10.5 months and counting

Wow, my little bubby is turning into a little boy!!  He'll be one next month!

I'm still loving watching his growth and development.  He is getting so clever!  Walking along the furniture so very well now and standing unassisted for very short periods.  On Sunday he stood while drinking from his sippy cup, then took a couple steps forward before falling - we were very impressed with his balance!  On Tuesday, he took 3 or 4 steps from the couch to me to get a balloon I was holding up!  Jase was in the kitchen, unfortunately, and he hasn't tried again since.

I am amazed by his dexterity and general 'cleverness'.  Like watching him grab the string of his helium balloon and put one hand over the other to tug the balloon down to his eye level, as quick as a wink.  He's done lots of other clever things too, which I've thought at the time - ooo, I should blog that! but have of course forgotten by now :(

Cooper is initiating games now, which is just so much fun.  His favourite game is peek-a-boo.  It is SO darn cute to see him standing in his little onsie PJs, peeking around the corner announcing 'Ah DARE!' (Ah, there he is!) 

If I'm holding him but focussing on something else, he sometimes leans over, tipping his head to the side and staring closely into my face, then giggling when I laugh.

When music starts, he gets his little groove on - bobbing and head-nodding away.  Quite a little dancer (in my opinion!)  He enjoys Rhyme Time at the library and when we sing to him.

He loves books... they are probably his favourite toy, much to my delight.  I've had to administer a fair bit of sticky tape to many of his board books, but because of his enthusiastic reading and trying to close them backwards, not from throwing or other 'un-book-loving' behaviour, so I don't mind.

He still loves to be out and about among people.  He is such a show-off, it is almost embarrassing... certainly an attention seeker!  I had to take him out to creche at on Sunday, in spite of my pre-birth hopes that my kids will learn to sit relatively quietly with me in church.  He was so chatty and playful that not only were the people around us all turning to look, wave, make faces and giggle, but I could hear someone on the other side of the church sniggering at Cooper's boistrous 'DA DA DAD'. 

I always struggle with knowing what is appropriate... I know in my head that not everyone is as smitten with my little one as I am, so don't want to let him intrude on their peace, but at the same time, lots of people do enjoy interacting with him, and I just think he is so fabulous that I don't want to deprive them, lol.  And I don't want to squash his enthusiasm, joy and love of people, but at the same time want him to learn to be appropriate.  And I don't know how much you can 'train' babies and at what age... So wish I knew all the answers!

He is understanding many more words, but still not saying much.  Well, I mean, he 'talks' a lot, but not actual words so much.  He definitely understands 'bathies time' and gets so excited when we say it!  It's great to be able to give him instructions, like "Go play with your ball" while I'm in the shower, and for him to actually understand enough to stop sooking and go and get his ball.

He is getting good at giving cuddles - I love it when he wraps his arms around me, snuggles in and holds on tight.  He isn't so good at giving kisses (they are SOO slobbery and usually involve biting), so I kiss him as much as I can to teach him how!  ;)

I adore my cute, smiley little boy!  xx