15 Months

Jake officially turns 15 months old tomorrow, but with the Easter weekend festivities beginning, I wanted to go ahead and get this blog in sooner rather than later. Jake really is so much fun. We have been given a gift in him, and I thank God for that gift everyday. Here's just a little about what's new this month. First off, Jake has begun to express interest in using the spoon himself, so we're giving it a try. This process comes with a lot of enthusiasm from Jake and a lot of anxiousness from me. Anxiousness over the enormous mess that goes along with self feeding. I'm doing my best to remain as calm as possible as yogurt, oatmeal, and all kinds of food goes everywhere. He sure is growing up...

The interesting thing about this process is that I have yet to discover which hand he favors. Even in this feeding, he started with his left hand, then switched to his right. Either way, he looks pretty proud of himself...

Another new discovery this month has been the water fountains at church. He is now semi-obsessed with them. He knows exactly where they are, how to climb the stool to get a better reach, and where to push to get the water to come out. The drinking part, however, has not been mastered quite yet, although it's fun to watch his attempts. The church fountains are the kind where you push a long bar on the front of the fountain...very accessible to todders...so now Jake pretty much likes to run up to them and continuously push the button. I didn't realize I would need to be teaching the basics of water conservation so early.

One more fun thing Jake really loves right now is a mix between hide-and-seek and peek-a-boo that is quite simply Jake running into our bedroom, shutting the door after him so that he's trapped inside, then giggling like crazy until we "find" him. He LOVES this new game, and seems pretty proud of his door closing skills.

Finally, Jake acquired a new toy just this week: a sandbox. It was a special Easter surprise from Papa and Grandmama. It was quite a process adjusting, then ultimately loving his new toy. First, he slowly walked up to the box...

Then he touched the sand with one careful finger....

Next, Mommy attempted to set him in the sandbox, but he started crying the instant his feet touched the sand (Sorry, no pic for this step). So, Mommy then smartened up, added some toys, and let him do a little exploring from the outside first...

Then Mommy sat down in the sand, just to show him it really was OK in there. He then joined me on my lap. This is the best pic I could get of this one--notice my foot and knee in the background...

Next, Mommy slowly gets up to let Jake play on his own...

Jake then realizes the shovel is his favorite of all toy options and begins to slowly bury his legs in the sand...

Next, Mommy smartens up yet a little more and loses the pants; one less thing for sand to cover...

Overall, it was a great sandbox adventure, and just another reinforcement of the idea that both Jake and I are learning how to do things together. Thanks for your patience, little guy, I'm glad you love it. Thanks Papa and Grandmama!