Things eaten

James has eaten a huge variety by now, but there are some things he has taken to that I am surprised by:

• pickled beets (my own home-canned ones made for Tim out of love because I myself still think they are quite horrible).  When first canned and still pretty firm James discovered that if he pushed down on the small square of beet with his index finger he could make it pop across/off his tray like a tiddly-wink- he was THRILLED.  Thankfully as the beets have aged in the jars they have softened up and this is no longer a dinner game.
• blue cheese
• frozen wild blueberries- not surprised he likes blueberries but the fact that he likes them straight out of the freezer.  As they thaw they are quite messy and his fingers and mouth turn a dark gray/blue/purple.  Since he eats a bag almost every week he is constantly going around looking like he has gangrene in his fingers and is freezing cold with his blue/gray lips.
• dogfood- need I say more?

Things said

Things "said" (most words James has used are only around for a couple of days and then he works on a new batch- this is exactly what did- basically didn't talk until around 2 and then all the words I had picked up came tumbling out):

• light "igh"- this was spoken by James while doing the sign for light over Thanksgiving- lasted about 3 days
• bye-bye- for going somewhere taught to him by my mom- lasted 2 days
• bark-bark...when he sees Timber- has been said the past few days
• eyes- has stuck around the longest
• octopus "oh-us'- lasted 2 days
• eggs- comes and goes being said- he REALLY loves eggs, which is great since I can add carrots, broccoli, spinach, etc to them.
• outside "ow-eye"- past few days while pointing to window or front door
• bottle "baba" this is also one of the few words that is used pretty regularly- he is truly addictted to the bottle, I suppose this is the downfall of finishing nursing before a year and thinking he needed something other than cows milk at that point.  We've had several trips over the holidays where the timing caused us to be in the car at his bedtime and he'd start saying "baba" over and over and over before breaking down into tears.
• Elsa "eh" said for a the past week whenever James knows we are going to Elsa's house to see her
• Hi- said A LOT- he is becoming quite the flirt and will wear down any server at a restuarant with stares and "hi"s until he gets one back    
• hot "ot" said whenever he looks at something on the stove or a fireplace

Helping Daddy

 Yesterday Tim switched out our guest bathroom sink and faucet (we did the light fixture before Christmas).

 James was REALLY curious about all the tools and parts.

 But as many were pointy or small- basically a toddler hazard-

 He was placed in the only safe place to watch the work being done.

 Just close enough to explore a bit.

 He was really impressed with his daddy.

Merry Christmas!

 Last year...James is a month and a half old.

 Trying to get an thirteen and half month old to look at a camera on a timer.

 Success!  Notice his normal attire- one shoe off.  Also note that the bottom of the tree is bare thanks to a curious toddler.

James' ornaments this year.  Snowmen and reindeer from Nana, angel from Aunt Tonya from Africa and Noah's ark ornament from Aunt Chelsea.