oh my achin' back

in general, jack's a pretty sympathetic fellow.

he worries about kids who cry on the playground or at school and tries to console them.

if he hears mommy or daddy say, "ouch!" he is quick to give kisses and pats to soothe the boo-boo.

and lately, after hearing mommy's complaints, he has been regularly inquiring as to the state of mommy's aching back.

before yoga: "mama, you going to make your back feel better?
after yoga: "mama, your back feel better now?"
upon waking: "mama, how your back feelin'?"

yesterday morning his sympathy turned to empathy. as soon as daddy retrieved him from his crib (after his clock had turned green), jack announced, "daddy, my back hurts." he then repeated, "my back hurts ... i need to go to the doctor."

daddy asked some questions ... "where on your back does it hurt? did you fall on your back?" soon it was revealed that his back was okay and he mostly just wanted a lollipop from the doctor. when reminded that his doctor does not give lollipops, but instead gives stickers, jack announced he actually needed a trip to the barbershop (where they do give lollipops).

empathus interruptus ... caused by dum-dums.

but mr. empathy was back at it this morning, telling mommy his back hurt after watching mommy try to stretch her heavily burdened lower spine.

it's all very sweet. but let's just say we don't even want to imagine what complaints jack might be parrotting when mommy starts nursing the new baby!!