Things That Go Bump In The Night

Where were you last night at 3:30am? Were you in the closet with a pot on your head? No? Well, we were. Fun times. The tornado sirens went off 2 different times last night. It was the first time we had to wake Nathaniel up and drag him downstairs to safety. He was all spaced out at first wondering what in the heck was going on. The dogs were just as confused. The dogs were in the laundry room whining while Nate and I were in the closet. (Where was Kevin you ask... against my better judgment he was watching the weather report in the other room) When the sirens stopped the first time we all crawled into bed (Yep, all 5 of us) to watch the weather channel. The wind was still really strong so we figured we better wait for the bad weather to pass through our part of the map before going back to sleep. Nate thought it was pretty cool to play with Mocha. Suddenly it was play time in the middle of the night. The sirens went off again, we hung out in the closet for a bit longer. The second time was worse since Nathaniel was awake and bored. Luckily it was quick. The winds calmed down and our middle of the night adventure was over. I could really do without the crazy weather!

 

The other bump in the night happened a few days ago. I had heard rumors, but never had it happen to me. I always laughed thinking I would think it was silly, but it ended up more creepy than silly. In the dead of the night one of Nathaniel's toys started playing. It is so much freakier than I imagined. You immediately think to yourself is someone in the house, is there a mouse, a ghost? I am not sure why a rational thought like the toy is just malfunctioning doesn't cross your mind first. After trying to figure out which toy it was (yep you learn all the different tunes on all the toys so we were humming the song out loud and narrowing the choices), then doing a full search of the house for any creepers, we tried to go back to sleep. But mostly I just laid there and wondered how does a toy malfunction just once? Seems suspicious. Luckily, my fatigue got the better of me and I just lost interest in thinking about it :)

Usain Bolt No More

My mini Usain Bolt (aka Nathaniel) is going to have to slow it down. Yep, what I feared might happen, happened. The little guy fell down and hit his head hard on the wood floor :( Kevin and I were talking while he was running around and down he went. Kevin scooped him up and that is when I saw it. The HUGE bump on his head. What is it called ... a goose egg? It was bruised and swollen. Being first time parents we of course went to the doctor to make sure it wasn't anything to worry about. I've read (and know) that bumps usually look worse than they are, but that is hard to remember when it actually happens. I also know that you shouldn't go to sleep right away after hitting your head and it was almost his bedtime. I figured I wanted someone a lot smarter than me telling me it was ok. So off we went to the urgent care.

 

The minute we got to urgent care all I could think about is that we will probably get the flu now too. Germs germs germs! We got in and out pretty quick. They even had a kids treatment room ... which was nice since there were puzzles and stuff, but all I could see were GERMS GERMS GERMS from all the rest of the sick kids. I am pretty sure I made Kevin apply hand sanitizer 10 times while we sat there and we wiped Nathaniel's hands over and over again. The Dr. looked at him, explained toddler brains and bumps and then sent us on our way with a fairly clean bill of health. I guess baby/toddler brains are packed in the skull a little tighter so when they bump their heads the brain doesn't really move like it does in adults. It is that movement that causes a lot of the side effects etc. that make the injury worse. We just need to watch him and make sure he doesn't get wobbly, seem overly irritable, too slugish or throw up. Whew... although it looks so painful :(

 

This all happened last night. Today was suppose to be a beautiful day weather wise so I had planned to go to the zoo. I was apprehensive now since he bumped his head and it hadn't been 48 hrs. I certainly didn't want him falling down again and landing in the same spot. I don't even want to let him play on the wood floors. I'm following him around like a crazy person so I decided to buy him a helmet. I figure I'll just make him wear that the rest of his life. A helmet and a bubble outfit. HA! not really. But I sure feel like it.

 

I went to the zoo anyway, but I didn't let him walk anywhere that seemed wet, uphill or downhill just to make sure he didn't fall. We had a great time. It was pretty empty. One of the highlights was the bird encounter exhibit. We were the only ones there for awhile. The birds fly all around you and land on you and stuff. Nathaniel got a kick out of it. Here is a pic of him enjoying himself (notice the huge bruise on his head) ... poor little guy.

 

 

All in all, it has been 24 hrs and he seems to be doing fine - YAY! I'm finally doing ok too after having a slight heart attack, panic attack, nervous breakdown or any other kind of attack or breakdown that happens when you see a goose egg form on the super sweet face of your child.

 

I also liked the attitude of this meerkat today. He just claimed that plant as his own. Cute.

 

 

Don't Walk, Run

I have mentioned this before already, but this boy is a little speedster. It is noteworthy again because it really is ALL he does. He zooms around the house all day. My sister even mentioned that Nathaniel doesn't ever walk.... but runs. Well, at least a toddler type run.. zoom zoom zoom. There is one particular scene that I think is funny. When I am downstairs in the kitchen making dinner or whatever (more likely whatever haha) and Kevin and Nate are upstairs I have a view of the hallway that is upstairs. All I see is Nathaniel run back and forth from the loft to his room. I don't mean a few times, I mean 25 times. It is great. We have been trying to get it on video, but haven't yet. I enjoy watching and forget to grab the video camera.

 

He also likes to play any game where you chase him or he chases you or the dog chases him - you get the point. He has one of those dogs you pull and it makes noise - remember those? Nathaniel doesn't pull it, Kevin and I do. He runs away from you and the dog. If you stop he picks up the dog and hands it to you so he can be chased again.

 

He is getting a lot better walking on the uneven grass outside. Yep, I said walk. The uneven ground is the only thing that slows him down. He has only had one bad spill so far. We were at Cheekwood (a big old mansion that is now a museum/botanical garden in Nashville). He was gaining speed headed on a downhill sloping sidewalk and fell forward. :(

 

Nate Note: Nathaniel is obsessed with his toothbrush. He will be whining and grabs your legs so that you will pick him up and then he just points to his toothbrush. He gets a little cranky if you don't give it to him. Normally I'd be a little more tough and say 'No', but he is teething. It looks like the chewing soothes him so I let him get away with it. Yep, he chews it, he isn't brushing his teeth :) He has 2 new teeth coming in on the bottom front. He tends to chew the toothbrush towards the back so I'm wondering if there is a molar or something starting to come through or if it is just for counter pressure. I haven't been able to feel anything so we'll see. 

 

 

Nate Note 2: We have a bird feeder outside our window.  Nathaniel will now go to the window and watch the birds.  I'll say, 'Is there any birds?' and he will run over there.  Actually, when I say that Kona goes over there too.  So basically Kona and Nate watch the birds in the morning.  It is cute. 

I Have a Day

There has been a few heartbreaking facebook posts/happenings over the past month. It is incredibly hard to imagine how people make it through some of the worst times of their lives ok (or at least I hope ok). What makes me blog about this subject is that while there is always heartbreaking or hard times that befall people these involve kids. It just feels harder to swallow when it involves kids. Whether it is a child being diagnosed with cancer, a genetic mutation or a car crash... it is hard to imagine what you would do in the same situation. You would like to think you'd handle it with strength and courage, but really deep down you feel like you'd break down and never recover. How can horrible things happen to such young souls? A question I'm sure is asked by many that have read/heard the same things as myself.

 

I thought about my answer to this question. There are a lot of possible answers. The answer is quite unique to every individual. How would you answer it? I chose to think of it this way - these tragedies allow me to put my own life in perspective. I think of my most tired, stressed out, grumpy day with Nathaniel and I realize that at least 'I have a day'. I have a day to be with him. Isn't that just the greatest thing ever. I don't care... the absolute worst day ever is still a day. I'm so THANKFUL to have another day. Unfortunately, not everyone gets another day with their little dudes and dudettes. So I'd like to say, 'thank you' to those parents who shared their heartbreak and hope their child left a mark in this world. I am (and undoubtedly others) grateful, grateful that 'I Have a Day' and it is because of these kids that I see a little more clearly the beauty in the everyday.

 

I Love you Nathaniel!!!!

What NO Pictures!

So another visit from my sister has come and gone and there is zero evidence that she was here. Yep, that's right NO pictures. How did that happen? Since the little guys arrival we might not do the most exciting picture worthy things, but you'd think we could take at least one picture. We visited Cheekwood and saw the outside train display. We went to the park and had lunch. It was the first time Nathaniel had been to a park since he has been walking. He had fun watching all of the other people and sliding down the slide on his belly. Here is a picture of us walking on the train track that is near the park. I will admit this is a rare picture and wouldn't have happened without Krista since all 3 of us are in it and that never happens. But, still no Nate and Aunt Krista pic....

 

Ok what else did we do...Surprise, surprise we went to the Opryland outlet mall. I don't get there very often and it was so much more fun to have someone to actually go shopping with. Nathaniel got a lot of play time with Aunt Krista and LOVED it! I also got some play time :) We had a sister date at Mack and Kate's ;) and then went to 3rd and Lindsley to see Escondido and Smoking Flowers. They are classified as an Indie Folk Pop band I think. My sister and I have pretty much the same exact taste in music so we enjoyed the unique sound. We also got some girl time in one day at happy hour and had a very competitive shuffle board game. Lots of laughs and movies filled in the rest of the time.

 

Having her here is always so fun. I miss her ALL the time, but especially after she leaves because I am reminded how much I need her in my life. I say 'need' specifically because I'm a more complete person with her around. It helps to have someone around you can bounce stuff off of like cooking tips, clothing choices, new tv shows, current event topics or any goofy personal stuff. You can email/talk/text but nothing beats 'in person'. I know wanh wanh... but I just feel so fortunate to have a sister whom I can't get enough of and can't wait to see again.

 

I guess it is time to get back to Nate and I's routine (sans Aunt Krista)...

Super Speedster

I now look like a crazy person when I shop. I will, on occasion, let Nathaniel out of the buggy to walk around when we are at the store. What this little act of courage really means is that I am no longer shopping, but instead chasing an out of control super speedster toddler around. He just takes off at full speed in any direction. He doesn't care where he is going or where he has been. He doesn't care that he just entered the women's underwear area full speed babbling loudly. Yes, the super speed walk usually comes with a super speed babble. I guess he is narrating his own adventure like Morgan Freeman would do. 

If someone was watching they would just see this flash of toddler zip by and then by again and then by again. He could care less about following me or listening to me. He is completely in some new world of freedom where only he knows what is happening. Luckily he is so busy just zooming around he has no time to touch or get into anything. I'm sure that won't last, but for now I'll take it.

I think I finally understand kid leashes hahaha... but I'm afraid if I had one of those he'd be pulling me around like the dogs do when they are on a leash :) I know it is crazy to let him out of the buggy acting all crazy, but there isn't a happier walk full of joy anywhere - how can I possibly not just watch (chase) and smile. Of course he is fully restrained in a parking lot! So next time you are alone walk as fast as you can, loudly babble something exciting and just BE as HAPPY as possible! Spend a minute in the mind of a toddler.

I'm so excited I can hardly contain it

Woo Hoo

 

New Skills

The Dreaded Nose Pick.... Aaaaahhh he found his nose recently. Kevin has been sick and blowing his nose so I can only deduct that he learned this skill from his dad! Although to Nathaniel's credit he has actually pulled out a prize or two so maybe the pick was warranted.... NOT! Is this the start of teaching manners? A lot of the people I pull up next to in the car could use this same lesson. I'm amazed at how many people don't think anyone can see them in their car.

 

 

The King Kong ... He picks up his train track and accessories like he is King Kong. Those people, trees, trains and cars don't always make it around the track. He also has ZERO attachment to stuffed animals and thinks it is quite funny to chuck them out of the crib.

 

 

The Disaster Dude... He can easily clear a drawer or shelf in under 30 seconds. Every single thing gets thrown backwards in super speed. If he is standing up it is this smooth underhand backwards throw.

 

 

The Houdini - Nathaniel is now at the proper heighth and has good enough balance to be able to open doors. We have the pull lever type door knobs. You used to be able to contain him by just shutting the door, not now. He hasn't figured out how to unlock it yet so that is our new trick (although I hide it from him when I lock/unlock it since he watches intently. I think he is trying to learn how I get out... he is a sneakster) I don't have a picture of this, but I am pretty sure you can only imagine how mobile this little guy is nowadays.

 

 

This is actually Kona's new skill.... The Expert Toy Goer Arounder.... Kona loves to lay on this ottoman in the afternoon when the sun shines in the window on it. She attempted to lay on it after Nathaniel had put all of his blocks up on it. She was pretty smooth and didn't knock any over.

 

 

15 Month Appt.

Celebrate good times, come on, do do do do do do do do come on.... so why am I celebrating??? Because the shots are almost over Woo Hoo. I hate those dreaded vaccines. Besides the fact that they seem to be controversial these days, which makes me feel guilty every time we get them - They HURT!! Now I don't buy into most of the controversy, but it still makes you second guess yourself. Most kids that aren't vaccinated don't get sick merely because most kids around them are vaccinated, it isn't because they didn't necessarily need the vaccine. Thimerosal isn't in any child vaccines anymore (except non single dose flu). The vaccines are far more pure than they ever have been - far less antigens are injected to get the same result. In fact most kids are exposed to far more antigens on a daily basis than what are in those vaccines. Plus, and this is especially true when they are young, they have some of the power of your immune system so they are better able to build up an immune response. 

 

 

I read quite a bit on the subject - most articles, while sounding official, were opinion pieces with very little science to back up claims. While I'm not some Harvard scientist I completely understand how vaccines work, chemicals used, what makes a legit scientific study, etc etc. Now, that being said you can't underestimate the power of paranoia. I get it. You don't want to do anything to your tiny tiny little person that may hurt them. However, the flip side isn't usually represented. Maybe people should be a little paranoid that their kid might get meningitis or mumps or hep B... There were a few things that I was uneasy about concerning vaccines and I think are very valid concerns. The amount of aluminum contained in the shots. Now, don't get me wrong, aluminum is a very important part of the effectiveness of a vaccine and is very much needed. I just think there should be more published or given to you at your pediatrician's office regarding the amount in the vaccines your child is going to get at any one time. It is common to get 3 vaccines at one time (how much aluminum is that for that particular visit?) I also think getting more than 3 is WAY too much. 2 is probably ideal, but then you do have to have your child go through that little trauma more times (is that actually more unhealthy?). 

 

 

Now, if Nathaniel would have shown any side effects I may have used a delayed or abbreviated vaccination schedule, but he didn't so I went full steam ahead. Overall, to each their own. It is your child and you should do what makes you most comfortable. Who knows maybe in 20 years some of the opinions will be proven accurate and I will feel bad I vaccinated. But after reading, I felt most comfortable vaccinating, but it certainly doesn't mean I enjoyed that super red, crying boy I'd get to see every couple of months :( Regardless, we are almost done.... only one more shot at the 18 month appt. CELEBRATE YAY!!!

 

Ok enough blabbering and on to the good stuff

 

The stats.

 

 

9/30 - He was born and was 21 inches tall and 8 lbs 7 oz
10/11 - He was 11 days old and was 21 inches tall and 8 lbs 9 oz
10/24 - He was 3 and 3/7 wks old and was 21 3/4 inches tall and 9 lbs 9 oz
12/1 - He is 2 months old and 24 inches tall and 11 lbs 10 oz

1/20 - He is 3 1/2 months old and 25 3/4 inches tall and 14 lbs 8 oz

3/30 - He is 6 months old and 27 inches tall and 17 lbs 4 oz
6/28 - He is a lil under 9 months old and 28 3/4 inches tall and 20 lbs 12 oz
10/1 - He just turned one and is 30 3/4 inches tall and 22 lbs 11 oz

1/3 - He is 15 months old and 32 1/4 inches tall and almost 24 lbs

 

Nathaniel fell into the 25-50% range for weight based on his height (closer to the 50% so the doctor wasn't concerned at all). I figure it is the 13 miles he walks every day. He is just a so so eater, which may be part of it. I am starting to think he is a texture guy. He really doesn't like things with much texture and still eats purees just fine. That is how he is still getting some protein and servings of vegetables. I have added smoothies to his daily routine. I sneak in some silken tofu and spinach. He still has a big head (have I mentioned that before?) he always falls in the 90% to over 100% for head size. I don't know how he balances himself on those tiny feet with such a big head ;) Kids aren't designed very balanced are they, it is a wonder they are ever able to walk upright.

 

Everything else looked good. The Dr. didn't have any concerns and said he looks and acts like a typical 15 month old :) The next appt is his 18 month.

Nathaniel and Mocha hanging out

 

Pictures

Yay, the pictures posted.... maybe I can start adding them again :)

The boys watching the Packers

Nathaniel showing off his ASU pjs and his *Happy* walking skills

Whooosh

That is me blowing the dust off the blog. Wowza does time fly when you are having fun, or Christmas, or shopping, or entertaining visitors, or giving belly rubs to the dog, or eating 10 lbs of chocolate. Have you forgotten what Nathaniel even looks like? It has been so long he must be in preschool by now. Or at least we should be interviewing preschools by now, right? We get enough flyers in the mail so I'm starting to think we should be interviewing preschools. Really, that isn't even a joke.

 

I'd post some pictures of Nathaniel, but we don't have any. All the pictures are just blurs shaped like a little boy. He doesn't stop moving. We have a fast camera and it still can't get pictures of him without some part of his body being blurred. I'm thinking of putting a pedometer on him out of curiosity. How many steps does this energizer boy take in a day? Up the stairs too (not down yet). If you have been to our house we have a few pretty good circular tracks that he uses. He circles the kitchen, the stairs and the dining room. He stops in varying rooms on occasion to grab some sort of gadget/object that he then walks around with and leaves in random spots. I've found a pair of my socks in the trash, shaving cream in the closet and sippy cup lids in the bath tub. He moves and moves fast.

 

It has been fun watching him explore as a bipedal while watching the reaction of our quadruped's. He is at the dog's height now so he gets a few kisses from Kona and some bumps from Mocha. When Mocha gets excited he tends to circle you - well that is fine except Nate doesn't quite have the balance of a statue yet so on occasion he loses his balance. If he is cranky he cries, if not he laughs. It is barely a tap so the little guy is just fine.

 

My hands are getting sore from the lack of typing I have done in a month so I better sign off... let's see if I stick to my resolution of blogging more in 2013... hahaha just kidding I didn't make any resolutions. (that might have been a good one though - I know the grandparents are getting antsy for some new pictures)

 

Happy New Year!

Hello again, my friend, hello

Yep, that's right, I started off with a little Neil Diamond.

 

It feels like it has been a lifetime since I blogged. Preparing for and then going on a trip to AZ left me with little spare time. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to some spare time being used just to space out in front of the tv :) On a side note - I haven't been posting pictures or videos because this blog site has put in place a space limitation. I'm working on other methods of posting (that hopefully aren't cumbersome).

 

 

A lot has happened over the past few weeks. I will get to several of them individually... such as; first actual kids meal order off of a menu, another trip through the airport, a trip to AZ, etc etc... and of course the big news of Nathaniel WALKING.

 

We were starting to think he wasn't ever going to walk, but on Dec 8 he walked. He is a cautious little guy and I think he needed to feel very secure before going for it. And boy did he go for it. He went from crawling to taking 10-15 steps plus turns. He has been pulling up on things and pushing his walker for a long time so we always figured he was close, but he sure did take his sweet time :) Actually, come to find out most people consider it walking when a kid takes a quick step towards something. He has done that for awhile, but I guess me and Kevin are very literal. We figured it isn't walking until he took a long stroll. Haha if this is indicative of our parenting style Nathaniel better get used to high expectations! I think the practice all of the friends and family did with him while on vacation pushed him over that final hurdle (including all of the laps Ryann, my friend Kelly's daughter, did with him - he loved it)

 

I'm sure me and all other parents/relatives would agree that it is super cute to see a little toddler walking around frankenstein style. He focuses so hard, but smiles and laughs as he barrels towards you. One thing he will have to learn is that walking to the dog isn't a great idea. He gets to Mocha and leans on him not realizing that Mocha is most likely going to move. Those moving structures throw the Frankenstein balance off. I think the dogs secretly tell Nathaniel 'It's about time - we walked on the first day'.

 

I know I'm in trouble once he gets really moving and really walking everywhere so I'm going to enjoy Baby Frankenstein while I can.

McFlirty

Nathaniel is shaping up to be quite the flirt. Whether we are in a store or sitting in a restaurant I'll notice him *stalking* someone. When he stalks he smiles at them or looks at them all cute until they smile back or talk to him. Then he is finds his next victim. Bus people at a restaurant, cashiers, fellow shoppers, fellow parents in a play area are all fair game. The other day we were eating breakfast out and he encountered one of his harder cases to crack. He kept looking over at this man who was sitting by himself just looking at his phone. He would look over, then he would lay his head on his arm and look over, then he would smile at him. Finally, after about 5 minutes the man noticed and smiled back. That is all it took and Nathaniel stopped stalking him. He gets the biggest reaction from grandmas who are missing their own grandkids.

 

I still get a little concerned that all of his time just spent with me and the dogs may not be enough human interaction so he is desperate for interaction while we are out, thus the flirting :) Or he is just McFlirty. Those big blue eyes are already melting some hearts!

Huh? Say What?

Every once in awhile Nathaniel goes on a talking spree. Then he quiets down for a few days. He isn't much of a talker in public either - he is more of an observer. When I say *talk* they aren't real words yet. There are a few words we think we can make out like 'dad, dada, maamaa (he doesn't know it is me though), hey and this. Overall though it is definitely baby babble.

 

Over the past week he has a new form of talking. He is talking in long drawn out sentences. It sounds like one big super word. I want to know what he is trying to communicate so badly. After he 'clearly' states what it is he is trying to say he looks at you. I say something like,' yes' or 'that's right' or 'You want to play with ____' I figure he is thinking to himself that his mom is such a dummy for not understanding since he said it so perfectly. I almost detect a slight baby eye roll - he is like,'seriously, how did you not understand THAT'

 

I am going to continue to focus and see if I can't start to decipher his language. It is funny when he goes on a kick with these sentences. It sounds so much like a real conversation. To be honest it sounds a lot like Kevin when he is tired ;)

Germatopia

 

It's happening, it's happening.... every once in awhile I allow something to happen that I never ever never ever ever thought I'd allow to happen. Apparently, being a parent means you have to be flexible about things you swore you'd never be flexible about. But, things just don't always happen like you think they will or should or might. You quickly realize your overly utopian view of raising kids on your terms gets thrown out the window (ok ok not quite that dramatic), but at least out the window on occasion. So you are probably asking, 'what could I have allowed?' that required such flexibility on my part. I mean the kid is only 1+ what is he even capable of doing that I already had to BeNd the rules. Well, rules in my head.

 

drum roll.... I allowed him to play in one of those germ infested play areas in the mall. AAAAHHH I know. Catch your breath. Yes, I said he played in what I like to call *Germatopia*. I used to walk by those covering my mouth as to not catch any stray germs that were flying in the air. When I look at one of those play areas I can't imagine there isn't one surface that doesn't have a sticky boogery hand mark on it. I wondered if anyone would notice (and if I would look insane) spraying down everything with lysol... or wiping things down with my clorox travel wipes.

 

So why o why would I even venture into what is clearly marked as a level 4 biohazard zone. oh oh oh maybe I could have put Nathaniel in a baby biohazard suit. Like the ones used on E.T.. He is too young to notice people laughing at him right, RIGHT? He had been in his stroller for a bit and I felt like he really needed to get out and move around. We were at least 1/2 hr from home so I just had to let him out... I had to... I swear (at least that is what I tell myself) So as we entered the biohazard zone I could feel the germy air surround our bodies - I may have let out a slight scream, I can't be sure - we proceeded forward anyway even though every instinct told me to turn around. Then he was off crawling around on some play structure.

 

Nathaniel seemed to enjoy looking at the other kids and moved around some. He mostly smiled at the adults sitting around the edges winning them over with his grins. When it was time to go, I scooped him up and quickly started the disinfection process. I wiped down his hands and changed his socks :) (Yep, he wasn't wearing any shoes, whoops).

 

We seem to have survived, but it really was touch and go. If I allowed him in there, what's next?!? Will I allow him in the McDonald's poop ball pit? Will I let him eat a Cheetoh off a restaurant bathroom floor? Will I let him eat Cheeto's ....Oh no, oh no... I think I'm hyperventilating. I better go clean something.

Ipood

 

Haha.. get it ... Ipood. It is amazing what funny things you can find printed on onesies. What is also amazing is how kids are so technologically inclined. I was soooo impressed with Intellivision when it came out. I moved up to a Commodore 64. I could write 4 lines of code on it and I thought I was brilliant. The four lines of code would do something like repeat my name over and over again. I also had basic games such as; Olympic Decathlon, Firestarter, Donkey Kong, Spy Hunter. Those graphics were so simple (or the new word for simple ~ retro) Then I moved up to an Apple 2 (or mac) I forget exactly what it was called. It looked something like this.

 

Next, I got my first computer tower type computer. There was a huge monitor and tower that I remember lugging around during college from residence to residence. I didn't get my first laptop until around the mid 2000s I think. I'm pretty sure that all of my original computers combined couldn't even do what my Iphone does now. Pretty amazing. As I sit here and write this I can see a DVR (amazing piece of tech), an Iphone, an Ipad, a baby video monitor and a flat screen tv (weighing a smidge of what that old computer monitor weighed) all within reach. Technology is just everywhere changing our daily lives constantly. Some argue that it is for the better, some say it is making some things worse. For instance, no one actually talks anymore, but the introvert in me doesn't mind that so much ;)

 

I could go on and on about how things have changed (my 15 minute cell phone plan I had in college LOL), but really I just wanted to point out something funny that has already happened with Nathaniel. I have a few apps on the Ipad and Iphone for him. Simple things from Fisher Price. I show him pictures too. He, like most kids, picked up on the fact that you just need to swipe your finger across the screen to get it to do something. Now everything with a screen is fair game for a swipe. I started to notice this when he was looking at our photo frame. It is one of those photo frames where you can store pictures on it like a computer and it just shows a slide show. He kept touching the screen and watching the pictures change. It does it automatically, but he thought he was making the pictures change like on the Iphone. He also tries to touch the tv for the same reason.

 

I just thought about how different it will be for him as he learns and plays because of all the available technology. I mean he already asks to play games on the Iphone. Of course him asking is a slight point and grunt, but I get it, I get that he is already getting addicted to technology and that is going to be a lot of $$$$$$$$ ;) Future Nate, "Mom, everyone has the Ipad 15ss with 3D goggles, I'm such a loser with my Ipad 14 that is 2D and doesn't hover"

Funny Little Habits

Nathaniel does a few things right now that are becoming habits. Well at least a habit in the baby sense - meaning the habit lasts a week or two, but it is funny to watch.

Hey, Hey, HEEEYYYY - When we are out and about and Nathaniel is riding in a buggy I noticed something he was always doing. I thought he was talking to me at first, but no. He says something like, 'Hey Hey HHEEYY HHEEYYY' it gets a little louder and longer until whomever he is trying to talk to turns around. Yep, he is yelling at strangers in the store. They usually will turn around and then he gets the biggest grin on his face. Of course no one can resist a cute baby boy grin. This is also what he has been yelling at us for a long time now from his crib when he wakes up.

Block Placement - Nathaniel will take a few blocks and place them on the window sill. He favors the white big lego blocks and the red triangle blocks. He then knocks them to the floor and puts them back up. He also likes to hide them in the tv cabinet.

Bite Kevin - Not much else to say here :) He bites Kevin's shoulder and laughs. He doesn't do it to me so I think it is funny, although it looks painful. (in case you are wondering we don't laugh back at him because we want the behavior to stop - Kevin just puts him on the floor and doesn't make a big deal of it, hoping it will go away when he figures out he doesn't get attention for it... we'll see) It is a little funny though

Einstein Sticky Hair - Nathaniel is a pretty good eater. Not super messy.. YET. But, no matter how hard we try somehow he manages to run his fingers through his hair above his ears and it sticks straight out and gets crusty from food. He looks like a mad scientist. He just LOVES when I try and wipe down his hair afterwards (I say sarcastically)

Here You Go Mocha - Nathaniel has figured out if he gives Mocha something Mocha will usually run off with it and that is hilarious to the little guy! As I am trying to teach Mocha NOT to chew blocks, rattles, toys etc. Nate is handing them to him. Poor dog is confused. Sometimes Nate will actually give him a dog toy - not often enough though. If Mocha doesn't take it Nate just keeps shoving it in his face. I have a feeling I'm fighting a losing battle and there is going to be some more *toy casualties*

 

The Happy Sway - When Nathaniel crawls around he sways his head back and forth... it looks like he is the happiest baby around. It is so cute. It is a really pronounced sway and I always think he is singing some happy tune as he just happily bobs around the room. Maybe one of these days he will be happily walking and swaying... or maybe he'll crawl forever ;) I can picture him skipping with this same happy gait when he gets older.

 

The Open Door - Opening and closing doors (real doors, cabinet doors, drawers) will be open and closed 200 hundred times a day. He will watch a cartoon while opening the tv stand door and closing it the whole time. (Side note: When he watches a cartoon he mostly likes the songs - the rest of the cartoon barely keeps him interested. This means the start of any show/cartoon/commercial that has a tune is fair game to watch. There is this cheesy Sandals resort commercial that has the Dirty Dancing song 'I've had the time of my life' and he stops and watches it every time.)

 

Truck Rides - Nathaniel can't get enough of his truck that he got for his birthday. He knows how to get in it himself now - sometimes he is sitting in it backwards, but he is in it. He just looks at you like ... 'come on, push me, what are you waiting for?' He doesn't quite get that his long sleeve onesie isn't quite warm enough to go outside in. We give him (and ourselves) a layer or two and head out the door. If he had his way he'd go several times a day. He even shuts the door on you when you try to get him out.

 

Bootie Dance - When we get him ready to take a bath we usually undress him on our bed while the bath fills up. Well, he gets this shot of adrenaline once you take his clothes off. He goes back and forth on the bed and then will grab the headboard posts and perform what I like to call his ** bootie dance** You can't help but laugh. He just holds on to the slats and boogies.

 

Alright, I better quit writing and take a nap before he wakes up from his nap. zzzzzzzz

Dyno - Mite

 

Or is it Dyno - Nate? It is the friendliest dinosaur in the Southeast.

 

 

 

We didn't take him trick or treating. If we knew our neighbors better we might have, but since we don't it felt like we were just going around asking for candy for ourselves... haha. Nathaniel did enjoy watching people come to the door. He actually cried a few times when they left. I think he thought they were going to come in and play, but they kept leaving. Poor kid really needs to get out more.

 

 

We went into Petsmart and the costumes were 75% off and right by the sign happened to be 2 XXL pumpkin costumes. I have never ever bought a costume for my dog, but this one time it seemed meant to be.. I mean two pumpkin outfits left both XXL... I think the dogs actually enjoyed wearing their costumes. It was a wearable blanket basically. They got a few comments as people walked by the backyard and saw two big pumpkin dogs.

 

 

I hope everyone enjoyed Halloween.

 

 

Maybe Halloween Ghosts?

Tis the season for everything creepy crawly. Spiders, ghosts, goblins, zombies (mostly I just like having the excuse to eat candy all night as I pass it out). I do think Nathaniel might be getting a case of the *creepies* He doesn't seem scared by the life size witches at Home Depot... so I didn't think he would get the *creepies*, but over the past couple of weeks he has woke up a few times crying in the middle of the night. He is a GREAT night sleeper so this is very unusual. We can't find anything different - no new sounds, no new lights... so we aren't sure why its happening. Maybe he is teething a bit more? Maybe he is having a little gas from drinking cow's milk? Maybe he is starting to have some dreams? OR maybe it is civil war ghosts from the Battle of Franklin.... BOO!

 

I'm not sure. We are putting on our best detective hats and trying to figure it out. When he does wake up - you can snuggle with him - he falls asleep - then you lay him back down. (I just love when he falls asleep on my shoulder. Those little hands are usually holding your arm or your hand and you can feel his little breaths... its the best. Those people that co sleep might have the right idea because it is pretty darn cool!) Anyway, last night he cried 3 separate times. We decided to bring him down and let him sleep in the pack n play by us. I know I know some of you probably think that was a bad idea. I actually wasn't sure either, but I figured if it was something temporary one night of extra love won't hurt... now night after night and we'll have to change our approach. He proceeded to stand in the pack n play and talk to us for about 1/2 hr in the middle of the night. He didn't cry or whine, he just talked. While I was falling in and out of sleep as he carried on the conversation he eventually laid down and fell asleep. He woke us up with some 'heys' in the morning. It was like old times before we moved him up to the crib.

 

He hasn't woke up tonight so let's hope he sleeps as "snug as a bug in a rug". A saying by the way that originated in the 1700s. While it means warm and cozy now.. it used to mean being secure. Ben Franklin used it in a letter and was thought to have created the saying and gets the credit a lot, but there is rumor he was not the first.

 

Maybe there really are some civil war ghosts... hhmmm

 

Nate Note(s): He loves the orange lights Kevin put up for Halloween. He crawls over to the front door every night and basically insists you take him out to look. We just keep telling him ... wait until you see the Christmas tree! I did say 'crawls' ... that kid just doesn't want to walk yet. He is walking one handed with his walker now though. He expertly cruises all the furniture too. We don't really push him to practice walking and figure he'll get it on his own time. Plus, having a wobbly one year old just sounds dangerous on the wood floor so I'd like to put it off as long as possible (maybe I'm the problem) ;)

Here You Go

 

Nathaniel has a new thing he does A LOT. He hands you whatever he is holding 'Here you go'. If he is playing with his new egg set he will hand you one. If he is playing with any of his toys he will hand you one. He will hand you a book to read and then grab one for himself. If he is eating he wants to give you a taste of his squished up piece of fruit, bread or whatever. I've noticed he tends to give you the one he doesn't want. If he hands you one he wants he actually will take it back. The dogs love this new behavior since he now holds out food to them. It is impossible to keep the dogs away while he eats now. I mean they are dogs. If someone is going to hand out food you are going to be there for the taking. Nate hands Mocha his dog toy to chew on even. The problem with this is that he kind of shoves it in his face. Luckily Mocha just moves over a bit. Besides not understanding *gentle* with the dogs, Nate hasn't quite learned distance yet. He will try to hand me something from across the room - when I don't grab it he kind of looks disappointed.  He always looks quite pleased with himself after you take his gift ;) 


Nate Note: Nathaniel was standing by the coffee table and Mocha kept walking right by him ... over and over again... Mocha had a toy in his mouth and wanted to play I guess. What was cute though was that Nathaniel would laugh out loud every time Mocha rubbed up against him as he walked by. It was a tight squeeze and he just thought it was so funny. The more Nate laughed the more Mocha would walk by him.

 

Here are some FALL pictures

 

A first glimpse at his Halloween costume

He looks like he was trying to be scary like the ghost :)

    

Holy Super Stink, Batman!

 

Do you remember when Robin would say this to Batman? It was always,"Holy _____, Batman!" I can't wait until Nathaniel likes super heroes. That will be something me and him can bond over that Kevin has zero interest.

 

Well, the Hahm household has taken it up a notch in bad smells. There is the usual dog smells, the usual burnt toast or baked fish smells, the usual husband smells ;)... but I never would have guessed how smelly that little boy has become. Everything smelled good around here UNTIL the introduction of cow's milk. Wowza! We have always either thrown the diapers away in a diaper genie thing in our bedroom or in the trash. We have never ever ever skipped a beat. The poops, while still poops, didn't really smell that bad.

 

That has all changed, now you can smell when he has gone from a different room. Poor boy! Then after you hold your breath while you change it you can't escape the smell. No matter where you put it, it follows you. I feel like a have a life size poopy diaper puppet following me around - like a sesame street nightmare!

 

Stupid cow's milk. Right now he is about 60% milk 40% formula. Does that mean the stink factor will increase proportionately?? "Holy Super Duper Stink, Batman!" I'm hoping that this is just his digestive system getting used to the new proteins and minerals and soon it will settle down. Otherwise, I might have to put a changing station outside or put that white stuff under my nose that they use on the crime dramas.

 

I am hoping this is normal since the smell is the only weird thing (I might put in a little call to the pediatrician just to be sure). I mean when picking up the dog doo is a breath of fresh air in comparison to Nathaniel... it is a strange day :) I'm not at all sensitive or easily grossed out either, but boy o boy. Kevin has even accused me of not changing his diaper and waiting until he got home so that he'd have to do it. But NO WAY! I wouldn't even be able to hug that kid if I left him in his dirty diaper. I think Nathaniel is just so smart already that when I tell him 'Wait to do #2 until daddy gets home' he listens, it is our little deal.

 

Side Note: Nate is really going to love this post later in life hahaha