Christmas 2012 was a success.  Although Jack did not fully know what was going on, he had a blast.

Every new toy he opened he immediately wanted to play with. 

He also loved seeing all his grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, & uncles.

 

Christmas Eve

After a short/non-existent nap, Jack was ready for the evening festivities of Christmas Eve. 

We headed to the children's service at Christ United Methodist Plano and Jack enjoyed putting his ornament on the tree during the service for the 2nd year in a row (with Daddy's help).  I love how they tell the story of Jesus' birth that is perfect for little kids & entertaining, too.

Christmas Day

The night before Christmas was rough for everyone with all the rain & thunderstorms going on outside.  I kept thinking that Santa was having a really hard time around Texas that night in all the storms! I don't think anyone slept really good & since it was so dark in the morning Jack slept until about 8:10! 

 

He was excited to see new toys sitting out for him that Santa had brought & immediately started playing away.  He got his big Santa gift when we got back to Nashville.

 

 

As we were eating lunch, we looked out the window and the rain was turning to snow!

It was Jack's first white Christmas.

 

This year was so memorable & I'm excited for next year when Jack begins to understand and comprehend the story of Jesus' birth and what Christmas means, in addition to Santa & everything that surrounds the season.

It's true.  Jack is officially 1.5.  one and a half. 18 months.

Wow.

His 18 month check up with the doctor went great and included 3 shots.  He cried hardest when the doctor was checking out one of his ears and was happy after we left the office for the rest of the day.

Going to the doctor with a walking, babbling, always hungry, always wanting whatever he can't have toddler is exhausting. 

I remember previous appointments and having to entertain him but this was on a whole new level and the whole conversation with the doctor was multi-tasking and trying to concentrate on the important issues at hand and his development and keeping him content & happy (while running around the exam room with bare feet in his diaper).

Jack is officially weighing in at 24 pounds, is 31 inches tall, and has a head circumference of 19 inches.


The main concern we're working on and keeping a close eye on is speech.  He's saying a few words, but definitely has a ways to go.  The doctor is thinking in the next few months his speech will take off, but if not we will go from there.  We know he is comprehensive of what we are saying and he is continually trying to communicate with us and others.

His simple words are dad, ball, dog, bye bye, & no no. I also hear him attempting to say words sometimes like bubbles & bananas. He is constantly talking, yelling, pointing, & jabbering...just not english.



He eats lots of table food but will often put something in his mouth then spit it out.  He gets in his moods where he is very picky and wants something out of the pantry but doesn't want anything we try to give him.  He also avoids most meats.  He has a mouth full of teeth and we're still waiting on the canines & a set of molars.  We are making it a priority that he drinks enough whole milk throughout the day.  He drinks it but it's hard to get him to have 20-24oz!

He loves playing with his golf clubs, any type of ball, reading/flipping through all books, pushing his lawnmower (he likes to push it with me while I'm vaccuming), and watching Sid the Science Kid. He still has so much fun at Gymboree & loves going to the park to climb & slide. Speaking of climbing, he climbs on anything possible including toys, tables, toilets, chairs, and Jake. He loves to pet & harass jake and luckily jake is very patient.


 

He is sleeping like a champ (I was not sure I'd ever write that after his first year of life).  He does still have trouble getting to sleep & always cries when we leave the room but will normally settle down soon thereafter.  He sleeps from about 8:15pm to 7:30am and naps once a day around 1pm for usually 2 hours exactly.

He has a very sweet personality and can definitely be strong willed. The whines & tantrums have definitely increased recently but he truly seems to be laid back and conservative most of the time. He cuddles just enough (although I'd always love more) and give hugs & kisses when they are needed most. He gets shy at first when strangers say hi to him and will dig his head into me, but after a minute warms up and gives a smile. When interacting with other kids he is normally the less agressive one. If another child comes up and steals his toy he normally will just look at them confused & a bit hurt, but not mad or angry.

We love him more than words can express & I am so lucky to spend every day with him. 
Happy 18 months to my bubba, my lovebug, my jack-a-roo!