J's Odds and Ends

So, J is now doing his version of an army crawl (belly on the floor using one leg--just one leg--and his arms to pull himself forward). It isn't the most efficient, but in combination with rolling it is effective. We are in the stage where I'm having to clean up water from the dogs' bowl every time I leave him in the living room for even a few minutes. Bug was the same way. What is it about the water bowl that is SO appealing?

J is also wearing out paths in the carpet whenever anyone will lend him their fingers to assist his walking efforts. Tonight Hubby and Bug were playing soccer up and down the hallway with a small, soft soccer ball. J was enthralled. With my help for balance only, he chased them up and down the hallway. When Bug temporarily abandoned the ball he kicked it as he took a step over and over and over, following the ball. Hubby had also been yelling "Goal!" whenever Bug hit either the fireplace or his chair and J started hollering "Gah!" Coincidence? Perhaps. Or maybe he inherited his Daddy's skills and affinity for soccer. Time will tell.

When Bug and Hubby headed for the bathroom to brush teeth J led me from room to room looking briefly before moving on to the next. He often leads me around but he has destinations in various places--e.g. if we go into Bug's room he heads straight for her mirrored closet doors. This time he was searching for something and he wasn't satisfied when we found Hubby and Bug. Considering how intently he focused on the ball during the game I am certain that is what he was looking for. He was completely delighted and it was probably the best family moment we've had yet.

J loves watching Bug play outside with the neighborhood kids. He flails his arms and legs and clearly can't wait to be out running around with them.

As for sleep we have some good nights and some less good nights, but we're back to manageable. I was thinking some not-very-nice thoughts about daylight savings time there for a while. I had JUST gotten Bug and J's afternoon naps to coincide (hers is consistently longer, probably because he still takes an extra short one in the morning) and J had actually slept through the night a few times.

J's tear duct in his left eye is still clogged so it is still dried shut in the mornings and sometimes after nap. It gets gunky occasionally during the day and it fills up and leaks periodically. I'm hoping and praying God will heal it before he has to have a procedure done.

I think that's where J is. He is still a sweet, smiley, little boy who is more friendly and outgoing than any of the rest of us. Here's hoping he rubs off on us more than we rub off on him.