Jaxsen...

Today, my day was brightened with my three little bouncing bundles of joy again-- six-month old, Alex; two-year old Mykah; and two-year old Jaxsen!  I've already written about Alex and Mykah; so today, I'll focus on Jaxsen.

Jaxsen is the second son of Jameel and Larjarlyn.  His older brother's name is Jameel, Jr.  Jaxsen is really small for his age, but he has a huge personality and presence!  Let me tell you what I mean:

Jaxsen always walks in my house stepping big--taking long steps--and talking loudly.  His first words are, "How are you doing today?"  After  a response, he replies loudly, but very politely, "I'm good!"  And he really does try to be good for the rest of the day; but somehow, something always prevents him from being the good little guy that he really does try to be.

For example, today, he opened the refrigerator for the very first time--an accident waiting to happen!  Well, our (his and mine) favorite coconut pie was right in front of his eyes; so he took it out and tried to put it on the counter.  However, as he attempted to reach the really high counter, the pie tipped and splashed all over the floor.  His little feelings--and big boy pride --were shattered just like that delicious coconut pie!  All I could do was grab his tiny body and hug him.  I couldn't scold him about being a bad boy and opening the refrig at a time like this.  After all, this was the very first time he'd been able to open the refrig...and he was just trying to get his favorite pie!

But still, he was wrong; and I had to let him know...even in the middle of his deep saddness at ruining his pie and embarrassment of trying to show off his big boy skills.  So I held his tiny little body close to me and kissed his little head.  I explained that I understood that he really wanted some coconut pie and that he was trying to be a big boy; but I told him that opening the refrig was one thing I didn't want him to do...that from now on, opening the refrig is a no-no.  "Do you understand?"  I repeated, "...a no-no!!!"  His big bright brown eyes, filled with tears of saddness and embarrassment said it all as he responded so sweetly and so politely, "Yes mamn!"  I think my taste buds were more disappointed than he was though --I was really looking forward to having a mid-day slice of coconut pie!

Jaxsen is tiny, but he can climb and jump  and handle his little agile body like an acrobat!  It's amazing to see him maneuver his little body into really difficult positions and spaces.  He knows that it's difficult for me and Grandpa to pick him and Mykah up, so he lifts himself whereever he needs to go--his high chair, in the bed, on the commode...he's even learned how to climb up into his crib.  And there's not a door in the house that he can't open, so I have to really enforce my "no-no's"; otherwise, he'll end up in the middle of the street!

He uses his little agile body well on the basketball court too!  I bought them a little basketball goal when his big brother Jameel was about his age.  The goal is too short for Jameel now, but it's perfect for Jaxsen, and he's really good at basketball now.  He can make those jump shots like a champ, and his dunks are so cool and sleek you would think he's much, much older.  I thought Jameel would be the one to live out his dad's dreams of being a great basketball star, but Jaxsen is right in Jameel's tracks.  He loves basketball!  Sometimes he shoots the ball for really long periods of time...even if noone is playing with him.  Mykah occasionally plays with him, but she prefers doing her girl things.  Jaxsen, though, is all boy.  He likes doing what he sees his big brother doing.

He's really doing a good job using the bathroom to pee-pee, but he absolutely refuses to have a bowel movement in the commode or potty seat.  We're working on it, but he just hasn't made up his little mind to do that one.  He usually finds himself a quiet, solitary corner and does his business.  When I ask, "Who do I smell!"  He quickly says, "Me!!!" because he hates walking around with that nasty pull-up on.  He gets a chance to put on big boy underwear after he has his bowel movement everyday, and he likes that!

Lajarlyn and I've been teaching him his alphabets and numbers; and he's doing really well with them.  He can recognize lots of them; he can sing the ABC song; he can count from one to ten; and he can spell his name!  He loves to write on paper, although I'm still teaching him that he must write ON PAPER ONLY.  When he first learned what pencils and crayons were, he had a time trying to restrain his energetic little mind and body.  He would write on whatever he could.  One day, he somehow got a permanent marker and marked on my white leather chair.  Luckily, it's on the top and back, where it's not very visible.  I've been able to clean up his other mishaps--with his help, of course.  He LOVES to help me scrub and clean the rugs and furniture.  ...Such a good little helper!

I thoroughly enjoy this little guy--as sweet and smart as he can be!