Florida Birthday Trip Part 1 - The Villages

We haven't been on a family trip in awhile so we decided to go for it and go BIG...DISNEY.  Nathaniel likes Mickey Mouse so we just decided 'Why not go see Mickey for his 2nd birthday?' We figured Nates attention span is about 2 min so we made the trip similar to how a two year old thinks... 3 places in 9 days.  Some might call it crazy.... some might be right :)  We left on a Friday afternoon and headed to the first of 3 stops.  The first stop was at Grandma and Grandpa Hahm's at The Villages in Florida.  

When we arrived (I can't remember) 2 or 3 in the morning Nate decided that he was ready to be awake.  He wanted nothing to do with going back to sleep.  That was our first lesson in road trips with a 2 year old.  He is so used to his crib and rarely (essentially never) sleeps anywhere else so it really threw him for a loop to be sleeping in a random bed with mom and dad.  Needless to say Kevin and I needed a nap that day.  Luckily, he did fall asleep around 6amish for a couple of hours so we at least got in a nap before visiting.

We did all kinds of fun things over the next few days.  Played bocci ball, toured some cute city squares, had homemade beignets at a neighbors house, listened to live music when we ate dinner, celebrated Nathaniel's 2nd birthday and finally last but definitely not least... we rode the golf cart.  Everyone owns golf carts in The Villages.  That is how you go around and golf on all of the courses and take short trips to nearby restaurants, etc.  Nathaniel (like all the kids) just loved riding around on it. We figured it was a prelude to the rides at Disney :)  

Kevin and I got to take a little break too.  Since Grandma was around we had a babysitter.  We went and golfed with Kevin's dad.  I hadn't golfed in a very long time and it was so much fun.  It was a short course and we golfed 9 holes which was perfect.  There were so many birds on the course that day.  I just love Florida birds.  There were so many beautiful storks, ones I had not seen before.  It was a nice kid free activity.

Oh I almost forgot how much Nathaniel liked going inside/outside onto the screened in lanai.  It had a sliding door which was different, plus he had to step up and down to get in and out.  He must have done that a 1000 times.  Here are a few pics from Part 1 of the Disney or Bust trip.   

Of course we had to get a *Mickey Park* cake for the big 2

Nate's birthday celebration

Walking along the lake at the town square where we get starbucks :)

Golfing.  I love the spanish moss on the tree.

This stampede was very lifelike. The art was commissioned for the new town square.
Nate was petting the cattle dog.

Resting in the new town square with a westerny theme.  

Golf cart ride with Grandma and Grandpa Hahm

2 Year Appt

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

4/1 - He is 18 months old and 33 inches tall and 24 lbs 15 oz

10/17 - He is 2 years old and 34 1/2 inches tall and 29 lbs

I'm so behind in blogs, but I swear to get caught up this weekend .... I swear .....

Can you believe it has been 2 years?!?  Nathaniel had his 2 year wellness check up.  We were a little late because of our Florida trip and the Pumpkin Play Date party.  I knew he was going to get a flu shot and just in case he had any side effects I didn't want to have it before the party.  

The appointments keep getting easier since the vaccinations for the time being are all done.  I LOVE that.  Now it is just making sure he is progressing ok.  Motor skills, speech, eating... stuff like that.  Everything checked out ok.  Well, we did get a little lecture on making sure there is more structure to his mealtimes.  Whoops.  He is such a grazer and I just kind of go with the flow since he eats even if it is grazing.  The doc didn't like that philosophy much haha.  I am stricter at dinner, but I am pretty loosey goosey for breakfast and lunch.  I was actually a little worried he doesn't eat enough, but his weight is just fine for his height.

He eats lots of different things just not a lot of any one thing.  He still doesn't care for meat, which is fine by me :) We still try different meats at times, but he spits it back out.  I"m sure it is the texture.  Maybe it is because he didn't have any in the womb (hhhhmmm could be) 

We opted for the Flumist flu shot.  They just shove some stuff up his nose instead of an actual shot.  He didn't love that, but it was a lot better than a shot.  Now I have to man up and go get the flu shot (or hopefully the Flumist for me too since I hate shots)

I feel very fortunate that things are going well with his health.  I think it is easy to take that for granted as you go about your daily life, but on the drive home I thought about how grateful I am.  I smiled at him and then hit replay of the 5 little monkey song for the 10th time as we went home to have a *structured* lunch ;)

Look Mommy Look (fill in the blank)

Or Look Daddy Look 'leaves'.  This is Nathaniel's newest phrase.  You actually can't help but smile because he gets so excited when he is saying it.  Sometimes he is showing you the moon, sometimes a circle he made with a cup in his play rice, sometimes something he placed somewhere he thinks is funny.  

Another phrase he has been using is.... he will give you something and then say, "here you go mommy, your welcome' He doesn't give you time to actually say 'Thank you'.

I think the latest little quirk that is Kevin's favorite is when Nathaniel talks like the Godfather.  We have no idea where he picked this up, but it cracks us up.  Every once in awhile he talks in this low, breathy kind of voice.  He is usually pretty serious too.  When you hear from the backseat 'window open' in this voice from a 2 year old you can't help but laugh.   It started on vacation.  

Speaking of vacation... I'm definitely getting a blog ready, I just need to download a few pics... stay tuned.  I've been a little distracted thinking about his pumpkin playdate we are having this weekend.

Here is a peek at a few pics ...

Mickey Mouse Birthday cake at Grandma Hahm's

First time Nate met Mickey Mouse - he was really excited

Dumbo ride

Nate being a Hollywood superstar at Animal Kingdom on the Safari ride

Enjoying Miramar Beach in Destin, FL

Looking cute in Destin

Keep Away

Nathaniel had the least healthy month he has had yet.  Remember he got Roseola?  Well, then he proceeded to get HFMD.  Yep, I even know the acronym now.  HFMD is Hand, foot mouth disease.  Now just hearing this gives me the heebie jeebies.  Doesn’t it just sound gross? 

Pre-kid I wouldn’t have visited any friend, family, etc for a month upon hearing they had anything called hand foot mouth disease.  It sounds like something from a horror movie.  Why does it affect your appendages, plus your mouth…. Are you sticking your hand and feet in your mouth?  And why is it called a disease?  Sounds worse, right?  What is the difference between calling it an illness versus disease? (I’m really curious actually I better go look that up) regardless - Yucko! 

Ok ok so that was pre-kid.  Now I’m basically an expert and it never is as bad as it is in my imagination.  I could diagnose HFMD like any doctor ;)  What happened is Nathaniel’s friend Evie came down with it and was diagnosed.  We had hung out with them quite a bit so I figured it was inevitable that Nate would get it.  And he did.  LUCKILY, he got a very very mild case of it.  The fever didn’t last long and he didn’t get too many of the sores that are associated with it. 

I just couldn’t believe he had two things I hadn’t really heard of in the same month.  I feel fortunate neither case was very bad.  The good news is that he should have immunity in the future to the strains he got.  There aren’t too many strains so he may never get either again (and why adults usually don’t get either of these)

Little people are sure gooby ….. aaahhh but we love them anyway.

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.