The Picker Family: Jace ~ 21 Months

We were blessed with the opportunity to spend yet another month home with our family of 5: working, learning, and playing together:)

Our little guy changed a lot again this month!

He's constantly chattering (with or without his pacifier in his mouth) and says more phrases regularly. Some recent additions are "nickey mouse", "so close" (when he misses a basketball shot attempt), "no want it" with a shake of his head when he's offered something he doesn't want like food or a helping hand, and "are you Nora". He's currently calling me "mom-mom" or "mom" and I kind of love it:) He's also counting to 10 more often on his own. He's also very aware of routines that happen regularly. He knows the steps to bedtime and going outside (socks, shoes, hat, sunglasses). He will walk around the house talking about socks, shoes, hat, and sunglasses when he wants to go outside and we're not letting him. For instance, when it's been rainy:)

Physically he's growing a lot too. We're currently in the 6 months between well-child visits so we're not sure of inches and pounds gained, but he is wearing 2T shorts and 3T shirts. He's a plump, strong, agile little guy and I love his sweet round cheeks and chubby feet so much! Last weekend he practiced walking down the stairs (on his feet) while holding the rungs/railing. He literally practiced over and over on Greg and Cally's deck stairs and wanted no help from us. Refusing help is not uncommon for him though. He does NOT hold hands. He would rather fall to his butt if he feels unsteady. We're working on the phrase "help please" when he needs help with food or a toy. Every time I say it when I notice he's frustrated, his face lights up and he repeats me. He seems happy and proud to be able to communicate his need. Jace is also happy to ride anything with wheels. We have several choices of toys his and Nora's size and he rotates between them all, even if they are too big for him.

Jace's fascination with wheels does not stop with toys. He also loves watching anyone mow and stops dead in his tracks when a big truck or trailer is in sight. Yesterday the neighbor's lawn care service pulled up to mow and Jace literally did a little dance in the driveway while he watched the big riding mower drive out of the trailer:) This month Jace had his first experience with the ice cream truck visiting our neighborhood. He was floored! A truck that delivered ice cream!?!? We learned that he quickly started associating every white box-style truck with ice cream. We were on a walk the next day and he started whining about "coo-kas" when he saw a white truck. Thankfully Nora and Brent put this together so now we know what Jace is talking about. Unfortunately for him, the ice cream truck only comes Thursdays.

Another fascination of Jace's is watching the big kids on the trampoline. Our neighbors have one and it often has several kids on it. Jace loves to check out the action and chattering and point at them. He also loves the neighbors sand box and play set and we're often found chasing him into their yard when we it's not time to play:)

Thankfully Jace continues to broaden his food spectrum and regularly tries and enjoys what we're having for dinner. He also continues to get his 2 year molars. Last we checked he had two broken through the gum.

Our little guy is so much fun and brightens our days. It's hard to believe some days that he's our last, but we also love the time and attention we (Brent, Luke, Nora, and I) can give him since he's the only little guy in the house.