eleven months

Here we are, one month from Eliza turning a year old. I am not in quite as much disbelief as I was with Madison, but it is still crazy how fast a year truly does go by. 

At eleven months Eliza is:

- Still sick. I really wish I knew what to do for her. She has had some sort of ailment since March. She has even been on antibiotics, but the runny nose and cough persist. She just seems so uncomfortable most of the time. The doctors do not offer any help either, I guess we just have to wait it out. 

- She is cutting about three teeth right now. This might have something to do with her fussiness. She is getting two on top and one on bottom. The teeth are not coming in proportionally so she will have quite the crooked smile for a while. 

- She is pulling up to stand on everything now. I have even caught her pushing offing and trying to stand unassisted. I think she may take a while to start walking based on how long it took her to finally crawl, but she is getting stronger on those legs. 

- She eats constantly. I thought that Madison was an eater, but now Eliza has shown me how much a kid can actually eat. We are really feeling the increase of food consumption in our grocery trips, as in, we have to go every other day. Where all the food is going, I am not quite sure. 

- She is vocal. Whether she is crying, or whining, or singing, she is usually make some noise. She screeches in opposition when Madison takes a toy from her and if she thinks she may never be fed again. She also says, "ma, ma" "da,da" and "mmmm," like she is starting to sing an Hanson song. 

- She is still sleeping decently well. With all her sickness there have been a couple of rough nights, but she is still waking up about once a night. I think this helps me to deal with her constant day-time fussiness. She is also still adamantly against sleeping in the same room as Madison. We tried yet again, only to be met with screams of terror. Maybe some day Eliza will no longer demand an entire master suite to herself, but today is not that day. Which also means that we are still banished to the guest room. 

- She seems so much like a baby still. It is as if she is frozen in time a bit. I have gotten several people asking if she is six months old at the park. She just lacks that, " I am on the verge of toddlerhood" look. I think it is nice to have her stay a baby for a little while longer though. 

Despite her ever present fussiness, she is turning into a perfect piece to our puzzle. We have had several meals this month where we have all sat together at the table and ate independently (you know, since I am usually having to spoon feed Will). There are several areas of our life that are getting easier with every passing day. Sure, we have another year before Eliza screams bloody murder in the car, but we are getting there slowly but surely. I feel very hopeful for the summer and all the rest of the adventures this year has in store as a family of four. 

See you next month, my big one year old!