11 Months Old!

Ian is quickly approaching toddler-hold. He is nearly 1 year old! 11 months is a fun age and he seems to really be enjoying himself.

I don't have any growth stats this month, but I CAN say that Ian's pants no longer pile and drag on the ground, and he feels heavier than ever. So he must be growing. He has 7 teeth: 4 on top and 3 on bottom. His eyes are greyish and often green. His hair is getting super thick and long in the back, and will probably get a haircut sometime soon. He is very blond. He smiles incessantly, and continues to be a great joy to have in the family.

Here are some favorite activities du jour:

Climbing stairs: Today he climbed up all 20! I encouraged this skill at first, but now see the err of my ways. We really need a gate because he often sneaks over to the stairs and begins his climb unsupervised. Scary.

Making Animal Noises! This is my favorite. Yesterday he began to "roar" when we asked what a lion says. He has been "quacking" and saying "duck" for a couple months now. But now ducks are starting to "roar" too.

Rah! Rah! Rah rah rah! Goooo Cougars! Ian has learned to pump his arm along with the Cougar Fight song! He starts somewhere in the middle of the song in anticipation of the big finish.

He dances: Mostly bobbing up and down and squatting in response to the beat, and only if someone else is dancing with him. Actual music is optional.

One, two, THREE! It doesn't matter what follows, Ian gets incredibly excited when you count to three. He flaps his arms and laughs in a quick, high-pitched giggle, and tries to not watch for what is about to happen... which is usually tickling and getting tossed in the air.

Identifys Nose and Teeth Scott is entirely responsible for this accomplishment and I think it is so cool. He will grab your nose (when you ask for it and when you don't) but he is especially zealous about pointing to (and scratching) your teeth. He can find his own teeth, as well. Perhaps we have a dentist in the making. He LOVES to get friendly with anyones teeth.

Reaching underneath stuff: This one is actually pretty cool too. He used to try unsuccessfully to get balls and other toys from under the couch, and would just bonk his head and hand over and over again. He didn't grasp depth-perception and the need to reach under and to crouch down. Now he sees his prize under the couch or his crib and can get it successfully. Usually he'll even lay flat on the ground and walk a hand under the couch or whatever when it isn't even necessary. I guess he really wants to avoid the repeated head-bonks he used to suffer. And I have seen him roll a ball under the couch purposely so he can feel the satisfaction of retrieving it.

Abhorring formula: Why did he decide he's too cool for nursing and formula during the same week? He is willing to nurse once in the morning, but says "no thanks" to anything but apple juice the rest of the day. Actually, he says nothing, and throws his cup on the ground. So after a two-week dairy strike, yesterday I decided Whole Cow's Milk was better than No Milk, and gave him a sippy cup full. He looked interested, but didn't really drink until I heated it up. Look who's picky all of the sudden! Today I heated formula, and got results as well. Never in his life has Ian had a heated bottle, and I dislike starting a high-maintenance trend now. But at least he is drinking it.

Squatting and picking up: Ian can squat (while holding steady to something) and pick up a toy, and then stand up straight again. He looks so strong when he does it. He can also 'stand' on his knees and take a few 'steps'. Walking isn't really on his mind these days, but occasionally he stand unassisted for several seconds before falling back on his bottom.

I'll bet you want to see videos of Ian doing this stuff, don'tcha? I will see what can be done.

G A L V E S T O N !

Scott had a conference in Galveston last week, and Ian and I were invited to tag along. It was my first time on the island, and what a fun trip it was! There was plenty to do and see, however I would describe Galveston as a dying city: it seems it never totally recovered from the 1906 storm which killed 6,000, and the resulting up-tick in investments in rival city Houston. During our three day stay, Scott had meetings until 5 p.m., so I was lucky to have the company of a few other Exxon wives. We did quite a bit of eating, exploring and walking together.

I LOVED the historic hotel we stayed at. What this picture doesn't show is the pink and purple monstrosity that stands several stories tall and arches over the road at the far end of the hotel. Mardi Gras could be the only excuse for it. It clashed horribly with the lovely Tremont Hotel which was built in the 1800's and had cool birdcage elevators and neat architecture. It was fancy, yet friendly and I loved our overstuffed, oversized bed. Ian's sleeping arrangements were not quite as posh, but at least the closet was quiet and dark, just how he likes it.

One afternoon we took a free ferry ride to Bolivar Island, about a 20 minute ride off the coast of Galveston. We weren't sure what Bolivar offered, but made plans to find some ice cream and other entertainment. Our first clue should have been that there weren't any other joy-riders on the ferry. Our second clue should have been the curious looks the ferry crew gave us as we waltzed off the ferry towards... absolutely nothing. One lonely "store" was about 200 yards away, and we thought we spotted an ice cream sign on it. We strolled in that direction only to discover upon closer inspection that this "store" offered ice, beer and "Mullets: $5.00 for a dozen". Whatever that means. And they were CLOSED. About that time we heard the ferry blow it's horn to signal departure. Fearing we would be marooned on this desolate island, we rushed back to the ferry to board it literally seconds before it pulled away from the shore.

We attended several museums and ate at some delicious restaurants. I even found an old peanut- butter -factory-gone-condominiums.
And here we are outside the oil museum. I wanted to be a good wife and learn something about what Scott does to bring home the bacon. It was a great museum complete with videos and lots of equipment. It was really interesting. No Really.

Inside the oil museum I tried on some gear and checked out a display on finding a place in the oil process that fit my personality. Turns out I have potential in the industry.