Braden is 11 Months Old!

So much has happened this last month, I don't even know where to begin! So let's just start with the pictures:

Weight: 19 lbs 14.5 oz
Length: 29"
Head:


So here's what's been up the last month:

• He started off his 10th month by pulling up on everything and walking along furniture
• I started nursing him only in the morning and at bedtime
• First taking many steps on his own with his walker to practically running with his walker by the middle of the month
• He celebrated his first Christmas with the Schultz's
• First fever and bilateral ear infections - was sick and "not himself" for 10 days
• First visit to ER (only because it was a Sunday and I needed his ears checked sooner than later)
• Tooth #3, the top left, finally broke through after 3+ months of no new teeth
• Tooth #4, the top right, has been ready to break through since the middle of the month and the teeniest bit of tooth FINALLY cut through today!!
• Had his first non-family babysitters, Jonny & Jaden Hamm, in Rosebud for 4 hours one afternoon so we could go to the dinner theatre. He did VERY well and was even napping when we went to pick him up!
• Learned to climb stairs in about 30 seconds at mom and dad's
• Celebrated first Burrell Christmas in Beaumont
• Sleeping 12-13 hours a night, sometimes stirs at 5 or 6 AM but usually settles right back down
• Sleeping with his soother, his new glow seahorse that plays music, and his blankie
• Taking two 1.5-2 hour naps a day fairly consistently
• LOVES to walk with his walker and is getting better at steering it
• Crawling everywhere, pulling up on everything
• Can go from standing to squatting all on his own
• Will sometimes walk with us holding only one hand
• Balance still needs a lot of work before he stands or takes steps on his own!
• Slowing down on eating, finally! Still has a very healthy appetite but gets distracted at times and doesn't wolf down his food anymore. Finally starts letting us know when he's full by politely pushing the food out of his mouth!

So it's time to start planning Braden's first birthday! I'm so excited! I know what cake I'm going to make, I have some party decor already, and also the little guest list. I'm keeping it simple for his first birthday, just family and close friends. I don't want him to get too over-stimulated and overwhelmed with a big party, and he's awake only about 3 hours in the afternoon anyway. Unfortunately Jay's parents will be in Maui again, but we will celebrate with them when they get back. Maybe they'll bring Braden back a cool Hawaiian shirt for the summer or something!? I also know my brother likely won't be able to make it due to work and I'm hoping with another month that Joy will be able to bring all the kids and spend the afternoon here.