17 Months

Dear Madison and Jackson,

This month has been fun and challenging all rolled into one. One of the things that has been a challenge is you can both climb on the couch and chair now. We have started to teach you both to sit down or you have to get off. It hasn't quite sunk in yet. 

I've really been trying to fit in a lot of fun things while the weather is still nice. We have done a lot but I also feel like there is still so much I want to do with you. 

Our last few trips to the grocery store have been a bit un-fun for all of us. With Jackson in the seat of the shopping cart and Madison sitting in the big basket, I used to be able to put the non-delicate objects in the basket and the delicate ones on the bottom shelf. Now Madison picks everything up and throws it out and Jackson whines because he wants something to throw. Lately I've been sneaking out on my own if someone is here visiting.

Dear Jackson,
You become more and more like a little boy every day. We have no idea where you learned this but one day you started wrestling with cousin Raphael. He was laying on the floor and out of nowhere you went and pounced on him. Nana Fitz, Nana, Papa, Aunt Kristen, Uncle Mike, Daddy and I all laughed which encouraged you to do it again. Now every time we see him you try to tackle him. You also now love to wrestle with anyone who is willing to lay down on the floor. You even started to push me down if I'm sitting up on the floor. It's such a funny thing.

The "jump" I wrote about last month has morphed into dancing. When you hear music you will bop your head back and forth, swing your arms, and stomp your feet.

You have 3 teeth on bottom with the 4th just through the gums and 2 on top with the 3rd just through the gums for a total of 7. It's amazing to me how many less teeth you have than Madison.

You are very physical. Anytime we go into your room you run in and throw yourself down on the floor and roll around. I have no idea where you got this but it's so funny.

When you first started to learn to grasp things you discovered your love for lint! We were constantly fishing lint out of your mouth. Luckily you learned that it doesn't taste very good but now your obsession with lint has changed into a sort of comfort thing. You will pick up a piece and rub it between your little fingers. It's sweet when you zone out while doing it.

You are much more precocious about getting on the couch and chair than your sister. You really think it's a game. Any time we're not looking you will scramble to the chair and climb up with a loud laugh to get out attention. You know what we're saying when we say to sit down and every time you don't sit down we come to get you and you scramble to sit so you can stay. We do follow through with our threat to get you down though which causes your limbs to go limp and tantrums ensue. We have to put pillows up on the surface so you can't get up.

You are still a major flirt. Everyone we see while we're out always smiles when they see you. 

You don't say a whole lot besides babbling that sounds like a mixture of French and Chinese. You even "say" things with inflection like you're actually saying something. 

You love to point to my nose and eye and get a cute little smirk when you do it.

You have definitely become more snugly which I absolutely love. Quite often out of nowhere you will run over to me and fall into me for a quick snuggle and then be on your way. I would snuggle you all day if you would let me! I love they way you smell and feel. You are just awesome.


Dear Madison,
You are starting to really show off your language. So far you really just repeat words that we say to you (hat *at*, duck, quack *kak*, woof, papa, auntie, more, car *ga* (we're really trying to emphasize the R in car :-), cracker). If I ask you where things are you will point to my chin, cheek, forehead, and nose.

You follow complex commands like "get the book and bring it to Jackson". The other day daddy couldn't find your sippy cup so he asked you to go get it and you somehow found it for him! If we ask you where humpty dumpty is you will go and find the particular book that he is in. It absolutely amazes me especially when I have no idea where the book is.

You have 7 teeth on bottom with the 8th just through the gums and 8 on top for a total of 16. More than double your brother!

You are incredibly inquisitive and quietly curious. You seem to be observing your surroundings constantly and taking it all in. It amazes me how much of what we say you understand. You are pensive and shy when we first go somewhere new with new people but within 10 minutes you are off and on your own.

You are still attached to your huge light brown bear that Daddy gave you for Valentine's day. By attached I mean that when you get out of your crib he HAS to come with you. Once you're out you drop him on the ground and forget about him. Then when it's time to go back in your crib you want him again. You've also added another large dark brown bear to your must have list. I can hardly pick all three of you up!

You have also started to dance when you hear music. You get such a cute smile on your face and will shake your head around and swing your arms. You absolutely light up when you first hear a song.

You have started with tantrums. Luckily we've only had them at home. We have no idea what causes them or how to calm you down. You scream the most hysterical, blood curdling scream ever. You get yourself down on the ground and flail around. I do my best to try to figure out what you want but once you're in the zone nothing will get you out. At that point I just try to ignore you figuring if you don't have an audience you won't want to perform anymore.

You still love to sit in my lap when you drink your milk or eat a snack. You can be snugly but not as much as your brother. Most of the time we have to steal kisses and hugs from you which we do often. I just can't get enough of my tiny little peanut.