The Adventures of Jared

Look at my hiding spot, mom!

I haven't posted much on Jared lately so I wanted to write a little just about him.  

From the minute he was born, our little Jared has been such a delight!  He just has a fun, happy little personality and being the fourth, he has had to be pretty easy-going, just hanging out with his brother and sisters most of the time.   He will be 17 mo old on the 19th.  

Jared started walking almost a month ago now.  He loves pushing his little walker around the house.   It is so fun to watch him cruise around and do a little 360 turn all of a sudden.  He has also developed an attachment to his blankie (pictured above).  The funny thing is that he actually has 2 favorite blankies which makes it easier for us because either will work.  He still takes 2 naps a day although recently the morning nap sometimes doesn't happen.   
Jared is also a climber.  His favorite thing to climb up is the ladder on Heidi and Kyle's bunkbed which always makes me really nervous.  He thinks he is pretty cool and giggles like crazy when he can crawl around on the top bunk.   He has no fear.  

Jared loves to plunk out a tune on the piano.

Here is a picture of Jared "helping me" can peaches and pears.  I finally had to move the pears because he kept grabbing new ones and taking some bites out of them, then moving on to the next.                

He is such a great eater and especially loves juicy fruits and vegetables.  During melon season, he wanted to eat it so much that I had to take it away after a few episodes of "the runs".   

Making peaches and pears was a 2-day event at our house and during the meantime with the kids running in and out from the sandbox, the floor was like sandpaper.   Walking in our kitchen sounded like this:  squish-scratch,  squish-scratch.  Until I finally got the mop out and balance was in the force again.  

Okay, mom- you caught me.  I just can't help it!  

I made over 70 jars of jam this year and this is what my kitchen looked like at 1 o'clock in the morning, when I was finally done.  It was a disaster zone!  (We don't eat THAT much jam- it is for neighbor gifts for Christmas- one less thing to do over the holidays!)

  The other day, I put Heidi in the bath and was hustling about doing things before I put Jared in.  Well, he didn't want to wait for me and so he just jumped on with his clothes on.  He thought he was pretty funny!   

We love having Jared around.  He is such fun for the kids to play with.  Erika says, "I don't know what I would do without my cute little Jared!"  I love having him around with me when the other kids are in school.  We have cuddle time.  Sometimes I think I could just kiss his little face off- it is so soft and kissable.   He loves to read books.  He can "growl" like a tiger or bear.  He can also say "no" and "mom" (usually not at the same time :)  He also likes to "dance" to music.   I enjoy his constant chatter in his own little language.   I don't know what I would do without him, either.