Half-Birthday! 2.5

Jack is 2 1/2 today! It has been a super long time since I did an update on "development" stuff, so here it goes:

Sleeping: Jack actually sleeps from about 10-8 - we are out of his room by 9:15 but he stays awake talking and playing for awhile. He naps approximately from 3:15-5:45. He is very consistent on this very very rarely walking up at night.

Motor skills: Jack can throw very very well - he throws across a room any sort of ball and often has very good accuracy and speed. He also can kick balls and runs (a true run). He has become quite a climber and brings around his little stools all over the place to reach things. He can hold a crayon properly, but usually does a combination between a real grip and a baby grip. He can walk up and down the stairs without holding on, though he almost always does hold on.

Talking: Jack has progressed amazingly well in the last 4 months or so. He now uses 5+ words in combination, and his grammar is coming along - using plurals, some prepositions, "ing" words etc. He continually surprises us with new words. Often it is still hard for others to understand him, we act as a translator, but he is becoming more and more clear.

Interests: He still loves trucks - "hook and ladder trucks" "trash trucks" and "dig trucks" are his favorite. He also thoroughly enjoys trains. He hoards toys in his crib at night, it is quite amusing seeing him fit in between a bunch of books and large trucks. He enjoys books too. His current favorites: Cars and Trucks and Things that Go - he loves fining hidden goldbug on each page, Green Eggs and Ham, Merry Christmas Curious George, The Fire Engine Book, and Alfie Gets in First (thanks Debbie!). He also likes "fixing" things with toy tools.

He loves loves preschool and doesn't mind being left with our babysitter either. He has virtually no separation issues when he is feeling well. He does have strong feelings on whether mommy or daddy does something for him. Usually he makes a stink if daddy does something he thinks mommy should do.

His favorite color is red.

He can play imaginatively on his own for quite some time, 20 minutes, I would say. He is very creative in his use of toys/objects. I am continually amazed how he sees similarities in things that I would never think of.

He is about 31lbs and I am guessing 37-38" tall. He is wearing 2T clothes, with some 3T shirts.