Fourteen months in, and Archer’s raring to go more than ever.  The biggest change this month is that he is now officially a walker – he finally figured it out, of course, while we were on spring break. And I have to say, I’m thrilled. I think crawling is a really tough stage – it’s dirty, you can’t put them down on the floor to crawl around in public very much, and it’s tricky tricky tricky. Walking, to me, is way easier. And I think Archer agrees. 😉

The other day in the car, Jude says to me thoughtfully, “Mom, I really think Archer should consider changing his name once he starts school.”

“Oh really. What do you think he should change it to?” as I peer at him in the rearview mirror, wondering where this is going.

“I think he should go by his middle name, Bryce,” he responds definitively, watching the cars go by. “I’m really concerned that the other kids are going to make fun of him, and therefore, he absolutely needs to change his name.”

“Hmmm,” I say. “Are there kids in your class who make fun of his name?”

“Yes. They say he’s a little archer with a bow and arrow.”  Which, you know, not really a shocker (or much of a stretch) there. A little more prodding between us, and it finally all comes out that one of the kids who Jude doesn’t totally get along with makes little comments here and there, and it bothers Jude (on Archer’s behalf).

“I don’t want him to be bullied,” Jude sighs.

“You know, Jude, I think he’s going to be ok, and mostly because he also has you.”  Pause.  “And I don’t think anyone with the name ‘Archer’ is going to be pushed around.”

(For the record, Jude got the award for showing the virtue of empathy this month at school).

Fun fact~ Did you know that if you eat a brown magic marker, it actually looks Oompa Loompa orange on your face? YES! IT’S TRUE.

This baby. He is going to be somethin’ else. We are in trouble!

He’s almost as bad as Nickels at climbing on the table.

After this particular (apparently exhausting) rampage, he grabbed his bottle and a soft blanket, and curled up on the sofa.

Likes/Loves: his bottle (sigh), basketballs of any shape, his little red scooter, going up and down the stairs independently, climbing ERRRTHANG, grabbing Nickels by the ears and scruff of the neck (which, as you can imagine, THRILLS Nickels (NO)).

Dislikes: the car (WHYYYYYYY), sippy cups, being told no (welcome to Life, kid)

What I want to remember: his newfound skill of shaking his head no. We are entering an all-new era of communication. Also, his jibberjabber and little squeaky voice. Baby giggles and subtle bouncing when he hears music.