Sambo's Two Month Stats

We went in for Sam's two month well-check today. Here is how he "weighs" in:

Weight: 12.4lbs (75%)
Height: 23.5 in (50%-75%)
Head: 15.5 in (25%-50%)

They (Dr. Abbott, and the nurses...who are ALL fantastic by the way) were extremely impressed at how much Sambo has grown. Shocked even. Apparently when he was born, his weight was barely in the 5%, and NOW look at him! He has pretty much doubled his birth weight, in two months! He's a chunk!

He passed all of his two month "tests" (lifting his head, following light, smiling a little, etc...) without too much trouble. Though he was kind of stubborn when he was supposed to lift his head. I blame that on him being tired and just wanting to go to sleep.

They gave him four shots and an oral vaccination. He was NOT happy about the shots (who wouldn't be?), but calmed down and promptly shut down into a deep sleep (thanks Tylenol). I have prepared myself for a fairly rough afternoon and night.

Speaking of nights, I asked Dr. Abbott about Sam's sleeping habits (or lack there of). He seems to me (us) to have a little breathing problem at around 3am every night. It seems he wakes up at that time and just has a hard time breathing. By that I mean he seems to get really congested, and stuffed up and has a hard time with drainage...which causes him to stir the rest of the night just TRYING to get back to sleep. We discussed this with her and she seemed baffled by that...in further discussion we all decided that Little Samuel is getting too much sleep during the day, and can't go back to sleep at night. Or he thinks that 3am is wake-up time and his brain says go back to sleep, but his body isn't tired anymore.

This all makes sense, and I actually mentioned to Jonathon last night that it was time that Samuel was put on a strict schedule. We just have not been able to get any sort of schedule going...with the ice storm (no electricity), then going out of town, all the company we have had...we just haven't been able to get it together. Well *I* haven't. So, hopefully things will calm down and I can get the kids on a schedule, and we can ALL start sleeping through the night. Anyone out there have any advice on a "doable" schedule for an infant and a toddler?

Also, currently, Samuel's crib is in our room. I think it is time that we move his crib out of our room. We have decided to just make the boys share Nathan's little room. With the way our house is laid out, it is best. We have two bedrooms on the main floor, and two bedrooms up stairs (the master, and Nathan's). I do not feel comfortable with moving Nathan downstairs alone. Plus we really wouldn't have any place for the office. SO, they will just share a room upstairs (its pretty tiny, large enough for a bed and a crib, that is it). I am not sure how that is going to work with Nathan. Anyone out there have any advice on kids sharing a room? I fear Nathan will wake up whenever Samuel wakes up...

So, that's the update! If you are wanting to compare Nathan and Sam at the same age, go here. Remember that Nathan's two month well check was actually when he was 10 weeks. Sam is 9.

Deja Vu

I seem to have completely forgotten what Nathan was like as an infant...it is a good thing I blogged about it! Check it:

http://nathanielcharles.blogspot.com/2006/09/so4-weeks-old.html

The funny thing is, is that in the last week (Samuel's 4th week of life), I said the same exact things about Sammy as apparently I did about Nathan. He is filling out, it makes me sad, he eats every 3 hours (sometimes less, sometimes more, but not often), he is starting to have definite awake times, our "schedule" is panning out to be the same as Nathans, etc...

Very odd to be reading about your first born, yet it all seems to apply to your second born as well. Also, Samuel is really starting to "change looks". When he was born, *I* think he favored me more so than Nathan did, aside from his coloring (Nathan's coloring is all Frentheway), however in the last week his little cheeks have plumped up (SO CUTE!), and is beginning to resemble Nathan. He still has the dark coloring, but both Jonathon and I think his hair is getting lighter. He and Nathan will have the same color eyes (yeah!!! Nathan's eyes are beautiful, and they get that from Jonathon), but I do think Samuel will have my little head.

Anyways...that update is totally random and without pictures...

Brotherly Love

As I am sure I expressed on many occasions, one of my biggest fears in having another child was how Nathan would react and behave towards the new little one (and to me). Well, now that Samuel has been here a few weeks (already???), I have something to report!

Nathan has done extremely well. My apprehension and fear of the unknown is, so far, proving to be just that...fear of the unknown. Nathan LOVES his little brother, and takes the opportunity to tell everyone that, many times a day. He doesn't seem too bothered by a new addition...though he has grown completely attached to me (which I hear is normal). After all, his world has been completely turned upside down with a new baby, not to mention the Ice Storm that kicked us out of our house for a few days. Along with all that, I have found it a little difficult to be super strict on Nathan's schedule (not that I was the Nazi-scheduler before Samuel arrived, but he did have a definite nap time and bedtime...for the most part. Both of which have gotten later and later since Sam has arrived.). As a result I think Nathan does feel a little displaced and insecure about all the changes. Time is the only remedy as we all try to figure out our new normal.

Brotherly love at its finest...here is Nathan "petting" Samuel, as he does many times a day. VERY gently though.

And of course, the photo you all have been waiting for:

Brotherly Kisses.

We'll Leave the Lights on for ya...

Yes, we do have power (knock on wood). It was turned back on Sunday afternoon...right before the Super Bowl (conveniently!).

So...we are back in business. Trying to figure out our new normal...:)

And...

We STILL don't have power!
Enough said.

Not Again...

So...for the second time in less than 6 months, we have no electricity! We were hit with an ice storm on Tuesday evening...which proceeded to accumulate on tree limbs, which then began to break and fall...and well, knock out the power around the entire city (you may have heard...). Anyways. We are one of the lucky ones that won't have power for 7-10 days (that is the current estimate). We are so SUPER lucky! (can you read the sarcasm???)

Remember last September when we didn't have power for 8 days (is that correct, Jonathon? ;)), and we all said "at least it is warm out, and you don't have an infant to care for..." . Well, look here...it is FREEEEEEZING, we have an infant and a toddler...AND no electricity! I am not sure how much I can handle of this, emotionally... apparently we did'nt learn what we needed to learn (patience?) the first time.

Luckily, we have amazing family! The first night Uncle Rob and Aunt Yvette opened their very clean, kid free, home to us. They made us dinner and gave us nice comfy beds to sleep in! Then yesterday, Nan and Paps opened their door to us as well...and we have taken full advantage and moved in! We even kicked them out of their bedroom! ;) So...on the very positive side, we are warm, fed and with loving family. We couldn't ask for anything more (except electricity).

Thank you to everyone who has offered your homes, food, blankets, clothes...etc. We really appreciate it and hope you all know that the offer is reciprocal.

I will keep you updated...

Bed Update

I have gotten a few inquiries as to how Nathan was/is dealing with his new bed situation...

Well, he actually has been GREAT! He is still taking his naps, still going to bed without any trouble. Nothing has changed actually, except he can can get in and out of his bed on his own. Now this afternoon we had some issues...we had gone to All About Kids to run around and play. We were there for almost 2.5 hours, and Nathan was SOOO tired (you try running, climbing and jumping for 2 hours!!!), so he was super fussy, crying and just D.O.N.E. We came home and he wanted to go to bed, so I put him down. I heard him rumbling around for a good 15 minutes after I left the room, which I figured was him just winding down from all of the action earlier. He finally fell asleep...and about an hour later he woke up crying. Now he hasn't done that in a long long time, so I knew something was up. I went up there, and he was lying by the door. SO...I don't know if he had gotten out of bed and was playing in his room, and then fell asleep...woke up and didn't know where he was. OR, he fell asleep in his bed, and walked to the door when he started crying. I don't know (I need to put a video camera in there!). Regardless, I put him down again, and he fell back asleep for about 30 minutes when I heard a big THUD. He obviously had fallen out of bed while sleeping. Odd thing is is that he didn't cry, he didn't say a word...he just got up, and continued to play for a good 45 minutes until I went and got him. Not sure if this is the start of a trend...or if it was just a fluke of him falling out of bed.

Also, an odd thing...Nathan doesn't get out of bed and try and open the door by himself. He CAN open the door, I know this, he does it all the time when we are getting ready in the mornings. But for nap time and bedtime, if he wakes up, or isn't quite tired yet, he will just play (I assume in his bed) until someone comes and gets him. I am not, at all, complaining...I just find it one of his personality traits. He isn't presumptuous...or its as if he doesn't know he is "allowed" to do that on his own. He did this when he started to crawl. He would only crawl in one room, and it took him a while to venture into other rooms...again, as if he didn't think he was "allowed" the freedom to do that. I find it interesting (and no, we have not TAUGHT him this...we don't beat the kid into staying in one place! We don't even say anything about it.:)).

SO yeah, that's the scoop.

Growing Up

Perhaps you may have heard...we are having another baby boy in January. (hehe) Anyways, so now that we are about 10-12 weeks away, I figure it is time to start thinking about where we are going to put the Little Guy, what he is going to wear, and the life changing ramifications that a new Little Guy is going to have on Nathan, our current Little Guy. I know, I know...why start thinking now? I mean, we have waited THIS long to finally realize/accept that another one is on its way (hehe...of course I am only kidding...sort of). SO...questions:

Q:Do you rush to potty train Nathan so that you don't have two kids in diapers?
A: I have decided not to (much to the dismay of many, I am sure). I have heard horror stories about people trying to rush their oldest into potty training, only to have set back after set back once the baby got home. Also, Nathan honestly shows ZERO signs of even caring about going potty in the potty. He is perfectly content with running around with a diaper full of poop all day. We have asked if he wants to go potty in the bathroom...and he said yes, once, then after that he could care less. I think his interest the first time was more to climb up on the step stool. ALSO...I honestly don't care if I have two kids in diapers. Nathan doesn't use that many diapers anymore as it is...and quite honestly, the thought of getting to Target/Mall/Grocery/just buckled into the car seat and hearing the words "Mommy, I have to go potty" just makes me tired and frightened. ;)

Q: Where is the baby going to sleep?
A: Uhhh....good question! Our house has 4 bedrooms. Two upstairs, and two downstairs. Currently the master bedroom and Nathan's bedroom are upstairs. The office and Beth/Fred/Guest bedroom are downstairs. I really do not feel comfortable with moving Nathan downstairs, and him being downstairs all alone. He is ONLY 2...I just don't like that idea. We initially decided to move the crib into our room (there is room), and get Nathan a "big boy" twin bed. The baby will most likely sleep in our room the first 6 weeks anyways (at least), so there isn't a real NEED to change everything up RIGHT NOW. After that, we have a couple of options: we all live and sleep upstairs...us sharing the Master bedroom, WE move downstairs and the boys have upstairs, we move Nathan downstairs (and I don't sleep ever again worrying about him), or we move. I happen to be partial to the last option ;)

The fear, right, now, is Nathan...I don't want to push him out of his room and bed when the baby gets here. So we need to start the "transition" now, so that he is used to it by the time the Little Guy gets here. That way it isn't such a HUGE shock for him (it will be, I am totally aware of that). SO, yesterday I decided to turn the crib into a toddler bed, just to see how he would do.

Again, I had heard horror stories about making the switch to a single/twin bed (even the toddler bed) and the child no longer wanting to take naps, or getting up at all hours of the night. Well, I need my sleep people, and I NEED those naps. Nathan is SUCH a good nap taker, and SO good at going to bed at night...I was hoping it wouldn't change with a new bed.

Yesterday the transition was made, and HE LOVED IT! He was so visibly excited about being able to get in and out of his bed by himself. He would run in his room, jump in his bed, pretend to go to sleep and then jump out. He wanted ALL of his toys in his bed with him, he went and got books to read in bed. He just loved it...oh and he now insists on a pillow. It was fantastic! Nap time rolled around and he went right to sleep (maybe played a little...but didn't get out of bed, an DID go to sleep). Bedtime came and he was still super excited to sleep in his "new bed". He slept all night...well, I take that back, I did hear him rumbling around a little. He DID turn on a little rabbit Easter Bunny toy that makes noise a couple of times...at 2:30am, but he never tried to open the door, nor did he call for Mommy. I would say the transition is a success thus far. Although I haven't gone to get him this morning, for all I know, his room could be in total shambles and he was up all night playing ;)

Q: Have you thought of a name for the new Little Guy?
A: No. We don't agree on anything. Nathaniel was the only name that we agreed upon...and, we took it. So Little Guy it will be.

Q: Can we stop reading now?
A: Yes.

The Verdict

So...we went to the Doctor this morning. It was overcast, and we had had an early morning thunderstorm. It was VERY sticky and humid. The doctor's office seemed to be pretty busy for a Friday morning, or maybe we were just anxious. We got called into the ultrasound room, where I sat on the table and the technician began. She measured everything it seemed. Head. Feet. Face. Hands. Stomach. Brain. Counted toes and fingers. Checked for a cleft lip.

Did you know that now (at least in this Doc office) the 3-D ultrasound is standard?! When I was pregnant with Nathan, you had to pay extra and set up and additional appointment to get the 3-D photos. Not today, she kept showing us picture after picture. How cute the little one is. Little arms hiding the face, two little fingers offering up the "peace" sign. SO CUTE...and a little odd to think that this was/is a new little one in our family. I am not sure I am a big fan of the 3-D pictures. While it is amazing to see what the little one looks like...I wonder if it is yet another "surprise" that is being taken away from the actual birth (you know how they say the "last great surprise in life is not know the sex of the baby before it is born".). Alas, I assume the little one will change a huge amount in the next 4 months that even the 3-D photos will have any resemblance to what actually comes out of the womb. It was pretty cool though :)

So yeah, it was a great morning! Very exciting to start thinking of names and imagining how life is going to be with two children to care for. At some moments it seems very overwhelming and scary, and then there are fleeting moments where there is just pure excitement at the prospect of a new little one. :)

A good day. :)

Oh yeah, and it's a BOY! ;)

Oooh Crayons!

We were at Target (oooh Target!) a couple of weeks ago, and I picked up some bathtub crayons for Nathan to try...in the bathtub. Prior to this, he really has not been interested in coloring or any kind of "craft" along those lines. Well, to my delight and surprise he LOVES his bathtub crayons. Loves them!

Yesterday I was cleaning our bathroom, trying to get the crayon pictures off the shower and tub walls, when I hear Jonathon say "Nathan!!! Rach, come here..." So I venture into our room where I thought Nathan was quietly watching one of his "show shows", and below is what I found:

Oh yes, make no mistake, the boy LOVES coloring now...and it just so happens that our bed frame makes for a great surface! ;) Our first "Nathan, do not color on the walls" talk.

Luckily, it wiped right off...now if I could just figure out how to get it off the carpet. ;)

First Trip to the Dentist

Nathan went to the Dentist last week, for the first time. In all the books, they say you should start making Dentist visits when the child starts getting teeth. Well, Nathan started getting teeth at 5 months...so according to the "professionals", we are a little late in getting there. Alas, I here he is at his first Dentist appointment. They really couldn't do a whole lot in the cleaning area, as Nathan wouldn't open his mouth for longer than 2 seconds, and he kept biting all the instruments...but they said his teeth look fine and to come back when he was 3. It was a good visit...for about 10 minutes, and after that Nathan caught on and wanted to go home. By the time we waited for the Doctor, he was done...ready to go get the sticker they kept promising him. ;) Smart kid!

Whew! Much Needed Update!

Nathan and I went to Utah to visit the Frentheway Crew for a couple of weeks. What fun we had! We went to the zoo, Seven Peaks (water park), on a couple of picnics, to parks, we rode on 4 wheelers, played with cousins, looked at houses (for Matt and Melissa...not us...). We ran threw the sprinklers, missed naps, played in the mud, jumped on the trampoline, fed the dog, and pretty much just exhausted ourselves! It was soooo much fun, for both of us! I really wish we lived closer to them so that it could be more of an everyday occurrence, rather than every year and a half.

(From left: Beau, Nathan - I couldn't get him to look at the camera! - Kreed, holding Baby Riggs, Ryker, and Dawson)

Nathan enjoyed himself too ;) I think the first couple of days he was a little overwhelmed by all the cousins and freedom...but after that he really warmed up to the nonstop action. Of course, his obsession with the garage door did not disappear (though he isn't much interested in it upon our return home, which is a good thing for me!). In fact, I think he lost Melissa's opener somewhere around their house (sorry Mel!). The Frentheway Crew are big into motorcycles and 4 wheelers and bikes and such...so there was a bike of every kind for Nathan to try out. He really enjoyed riding on the 4 wheeler. At first he only wanted me to take him for rides, but he soon warmed up to letting Matthew drive him around. In fact, everyday now that we are home, he often says "Matthew...go fast...on 'tractor motorcycle'." And everyday he asks when we are going to go "visit the boys" again on an airplane. All the kids were very sweet to Nathan...and Nathan loves them dearly!

It was a great trip! I don't think I took enough pictures, but it was just so hard to capture every moment...when it happened. Hopefully it won't take another year and a half to get back out there for a visit...it should at least be a summer tradition! Thanks Frentheway Crew for having us for so long! :)

Changes....

Yes, you read that correctly...it says "I'm the big brother."
Get it?
Here, I'll give you a few seconds to comprehend the meaning....

~one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand~

NOW, do you get it? ;)
Yes...soon...in early 2009, Ice Ice Baby will become Ice Ice BABIES.

Company from the East

It has been busy around here at the ICE house. Hence the lack of posts...but hopefully, things have calmed down, some, and we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Aside from watching Clara (read below) for a few days, we also had our friends, the Ninos come in for a couple of days. For those of you keeping track...this would be Liam Nino, who is about a month older than Nathan. Boy, did they have a grand time! Two boys...with LOTS of energy...running around!!! :) It was so fun to see them interact and play off of each other. Unfortunately, I am not very good at the action shots...and thus failed to get a good (read: non-blurry) photo of them...well, in action. SO, Jen (or Matias), if you happened to get one, either send it on over, or post it for all to see :).

We also started swimming lessons today. I took Nathan swimming a couple of months ago, and it about scared the crap out of me. I think I did write about it. But to recap...the child does not understand that he cannot swim. I don't quite think he grasps what exactly swimming is, and what it is used for (umm, to keep you alive in the water!). The entire time he pushes me away, not wanting to be in my arms...but we all know that if I let him go, he will sink, and well...that wouldn't be ideal at all. So, swimming lessons started today. I am SO glad that they are only 30 minutes!!! He was good...for the most part, but man is he strong, and he is getting big...and I am not growing anymore (well, except if I keep eating the chocolate ice cream...then I might continue to grow in lbs), and so, he is catching up to me. Anyways, what I am trying to say is that it is a work out! However, today, Nathan was dunked three times (I know...EVIL!). He didn't mind it too much. I think he was more annoyed that I wasn't letting him play on his own (i.e. SINK), than being dunked under water.

HE did have his 18 month well-check. He checked out great. I need to update the stats on the right, but basically he is:

weight: 29.08 lbs
height: 33 1/4 inches

that is 75%-90% range. The Doc was super impressed with his speech, and was SUPER SUPER impressed that he said "the other door", which is considered to be a three word sentence, which apparently they shouldn't start doing until well after 2. We have a chatterbox (and boy do we!!!). :) He didn't get any shots, so it was basically strip down, weigh, measure height, listen to heart, check ears...and you are on your way! We didnt have to go back until he is two, which sadly enough seems so very close already!

On the funny side...we were riding in the car last Monday, and I looked back at Nathan (through the mirror...i did NOT take my eyes off the road! ;)), and asked him how he was doing. His reply "headache" and he touched his head. Umm, yeah, not sure where he learned that one, but it was quite cute (and I don't think he REALLY had a headache). Anyways, it is amazing what he picks up. I heard someone once say "It is amazing how your kids show you how you really are". That is SOO true...and scary...and it definitely keeps me in line and my emotions in check.

Rash Update

Well, after five days of Nathan having a rash, I thought I should take him to the Doc, just to ease my mind that I wasnt giving him something that would cause it (selfish...right?). Anyways, the Doc still hadnt a clue as to what the rash is. The redness of the rash has gone away, but the rash itself hasnt. His normally very smooth, soft, baby skin is now like sand paper. And when I say sand paper, I really mean...it feels like sand paper. The Doc though that maybe it was just a side affect of the cold that he had...which, by the way, has settled into his ears and he now has ear infections.

Lovely. It is a good thing, though, that Nathan seems completely oblivious to all of this. His disposition has not changed at all! He doesnt pull at his ears at all, he doesnt even seem to notice the infection.

So, yeah, antibiotics for 10 days, and hopefully he will be a perfect bill of health at his 18 month well check. :)

'Coupla Updates...

It has been a while since I have actually written some Nathan updates....I should be (and should have been...shoulda, woulda, coulda) more diligent in documenting what he is doing (ie, words he is saying, things he is playing with, personality quirks). My good friend Jen is really great about doing this....defiantly go check out her son, Liam, and all he is doing...she is a good example of what I SHOULD have/be done/doing for Nathan ;)

Anyways, lets not dwell on what could have been...or should have been. Lets talk Nathan update. So. 17 months. Not toooooo much different in milestones than 16 months. He eats the same (somewhat picky. Grilled chicken, beans and bananas are his favorite), walks the same (does run as well), protests the same (though this is getting more pronounced and lasting longer), gets into everything (especially when he is bored), etc, etc. Two major things of note though:

1. He is getting a sense of humor. Not that he has EVER been a serious child. Quite the contrary. He has been extremely happy since day one (as long as he is fed!). No...he is starting to see things, randomly, that make him laugh. For example, the other night Jonathon was flipping channels and he came across the cartoon movie "Ice Age". Those of you who have seen this film, know that at the very beginning there is a little short cartoon film with a squirrel trying to hang on to an acorn. This was the part of the movie that Jonathon just so happened to catch. Well, Nathan took one look and chuckled and chuckled at this squirrel. He LOVED it! We kept playing it back for him and each time his laugh got harder and harder. I think WE were more entertained than he was! It was so fun watching him find something humorous. He was very frustrated when the commercials came on...he didn't quite understand them (who does, really?).

2. The child is ALL boy. I have mentioned this before. But he is REALLY all boy! Lets talk...poop. I know, I know, not the most elegant topic. But stay with me here. So, the last couple of months Nathan has figured out what it means to "go pee" or "poop". To the point that is knows how to do these two acts. If he happens to get up and away from me in the middle of changing his diaper, he immediately runs to a corner, the couch, a toy, and forces himself to pee on it (yes. he does). He laughs and laughs and laughs if he manages to accomplish this. Needless to say, we have learned to be very quick diaper changers around here! Anyway, the other evening, in the "tub-a-tub", Nathan kept grunting and grunting. This makes him laugh as well. At one point, he got up on his feet, and put his hands down on the bottom of the tub (so in a squat position), and grunted and grunted and grunted. I played along with him...thinking "surely, this child does not know how to make him self poop!". Hahahaha...boy did I fail that parenting moment! HE POOPED! IN THE TUB! ON PURPOSE!!! He thought it was THE funniest thing he had ever done in his life! So funny in fact, that last night the moment his cute little bottom hit the tub water, he started grunting. I was able to redirect his attention to his toys, so he did not accomplish his goal. But still...the child can apparently poop on command!

ALL Boy! And ALL toddler!

(To answer your comments/questions...yes, we have taken him into the bathroom and showed him where he is SUPPOSED to pee and poop - hoping, of course that he really is the genius we think he is and will be potty trained before 2. Unfortunately, he has zero desire to try that out! After all, what fun is it to pee in a toilet when you can pee on your parents' couch and get a great reaction out of them! Same with pooping in the tub! It is soooo funny to watch Mom yell "Jonathon...help! Nathan just pooped in the tub" and then watch as mom tells dad that he has to clean it up. THAT is way better than pooping in the stinkin' toilet! ;))

A Frentheway?

Yesterday, Nathan got his second haircut. He was a patient little boy for the most part. His favorite part of the haircut was near the end when he was getting restless and Charlie broke out the cookies! Not just ANY cookies...these were CHOCOLATE-melt-in-your-hand cookies. Nathan gobbled the melted treats up...while Charlie finished cutting his hair. At the end, we had a chocolate hairy mess!

The FIRST thing that Jonathon said when he walked in the door and saw Nathan with his new 'do was "He looks like a Frentheway!". By George...I think I see just a little bit of Kreed in Nathan ;)

(Notes: Frentheway - my maiden name...so my side of the family. Kreed is my brother's eldest son, Nathan's cousin.)

15 Month Update

Yesterday, Nathan had his 15 month well check and this is how he measured up:

Weight: 26.08 lbs
Height: 33 in

He grew quite a bit since his 12 month check up, and gained a couple pounds too! He is in the 75% for weight, and 95% for height. Needless to say, Jonathon is ecstatic about how tall he is...as he has always wanted my brother's height to somehow trickle down to his kids. :)

Dr. Abbott was VERY impressed with how vocal Nathan is, and not only that but how much he can say. She kept saying, or asking rather, if we were sure he isn't an 18 month old or even a 2 year old. He just chats away. He attempts to say everything you ask him to, and does a pretty good job at mimicking it. He has started saying two word phrases...such as "thank you" (after I say it, and he is prompted) and "I pooped". Yes, "I pooped". If you ask him if he pooped, he will tug on his diaper and say "I pooped". Its is quite adorable and you can bet that we ask him if he pooped many times a day just to hear him say "I pooped". :)

She was very impressed at how social he is and asked if he was in daycare. Nope, just a social guy! :) He is so social, that he has now started to headbutt all kids that he comes in contact with. We have a Mommy and Me class on Mondays, and last Monday, he would go up to the kids and head butt them. He does this a lot with Audrey as well. I asked Dr. Abbott if this was normal or if my child really was going to be in the back of the class eating the Elmer's Glue, and she said that it was perfectly normal and he means no harm in doing it. In fact it was more of an affection thing, rather than harmful. Plus she said, he is a boy and they do things like that "just because they can". Much like...gagging himself...which Nathan has begun doing as well. He will beg for a spoon (a baby spoon) and he will deliberately gag himself...just to gag. He finds it quite entertaining, much to my dismay.

He received 3 shots yesterday, and did pretty well with him, though the last one he jerked his leg and now he is a little sore in that leg. He cried quite a bit, but immediately stopped with Jonathon pulled out his car keys, which happen to be Nathan's FAVORITE toy! I swear this child is going to be in the Indy 500 someday. He LOVES cars....not toy cars, but REAL ones. With REAL keys, and REAL steering wheels, and REAL horns, and REAL tires, and REAL hazard lights, etc...:)

It was a good trip to the Doctor, and I am always so glad that Dr. Abbott is Nathan's doc. She is great with him, and with us parents too!

Rock-A-Bye Baby...No More

So...for the last year or so (ever since Nathan has been on a "set" schedule...meaning 2 naps a day and bedtime at 8 or 8:30), we have had a nighttime ritual of taking a bath, getting Jim-Jams on, and then we rock him while he drinks a bottle. When his bottle was finished he would hand it over and grunt for his "bink". We then would lie him in bed with Mr. Bear, and walk out. We wouldn't hear anything from him until the sun came up. Well, last week...that all changed...

I believe I had a meeting to go to, so Jonathon put him to bed last Tuesday night. When I got home I asked if he went down okay and Jonathon told me that he didn't want to be rocked, so he just put him in his bed with his bottle and that was it. I thought surely it was just a fluke and that Nathan just wasn't tired...I denied that the "rocking" days were over. I sooo, didn't want to believe it. That was my favorite thing to do...hold him and rock him. It was the only time he really let us cuddle him. Normally he grabs a hug or a kiss real quick, so he can be on his way up the stairs or chasing a cat or something.

Alas, our Boy is growing up! The next night, he didn't want to be rocked either...and hasn't since the last night I did it, over a week ago. It is quite sad really. He is growing up. Pretty soon he is going to beg me to drop him off three blocks away from school! He wont want to be seen with me in public!

On the brighter side...even though his Rock-A-Bye days are over, he has become more cuddly during the day and right after his naps. Also, he does give "loves" whenever requested...which I really TRY to keep to a minimum of 9,586,828,532 times a day. I wouldnt want him to be TOO lovey! ;)

The Stats...

Yesterday, Nathan had his 12 month well-check...and here is how he weighs in:

Weight: 24lbs, 9oz
Height: 31 1/4 inches

They didn't give percentages, but Jonathon looked them up online and came up with 90% for both. The doc said he is healthy and doing well!

Some updates for you:

He is eating all solid foods, aside from the occasional applesauce or left over baby food that I have hanging around. He prefers to feed himself rather than be fed, and as of now, he shows NO interest in using a spoon to do that. Its all hands...which ends up everywhere. He should probably get 3 baths a day because it is such a mess these days! :)

He is down to 1 bottle a day, and that is a bedtime. He hasn't seemed to miss it at all...or even notice that something has been changed. I could probably get rid of his nighttime bottle, though I do think he is a little more attached to that one than the others.

He also does not use his Bink (pacifier) at all, unless it is nap time or bed time. I think, though, in the next week or so we are going to put that away too. :)

He is drinking whole milk now, and seems to enjoy it, though he doesn't really like to drink it out of a sippy cup. So...we are working on that and trying to get him used to it.

The doctor asked, at his appointment, if he was saying any words...I asked, in response, "what is your definition of a word?". Nathan says "mooo" but it is "oooooh". Or he will quack like a duck, but it isn't "quack, quack" it is "waaac waaac". He is saying words, but not with the correct pronunciation. It is darn cute though! He also barks like a dog and says good and go.

He is pretty much walking, though still a little wobbly and unsure. He still doesn't go strait to walking from a sitting position alone. He has to pull himself up on something and then walk to something else. If there isn't anything at the other end of his destination, or if he finds himself in the middle of a room, alone...standing...he plops to his butt and crawls the rest of the way. It won't be long though that he will build his confidence and be off!