Land of Boys

Just wanted to write some things down before I forget everything about this stage!
Joshua took his very first step tonight, and did so a few times today. He is so motivated to walk, and wants to chase after his big brother. They have so much fun together, and Jacob truly amazes me every day with how sweet and loving he is towards his little brother. He loves encouraging him, clapping for him, laughing with him, and trying to get him to do some funny things, like hide under the table. I think they will be giving me a run for it pretty soon!
Joshua babbles all day every day, and loves to talk. He says baby very clearly. He has started to play his own games of peek-a-boo, and has finally really figured out the cup and is able to drink quite a bit from it! Here's hoping to ditching the bottle as easily as Jacob did at the first birthday mark! Joshua is definitely stubborn though, and will look at you and fake laugh when you say no if he really wants to do something. Jacob thinks it's hilarious when I actually have to yell at Joshua if he is going for something that will hurt him.
Joshua is starting to enjoy more table foods, and has now tried small bites of turkey and mashed potatoes in preparation for Thanksgiving. He still isn't a big fan of table food really, unless it is some form of a cracker, but he doesn't spit anything out. I think it will all work itself out after we are done with formula and onto milk and a more regular meal situation. He is down to four bottles a day...no necessarily happy about it every day, but I wanted to start getting rid of the bottle between his lunch and dinner and getting him use to a snack instead. So, he gets watered-down juice and crackers or yogurt or whatever for snack after his nap instead of the bottle. It's also worked out getting him back to an earlier bed time because he's not staying up so late for the last bottle.
Jacob is hilarious. Beyond hilarious. He makes me laugh every day. He named our Elf on the Shelf Purple Flamthrower. Purple Flamethrower should be arriving Saturday, the same day we are planning on putting up our tree and our Christmas decorations. Jacob counts to 10 in Spanish now, which I have to admit is completely thanks to Dora. He loves to count, and loves to talk about new things he figures out. He is super into Transformers right now, and has been wanting me to read him Polar Express constantly. He is just such an easy three year old that sometimes I forget how young he really is. He will be three and a half at the end of the month, and I know I will desperately miss my little boy soon....four sounds so old and I hope May 31 takes its sweet time getting here so I can enjoy a three year old for a long time.