The Price is Right: Letters to Charlotte: 11 months old!

Dear Charlotte,

This month was a big one for you. You had to have surgery! A checkup with your Dr revealed that you had yet another ear infection, marking 5 in 4 months. That's too many, so straight to the ENT you went. Luckily he was really nice and was very good at explaining things to Mommy and Daddy. You got a hearing test while there too! The ENT said that tubes were the way to go and definitely needed, so we sadly scheduled that surgery. All month people told me it was no big deal, it's really fast, she'll feel so much better. I understood all that, but to me, it WAS a big deal. My baby girl was going under anesthesia! She was having surgery! That's a big deal. You went into surgery on the 30th and came out with flying colors. That day was a rough one. Each time you burped, it hurt a lot. I guess it was the anesthesia gas working its way out, but man did it make you upset. After that, things have been great! So far no other infections. We go back for a checkup soon so I'm crossing my fingers for no more infections.

You're still holding strong right around 16-17lbs. I think the infections made it harder for you to eat. You still eat all the time, every hour or two when you're awake. We give you little snacks while we're eating so that you don't reach for our plates. So far it's working and you're learning to eat more things. Texture is a big thing for you. Usually if it's different you'll take a bite, then gag yourself if it's something you're not used to. Scares me to death every single time! You're getting much better though, so hopefully that doesn't last much longer.

You've gotten a little bit braver when it comes to cruising. I've seen you move over to another object without holding on a few times. You've also stood unsupported quite a bit! Still too nervous to take off on your own, but you've started letting us hold your hands and actually walking. We used to try that and your legs would turn to jelly and you'd refuse to stand up. I can see the determination in your eyes, you want to walk so badly. You took a few steps this past weekend - so maybe it'll be soon. Who knows!

You got a new swing for the backyard, and you love it! We can't stay out there too long because mosquitos find us quickly, but man you love your swing. You also like arching your back and throwing your head back at the same time. You did it once to Mommy and flipped all the way over. I think it might be time to visit The Little Gym by our house! You also went to the zoo for the first time! You did great, I think you'll enjoy it more when you can see the animals. I don't think you really knew what was going on. :)

You have 10 teeth now! You read that correctly, 10! I have to check every day now because they pop up so quickly. Bathtime is one of your favorite times. You get so excited and start jumping up and down, pretty soon you're going to figure out how to climb in without our help! They say you climb all the time at school, so it's only a matter of time before you crawl in fully clothed. Let's just hope you don't start trying to crawl out of your crib! Climbing the stairs is your other favorite past time. The second you realize you're free to crawl around the house, you make a beeline for the stairs. Sometimes you're so fast that you're on the 4th or 5th step before we make it behind you. Luckily there's a gate there now, so you can't climb on your own!

You've seriously outgrown your car seat. We'll be getting your new one this weekend or next. Your little legs hang so far over, and you are just plain uncomfortable in it now. You used to sleep easily, but now you're always awake and a little fussy. I don't know how tall you are, but it feels like you've grown 3 or 4 inches in the past few weeks alone! You continue to grow a shoe size every few weeks.

You love books! You really enjoy flipping the pages, whether it's your board books, magazines, the church hymnals - whatever. You want to flip those pages back and forth. Eating books has become a slight problem as well. There are a few we've had to take away from you because you were tearing the paper off and trying to eat it. That's the mark of a good toy for you, one that you can chew on and not tear apart! Knocking over blocks is super fun for you, you love little balls that can fit in your hand. A lot of times you'll grab a toy and just crawl around the house with it!

Every month I say this, but Crew is still your very best friend. Even more so now that you feed him your snacks all the time! The two of you are never far from one another, and you just laugh and laugh and laugh at him. I can even show you his picture and you start grinning really big. That's the only picture that gets that kind of a reaction!

I can't believe we're already planning your first birthday party. We love you so much, you're such a little angel, always smiling and laughing. So agreeable, easy to take places, you let everyone hold you. Such a great baby - I wish you'd slow down a little bit!!