Matteo update - he's walking!!!!

My baby is turning into a toddler much too quickly. Matteo starting crawling on November 17 (8 months) and now, only 3 months later on February 22 (11 months) he has starting walking places on his own! I can't believe it!

He's been taking steps for about 3 weeks now, but I always qualify really walking when they take off on their own. He's doing really well, but it's so funny because if he's walking towards one of us he gets really excited and at the end just lunges for us (therefore falling into our arms). Otherwise if he wants to stop he just sits himself right down. He's gaining more confidence and has starting walking more around his brother. (I know it must be hard because Sebastian gets excited and then he accidentally gets knocked down.)

In the past week he has also starting signing back! We used baby signs with Sebastian and it was great. We have not been as consistent with Matteo, but he is finally starting to pick up on it. He is signing "more" and "all done." Still working on milk, eat and bath. =)

He is trying more and more to imitate what we say. For now his "words" are mama, dada, tat tat (for Sebastian), agga (water), ah dooo (all done), and ah choo (sneezing sound). He doesn't really do any on command - but I really think he is starting to understand much more and try to express himself which is exciting.

He loves water, juice, his che-che (milk), avocados, yogurt, and anything that someone else is eating. He loves to laugh and challenge you when he knows he's not supposed to do something. He still goes after all sorts of electrical cords if he can find them and can find the tiniest crumb to put in his mouth. He loves to dance, clap, play chase and peek-a-boo, shake his maracas and take his brother's cars. He is a book abuser (ie - always ripping them apart!) which drives his Mami crazy and upsets Sebastian. He still does not like the cold and cries when we put his coat on. Poor Florida baby. =)

So that's it for the Matteo update. In less than one month he will be 1 year old! Unbelievable!

Enjoy this video of one of the first times Matteo crossed the entire living room. And also signing more at the very end. (Click here if the video does not appear below.)