Ok, So I'm Not Getting Better

You know those grand plans we tend to make and then somehow never reveal themselves - it seems this blog is turning into one of them. I had grand illusions of journaling daily about all the cute and adorable things that Jack is doing. Well, rest assured there is no shortage of cute and adorable - just a shortage of time and energy on Mom's part. So, here we are and another month has gone by without a post - I really don't think it's me. My theory is that I have somehow slipped into some weird time warp where the days are only 2 hours long and the months fly by. Don't laugh - I've heard others speak of this same thing - I believe some call it "working Mom's Syndrome" others just call it "life".

Remember when you would spend your lazy days bored just trying to think of something to do and you'd listen to your parents talk about how time flies and wondering what they were talking about because the school year would be endless - well, we all know what they were talking about now don't we. Oh, to have all that time back now!

So enough about how much time I don't have and now on to how Jack is spending his time. As usual he is trying to spend every moment outside. We are learning that we have to wear our hat when we are out even though that is not his preference. But, he was blessed with Mommy's fair skin so it is sunscreen and hats for my boy for the rest of his life I'm afraid. So far we have avoided any sunburns (also partially due to the rain and unusually cool temps), but I'm hoping we can be diligent and keep his skin in perfect condition. I saw someone the other day covered in tattoos and piercings and thought "his mother probably used to marvel at how beautiful his skin was when he was little too - now she must be horrified!" God help us if Jack ever wants to go down that path. Oh well - not going to worry about that until I have to.

These days Jack is VERY busy. The boy does not stop from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed - especially that jaw of his! He is quite the talker with much to say. This age is a great one. Now that he can express himself and is discovering new things everyday - it so much fun to watch. I know that when babies are brand new mothers can spend hours just looking at them and no one else really gets it, but I swear that hasn't changed for me, in fact it is more so these days. I can sit and watch him play with his cars or whatever forever - it is fascinating to me to see his little wheels turning in his mind, watching his imagination come alive and witnessing that look of ultimate pride when he figures something out.

He has started counting and now can recite 1-10 without fail which we are pretty proud of and he has started to say his ABC's, which for now are limited to the "hij" portion of the rhyme. So, if you start, he will jump in with "hij" and then throw in a letter hear and there to "help" you say your ABC's. I think that is the most surprising thing to me is how able to learn he is. Obviously I'd like to think that he is exceptionally gifted and bright but I really just think that kids at his age have the ability to learn more than most people give them credit for and it's all about what you're willing to expose them to. They can drink it all in and absorb so much earlier than we could think possible. It makes me sad for the all the little ones who are ignored in their environment and then put at a disadvantage from the beginning. To me, it gives a whole new meaning to "head start". We should be focusing on kids from the earliest age and letting them develop as much as they can - what a difference that could make in the world if all the little ones were instilled with confidence and learning from the very start - ok, I'll climb down now from my soap box. But you have to admit, it is a pretty awesome thought.