Clean Up Clean Up

Everybody everywhere, clean up clean up everybody do their share.  So I know this is a song from Barney, but I've never actually watched a Barney show.  I like the song though, it's catchy.  I was singing this to myself as I watched Nathaniel clean up today.  This doesn't seem all that interesting does it??  Except for he was cleaning at a play place we went to today.

We went to an indoor play place called Shipwrecked Play House.  It was the first time I had been there and we met Nate's friend Evie there.  It was a little place that had different types of play areas: train tables, grocery store, ball pit, magnet board, play kitchen and of course a pirate ship with 2 slides off of it.  Nathaniel is still pretty cautious and climbed around on the pirate boat, but didn't go down the slide.  He also always held on to the hand rail as he came down the ramp - cracks me up a little, but I'll take that over a crazy accident.  

Now this place got messier and messier the longer we were there.  Kids carry stuff from the kitchen to the train tables, groceries end up in the seating area, balls from the ball pit are rolling around.... you get the point.  Well, I definitely noticed the mess and so did my mini me.  I looked over and Nate was putting things back where they go.  He collected some of the plates and groceries that were randomly thrown on the floor into a little basket.  He carried the balls to the ball pit and threw them in and collected magnets that fell off the wall and put them back on.  This one kid was just taking them off and Nate kept putting them back on.  Yep, while most of the other kids were just running around and over the mess my guy was trying to keep things orderly.  I couldn't be more proud of my little OCD son. ;)  Ok, while I'm proud he certainly wasn't doing this the entire time - he had a very fun time and it was actually a tiny struggle to get him out the door.  

After playtime - lunch at the cracker barrel

Go Bouncy Bouncy

What do you want to do Nate?  "Go Bouncy Bouncy"  Bouncing on a big blue exercise ball is something Nathaniel has enjoyed since he was a baby.  It is either Kevin or I holding him while bouncing up and down on the ball; sometimes we go fast sometimes slow sometimes high and sometimes low.  It was less bouncy bouncy when he was a baby, but he has always enjoyed that up and down motion.  One of his favorite things to do (and mostly with Kevin) is bounce.  Of course going bouncy bouncy isn't the same without singing.  There is always a song being sung.  Current songs of choice are 'oh where or where has my little dog gone' 'ABC's' 'John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt' and of course 'Jingle Bells'  

Nate likes to change it up sometimes and bounce in the dark or bounce in the family room.  He bounces with dad before work and right away when he gets home.  I originally got that exercise ball when I was pregnant for exercise and stretching - who knew it would become one of Nate's favorite things.  I wonder how long I will get to hear the request "Go Bouncy Bouncy" and how many more songs will be learned while bouncing.  

Sniff Sniff

Bed Bath & Beyond, Kirklands and Target are some of Nathaniels favorite places to sniff sniff sniff.  He loves to sniff candles. He makes this super cute squenchy face and sniffs.  We can't just sniff one either.  We sniff all the flavors.  The red one, the green one, the blue one, sometimes the same one again.  Who knew sniffing candles could be an event.  He can spot a candle anywhere so you can't get away with not sniffing a few everywhere you go.  The best is when it is a flameless candle.  He doesn't quite get those.  He still sniffs them and I try to explain that those don't smell, but we do it anyway.  So next time you are at the store and see some candles take a sniff for Nate.

Sign of the Times

This picture doesn't really need much of an explanation.  Kids and technology.  Look at him chilling with the IPad.  Guess it's time to find some more toddler friendly games.  

Mickey Mouse

Nathaniel's love for Mickey Mouse is official.  He can say 'Mickey Mouse' now.  It sort of sounded like 'Mickey Moose' at first, but it is slowly starting to sound like 'Mickey Mouse'.  

Nathaniel is currently addicted to 3 things.  The park, outside and show.  I hear those words several times a day.  Actually, The Park kind of has an added ark so it sounds more like 'Park ark'.  We are wondering if we used to say it twice in a row and he picked up on that.  

When he requests 'show' what he means (at least this week) is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Wizard of Diz episode.  He is completely addicted to it right now.  Probably not my best parenting moment when my kid is addicted to a show.  It is his love for this show that has him saying 'Mickey Mouse'.  

This means we should take him to DisneyWorld soon, right? right?!?  

What is that doing there?

I feel like I'm constantly on some weird game show where I have to guess what might be behind door #1, cabinet #2 or in drawer #3. Or conversely, where might object X, Y or Z be located? Little Nathaniel likes to put stuff everywhere. He does it so quick. I feel like I'm always watching him, but stuff somehow gets snuck around the house. I know he partly gets a kick out of it, but a lot of it is pure exploring and toddlerhood. The best is when Kevin asks, 'Why are there toy eggs in the pantry'... well duh... 'that's where they go' ;)

 

Some of my finds over the last few days... package of mandarin oranges in the laundry and my nightstand... big juice behind the tv... tambourine in the tupperware cabinet.... my DSW reward members card in Mocha's cage... my magazine in the bathtub... kona's collar in his mickey scooter.... green chile can in the toybox... magnetic O's in all sorts of places (hiding the letter O is a hobby of Nate's)... plastic golf balls in my purse... puzzle pieces in my purse... dog dishes in shopping bags... lotion bottles in shoes...iphone headphones next to the toilet paper rolls...

 

It is fun to open drawers and cabinets and be surprised by what is in there. Little nuggets of whimsy add to the day. I mean how can you take life seriously when you find a dog harness and five fancy rocks next to your frying pan.

Peek a Boo 2.0

Nathaniel is officially *hiding* for fun. For a while he has kind of hid behind the couch and I'd tease that he was hiding.... he would laugh and then move on to something else. Well, the other day at Steinmart we were goofing around the clothing racks and he backed up in between two racks of shirts. I was walking by and he jumped out at me and then giggled hysterically. He meant to wait and jump out. He hadn't ever done that except by accident.

 

To test it out I've asked a couple times to go hide at home. He runs off and goes behind something. Now granted he isn't the world's best hiding spot picker outer yet, but it is a fun new game. His ability to stay in one spot for longer than 5 seconds is also a hard part of this new game. He starts peering out from wherever he is as you get close. Once you make eye contact he gets a huge smile and then runs off super speed.

 

Nate Note: We went to a toddler gymnastics class today at Let it Shine Gymnastics. It is a real gymnastics facility, but they of course gear the class to 12-24 month olds. We rolled down triangle shape mats. We jumped on trampolines. Big trampolines, which was actually way more fun for me than him. He could swing on a rope into a pit of sponges. He could bounce in a bounce house. And of course we did stretches. I thought he would love it because it was such an active activity versus story time type classes. Bbbuuuuttt, he mostly clung on to me. It was the first time we went there so he didn't know the teachers or other little people. I'm trying to decide if I want to actually do the class or not..... hhhhmmm.

52 Card Pick Up

I'm pretty sure I'm playing some variation of the 52 card pick up game constantly throughout the day. One of Nathaniel's favorite things to do is dump things on the floor and then leave. Blocks, stacking sets, flash cards, crayons, magnetic letters. There are piles of these things everywhere. It isn't that he doesn't know how to put them away either. He likes to put a bunch back in the bins and then dump them back out. It must be super fun to hear the sound or feel them fall all over your lap.

 

I can ask him to help ' put them away ' and he will put some away, but completely loses interest and is on to the next thing pretty quickly. That leaves me to pick up the rest. It's pointless to enforce it I figure because I'm not sure he gets that it is a bad thing to dump everything out. He has so much fun doing it that I think he thinks he is doing me a favor by allowing me to play too ;)

 

If you'd like to join in on the fun... feel free to find a few bowls in your cupboard and place them on the ground and then go get your sock bin and dump it (add giving a few pairs to the dog to run off with if you have a dog), maybe say the #s on the cards as you throw them down.... then run off laughing and smiling to the next activity... Ahhhh good times.

The Artist

Nathaniel got his first taste of art today. He finger painted. I made some homemade finger-paint.

 

I decided to make it because he still puts stuff in his mouth. At least if I made it I'd know what was in it and it wouldn't hurt him. I know the finger paints say non-toxic, but I figure while he is still so young I'd just make it. Plus, I saw a zillion recipes on Pinterest so I figured Why Not? The recipe had corn starch, sugar, salt, water and food coloring. I barely added food coloring so that it wouldn't stain. I'm not sure how colorful it will be dry, but it is mostly for sensory fun.

 

I was hoping he would really dive in and spread those colors around. But, as you can see he kind of just poked at it.

 

 

Then I was putting his fingers in it and he got a kick out of it. I was hoping I had the next Michelangelo, but I think I have more of a Ruby. Do the Arizonians know Ruby? Ruby the elephant. She was an elephant at the Phoenix zoo that painted. Actually Ruby was great...

 

 

Then after a few minutes he lost interest. The picture below is of him trying to look around me at what is on TV. Little punk! We will keep trying.

 

 

 

Maybe he was really looking at a squirrel like these two are.

 

 

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.

 

 

Music with Mommie

Nathaniel and I have been attending Music with Mommie for 2 weeks now. It is a group class for kids 5 months to 5 years that has songs and musical instruments and stuff. I, of course, took advantage of the first free class to see if it was any good. Because we don't get out much around other kids Nate pretty much just stared at them. Granted most of them are older and mobile so I think he was amazed they could grab their own instruments and walk around.

It is funny when we are suppose to make motions with a song. To help him have fun I move his arms etc. ... for example the song might say 'swim like a dolphin' so I move his arms in a swimming motion. The problem is that he locks up and won't let me move anything. He becomes as stiff as a statue. And when we are suppose to be snuggie during an 'I love you' type song he is jumping (on my leg as I hold him) and worming all around. He was also more interested in the live frog that was sitting next to us more than the music at times... me too though so maybe he gets that from me.

The second class was a little more crowded than the first. Which would be fine except for it is in a back storage room of a toy store so it got a little crowded and hot. I do think he likes it and enjoys watching the other kids so I'm going to stick with it for at least a session or two. There are 2 other kids about his age so that is good. The registration fee included an intro musical instrument pack and cd. He LOVES the egg shaker. I'm thinking since he has used it so much at home he may actually try and use it during class next time, which would be cool. I ordered him a few more kid friendly instruments. Maracas, another egg shaker and a baby sized tambourine. If he gets familiar with them at home he may be a little more open to them during that part of class. He also really enjoys sitting under the parachute while the moms wave it above the kids heads. (and yes it is a sexist class I think... there are no dads)

Class is on Wednesday mornings - so feel free to have the image of Nate as stiff as a statue and me singing off key on those mornings (and feel free to laugh at me as I strain to get up and down a billion times during class because I'm old and out of shape.... by the end of class I'm just as tired as Nate. Actually towards the end I smile at the older kids and get them to put our instruments back in the bucket after each song so I don't have to hahaha)   

So So Funny

Man, where is time going. I always give a little chuckle when people say, "enjoy it, his childhood goes by fast" because it always sounds so rehearsed and just what people say during small talk. But, Holy Moly I'm starting to think that statement is hugely understated. I just got a blanket email from some website mentioning baby milestones. The milestone was Nathaniel's first birthday. WHAT WHAT. I started to panic. I don't have a theme, as a matter of fact I don't have any plans for his first birthday. We don't even really have anybody to invite since most of our friends and family live elsewhere. So as of right now Nathaniel is going to have some lame cupcake, a cardboard bday hat from the Dollar Tree and me and Kevin singing some off key birthday song. AAAAaaahhh I'm going to win the worst mom award. Good moms would have 1000 ideas posted to Pinterest by now. I'd have themes narrowed to 3 top choices. I'd have a homemade 'I'm One' t-shirt made. The cake would be planned. People would have cute homemade invites to look at even if I knew they couldn't realistically be here. Then I spiraled out of control thinking... I don't have anything planned for his Halloween costume yet either. And no Christmas traditions being worked out. AAAaaahhh, what preschool will he attend? Do we have enough saved for his college fund? ...... ok ok ok, after a deep breath I regained my sanity. 

To be fair, I am still a little panicked about making his birthday special. I'll keep you posted on my neurosis.

Ok, now on to so so so funny..

Nathaniel cracks himself up on occasion. It is so cute. I really can't get enough of his laugh. Now that he is an 'expert' crawler he loves to crawl over your legs. He basically high centers on your legs and then face plants into the ground. As he is face planting he is laughing hysterically. It looks a tiny bit painful, but apparently not. He will do this several times and just loves it every time. It is only slightly less funny for him when he goes over a fluffy pillow. Another thing that is so so funny is playing chase around the couch. he crawls off in one direction and if you go in another and pop out from the side he flops over and just laughs. When I'm driving I'll hear a giggle from the back seat. This one is still a mystery to me, I'm not sure what is so so funny. I'm not sure how he is actually cracking himself up back there. He kicks the mirror with his feet, throws his toys at the door (something I like to call the backseat toy graveyard) and make motorboat sounds (YES, he still loves to spit all over himself - is this a boy thing do you think?) .. it could be any of these things or perhaps something I haven't witnessed, but what I do know is random laughing happens on occasion from back there.

Overall, he is a pretty happy baby still. This is something I try every day not to take for granted. Don't get me wrong he has gotten quicker to let you know when he isn't happy about something. He has a kind of a 'whiner whine' about him. He doesn't cry, but gives this 'whiner whine'.

Nate Note: For a month now Nathaniel does this 'No no no' thing. He kind of smiles and shakes his head back and forth super fast in a 'no no no' sort of way. It is actually kind of cute and we think he has fun doing it. I don't think he has any clue what the word NO means so we aren't sure why he does this. He does it at random times too. It isn't just when he is tired or excited or hungry or full. He has done it during all of those times and many more random events. Once we figure out the mystery of the 'no no no' we will let you know.

Historical Note: Ernie Els won The Open Championship today by one stroke.  I only bring this up because we saw Ernie Els at The Square Grouper when we were in Jupiter, FL for vacation while I was pregnant with Baby Hahm :) Ernie had pulled his yacht in and he and his friends sat at the table right next to us.  

A Few Things I Didn't Know I'd Say or Do

- "Let me take that booger"
- Be able to change a baby as he lays on his stomach. (That silly boy rolls over the minute you lay him down and squiggles and squirms) Diaper and outfit changing has become quite the test in patience
- "What was his poop like?"
- Laugh as Nathaniel thinks the door stopper is the most exciting thing EVER. boing boing boing. He loves that spring.
- Learn that even the smallest particle on the floor is a new discovery so I have to clean areas I didn't even know existed (well sort of)
- That I'd repeat Kona or Mocha's name repeatedly and in a weird voice so that they keep wagging their tails. Nate LOVES watching those tails and tries to grab them.
- That I'd kiss anyone's feet so much. Baby feet are soo cute. I figure I have limited time until they become dirty ;)
- Learn to watch TV through babbling and not really care
- "Is that honeydew in his hair?"
- "Oh no, we forgot the giraffe, turn around" This is important because the giraffe is his favorite chew toy.
- "Does the pooh bear thingy say the bath is the right temp?"
- Sing every song I know (or don't know with made up words) to keep Nathaniel occupied while I'm in the shower, or car, or anywhere else requiring it
- Cheer loudly just for someone to put something in their mouth by themselves... haha ...he is doing well with his yogurt melts (and has eaten honeydew and banana pieces)  :)
- Freak out more now when I drive (or Kevin drives) since I have extra special cargo!
- Know and can sing songs like 'hot diggity dog' or the beginning of baby einstein
- Have an opinion on Elmo's voice - SUPER annoying btw
- Put a sign on the door that says 'Don't knock or ring bell' just leave whatever you have... haha... Kona barks loud so it isn't worth it to have anyone disturb the nap!
- Go to the mall and not go into ANY woman's clothing stores
- Put serious effort into experimenting with the best way to mix formula and water
- Get spit on repeatedly during lunch and sort of chuckle because that is the messiest raspberry making face I've ever seen.
- Learn that I don't have the shortest attention span of anyone I know (Nate does)
- That I'd have to carry a baby around superman style - you know like he is flying (he will wiggle endlessly until you do this so I just give in)
- "Does this smell?" "Does this?" "Does this feel wet to you"

- Learn to maneuver a stroller through doors that don't open automatically. Some doors are quite challenging.

 

This was just a quick list off the top of my head... more lists to come

 

Nate Note: Nathaniel is officially doing the army man crawl.  Somewhere in Arizona he managed to become quite skilled at roaming around the floor. He no longer rolls to his destination but crawls there army man style.  He does get up on all fours and rocks back and forth so a true crawl will probably be coming soon.  I have mixed feelings because while I'm happy for his progress I'm already having to chase him around more.  I can already imagine what my days are going to be like.....  I will be chasing Nate and Mocha around like a crazy woman.  I better go buy a baby fence (jail) Wish me luck!