The big ten.

Dear Jack,

Oh my goodness, when did you get so big? You're almost a toddler, and we're having a hard time believing it! This time next month, we'll be sending out invitations to your first birthday already. When did that happen, Jack?! We've had another fun & exciting month with you. You're sleeping through the night like a rockstar (Hallelujah!) You take 2 naps a day, 1 short and 1 long, though not always at the same times (sometimes the long one is in the morning, other times it's in the afternoon.) And the greatest part of all is that we can put you in bed without a single fuss from you! You've accepted your fate and just snuggle into your pillow with your bear (yes, a pillow...shhh, don't tell the pediatrician!) You started waving this month, which is so sweet! You're also giving high fives...kinda. If someone holds up their hand, you give them one finger. Then if they offer up just a finger, you give your whole hand. It's pretty darn cute to watch! And you're now the proud owner of tooth #3, something we've been waiting for quite a while. Here are some of your favorite and not-so-favorite things this month:

Favorites
Snacks - You love food so, so, so much. You'll eat absolutely anything at any time. And we don't really know how it happened, but you're already as demanding of snacks as your siblings! If you see the big kids with a snack, you whine and cry and just plain freak out until they share or until we give you your own snack. It's a good thing puffs are super low-calorie!
Scavenging in the kitchen - Your number one pastime is exploring the kitchen floor for even more snacks. You aren't exactly the cleanest eater, so there are always dropped treasures underneath your high chair. We try our hardest to keep you out of there, but you're pretty fast these days! (We know what you're thinking: "Why don't you just keep the floor clean, Mom & Dad?" Physically impossible, buddy.)
The Bathtub - Every time you crawl up the stairs, you beeline for the bathtub. You would spend your entire day in there if you could. You have the greatest time splashing around and playing with all the bath toys. You've gotten to take a bath in the big tub (instead of your little blue tub) with your siblings a few times and love it!
Books - You have developed a love for books this month, something that makes us very happy! While you're still at the 'plays with book' versus 'reads books' stage, we know this is just the first step in becoming a bookworm like your siblings. If we tell you to go get a book, you'll crawl over, pick one, and either start flipping through it or bring it to us. Reading books with you before bedtime is one of Mommy's favorite times of the day. 
Walking with assistance - You are soooo close to walking on your own and so eager to do it! You love to push toys and walk behind them or hold our hands while you toddle around the house.
Joe - It has taken a while, but you're finally a big fan of Joe! He has always been a little too rambunctious and wild for you. But now that you're bigger and much more playful, you don't mind how insane he is! You like sitting next to him in the playroom, watching him play with his cars or Legos while you eat them. And he has gotten much better at entertaining you when we need him to. This is just the beginning of what will undoubtedly be quite a friendship!

Not-so-favorites
Being told "No" - You've reached that lovely stage of babyhood where you get into EVERYTHING. You're strong and a good climber, so nothing is safe. While you don't seem to consciously be testing boundaries, you're starting to do things that just aren't safe (like climbing on the fireplace or pulling cords) so we tell you "no" and move you to something else. You do not appreciate the redirection! You're very smart and know what you want so you go right back for it. Each time we say "no, Jack" you get quite upset!
Car rides - You just downright hate riding in the car. No matter how many toys we give you, you start screaming the moment we start to strap you in. You're even arching your back when we try to buckle you, too. (Word to the wise: that's a game you will lose every time.) It seems to be a tiny bit better if the big kids are in the car with us (but boy are you sad when we drop them off at school!) We usually just give you a pacifier, pile toys in your lap, and pray you'll calm down.

You are quite a chatty little boy! You babble all day long. In fact, if it gets quiet, it means one of 2 things: you found a pacifier or you're up to no good. You are constantly trying to climb the stairs (one of your most favorite things to do) so it's the first place we look if it's too quiet. You're starting to mimic sounds, trying to form the sounds you hear with your mouth. For example, we're trying to teach you the sign for milk. Every time we make a bottle for you, we point to it and say "milk" while making the sign. While you pick up your fist to copy the sign, you put your lips together like you're trying to make the "mmm" sound. You still say "mama" and "dada", though not directed at either one of us. And you're starting to say what sounds like "hi" on occasion. It's so exciting to be able to communicate with you!

It's really not possible to explain how much of a joy you have been in our lives these past 10 months. You just make everything so much better. Mommy tells you every day, "I couldn't love you more", and that's definitely the case for both of us. We love you to pieces!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy