year of the Jack-L

2009 was a lucky and adventurous year! Lucky parents were fortunate to have a healthy and spirited boy all year long, only a few bad luck ear-infections and a minor bout of pneumonia slowed us down.

The parents found themselves challenged as the Jack-L's skills multiplied in strength many, many times over. The year was marked with many risky new ventures including walking, climbing, and even running. New doors were opened including doors to the Tupperware, and cupboards to the cookies (and locks promptly installed). Obstacles were mere trifles--couches were mountains to be scaled and chairs were pawns to be rearranged, leaving parents in the dust, wondering if it was in fact the year of the monkey.

Good fortune smiled upon the Jack-L. Even as the economy tanked, real estate for toys boomed and rooms were filled to capacity with playthings that beep, sing and heckle if ignored for too long. And the books! Books were king and letters came together to form magical things called words. Words which were sponged up and then gushed out in exclamations of "puppy!, coffee!, dude!, Daddy, Mommy, Jack," and "You're so funny", to name a few.

The year 2010 promises to be as fortuitous as the past one. There are more words to learn, a toilet to master, and challenges ahead that the parents cannot even begin to imagine. Contrary to popular belief, the year of the terrible twos is predicted to be full of giggles and brimming with love. Let the wild rumpus begin!