Stripes

Not the Bill Murray movie, but you know the long horizontal lines.  Somehow Nathaniel has become obsessed with stripes.  Maybe it was a line from a book we read called 'Taking a bath with the dog'

Little girl: "What makes you happy?"

Guy sitting on bench: "Stripes" (the guy is wearing stripes, has a striped cat and hat)

We were reading that book a lot and all of a sudden he only wears stripes... who knows?!?  When I say he only wears stripes.  He only wears stripes.  I guess it isn't a whole outfit of stripes, it is limited to tshirts right now.  If you pick anything other than a stripe shirt it is a tantrumy grumpy little guy.  I'm just rolling with it hoping it will pass like so many other quirky things.  

There are two shirts that somehow are *ok* which is funny.  It's a dusty shirt from the movie airplanes and an airplane shirt from gap.  So I guess airplane shirts are also ok haha.  What is not *ok* is striped shirts with something else on them.  Being 2 almost 3 has some funny thinking :)  You will notice any pictures I post or send he will be wearing stripes.  It started a couple weeks ago.  I wonder how long it will last... hhhmmm

Note:  I still want/love/need to blog, but have been on a long, stressed out hiatus.  Now that some of that is behind us I'd like to get back in the groove... we will see!

Sometimes it is stripes top and bottom

Here is one of the 'make an exception' shirts Dusty

I'm sitting here feeling alone.  I feel more alone than usual.  Kevin has been working awhile in Seattle and I'm used to *that* alone.  But, tonight feels especially empty.  It's the last night in my home in TN and the dogs aren't even here.  It just doesn't feel right to not be petting them and letting them snuggle me when I feel sad.  It doesn't seem like a fair farewell to not have them here.  This was the first house they had with a backyard where they could run after a ball and actually get tired out.  We've moved to a lot of places over the years each with its own fun memories and experiences, but we always moved on fine.  This is different.  This one is so much more personal.  Our house became a real home.  It is so cliche, but so true.  I can't explain it any other way.  The house isn't a shell of wood and brick to me, it is a living memory and I'm thankful to it for being ours.

The absolute best thing to ever happen to me happened here.  When I think of Franklin TN I think of Nathaniel. This city and this house will always just hold that special non replaceable thing... Picking out colors and painting his nursery.  Bringing him home to meet the dogs at like midnight (we were crazy and unrested obviously since we decided to do that).  Having my sis visit me and help me while I recovered and meeting him for the first time.  There is no feeling like handing over your heart for your sister to hold.  My sister sat on my boring bed with me for days on end keeping me company as I healed. Rocking Nate to sleep in our master where he spent 8ish months sleeping with us.  Five of us every night sleeping peacefully (well sort of peacefully haha).  His first roll over in the den.  His first real crawling all over upstairs.  His first steps (or should I say run) around our downstairs hallway and kitchen area.  His nautical first birthday.  His pumpkin party second birthday.  Christmas and Easter mornings.  Visits from Grandma and Grandpa Hahm - he recalls every park and restaurant they went to with him.  Watching him help them get coffee in the morning in our kitchen.  Playing playdoh tea party under the dining room table.  Running with Mocha in the backyard after walks and chasing him away from his water table (Nate needs some work in the sharing dept) Moving rocks from our neighbors flower bed to the top of the electrical boxes in our yard.  

Our daily walks with the dogs around the neighborhood (either the loop around the big tree or the loop by the preschool)  The turning on and off of light switches and fans.  Watching the Mickey Mouse Club on the floor in the great room.  Playing with his trains and food set up in the loft.  Filled, half filled, out of air balloons creeping out from everywhere every room... sometimes scaring me because I think its a person.  This boy loves his balloons.  The baths in our master tub (he never took one in any other bathroom). Mocha drinking out of the tub faucet (he loves that water for some reason). The turning off and on of the lamp in the Africa room and his phase of taking out and smelling every candle in the closet in that room.  His jumpy jumpy thing that hung in the craft room doorway while he swung around mostly on it.  Kona sleeping on the ottoman in front of the windows in the loft keeping watch over the neighborhood.  Looking over at Nate singing and bouncing in his monkey bouncy chair as I showered.  That thing was a lifesaver. Oh so so many visualizations I get as I walk through the house. 

Watching Mocha and Kona fight over the sunny spots in the house every day.  I know exactly which blinds to raise so they can get the most warmth.  One of the greatest joys and adrenaline rushes is to run up the stairs and go get Nate when he wakes up from his nap or overnight.  Kevin and I have raced many times to see who gets to go hug him first.  We peek around the corner and run in.  The quiet times reading stories in his room by lamplight before bedtime (sometimes it isn't so quiet).  Usually the same story over and over for nights on end.  Laying with him for a *couple minutes* before leaving his room.  I've laid on that floor so much over the last couple of years.  It is comforting and feels like *home*  I'll miss 'US' here and all that has happened.  I know great memories are coming, but I know that once we leave here the everyday will start to fade and its that everyday that has made living here so special.  This house has been something else and I will miss her.

Sleeping Through the Storm

No, not the storm that is our life right now.... (he won't remember the last few months, but they have been a little crazy stressful, crazy boring and just crazy) Maybe, I'm just describing myself.  Yes, I'm best described as a crazy person.  It's hard to decide where to move, if you should move, sell your house, rent or buy a new house, some other stuff, all while trying to live a normal life while *dad* is 2600 miles away some of the time.  Making decisions cross country is also crazy... anyway, back to the storm at hand.  Literally a storm haha.

Nathaniel has always been a great sleeper.  Not always a great napper - he was a bit of a cat napper in his baby months.. but always a great sleeper at night.  And to be fair a pretty good napper once he was out of the baby baby stage.  Naps have always been a little touch and go because he wakes up pretty easy if a random loud noise happens or he hears some rustling.  I think he is afraid to miss any action... Also, he is used to a pretty quiet household.  Most of the time it is just me and the dogs and we are really quiet during nap time.  Luckily, he doesn't ever usually wake up crying and he while it takes forever to get him to bed... it's not a lot of whining or anything just chit chat and games and stalling :)

I am thankful for his sleep habits during big loud storms.  The other night was one of the brightest loudest storms I had witnessed in awhile from about 12:30am to 3am.  I couldn't even sleep through it and I can sleep through anything. Seriously, I can sleep anywhere.  Maybe it was because Kona was scared and laying on me shaking from fear.  She wasn't quite that bad, but she wasn't having any fun that's for sure.  

The continuous white flashes were too hard to sleep through.  Every once in awhile the crack from the lightening was so loud it sounded like it was right outside the house.  I kept looking at the monitor thinking he is going to wake up - he has got to - there is no way he can sleep through this - then nothing - maybe a slight roll here and there - but overall no waking up.  I couldn't believe it.  I'm hoping his non fear of storms will last (knock on wood) I know things can change in a blink with kids. 

Reading

I've mentioned before that Nathaniel can recite certain books we read a lot.  Sometimes I'll test him to see if he is listening.  I'll skip certain words or change them to if he will laugh or correct me.  But, he did something recently (about a month ago) that I hadn't seen before.  He flipped through a book that he doesn't necessarily read a lot and he started making up a story.  He'd flip to the next page and keep going.  I wasn't always sure what he was saying, but he was really into his story.  

I know pretend play and imagination are big milestones for kids.  Nathaniel hasn't always been one to do those things.  Some kids seem to live in a make believe/magical world.  Nate hasn't ever been into playing with his stuffed animals like they are people, etc..  He does play pretend food all the time, pouring and pretend eating etc.  He also sees things differently which I think is a form of imagination.  For instance, he saw a top (you know those toys you spin) and he called it an umbrella and held it over his head.  I like that he sees things in ways I wouldn't necessarily think about.  He comes up with names like 'flower bubbles' for dandelions or 'sucker cakes' for cake pops or 'laters' for leftovers.  

I wouldn't call Kevin or I the most imaginative people ever either so he probably gets his more methodical imagination from us :)  Although, I'd argue most scientists have a great imagination - how else can you see microscopic processes in your mind!  When Watson and Crick thought about how the DNA helix turned in a spiral... genius..  Not that I"m some great scientist (only in my dreams), but it is probably one of the things I find most interesting. 

Anyway, I was so happy to hear Nathaniel making up his own story and enjoy telling it to me.  Watching him discover things about himself is so fun.  

Fake Phone Calls

I don't talk on the phone a lot.  It's very rare, especially in front on Nathaniel so it's been especially funny to see him pretend talk on the phone.  It's a real eye opener into what he observes in our lives.  He uses a fan remote as the phone.  He picks it up and says one of two things usually... It's either 'Hello, yes I'll take some rice and beans, ok thanks, bye' or 'Hello, mocha and kaka doggie daycare tomorrow, thanks, bye'  

Sooooo, apparently all he hears me do is order take out and plan day care for the dogs hahaha.  Kind of funny.  I just love that he orders rice and beans.  Cracks me up.  Sometimes he adds 'yes, this is Nathaniel' It catches me off guard because the fake phone could be anywhere.  I'll take a chuckle any day of the week especially lately.  With all of the moving stuff (selling house, buying house, etc. etc. it's been somewhat chaotic and out of routine for us)

Let's hope I blog sooner ... until next time.

I Love You

Naptime and Bedtime is quite the routine ... actually it can be described more like a poorly tuned orchestra.  That is one thing I never knew about being a parent before being a parent.  I guess I always thought you just put the kids to bed and that's that - PJ's on, brush teeth, tuck in... that's it... 5 minutes tops.  Oh was I wrong, so wrong.  Of course, I know every kid is different and I freely admit I have NO IDEA what other people's kids naptime/bedtime routines consist of.  Maybe I'm experiencing something unique, but I doubt it.  

The routine definitely gets longer and more complicated as he gets older.  When he was a baby you just put PJ"s on, changed his diaper, rocked him a little and off he went to sleep.  Then, we added a story or two or three or four to that routine.  Then added a bath here and there. Then added brushing teeth.  Then added potty time.  Then added 'reflect on your day' time (which is just going over what we did that day), Then added crazy lunatic laughing hysterically running around time.  Wait wait wait, maybe it's that last one that sucks up the most time. :)  I'm pretty sure its a good hour of nighttime routine, possibly more, I can't keep track any more.  

On occasion (mostly when I'm by myself) I can be exhausted by the end of the day and I just want to go downstairs and veg out and watch some brainless TV show so I try to rush this routine.  But, I'm never successful.  When I think about it, It is one of the best times of the day for the most part.  We have a pretty good time.  It is some good quality time too.  I know it is super cliche to say 'I won't always have this so I better cherish it now', but I do feel that way.  He asks me, 'stay a few more minutes' and who can say no to that sweet request.  So I lay by his crib a few more minutes and soak up a few more laughs as he cracks himself up.  The latest thing that cracks him up is him babbling something and then saying 'That's not Engalish' (I realize I added an 'a' in English, but that is more how he says it so I wanted you to feel the true experience)

And my absolute best thing is singing a song that we have sang for over a year now.  It is a song that is always in our music class we go to, but it is a sweet song.  It's called the I Love You song.  

I Love you, I love you

From your head all the way down to your toes

I love you, I love you

From your head all the way down to your toes

So when you reach up high

And when you reach down low

Just remember, I love you, I love you

Warm breeze, tight squeeze and 

I LOVE YOU (tickle tickle tickle)

He sings it along with me and I just can't get enough of hearing him.  

Sometimes we slow dance before I put him in his crib too (he makes me go in fast circles in the end), but I just think this time is precious.  The nap time/bedtime routine is for sure waaaaaay tooooo loooong, but what else do I have to do, right? (Well, sometimes eat, but let's forget about that little detail)

Nut?

The nut doesn't fall far from the tree... is that how that saying goes?  Did I just call my family a bunch of nuts... hhhmm... anyway.  

Nathaniel is currently addicted to brown rice and black beans (sometimes a different bean gets thrown in, but primarily black beans).  Sometimes he throws in a request for chips and dip (salsa or guacamole).  This sounds a lot like a meal I'd request every night.  I prefer pinto beans, but like any beans :)

It cracks me up when he mentions this at 9am.  It could be our increased visits to Chipotle that has him addicted.  They do make good beans and rice.  He also loves the kid size bag of chips that come with his meal.  He calls them 'Nate size chips'  I am loving that he loves mexican food as much as me :)  He even kept taking bites from my enchilada the other night.  I hadn't given him any to date because I thought they were too spicy, but nope.  He wanted more.  Woo Hoo.  

Right Now

I would love to get into a toddler brain.  What was that movie, it was a comedy, where they get into tiny spaceships and travel through a body.  Man I can't remember.... hhhmmm I'll have to figure that out.  Anyway, it would be cool to do that and figure out what makes Nathaniel tick.  I find myself at least once a day thinking to myself,' He is two, how is he thinking through this ___' Everything is so truthful and unencumbered.  It is kind of like the movie 'Liar Liar', but he has no idea he is just saying things as is... 

For instance, I love when he points to my blemishes and calls them 'ouchies'  THANKS little dude!  Or so easily say's, 'Mommy go away'...ok I get it dad is home and is sooooo much more fun.  Or 'I want to go' (Right in the middle of music class)

One of my favorite things lately is when he requests something, 'Right now'.... 'Go to Starbucks, right now' or 'Go to the big park, right now' or 'Play with play doh, right now'  Demanding cute little boy!

He did say one of the sweetest things.  It is the first time he gave me a compliment.  Not sure if he is just repeating something I say, BUT I'll take it.  He was looking right at me and said,'You have beautiful eyes'... Aaahhh schucks.  

These pictures are from the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro TN.  It was a really fun place for Nate to explore.  His favorite part was this water display that showed how irrigation worked and fountains and boats...etc.  Curious George are his favorite books right now so he really enjoyed those exhibits.  There was a shadow room he had fun in and a display that showed how air pressure worked where you could stick a sponge in a tube and it would blow out (part of the airplane displays).  

Yoo Hoo You Still There?

I'm talking to myself.  Life has taken me this way and that way lately not leaving me much time to keep up.  I, of course, miss this!  This is the only way I know I'll remember the little things and I've been super slacking.  Makes me a little crazy especially because I like to write.  

Regardless, here is a little thing from the past few days that I think is cute (and I know I'll forget).  

I'm not sure when little kids learn about time and space.  Maybe Neil DeGrasse Tyson should do a toddler version of the 'Cosmos'.  Oh man that would be cool.  Anyway,  I think it is a hard concept *time*.  I can tell he is trying to figure it out in his mind.  What is yesterday, tomorrow, 3 days... etc.  What I love that he is saying is 'one last day' I think that means yesterday.  He will say something like, 'went to the big park one last day'.  It is one of those phrases that will probably go as soon as it came, but I can see the wheels turning in his head haha.

By the way, we differentiate the parks by, big park, little park and now there has been an added new park.. called new park...haha  He still pretty much only likes to swing, observe and take in the whole scene.  He isn't one to get in the mix of things and still shy's away from loud kids.  I don't think it is any big deal, but it would probably be better if he burned a little more energy at the park ;)

Just one more time

Negotiations are starting young.  This little guy likes to throw this line around all the time nowadays.  "(fill in the blank) just one more time" and he says it like it's no big deal...."watch iPad just one more time" "Throw the car in the dogs water just one more time" "play something just one more time".  

I made the huge parental mistake of saying "ok" in the early stages of this... actually I kind of started it all because I always warn him by saying 'we have to leave after one more time on the swing' or 'you can watch one more song than we have to eat lunch' etc etc..... I have found that warning him keeps things working smoothly. However, it has made him an expert negotiator.  His negotiations are basically let me do it one more time or else I'll throw a terrible 2's tantrum.  Well, not really, but sometimes.  

I say 'no' sometimes, of course, but I have learned to pick my battles with an unreasonable little dude.  Usually this is not a battle I pick and I just let him do *whatever* one more time.  Then we move on to the next adventure.  

I just like his grin here.  We are eating biscuits from Loveless cafe.

Every boy needs a biscuit and a stick, right?

I love them goofing around.  They were doing spins in front of the double arch bridge

Ahh Touch

I always want those special moments with Nate that you see in pictures.  You know the pictures where the mom and kid look lovingly into each others eyes.  Or they are holding hands skipping in a flower field.  Or they are snuggling in front of a fire in comfy pajamas.  You know the pictures.... If I tried to recreate those same pictures it would look more like this...

If I try looking at Nates eyes he'd laugh at me.... Or if I'm holding his hand in any field I'm probably squirming from bees while Nathaniel picks up rocks.... Or if we are snuggling there is probably an iPad nearby playing some goofy video about finger families or wheels on the bus.  Maybe I just need a professional photographer... :)

Anyway, my super Hallmarky moments aren't quite as perfect as they are in my mind or how social media would have you believe it should be.  But, but, but... Nathaniel is doing the most adorable thing and the closest thing to that Hallmarky moment.  He lightly places his hands on your face (cheeks) and looks right at you.  Sometimes he will give you a kiss even, but mostly he wants your undivided attention.  He sure gets it doing that move.  I like having it done to me as much as I love watching him do it to Kevin.  It is just so sweet.  This crazy boy every once in awhile slows down and I make sure to take notice!  

I like when he holds hands with me watching the iPad too right before the bedtime routine.  (Yep, he definitely watches too much iPad)  Maybe he is already sly enough to know if he holds my hand I'll let him watch a little longer :)  

Valentines Day

We haven't traditionally celebrated much on Valentines day, but with Nathaniel I felt like it would be fun to do something.  I had seen something on Pinterest where you write a special note on a heart and leave it on your kids bedroom door from Feb 1-14.  That sounded perfect.  Easy, meaningful, not expensive.  He really enjoyed getting up in the morning to see the new message.  We'd write simple things like 'Mommy loves to dance with you' or 'Kona and Mocha like to give you kisses' or 'You're special' .... you get the point, just short little love notes.  Here are a few pictures.  Happy late Valentines Day :)

$5 from Grandma Hahm - I'm so excited to buy a toy!!!!

I like his super happy face here

I saw this and couldn't resist not taking a picture - they are holding hands

First for Everything

The scene was so sad and pathetic.  We had just got back from a very (I mean a VERY) quick trip to Orlando. 

Side Note:  Nathaniel had a great time hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Hahm.  Kevin and I actually left Nate with them all day when we drove around in Orlando.  This is the longest he has been with anyone else his whole life. This is probably not normal for most kids, but normal for us.  He had a great time going to the park and playing with toys.  He even took a nap – a long nap – in a regular bed!!! 

Anyway, back to the story.  After an all day drive and kind of a messed up sleep schedule Nate was a little off (as was I).  But, a day or two went by and we were back into our routine…. So I thought. 

Nathaniel was waking up a bit during the night and at nap time, which isn’t normal for him.  He is a very good sleeper (knock on wood).  Then on Wed he wasn’t drinking his milk like he normally does.  He napped for an unusually long time.  Good for me, but not normal.  When he woke up he didn’t want any milk.  Then my gut just felt like something was off.  But, he was playing so I just chalked it up to getting back into our groove.  We headed downstairs.  Nate asked for his Ipad.  (WAIT back up, did I just type his Ipad????  It is still my Ipad, but doesn’t really feel like it hahaha).

So I headed off to my room to grab the Ipad.  That is when I heard something strange, then crying.  I ran back into the family room to find the saddest boy ever.  He threw up.  It was all over him.  He looked so scared.  This was his first time ever having thrown up.  Think about how scary that is.  You feel awful, you don’t know what is going on and there is crap all over you.  BTW, this kid does not like goo on him so it was extra tragic.  I quickly took off everything, grabbed a wet towel and cleaned him up.  I got him to lay down, calm down and watch the Ipad. 

Mind you while I’m doing all this I’m keeping the curious dogs away.  I wanted to clean up the mess (I mean come on, it’s me your talking about) but the minute I’d leave Nate’s side he’d say ‘Mommy mommy’ so I just laid there with him.  Comforting him.  Poor boy. 

Kevin came home a bit later.  This is a daddy’s boy so he was extra happy to see daddy and get daddy love.  Kevin took over comforting duty while I cleaned up.  Not my favorite job thus far as a mother.  I’m sure a sentiment all moms would agree with, including my own. 

I tried to bring in a trash can for any further * incidents * but Nate kept getting mad at me.  He apparently doesn’t want to try and use that to throw up in.  That will take time I guess.  I’m happy I haven’t had to worry about this until now, I just felt so so so sad for him.  He just looked so pathetic.  It was the first time I had seen him scared in this particular way.  I guess I said ‘It’s ok’ too many times because he kept saying that later, over and over and over again.  I need to start really watching what I say as he listens and catches on.  I got to make sure what I say is what I want him to remember and hopefully helps him, not scare him even more.

Luckily (knock on wood again) it was just one instance.  It must have been something he ate.  It is still a mystery.  He still doesn’t seem 100% to me so maybe he has a little bug or something.  Not a bug strong enough to keep him from playing at the park ;) 

To the End of the Internet

When Nathaniel was a baby - I couldn’t help myself - I looked up so much information in a book or on the internet.. wherever I could find answers or interesting things to read.  What are the milestones, what should he eat, what should he drink, medical stuff like vaccines, how should he be playing, is he too shy, what should I be teaching him, how much sleep should he get, on and on and on.  Luckily, he was such a happy and healthy baby that I kind of just aimlessly looked up stuff. 

Then he turned one/one and a half… I noticed I was looking up less stuff.  But, I still looked up stuff.  Usually the same stuff as before just age appropriate, but with added activity stuff to help him develop motor skills, a love for reading, classes we can do and on and on. 

Now that he is getting close to 2 and a half I’ve noticed I pretty much just hope for the best haha.  I haven’t looked up much at all.  I guess suddenly I expect him to develop on his own.  What?  That seems crazy.  Really it does, I need to get my act together again.  Geez.  For instance, I know I need to be moving him to a different type of cup, but I just procrastinate in finding out what I should do.  Also, he is getting close to moving to a big boy bed, but I have no idea what to do for that.  He is going to definitely be the kid that stands at the top of the stairs and says ‘hello’ and doesn’t stay put.  It would make travel easier though.

Sleeping arrangements while travelling are really tough right now.  He doesn’t and hasn’t really slept anywhere else ever, including our bed, so he is used to his crib and only his crib.  When we travel he is on a regular bed wondering what is happening.  I can hardly blame him for being a bit confused.  I guess I should probably start reading up on how best to transition him.

Ok so I digressed a bit.  But, research, reading, etc. is just as important so I don’t know why I don’t obsess about it like I used to.  Ok, obsess is a strong word.  It is true he can tell me a lot more so that certainly helps.  Maybe that’s it, since he can tell me stuff I feel less like I’m guessing.  Also, maybe because it just seems like playing and interacting is so fun I don’t want to make it too complex.  Although I’d like to start putting together some form of a pre pre pre school type program.  Pinterest here I come… maybe… when I have time.  Nathaniel does tell me to get off the phone or computer now.  ‘No that mommy’  Then I feel guilty because he noticed I wasn’t paying attention to him.  Maybe that is what I should research – how technology is ruining the relationship with your kid ;) j/k…    

Hey Little Dude, Seriously?

I feel like this is what Kona is thinking every time Nathaniel talks to her, "Little Dude, Seriously?"  She is thinking that because she is still wondering why Nathaniel calls her 'kaka'... it's true.  No matter how many times we say 'Kona' Nate still says 'Kaka' it is the strangest thing.  I guess she looks like a kaka to him.  I hear it so much that every once in awhile I hear myself saying it.  'Do you want to give kaka a cookie?' Whoops... I mean Kona.  He does pretty well when you tell him how to say other things, but for some reason he just chooses kaka.  Cracks me up.  It's not the prettiest of nicknames either ;)  

On a side note, my pretty girl Kona had her teeth cleaned and some mast cells (cancer bumps) removed last Monday.  She was so out of when she got home :(  but she is doing fine now.  Kevin was out of town and it was so hard trying to cuddle her and play with Nate.  Needless to say I was tired at the end of the night.  

What?, he was listening?!?

We read as much as we can to Nathaniel, but really it tends to happen the most after he wakes up and before he goes to sleep (naps too).  He certainly does what every kid does and likes to hear the same stories over and over.  He will like one book for a week or two and then never pull it out again for weeks.  Recently, anything Dr. Suess has been the book of choice.  

A couple of weeks ago when I was reading 'Go Dog Go' Nathaniel took over.  He recited almost every word of the book.  I was like Whoa.  When did he start remembering the stories.  It was so cool and took me completely by surprise.  He actually is listening and following along, I love it.  I think I was so surprised because he hasn't been sitting through stories as much as he used to.  He is constantly jumping around, or chasing Mocha, or running in circles, or dumping all his toys everywhere and laughing, or hiding stuff in random places, or watching the iPad (whoops bad mom alert)... he is your typical energy ball like all toddlers at this age.  

Even though he is an energy ball I tend to finish whatever story we started even if he gets up.  It's nice to know that he is paying attention even if he isn't sitting.  He is a boy so I figured he couldn't multi-task.... haha... j/k.  Another story he likes to recite is 'The Eye Book' and 'The Nose Book'... he is even pretty good at knowing a lot of 'Gus and the Firefly'.  

Who knows what books will catch his attention in the next few months, but at least I know he enjoys it :)  It is great confirmation.  Sometimes as a parent, it is so hard to know if your daily routines are working, but they are and show up randomly when you least expect it.  Side Note: For as many times as I have read these stories I certainly haven't memorized them, darn old age ;)

Fix It

Generation after generation little kids always think their parents can fix everything.  They can right?  They should be able to answer all questions and fix anything broken.  This notion certainly hasn't skipped a generation.  Nathaniel uses this phrase a lot A LOT.  Sometimes we can actually fix something, but we get into some sticky situations sometimes.

It is hard to fix a broken cracker.  Broken tree limbs are an interesting request.  Lots of toys need fixed, which usually is a battery so that is an easy request.  It is hard to fix the internet when it is running slow and a game or show won't load. A shattered sucker is near impossible.  The latest has been the request to fix the family room fan.  This is a fan that has been broken for over a year.  It suddenly started working again capturing Nates attention only to break again.  He keeps saying, 'Fix it' Not going to happen.  It certainly doesn't happen any quicker by saying it 15 times.  (The amount of times a toddler can repeat something is a lesson in persistence) 

I love that he looks immediately to us to fix things though.  You feel like a superhero if only for a second - 'Mommy fix it'  I hope to bottle that and keep it forever, especially when he is in high school and all I do is ruin his life somehow  ;)