I can catch the 'crafty bug' so I can get some motivation and try to make some of his decorations. If not, then I'll have to get some help from my crafty friends lol.

Wordless Wednesday - PJs

That's his FIRST name?

Many people hear my son's name and immediately think of the animal. As cute as they may be, they did not inspire us to name our first born after them.

Fox is actually named after a man born in Kentucky on November 1, 1878. That man is Brent's great great grandfather. It took some convincing on Brent's part to get me to agree to the name and honestly I still wince a little when I tell strangers because they usually either love it or hate it, and always have something to say about it. No matter what people say - I adore the name. It may be a bit strange, but it is easy to pronounce and spell unlike a lot of unique names now.

Our first issue over his name came up when we were trying to get his birth certificate. The lady told us it wasn't ready and ended up calling the hospital who told her his name wasn't in their system at all. Weird. She then proceeds to tell me I need to call the hospital to get it sorted out. Turns out she was searching as if his last name was Fox. Of course as soon as I pointed out her mistake she quickly took my money and handed over the birth certificate.

Next occasion was at the pharmacy waiting to pick up his prescription of Zantac. The pharmacy tech asks "What's the first name?" and Brent answers "Fox." Then the guy says "That's his FIRST name?" Nope kid, we lied.

Even though we have hit a few little bumps with it, for the most part people compliment his name and say it is either "cute" or "cool." I knew Fox was going to be one of a kind (how could he not with parents like us?) and he deserved a one of a kind name to fit.