First Dickens Fair

Jake went to his first Dickens Christmas Fair today. He did great. We got there at 1 and he made it all the way until 3:36 before letting us know that he was done. 2:30 is a good amount of time with a LOT of new stimulus for a guy his age. He danced twice with mommy (waltzes) and once with daddy (polka) and we've decided he's at least 27 pounds now. Talk about "carrying" your partner through a dance! Whew! Of course, there are pictures. He took pictures with Father Christmas (of course) and with Jacob Marley (mommy thought the Jacob thing was funny: mommy's weird), and on the dance floor.

On the way home we stopped at the Nut Tree (you have to, right?) and rode our first carosel. The panda, of course. He was a little unnerved, but handled it well and then had a blast running around the grounds by the Christmas tree later. A little cranky when we got home, but a good day over all.

Bottle free!

Well, at 14 months and one day, Jake went his first whole day without a bottle. He even went to sleep with a cup of milk instead of a bottle. There was some fussing at first, but he's so good natured that he finally accepted that his milk was coming in this form tonight. He downed the whole cup in about 2.3 seconds, but graciously waited until Mommy had finished Yertle the Turtle to demand sleep. He went down a little rough, but I think that was more a factor of being a little over tired and having a bad diaper rash again than the lack of bottle.

His new words are "bird" and "banana (nana)." He has also started mimicing actions. He will try to feed me while he's eating (he, apparently does this at school too, which has gotten him bitten twice) and make the "ahhh" face to get me to open up if I'm not being cooperative. He was also "wiping" his own face with a towel from the clean laundry tonight. It was too cute.

He got another hair cut today and I think the lady at Jack and Jillybeans undid the damage from last time. We're off to Dickens tomorrow for his first dance and first taste of "Faire" life. Hopefully, we will get a good picture for the December slot on the calendar. I suggested the ladies from "Mad Sal's" but Steve wants to stick with Fezziwigs. Maybe we will compromise and have his picture taken with Jacob Marley... the two Jacobs!

Sharon

Official first word!

We are calling "cracker" Jake's official first word. He got both syllables out this morning. He has other words that are the right first sound and consistently for the same thing (ca for car) but this was definately "cracker." It fits him that food should be his first word.
Sharon

Jacob and the Big Purple Crayon

This weekend was fun with chalk. I decided, while Jake was playing outside, to let him see what he could do with a piece of chalk (and I randomly picked purple, without thinking of the children's book but it worked out). He loved it. He spent probably 30-45 minutes wandering around seeing what it would write on. He was, however, very upset when I wouldn't let him use it in the house. We now have a very colorful back yard and I'm not looking forward to the rain (if it ever comes) washing it away. Boo hoo.

Update

Kids are amazing. Of course, to me, Jake's more amazing than most, but his progress in this last week has floored me. He's still not saying much (for a kid that talks ALL the time) but his comprehension in growing by leaps and bounds. I have a video I will post later but if you ask him where his nose, tongue, or foot is he will point. He also has gotten "mama" but still occasionally uses it for Steve too. And yesterday he started doing this little thing where he spins around in a circle 2-3 times until he's dizzy, stops and stomps his feet. It's like he's dancing and it's SO cute. I tried to get that on video too, but he wasn't feeling cooperative.

Yesterday we went to Apple Hill and he was SO good in the car all the way up and almost all the way back. I fell bad because I know he hates being backward (he rode in Grammy's car forward Saturday night and loved it!) but it's safer so we keep him that way. He had fun at High Hill (what I used to think WAS Apple Hill when I was a kid - it's just one of the many many farms) and walked all over the place. He also got a new hat that keeps his ears warm. Sadly, as with so many "first" trips, I stupidly forgot the camera.

He's still waking up at 1 a.m. and screaming until he gets his bottle. No idea why this started up but Mommy wants a solid night sleep, please... still the extra cuddles are appreciated since he's "go go go" all the time when he's not asleep.