Backpack!

Out of no where Jack started pointing out backpacks to us and calling them by name.   He's always been enamored with the body part "back," pronouncing it "baugh-ck" with much reverence while patting his.

I hardly ever buy Jack toys or clothes, but couldn't resist getting him his own. He picked out the puppy from the adorable Skip Hop line of animal designs.

It tickles me so to see my little guy trucking around in it. Especially because he gets off balance by the addition of one book. :-)

I also can't resist encouraging his verbal skills by these indulgences.  He seems to be on the slow end of normal.  Not delayed, consistently making progress, but behind most other two year olds we meet.  I kept waffling on whether to call Early Intervention for an evaluation, but he continued to make small steps on his own.  Looking back now I see that his vocabulary has vastly expanded this summer.  He's more willing to try to mimic a word when we break it down for him and it's not uncommon for him to say a two word phrase (with a little help). 

He said his first spontaneous sentence a few weeks ago.  We were at a playground all alone for an hour.  Some kids showed up and started climbing the tower-- HIS tower.  Jack stamped his foot and said "No! Play! Out!"  I was at once filled with pride that he spoke multiple linked words and disappointment that he didn't want to share.  Being a parent often gives me this strange mix of conflicting emotions. 

Still no purposeful "Mommy" since I posted he finally said it.  Once in a while he calls me "Bobby," but not often.  I theorize that he knows it's wrong so he doesn't call me anything most of the time.  Don't know why he can babble M-sounds but uses a B in words ("Bine!" is one such frequently used fervent and loud statement.)