Hold You

One of Jackson's new phrases this week was, "Hold you."  It took me a couple of tries of translating to figure out that he meant, "Pick me up and hold me."  And I don't know if he was excited to use his new phrase or he just really wanted cuddled this week, but he said this a lot.  I'm definitely not complaining because there are some days when he doesn't want to be hugged or kissed at all for whatever reason.  (Example:  He needs his personal space; He's too busy playing with his toys; He has days when he is too cool for hugs and kisses.)

But as I thought about it more, I think he is completely correct in his new phrase of "hold you."  Even if things are going fine, it's nice to get a hug and have someone show that they love you.

The only time I lived out of the house was during my study abroad and student teaching abroad experiences.  The other years of university, I commuted to campus from home.  And during those two times away from home, I had my first experience of going days on end without hearing someone say, "I love you."  (I wasn't much of a hugger per se, so it didn't bother me to go without hugs.)  But, to be in a place where no one actually loved or knew me was quite lonely.

I never forgot that feeling and so when Jackson says, "Hold you," in a way, he is reminding me just how much he lifts up my spirits and how much I appreciate his company.  For however long I can, I will hold my little baby and be here for whatever he needs.

Our handsome little gent

Learning his alphabet with some quick studying before going back to nursery

Colouring scenes from Cars

Carefully placing the caps back on the markers--"I can do it."

After colouring, he mastered naming the colours grey, blue, red, and purple

We called in the colouring troops because the six markers were not enough

Building dens

He was tentative about coming inside, so he mainly used the blankets as ramps for his Hot Wheels cars

Finally venturing inside for about five seconds

Developmental updates:  Another big leap in speech development this week.  Here are all of the new words and phrases:  toys, puzzle, tower, push, pull, I'm fine, of course, bless you, watch me, I can do it, that's better, show, and hold you (when he wants to be held).  He's also putting sentences together more.  For instance, upon finding me looking in the refrigerator for a snack:  "Oh, there you are.  What are you doing?"  When I saw Jackson scoop up a huge dollop of yogurt on his spoon and attempt to guide it safely to his mouth, I said, "Only a little bite," and he cleanly smacked half of his spoonful back into the yogurt pot.  Jackson sat through an entire haircut at the salon without making a peep.  I did use the iPad in conjunction with his favourite fruit snacks (from Ohio), but I was still shocked at his attitude towards the usually chaotic experience.  With his cars, which are his favourite things to play with, he assigned his bigger Lightning McQueen as the 'mommy' of the littler Lightning McQueen and he decided that Doc Hudson is the 'daddy' to the little Lightning McQueen.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.