11 months

I can't believe my baby is a month away from being ONE! It's amazing to see each day how much he changes. He has been taking steps the last couple weeks and as of today he was able to do three in a row. We know that any day now he will be walking full time and it's exciting but also very scary. His new sound that he makes sounds like an owl or in the spirit of Christmas 'Ho Ho Ho'. He is very dramatic in his facial expressions and even in the way he crawls. I think he probably got that from his daddy......
Leo got his first cat scratch this weekend as he decided to drag Ms. Nellie Bellie across the living room by her tail. We all know that he probably deserved that a long time ago but that little girl kitty is so patient with him she gave him his moments until she couldn't take it no more. We think that Leo might have felt bad about the incident as he wouldn't stop snuggling on her later that day. Man is it the cutest thing ever to see him hugging the kitties!
Bath time or splash, splash, splash, like we like to call it, as always been a fun time for Leo until this past week. I don't know if he had a nightmare or what but two times this week he screamed and wouldn't stop. While I hate to see him upset, I have to admit the way he holds on to me tight is quite wonderful. He'd do anything not to get in to that water. That was until today. He put up a little fight at first but warmed up quickly. It's the little moments like bath time that I learn to appreciate....it's great bonding time. No cares in the world during bath time. I must add one more story about bath time. Today Leo decided that he was thirsty so he dipped his head down and took a drink. Nasty! How in the world do babies think of these things? He is a smart little bugger.
Leo continues to amaze us each day and while we don't want him to grow up we look forward to future and the memories we will create.

Now to catch up on my photos......It was Thanksgiving time in KC!

My big boy

Another month has gone by. I can't believe it. I have found myself thinking (crying) about the fact that Leo will be a year old in just a couple short months. Where has the time gone? Why does it have to go so fast? I am finally here to fill you in on Leo's status from his 9 mo appt....yes I am one month behind! Leo weighed 18.2 lbs (15%). He is such a little guy but let me tell you he doesn't miss a meal! Guess he was blessed with a good metabolism, something I used to have myself! He was also 28 1/4 in long (50%).

Leo has been working on walking with the assistance of furniture. A month ago Leo seemed to be progressing from crawling to the walking stages very rapidly and we didn't think it would be long. Now we think he is just content using other things to help him get along. Why work so hard to walk on your own when you can use something else!

One of our favorite Leo moments is when he makes his 'surprised' face. It started when we would read books (Daddy Kisses or Elmo) and now happens when he sees himself. I think he likes himself..ha! We also love it when he does 'touchdown'. I don't really know where he picked that up from but now does on command when we say touchdown or whenever he feels like it. Our little boy is the funniest little guy we know. Where do children come up with these things?

The Parenza clan is doing well and can't believe the year is almost over. Can't wait to see what 2012 brings to us!

Touchdown!

This is what I love!

Leo is crawling!

So much has changed with Leo! He started crawling a few weeks ago and is all over the place. It was fun to see how he progressed from moving a couple feet to moving across the entire house. He has also started to pull himself up on furniture... I think that means walking is in the near future. Here is a glimpse of Leo's first crawl...

 Leo took his first trip to the zoo. He waved 'Hi' to all the animals and then zonked out before we made it to Africa. We are planning on going back in the next couple weeks so we can see Jerry's relatives. (Jerry is the bright yellow polka dot giraffe below and Leo's BFF)

                                                 Leo got his first black eye....whoopsy.

                                                                      Meet Jerry.

                                                       Leo and daddy doin' a little dance.