Winter at the Zoo

These ducks don't fly south for the winter.

And, they are fearless.

And hungry.

So we fed them a bunch of Cheerios.

This little feller kept going under the stroller to find the stray Cheerios. He was the only one smart enough to get on the ground to catch all the ones the others didn't get.

I can't hear you...

The bears were at least visible...but they were both soundly sleeping.

Going to the zoo on a winter day in January is a surefire way to beat the crowds and get a stellar seat for the (lackluster) dolphin show. But if you go to the zoo to see the animals (as most do), you might be a tad disappointed since there are only a few of them out in the chilly weather. Jack, of course, enjoyed himself (especially the few times he tried to make an escape), and it wore him out just in time for his nap.

Horsey

This is the beautiful, handcrafted, rocking horse that Grampa Ed made for Jack. Grandma Sue surprised Jack with it when she visited this past weekend. He has made one for all the grandkids--and we just love it. And so does Jack. He rides it, pushes it around, knocks it over, and stores things underneath it. Apparently, its a much more multi-purpose toy than we ever imagined. Thank you SO much, Ed! Its wonderful.

Tid Bits

I'm having difficulty getting blogger to upload any more photos from our weekend, so I'll try again tomorrow (we went to the zoo and Jack got a beautiful rocking horse from his Grampa).

Jack's vocabulary has been giving us quite a bit of fun lately. In the last couple days he's added the following to his ever-expanding repertoire:

-Opu du-dor (open the door)
-tooo, free, GO (1, 2, 3, Go)
-wer'd id go? (where'd it go)
-po-war ber (polar bear)
-bye bye G'MA-ma (bye bye Grandma)
-bwoon (balloon)
-tain (train), usually followed by "choo, choo"

And, there's always, "here you go", "there it is", "here it is". And lately he has been asking for a "cu-ke" (cookie) a lot more frequently, which is a little odd since we rarely ever offer Jack cookies or sweets (like he needs any help in the hyperactivity department).

Mortification

So, today, Jack and I ventured out on our day off to run a few errands. Our first stop was at Cookie Cutters for a haircut. Of all the places I expect Jack to misbehave, this would be the one. But, never once, has he done anything but sit still and smile while they cut his hair. It amazes me!! (And today, he got his first haircut with the buzzer...and gel to spike up the top--he looked so stinking cute!!!).

Next up was the book store. I needed to return a couple books I didn't read, and I planned to buy Jack some new books for our trip out East in a couple weeks (the thought of 9 hours in the car with a not quite 2 year old-and a wild one at that-continues to terrify me). We moseyed on through, found our books, played at the train table, made a quick escape for a diaper change, and then, heaven forbid, I offered him a snack (because I thought that's what he was getting fidgety for). I don't know if it was the wrong snack or the wrong container but he was NOT happy. And he proceeded to scream and cry at the top of his lungs in the otherwise VERY quiet book store. I tried to head back to get our books where we left them, and while I'm pushing the stroller, Jack continues to scream and is now getting himself completely sideways in the little umbrella stroller (entire upper body hanging off one side, feet off the other, the little waist strap the only thing holding him). So, I make it back to the chair, sit him in it, re-offer the water and snack (which works for a second)...then next thing I know, he's throwing our books out into the aisle, kicking his shoes off, and then sliding down the seat in that nasty temper tantrum like arching that every parent of a toddler knows too well. At this point, I realize that this adventure is no longer salvageable (I have NO idea what his deal is)...and that I'm not even going to be able to get what I came for since my child is so obnoxiously disturbing the peaceful atmosphere where most people go to quietly relax and enjoy browsing a good book.

The entire time, I refrained from speaking to him, and silently maneuvered us (diaper bag over one shoulder, attempting to push the stroller one handed, and a frantic, sobbing/screaming Jack in the other arm). I was M-O-R-T-I-F-I-E-D.

First Shower

Jack has a nasty diaper rash this week, so we've been letting him run around most evening sans diaper to 'air it out'. He quite enjoys this time. Tonight, he started peeing on the floor, and I quick grabbed him to sit on his little potty. Of course, the urge apparently disappeared when presented with the appropriate option. (He loves to say potty, pee pee, and even poop...not that he seems the slightest bit interested in learning any more about them). At one point, he briefly sat on the big 'potty' and dunked a foot in there. I quick turned the shower on to rinse it off, and he seemed so enthralled with it that we decided to let him try it out.

He LOVES the shower. He played in there for quite awhile. His favorite part was happily screaming daa-ey, daa-ey, daa-ey (daddy) while peeking at Bob through the clear shower curtain.

(Side note: Jack had a funny (well, now it is) little episode the other morning when we were getting him ready for daycare. It was taking forever to change his diaper with all the ointment we were putting on, and he ended up peeing all over himself. I mean, he drenched his hair til it was dripping with urine, peed in his mouth--so much that he choked on it. Afterwards, he sat up, crying, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth making the most awful face due to the distaste. He needed a complete bath at 6:20 in the morning, we were both late to work, but a few years from now, I'm sure this little boy will get a kick out of the fact that he once peed in his own mouth.)

Lunchtime

While I would still classify Jack as a picky eater (i.e. he still refuses to eat anything green), he has improved over the last few months. The sandwiches he once hated (sunflower butter and jelly) are now one of his favorite lunchtime foods. And, of course, it is (almost) always followed by his request for a "blananana"...also known as a banana to the rest of us. (He usually asks for a second banana when he finishes the first despite the fact that this request has always been denied).

Lunch is then followed by the most peaceful part of the day...naptime.

Rough Days and Snow Days

Today was a rough day.

Jack was NOT a happy camper.

THE ENTIRE DAY.

In fact, there were far more temper tantrums than smiles.

And that is just not the norm.

Oh, he has meltdowns. But there are ALWAYS tons of giggles, laughs, and smiles.

But, not today.

Today, I think he woke up on the wrong side of his crib.

And when Jack isn't happy...ain't nobody happy.

He and I fought all day.

I said no, and he did it anyway.

I made him get down, he got back up.

I took something away, he screamed.

It was not pleasant.

All day we had planned to play in the snow when Bob got home.

Jack and I talked about it all day.

I couldn't wait.

Getting ready to play in the snow was like pulling teeth.

By the time we were all dressed and ready, Jack was screaming and thrashing.

He calmed down outside, but he was so bundled he could hardly move.

I really wanted good pictures again, but it was getting dark already.

Not to mention, Jack wasn't exactly cooperating.

But here's what I got:

Snippets

Two of my favorite words right now...

These days...

Wow...its been a busy month! And Jack has continued to be just as busy as ever (probably even more so than before). He is constantly learning new things. He seems to be really big on puzzles and shapes at the moment (in addition to his main passion for Cars). He is great at putting shapes and puzzles together (he has to fiddle with getting them in just right, but he knows exactly where they go immediately). He can match colors as well! He loves his animal books--he can't say them all by name yet, but he can point to whatever you ask him to.

He's talking up a storm now--he's never quiet.

Newer words:

• blaana (banana)
• motme (oatmeal)
• melmo (Elmo)
• s-guy (sky)
• butn (button)
• turt-l (turtle)
• go bye-bye
• Te-te (my mom TT)
• Popeye (my dad Poppi)
• dur (door)
• cher (chair)
• boo-bi (blueberry)
• ec (egg)
• on (he wants everything ON)
• hot
• ta-down (touchdown)
• a-done (all done)
• mor (more)
• eet (eat)
• fun (phone)
• herro (hello)
• sok (sock)
• Uh-huh
• Yeah
• Wow
• Cool
• a-no (snow)
• baa (bath)
• nac (snack)
• pot-i (potty)
• bi-yt (bite)
• hor (horse lol)
• go-t (goat)
• cow
• Keen (Lightning McQUEEN)

He also currently can name and point to his mouth, nose, eyes, ears, hands, feet, belly.

Things we think he's said:

• Let me in
• Open up
• I want that
• I wanna hold it
• Wash hands

And there's still a bunch of stuff he's saying that we can't quite decipher yet. He's definitely got his own language. But its so much fun trying to figure it out. If I didn't write it down here, I'd never remember--and its so cute now the way things come out that I hope I never forget.

Its amazing how much he's changed this last year...and even harder to believe that he's only 3 months away from turning 2!! He is such a joy to our lives. He keeps us on our toes every waking minute, but its worth every second!

Funny Faces

Jack's many facial expressions were about our only entertainment Sunday afternoon as we struggled to watch the Colts game. We were quite disheartened to see our undefeated team just give up...but Jack's goofy little self always reminds us that football is just a game and puts life back in perspective for us.

Let It Snow

We took Jack outside this morning to play in the little snow that was on the ground. When we first set him on the ground, he looked up (it was still snowing) and reached his little arms up as it fell down on him. Then, he ran back to the door as if he was all done. We grabbed him, brought him back out, and he traipsed around like it was no big deal. My main goal was a few cute pictures, and I was happy with what I got. (I keep getting error messages when I try to upload the others, so...I'll have to try again later.)

Temper Tantrums 101

I have recently been schooled in temper tantrums by the master (aka Jack).

And the following is how you perfect a tantrum:

1.Voice your disapproval by screaming and pouting. (Crocodile tears are a bonus!)
2. When that fails, throw your head back and your hands up in the air.
3. If you have something (like a book) in your hands, throw it directly at whoever told you no.
4. Proceed to hurl your body onto the ground for dramatic effect.
5. Writhe about, roll around, kick your legs while proceeding to fake cry.
6. If you notice no one is paying attention, move to a better location and start again.
7. Don't stop until you get what you want, a better option comes along, or you forget why you were throwing a fit to begin with.
8. Practice. Practice. Practice.