Mr. Communicator

Mr. Communicator is working hard today. This morning we were playing and he started rubbing his sleepy eyes. Then he walked over to me looked me in the eye and said clear as a bell, "ni ni". So off to bed he went and went right to sleep. He is a genius! We went to the park and he loved watching the kids. He stuck right by me for over half an hour, watching intently and imitating the big kids with his little spoon and bucket. Then he started walking around and visiting. Jack didn't like the swing much, it seemed to scare him, but he really enjoyed the park overall. [Joan]

But, Grandpa...

Ken said he was going to take a shower, and Kiva immediately jumped up and said “I’ll take a shower with you grandpa”. Grandpa said “no that’s ok, not this time” in a flustered way. Kiva then looked at him with those liquid blue pool eyes and said “but Grandpa, I want to see what you look like in the shower”. Grandpa utterly nonplussed and sputtering...uh uh uh uh. I told Kiva that “grandpa likes his privacy when he takes a shower”, and she was immediately ok with that. The look on Ken’s face was utterly priceless though, sort of like a completely panicked landed fish gasping for air. That girl is such a treat, and has an innocence that just squeezes my heart (and grandpa’s). I can't wait for Jack to start speaking up, I know he has a LOT to say as soon as he get the mechanics down. He "talks to me" all the time anyway, I'm just not as good in his language as I want yet. [Joan]

The Lightning Stab

Jack is such a honey pie. He has walked a little bit for me. A couple of steps, and once almost 10. He is soooooooo adorable when he does it. Jack slept through most of the weavers meeting, but was a huge success when he finally work up and made his entrance. What a flirt he is!
When Jack first got here he didn't want to come to me. I think he forgot me in the week you were gone. Very cute; he crawled over to Jim, stood between his legs, turned his back to me and put his head down "I know she can't see me now". He warmed up quickly and we are old pals again now.
Today at bottle time he was absolutely determined to stick his finger up my nose. No tantrums or anything, but every time I put my head down he would try a different strategy. The lightning stab, the slow creeping up on it, the "I'm only playing with your hair" and then the quick jab. Very very funny. He wound up drinking most of his bottle with me staring at the ceiling to keep my nose out of range.
Jack loves watermelon as much as his sister does. :-) [Joan]

A Round Shoe

Jack and I have been having fun. We went to Sunrise Mall for his first shoes (exploiting Grammies privileges again) and he did not know what to make of these strange things stuck on his feet. Size 4 extra wide; basically a round shoe :-) I let him play in the mall play area for a while and took some pictures which I am uploading and will share with you. Jack loved watching the kids and generally they were very considerate. One little girl however, pushed him so he landed on his butt. Not hurt and he didn't cry. Her mama came over and reprimanded the little girl (gently, but she said no no) and they both burst into tears. Very cute. She wasn't much bigger than him and very young. She's the one in the white blouse and tan shorts in the photos. [Joan]

Wants to Climb UP

Jack doing very well. I love his wide leg standing, he is getting his balance really well. He also just loves that push around toy. Ken working with Jack again on the stairs today, he says it is important that Jack knows how to back down stairs safely, however Jack is just not interested in going down, he wants to climb UP. [Joan]

Dumpling

Jolly Jackie was an angel today. Charmed the ladies at the weavers meeting, drank his bottle and fell asleep. Slept for almost 2 hours on a blanket on the floor. Too cute, they had a retriever dog who Jack was chasing around. When he went to sleep, the dog laid down right next to him and stayed there til he woke up, on guard.
Emptied my plastic container cupboard with energy and enthusiasm, loved the tiny pool in the yard, played peekaboo with a towel...putting it over his face and then pulling it away and laughing uproariously. Found the bag of birdseed in my closet and in a heartbeat had it out and on the floor. Since it was already on the floor I let him play with it for a while which he loved. He did eat a little bit probably, so if you find any diaper mysteries, that's where it came from. :-) Jack climbing the stairs (with me right behind him), he loves the accomplishment. What a dumpling he is, just gorgeous. [Joan]

I'll Take Care of Everybody

Kiva very sweet when Joy called and said she had just gotten word that her test results showed pneumonia and she needed someone to go get her meds in Roseville and shop for food. We were at the park, and I told her I had to go take something to Aunt Joy because she was very sick. Kiva replied "that's ok Grammie, I will take care of Grandpa, Uncle Chris, Dancer and Sweetie Pie while you go take care of Auntie Joy." whatta kid [Joan]

No, Jack

Our sweetie Jack doing great...what a change from last week! He is pulling himself up and letting go, and moving around holding on to furniture. Also trying to get to the buttons on the dishwasher :-) He kept trying to climb on the fireplace and I kept moving him, saying "no Jack", then Ken leaned over and said "no Jack" in a very quiet voice and Jack burst into tears. Ken was quite dismayed. Didn't last long of course, and Jack is now snuggled down for his morning snooze. [Joan]

Mine Doesn't Move

This will make you laugh. Kiva and I were taking a shower after going swimming. She pointed to her butt and said, "that's my butt". And I said "yes it is". She patted mine and said "this is grammie's butt" and I again said, "yes it is". She then said very seriously (and I'm not making this up), "mine doesn't move". I just about fell on the floor laughing. Well, Kiva when you are an old grannie, your butt will "move" too.

when we were driving to the pool, Kiva was requesting us to sing a song that we didn't know. So Ken said "we can make one up" and proceeded to sing a few lines and then asked Kiva "how was that?" She replied "it wasn't very good grandpa". Oh the brutal honesty of the innocents. Ken was still laughing when we got to the pool. [Joan]

Conspiracy?

Jack was his usual charming, laughing, giggling, self today, although he seems to now have a pattern of a poop just as Daddy pulls out of the driveway in the morning....hmmm... I sense conspiracy here. Every week he is more vigorous and active! We wrestled (a lot!), threw balls, pulled every sock out of my sock drawer and THREW them around the room. He really throws hard too. Took him with me to the fabric store where I finally picked up the fabric for the bridesmaids dresses. He loved fondling all the furry, silky and fuzzy fabrics as we went down the aisles. It's too funny remembering how at his age they have eight arms and each one is about 5 feet long. He listened to Gillian Welch on the way home and sacked out, didn't even stir moving from the car to his bed. I'm seeing more temper these days too, although it doesn't last long at all. He threw a hissy fit when I took him out of the bath, he was enjoying playing in the water too much. [Joan]