review of a 10-month old

Technically, he is still 10 months old until 9:53 tonight. And we don’t want to classify him as an 11-month old just quite yet. Here is a little snippet of what Ammon has been up to during his 10-month old days.

He LOVES: his afternoon routine with his daddy – to be sung to… especially Popcorn Popping, Sing (from Sesame Street), Hello, Goodbye by The Beatles, Abadabadabadabadabadabadab Says Ammon to the Moon and Jellyman Kelly (from Sesame Street) – books – dogs – trucks, trains, cars… anything with wheels – to play rough with his daddy – to stand (still with some assistance) – to be outside – to eat – playtime – any electronic device – music… especially jazz, ska punk, acoustic guitars and The Dingees – to dance – to talk, squeal, laugh… he’s babbling now, rather than just making individual noises – his family – large amounts of attention or large groups of people – anything that crinkles (ideally tracing paper or vellum when mom is not looking) – to be in water – his bathtub – trees – hide and seek – his mom’s hair – his feet – watching Transformers, Airwolf, Voltron, Scooby Doo yadda yadda yadda, with his daddy – textures – his bink – the park – nap buddies in his crib – paper – shoes – Transformers, especially his Ammon-sized Jazz and Starscream – to snuggle – to give kisses… be they Eskimo, or slobbery wet chews – to give noggin kisses (i.e.: head bumps) – to "jump" off any high surface for his daddy to catch him – balls – speed crawling – the entertainment center

He HATES: not getting his way – having things taken away from him – his sippy-cups – getting his nose sucked out (sorry if that was too much information) – laying down to change diapers or clothes

Ammon is working on getting his two incisors. Yes… I know… still. However, the are slowly coming through and he does not seem to be in any discomfort. Mealtimes are not so much of a problem anymore.

Speaking of mealtimes: Ammon is, finally, holing his own bottle. Hurrah! Hurrah! I thought this day would never come. He still pitches a fit when Brian feeds him – primarily because dad is his spoiler and enabler. Mom is the bad guy here on Woodburn Drive. Sippy-cups still elude us. Ammon is, however, learning to feed himself.

Ammon continues to shock us with his love of conversation. He is a loud talker. He practices new sounds and combinations just about every day. He is gibber-jabbering now… so much fun.

Ammon still is fascinated by the mechanics of things. He loves figuring out how things work. He now can get his books off his bookshelf by himself, and he knows where his toys are. He also knows where all the plugs and cords are… as a result we get our exercise every day.

Ammon is a mobile machine. He continues to crawl via warp speed travel. He pulls up on everything he can; however, he still stays on his knees. He has pulled up to a standing position, but he doesn’t prefer it yet. He is very inquisitive and he has to touch everything. He entered the whole put-everything-in-my-mouth stage a little late (something I am grateful for)… and his mobility precision has allowed him to find new snacks…

Ammon continues to sleep through the night and take two good naps in his crib during the day – on his stomach with his behind up in the air is usually how you will find him.

Ammon still loves to read books – he cannot get enough of them. Of this I am glad. He still picks his own bedtime stories each night. Our bedtime routine is still a favorite. After bath, we pick up toys, read a story and say prayers. We love how Ammon sits reverently with his arms folded… then grins the biggest of grins after we say, “Amen”.

Ammon still loves to follow me around, but usually only after Brian gets home. At that point, he wants both of us to be right there with him. We are still plagued with some separation issues.

I have said before – and I will say it for the rest of my days, I’m sure – that Ammon’s personality astounds us. I have been told that I feel that way simply because I am his parent. Simply because he is my first-born child. I have to disagree. Being around him around the clock and looking at him from a completely unbiased standpoint, I have to say that he is a remarkable child. Truly – a sparkling personality. More character, vibrance and love of life than I have ever before seen. It isn’t just because we are his parents, though some may think that way. He is, by nature, sweet and charming. He is smart and funny. But there is something else… something that can’t be pinpointed, that makes me stop and wonder. Wonder what he will do, what he will say… what he will be. I wonder if he will have my imagination. I wonder if he will have Brian’s sensitivity. I wonder… and wait. Enjoying each day along the way. I am so grateful that I am this boy’s mother. I am so very thankful that I can be at home with him and help mold him into something majestic.

We love this boy. He rocks our world. It’s as simple as that.