About a month ago, while we were in Oregon, I let go of the couch and took a step.  I tried one more time that night to walk.  I haven’t tried again (at least while anyone is looking).  I practice standing alone all the time.  Sometimes Momma tricks me and hands me something for each hand so I have to let go.  I can stand up and even play with toys while standing, but I do not walk.  I decided to put off walking.  Everyone was so excited that I would walk before 11 months.  I think its a better idea to have a growth spurt and learn some more things before I start walking.  Here are some of the things I have learned to do this month

• Blow kisses – Papa and Momma have been blowing kisses my whole life, but it was Aunt Tivona who finally got me to do it for the first time.
• Kiss – I am very private about my mouth as anyone who has tried to look at my teeth knows.  I would mimic Momma and kiss a duckie, but I wouldn’t kiss her.  On Thanksgiving I thought it would be a nice thing to give momma a kiss.  Now I like to get lots of kisses.  Momma is sometimes afraid I am trying to bite because I dont close my mouth to give kisses and, well, I sometimes bite her.
• Feed people – while at Heather’s I started to feed Momma my apple. It works!  She actually eats from my hand.
• Play catch
• Open drawers and bins
• Try to snap my fingers (this one is going to take some practice).
• Turn lights on and off, quickly and with skill
• Say hat, light, kitty, apply and sign water.  I already say up, Momma, Papa, dog, bird, ball, book, more and bath.

I will probably start walking soon, so stay tuned.