Jack had his 4th Chiro visit this morning. The Chiro pronounced him 90% right, and said that he only required a small adjustment today. His next visit is scheduled in a fortnight rather than the usual weekly visit. The Chiro is hopeful that might be the last visit required. Time will tell.

Jack is 17 months old today. A summary :

. After 4 visits to the chiropractor (for neck alignment problems) Jack is now standing steadily without holding anything. This morning he stood for a few minutes at a time. He has also just started to take a couple steps at a time.

. Jack is now fully weaned. The Chiro visits timed well for his nightly feeds to disappear calmly with no prompting from me.

. Jack starting to sleep better. Since starting the Chiro visits, he is sleeping a solid 2-3 hours at start of the night in his cot. He then transfers to me, and wakes only 1-2 times more (compared with about half a dozen times a night previously).

. Jack has started to be more clingy again in the past couple weeks. He has started crying again at drop off at the childcare centres. When the carers ask if he wants to go to them, he says no, clings to me, and won't look at them. They report however that as soon as I am out of sight, he stops crying and is happy for the rest of the day. We have read that clinginess and separation anxiety returns at around the 18-month mark, so suspecting this may be the cause of the latest clingy behaviour.

. Jack's favourite foods include porridge for breakfast, jam sandwiches for lunch, and pasta with bolognese sauce or baked beans for dinner. He enjoys snacking on apples, pears, watermelon (his favourite fruit), soy yoghurt and cheese, and the occasional lolly and tiny teddy biscuit. He constantly asks for 'lol lols', 'bik', and 'more cheese' when hungry between meals, and 'wa' (water to drink).

. Jack's word count now up over 80 words. Latest words include ten, 'boon' (for balloon), and sand (to indicate he wants to play in his sandpit). He puts 2 words together more and more also, such as 'me up' to be picked up.

. Jack is loving playing in his new sandpit (early Christmas present), and playing with his new watering can in the shower. He loves scooting about on his 'bike' (little 4 wheeled scooter - early Christmas present from his Grandparents Q), racing about with his walker, or having us chasing him with one of these as he races on the other.

Posted by Al at 5:12 PM

 

Out enjoying his new sandpit.

Posted by Doug at 11:31 PM

While bringing the bins back in this morning I noticed our Gas meter was hissing. A quick look showed it was leaking. I wandered inside and called the Gas Company. I navigated their phone system and was put into a priority queue, where I waited, and waited, and waited some more.

Finally someone called Loraine answered. She took my name and address, and said someone would be straight out… in the next four hours or so. She didn’t ask about the size of the leak, or suggest anything logical like turning the gas off. (Which I had already done.) Once again our precious hot showers are at risk.

Posted by Doug at 12:15 PM

The gas leak I noticed was found and fixed in five minutes (replacing the meter inlet pipe). Unfortunately another tiny leak was found in the main valve. Because that is under high pressure it will require a sepecialist to repair. The leak is considered safe, so we still have hot showers. When they come out to do the job though they may need to dig up part of our garden, which is sad.

Four days ago Jack started to deliberately let go of support and stand by himself for a few seconds at a time. Previous to that he would only stand when distracted or wanting to use both hands for something. The next day the standing stretched out to 20 seconds. Yesterday it went to several minutes at a time, including some shuffling small sideways steps.

We went back to the Paediatric Chiropractor yesterday and were told Jack’s neck was 90% right. He performed one slight adjustment and said he hoped it would be the last one. We return in a fortnight to find out.

Since then Jack has been a bit quieter on the standing front (he has a cold which wouldn’t be helping him), but he still managed to get from the ground to a standing position, and take a couple partial steps. (That is a first, since previously he has always pulled himself up using furniture or a toy.)

His cheeky grin indicates that he is enjoying himself, although he is obviously taking it slowly.

Posted by Doug at 7:27 PM

Story time - winding down towards bed. It can take a long time and many many books to get there though...

Posted by Doug at 11:24 PM

Yet another busy week passes by.

Jack had another haircut last weekend – and calmly took it in his stride. We then dragged him out around the shopping centres and managed to complete half our Christmas shopping.

Jack was pretty antsy on both weekend days. On Monday he had a worryingly high temperature so missed Childcare. Aside from a visit to the doctors, he spent the day cuddled up on Al sleeping. Thankfully the fever had broken by Tuesday, but he was still not well enough for Childcare. Instead Grandma Q came over to care for him while Al got some work done.

On Wednesday Jack started to take several steps on his own – mainly to reach his mum. On Thursday he started doing it to reach me, and started covering a couple meters in distance. Today he’s managed to cover five or more meters to reach where he wants to go. He has looked halfway in control of himself, and given us big beaming smiles when we cheer him on. It is not his first choice of conveyance yet, but appears to be moving in that direction. You get the feeling that we are about to move into a whole new chapter of Jack’s life.

The rest of the week was less exciting – involving almost completing our Christmas shopping, Al attending her work Christmas Function, and me not attending mine.

Posted by Doug at 12:57 AM

Jack was sick at start of the week, so I didn't make it into the office. I did manage to get some work done from home, with the help of Grandma Q on Tuesday. He seems mostly better, but has developed a bit of a cough today. I have also come down with a bad cold in the past couple days, so suspect we are both suffering from the same bug.

On a more positive note, Jack's walking has really started to take off in last few days. Before this he had been taking a couple of steps here and there, mainly between furniture. He has now progressed to taking steps towards me, and also to his Dad. He sits down on an upside down bucket (that he calls his 'seat') then stands up, and walks towards us with a huge grin on his face, and embraces in a big hug. He has also been walking between wider gaps of furniture, and walking down our entrance hall. He looks very pleased and happy with himself.

It has been really special to see, and really warms your heart to have your grinning toddler rushing towards you. I think I am more proud of this milestone than any of the others, given he has had the balance obstacle to overcome. I also feel a sense of relief, as I have been worrying a lot about this overt the past couple of months. He still sees crawling as his main way of getting about, but is gaining more confidence with walking by the day. While he still hasn't fully mastered it, he has already attempting to walk up the stairs rather than crawl!

I made it out to my work Christmas function on Thursday night, to play some pool with my colleagues. I can't even remember the last time I played! Christmas shopping has also taken up our time in the past week.

This morning Jack had his end of year music concert for his music class. I wasn't sure how he would go in front of a crowd, but he performed very well. He managed to stand up through the performance, and shake his streamer and shaker when required, crouch down for 'Jack in the box', and do some 'dancing' with my assistance. Dad said he had a big happy grin on his face for parts of the performance. He also enjoyed watching the older children perform. I was interested to see the performance of the older classes, to see what each age group was capable of, and to see how each age group built on the skills of the previous age group.

Jack's words continue to develop at a rapid rate. He can now count up to 6 (although doesn't always get the numbers in the right order). He misses 7 and 8, but will often join in for the 9 and 10 when we count with him. When he eats he points and says 'bowl' and 'spoon'. When we hold him, he likes pointing to our nose, mouth, eyes, and hair and saying the words to us. His new sandpit has also been inspiration for many of his latest words - rake, spade, and buck (bucket). At music class, the teacher shows the kids a puppet then hides it behind her back and shrugs her arm saying 'where's it gone'? Jack has now picked up this habit, whenever something disappears; he shrugs his arms and says 'gone', which is very cute. He now has around 90 words.

Posted by Al at 2:04 PM

We started the weekend by finishing off the Christmas shopping. Jack then had his first public performance – the end of year concert for his music class. There would have been well over 100 people there; each child often accompanied by a tribe of family members spanning multiple generations.

Jack just had his Mum and Dad - who were both feeling a touch worried about how the little man would handle the event. When first up on stage Jack cuddled his head into his mother’s shoulder and glanced around the audience. I thought that might be the most we would get out of him, but after Al stood him up and handed him the various items he was to wave about, he simply watched the instructor, followed her lead, and enjoyed himself. He did a sterling job, often beaming a big smile or clapping his hands when the audience did.

Each group that went through had its share of crying, scared, tantrum throwing, or amuck running children. I was reminded of what could have been, and what will probably be in the future. On this day however Jack had two prouder parents than usual.

Today when I picked up Jack from Childcare one of his main careers gave me a big grin and said Jack had been walking a bit during the day. It is nice to see their positive reactions, and to hear that Jack has the confidence to try walking surrounded by other kids and adults.

Al and I also reflected tonight on how surprised we are that we have already had to revert to spelling some words out instead of saying them aloud. Jack is very quick to pick up on what we say. We certainly pay for letting "cheese" slip out – his favourite food. It triggers out stretched arms and a chant of “more cheese, more cheese, more, more, more cheese”.

Posted by Doug at 12:05 AM

15 years ago today Al and I first started going out together. It is an anniversary we still acknowledge by exchanging small gifts and having a cheap takeaway meal. (Don’t ask – it is a tradition that amuses me. This year it was fish and chips.)

Wow.

Posted by Doug at 12:03 AM

This evening Jack decided that walking would be his primary mode of transport - and so it has been. The trigger seems to have been the realisation that carrying balls around is easier if you are walking, and they seem to go further and bounce higher as well.

Posted by Doug at 10:17 PM

And the walking continues.

One of Jack's favourite activities is bending down to pick up an object, throwing it, walking over to where it fell, and repeating the process over and over. He is far more stable than what I was expecting - just before he actually danced to a Christmas Carol while standing unaided. Stomping feet, swaying hips, waving arms, and plenty of jigging up and down along with clapping, all without a hint of falling down. It is difficult to believe it has only been 24 hours.

The Christmas travel kicked off today with the second Christmas function with Al's family down in Geelong. Jack was particularly taken with a Tip Truck that his Grandparents gave him.

Posted by Doug at 9:51 PM

 

The Christmas Tree

Posted by Doug at 10:44 PM

We went up to my Parent’s place on Sunday. Christmas morning was a busy affair with 8 adults, 2 children and 3 dogs. We enjoyed a pile of presents and good food. Both Jack’s Childcare centres had sent home presents from Jack, one bring a collage of his artwork and a photo, which we were particularly taken with.

Jack walked, talked and played well for the most part. He did have a tendency to close in on his smaller cousin, trying to push or hit him while simultaneously breaking out in an upset cry. It is difficult to explain to a 17 month old that there are better approaches to maintaining personal space than the attack and cry method. In a small way, Jack being a little aggressive was good to see. For the most part however we were left apologising, pulling Jack away, and feeling a touch embarrassed.

The trip home was tough. We headed off mid afternoon when Jack was looking very tired and ready for sleep. We got it wrong however - Jack did not sleep. Queue protests, roadside stops, flung and retrieved dummies, and lots of short crying sessions. In hindsight and all things considered Jack did pretty well. At the time however it was pretty tough on us all.

Today Al and Jack haven’t left the house. The quiet time seemed to be appreciated, and Jack gave us a great day.

We have had the heaters running since we got home – it is bitterly cold. Hot temperatures and a smoky haze one day, driving rain and winter temperatures the next. Bizarre.

Jack asks him mum to join him in a game of ball. (Taken Today.)

Posted by Doug at 12:13 AM

The past couple of weeks have been busy and full of milestones!

Doug and I celebrated (in our own small way) 15 years since we started going out. It is great to be feeling happy with where we are in life, and looking forward to continuing our future together.

One night just before Christmas Jack went from mainly crawling to suddenly deciding that walking was now on for good! He still occasionally crawls, but spends most of his time walking. It still fills me with awe to see him up and walking, yet at the same time it quickly becomes normal and natural to see. The main motivation for him to walk more was to be able to pick up his balls and carry them around, throw them, then walk after them to pick them up, repeating the process over and over. He is also enjoying being able to pick up books and toys and carry them around.

Sharing Jack's 2nd Christmas has been a special time, shared with our families. It has been great to see Jack's excitement and wonder at the tree, decorations and card. He has enjoyed dancing along with our singing and Dancing reindeer and Santa. He enthusiastically joined in the ripping of paper off presents and seeing what lay within. He has been given a wonderful variety of gifts including a scooter bike, ride on car, a few varieties of trucks, toys with lights, sounds and movement, blocks, giraffe stool, pictures for the walls, and an array of books and clothes. In addition to his sandpit, we bought him a dump truck and more wiggles DVD’s. We have also gone out just after Christmas to the sales to buy him a little armchair. He loves sitting in it and reading himself books. We were excited to also receive little gifts from Jack from both childcare places, including handprints, a photo, and some paintings he had done. It is more special seeing Jack's enjoyment over his presents than the pleasure we get from our presents these days. Kids certainly make Christmas!

It was a busy 3 days of travel to see both our families. The travel was all going well until we made a bad decision on how tired Jack was looking when deciding on when to leave Doug’s family. We regretted the decision when Jack did not sleep the entire way back home. Apart from that it was nice to have the opportunity for the grandparents, aunts, uncles and 1 cousin (Jackson) to share in his Christmas. Jack is responding well to all the adults in the family these days, but was rather wary (and aggressive) towards younger cousin Jackson.

Jack and I enjoyed a little Christmas afternoon tea at one of his childcare places. Jack cried when Santa entered the room, but when he saw that he was giving out lollies he suddenly seemed more interested. I took him over and he said hello and goodbye, and ta for his lollies. I decided not to push my luck so didn't put him on Santa's knee as I wanted it to be a positive experience for Jack.

I am halfway through 2 weeks off work. I am enjoying being able to relax and spend more time with Jack, without the juggling of work or other activities. We spent a quiet couple of days at home after the travel to recuperate. I then enjoyed my 2nd day off since Jack was born (since the previous 2nd attempt didn't work out with Jack being sick). I spent the day shopping, lunching and seeing a movie with my sister, back on a brief visit from the US where she is now working. Doug and I have also ventured out with Jack to the sales. We all enjoyed a little outing this morning to nearby Chesterfield farm. When I told Jack we were going to visit a farm, he said 'farm, hooray'. I was then sitting with him downstairs and he flipped through his books and pulled out the 'old McDonald's farm' book for me to read to him. He was intrigued to see the cows, pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats, ducks, hens and other farm animals and made the appropriate noises for them. He seemed most animated looking at the kangaroos resting in the shade.

Jack's word list continues to grow rapidly. It is hard to remember all the words to keep adding them to my list, but he now has over 100 words! Latest words include Santa, baubles (from the Christmas tree), farm, pig, grunting noise for pig, hee-haw (for donkey), raf (giraffe), porridge, apple, pear, and sendsen (sandwich).

As the end of the year approaches, I have been reflecting on the year we have had. At this time last year Jack was not yet crawling and still very much a baby. Soon into the New Year he progressed to crawling, and is now finally walking. His speech has developed at a great rate in recent months. He has continued with baby gymbaroo and will join the walking class in the New Year. He has completed his first year of swimming and music classes, and 3 terms of playgroup. He has adapted to his 2 different childcare centres and enjoys his time there. Although he is going through a clingier phase again currently, he has

become far more comfortable being around other adults, and gaining confidence in himself. His personality continues to emerge and for the most part delight us. It has been great watching his developing interest in cars, trucks, trains, balls, playing with shapes and blocks, playing in his sandpit, reading books, and watching his favourite shows.

It has certainly been a year of challenges with months of fussy eating and allergy diagnosis, croup, asthma diagnosis, viral infections and months of illness for us all, paediatric chiropractor and the worry of his neck being out of alignment, sleep issues and tantrums. On top of this I have had to adjust to returning to work, and re-arranging my work hours until achieving the right balance. I have also been going to the physio myself for the past couple months for my pelvis being out of alignment.

The important thing to realise is that we have coped with everything thrown our way, sometimes better than at other times, but we have got through everything. Jack has continued to bring a lot of joy into our life - watching his enjoyment at every day things and celebrating his milestones and little achievements. He puts a smile on my face each and every day. I can't help but wonder what challenges we will face in the year ahead. I look forward to continuing to share Jack's childhood with him.

Posted by Al at 1:20 PM