A World of Curiosity

I've decided that without a doubt, 12 months is my favorite age. Jack is learning so much right now and it is so fun to watch. I mentioned in my last update about him that he is learning some new words, and he is so close on others. He almost has "done", "gone", and "book" down. He can say them, I'm just not convinced that he knows what they mean. But as of today, he offically understands, and says (perfectly I might add) "caca". I think he has learned "caca" because since his birthday he loves to help me in the kitchen, and I have really been trying to help him understand that he can't put his hand into the batter, or the bowl of mashed bananas.

He demands to be on the counter, right in the middle of the action, where he can see what is happening.

As a result of "helping" in the kitchen, Jack has learned the joy of licking the beaters.

Good news! I got a new plant! Bad news, Jack found a new sand box.

Jack has really learned to keep himself entertained, like his sister. If I can guide himself in the direction of something that will captivate his attention, he'll sit and work with it for a half an hour, and then move onto something else that catches his eye. It is so nice! I'm already starting to see a little of Lucy's imagination rubbing off on him. Here is was feeding the doggie a bottle. Can you say Lucy?

It's a world of discovery for this little guy lately. Above he found what he thought was a ball, but when he put it in his mouth he decided it tasted good. Discovery: oranges.

Below: Jack looked out the window and what did he see? Snow. He sat and watched it fall for 15 minutes, just amazed. He's also recently discovered the deer that roam around our neighborhood. Yesterday when it was about 70 degrees, Lucy came running inside to inform us that the deer were across the street again. I took Jack out to see them and he kept throwing himself in their direction tryin to make me take him over them so he could pet them. Wonder how that would have turned out for him.

Another discovery: cupboards. Jack loves to open the cupboards and climb inside. He loves it so much that I don't want to put the child locks on them because I know he will be so sad. Maybe I'll just put them on the dangerous or really messy cupboards, but leave some for him to climb in.

I could leave him this cupboard. The only sacrifice I'd have to make is my organization in there, but honestly, he destroyed that a long time ago.

Ok, seriously, look at those checks. I just want to squeeze them!

And the balls. This is what Jack's little world revolves around lately.

Playing tee-ball

He loves his room so much lately because I have little figures of various athletes on his walls, and they all have a ball. Every morning when he wakes up, he is talking to these guys. We usually wake up to the sound of Jack in the other room saying "ba ba ba ba ba ba ba... ba ba ba ba". It is the cutest thing. And since I put so much time into making those little guys for his walls, I am so happy that he loves them so much. I love this little boy.