(Grayson with Jacob in his beloved frog towel)
Since leaving Berkeley in mid-December, Jacob's verbal development has been astounding. When we left, he was still rarely putting 2 words together and was learning friends' and family members' names at a leisurely pace. Now, Jacob recalls names of family members who've been gone for over 2 weeks and has spoken several 4 word sentences (unprovoked)! Though, let it be said that his first real sentence was typical Jacob: "I see a basketball". Since then, it's been the typical toddler motto's including but not limited to; "I want some", "I do it", and a family favorite "No, all mine" (so proud.....ugh).
The picture below is a snapshot of the silly but imaginative games Jacob plays with his Ma (grandma) while singing 'Ring around the Rosy'. Jacob actually sings "Ashes, Ashes, all fall Down'- then knocks every last cup off his head feet, etc. Not much beats hearing your child actually singing the words (almost in time and tune) to songs in the backseat during car rides!
Additionally, Jacob now scribbles like a pro. Back in Berkeley, Jacob made stray lines here and there, then boredom would set-in and Jacob was off and running. Now, he'll draw and accurately broadcast his lines, circles, and (attempts at) stars and squares for 10+ minutes.
Car rides are fun not only for the singing from the backseat, but for the color shouting that has begun. Yesterday all we heard was "yellow" as we made our way through a parking lot with loads of yellow barriers! He's got yellow and blue down pat and we're working on green and red.
This munchkin was been a selective snuggler from the start- he just never wants to miss anything! Recently, his pets and stuffed animals have really become his "babies" and snuggle objects and he just wants to snuggle them, talk to them, and take them to use his potty. Obviously, we think it's precious.
And finally, Jacob has a sweet tooth. Duh, most little kids (and adults) do; it's instinctual and protective as sweet flavors in nature tend to be safe, bitter ones poisonous. Usually Jacob tries all foods before deciding whether or not to like it, but I've recently tired of him not actually eating greens beyond avocado and peas. Last night, he ate broccoli in exchange for some grapes. No fighting, whining, or pouting: just ate the broccoli as asked, drank some water, then devoured some grapes. Thus, the cheesecake bites he got to enjoy with Ma in the following video were balanced some by the broccoli (not a very good dietitian point-of-view, I know).
