Yes and No

Jaden has become very vocal about what he wants vs. what he doesn't want:

Mr. Crab

Jaden is cutting two molars on the top - this may be the reason why he's been an absolute terror lately, otherwise, I would have to say we've reached the terrible two's a bit too early.

Every time we say "No," he screams and flails on the ground. I'm wondering if it's his lack of being able to communicate with us that frustrates him. Although, he tries in his own language. He'll point to something, speak in jibberish and look at us as if we understand. To spare feelings, we tell him we agree.

Jaden has also started hitting more frequently, and I have found that I am his primary target. We have committed to using the time out chair more consistently, although he doesn't stay put for more than five seconds. Yesterday, he must have smacked me a good five times or so, each time catching me off guard. Anyone have any wisdom to share on how to nip this in the bud?

Mike bought us a massive 9-foot, pre-lit, faux Christmas tree that commands the formal living area. When Jaden saw the tree on the box he pointed and said, "tweeeeeee." I learned something today that was disappointing - even during the holidays must you baby-proof your decorations. So, our gorgeous 9-foot tree is unfortunately lacking in four feet of ornaments. Jaden has already destroyed some of the Christmas balls by shattering them against the tile and hardwood, thinking the balls were of the bouncing kind. I also ordered some embroidered stockings from Pottery Barn that I'm looking forward to receiving but realized today that I may not be able to hang them from the heavy metal stocking hooks that sit on the fireplace. One tug on them will surely hurt.

We think Jaden is teething; he's been a handful lately with tantrums and all (this is perhaps why I haven't had the time or energy to post anything as of late) I even took a picture of what appear to be molars, but I can assure you that there is nothing there at the moment.

After I took this picture, I checked his mouth and couldn't feel or see anything. I have a clairvoyant camera!

Jaden is demanding his independence more and more each day. He will no longer let me carry him out of the car, demanding to be put down immediately so he can walk in the house on his own. He does the same thing with the stairs, so it often takes a tedious five minutes just to go up or down. He helps me with the laundry, loading clothes, closing the detergent drawer and turning it on. He claps after he finishes. If I don't let him press the buttons, he gets pissed off.

After I change his diaper, I ask him to put his wipes away in the drawer and he happily obliges. In fact, the other day he watched Mike pick up a pack of water and Jaden tried to pick up the second pack by himself! He tried for a good two minutes before he gave up. It was cute watching him try...

Cooking has increasingly been a challenge with Jaden around; he refuses to let me cook and will push me away from the counter and clutch onto my legs until I stop to play with him. In a short time I have mastered many quick dishes that take little effort but are quite tasty.

This weekend we are taking family pictures with a friend who wants to practice with her camera. I don't know how they'll turn out but I'll post one as soon as I get them. One will be used for our Christmas cards so look out for those soon as well.

Goodnight...

Jaden the Giraffe

I know, I know...it's cruel but hilarious.

P.S....

I don't like MobileMe, so I'll be discontinuing that soon and will continue with Picasa... :)

Jeez...

Today, Jaden flat out refused to take a nap. I must have tried four or five different times with no luck. He ended up crying himself to sleep for about 45 minutes. So stubborn!

Jaden's been saying a lot more lately; it's amazing once they hit a year old that their verbal communication starts really picking up. A lot of the time he's babbling about stuff we can't yet understand, and other times he saying words like tree, that, yes, no, ball, buh (for balloon), Tete (for Christy), nana (for banana), shoe, sock, night night, byyyyeee...

I was changing his diaper the other day and all of a sudden he starts shaking his finger at me, saying, "no! no! no!" When Mike disciplines him, he sternly says no while he shakes his finger. Now and then when I discipline him he'll look at me, shake his finger and say, "no no no." Toooo funny.

The other morning, I was at the dining table on my laptop, and from under the table I hear, "I seeee youuu." I asked Jaden what he said and he goes, "I seee you!" very clearly. I often say this to him when he's hiding under the table. I then called up Christy who thought I was just hearing things and while she was on the phone I kept encouraging Jaden to say it. I think he finally had enough of my nagging because he yelled, "I SEE YOU!" Christy said, "wow, that was really clear." It was officially his first sentence!

I realize I've been really lazy with the pictures - to be honest, my camera has been dead for about a month and while Lolo visited we just used his. I got so spoiled using his DSLR that I've purchased a really nice Nikon kit that I'm hoping to get in the mail tomorrow. From here on out, you'll be getting so really sharp pictures. I've also signed up for a 9-week photography class at UCSD so my long-term goal is to start a small photography business some day. I've certainly got a lot to learn but I've got the creative mindset and the rest just requires some studying and LOTS of practicing. :) Thankfully, I have a willing subject (Jaden). Well, maybe not always so willing...

Speaking of Lolo, we had a really nice, low-key visit. Luckily, Jaden was in a really good mood that week even though he was diagnosed with an ear infection. Jaden had a lot of fun with Lolo and he still mumbles "Lolo" when we Skype. He enjoyed all of the walks and was so spoiled that when he left, Jaden was demanding to go to the backyard and for strolls. He's still enjoying his new shoes although he is so enamored with the velcro they often fall off. Apparently, I learned from others that it's not the best idea to get them shoes with velcro because of this. Oh, well...

I bought Jaden some potties. I've attached a grainy picture that Christy took during our Skype session - Jaden was showing Tete how to sit on the potty. Now, some of you may think it's way too early to even try, but I think it's worth getting him used to the idea. Who knows, maybe we'll be out of diapers by the time he reaches 15 months. That's my hope, at least!

My interest for early potty-training was encouraged by a few friends that have told me that they had their kids potty trained by a year old...and even one friend had their baby potty trained at ONE MONTH! This might be shocking to us, and even unbelievable, but I can assure it is very possible and is done in many countries. My friends are from India where it's a normal part of child-rearing to have them trained shortly after they're born. In countries with high poverty rates, diapers are often unaffordable, so this makes sense. In the U.S., it's referred to as Elimination Communication, which is simply the parent being attuned to their child's queues that they need to potty. When they see these queues, they will bring them to a sink or bathtub and the child will go immediately. I asked my friend if her son ever has accidents in his diaper, which he wears in the event of one, and she said no. He's now three months and has been trained for a couple of months now. Can you imagine how much waste is prevented and money saved by potty-training this early??? Amazing! For now, Jaden will just continue throwing toys in it and wearing it as a hat...

He's Bananas

Jaden decided to experiment with his snack by purposely mashing bananas in his hair.  And face.  It was so not fun to clean up.

Jaden's just about outgrown his shoes - time for a new pair soon.  I received the shoes that Lola sent (thanks, Mom!) but he won't be able to fit into them for at least another 6-8 months.  They're super cute though...I love them.  Time to spend another small fortune on shoes that he'll wear for two months!  

Jaden was at the park today and heard an F-14 fly by (the air show is this weekend) and he pointed up and said, "pane."   I don't know where he learned it, but it was awesome.  He also saw me grab his shoes and said, "shoe."  Fun stuff!

We're getting ready for Lolo to come into town next week - it should be a real treat.  And Dad, we'll have to reserve the mini Cadillac Escalade for perhaps his third Birthday...I think he'd do some serious damage with it, which we're not really prepared for.  :)