Then August and September happened.
Need I say more?!
Our Joergen has changed so, so much in the last couple of months, so I have some serious updating to do! He is really coming into his own little self: talking up a storm, climbing up (and often falling down from) everything, running, dancing, and asserting himself all over the place. He is truly a Toddler with a capital "T".
 |
| Look what I climbed, all by myself! |
Back in August, he finally got tall enough to reach the door handles in our house. They are all lever-style, and nothing made him feel more accomplished than getting up on his tippy-toes and demonstrating his new skill, over and over (and over and over) again. See for yourself:
Joergen has recently taken an interest in learning his body parts. I think it started with his cousin Colin's first birthday over the summer, when he got to wear a big funny clown nose:
Once Liam started preschool earlier this month, Miss Doreen took advantage of her one-on-one time with Joer to help him learn his body parts. I caught him chatting about it in the bathtub the other day:
Given how long it took Liam to start talking, we have just been floored with the way Joergen has picked up a vocabulary... which grows and grows every day! His first word was "Liam" (Ee-yum!) along with "Mama" and "Dada", and shortly thereafter was "Grandma" "Papa" "Nana" and "Grandpa" (Pum-Pa). Aunt Jackie gave him a book about baby sign language for Christmas, and I really think that helped! He is so cute signing for "more" when he wants more to eat or drink, and he signs for "light" when he wants to play with the light switch in his room. He tells us whenever he messes his diaper by pointing to it and declaring "boop!" We couldn't help but laugh one morning when we heard Joergen in his crib yelling "EE-YUM" over and over at the top of his lungs, trying his hardest to wake up his brother (who was-- and still is-- sleeping on the floor in Joergen's room in a big pile of blankets and stuffed animals). Liam finally opened his eyes and sleepily said, "What, Joergen?" to which Joergen, who had been hollering for Liam in earnest for several minutes, replied in his sweetest, quietest voice, "Hiiii!" Joergen is developing a funny little sense of humor, too. He will say or do something, and then look at you sideways with a little smile on his face to let you know that he knows. I caught the look the other day when we were playing dress-up with old Halloween costumes (side-note: can you believe Liam's first Halloween costume as a baby fits Joergen perfectly as an 18-month-old?!):
Joergen also has a little joke he likes to play on us. He'll point to the sky (whether outdoors or in!) and declare "Airplane!!" And you'll say, "An airplane? Really?" and he'll shake his head with a smile and say, "Noooo...." You can hear him do it in this little video:
Daddy's favorite thing for Joergen to say is "hhhhot!", which you can hear him say at the end of the clip. I don't want to forget the sound of his sweet little toddler voice!
Other than make messes and throw things, I think hands down Joergen's favorite thing to do is read books. He loves to be read to at any time of day, and even if no one is around to read to him, he'll hide out in his room going through book after book on his shelf. He is especially interested in books with flaps or sensory details, and books about animals, trucks/tractors, and anything by Eric Carle are definitely his favorites! Given Liam's interest in books as well (he can't get enough of the Berenstain Bears), he will take every opportunity to read with Joergen-- or pretend to read to him.
If you're wondering about Liam's eyewear... that would be sunglasses with a mylar balloon tied to the bridge. Naturally.
This picture makes me laugh. Joergen saying "Cheeeese!" and Liam with a classic Liam expression. Can you believe how light J's hair got this summer?
Joergen has also taken a real interest in mowing the grass, which is no real surprise. Our only problem is that we only have one toy mower-- which Liam guards with his life-- so once in a while we'll try an alternative:
And should Liam run inside for a drink or to use the bathroom, look out! Finders Keepers!
You know, one thing I really love is that as much as my baby boy is growing and changing, he is still a sweet little cuddle bug when he first wakes up in the morning. That hasn't changed-- and I hope never will! You know what else hasn't changed either? That crazy mop of hair!
