Rocking Out

Nathaniel went to his first concert.  Hhhhmm maybe calling it a concert is a stretch.  Nathaniel went to his first kid show?  Better?  We joined Nathaniel’s friend Evie (and her parents) to sing and dance with the ZingHoppers. 

One reason we picked the Zinghoppers was because the show was at a redone old theatre in downtown Franklin.  It was close and a small venue.  Before the BIG show we had to eat a good breakfast so we went to the well-known Puckett’s grocery.  While Evie sat in her high chair and ate her Mickey Mouse pancake Nate was sitting in Kevin’s lap not eating…. That not wanting to sit in a high chair thing is still plaguing us. 

After a yummy breakfast it was time to head in and get the party started.  We changed seats a few times, but once we got settled ‘Let the fun times begin’.  The Zinghoppers put on a pretty entertaining show.  Nate isn’t really one to get up and dance in a crowd, he mostly observed and wiggled from his chair.  I was so disappointed that they didn’t play the one song we always hear on the Sprout channel L  I thought about complaining, but that seemed like overkill ;) 

I wonder what show will be next… The Wiggles, maybe the Nutcracker, maybe some group I am not aware of …. Can’t wait!

Nathaniel watching the show from the balcony,  he liked going up there because no one else was up there

Nathaniel and Evie... this was the best pic I could get of two tired toddlers :)

Music Class Miracle

We have been going to a music class (music with mommy) since Nathaniel was about 9 months old ish.  There were a couple months here or there we didn't go, but overall we have been to several sessions.  He has always been more of an observer than an active participant.  The level of kids participation is all over the place.  Some kids pay attention, some don't at all, some like to be the center of attention, others observe more like Nate.  It definitely depends on the age of the kid too, of course.  

I always knew Nathaniel was taking it in since he does watch so intently and he would do some of the things from class at home.  He wouldn't do them in class only at home.  Recently he has even been repeating some of the songs that we tend to do every class.  During class we switch off using different instruments.  One song might use shakers, another maracas or rhythm sticks... you get the point.  Nathaniel is still too timid to go get the instruments himself, he always grabs my hand and I go with him.  I figure eventually he will get the confidence, until then I don't mind going.  

Now I have some proof that if I just wait he will find that confidence himself when he is ready.

There is always a song or two where the instructor lets the kids come up one by one (if they want) to play a steady beat to a song or sing a phrase of the song.  As you can imagine Nathaniel has NEVER done this.  He wants no part of going to the front by himself to do anything.  Well, the last few classes he has actually gone up and tried to participate.  Woo Hoo.  Granted I go with him.  He does sit on the teachers lap and I sit to the side.  He has kind of gotten a little shy once he was up there and didn't really finish.  Regardless, it is a huge HUGE step.  

Today, I really knew it hasn't been a fluke the past classes.  He actually said, 'yes' when I asked him if he wanted to go try the instrument.  We went up there and he kept a steady beat really well.  The teacher even got excited.  'This is the first time he has really gone for it' , I was like 'I know'.  Nate had that proud look on his face too.  I was so happy for him. 

Not only that, but he sings along with the songs he knows (well as good as an almost 2 year old can) and he uses the instruments when he is supposed to.  My little flower is showing some blooming.  It is really fun to watch.  

High Chairs are for Suckers

How many times has Nathaniel sat in his high chair over the last few weeks?  Probably once and that's pushing it. He takes his meals either in bed or from the coffee table now.  I think he thinks we live in a mansion and I'm his butler.  Whether it's him handing me his finished milk and saying, 'Take it mommy' or him snacking on cut fruit in my bed while watching a cartoon ... this kid is starting to live like a celebrity.  Ok ok so I exaggerate.  Maybe.

Remember a few weeks ago he got SPOTS!  I was trying anything to get him to eat so I broke any and all rules.  Of course just a few days of anything sets a precedence in this house.  Ever since then he has become a bit of grazer.  He tends to eat less and get fussy in the high chair so I let him graze while he runs around doing other things.  He is so on the go that he hates sitting anywhere for very long.  I figure as long as he is eating I'm actually not too stuck on him having to eat at the table (at least for breakfast and lunch) (at least for a while)  This is a phase, right? :)  

I like a lot of what Dr. Sears says and he seems to think grazing is fine.  I'll follow the advice in that book for right now.  haha.  I'll just follow whatever methodology fits the phase.  I know I know, it will be important for him to behave and eat like a normal person eventually, but for right now I guess I'm serving my little prince in bed or wherever he demands it.  

Rough life (yes that is Kona his feet are on)

Time to relax I guess

Something is keeping me from finishing the felt board

Mommy/Daddy

The sweet sweet sound of Nathaniel saying Mommy and Daddy.  It is music to my ears.  He has said mom and dad, or some form there of, for awhile, but never actively.  He'd say it here or there if he really needed or wanted something.  He has always ALWAYS said dad more often (98% more).  When Kevin leaves or gets home from work is where he has used it most consistently.  He gets super excited and says it over and over when he hears the garage (or sees the dogs run over to the door).  But, once Kevin comes in he never really calls him that a lot.

I figured he never really said mom too much because I was always there.  He was probably thinking 'Why would I waste my words when you are 2 feet away at all times - saying mom is just redundant' :)  

But, lately he has been using *Mommy* and *Daddy* in lots of different everyday scenarios.  I guess he has decided that he likes the sound of that form of the word.  Even if he is saying 'Lie down mommy' or 'More show please mommy (in his whiney voice)' or 'No diaper change mommy' all I hear is 'wanh wanh mommy' 'mommy wanh wanh wanh' 'wanh mommy wanh' (in snoopy's teacher's voice).  

I can listen to him say mommy all day long and it is especially cute hearing him say 'Bye Bye daddy' when Kevin leaves for work.  It is about time those words have made it into our everyday conversatioins.  I LOVE hearing it!!

ABC's and 123's

Nathaniel's favorite song right now is the ABC song.  He sings it in the car, he sings it in the bathroom changing station at the store (which I hate, gross, but use anyway), he sings it in his crib when he wakes up.... pretty much anywhere.  Like everything else I'm sure this will end within a few days (days feel like years to a toddler I think).  I'm just impressed he can actually rattle it off at all. Granted he doesn't sing it perfectly and the LMNOP section he kind of just makes some 'uh uh uh' sounds that go fast like it does in the song.  I'm just happy he seems to be picking up on some of the stuff we talk about ;)  Just when I think he isn't listening to me he will start singing something I didn't know he knew... haha

The minute I try to tape it he stops, but maybe over the weekend we can get one good take of him singing.  

There isn't as common of a song for the 123's is there? Well, maybe ladybug picnic. Because of this I've always made it a point to count the stairs everyday as we go down them.  Why not, right?  Take advantage of every learning opportunity possible.  There are sixteen stairs and now he seems to be counting pretty good to sixteen.  Let's hope everything he will ever have to count only goes to 16 since it is all downhill after that :)  It's another one of those things I wasn't sure if he even listened, but glad he was .....now if I can get Kevin, Kona and Mocha to listen!

Addiction

Apparently, I'm not just addicted to buying flash cards... I have another addiction...  Hi, my name is Stacy and I can't stop taking pictures of Nathaniel when he is asleep.  I remember when he'd fall asleep on me feeding when he was a baby and I'd get pictures of him.  Now, he doesn't ever fall asleep on me, but when he falls asleep in other places (carseat, couch, etc) I can't help myself.  His little pudgy cheeks look so cute when he is asleep.  When he is real tired his little tongue sticks out.  He looks so peaceful.  The irony is that I'd kill someone if they took my picture sleeping haha.  

Here is a sampling of sleepy pictures.  When I say sampling I mean these are just a few I picked off of my iPhone... a few... I have a ton more on the real camera and in my iPhone pics.  Yep, I'm addicted I tell you.