10 Months

Johnny hit the 10 month mark on Saturday.  10 months!  I only have two more posts after this to document his first year, and one of those will be a birthday post!  Sheesh...

It's funny how I feel like Johnny changes every day, but it also seems as though he's staying very much the same.  I've decided that so many things about life as a parent is a paradox.  "That seems like only yesterday, but forever ago, too!"  You know, that kind of thing.  Like I was saying, a lot about Johnny is the same as last month, but there are a few things worth noting.

Johnny is a Mama's boy, and I love it!  He loves his Dad, but he really prefers me.  It's such a nice change for me!  The girls really preferred their Daddy.  But Johnny starting doing this hugging thing with Danny that is too cute.  He'll wrap his arms around his neck and give him a hug, and then pull his face back and look at Danny with a smile, and then pull him in for another hug.  He does this a dozen times or so.  It's so cute!  

Johnny loves to move.  He loves to work his way through, around, or over any obstacle.  Sometimes, he'll even create an obstacle, or purposefully choose the most difficult path.  I think he enjoys the feeling of accomplishment.  He also can no longer make it through Sacrament Meeting.  It drives him bonkers to not get on the floor.  Consequently, he lets the whole congregation know just how frustrated he is.  Sigh.  

Johnny loves to eat.  And eat.  And eat!  We've never spent so much money on baby food before.  But he's not nursing much at all anymore, so it's comforting for me to see him constantly in his high chair or on the snack rug with his sisters.

Johnny's got some attitude.  We've noticed it in the last week or so.  We had some friends over who have a little boy that is almost 2.  Johnny just plain picked on that poor kid, tormenting him and taking away his toys and cup.  What's worse is that Johnny seemed proud of himself whenever this poor little guy couldn't take it anymore and started to cry!  This little attribute is not cute at all.  We'll be working with him on this.

Johnny loves to make noise.  He's discovered his voice, and how to use it!  He is constantly saying, " Mom! Mama!", only not in that cute, endearing, "I-want-to-snuggle-you" way, but in the "Will you stop yelling at me, John?!  You don't talk to your Mother that way!" kind of way.  Admittedly, it's still kind of cute.  Kind of. :)  He yells at his sisters, and absolutely throws a fit if they take something away from him or get to it first.  He's the king of melodrama.

But underneath his current melodramatic facade, there is my angel boy.  And every so often, he'll just crawl up on your legs and give you the tightest hug and the sweetest smile.  One of my favorite things is when he crawls into the kitchen, pulls himself to standing, and while hugging my knees looks up and gives me his sweet, toothy grin.  Melts my heart every time!  And no matter what I'm doing, I have to stop, pick him up, and smooth those cheeks.  

Here is a run-down of John at 10 months:

*Still in size 3 diapers and 12-18 month clothes

*Just outgrew his size 4 Sunday shoes, and is now officially shoe-less

*Has 6 teeth now, with a 7th coming in

*Loves eating chicken nuggets, but he doesn't want them cut up

*Learned to point with his pointer finger, and will point all day at the things that interest him

*Is learning to blow kisses

*Waves goodbye, goodnight, plays peek-a-boo, and claps whenever anyone says "Yay!"

*Still can't get enough time outside

*Loves dogs and cats, especially Jack and Aunt Rachel's cat Roxanne

*Loves the water, be it swimming or bath time

*Sleeps through the night, occasionally waking up at 4 or so for a quick snack, then back to bed

*Wants nothing to do with his binkie anymore

*Will walk forward if you hold his hands

*Can climb up onto the couch from the floor, and then onto the windowsill (scary!)

I love you to pieces, Son.  Pieces.