16 Months Old

John had his "month day" on Wednesday, and I managed to have a quick photo session with him. 

He's growing up so fast! Where his big brother could spot any train, large or small, John has an eye for balls. He spies a ball, announces its presence ("Ball! Ball! Ball!"), and wants to play with it! He also appreciates hats; even sunglasses perched atop one's head gets a "hat! Hat!" from him. 

He's more into books now than he has been. He'll bring a book over and say, "Up!" if you're in a chair. If you're on the floor, he backs himself into your lap with the book in hand. Cute. Yesterday he picked up Snuggle Puppy and said "Oooo!" He also lifts his face to mine for a kiss at the appropriate times in the book. 

He still loves to eat and is quite proud when he succeeds at using a fork all on his own. The determination with which he stabs food- oh, so cute! On Monday we had a post-parade lunch at the diner, and he busted out with a sweet "All done!" complete with little arm gestures. Over and over. We were all delighted!

James gets super excited when his baby brother ("Mom, he's NOT a baby now; he's a toddler.") has a new word. After swim lessons on Tuesday, I told James that John had said "bubbles," and John immediately said it for James who giggled with pride! So sweet!

John is impressive with his throwing skills. He can launch a ball with force and a certain degree of accuracy. (Obviously he didn't get that from his mother!) He also likes to run and to dance. Anytime he hears music, he grooves to the beat. 

He loves to splash in the water. Swim lessons are great fun, and bath time is quite splashy. He also enjoys taking a shower. Basically, as soon as the faucet is turned on, he reaches his little hand out to test the water (like he sees me do), and tries to climb in the tub (dressed or not, he's not choosy).

Here's a list I've been trying to maintain of his words:

John's words

1. Hi

2. Uh oh

3. Baby

4. Belly

5. Daddy/Dada (+ sign)

6. Mommy/Mama

7. James

8. Eye

9. Nose

10. Ball

11. Hat

12. That

13. Ow

14. Peekaboo

15. No (+wag head)

16. Thank you

17. More (sign)

18. Toes

19. Milk (sign)

20. Yes (+nod)

21. Door

22. All done

23. Bubbles

24. Up

Happy Memorial Day!

It may feel like fall here (I mean, come on Mother Nature. It's not nice to schedule the hot, humid, sunny days for school and the cold, breezy days for when the pool's open. Not cool.), but it's Memorial Day weekend. 

****a little shout out-- Happy Half Birthday to Cousin Ezra! 

and

Happy Anniversary to Auntie Maggie and Uncle Beardy!

We love and miss you all!***

Sooooo, anyway....

We were looking pretty patriotic for church this morning, so I attempted a photo shoot. (Dan and I aren't pictured, but imagine a red sweater with a seersucker skirt, and a blue checked shirt with khakis. I'll let you figure out who wore which, haha.)

Enjoy--

Check Mate

Several months ago, James saw some kids playing with the jumbo chess set at the mall and asked me what it was. I told him it was chess. Not long after that, he saw a kid and his dad playing at the library and said something along the lines of, "Look! Chess!" 

Well, this Wednesday at the library he walked in and quickly and excitedly plucked a book off the display. "Mom! Starting Chess!" It was the only book he was interested in borrowing. 

As soon as we got home, he cracked it open and started reading. Grandma came over, and he told her he'd know how to play chess when he finished his book. That night he fell asleep studying it in bed!

Presently, he and Dan are downstairs playing and consulting the book together. I haven't had an opportunity to observe yet (thank you, John), but he sounds like he's having a blast! 

Living the Dream

Today was a marvelous day:

Perfect sunny, breezy, wear-anything-and-be-comfortable weather.
John played and sang and smiled through "baby story time" at the library.
I vacuumed the whole house. (Even James's room. Because we finally picked up in there. Happiness.)
We walked James home from school.
James had lunch on the front porch while I watered the lawn.
We walked to and from James's story time at the library. And also borrowed a bag full of books.
Yummy dinner. (And Daddy was home!)
Skyping with Maggie and Joe.

And the cherry on top? A post-supper family bike ride!! John's first ride. James's first two-wheeled venture out of the cul-de-sac. We rode to Hubbard, played a little on the playground, caught a bit of a coach's pitch baseball game, and cruised home. James did great. It's hard to say whether John enjoyed the bike or the slide more.

I. Love. My. Life.