Renaissance Man

This year for Christmas Karen, to my surprise, convinced my siblings and their spouses that we should spice up the sibling gift exchange by requiring that at least a portion of the gift be handmade. That actually ended up being a good thing for those of us who were given gifts by spouses, but not necessarily such a good thing for those who were given gifts by the siblings (except by Nat, that is). 

I actually tried to get out of doing the 'homemade' portion of my gift, but Karen was insistent that I fully participate in the activity. She suggested that I make my sister-in-law Brianne a headband. After much convincing and the use of much leverage, Karen got me in front of the sewing machine. Let's just say that it took a lot of supervision to get me from start to finish. 

I just thought this needed to be documented as evidence that I actually did do the work (not that the workmanship of the headband I made isn't evidence enough that I did it). 

The Renaissance Man at work. There isn't anything I can't do. 

Although I did have to do a substantial amount of unpicking for such a small project. 

The one I made is the red one on the end. 

Paper Airplanes

One activity that Jack really enjoys with daddy is making and flying paper airplanes. But he--apparently--has learned that he doesn't actually need me around to do it. 

Yesterday afternoon Karen watched Jack get into the computer cabinet, grab a piece of paper from the printer, 'fold' (I use the term loosely in this case) it into an airplane, and then throw it and chase it around the front room. Karen says that he was having the time of his life. 

This is the first paper airplane Jack ever made all by himself. 

Shapes

Jack with his favorite 'shapes' toys

For the last several months, Jack has really enjoyed playing with his shapes. In the last few weeks, however, he has gotten very good at identifying what goes where. In fact, I can hold up a shape and ask him where it goes, and he will immediately point to the correct slot. 

I am amazed at how quickly these little ones learn and discover the world around them, and I sit in awe at how much joy there is in helping it happen. Jack is very lucky to have a mom who constantly provides him with new opportunities and experiences. 

Mommy & Bryce

Two of Jack's first five or so words were "ma-ma" and "da-da." Since then his vocabulary has increased quite a bit, and he has become able to verbalize more complex phrases and thoughts. 

For instance, now Jack can say "mom," "mommy," and "mommy's" (possessive) in addition to ma-ma. 

He has taken it a step further with me and now calls me by my first name--Bryce--about half the time. Is that a sign of sophistication? Respect? Does it have anything to do with the fact that for years I have called my own mother, whose given name is Jean, Jeannie? 

Photo of the Day

What happens when you skip your morning nap and then eat lunch? 

The Tease

Another thing that Jack has recently started doing is teasing me. What he does is hold out a piece of food in his hands like his is going to give it to me. But when I open my mouth and move towards him so that he can put the food in my mouth, he pulls the food away, shakes his head 'no', smiles and laughs at me, and--the kicker is--he says "tease". He just thinks it is the funniest thing ever. 

I took this picture this morning just after Jack teased me with some of the cereal that you see him eating on his tray. I get a kick out of the fact that the kid just cracks himself up. That being said, I am aware of one other person in the family who also laughs at his own jokes. Once again I must conclude that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

PS Jack got his second haircut yesterday. He didn't have much to cut in the first place, but I guess his mother is attracted to men who keep it high and tight. 

The First...

Since this is the first post of the new year, I thought I'd share some firsts with you.

Tonight, we had our first Family Home Evening with Jack as an actual participant (yes, I am a derelict parent for having waited this long, but those of you who know me already know that I am a derelict parent, so you aren't the least bit surprised at this revelation). Karen went to the store and bought the new nursery manual, which she heard was a good resource for FHE with young kids (those of you who know Karen are not the least bit surprised that she was the driving force behind this event).

Anyway, we started FHE by having a song. That song happened to be, "If You're Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands." That may be the first line of the song, or it may be the title of the song, or both, I'm not sure. Anyway, Jack was absolutely in hog heaven. He just couldn't get enough of the song. He would smile from ear to ear and clap to his heart's content when we started to sing.

When we would finish the song, Jack would say, "again", and would make the hand sign for 'more'. I bet we ended up singing that song a dozen times, and it was as much fun for him the last time as it was the first.

We also sang a song about a snowman melting, but I don't remember the name of it (believe it or not, primary songs have never been my forte). Jack liked it as well, but it wasn't as special to him as "If You're Happy..." Suffice it to say the music portion of FHE was Jack's favorite part by a long shot.

The other 'first' that we have to share with you is that Jack did his first somersault today. For the last month or so Jack has--from a standing position--bent forward and put is head and hands on the floor while still keeping his feet on the ground (kind of in the shape of an upside-down "V"). When Jack started doing this, Karen and I wondered what he was trying to do. As time went on, we realized that he was trying to do a somersault.

Well, tonight was the big time because he went up and over (or at least he went mostly up and over). He was as proud of himself as could be, and came up smiling and clapping for himself. It was quite a performance. We'll have to get him doing it on film.

Today was a really great day for us. Jack is a source of pure joy for Karen and me. Every day he seems to learn something new, and it is rejuvenating for me to see him discover the world.

PS We know that we need to post pictures on our holiday adventures, but will have to do that another day.