Ryan at 10 Months

Our busy boy has learned to charm everyone with his toothy grin. His teachers tell Mom all the time "we just love his smile and spirit". We gave up trying to get a picture in his rocking chair for this month's post, mainly because he wouldn't sit still! There are so many things we love about him at this age:

• Starting to babble and copy sounds from us, especially my squeals. Dad taught him to growl at the toy lion and make a blowing sound at the elephant, and Mom heard him call me "Gissy" tonight.


• Loves hair- grabbing it, pulling it, pretending to brush it- especially mine and Moxie's.


• Rubs his hair and head when falling asleep. When Mom checks on him at night she loves finding him asleep on his tummy, bottom in the air, or on his back with arms up in touchdown position.


• Says hi by holding his arm straight out, hand open.
  


• Loves the bath- puts his face down and tries to "taste" the water, or sticks his face under the running water, looks surprised, then does it again.


• His smile is the best in the business, but don't be fooled, that little mouth is a bear trap, he'll take your finger off in one chomp.
  


• When he meets someone new, he flashes that smile, then tucks his head down into Mom's neck or chest. He owns the sweet old ladies at Publix with that move.


• Changing diapers and clothes has become a contact sport (he is strong and fast!!).
  


• At church last week, I affectionately told Miss Mabel that Ryan was a mess maker. He starts in the kitchen, systematically unloading everything from the cabinets, then moving on to our bedrooms to unload the bookshelves.

The best thing about this age is that Ryan loves me as much as I love him. He always wants to be near me, playing with whatever toy I have, and copying my every move. He's pretty cool.