He is Learning Math

A few weeks ago on our way home from school I asked Jackson about his day. 

"A O is like a zero and zero means none."

Whoa J. The idea of nothing associated with a number out of no where. And its connection to something familiar like the letter O.

He has understood when nothing and can identify if there is one, two or three objects very quickly. But for him to numerically represent nothing, I was impressed. 

Cookies or Sprinkles

 Jackson likes sprinkles. He likes them on his donuts, on his ice cream and...on his cookies. 

A Simple Trip

We took part of Columbus Day to go to the local Children's Museum. Only about one month earlier I had taken J & Em to this same museum. This time, I had much different results. 

Jackson this time gravitated to a pyramid block stacking activity. After a little bit of problem solving/stalking the older kids around him, he figured out how the blocks were to be stacked to reach the highest point. He gathered, stacked, watched, stacked, took away, watch and stacked. With a little prompting on the need to start another diagonal row, he eventually sped up when noticing he was near the top. 

He was so proud when he finished it...for about 30 seconds. Then he crashed it down into the bins for the next kid. There was that slight moment though where I sensed his notice of accomplishment, his recognition of mastering something new. 

We continued on to air tunnels and opportunity for being loud. 

It was Emerson that really shocked me on our trip. Last time she was very reserved, almost just turned off by the loud noises. This time she was eager to be released from my arms. 

The first time we were there she was not quite walking completely on her own. This time she took it upon her self to travel around tables and to blocks that she wanted to see. 

One spot in particular caught her attention though. She loved this neon backlight round table with iridescent magnetic 2D shapes. The shapes would build if you set the magnets correctly. Em though, she just liked to lay and lift, lay and lift. She was completely mesmerized for the longest time. It was wonderful to see her focused on her "task" while still noticing activity around her.

This spontaneous trip to the museum turned out to be one of my recent high lights. Their imagination, inquisition, and overall interest in life is such a blessing.

He Writes

Grandma helped Jackson write a card today. After it was decorated, she helped write a message and asked him to sign it. 

They went letter for letter of her saying it them him taking time to write it out. He did all the writing himself. 

His excitement to give me the card was all I needed but then I opened it up and could actually visualize his name on it! 

Sure it needs some work, but the start of him learning to read or write is exciting!

Messy Face

It's a fact. 

Messy hands are drawn to clean hair. 

It does not matter what she is eating, her hands find their way to her hair. 

Sometimes it is just the hair above her ear. Swiping at her ear with anxious energy as she debates a next bite, melt down or to ask for more. Other times it is the tired, frustrated double hands behind the head that leave everything covered the same as her high chair. 

It does not matter if she is eating something dry or wet, crunchy or soft. I pick goldfish pieces out and dunk her partial head under the sink routinely after meals. We will snuggle later only for her hair to crunch when I touch it. 

She eats well most of the time, but all of the time it ends up in her hair. 

This Little Lady

She loves shoes and hates to have her face wiped.

She will snuggle with a doll and then go race a car.

She is firm with what she wants and fiercely shakes her head no when you try to negotiate. 

She wears anything that resemble a purse. 

She walks around pushing it up on her arm, angry at anyone that tries to take it.

 She is obsessed with cheese. 

So much so that even the slightest glimpse of the bag has her screaming for it.

She loves chips.

As soon as she notices you eating a chip she stares you down and whines until she has one too.

Emmer, you are stubborn and your feistiness makes me smile.

Superhero In Training

Tonight we went on a walk after dinner. In typical fashion Jackson wanted to run for most of the way. Almost immediately after getting out of the stroller he asked "Let's play pirates and I chase you!"

He continued to run for the duration of the walk, switching superheroes along the way. He was a pirate, ninja turtles, Darth Vader, a policeman and Batman.

It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To

Emerson had a wonderful first birthday! It was not without tears however. Who knew how much trauma a cake could cause?!?

What is that coming?

So Big & Superman

Her little arms go up.

Her big eyes look at you.

Watching a child throw their hand up in the air when you ask them how big is cute simply to watch. When you experience your little do it after teaching her, you just melt. 

What Does a Space Ranger Do?

Calm.

"Mom."

"Yeah, J?"

Silent.

"What does a Space Ranger do?"

This is a routine question, one he asks often. He knows the response. So much so that if it would be different in any word he calls me out immediately. 

He first asked it with curious imagination. Now, he asks and I sense he thinks there may be more to the answer. But perhaps the predictable response lets him feel comfort and that is enough. 

He always listens quietly. I always respond calmly.

He rarely asks more. But he has always asked again.

Steps

She took her first steps about two weeks after turning one. It was only one step at a time, holding on to support. 

Soon she was taking one step away before falling back. Still unsure she would crawl to where she wanted to go. 

One morning though I turned Mickey Club House on for her and J. She was all excited so I set her on the ground. With speed and confidence she took off about four steps toward the TV.

Now, this little peanut will try to walk again before considering crawling. 

Her stiff legs swinging out for each step are starting to soften with a bend in the knee. 

Her proud smile and stubborn determination make your heart happy as you watch her take steps. Her growing confidence and curiosity make me sad as a big milestone is reached. 

Life Lately - A Write31Days Challenge

I am so happy to be joining the Write31Days challenge again this year. 

Life lately has had me writing here less. 

Life lately has involved wobbly baby steps.

Life lately has had me writing for work more.

Life lately includes many, many super heroes.

Life lately includes tiny waves and big smiles.

Life lately has been trying to keep track of a growing Christmas list from Santa.

Life lately involved three new pairs of high heel shoes.

Life lately is moving too fast.

I hope to slow it down a little by writing more.

#Write31Days

Steps

What Does a Space Ranger Do?

So Big & Superman

It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To

Superhero In Training

This Little Lady

Messy Face

He Writes

A Simple Trip

Sprinkles or Cookies

He is Learning Math

Frustrated

Toddlers can often become quickly irritable and impatient. Then sometime mix it with being tired and you can have quite a mess.

Well I am often trying to help Jackson describe what he is feeling by asking him descriptive questions.  Often when he is getting angry at a task or extremely impatient and starting to be destructive I ask him if he is feeling frustrated because of (insert whatever he is trying to accomplish). He usually will respond, although not always right away, in big sobs and say "yeah Im frutrated." 

When real calm but struggling at a task I have heard him define his own feelings by saying, with a sigh, "I'm frustrated."

Today I learned that he applied frustrated to another situation. Grandpa was trying to put his shoes on but the fabric in the heel can make them difficult. He was having trouble and Jackson noticed. 

"Grandpa, are you frutrated?"

Day 22 of write31days

Having too much fun

Matt (or rather his friends) reminded me of a past great quote from Jackson just before Emerson was born. 

We went to a friends family lake house. Jackson was having a great time playing with ride on tractor trucks, digging in the sand, and (after some getting used to) playing in the lake water. 

He started in the sand, moved to bringing us leaves on the dock before settling in for awhile climbing up the slide and quickly sliding into the water. It was all at very shallow water but we still had to watch him from the momentum of the slide into the water putting him sitting in the sand under water. He was scared of the slide for a while, but once discovered it used all the rest of his energy

When it was time to leave our little man became very upset. Always trying to help him explain his feelings I asked him if he was sad to go because he was having to much fun. 

Between sobs and huge alligator years he choked out loudly yeah, I'm having to much fun!"

He was so sincere, so tired, and so cute having too much fun. 

Day 21 of write31days

I'll blow away

It was a beautiful, even warm, fall day so we walked to the park. Jackson was having a lot of fun having his dad push him high and tickle his legs on the swing. They switched from the swing with a seat that has a plastic harness drop over the swinger to the normal infant/toddler swing. 

It was slightly windy out and jackson was now swinging in a more open swing. Although you could see he was having a lot of fun, J became increasingly concerned, even scared, with the wind he was feeling.  "I'll blow away, I'm gonna blow away Dad."

Even though his dad told him that wasn't going to happen, he was sure it would. He got off the swing. 

Day 20 of write31days

What'd you do at school today?

When I pick Jackson up from school I can almost immediately conclude some aspects about his day. Usually I can tell if they painted, how much he slept (or didn't), and how successful he was going on the potty. Then within minutes of him very excitedly greeting me I usually know about a specific incident during the day or just about a poster on the wall or toy in the room.   

When we are in the car on the way home I love to ask him more questions about his day. His retelling of his day usually involves naming a classmate and occasionally stating that kid was mean. 

Well this time when I picked him up and started asking about his day I heard the most interesting story yet. 

"What did you do at school today Jackson?"

"We went outside and played, then I married Sophia."

Quickly turning down the music, "What did you do after you went outside?"

"Played"...

"No after"...

"Married Sophia"

Luckily at a stop light, I whip around to see him. "You married Sophia?"

HUGE grin on his face and eyes big, "Yeah, I married her."

Smiling now, "How was the wedding?"

"Good!"

Day 19 of write31days

Growing Up

Today was my first day back at work.

 

(Insert HUGE sad face here)

 

Not only is this challenging all in itself after 8+ weeks off and having added a child, but my husband is also out of town. Now to be fair, I could have started Monday when he is back but for several reasons with work starting today is the better choice.

 

I was fully prepared the night before, bottles filled (more than necessary), clothes laid out, Kurig cup out, toddler milk poured in fridge, backpack packed for me and J, ...we were ready.

 

I was prepared for things to go wrong, or just not smoothly (and they did). But this morning Jackson rocked it!

 

He didn't cry when I woke him up. He sleepily said good morning. In a daze he drank his milk and walked to the potty. He stayed there then until he went. I almost gave up on the idea and was going to let him get up so I could start getting him dressed. He insisted though and sure enough he did eventually pee.

 

He asked what the weather was when I went to get him a different shirt. He didn't fuss when I had to check on Em while he was in the bathroom. He was ok washing his hands quickly. He let the dog out of her cage and cheerfully came downstairs in search of his backpack.

 

 We got sister in her car seat, got his shoes on and as I was pouring my second cup of coffee to go I praised him. I told him what a good boy he was being this morning and thanked him.

 

Standing there with his backpack on his response was priceless...

 

"Yeah, I'm doing a good job growing up."

 

Too quickly Jackson, too quickly.

 

Day 18 of write31days

Happy Day

Jackson usually likes to point out the weather when we first go outside or are in the car. Usually he states "It's a pretty day out" or "It's wet/foggy/sunny out."

Well today it was early, the sun was finally high enough to make it seem light out. It is cool and birds are chirping in the nearby tree. 

Jackson stops walking and looks around..."It's a happy day out Mom."

Yes, today is happy Jackson.

Day 17 of write31days

The way he says it

Toddlers innocently do not always pronounce words correctly. 

Jackson has a few words that are adorably said wrong.

Our dog is named Serenity. (Don't ask). Jackson gets super excited to play fetch with her and loves to "help" take her outside by standing at the door way while I do so. Every time he says her name though its not Serenity but very clear...SENERY.

Jackson sees us typing at our laptop. He has this Fisher Price learning computer of his own that lately he has been loving to "do work" on or "write" the books we read. Well, each time he mentions his computer is it pronounced "PUTER."

Day 16 of write31days 

Where is...?

Jackson loves a good game of hide and seek. Whether it is between you and him or to find something he has hidden, it is sure to draw lots of laughs and excitement, and is sure to be repeated over and over.

Hiding an object is often hilarious, and then quickly burns you out. He will be having fun with a toy and then for whatever reason decide to hide it. He hides it right in front of you, no sort of discreteness. Then after you find it and he wants to do it again he always hides it in the same place. 

We were playing trucks on the floor and baby sister was sitting next to us on her play mat. We started putting trucks in the over turned basket. As I was looking at her he happened to "hide" his long dump truck. "Mom, where'd my truck go?" Turning around I asked him which truck. With an eager smile he points to the over turned basket and says "That truck." Playing along now I say "I don't know, where is it?" He replies, "Right there" pointing again to the basket. 

We went through a few possible locations before eventually discovering the dump truck. :)

Day 15 of write31days