A little update on my Jack Bean

It's funny, the nickname Jack Bean started when he was just a wee little... well... bean. Mine. And then it evolved into a nickname Daniel started using, and my mom and sister and then when Jack started actually acknowledging himself, he would always call himself Jack Bean.

The other day at the park he told some kid, "Hi, I'm Mr. Jack Bean."  MISTER, people. It's official.

People probably think I gave my kid this weird name, LOL. Oh well, for now it's cute and he can get away with it.

My little mister is growing and changing so much. These early years are so fun. I absolutely love it.

So here are some updates on where he's at now.

Size:

I measured him the other day and he's about 35 1/2 inches and weighs about 27 lbs. He's eating better, but still not great. I cannot wait for him to get over the pickiness stage of life.

Eating chips because you know, nutrition.

Sleep:

Jack is finally sleeping all through the ENTIRE night. (did I just jinx myself? Probs.) It's been awesome. We night weaned and I think that helped. He's also two now so his body is finally producing melatonin on its own so that helps. And I also have been using the Young Living brand essential oil blend called Peace & Calming mixed with a little coconut oil on his feet every night. It helps a lot!

Naptime!  

Behavior:

Like many other toddlers, particularly 2-year-olds, Jack is BOSSY. My goodness, this kid. It's pretty obvious he is an only child. SHARING?! WHAAA?

I try and be that mom that let's her kid "work it out" with other kids on the sharing, but he's shown some signs of hitting/screaming/flailing his body over the toys so the other kid can steal it whenever he wants to keep something to himself. A few months ago, if I kid stole a toy from him he'd be like, *shrug whatevs* but now it's like MY TOYS ARE MINE FOREVER DONT STEAL THEM OR I'LL DIE.

Dramatic? Yes.

But exactly to be expected from a two year old. Fortunately he doesn't try and steal toys from other kids. Yet. But instead he tells me to do it. "Take dat toy for me, mommy." Ummm crime lord in training here??

So we're working on it. But he's two, so it is what it is.

He's getting to be VERY independent. But still a mommy's boy, which is actually a really nice combo if you think about it. Case in point, he won't sit in the cart at the grocery store anymore. "I walk by myself!" BUT instead of running away like a crazed raccoon, he walks always within seeing distance of me. I might have to pull him closer to me or the cart once in a while, but he usually does really well. He often likes to help push the cart. It's awesome. Awesomely slow, I mean.

The Pacifier:

This one is getting a section all its own because the paci is like its own person. Jack even refers to it and a "HIM." No joke. "Mommy, hold him for me." *hands me paci*

I've gotten so much advice about paci weaning from tons of people. And like with all parenting, I tend to just do what feels right. I know some who have done the paci snip (cut off the rubber) and I think if Jack were younger, I could get away with that. But now that he is older, he would feel like I broke something of his intentionally. And I don't like teaching him that sort of lesson. It's tough trying to build mutual respect sometimes, but I feel like this is one of those times.

For now, we continue to try and limit paci use to sleep, but there are days when he is ridiculously attached to it, and that's okay. The other night in the car we were driving home and he was singing this song along with the radio and I look back and he's using the paci as a microphone, has his eyes closed, head bobbing to the sound. Sooo cute. It was totally one of those Melt Me moments. So that is where we are at on that.

Stocking up before bedtime. 

Potty Training:

A couple months ago Jack started showing an interest in the potty, so we let him use it a few times and it kind of never really took off. So we are tabling that for now. I am not really worried about pushing it as of right now. Maybe I'm just being lazy, but I am fine with going at his pace.

The Speech:

He continues to be a little chatter box. I post a lot about the funny stuff he says on Facebook a lot, but I don't think people realize how much he really talks ALL THE TIME until they see him in person. The stuff he says continually has me laughing. Downside to his smarts is that after he says something really cute, I'll be like: "Daniel/Nicki (whoever is around) Jack just said ... It was so CUTE." And then I'll notice he's watching me talk about him and I can't tell if I'm embarrassing him or something, but he gets this quiet little smile. I guess I should work on that. We spell a lot in my house now to avoid causing undo stress/disappointment. Like I can't even say the words "go to the park." "Go for a ride," etc. or he'll want to do that activity NOW. No waiting around, nothing. Very impatient, my son.

Activities/Fun:

Speaking of rides, do I have the only kid who LOVES going for rides in the car? He loves it. He will ask to stay IN his carseat after we go somewhere. It's crazy.

He still loves blowing bubbles. Always. Pretty sure that will never get old.

Swimming. He always asks to "go swimming at Gamma's pool, pwease?!"

Going on walks, playing with the puppy, racing around the house (we race. for hours. It's great exercise. lol)

Fun at the library. I trapped him in a box. 

Puppy attack! 

Too hot for clothes apparently. 

While there is so much I miss about the baby stage, there is so much I love about the toddler stage too.

Sometimes I really just try and savor every minute of this stage, but another part of me is excited to see how he continues to grow and evolve into this full-on person. They say, giving birth is a miracle, which is true. But watching that baby grow and learn and develop is the real miracle.

Okay, ya'll enough sap.

Let's all go to work, shall we? :)