Rylan - 11 Months

How on earth is it possible that my tiny, 6 pound, 4 ounce baby is now this big and will be ONE in just a few weeks?! I'm in denial. 

I think it has crept up on me more than with Ava...not only because life with two kids and a full-time job is a complete madhouse, but also because we are throwing a pretty casual birthday party in Austin, and thus I haven't had to plan much/think about his birthday. So for now, I'm just going to keep pretending that he will be 11 months for a loooong time.

Last month was a rough one for Rylan as he had his surgery. But he bounced back like a champ, and is becoming a curious, mobile, independent little toddler before our eyes. 

Rylan is a TOTAL mama's boy. He will be perfectly content playing by himself or with Ava, until I walk in the room. Then it's "mamamamamamamamama!!!!!" until I get down on the floor with him or pick him up. And I'm a total sucker. I apologize in advance to his future girlfriends.

Luckily, despite his constant desire to be around me, Rylan loves going to school. He gives the biggest smiles to everyone as we walk in, and he absolutely adores his teachers. I can't tell you how much this helps with the mommy guilt.

One thing I have noticed in the last month is that Rylan seems like such a little boy now. He is very rough and tumble, has a ridiculously large appetite, loves playing "catch," and is constantly on the move.

As such, it was nearly impossible to keep him still during this month's photo shoot, but we managed to get a few...

Stats:

No official stats this month, but he seems soooo much bigger. I am very curious to see the percentiles at his one-year appointment.

Milestones/Firsts:

• First word - mama :). And he says it a LOT. He also makes a woof sound ("pfff") whenever he sees dogs. 
• Even better at pulling up and cruising. He also stands for a few seconds unsupported. 
• Claps his hands and shakes his head no.

Likes:

• Food. So much food.
• Playing "catch"…we roll the ball to him and he throws it back to us. He definitely got the Bratton hand-eye coordination genes my Dad promised Josh :).
• Playing peek-a-boo/"Where's Rylan?"

• Dancing. Particularly to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "hot dog" song.
• Laughing with Ava.
• Trying to play with the remote.
• Balloons. This is a video of his very first encounter…

Dislikes:

• When I don't immediately get him upon entering the room.
• Staying still on the changing table.
• Having his nose wiped.

 Most of his pictures from last month have already been posted, but here a few more…

My little hipster fit right in at Whole Foods.

Snuggles while recuperating from his surgery.

Dinner with Grammie.

My cool dudes.