10 (and a half) months old

It's as if he just made another leap, and now Owen is imitating so many things, including lots of baby signs. I just love to see his chubby little hands making the signs with such intention!

Here are a list of signs he can now demonstrate functionally:

more
all done
dog
teacher (from Brown Bear book)
eat
milk
giraffe
good night (sleep)
bath

He is also now saying, "uh oh" in addition to "mama"! He is doing so much babbling, and he seems to have a lot to say. I have been reading books to him at night as part of his bed time routine now. He just loves this! He is even excited to leave his favorite activity (bath time) to go and read books. I have been doing some gestures or silly little things on certain pages of the books we read. In the last few days, he has started doing these as soon as I turn to the corresponding page. Oh, and he points! He started this a few weeks ago, and he points to everything! He points to things that he finds interesting and he points to things that he wants. I love this!! Such a smart little guy, I couldn't be more proud! :) I'm the mom, so I get to gush, right?

He is still hesitant about taking steps, but is getting very good at standing for longer periods of time. Every once in a while he will brave one step, but then sits down quickly. He is very good at climbing the stairs now, and is quite quick! He is eating more and more foods, and having three "meals" a day. He is eating soooo much baby food I can hardly keep up, and he eats pretty much anything I give him. I sure hope that continues!

He is still not sleeping very well at night. Day time naps are great, and he takes two naps a day on a schedule. That is going great. However, night time is not consistent. Some nights he can go 5-6 hours before he wakes up and wants to nurse, but other nights it is every 2 or 3 hours. Those nights are tough. I feel like we will get there eventually, and he is having more of the better nights, it's just not as often as I would like. I remember I weaned Raegan from night time feedings at 15 months. That will definitely be the plan again for Owen.

Raegan is such a great big sister. She talks about how she looks after Owen and takes care of him. She is diligent about knowing what he can or can't do, particularly when it comes to safety. She always wants him to go with us everywhere we go, and she talks to him like her own peer....which is probably why I feel his receptive language is so good. And, no one really makes him smile quite like sissy. I love that they adore each other!

Time to plan this 1st birthday party!! eek!