For us, it started around 11 months and one week, when R took his first two steps. It was a shock.
He was standing, holding onto me, we were playing, and suddenly he let go, launched himself into M’s arms, and started laughing. I was a little jealous, I admit. But the next day, he did the same thing… toward me. :))
Almost every day, one more step appeared, until we reached the point where he now walks 7–8 steps on his own (he could probably do more if he didn’t try to run). The rest of the time, he walks holding our hands all over the house.
Yes, our backs now have the shape of a question mark. It’s something… hard for him and magical for us.
It feels like he discovered a whole new world. He’s so excited — wants to walk nonstop, climb everything, and you can feel that sense of independence growing.
At 11 months, it feels like everything changes.
It feels like the most intense month so far — although I think I’ve felt that way about every month as it passed. :))
But this one is different. His facial expressions are different. It’s like he suddenly understands everything. I can ask him to give me something, to put something down — and he actually does it.
The remote control is the coolest toy. And this is where I want to talk a bit about screen time.
A lot of people will probably judge this, but as I’ve said before: there’s an X in the top right corner — feel free to press it. 🙂
We are in 2025–2026. AI is everywhere, kids build apps, we control our homes from our phones. Why would I keep my child completely away from technology when this is clearly the future?
That doesn’t mean leaving him in front of the TV for hours to rot his brain with nonsense.
It means control, context, and moderation.
Our daily routine
Morning: YouTube with relaxing music and landscapes, or dance videos. He watches them carefully, then tries to reproduce the movements. Sometimes I dance with him in my arms while he watches the choreography.
It’s mostly background — he plays in the room while it’s on. About an hour, until 8.
Then we go downstairs.
No more TV. Just music from a speaker. He plays, eats (yes, he started eating — we’re done with cucumbers and puffed snacks, I’ll explain later).
He has a bit of formula before sleep, and during that time he watches 10 minutes of educational songs that teach colors, shapes, and movements. Then sleep.
Afternoon: Playtime and meals without TV, only music.
Again, 10 minutes of educational songs with the formula before the second nap.
Evening, before bedtime (7:30–8:10): Paw Patrol is on, which he watches sporadically while playing. When he shows signs of being sleepy, the TV goes off.
That’s pretty much it.
And… shock! We also have a game on the phone. Yes, on the phone. :))
It’s called Shapes and it teaches shapes, colors, and dexterity. He plays once every 2–3 days, maximum 10 minutes.
Otherwise, just to be very clear: I never sit on my phone while I’m with my child.
And R has zero interest in phones — if he sees one on the floor, he walks right past it.
And yes, the remote control is used only during diaper changes “of the serious kind.” Otherwise, there would be serious mess everywhere, because he doesn’t stay still for even 10 seconds. :))
Food
You already know that R has been extremely difficult when it comes to food.
Around 9 months, he started refusing purées and would accept only finger foods and harder textures. And not just anything. For about a month: only banana.
Then only puffed snacks and cucumber. Sometimes bell pepper.
I cooked absolutely everything you can imagine. Nothing worked.
Oh — and baby rice cakes.
Desperate, we went to yet another pediatrician — number three on my list.
Who told me: the child is perfectly fine, weight is fine, the problem is… you. :))
I already knew. The child was never actually hungry.
He needed a full 3-hour break between meals — no milk, nothing.
Out of fear that he wasn’t eating, I always had a plate on the table with cucumber slices, snacks, something to nibble on. And he grazed all day long.
The very next day, I applied the rule. And he ate three proper meals, including fish for dinner.
From that moment on, my life changed. The frustration disappeared, I relaxed, and I am 100% grateful to Dr. D.
Sleep
Sleep at 11 months is… a lottery.
For R, it alternates between very good nights — with two quick nursing wake-ups and solid sleep until 6:30 — and then two or three nights where it feels like his hair is on fire.
He wants to be held constantly, wakes up 5–6 times, and stays at the breast for 20–30 minutes each time.
It’s brutal. And it doesn’t feel like something that needs “fixing,” just a phase where his body and brain are processing too much.
Along with enthusiasm comes frustration
There is magic, but month 11 also comes with frustration. A lot of it.
Anger when something doesn’t work — about five times an hour :)) — followed by short screams.
Objects being thrown everywhere: up, down, at us, over his head. Balls, cars — it doesn’t matter. I feel sorry for the neighbors downstairs…
He wants a lot. And he can’t do everything yet.
Exploration, climbing… and limits — the first “no”
“No” has to exist.
R understood what “no” means since around 7 months, but now he hears it more often. Not because he’s doing worse things — but because he’s pushing boundaries more and more.
How does he react when you stop him?
Either he screams for two seconds, or he goes straight to the one place he knows will get a “no.” You barely have time to say it — he looks at the vacuum cleaner and starts crying.
(It’s a vertical vacuum mounted on the wall, one of the very few completely forbidden things.)
I babyproofed the house in such a way that I almost never have to say “no.”
Corners, doors, drawers, outlets — everything has been secured since month 6.
And still, boundaries are tested constantly. And then he looks at you. To see your reaction.
Non-verbal communication
Communication has exploded.
He points at absolutely everything. Outside, he wants me to bring him close to objects so he can touch them and feel the texture (I carry him in a forward-facing carrier).
Inside the house, he clearly points when he wants water, food, play, or sleep.
He pulls your hand or pushes you away when he doesn’t want more food or water.
He puts the bottle cap back on when he’s done drinking.
He brings objects to play with — balls, toy cars, little books that he wants me to read.
Children usually start speaking around 1.5 years, but now it feels like he speaks with his entire body.
Gestures are language.
The mother at month 11
My weight has stabilized.
I still have 4 kg to lose and haven’t managed to for four months — mostly because I want to destroy the fridge after feeding the baby. :))
Still, I feel good in this new body. I don’t have abs anymore. My eyelids are slightly droopy. I have wrinkles on my forehead because I can’t do Botox anymore.
But every single day, there is a smile on my face that I never had in 35 years. 🙂
Exhaustion has reached a new level — one I thought would lead to an exit.
And yet… I’m okay. I’m no longer the mother of a baby. But I’m not yet the mother of a little child either.
I feel like with the next child — if God helps us have one — the first year will be much easier.
But what about after that? I have big emotions about January.
Looking ahead to month 12
Next week, he turns 12 months.
I can’t wait.
And yet… am I ready for what comes next?
I can’t wait to teach him how to speak — but will I teach him correctly?
I can’t wait to teach him manners — but will I know how to help him truly internalize them, not just perform them?
I can’t wait to teach him kindness — but will I be able to teach him how to feel it?
He’s so small. And already has such a powerful mind.
I hope to come back with equally clear steps for toddler games. :))
