This month, Jack cut three more teeth. Yes, three more. I don't remember that the girls cut so many in such a short span of time. Every week, it seems as though there is at least one swollen gum and/or a protruding tooth that results in excessive drooling. After getting rid of all of his bibs two months ago (convinced that we were finally past that stage), I found myself buying a couple more sets to get us through. If he doesn't have a bib on at any point of the day, his shirt becomes soaked in no time.
Aside from the cutting of teeth, this month has been the most fun for me, I think. Jack's personality is really starting to develop and I am watching him grow from being a baby to a little man with a mind of his own. He does a very good job of communicating exactly what he wants -- either by pointing, gesturing or even attempting to say the word. If his diaper needs to be changed, he becomes pretty adamant about it. His vocabulary is increasing daily and I can often get him to repeat words after me with decent clarity.
Jack also takes commands very well. He follows directions and retrieves objects regularly. One such task that he has mastered is throwing away his own diaper in the trash. I taught both of the girls to do the same thing when they were his age and it saves me a lot of time!
He loves to help with anything and everything; I think that it makes him feel pretty special when we include him in our activities. Steve is especially good at letting him help with any outside projects. It is not uncommon to see him zipping around on the four-wheeler with his dad or riding the lawn mower. And with the colder weather coming, Jack has been helping gather firewood.
Jack likes to do everything that the girls are doing too. Anytime that Sophia gets out her stool to help me in the kitchen, Jack comes ambling over and fights with her over space on the stool. Eventually, Sophia lets him share it with her.
Lately, Jack likes to have his snack at the girls' table despite the fact that his feet can't quite reach the floor yet, and he has been known to fall out of the chair a time ... or twelve.
With Samantha in school all day, five days a week, Sophia has gotten a little more one-on-one time with her brother. They play so well together ...
And Jack does a little independent play on the mornings when Sophia is in school. He isn't great at it because all he has ever known is having the girls around on a regular basis, but we are working at it.
One morning when both of the girls were at school, Jack took great pride in feeding Luna, Sophia's special baby doll. He went and found the doll, all on his own, along with her bottle of milk -- and then proceeded to sit in his chair and feed her himself.
Now, this isn't something that I am going to encourage on a regular basis -- he should be playing more with trucks and tractors -- but I love how it shows his gentle personality.
This last month, I proudly moved our bench (temporarily placed at the bottom of the stairs) back to its rightful position. Jack officially mastered climbing/sliding down stairs and I don't have any fear about him falling. He's pretty competent at this, no matter the size of the steps and regardless of whether they are carpeted or not.
Jack has gotten so skilled with his walking this month that now he is almost running. I love watching his little diapered bottom shake from side to side as he chases after his sisters or one of the cats. And I especially love watching him dance -- that boy loves music and with 'bust a move' to any tune!
It is going to be a fun holiday season this year ... I can't wait!
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