18 months!

Jack is one and a half years old today!

I have tried to write a blog about him for the past 3 months, and it hasn't happened yet, so this is going to be an extra long (and disjointed) post. Jack has changed so much these past few months. Although most of these changes are ones that make him more independent and on the go, it is such a joy to watch these changes happen! I don't exactly know why, but I adore this age, tantrums, craziness, and all! I guess it's because it's such a fun and adorable stage. The cuteness factor is through the roof at this age, and he still has enough babyness left to want to be cuddled and rocked, on my hip a lot, is discovering and learning constantly, and there's very little and simple disciplining to be done. He sleeps oh so well, he eats great, and is just happy to be alive. It is also a daily joy to watch his and his brother's relationship develop. His interactions with the family are so sweet and fun to watch!

Here's a list of things I want to remember about Jack right now:
Slobbery kisses
Big huge smile that lights up his face
He says Gah-koe (thank you) all of the time when he gets what he wants.
Booming voice
Giggles with brother
-Grabs bags or keys or anything that has a rope that can go over his shoulder and says "bye bye"
-brings me books over and over and whimpers like a puppy or yells one thing in the book, like "baw baw baw baw baw" (ball). He'll back up in my lap with a big smile when I grab the book to read to him
-sometimes he sits still for a whole book but he mostly reads like a true boy. He lets me read a few pages and then starts flipping to the pages he wants, banging excitedly on his favorite pictures, and then tossing it to the side. When I ask him to point things out, he'll give it one hard, big whack!
-one of the sweetest things he does is when he wants to slow down enough to cuddle, he tuck his arms into us as far as they'll go and lays his head down on us. If I pick him up in a rocker and say, "rock rock", he'll immediately tuck his arms in and be perfectly still for about 5 seconds.

His favorite song is "I see the moon and the moon sees me...", and every time I sing that, he says, "Pah-Pah" while doing the motions, so I'll sing Patty Cake right after. I had sung those two together once, and now he wants them together every time.

He is fearless and thrill seeking...uh-oh...

We get a lot of comments about how active, energetic, and busy he is. He's at a really hard stage to go out with. Sometimes he'll sit great for us, and sometimes he screams to get down so he can climb on everything. You never know what you're going to get!

He has the loudest, blood-curdling scream. He screams and then looks at us in surprise, along with us, at what came out of his mouth!

When he is doing something he knows he shouldn't be, and he sees us coming for him, he runs away and does it as quickly as possible, then looks back and gives a big grin.

Likes to curl up in his crib. He tucks his knees in, with his hiney in the air and tucks his arms under him.

Just started running. It's adorable, since he's so low to the ground and his legs are so chubby.

Loves to be outside more than anything in the world (maybe tied with climbing), and loves to kick the soccer ball around the yard.

Is the class greeter at mdo. He says a loud "hi, ti-ti (tristan), hi abi (avi), hi ana (Savannah)" to each kid coming in and "bye-bye" to each person leaving. He knows how to make each person feel loved. :)

He loves to go bye-bye at the end of the mdo day, runs out the door, goes straight to James' room, and is always excited to see everyone. Sometimes, some are still laying down, and he'll go lay down too.

He's very social, and his eyes light up with his interactions with people. It melts my heart the way he looks at me. He is a very loving little boy.

Pulls our shirts of the laundry and says whose they are.

Goes to the time out chair when I say to James that he's in time out.

Studies people he doesn't know. He won't crack a smile usually, and won't take his eyes off of them.

Climbing
Hurriedly walking towards what he wants
Into everything

Words:
Moe (more)
Wah-wah (water or milk)
Cokee (coffee)
Di-Coe (diet coke)
Bibi
Bi-eee (Bryon)
Daaa (pictures if himself or his reflection)
Mamoo (matthew and Thomas)
Deedah
ME or Mae-Mae and bah-boo (James)
Mommy
Daddy
Leah (jilinda)
Ae-bee (avi)
Anah (Savannah)
Tee-tee (Tristan)
Leh-leh (William)
Nana (both nanas)
Duckie
Doggie
MY (mine, while pulling things into him)
No (no and nose)
Eye
gee-too (gentle) while patting my face
Hah (hat)
Too-eee (tree)
Lih-ee-uh (lydia)
Ga-cool (Michael)
Shooo (shoe)
may-oo (mail)
beeeeee (eat)
oo-ee-nee (weenie-mini hot dogs)
Goo-kie or goo-koo (cookie)
Ba ba or bye bye (breakfast bar)
keeee (keys)
Gun (down-he says this one constantly)
Ow-ooo (flower)
Boo ball (football)
Bee ball (other balls)
Booh (book)
Oh-eee-oh-eee-oh (phone)
He-oooh (hello) while picking up phone
Moo-moo for cow
Nee nee for horse
Bapoh (apple)
Choo-choo (trains, 18 wheelers, big trucks, or anything lined up that looks like a choo-choo to him)
Baby (baby and yo baby)
Cheese (cheese and for the camera)
Gock-gock (rock rock
Boppy (jumpy)
Moo (moon)
Sigh (outside)
Cah (car and truck)
No no no (from no David, when he picks up books)
Wee (swing or slide)
Wee go? (where go?) with hands in the air
Bb (tv)
Pah-pah (patty cake)
Boo-bah (toothbrush)

Jack was apart from James and me this past weekend for four days, and when we came back, he was sooo happy to see James. Much more than me! He said, "Mae-Mae!!!" and got right up to his face and stared at him with a big smile. He kept looking for him that night, and when they were separated after bath time, he cried in a pitiful voice, "Bye, Mae-Mae.....Maaaaeee-Maaaaeee!!!!" We brought them together for a good-night kiss, and he kissed him over and over. James loved this, since usually James is wanting more brother kisses than Jack. It was so sweet to watch them miss each other like that. The next day, he showed he missed me by at first snubbing me and then being super attached for the rest of the day.

Here are some pictures of our one and a half year old!