The Life of Rob & Jess Plus Two: Andrew's 10-Month Update!

Dear Andrew,

Hey there baby boy. I can't believe it's only two months until you turn one! How can that be? Your personality shines brighter each and every day. You're full of big smiles, big laughs and, of course, mischief. You're very favorite thing to do is climb the stairs at home. You race over to them when we aren't watching and climb them as fast as you can go. You'll give us this sly look and just head out on this race with a big laugh.

You love to climb-- you climb in boxes, up the stairs, over and under anything you can find. You also really like to stand and have taken a couple of steps! You're not ready to walk yet, but the desire is definitely there. It will be this month, I think! It's so fun to watch you try and figure it out. You'll just let go of what you're holding on to and stick your hands high up in the air with a big grin on your face. You'll take 1-4 steps and then plop back down on your bottom.

You've pretty much given up eating baby food-- only table food for you. This makes it better and harder on mom and dad. Better in that you'll eat whatever we're having for dinner. Worse in that I have to scrounge up something to feed you for lunch b/c you can't have a catered meal yet at school. One day soon! You totally dig this creamed spinach that comes out of the freezer section. Like, totally love it. It's 100% your favorite.. except for maybe spaghetti. That may rival your attention, too. You love it.

We haven't gone any fancy places this month-- just more of the usual. You enjoy splashing in the pool and are an overall easy baby... except you're on the move. If I blink, you'll be gone. We had to install a legitimate gate on the stairs because there was no deterring you from them. You do really well at school and will be moving up to the next class next month (aah!!!). Since you've really taken to eating table foods I feel like you have really put on the lbs. You are definitely chunky and have pretty much outgrown the infant car seat.

You love taking big brother's toys and you always want to be doing what big brother is doing. At night time, you and Parker have "giggle time" in Parker's bed. Parker loves making you giggle in his bed and watching you laugh. He'll hug you (which you think is hilarious) and you'll hug him back. You love exploring Parker's bed and all of his stuffed animals and Parker even lets you put your mouth on them. It's a pretty special moment watching you two play together for a short amount of time.

You love sucking your thumb still and rubbing your ear. I recently gave you a lovey in your crib and cuddle up with it each night. It's pretty stinkin' sweet. You're still a great sleeper and milk drinker. You're often cranky on weekdays since the school day is so long, but you're a real trooper on the weekends. You definitely still need two naps (switching to the new class in a month is going to be really rough in that regard) each day and drink four bottles. You have three solid meals a day in addition to the bottles with some snacks as well.

This month we did have something exciting happen... you got a new cousin! Baby Beckett was born on July 28th! You're pretty fascinated with him and we're very excited that you are going to have a new play mate, soon!

So, let's see, at 10 months you...

Weigh about 20lbs and are 30 inches tall. You wear 9-12 month clothing for the most part.
Drink 4, 6 oz bottles a day and have three table food meals a day.
Sleep from 8-8:30 on weekends with two naps (one for about 45 minutes in the morning and the other around 2 to 2.5 hours in the afternoon)
Have four teeth! I can see an additional two teeth on the top growing in and an additional bottom two also are coming in. The ones at the top are closing to appearing than he bottoms. So, you're well on your way to having six teeth! You handle getting the teeth really well... you chew like crazy, but you're not overly cranky (and, most importantly, you still sleep).
Use your mouth like this insane sensory tool. Anything you find you put your mouth on--including the floor. You just test it out--you're not necessarily looking to chew and swallow it.
Have 1-2 poopy diapers a day
Love your big brother
Enjoy pushing trucks with your hands and chewing on everything else.
You're really good at pushing the walker and have just recently discovered how to make it turn (thank goodness-- otherwise, we had to follow you around all the time).
Are definitely a little explorer-- going everywhere. We have to keep all the doors shut around here and the stair gate locked. Before we had the gate, we put up two chairs to block it off. We turn around and then find you halfway up the stairs! You had climbed under the chairs and over the wood to get yourself to the step. Very clever!

You are so much fun to be around and are my cool little dude. I can tell you're going to be a wild one, but that you have a big heart. I can't wait to watch you grow more and more each day! Mom and dad love you baby boy, always and forever.