Jack has had an eventful week... with Auntie Jamee, Grammy and GG here, he's been kept busy with lots of playing, hugs and kisses. And, he hasn't been to school except for half of a day in over a week!

We have definitely enjoyed our visitors but, Jack got realllly clingy to me this week. He'd be happy and playful with other people until he caught sight or me and then he'd be fussy until I came to get him. Brand, spanking new behavior and somewhat flattering and annoying at the same time.

I think Jack enjoyed his first Christmas.. he got a ton of stuff and the living room is now even more destroyed than usual with his stuff everywhere. But, that's okay, too. And, it would figure that my email would talk about him loving to play with garbage more than purchased toys the week after Christmas!

Auntie Jamee, Grammy and GG left yesterday but, we're getting some more visitors today (Jon's Aunt Becky and her family from Louisville)... so, Jack will have some more new family to get to know in the next couple of days.

This is what my email said about babies Jack's age:

Your New Baby

Just when you were getting used to your baby only taking a couple of small naps during the day, he may decide to keep you on your toes and stop going down for his afternoon nap. Many babies cut out their morning nap at this point and while this may not be enough for YOU, it is probably plenty for him. The good news is that when he cuts out the morning nap he will usually sleep longer during his afternoon nap. After all, he has been up playing hard for 5 hours or so. Use the extended nap time to get extra little things taken care of around the house that you may not have had time for before.

As Jackson Edward's hand-eye coordination improves, fill-and-empty games and stacking games will begin emerging as his favorites. Measuring cups, measuring spoons, and plastic storage containers will be big hits because they nest inside one another. Recognizing how one object relates to, or differs from, another is what some of our earliest school lessons are about. You can help Jackson Edward get a head start by offering toys and games that will help him learn this.

Jackson Edward is creating more complex memories from his experiences. For instance, he might see a ball, remember how it moves, and push it. He's even able to set goals for himself, such as making noise from a pan by crawling to it and banging it with a spoon. Give Jackson Edward plastic bowls, pans, and other utensils and he will happily (and loudly) "perform" for you.

Jackson Edward is beginning to recognize names, basic words like "no" and "bye-bye," and familiar sounds. He will look when you point out objects and he may also point at things when you name them. This is called receptive language and precedes the ability to speak. Since he now remembers daily rituals, try greeting Jackson Edward each morning with the same phrase. He'll look forward to it.

Me again: My favorite morning greeting is "Morning, Punkin!" He pops his head up like a turtle with a big, snotty smile .