Musical genius?

Ok, ok...I know I just posted about how I was putting up too many videos, but I can't wait on this one. It's been obvious since James was born that he loves music and has a bit of a knack for it. Today on the phone, my mom jokingly asked if I was teaching James to sing. And actually, I guess we kind of are because James is in an early childhood music class where they introduce echo singing (short phrases of just rhythm and both rhythm and melody). The kids James' age (including James) just listen to the teacher and stare when it's their turn to sing.

Just now, I started singing phrases to James like the teacher of his class does...and he sang back! He goes up in pitch when I do, and down when I do. And sometimes he gets eerily close to the correct pitches. Of course I grabbed for the camera as fast as I could:

Crazy, isn't it?! And he's still singing right now as he toddles around the room. Crazy, crazy boy!

Yes, another video!

You're probably thinking something along the lines of, "What's with all the videos lately?" Hopefully you aren't getting tired of them! James has been quite demonstrative for the camera in the last week or so. It's really fun to ask him to do something and have him actually do it! :) He still freezes up in front of other people, but at least he's warmed up to the camera. Ha ha.

Today we decided to take a break from the talking videos and document how James' walking is progressing. Most of the walking that he does during the day is between the couch and his toys. :)

He's getting pretty good! See for yourself:

That distance (from the toys to the couch) is about as far as he can handle at once, but he's getting much more consistent with it. I have hope that he'll master it before joining the nursery at church (in three months!!).

Oh, and how do you like his climbing skills? He just hops up onto the couch regularly. He likes sitting by me and climbing on my lap. :)

WW - Cousin Bonding Time

(This was so cute. Becca kept putting her arm around James and trying to get him to watch the Signing Time DVD with her. :) )

Our Little Talker, Part Two

Right after I posted that last video on Saturday, I realized I left out a few words that James knows (plus, I couldn't get him to say Mommy in the first one). He was still in a talkative mood, so I decided to try again:

It's just amazing to watch him as he picks up all these words and starts to use them in the correct context. It's so much fun. :)

Oh, and like I promised, I got him dressed in clean clothes and we went out shopping right after that. See? I even took a picture for proof:

Then, that afternoon, I realized I left out (at least) two more words, one of which Paul is particularly proud of. ;) James was cooperative again this morning, so I was able to catch them on video. Take a look:

Fun times.

Our Little Talker

James is getting close to 15 months old now (time is FLYING), and while he still uses crawling as his principle mode of transportation, he keeps picking up new words all the time. Some of the new ones include uh-oh and eww (both of which he uses randomly and in context all day long...I think he enjoys saying them), mommy (finally!), daddy, bye bye, and oww. He also mimics the words we say all the time.

I just took this video where I got him to say a few of the new words...couldn't convince him to say mommy for the video, though. Oh well. There's always next time!

Yes, I know he's wearing the same clothes as yesterday...oops. ;) We're going to get dressed (in clean clothes! ha ha) and go shopping right after I post this entry. Promise. :)

James is doing much better today. He woke up without a fever and hasn't had one yet today. The cough still sounds nasty, but coughs do tend to linger. Wouldn't it be nice if this was his last cold of the season and we got to enjoy a healthy spring and summer? I'm not holding my breath, but I sure can dream...

Kisses

I know I must sound like a broken record, but James is sick AGAIN. This time with a cough and a fever. He slept better last night than he did the night before, so hopefully this bug is on its way out.

As you might have guessed, however, James is still cute even when he is sick. :) Here's a video I just took because James was mimicking me blowing kisses. I barely caught it in the video and then he stopped doing it. We're still working on it.

Enjoy!

WW - Piano Prodigy

Fallen Behind

It has been brought to my attention that it has been far too long since I last posted a blog entry. And it really has! The problem is, I can't figure out where to begin.

The most important thing that has happened since I last posted is that my sister gave birth to a perfect, new baby, Katherine Dawn. I am so glad that I got to spend a week with my family in Utah and meet this beautiful little girl.



The week in Utah was full of fun and family, and even though James was sick for the first half of the trip, we both had a wonderful time.

So, where do I start from here now that I have fallen so far behind?

Do I post more stories and pictures from my week in Utah? Or, do I start with the Easter Egg hunt we had at playgroup? Do I go back further and talk about St. Patrick's Day and Paul's perfect game of Ticket to Ride (even though his record has now been thoroughly trashed by Jonathan ;) )? Or further still, and chronicle our trip to Utah at the end of February? I barely mentioned that trip when it happened, and I do have at least a couple pictures to share from it. Oh! And let's not forget! I never actually blogged about our trip to Colorado for Christmas!

I'm conflicted because this blog serves two main purposes. The first one is to keep family and friends updated about what is going on in our little family. For that purpose, it would be best to keep forging ahead and post about what James has been up to in the week since we got back from Utah and not dwell what I have missed. The second purpose of this blog, though, is to serve as our family journal. It would not be an accurate journal if I left out all these big events!

I think, in the end, the best course of action is a mixture of the two. And I'll try my best to just keep on posting! :)