Jakob's World

I can't believe this boy.  Seriously, he is growing like a weed!  He's 15.5 months and is officially a toddler.  He started taking steps at 13ish months, and he's getting better all the time.  He still drops to his knees every once in a while for a quick crawl, but it's becoming less and less frequent.  He still has that hilarious wide-stanced-T-Rex pose, which just cracks us up.  His hair has grown so much, but the curls manage to keep it out of his eyes most days, thankfully.  I'll delay that decision as long as I can, thank you very much.  

(Jakob and his punch-drunk expression, courtesy of Pops)

Jakob loves water.  We spent last week up at the Lake, and by the end of the week, he was crawling in deeper water, holding his breath at times, and just crawling right out like it was a game.  Terrifies me!  But, he's cautious and adventurous at the same time, for which I am thankful.  I love his toughness (a very welcome new trait to this girl-majority home).  He falls and tumbles often enough, but it has to REALLY hurt to elicit a wail.  

Speaking of wailing, we are starting to see more of this dude's temper!  His new favorite trick is refusing to walk when he's mad.  Quite funny by the third time around, I must say.  I usually just let go and let him wallow for a moment.  Then he turns to look up at me with a little smirk.  Stinker :)  He also loves to screech, get our attention, then smile and clap.  I guess that alone proves he's expecting a rebuke, right?  He isn't nearly as bad at throwing/dropping food right now, mostly because his appetite seems to be returning after a few weeks of teething/cold discomfort.  

As for teeth, he has all but three... He  is cutting his last two molars now, so that will leave just three small vacancies in his mouth until 2 year molars.  Boy, that went quick for him.  He seriously seems to be getting them all at once.  Teething seems rougher with him, probably because my girls just cut them one or maybe two at a time, all nice and spaced out :)  Jakob- he loves to get them all out of the way and make us all suffer. 

Jake's dairy "allergy" is definitely easy to manage, for which I'm grateful.  These infant allergies often just end up being an intolerance, so I've been able to quit reading labels (which is especially helpful on vacation!) and just give him everything we are eating,minus the obvious culprits (butter, cheese, cow's milk, yogurt).  I have tried introducing yogurt and cheese with no success (he ends up with nasty diapers and wakes up in the night feeling miserable...).  A little butter in his veggies might only give him a bit of eczema, but lest you think I torture him just so I can put butter on his plate, I promise it was an experiment :)  He is not a fan of meat these days (minus "faux" meats like hot dogs and sausages- thanks, vacation food).  That's a pain, but he loves a green smoothie now and then, so I'll pretend he's a raw foodie.  

(Jakob with his cousin Owen... and Emily trying to photo~bomb)

Jake still takes two naps, but I am starting to cut down his morning nap.  If I nap him from 8:30 - 10, he will usually sleep from 1-3 in the afternoon.  He's never been like clockwork on his naps, but I am thankful he will still take them and allow us a little flexibility.  

I just love this kid.  There's nothing like hearing him yell "mommy!" as he toddles towards me and hugs my legs when he arrives.  His favorite word by far is "daddy!" and we also hear lots of his other words: car, fire (points to anything under the sun and calls it fire), hi!, bye!, side (for outside), stay (for stairs), cracker, cheese (ironic), cookie, Leese (for Elyse), Emmie, luh loo (love you), night.  His only animal noises are a growl for lion and a grunt for pig :)  Love those two little noises.  He loves animals.  We took him to the zoo last week, and he would just sit in his stroller and stare at monkeys (his favorite), bears, and lions.  He jabbers all day, sounding much like a little German boy, all gutteral and throaty.  

This boy gives big hugs, kisses, smiles, and even the occasional temper tantrum, and we love him to pieces.  I have called this the best and worst of ages... so incredibly fun, yet so incredibly exhausting!  I'm reminding myself to be persistent in these small battles (believe me, they are small compared to the battles with the older ones) so I won't make those big-toddler battles much worse.  Funny little guy- he still has me wrapped around his finger.  I'm sure I'll stay there, too.  Love you, Jakob Henry.