my new little man

Jack was quite sick last week and has emerged from his illness as a new man.  At first I was only aware of how much more easily frustrated he gets and how quickly he spirals into full tantrums with ear-piercing screaming.  Then I noticed he is more aggressive and more risk-taking (i.e. pushing all limits he had before now accepted and honored).  Then I noticed that he seems to need me more than ever and closer to him than ever . . .or said tantrums immediately ensue.  Needless to say, since we spend all day everyday together, this new set of behavior is utterly tiring in its constancy and concerning at first.

Then something else happened.  Words.  Lots of them.  In English and in Spanish.  Some on their own and some combined with the sign language that we gave up on long ago.  Words in the appropriate places to communicate wants and needs and  so many other words that he simply repeats as we use them -- which he never did before. 

bravo, thank you, please, no more, bubbles, ball, hi, hello, bye bye, adios, agua, gracias, buenas dias, ball, pelota, more, mas, go, up, down, cereal, hot, help, stinky, dirty, bath, apple, goldfish, book, stop, leche, that, dog, baby, mama, papa, Tyler, Annie, Abby and on and on . . . these do not even include the words that he repeats but is yet to quite use that I can tell.  Today when someone asked his name at the park, I put my hand on him and said "Jack".  Then he pointed to himself and said "Jack" with a smile on his face looking right at the person who had asked.  

He sings actual words in songs and recognizes melodies, anticipating the words or sounds that are coming.  He belts it out when he sings.  He has amazing rhythm and the ability to keep a steady beat with any variety of musical tempos or styles.  Yesterday in our music class -- in which for over a year now he has mostly just observed although he would come home and repeat everything he observed --well, yesterday, it was like I took another child to class.  He participated 100 % and had a wonderful time.

And one of my greatest joys is the fact that last night, for the first time since he was very little, he wanted to sit on my lap and have me read to him.  He actually sat through two books saying words with me and pointing at things  -- again, these things were not happening before.  And then he said "please.  more.  please."

My relationship with this little man is the most challenging one of my life, especially as of these last four or five days, but I am speechless as to how it feels to watch all of this unfold right in front of me with a backdrop of intense tantrums and meltdowns.   I realize now that it is all connected and that he is going through an amazing, magical and difficult growing pain of sorts and I am along for the ride . . . and a truly magical ride it is. 

a little jig

drumming with aunt annie

drum roll for papa . . .

who me?

"I definitely was not the one who pulled all of the clothes out of your drawer and all of your shoes off of the shelf".... (Jack can entertain himself for almost an hour emptying my clothes and shoes onto the floor)

I find his little trucks in the funniest places -- one of his favorite places to stash them is in my boots and shoes and in bags of laundry.

(his favorite pair of my shoes)

..... looking just like papa (above)

My little cutie.

(The glasses look bigger in photographs than they do in person.)

birthday parties

Jack attends a lot of birthday parties . . . this one was actually back in January for a little friend of his who actually lives in Switzerland but was visiting for the holidays.  Our group continues to grow and prove supportive in new ways.  I love the shots of 15 of so little ones sitting at the toddler sized table throwing back their water bottles and cake.  

While we were trying to get everyone set up for this group shot below, I positioned myself on the floor and was looking for Jack.  There was total chaos and as the chaos cleared, I began calling for Jack.  And then a few others started calling for him.  Then I spotted him.  He was standing calmly over off to the side of the group with his hands clasped behind his back just watching all of the madness . . . as if he was an old man just strolling by and stopped to take delight in this gathering.  He is a funny little man.

You have to look really hard to spot Jack here . . . he is at the head of the party tube.