We Have a Rash...

So...out of nowhere, Nathan has come down with some sort of rash. It all started on Wednesday evening after we got home from Nan and Paps' house. That night he barely slept (me too!) because his nose was real stuffed up and he couldn't breath. It has continued off and on for the last couple of days. It isn't clogged, as the box of Kleenex that we have gone through proves that he is not "stopped up" (as they say around these parts). I have just assumed it is a very minor cold, or just something due to teething or the extreme cold that we have had the last few days. Well, today he woke up with a tiny resemblance of a rash, and it has progressively gotten worse as the day has gone on. This picture is from this evening, around 7pm. The rash is on his back and on his chest...it does not go down his arms or legs at all, and isn't on his face. It does look much like the rash he had a few months ago ("strep")...but I don't honestly think he has "strep" again, if he even had it last time. He does not seem to mind the rash...as he still manages to run around and is in good spirits. Though, I do not think he FULLY feels up to par, as he has been pretty clingy and whiny (hahaha, that isn't new! ;)) today. No fever.

So yeah...that's what it is...or isnt...or...I don't know. To those parents' of kids that we have been around the last few days...keep an eye out. I am sorry if your child caught it from Nathan, as we had no idea anything was sprouting.

Any idea what the rash may be? Nothing serious, I am sure...and no need to call Dr. Abbott. I am just going to let it run its course. Hopefully it won't take long to get rid of. :)

Update: So in doing some research, the rash that he has is a cross between:
roseola - causes high fever for 3-5 days and then once the fever goes away, small red bumps appear on the trunk that spread all over the body. Though, Nathan has not had a fever at all.

fifth disease - causes red cheeks and then a fine lace-like red or pink rash on the arms. I have noticed the last few days, in the evening, his cheeks have gotten real red for some reason. Though, his rash is not on his arms.

keratosis pilaris - causes small pinpoint size red bumps and rough and dry skin on the cheeks and the back of the upper arms and legs. I noticed yesterday that the back of his arms were real dry, and his cheeks have been getting real dry as well. Again, I just chalked it up to it being winter.

Video!

This is from last November, so it isnt real new...except to you all. Just thought the blog needed a little life ;)

Remeber Last Year?

Last year at this time (not the exact date...but around the same time)?

It is so bittersweet to look at how he has become such a little boy, no longer a baby!

They Put Me To Work!

As you can see, Nathan has been put to good use. We knew having a child would be good for SOMETHING! :) (Kidding, of course!)

The fact that Nathan has learned to Swiffer at such a young age is sure to make Grand-Mom Gerwing proud! ;) See Beth, we are teaching him early!!! ;)

Ahh, Mom....

" Ahh, Mom! The camera again?"

"Is she done yet?"

Actually, this is how we eat lunch when we have been playing at All About Kids all morning, and it is nap time.

'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! ;))

Can I Help?

My Two Gal Pals

Audrey

Clara

(Sorry the photos are a little blury)

First Date....Two Women

First, I had a dinner date with Audrey. It was great conversation...and I really hope to take her out again!

After I had dinner with Audrey, I had to rush and meet up with Clara for "drinks". We had a good time, though...Clara was a little agressive in getting me to taste her drink! She just wouldnt take "no" for an answer!!! Nice girl too...she likes to dance and I even got her to push me in a babydoll's stroller (unfortunately, my Mom wasnt quick enough to get a picture of that)!



(Last week, we went over to the Crawford's house for Dinner With The Kids. The Freeman's were also there. Nathan was in heaven with these two fine little ladies. Center of attention...at such a young age!)

How Old Am I (Picture of the Day)?

Yes, that is Nathan running around in a walker! It seems that he has become quite attached to it at his Nan and Paps's house. Yes, he can walk. Yes, he can run...but what fun is that when you can do both IN A WALKER?! :) Obviously, he is having a blast!

(Photo courtesy of Nan)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Snow, Snow, Snow

It snowed the other day. Nathan's first snow...well the first one that he might be interested in. Jonathon took him outside for a little feel....

It's Audrey, Audrey!

The best I could get of the both of them...together.

Oh! Audrey, Audrey (or as Nathan calls her, "Auden, Auden").

Audrey, hamming it up!

Christmas Nate!

Last Saturday, Audrey and her parents stopped by for a visit. I do have to say that Nathan and Audrey have really started playing well together (and by together, I mean, BY each other). They seem to be learning the whole sharing thing, and seem to be interested in what the other is doing. At one point, Nathan leaned over and gave Audrey a little kiss on her head. MUCH better than previous weeks when he just hauls off and hits her (and any other little kid around). :)



I really tried to get a good picture of the two of them together, but they just wouldn't stand still (dang kids!). So...I got some good ones of the two of them...separately. :)

Photo of (Christmas) Day

You really can't get much sweeter than that.

Christmas Morning

Its Like Christmas!

Just a boy and his Slinky.

Radio Flyer Fire Engine

Holiday Recap

Whew! January 2, 2008 already! What a whirlwind...at least it feels that way. But, then again, don't the Holidays always feel that way?

Well...let's see...what is new in The World of Nathan? Hmmm...well, he really couldn't have cared any less about Christmas and all the fuss surrounding it. He refused to participate in tearing packages open. It is a good thing we didn't waste our time wrapping his gifts! Most of them anyways!

Nathan's Grand-Mom and Grand-Dad came in for a visit right before Christmas, then his Grandma and his Uncle Zane came in for a few days (and actual Christmas Day). Throw in visits to the Schmoll Family Christmas Party, and the Ice/Rhodes Family Christmas Shindig...and you have one very confused little 16 month old. One that has decided that 1am is a GREAT time to wake up the neighborhood. Apparently, Nathan has forgotten that "night night" means "to sleep for 11 hours in a row". I am not quite sure what is going on with him...although he has sprouted a couple more teeth. Either he is STILL teething (will it ever end???!), or waking a few times a night has become a habit for him. He may have gotten a little spoiled in all this commotion, and realized that if he cries a little at night his parents will rush right in and cuddle with him (how dare us!). Smart kid, that Nathan! ;)

Nathan got some really great toys too! Nobody went overboard and he isn't completely overwhelmed with new stuff to play with. So far his faves are the golf clubs (plastic) that Santa brought him, the tent that Grandma gave him, and the new Baby Einsteins videos that his Grand-Mom got him. However, he has all different toys at his Nan and Pap's house...of which he really enjoys the truck (that plays music) that Uncle Jeff gave him, and the Radio Flyer (picture coming) fire engine that his Nan and Paps gave him. Some notable mentions are the Slinky from Uncle Rob and the shark bath toys from the Frentheway Crew.

All in all, it was a great Holiday season. On to 2008...where we are bound to enter the "terrible twos", a big boy bed, and POTTY TRAINING!

Shout Outs

For those of you paying attention, you will notice that I have added quite a few more links on the right. I have also divided the Friends from the Family Blog links...just because, well, because. :)

I thought I would give some shout outs to those that have just joined the blogging bandwagon...(this has NOTHING to do with Nathan, so stay will me folks...Nathan updates and pictures are on their way :))

So take a moment to gander at my family...Nathan's family. Many of you who keep up with Nathan, are from Jonathon's side of the family...so if you have blogs, let me know and I will add you to the link list. :)

The Christmas Photo Every Kid Must Have

We took Nathan to The Mall last night for our annual "Let's meet Santa" trip with him. We met up with Josh, Jeanne and Audrey...and Audrey had the exact same reaction to Santa as Nathan did....not good!

Remember last year: http://nathanielcharles.blogspot.com/2006/12/santa-baby.html

Ahhh, how things have changed!

We Call Him...

Rico.....Suave.....

Nathan has decided that he isn't a huge fan of his jammies, so every morning when we get him up, he has unzipped them halfway. He will also do this if he gets to play around in them before bed or before we get him dressed in the morning. We have begun calling him "Rico Suave".

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.)

Chocolate, Anyone?

(Notes: The Hershey's is empty, and yes, his nose is running. Snot and chocolate...every little boys favorite treat! ;) Ewwwww!)

Have A Seat.

Future Pro Wrestler??

Picture Of The Day

Photo courtesy of Nan. :)

The Return of Naked Nate!

(with socks)

Peek-A-Boo....With One Eye Open

Arms

I think somehow, overnight, Nathan has sprouted 5 additional arms...on each side of his body. It is as if he woke up yesterday morning and realized "Oh, I AM a toddler...I shall act like a Toddler".

It is so amazing to me the different levels of development that there are... for instance, two months ago Nathan was getting into everything. I honestly couldn't imagine what else the child could get his grubby little Toddler fingers on...until he woke up yesterday morning, and his getting into everything had just leaped to a new level.

He is simultaneously in every room, while he is crawling up the stairs and playing in the toilet...ALL at the same time!

Oohhh, the life of a Toddler!

(Not complaining. He is a good boy and keeps me on the very tip of my toes, every second of the day!)

This Looks Like a Great Place to Sit!

"Never mind that perfectly good (Elmo) chair...I think I will sit on top of all my toys and books, in the basket! "

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!

SOOOO Sleepy

Last weekend Nathan went and spent some time with Nan and Paps, and they just plain tuckered him out. When I went to pick him up, all he wanted to do was lay his head on my shoulder. I got him in the car, strapped in, and he wanted his "choc-mo". We pulled out of their driveway, and when I looked back at him, this is what I found (above). He had fallen asleep while drinking his sippy cup, and the cup was caving in! It was very cute!!! He proceeded to take a 3 hour nap!!!!

Post Thanksgiving Fun!

Photo Shoot

So...last Wednesday, we had family pictures. Boy oh boy was that a disaster! Goodness sakes, have any of you tried to wrangle a 15 month old to stand in one spot, on a backdrop, and try to entice him to make his cutest faces and giggles so that some strange lady can make lots of flashes go off in his eyes? Yeah...me either, since Nathan wasn't having ANY of it! All he wanted to do was eat "cookies" and play with the car keys while saying "car car" and "bye bye" and climb the stairs to find the car already!

Needless to say, Donna DID get some very cute shots! Go here to see :

http://www.wolfordphotography.com/

1. Click on the "Clients" tab.
2. Click on where it says "Click here to view proofs and order online".
3. Scroll down to "Ice".
4. The password is "Nathan" (if it asks you for one).

It takes a couple of seconds to load...then watch the show!

Also, she now has it set up that you can register for an account (its free), and you can order the photos that you want, in the sizes that you want (for those great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and acquaintances that would like to have pictures of our tiny little family hanging on your wall) online! You know, IF you would like to do that! ;)

Let me know what you think! :)

(One more thing...because I know I will be asked: You will notice on each photo it has a the Wolford watermark, no that will not be on the photos that you order, if you order any. She does this to prevent people from just copying the images themselves, and it protects her copyright.) :)

Picture Of The Day

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! ;)