Jack is 14 months old

A few days late, but never fear, I shall update you all on Jack's progress this last month. I know, you are dying for the details. You could hardly contain yourselves that I made you wait two days for this!

The last month has been awesome because no working for Mommy means undivided attention for Jack. It's amazing what a difference I feel not having to have my eyes glued to an IM screen or living in fear of missing a phone call from some ridiculous supervisor because I am, you know, sleeping. At 10 p.m. On a weeknight. But this is about Jack, right, so back on task.

This has been the month of speech. Well, at least speech we somewhat understand. Jack thinks he makes perfect sense apparently. We at least now know some of the wisdom he imparts.

Gog phfff. Translation for you adults out there: Dog says woof.
Da. Translation: Dad.
Ba. Translation: Bath.
Bey. Translation: Bear
Buh. Translation: Ball. Or possibly Brush. You'll have to see what context it is being used.

So now I spend lots of my day saying one-syllable words in the hopes he will repeat them. Which he is starting to do with some frequency. It's nice to have someone hang on my every word and actually listen to what I say. Unlike his father. Who possesses the skill to actually watch my mouth move and nod his head when I am speaking only to stare blankly a second later and say, "Wait, now what?"

Other words he has picked up recently include eat, hello (which comes out like huh-o when holding a phone to his ear), shoe (which is pronounced shhh while Mommy puts on his shoes) and a lot of No Thank You, which comes out "AAAAEEEEEEEEEEEE" with pushing away movements with the arms. That one comes through loud and clear.

This was also the month where the picky eating continued. It is disgusting when your 14-month-old has a preferred brand of organic chicken nuggets and refuses to even let a different type touch his tongue. His list of things he will eat is driving me insane and next week we will be starting a new program, courtesy of many, MANY other parents' great advice. I heart you Ellen Satter. However, he will still eat baby food vegetables, so at least we know he's getting some nutrition.

The sleep, well it's been glorious. Of course, now that I have typed that, he will go all to shit just to spite me. But it's been 12 hours overnight and usually two one-hour naps or one two-hour nap during the day. Of course, conditions must be just so: dark room, at home, white noise, crib soother controlled by child. But it works and I am not complaining.

So that’s our month in review. I know there’s a million details I am forgetting, like how he gives me big hugs now for no reason, or how he can put the caps on and off travel-size shampoo bottles, or how he shakes his head no or how he plays peek-a-boo by putting his face in the couch and popping up, or how he claps when I come to get him out of his crib after he sleeps. But we’re moving from our second place back to our primary place and my life looks like a tornado hit it. In both houses.

Garage sale is this weekend. I tried to tag Josh for the sale, but couldn’t put a price on my love. Yes, you can all puke now. I did as I was typing it.