Eleven Months

Mallory is eleven months old today. It's crazy to think that her first birthday is only a month away now. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves. I'm not one of those moms that is sad her little one isn't so little anymore because honestly, newborns are just not my forte. Jody and I both agree that Mallory has become so much more fun and easy for us to handle than when she was a baby baby. Now I'm also not saying that she's been a piece of cake either. In fact, the past month that led us up to this eleventh month was a HARD one.

I thought for sure that after those top teeth made their way out of her gums she would be back to the happy, sleeping-through-the-night, goofy Mallory that we have to grown to love. Yet she has been incredibly moody, sensitive, and has officially learned how to throw a full blown tantrum. Screaming, flailing her arms around, stomping her feet or even just plopping down on the ground - tantrums as if though she were already in her terrible twos. Where the heck do they learn how to act like that at such a young age?! Is this a glimpse as to what she's going to be like when she actually is in her terrible twos? Yikes.

She had to experience getting a nasty illness that she picked up from daycare. And though she didn't have all of the symptoms that came along with the disease, she was super emotional the entire week she had it. She's definitely a bit of a drama queen and can easily suck you in to making you feel sorry for her. Sometimes it's quite comical. Other times it's exhausting. It shows me that she's very smart and persistent; she knows what she wants and can be determined to make sure you're on the same page as her.

She's getting much better at eating adult food. You can't eat in front of her without her begging at your heels like a puppy. She'll even push Leo out of her way to get closer to your plate. I guess we'll have to start stressing the importance of manners a bit more. I've even seen her try to push one of the kids at daycare because he was in a spot she wanted to be in. I know all kids do that at some point, but I still feel guilty.

Walking is pretty much the only way she gets herself around now. I usually only see her crawling when she's super tired. And of course now she wants to walk all the time when we go somewhere too. Shopping has become harder because she gets antsy just sitting in the cart or stroller. We either do short trips or one of us has to shop while the other follows Mallory around. She's very social and very curious. Though she doesn't talk much to other people, she'll walk right up to them and just stare. Especially kids. She is enthralled with her cousin Kaylee when she's around; follows her around and watches her very carefully.

Mallory loves Leo and Littles now. Her and Leo actually play together and it's so adorable to hear her laugh when they're having a good time. He will allow her to hit him, pull on his tail, push him around, steal his toys, and lay on his bed; Leo is so gentle with her. Even as small as he is he protects her when we all go places together. Littles on the other hand still isn't so sure about letting Mallory get up close. When she is successful at being able to touch Littles, it's more that Mallory will grab and pull her fur so Littles usually runs away. But that doesn't stop Mallory from trying to chase after her.

Mallory has been many things for us these past eleven months and we fall in love with her more and more as time passes. Even during harder months, we still are so appreciative that she is in our lives.