These 11 months have zipped by and it’s been incredible seeing Kaitlyn’s personality continue to emerge. She is a spunky, happy and busy little girl and I love that she keeps me on my toes. I love my little peanut so much!
EAT
Kaitlyn eats 3 meals a day and snacks whenever I am eating something. She truly does eat more/more variety if she eats with me. She seems to be particular about her food choices, yet will snag a spinach leaf out of my salad. Monkey see, monkey do. Some of her favorite foods include: roasted sweet potatoes, frozen peas, yogurt, any fruit, my homemade spaghetti, oatmeal, green monster smoothies, hummus and asparagus. She doesn’t seem to be too fond of: bananas, beans, cheese, zucchini, shredded meats.
I’m still nursing her 4ish times a day. It’s pretty much on demand which ends up being morning (7ish), 11ish, 3ish and at bedtime (7ish). I notice we have plenty of flexibility though, as she isn’t as dependent on it. I don’t have any plans to stop soon, but may drop to 3 sessions, just because she seems to be heading in that direction.
SLEEP
My favorite thing about sleep now? She must have ‘bunny.’
I love that she loves her bunny so much. When I pull it out of the crib she literally bounces up and down with joy. Adorable!
Nighttime sleep has finally reached a rather solid place. She goes down at 7pm and will sleep usually until 7/7:15am. Occasionally she will lean closer to 6:45, but it’s doable overall. Her naps, though, are anyone’s guess. If we are at home all day, she might take two- a morning (9:30/10- 11) and afternoon (2:00-3:30), but there certainly are days that she just takes one (11:30ish-1ish). She seems to do OK both ways.
PLAY
There is so much to share on this front! Around 10.5 months, she started taking steps. She’d pull herself up, turn to me and get one or two in before crashing. It progressed quickly to about 8-10 steps at a time and now, as of about 3 days ago, she is what I’d call full on walking!
We’re pretty excited. (that face- HA!)
She knows what she wants and asks for it now with an insistent finger point and ‘DIS!!!!”
She is busy. Oh, I’ve mentioned that? But seriously, the girl is never still. Never. Thank goodness for swings because it’s the only moment of stillness I can find outside of naps.
Though I pick, I love her being so busy. She flies up stairs and can get down them on her own too. I love watching her approach them, then turn around and scoot backwards towards them.
I know this is such a mom thing to say, but she’s so smart. She just gets things and I find myself amazed at little things throughout the day. For example, she pulled the chair out of Hailey’s doll house and set it up on the floor, then proceeded to turn around and try to sit in it. She didn’t fit (obviously), so she grabbed the couch and tried the same thing.
Also, she walked over to the play kitchen sink and started wringing her hands under the faucet, as if washing them until I interrupted her with a WAIT LET ME GET MY CAMERA.
You didn’t think you’d get through a monthly update without plenty of doting no-one-cares-but-mom stories did you?
She knows who she is and she calls me Mama. (mmmmah-mahhh). She says dada (though she says this towards a lot of things). Her favorite word is “dis?” and “DIS!!!” (this). Her wave is adorable, as she basically just opens and closes her hand as it faces her, but she will occasionally say buhhh-bayyy (bye-bye) while she waves. She also loves shrieking- just plain, loud squealing. SO that’s fun.
She gets really excited whenever I pick her up from gym childcare and smiles so big and bounces up and down. It’s my favorite!
Ok, ok, you’ve been kind to indulge this mommy love fest, so I’ll wrap it up…
She’s a peanut, though I don’t know her exact measurements I’d guess she’s about 17 pounds. She’s in size 3 diapers and 9-12 month clothing. She’s spunky, yet incredibly loving and will come over just to cuddle quite often. I just can’t get enough- I love her so much!
For fun:
Thanks for indulging me. I just can’t believe she will be ONE next month!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Ok seriously!? If this doesn’t give you baby fever, I don’t know what will! She’s too cute!
Brynn says
What a beautiful girl. I can’t believe eleven months have flown by. I remember reading your updates when she was born. My son is seven months today and your posts are always so helpful and insightful. Happy birthday to Kaitlyn!
Char says
I love that she has a bunny too! Nia has become very dependent on hers though, which I don’t like! She sometimes gets upset when I tell her that it’s time for bunny to take a bath (aka the washing machine haha). Kaitlyn is so darn adorable, and it’s totally not just a mom thing- she sounds super smart ;).
Brittany Dixon says
I know- I keep saying I need to buy a back up bunny so we can rotate them moving forward. I love it but it worries me that she is so attached 😉
John J. says
Super review, Mom! Plus great pics. Looking forward to celebrating the big ONE soon with y’all! (P.S. Prefer to not stay in the Master bedroom. 🙂
Lee says
She sounds really similar to Alexander. Maybe one day they’ll meet!
Christy says
What a sweet update! My second daughter is 19 months and inremember all these cute little quirks. Enjoy every moment! Question: I’m a stay at home mom like you so my kids aren’t used to any sort of daycare/drop-off childcare situation. My 3 year old goes to preschool in the mornings and that’s the only time either of them spend away from me (or our beloved babysitter and grandmas). So, how do you get your girls to stay at the gym daycare? My kids would be screaming at the door or clinging to me! Especially my one year old.
Brittany Dixon says
I wish I had advice but I think I just lucked out! I started taking both of them to gym childcare fairly early (3 months) and I think they got used to the idea early on. Maybe start with short periods of time, like just 10 minutes, and work your way up from there? Best of luck!!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
She photobombs like a CHAMP.
tiff @ love, sweat, & beers says
Goodness, could she be any cuter!?!? What a sweetie. I love that she sleeps well at night and seems flexible with naps. I’ve heard baby #2 is often more flexible with naps… or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Ethan is only now starting to talk, and he is also fond of saying “DIS!!!” all the time, though I often don’t know quite what that means. haha
Brittany says
So fun watching her grow–thanks for sharing with us!
Morgan @ Managing Mommyhood says
My son just turned 11 months, and while he’s pulling and cruising, he’s definitely far from walking still! What an adorable, brave little girl! The DIS is one of the funniest things I’ve heard. Ryan’s got the whole dadadada thing down pat and will say it after we do, but just Kaitlyn it is said to juuust about everything ahaha
Brittany Dixon says
Hailey didn’t walk until 13ish months so this is new territory for me! I love how each baby is so unique 🙂
Heather says
What a cutie!! Seriously. While I love snuggly newborns, my favorite is when they hit that almost year mark and up. They’re more active and copy things and start talking and it’s the BEST.
Brittany Dixon says
That’s what David keeps saying! It keeps getting more fun 🙂
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Thank you for posting these monthly baby updates.
Even though this is my second time around as a mom, we are six months behind you (my little girl is turning 5 months tomorrow!) and this past month has been a bit tough. I went back and read your five month update for Kaitlyn and I felt assured that we are doing OK. Our challenge is that my baby is not getting enough milk…we’ve been trying to supplement and it has been hard. Do you recall Kaitlyn’s weight at 5 months? I felt better reading Kaitlyn is just up to 17 lbs at 11 months. We’re barely above the 10lb mark.
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t recall her weight, but she’s been a peanut for a while. I went to a lactation consultant and they said she was getting plenty of milk, and she eats, so who knows. David was a tiny thing as a baby and I’m only 5’1″ so I think she just has small genes. Are they concerned about your little one’s weight? Or just want to watch it? They make me come in every month to check on it, but they don’t seem concerned. Feel free to email me if you want to chat! <3
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
We just went out 4th weigh-in in the past month and they are definitely concerned about her weight. We’ve got a plan (beyond trying to increase my milk supply) so we’re good on this end, but thanks for offering an ear!
Kathy says
So adorable!
Avery Raley says
In stitches over that picture with her face close up! Hahaha, she is the cutest! Where has the time gone?? And I have to agree, she IS smart!! I swear she and Elliotte would be bff’s. The similarities here are endless! I love this age! They just get more fun everyday!
Brittany Dixon says
I really wish we could get them together!! That’d be so much fun! E is SO adorable!
Avery Raley says
I agree! 🙂 Well if you’re ever in charleston and are feeling up to it let me know!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a cutie! I love her smile! 😀
Jessica @MyHealthyPassion says
She is soooooo stinkin’ cute!!!!!!
Heather @hungryforbalance says
I love reading the baby updates! They are so fun to read because every baby is different; they truly do things when THEY are ready! Matilda took a few steps around 11 months, but was 13 months before she truly started walking.
I love the DIS!
Elizabeth Evans says
I love the baby update. She reminds me so much of my little 15 month old peanut.