Jason and Vola: August 2013

It seems like in the past few weeks, so much has all of the sudden "clicked" for Dylan. We think we finally got a first word, when he started referring to Jason as "Dada." I say we think because the next day we realized that he also refers to himself as "Dada." And sometimes me too. So maybe he doesn't have a full grasp of that one yet :) But he also started signing a couple of words -- "more" and "eat." Well, he started signing his versions of them, which aren't exactly right, but at least we get the gist! He understands so much of what we say these days, too, which often catches us off guard.

He also eats like a champ -- the kid would eat all day long if we let him. He understands pretty much every food-related word, and as soon as he hears one, will immediately start signing "eat" and either take your hand and lead you into the kitchen or start pulling up on his highchair.

I run a load of laundry pretty much every day these days, and each time the dryer buzzes to signal it's done, he stops what he's doing, takes my hand and leads me to the dryer. Occasionally, I let him play by putting clothes in/taking them out of the dryer. And the intensity with which he puts the same three articles of clothing in and then takes them out -- over and over -- is fascinating. It's like he's trying to build a rocket or something.

He loves to give zerberts (or as Papa Jacobs called them, Vacuum Cleaner kisses). If you're on the receiving end of one (or of one of his kisses), you end up with two paper towels worth of slobber on your skin, but it totally cracks him up and is so sweet to watch.

He also has this funny habit of trilling his R's all the time. Whether he's crying, falling asleep, or just playing, you'll hear this constant "rrrrrrrr." It's like he's practicing his foreign language skills :)

He's definitely not a baby anymore, and it's so fun to watch him grow up!