Big Boy Words

Your vocabulary has been rapidly expanding and you now say some pretty cute things. You went from one word to two word combos and now...some pretty full sentences. Your first sentence was, "I afraid of the dark."I was surprised by the completeness of your statement and by the fact that you think you are afraid of the dark. You aren't really. You walk into dark rooms, sleep completely through the night in the dark and you love the moon and stars. So, I was quite shocked by your first sentence. 

Not only is your vocabulary expanding but so are your feelings and emotions. You were never afraid of something before. You are learning to label your feelings and we are helping you to manage them. You are quite the feeler. You feel things deeply. When someone leaves, when you don't get your way, your little heart breaks. But, you are a good listener and we can explain things to you and you understand. It's a work in progress and I'm learning to not take every fit and bout of defiance personally. It's hard...every child is different and sometimes I compare you to other kids...and that's not fair to you or me...at all. I'm learning, this whole process is new to both of us. I always thought my parents knew what they were doing...but, no amount of reading or babysitting has prepared me for the real life decisions I face everyday. Do I spank you...time out...take away that toy...sit you down and talk...a condo of all of the above. Somedays it feels like a barley make it through with my sanity but, you are growing up to be quite nice and even polite. There isn't much more I can ask for right now. You are discovering who you are just as much as we are getting to know you. 

Anyways....

My favorite new thing that you do is narrate your self. You say things like..."I sit down" "I do it" "I get it" "I pick it up" "I color" "I play with cars"...I love it!! I love that you know what you are doing and you love to tell us. You are so proud of the fact that you can communicate with us. It is such a joy to watch you grow and learn. 

Something else thats new...I think we are going to start potty training. I want to just do it in one swoop and will probably start the 'three day method' soon. Let's do it or not. But, to see if you were ready, Daddy and I bought you a really cool ramp/launcher thing for your cars! It sat on the back of the toilet in your bathroom and you would try and try to go potty in your toilet so you could get this toy. You totally understood what we wanted you to do and that you would get that awesome toy if you went in the potty! So one night Daddy sat you down to try and you went!!! We were so excited. It was the smallest amount of pee I have ever seen but you did it! We rejoiced and you clapped for yourself. You were so excited to get your new toy. We even stayed up a little past bed time to play with it! So, another journey begins. I'm not quite sure I'm ready...I think potty training is more about mommy training at first...always asking if you have to go. Well, here goes nothing. 

We took these pictures today...I love being silly with you!!

Love, Mama/glad to be on this journey with your Daddy and you!! (and soon our little Jackson)

You are a genius!!

I'm always so impressed by what you understand and the concepts that you grasp at such a young age!

The other night at dinner I told you to put your water in the cup holder on your tray with just verbal commands, no showing you where the cup holder was and you took your cup and plopped it right in the cup holder. This is even cooler to me because for so long you didn't allow anything on your tray. Not even my arm, you would push it off and look at me like I was crazy for having my arm on YOUR tray! Your cup has gotten tossed many times from your tray, so I was very excited when you put your sippy in it's 'special spot' and left it there for a whole meal. 

Another incident proving to me how smart you are happened the other night, just before bath time. You were running around naked, I know that I take some risks with having you naked, but I feel like every kid needs some naked time. What better place than a tiled bathroom? You were walking around while I was filling the tub and then you got quiet. This is my cue that you are getting into something you shouldn't. So I turned around to see you banging on the lid to the toilet, peeing on the floor. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a coincident that you walked over to the toilet and peed. You were walking around and then walked over to the toilet and were banging on the baby proofed lid like, mom this thing won't open! It was funny. I cleaned you off, put you in the tub and cleaned the floor! All the while amazed that you have grasped the concept of going in the potty. 

You call just about everything "ba" for ball but you are quickly learning the names to everything. You point to things and look at us waiting to learn the name of whatever object caught you fancy. It is such a joy to teach you. To help you learn about the world. I knew you would be fun but I just love teaching you new things. The grocery store is the best. You point to apples, I tell you what they are and you repeat "a-po". My favorite is Avocado, you say "ca-do" or "Avo". Too cute. 

Oh, you also love to share. What one year old loves to share? You walk around handing people toys and objects wanting them to play with you or teach you! I love that you love people, even when it makes eating out difficult, you would rather wave to everyone than eat! You have made many peoples days with just a smile. You have a gift Jakey. You connect with people in a special way, even now!

Well, my boy, I'm convinced you are a genius! Every mom is convinced their kid is the smartest kid around! But I'm sticking by my claim. I promise to not over do it though. No "my baby can read" or memorizing things at a young age. We will play fun learning games and have a great time learning about the beautiful world we live in! 

Love, 

Mommy/contemplating home-schooling you.