Reese's Pieces and Cracker Jacks: September 2012

Reese,

The night before your first day of K-3 I realized that the next day would be the beginning of it all. Once we begin down the road of "school", it will become reality for the next 18 years. And you know what? That makes me a little sad. There will never be another time where you will just be home and not under the care of other people. It also makes me happy and proud because if anyone can rock K-3, it's you! You don't know strangers and everyone is your best friend. I hope that you are always inclusive of people because there are people in this world who need to feel included. I hope your eye is always drawn to those people.

I have to say, sometimes I'm a little jealous of your confidence and outgoing-ness. It's like you walk around saying "ain't nobody gonna bring me down" and that is so refreshing! I hope you know that I will always encourage you to walk the path you're on with confidence and integrity! You have all the characteristics of someone who can be an outstanding leader one day and I am so excited to see where the Lord takes you and in what capacity He uses you.

As you start K-3 I think the biggest realization is that you might {and unfortunately, probably will} get your feelings hurt or feel left out. That makes my heart seize up because all I want to do is protect you. But I also realize that these are the experiences that make you strong and sensitive to others feelings and so I pray that when those situations happen, you're ready to deal with them.

I can't wait to hear about school everyday and I fully expect to hear that Mrs. Hannah told you to be quiet in the hall, because I'm afraid I will NEVER get a report that you are just too quiet and shy. That's just who you are and who I hope you will always be: extroverted, confident, and loud!

I love you,

Mommy

This big boy is 18 months old! Actually, he turned 18 months old at the end of August, but he is just now getting to the doctor for his check up, and I really just can't do these posts without weight and height. I really must say that 18 months is my most favorite age. The wow! wonder! excitement! is just so fun. Everyday he does something different and I mean, he's totally adorable too:

Eating his favorite snack: "pop tone"

My boy's vocabulary has really exploded these last few weeks and it is so fun to hear him say little words and phrases {even if those phrases are "no" or "move mommy" (wonder where he's heard that?)}

Some of his accomplishments:

he can recognize "yeyow" {yellow}, green, white, and blue

if you count to 4, he can say 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10

of course, he is still all about cars, trucks, and trains ::: "biiiiiiiiiig tuck"

he calls Reese "sissy"

he points with his thumb, not his index finger

he appears to use both right and left hands the same. he can feed himself with both hands and colors with both hands.

he can point to and say his hair, eyes, ears, belly, booty, hands, tongue, feet, toes, and I'm sure more.

I'd say he's more sensitive and clingy than Reese has EVER thought about being, which I must say, I kind of love {except for when I drop him off at church nursery...it's not so cute then.}

I can already tell that he has a big heart and loves to give "pat pats" {hugs} and lays his head on your shoulder and then pats your back. MELT. MY. HEART.

He weighs 25 pounds and is 32 inches tall. He's in the 50% percentile all around!

He wears size 4 diapers, 12-18 and 18-24 month clothes, and size 6 shoes {let's be honest, crocs are the ONLY shoes he will wear}.

He's not what I would call a picky eater, I just think he's too busy to eat. Unlike Reese who wants 2 helpings of food, Jack will barely finish 1 serving.

His favorite foods are snack foods. He could do with or without most other things. As I was thinking about this list, there's nothing that really pops out as a food he loves. He does love those applesauce/baby food pouches that he can eat himself.

He does love breakfast foods: scrambled eggs, oatmeal, waffles, sausage, bacon. I would say that's his favorite meal.

He also likes noodles and soup.

He could do without meat, veggies, or fruits {unfortunately}.

Jack looooooooooves his "paci" and "sassy" and everyday he says "sassy, are you?" and then finds her and hugs that little elephant so tight and says "aww sassy." He loves sassy.

"aww sassy"

He also does not like ANYTHING on his hands and anytime he gets anything on his hands, he says "ewwww, mama"

playing in mud, but did not like it on his hands

The boy loves to go on "big walks" with his sissy and if he's ever fussy, that's the easiest way to calm him down.

I'd say he's become more aware of Reese taking things from him and he's actually starting to object {imagine that!} I'm afraid he's already learned the phrase "mine!"

He does like to know where Sissy is and make sure she's ok. Sweet brother.