BIG PICTURE PHOTOGRAPHY – 16 Things at 16 Months

Jak is changing so much these days — his personality, developmentally, etc., etc., etc. — so this post is all about our little man…mostly so I never forget just how much fun he is right now.

1. I’m not sure if it was his first word, but it definitely remains his favourite.  “Hi”.  And it’s his favourite because he knows that he ALWAYS gets a response when he says it.  Smart kid.  We were in Superstore yesterday and there’s nothing better than a grocery store with it’s aisles and aisles of people for a dude who loves saying “Hi”. 

2. My personal favourite “Hi” is the first one of the day.  I am NOT a morning person, but seeing Jak’s giant smile coupled with an enthusiastic “Hi” is truly the best way to wake up. 

3. Sleeping.  Jak does it with his bum up in the air.  I have no idea how that can be comfortable, but he spends a majority of the night ’bum up’.

4. Jak never grew an attachment to a blanket or toy or anything, really, in all of his first year.  But Nick decided one night to put his little stuffed puppy in bed with him.  And now his puppy is in his crib waiting for him every time he goes for a snooze.  I think Jak actually looks forward to going to sleep because he knows he’s going to see his puppy…and this is reflected in the big ol’ smooch the puppy gets whenever Jak sees him.  And I, too, have to give puppy a smooch before our bedtime routine is complete.

5. I know one day I’m gonna have to do it.  But based on how I feel today, I’m going to put it off for as long as possible.  No siree, there are no hair cuts in Jak’s near future!  I know he’s a little boy, but I love the crazy sticky-outy bits and the wonky waves, and even the ‘rat tail’ that seems to be growing outta control in the very back. 

6.  If I had to guess what Jak’s profession is going to be based on what he excels at today, I’d undoubtedly have to say Actor.  This kid has the craziest, most over-the-top expressions.  He likes to mimic faces we make, but even more telling is his ability to act like we’ve hurt his feelings, and how easily the tears flow, even though he’s really not upset.  He does it for effect, to get attention, and to see our reaction.  Watch for him at the Oscars in 2027. 

7. Jak understands a lot of what we say.  Probably even more than we think.  And it’s getting increasingly clear what he means and wants, too.  There’s no word clearer these days than “no”.  Jakzen, do you want a drink?  No.  Jakzen, do you want to get dressed?  No.  Jakzen, do you want to read a book?  Okay.  If the answer isn’t ‘no’, then the answer is always ‘okay’.  Everything is ‘okay’. 

8.  Jak doesn’t wave very often when it’s time to say good-bye, but he does blow kisses.  Cute, right??  Love it.  But even better than blowing kisses are the snuggles.  He has to be willing — which isn’t very often — but if you do happen to catch him in the right mood and ask for snuggles, you will be rewarded with a sweet little cuddle, his head on your shoulder.  Heart-melting moments.   

9.  He may not have all the words yet, but he really doesn’t have a problem getting his point across.  By pointing.  Yep, that crooked little finger of his shoots out whenever the something he wants is outta reach.  Our favourite display of this is when we’re in the van.  Ever since our trip to Great Falls, he’s now very aware that there’s a magical screen that pops down outta the roof and plays Sesame Street.  So usually before I’ve even got him fully strapped into his car seat, he’s pointing at the roof and looking for Big Bird.  (Thankfully, he’s okay with wearing his headphones because there really is a limit to how many times I want to hear “C is for Cookie”!)

10.  Jak’s favourite part of the day is still bathtime.  He can be the grouchiest bear, but as soon as we head upstairs for tub time, he’s all smiles again.  What I’ve noticed most recently is that there’s a huge difference between tub time with daddy and tub time with mommy.  With me, tubbing includes getting clean, playing with toys, singing a few songs (Old McDonald, Row Your Boat, etc.), and keeping most of the water inside the tub.  With Nick, tubbing is pretty much the opposite.  Kicking and splashing is the focus.  Yes, there are still toys, but they are merely aids in the splashing.  Yes, there are still songs, but the repetoire includes tunes like “Bad Moon Risin’” and ”Sweet Home Alabama”.  And based on the state of the bathroom after tub time, there is absolutely more water outside of the tub than in.  As for actually getting clean, I figure at least Jak was in water, so some of the dirt has to come off, right?

11.  In the last 2 days, Jak is now pulling himself to standing!  Every time he gets up, it seems to get a bit easier for him.  Now we just need to work on getting back down.  Yesterday he nearly did the full splits as he attempted to lower his butt to the floor.  He’s also working on climbing the stairs, and he’s getting better and better at ‘furniture walking’.  He was a slow starter in the moving and shakin’ department , but it’s all coming along quite quickly these days.  It’s fun to see how proud he is of himself when he does something new for the first time.   

12.  He’s a stinker.  Since he was born, Jak has looked like me and acted like Nick.  But apparently he’s got a bit of his mama in his personality after all.  Ohhhh, the attitude.  *sigh*  Right now it’s often still cute when he gets mad or ornery.  I’m hoping he either grows out of the ‘tude, or we find a way to manage it — fast…as in, before we get to the “terrible two’s”. 

13. Jak plays great by himself.  It might have something to do with how many toys he has!  He likes to stack things and smash things and put things in other things, but his favourite toy is still the phone.  In fact, if I say “Is Jakzen there?”, he’ll pick up whichever toy is within arm’s reach and hold it up to his ear.  He has 2 toy phones, but he still prefers the real thing whenever he can get his hands on it.  Is this foreshadowing that he’ll be asking for a cell phone by his third birthday?? 

14. I’m sure glad we have a cat.  I think Lola had a big part in getting Jak to finally move.  And now the 2 of them do endless laps around the coffee table every day.  And when Lola escapes for a while under the couch, Jak waits for her…and even gets right down on his belly, and peeks and giggles at her while she’s in hiding.  He definitely loves her, and although the feeling isn’t mutual, at least she tolerates him! 

15.  I am super thankful that Jak is a good eater.  And when I say good eater, what I mean is that he eats vegetables.  He prefersvegetables.  Tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, baby corn, peas.  Veggies with a healthy helping of cheese equals a perfect meal in Jak’s world.  He’s not much of a meat eater, but we’re working on it!  As for fruit, bring it on, too.  Nothing beats a bowl full of grapes at snacktime. 

16.  I cannot wait ’til Baby#2 gets here.  Jakzen loves kids — watching ‘em, playing with ‘em, just generally being around ‘em.  He’s going to be a great big brother and I can’t wait to see how he reacts to having another little dude around…permanently.  And if Baby#2 is even half as amazing, incredible, loveable, squeezable, sweet, adorable, and awesome as Jakzen is, we are some lucky, lucky parents.