What a week for discovery! As with every other week in little Jack’s 33 weeks, he has been growing. I would say like a weed, but Mommy doesn’t like to compare her darling little boy with something noxious, no matter how bad his diapers smell. No, Jack is growing like a little boy is supposed to be growing – much too quick. However, despite Mommy and Daddy being able to see the speed at which little Jack Jack is growing, he still manages to surprise us on a fairly regular basis.
One of the more surprising aspects of Jack’s growth recently has been his strength. Mommy and Daddy are both well aware of Jack’s hand strength as he enjoys pulling at our hair, much to the chagrin of our scalps. But, neither of us realized just how much weight he could pick up until he began to pick up a full container of wipes after his dinner one evening. We both quite in awe of our Little Man considering the wipes weighed at least 2.5 lbs. Well, this was nothing compared to his feat of strength a few days later.
On Saturday, as is our biweekly routine, Daddy and I packed up little Jack-man and set out to go grocery shopping. On that day we made a trip to Costco (where we were assaulted by no less than 10 people dying to know where Jack gets his red hair) and we made a trip to Wal*Mart. After our trip to Wal*Mart, with grocery bags scattered atop our counters, Daddy was holding Jack and showing him what we bought. Jack was sitting on top of the counters amongst the groceries while Daddy held him. Then, Daddy went to pick up little Jack who, unbeknownst to him had grabbed the handles of a grocery bag containing two 2 Liters. This fact was only realized when Daddy had lifted up Jack and the bottles came with him. It was quite impressive.
Super-Baby
Later in the weekend, Jack also managed to impress Daddy and I by offering us his paci. Now, at first glance this may not seem all that impressive. However, if you take into account all of the mental reasoning that must go into such an act it is nothing short of impressive. By offering us each a paci Jack had to accomplish the following:
- Recognize that he has a mouth.
- Recognize that his paci is something that goes in his mouth.
- Recognize that Daddy and I both have mouths, mouths that are like his.
- Realize that the paci is something that is separate from his body.
- Understand that the paci which goes in his mouth is something that could, go into our mouths.
- Think that perhaps, Daddy or I would like his paci to go in out mouths like it goes into his.
That’s a lot of thinking for someone so small.
Another exciting development is Jack’s use of signs. For the past few months, Mommy has been using different basic ASL signs. Whenever I say certain words, like Mommy, Daddy, milk, juice, etc. I will sign them. Most of the signing takes place when Jack eats because it provides the best opportunity for not only showing the signs, but opportunities for Jack to understand the signs. For example, before I give Jack his milk, I will say milk and give the sign. Then I will pick up the milk and make the sign for milk right next to is as I say it. I will also take Jack’s hand and show him how to make the sign. Well, this past weekend, during dinner, Jack began to make the sign for milk. So, Daddy gave him milk to test Mommy’s assertion that he was, in fact, signing milk. Lo and behold, he wanted the milk. This continued on throughout dinner and Jack was quite pleased. Mommy began to cry tears of pride. Now, Daddy isn’t entirely convinced, but his mind is open to Jack’s new found form of communication.
Yes, Jack is quite full of wonderful surprises. These past few days, he’s even started surprising himself. One of Jack’s new favorite games is discovering new toys and the difference between them. Mommy will take a little yellow bin and fill it with a couple of different toys and place the bin in front of Jack. Jack will then take one item at a time out of his little yellow bin and inspect it. He will put it in his mouth, shake it, and even hit it against another toy. He is a very tactile little boy who tries to experience everything in everyway he can come up with. When he experiences something new, like when a book makes a rattling noise like his rattles when other books don’t, you can see his excitement.
Happy with his bin-o-toys
Checkin' it out
What is this bumpy thing? (Daddy doesn't even know)
Even more stuff!
This thing looks like fun
Look at all my stuff on the floor
This one tastes yummy
Well, maybe a little sour
There is just no end to this bin of stuff. Look ma, both hands!
Yes, this has been a week of fun and new discoveries, but then again, every week is like that because after all, Jack has only been experiencing life for 33 weeks and he has so much still to learn. Daddy and I can hardly contain our own excitement. Who could have imagined that a rattling book could set our hearts all a twitter?
