Joe the Talker

Jack and His Friend Naureen

This is from today (Sunday) - it's Jack "playing"/working with his friend Naureen. He likes her very much as you will see. This first one is him reciting the ABC's while Naureen signs each letter. He gets distracted by me taping him so he doesn't do them perfectly like he normally does. Still good nonetheless!

This short one is the "f" we have worked SO hard for. We've been putting our finger on Jack's bottom lip, pushing on it and trying to get him to bite his lower lip while blowing air out against his teeth to produce the "f" sound. This is so difficult to do for someone who cannot put their mouth in the right position or who lacks the motor planning to do all of the things required to produce one single sound. All of us that talk take for granted how extremely hard it really is to talk. Not everyone learns to talk by listening and by repeating the sounds heard. The other hard part is getting the sound to be consistent and not forgetting or not being able to "motor plan" that same sound again. Jack can only learn by constantly practicing - repetition, repetition, repetition. He's got the "f" down now but he didn't do it in the previous video. I had to get it on tape b/c we are so proud of him!

This one is quite long but I couldn't bring myself to stop taping. This is mostly Jack interacting and "playing" with Naureen. He loves the stuffed dog puppet we got as a souvenir this summer at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. You will see him sign dog (by patting his leg) and saying "daw" which is his pronunciation of "dog". He finally becomes way too distracted by my taping him and has had enough of "performing" so, he goofs off during the ABC's puzzle game. He does know his ABC's very well! You'll see some his stalling tactics - pretty smart boy!

Mike and Ginger's Wedding

Mike and Ginger got married tonight (Sept 6th, 2008) at Thistle Hill Mansion. It was very beautiful and so much fun b/c we got to hang out with lots of my family. The boys were perfect and so much fun. They especially loved the dancing and Joe was obsessed with the "neigh-neigh" that was to drive Mike and Ginger off in their horse drawn carriage. He cried and cried "neigh-neigh" when we had to go back into the house.

Grandpap and Grammy looking so GLAMOROUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grandpap bought these boots just for the happy occasion

Grammy and Jack

Sweet Jack and Momma

Joe and Uncle Omar

Uncle Omar

Uncle's Omar and Brandon (aka Uncle Bubba) and Joe

Uncle Brandon

Farmer's Market Day

We have been going to Eden Farm Farmer's Market (about 45 minutes away from our house) each 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month for a couple of months now - ever since we cleaned up our eating habits. :) Organic, local farmers (mostly from around the Ennis/Corsicana area) come to Eden Farms with their organic, grass-fed beef and pastured chicken and chicken eggs. There is also wonderful organic pestos, fruit preserves, fruit butters, breads and veggies. There is also gardening supplies and herbs. It's a wonderful treat for us to go as a family and to come home with such nutritious and delicious foods. The boys love chasing after the various animals around the farm that mostly roam free (except the horses).

The best chicken ever!

The best chicken eggs ever!

Cherokee Point Ranch sells very lean, grass-fed ground beef from a calf (not veal!)

"The beef" up close and personal

Jack thinking about stealin' some pesto

Joe terrorizing the farm's cat

A nutrition class in progress