Kian is 11 Months Old!

Here are the photos taken with the "teddy bear of comparison" and Boppy pillow on July 10th, 2009, when Kian turned 11 months old. The first one is my favorite, but I've included the second one also because it seems to show Kian's height compared to the bear a bit better.
Within the past month, Kian has honed his crawling skills considerably. One of his favorite daily activities is playing basketball. Well...the Kian version of the game: 1) reaching for the basketball with a huge smile first thing in the morning, 2) after being placed on the floor next to the ball, pushing/rolling it away, 3) watching the ball until it stops, 4) crawling after it, 5) rolling it somewhere else, 6) repeat several times, and lately -- since dad has shown him that a basketball can be dribbled -- 7) sitting up, 8) picking up the basketball, and 9) dropping it so as to make a few dribbling sounds. Kian pretty much enjoys chasing after anything that rolls, but the full-sized basketball is a favorite!

We have no idea how tall Kian is or how much he weighs right now, but we know that he feels heavier every single day! Wherever we go, people always comment on how tall he is for his age. So, perhaps basketball IS in his future, just like his dad!

Kian still loves to be on the swings, often appearing to have some very meditative and serene moments, in between his squeals of glee and sometimes, his rapid kicking of feet (as seen in the video below).

The Liddell boys on swings at Lincoln Park.

We are also excited to have family memberships to the Woodland Park Zoo (thanks, Auntie Jean) and to the Kidsquest Museum! There are plenty of great playgrounds and parks with wading pools in the city to keep this active little boy happy, too!

Putting his feet up during his first family trip to the Woodland Park Zoo.

Checking out the zebra in the savanna exhibit of the zoo.

Kian thoroughly enjoys turning wheels, whether it's a steering wheel, stroller wheel on its side, or this big wheel for the simple machine exhibit at the KidsQuest Museum.

Being "blown away" by the KidsQuest exhibit about air pressure.

Don't let out this crazy caged animal!!

Because of his growing interest in walking around outside (still holding onto our hands), Kian got his first pair of shoes this past month-- brown leather fisherman style sandals by a fabulous local company called See Kai Run. Actually, these were the third pair of shoes purchased for him, but the first pair were velcro tennis shoes from Babies R Us that are still too big for him, and the second pair were 3 dollar Target specials that really aren't good for his feet, so I bit the bullet and bought a pricey pair of quality shoes.
Here are some photos showing the progression of Kian's shoe-wearing experience:

Walking at Alki Beach....notice the bare feet on concrete,

before his parents bought him shoes...poor lil' guy!

At Lincoln Park, taking his first steps wearing shoes...the $3.00 Target special sandals.

The "good pair".

With his eight little teeth, Kian has enjoyed feeding himself blueberries, cubes of soft tofu, Cheerios (still a favorite snack!), avocado pieces, sweet little grape tomatoes, and whole peas, and lately he is less interested in what we have to offer him on a spoon. There are some delicious exceptions, however, such as fresh, chunky mango applesauce.

Here are some photos of Kian with friends and family this past month...

With Ryan on his first Father's Day

Hanging out with Uncle Max

On Alki with Great Auntie Jean

Playing footsies with Lilly at Bakery Nouveau
while moms eat their savory baguette sandwiches

With Althea in the playroom/living room

Next week, we'll be taking our first big road trip as a family to the Washington coast. We will watch dad and Uncle Devin catch some waves in Westport, and then we'll stay in a sweet little cottage in a community called Seabrook, enjoying nearby parks, trails, and the beach. We'll be sure to post pictures and stories after the trip!

We truly can't believe that Kian is just a month shy of being a 1-year-old! The time has flown!