11 months is the last stop before...Toddlerhood!

Today Diana is 11 months old. They say after the one year birthday, toddlerhood officially begins! I have to say that I feel like we are living with one already! In all of the months since Diana was born, this past month we've seen the most changing and growing in our little girl. Right before our eyes, she has morphed into a tiny (but mighty) person. I'm starting to see the baby slowly fade away and catch glimpses of the toddler years that are almost upon us:

• The big deal this month is WALKING!! Diana took a few steps right before the 10 month mark and now she...is...everywhere! Walking from room to room, climbing over the dog gate to get into the kitchen, carrying things around, knocking other things down...whew! Mom & dad are tired and I'm told even more adventures are to come when she starts running! Danny and I are babyproofing on the fly, as quickly as we can. She reaches up to a shelf to pull books down, we move them up to a higher cabinet. And oops, can she really reach that lamp already? In a flash, we've unplugged it and it's stashed in the guest room closet.
• She is becoming so aware of the world around her! She waves bye-bye and blows kisses to everyone, including the check out girl at Wal-Mart and the nice older man in line behind us at Starbucks - too funny!
• She can't stop saying "dog" "duck" and her new favorite word "DAT!" (which we're pretty sure is "that") And she uses it for everything that's not a dog or a duck (or mama or dada!).
• Di also knows what we're saying (even more than we realize I'm sure)! She understands things like "bring the ball to mommy" and "go show Aunt Jo your toy." Of course, she also understands "no" but likes to ignore us!
• And perhaps the cutest new "thing" - she uses a toothbrush and imitates Danny brushing his teeth and she also brushes her own hair (and moms hair too) with her mini hairbrush.

So many new things, every day and every week are exciting, wonderful and exhausting all at once!

(PICTURES - from left to right: Di in her highchair having a breakfast of bananas and Cheerios, taking a swing with her new "golf club," hanging out with her Daddy, running away with a chocolate ice cream mustache before mom could wipe her face off, with Grandma Susie in the pool)

Next up, her first birthday party at Grandma Susie and Grandpa Ron's in July!!