Teeku, Teeku Little Lah

I was hanging out with a group of friends a week ago (maybe 2 weeks ago) and I was watching Jake move about the room singing to himself. I realized after a few minutes that I recognized the melody of, "Teeku, Teeku Little Lah" as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". He knows the first 3 words of all the verses and then resolves himself to Lah, Lah, Lah or Do, Do, Do... whichever monosyllable strikes his fancy at that moment.

We have all been very charmed by Jake's beginning of communication beyond one word commands. (And let me tell you this kid can "COMMAND". He really believes he is in charge of this household which to my realization, we have all kind of fostered in one way or another.)

I have also realized Jacob is passionate about his convictions. (Which feeds into the command / center of his universe persona) which is totally age appropriate but I have had the jagged pill realization - this kid is dramatic. Kind of a karmic payback after years of trying to get my own drama/ passionate convictions into a reasonable, pragmatic expression parameters. Oy Vey!

Jake is also very bright and has after being scolded by either grandma or I for less than desirable behavior - will initiate a hug or a kiss to apologize or "make nice". He figured this behavior entirely out on his own. He is all together too clever for his own good and very charming. (Now if I can only "channel" his super powers for good....)

This evening I gave Jake a spoon and an open container of apple sauce. Partly to foster the desire to feed himself,partly to encourage fine motor skills and partly to keep him engaged enough for me to get dinner on the table. After a few minutes of quiet - I checked on Jake and found after he dumped the entire contents of the container on his tray, he had smeared a large portion in his hair. He was also dipping the palms of his hands in the puddle of applesauce and clapping his hands together and marveling at the little spots of applesauce that would spatter himself and the nearby refridgerator. So I have enclosed pictures of the latest groovy experiment by the "professor".

And I have pic of Jake playing with Cooper who is 2 months younger. Cooper's Mom, Cory and I worked at Expedia together. Our offices were right next to each other when we were both pregnant.

Love y'all - Jodi & Jake

The Adventures of Jacob T Meyer

Jake is 16 months and continues to be a source of amusement and joy for all of us.
Here's the latest in Jake's adventures.

What happens when you sneak a bag of cheerios out of the cupboard... carry the bag upside down and shake while walking about the entry way? All the while minutes before I am set to leave with Mom?

Hmmm... very interesting... ahhh... yes... testing my hypothesis on the scattering theory. (In mathematic and physics, scattering theory is a framework for studying and understanding the scattering of waves and particles. Thank you CBS...)

Then as I tried to sweep up Jake's scattering theory experiment - he started to throw cheerios into the living room. (Not as a protest mind you - more like the absent minded professor working out the next step in his hypothesis.) I can see the wheels in his brain turning.

"Since mom foiled my scatter theory experiement - I should save the cheerios I can and... hmm throwing them on the living room carpet works..." And just to add insult to injury while I was picking cheerios up from the living room carpet - he saved what he could and started to line them up on the coffee table.

"A boy's work is NEVER done..."

Cousin Reagan (Shay's daughter) was here to visit 2 weeks ago. Jake seemed very interested in her pacifier and enjoyed patting her on the tummy when they were in the bath together. Other than that he was very cordial except the time he tried to climb on her to get to the back of the couch. I see I have my work cut out for me in oh so many ways...

Jake is a sponge and has learned 3 words this week.

1. Pompa - Grandpa
2. Nah-Nee - Mommy FINALLY!!! (not to be confused with Nee-Nah which is Grandma)
3. Moo

Grandpa also says he said the words, "eat" and "cheese" this week but failed to repeat them under interogation. So we are unsure if these words will be utilized in the full vocab rotation.

Until next time...

Jodi & Jake

Waaaay over due Jake Update

Jake is thriving - he is walking, (starting to do a jaunty run) He goes up and down the stairs on his own and can climb down from the couch and chairs but not up yet.

He is a chatty social baby who loves people. His newest thing is to say, "Hi" to everyone while we're in the grocery store.

He can also say about 11 words. (A friend of mine who is a public health nurse is really impressed that Jake has more than 4-5 words which the average for a 1 year old)
His 10 words in order of frequency are:

1. NO! (with exuberance)
2. Nina - Grandma
3. Uh - Up
4. Ow - Down
5. Lye - Light
6. Nye - Nice
7. Eee-Ouw - "Meow" for Kitty. (He calls our Kitties - Meows)
8. Uh-Oh - for anything he drops or throws
9. Tee-Too - ThankYou
10. Gacker - cracker
11. Ba - Ball

Yesterday I got him to say, "wheel" and "coupon".

And when he wants me - he just calls out. He doesn't have a name from me yet. (Sometimes it seems he is calling me "De-de" for "Jodi" but it has been too inconsistent for me to be sure.

He does call specifically for grandma and sometimes he calls grandpa Nina too. (Nina may be generic for grandparents.)

At 15 months he has also been practicing the art of the temper tantrum. (Which I didn't think I would see until around 24 months) He does throw himself back on the floor, scream, get red in the face and hammer his arms and legs into the ground. I just ignore him - so far it has only been at home and he hasn't embarassed me in public yet.

Jake has also shot up. We went to the doctor two days ago for his shots/checkup and he has grown 2 inches since his first birthay in November.

Here are the stats -

November / 12 months
Weight - 22 lbs. 14 oz. 50th percentile
Height - 30 inches 50 percentile

February / 15 months
Weight - 24 lbs. 12 oz. - 55th percentile
Height - 32 inches 75th percentile

Yup! My kid may be tall... and he hair is start to curl a little on the top.

Included is a picture of Jake naked in a rocking chair.
He ran away from me during a diaper change and climbed into the chair.
I couldn't resisit a photo...