(We’re overdue by five days, and the pictures were taken in Mimi’s kitchen instead of the usual location. But 10 months she is, so here goes…)

Eline at 10 months:

• Weighs about 17 lbs. and is wearing clothes for 6 – 12 months and size 3 diapers
• Is on her fourth week of pretty severe feeding issues, finishing bottles only in her sleep and often refusing half or more of the bottle during waking feedings. The Vandy feeding therapist suspects reflux, and we have a call in to the pediatrician.
• Is taking all-formula bottles and seems to enjoy solid foods, including small bits of finger foods like fresh fruits, baby puffs and bread. I usually have to feed them to her, but she is able to do some self-feeding.
• Has started refusing to allow anyone but mom, dad or brother to hold, touch and interact with her. She may smile at other family members or strangers if mom or dad is holding her and she is well-rested and in a good mood, but if she’s tired, just a look at a face other than ours will set her wailing. And if anyone but us tries to hold her, watch out. The trauma escalates until mom or dad takes her back and calms her down again.
• Sits unassisted for minutes at a time, playing with toys and turning to noises, although she tends to fuss about how much work it takes.
• Loves to play on her tummy and can spin herself easily in any direction and wiggle forward a bit. Wants to crawl and tries to lift her torso but doesn’t yet have the coordination to get on all fours.
• Babbles constantly, blowing LOTS of raspberries, making guttural sounds and now using some consonants (mostly “da-da-da” and the occasional “ba” or “ga”).
• Is a good sleeper at home, in her familiar environment – napping 30 minutes to an hour in the morning and 2 – 3 hours in the afternoon, and sleeping at night from around 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to 6 – 6:30 a.m., with us feeding her asleep twice in the evening. She does not nap well anywhere other than her own crib but does seem to do okay at night.
• Enjoys being cuddled, played with and read to and is a happy, good-natured baby. She smiles all the time in response to us and giggles some when she is being tickled and played with. She adores her brother and has even started smiling at the dog lately. She really absorbs a lot about her environment and notices so much of what goes on around her.
• Loves to play with her toes and chews constantly on anything she can reach. She still acts like she’s teething, but nothing new has broken through.

I can’t believe my baby will be one in less than two months! There are real challenges day-to-day, as we deal with Lina’s quirks and needs. But there are also times when I’m glad that I get to enjoy my littlest being little for a while longer.