Win Some, Lose Some

As pretty much everyone knows, Jack is a man of few words.  Where most kids his age are talking up a storm he prefers to be pretty quiet.  He hears just fine and he has excellent comprehension, he just doesn't feel like speaking especially when he can just do things himself.  It's amazing that he's kept quiet this long out of sheer stubbornness - after all, we've heard him speak, he just chooses not to.  But we feel like we finally had a breakthrough!  Over the last few weeks new words have been coming out of his mouth, and John's even gotten him saying "please."  Hooray!  Of course, Jack's not going to make things too easy for us.  Just when we're making progress on something that's been bugging us for over a year, the munchkin throws a new wrench in our plans.  He's decided that he no longer likes wearing a diaper.  Needless to say it's been a long week for us, and I'm starting to get tired of cleaning up all his little messes.  Hopefully we'll make it through this 'bump' quickly and in one piece!

Terrible 2s - Ugh

Jack is a pretty good kid about 90% of the time but lately that other 10% has just been a battle.  This past week has seemed especially difficult.  I know that my family finds it hysterical but I still cannot believe how stubborn this little man can get.  It's amazing!  At 29 months I don't think we have ever successfully gotten that kid to eat a bite that he does not want, and the kid will barely speak.  His hearing his fine and he comprehends what we say, he's just not interested in speaking.  And lately he's added a new tactic into his arsenal: when I ask him to do something he doesn't want to do he'll ignore me - as though his toys are now the most interesting thing in the world and he's too engrossed in them to even make eye contact with me.  It's been like talking to a brick wall!  The real tipping point for John and I, though, has been Jack's interactions with other kids... because the ignoring me becomes a serious issue when I'm telling him things like "be gentle with the other kids" and "don't tackle them to the ground".  We're trying to nip this in the bud before Jack becomes that kid.

So here's a photo of my handsome, stubborn boy, and here's hoping that this week sees some real progress!

Jack

Apparently this is Jack's pose of choice.  He walked up, handed me the camera and then proceeded to climb onto our couch (with his truck, of course) and cover himself with pillows.  Of course I obliged him and took a picture :)

Saturday Morning Donut Date

As most of our family members know at this point, John and I switch off weekend mornings to sleep in.  So I get up with the boys on Saturday mornings, and frequently I like to take them on outings or an activity of some sort to help pass the time.  A favorite?  Getting donuts at Frost in Mill Creek.  Jack gets excited just going into the store, and when we get our donuts he and I sit at the counter (with Nate in his carseat on the floor) and split a donut.  It's one of those moments that's a special thing for just Jack and I, and while it's not something we'll do every weekend I really look forward to the Saturdays that we do.

Painting with Jack

Today I busted out Jack's paints and smock (courtesy of Allison) and he had a blast!  As soon as I got everything out he plopped down on his little table and sat there at the ready, excited to do some painting.  Jack is already enjoying the arts and crafts from the Bates aunties and cousins.

Smiley Nate

With Nate being our second child it's hard not to look at him and think about what Jack was like.  Personally, I think the two of them look an awful lot alike, though one things for sure: while both of them started smiling early, Nate smiles way more than Jack did as a newborn.  It's so easy to coax a grin out of him!

Blogging... or not

I'd hoped that I'd have an easier time finding opportunities to update the family blog, but it turns out with 2 boys I tend to run low on spare time.  Don't get me wrong, they're both great kids, but between the 2 of them they take up an awful lot of my time and attention and then when you try to add in things like chores, household projects and even the occasional workout... there's not much time left in my week let alone in my days!  Fortunately it's a 'good' busy, with 2 happy little campers and parts of the house are even clean sometimes :)