Unforgettable.

There are so many little details about Jackson that are endearing, and I fear that with my horrid memory issues, I may forget them one day. I figure I can use this forum as a way to list them all out in an effort to jog my memory down the road:

1) For the last month or more, Jackson has been responding affirmatively to questions we ask him (yes/no) by laying his head on a shoulder. I'll ask him questions like, "Are you hungry?" "Do you want lunch?" "Do you want a bottle?" at appropriate times for him to want these things. Usually, I can tell he needs something when he starts getting really naughty or cranky, which seems pretty typical of most kids. This week started a new trend: when he's in a position where he can't lay his head down on a shoulder, he responds by putting a hand on the side of his head. It's the most bizarre thing but we understand it, which I guess is his point. It's cute as all hell, too.

2) Ever since Jackson was a baby, I've always rocked him before going down for a nap or to bed. I know what "experts" say about this, and I follow the rule where you're not supposed to rock him completely to sleep but put him down awake. It was a choice I made to start this, and I've never for one minute regretted it. I don't have to rock him long--I can rock for 2 minutes or 20, whatever I'm in the mood for. This time together has been an amazing bonding time for us. Most of the time, I make him laugh and probably get him more riled up than I should. We talk and laugh together; I tickle him quite often; he likes to yell and sing and try to mock me when I ask him to say mamamama. I never breastfed him, which I remember hearing is good for bonding, so this is the next best thing. We have a ball together when I rock him and, despite being squirrely otherwise, he actually spends a good amount of time laying with his head in the crook of my arm.

3) There are so many things that are evolving with Jackson, from the way he acts with animals, other kids, and me, to the way he plays with some of his toys. We (Paul and I) like to build his blocks up as high as we can. Jackson always comes over and knocks everything down, but lately he's been more careful and thoughtful about it, taking certain pieces instead of just hitting them willy-nilly. He's also started building things back up, which seems like such a positive step forward to us (not sure why as it's probably a normal progression). He's no longer such a bully about his toys when other kids are around--today, he was playing with our neighbor Evelyn, and she was perfectly capable of holding her own with him! He'd try to take a toy away from him and she'd take it right back, and he'd let her be. She's a month older but significantly smaller in stature to him. Even with his friend, Angus, he's very accommodating and shares his toys.

4) For the last few weeks, I've been babysitting a friend's young baby (born this past mid-December). I don't get paid for it--she's young (the daughter of a good friend) and is trying to get on her feet. I feel bad for her and told her long before she had Jake that I would gladly watch him. I'm so happy that she's taken me up on it! I hate when people promise things and don't hold to them, and I didn't want this to be one of those times. One reason I wanted to do this is to see how Jackson would react around a baby. We're not pregnant (trying though!) and it'll be a long while before we have another, IF we're able to again. But it's still interesting to see him with the baby. There doesn't seem to be any jealousy on his part (or, if there is, it's minor and rare), but I'm told he might be too young for that. Today, I put the baby in the playroom with Jackson while I ran to get a bottle for Jackson. It was QUICK--I don't trust him to be alone with the baby for fear he might try to get him to play with some toys. When I came back in the room, Jackson was leaning over the baby, attempting to kiss him. It was so incredibly sweet and I just love that he's gentle like that. It's my greatest hope that this gentleness will carry through his whole life. I know it's too soon to know that for sure though.

These are just a few things that are foremost in my mind at the moment. Sorry if this seems long and rambling. I'm sure I'll come up with more as time goes on!