Unlocking the Mystery

Nate has been in school 3 weeks ( 5 classes) ~Knock on wood~ it is still going well.  I wouldn't say he is overly excited to go, but he doesn't resist either.  There are a few 'I want to go to the park mommy, no school' type things said.  He doesn't say it with a lot of passion and doesn't seem to mind when I say 'maybe after school we can go to the park' so I'll take that as a good sign.  

Side Note: I went to my first *Back to School* parent night.  I feel so official, like I'm part of some bigger system now.  It was a huge milestone for me.  Me, a parent, sitting with all kinds of other parents.  Yes, saying that at my age seems funny, but it's true.  Basically, I learned that these parent nights are just to tell you how to be civil in the parking lot, pay on time, don't send your kids to school sick and by all means no goodies for bdays and if you even bring a peanut into the bldg you are out ;)

Ok, back to the mystery... what are the best mystery novelists? Agatha Christie? Mary Higgins Clark? Michael Connelly? Fyodor Dostoyevsky? I'm not well read anymore... I should probably watch less tv in my 10 min of free time at the end of the day and start a current bucket list book list.  I tend to read articles instead of anything substantial nowadays... :(  Maybe I'll put that on my new year's resolution list.... ahahaha like I make one of those ;)

Oh yeah, back to Nathaniel and school.  When I pick him up from school my mystery solving skills come alive.  The mystery is 'What the heck did he do for the last 2 hours?' I get a bit and piece on the way to the car.  These are usually what you might call 'give me's' since I base the question on the worksheets/artwork in his cubby.  For example, he had a square dobber project and a cut out shapes project.  So I say, "Did you learn about squares today?" and he says "Yes, we did".   Another give me is, "Did you eat your snack today?" 

After the first round of questions I try to dig deeper.  What did you do on recess?  He usually mentions not wanting to wear a sweatshirt and that a bell rings and they have to go in.... no activities mentioned.. so I say, "Did you play with sand?" or "Did you play with a ball?" every once in a while I'll get from him "soccer ball and I made baskets" Ok well that's something.  

I ask if he went potty... and a couple of times he has said 'I stand and aim'.... ok great!  No wet or poopy pants have come home so that's good (for everyone!!)  

If I'm lucky he sings a little bit of a song... I don't always catch on to what it is though, but he sings it kind of low and smiley and then stops.  I assume he doesn't know whatever he is saying very well so he just kind of muttles through it.  At least I know there was a song.  I know they've used maracas and egg shakers too.

I get glimpses of rules he is learning very randomly.  For instance, we walked up stairs and he said "Hold on to the rail for safety mommy" ... I know I haven't said that so that is new.  He also said "I don't want to stand on the Dr. Suess head"... ok .. well I learned this is how they line up to go places... haha (he already wants to break the rules)  

I think the hardest part of the mystery so far is figuring out what they read.  I have gotten ZERO hints about any books on any day.  I am sure they read at least 2 a class.  I'm wondering what he is doing during the story... is he listening?  He doesn't sit well at home for books so who knows.  He is always listening to the story, but he likes to move around.

One of the most funny answers I've gotten so far was this - I asked "Do you play with any friends in class" and Nate said "Yes, 2".... I was excited, huge progress from a boy who was mortified at the thought of a kid in line behind him at the slide at the park.. I asked "Do you remember their names?" and he said "Yes, my teachers Miss Lisa and Miss Diane"..... well ok, at least I know he likes his teachers haha!!  He does call visitors friends lately.  When Kevin and his parents left for the airport a few weeks ago Nate said "I only have one friend left, meaning me (mom)" and he called my sister 'his friend' when we were in the car going somewhere.  Kind of cute and possibly sad for him.

I've heard the mystery of what happens at school is a never ending battle so I have that to look forward too!! But for now I think it is so fun and cute to try and piece together what happened.  I eavesdrop on his conversation with dad before bed as they 'recap' the day.  Sometimes I learn even more stuff... and I almost have a partial picture of what happens.  Partial at best. 

Daddy Daddy Daddy

This is what Nathaniel likes to say A LOT.  Where's Daddy?  I want Daddy? So how do I feel about Nate being a daddy's boy???  

There are days I get annoyed.  For instance, when I tell him, "No" or discipline him for something he tends to want *Daddy*  (Is Daddy more of a pushover (I mean nicer) than Mommy?..... uh yes.  ;)  Daddy hugs are also more comforting for some reason - I think its because of the bigger arm reach, right? right? 

There are also days I am not annoyed at all.  For instance, at 3am when he wakes up he yells for *Daddy* While I never ever want Nate scared etc. I don't mind sleeping while *Daddy* checks on him.  He also likes *Daddy* to put him to bed...yep, free time for mom (well sort of, I end up vacuuming or doing laundry, things off the to-do list or I get to give the dogs some extra love and attention which is great or catch up on a DVR'd show... ok yep the to-do list sometimes gets ignored)

I guess some Mommy's would never ever admit this, let alone blog about it, but it's all in good fun.  How can I ever mind my son loving his dad.  I'd rather have a dad that pays his son so much attention that he has become a Daddy's boy than a loser deadbeat dad.  Plus, I get a lot of hugs and 'I Love You's' (even when Dad is around) so I'm not to jealous.... YET.... I can't wait to use the line "I labored for like 16 hours and had a major surgery for you yada yada yada" :)  

Nate Goes to School

Well, sort of... It's a 2 hour 2 day a week preschool thing.  It is a class called 'Older 2's' He has not had a lot of opportunity to be around a lot of kids his age - that's what we get for moving around a lot and being away from family :(  We thought it might be a bit of a confidence booster if he had some socialization and a chance to be around someone other than us (we aren't that exciting).  He tends to shy away from crowds and kids at the park and stuff.  Now that I write that though it could be about me or Kevin too hahaha... it is definitely in his genes.  

The meet and greet with the teachers was on Tues and his first *alone* class was today (Thurs).  At the meet and greet he held my hand the whole time and any time a kid came close he would say 'Let's get out of here'.  I was extremely nervous/anxious/mortified/stressed out/sweaty/etc. etc. - was this the right thing to do? Should I wait a year?  Am I setting him up to be on a future episode of Dr. Phil where he recalls his traumatic experience at 'Older 2's' class???!!! 

So Thurs came.  First of all, I didn't plan very early and his backpack I ordered isn't here yet so his bag was an old beach bag I had with a masking tape across it with his name on it.  It looked pretty jalopy, especially since the tape wasn't sticking that well haha...  I know the kids don't care, but I'm sure some mom probably noticed :)  The whole way there he said 'We can stay one minute mom' .... I was thinking to myself .. it's going to be a bit longer than one minute.... 

We were at the classroom door.  We hung his stuff up and quick like ripping off a band-aid I said "Bye, have a great time, I'll be back soon" and left.  That is how we were instructed to do it, of course I follow directions ;)  I walked off.  No tears (me or him).  I then, like a good sneaky mom does, peered through the foggy glass blocks hoping to get a glimpse of him.  It looked like he was playing, the teacher was kneeling beside him.  So off I went.  I crouched the whole way up the walk way looking into the window.  There are 2 teachers and 8 students.  

Any guesses as to what I went and did??  Yep, Starbucks.  Then I went and looked at a pediatrician office, went to the grocery store and picked up Kona for a vet appt (Kona broke her toe and is in a cast for 6 weeks - that is for another blog).  The 2 hours was over.... I had the Imperial March theme song in my head as I walked towards the school.  I walked up to the classroom door and the teacher was walking him out to the hallway.  He looked at me and shouted "I did it, I did it mom" and was smiling so big and running towards me. Yep, I was teary eyed.  I looked over at the preschool director and she was a little too (I had met here a few times prior) It's possible she just had allergies.  That was definitely a Hallmark moment for me.  I was just so relieved and proud and excited for him.  I was so scared he'd hate it and be sad.   

He then was talking and talking and talking.  About how a bell rings and light comes on and that is when recess is over... and that he ate all his popcorn at snack time... they read a book.... they had circle time... I just loved that he was so chatty.

I could breath again - for the 2 hours he was in there I didn't.  

I liked that he was jumping :)

Our First Visitors

Not the alien kind, although that would be pretty cool... well if they were nice :) A visit from Grandma and Grandpa Hahm has already come and gone.  They were our first visitors in Seattle (my sis was a little jealous the title wasn't going to go to her (she is headed here in mid Sept).  We had a big project list for Kevin's dad.  We got a lot of things done; however, not as much as we'd have liked because me and Kevin were behind getting stuff (knobs, faucets, stuff like that) OWELL, we had fun being tourists instead of working!  The biggest thing was that Nate's room got painted (the reveal will come when the decor is all up) It's similar to his last room, with some changes.  

Besides just hanging out and catching up (which really consists of watching and playing with Nate) we did all sorts of Seattly stuff.  When people visit it forces you to learn your new city.  Well the touristy part of it anyway.  We went to the Woodland Zoo, Snoqualmie Falls (top and bottom), Space Needle, Olympic sculpture park, Pike Place Mkt (twice), The Aquarium,  A one hour boat tour along the cityscape, Boehm's chocolate factory, Kirklands' waterfront, Wine tasting at Chateau Ste Michelle, Shopping in a couple of places, Museum of Flight, Hiram M. Chittenden Locks/fish ladder, quick tour of UW campus, I think we saw almost every lake around us (sammamish, pine, union, washington), puget sound, a golf tournament (The Boeing Classic) a 1000 Starbucks runs and a ton of restaurants.  Oh how could I forget the rock throwing.  Almost everywhere we went we tried to find a rock throwing spot.  Nathaniel really likes to throw rocks.  He collected a few everywhere we went with the hopes of finding water.  

One funny thing is we think Nate thinks the space needle is actually Seattle.  There was a Little Einsteins episode where they fly to Seattle and go to the space needle.  After we toured the needle he said Seattle was fun.  Another great moment was when the bears at the zoo put on quite the show for us.  They were real active and one was swimming right in front of us... really cool.  The chowder we ate at Pike Place chowder was pretty tasty.  Nate had to have raspberries while we were there so Kevin found him some.  The market is so full of stuff you never know what Nate zeros in on.  

I think grandma/grandpa really enjoyed aimlessly driving while Nate napped.  We were out and about up until his nap time a lot so he'd fall asleep in the car and I'd keep driving so that he got a little rest.  They got the full tour of a road here called the 202 :)  

It's always hard when they leave.  Not only because of their great company - love our coffee conversations, but you get used to having a helping hand around pretty quickly.  It is so great to see Nate's face light up when someone else gives him all kinds of attention and love.  It was great to watch him point out things to grandpa at the toy store 'Look at this grandpa' I could listen to that all day.  Of course, me and Kevin were chopped liver anytime grandma walked in the room.  'Play with me grandma' 

A couple of the days we had fun relaxing after a day of touring with some rum and coke happy hours.  Nate played with his water table and new kickball game they bought him and we enjoyed the great weather.  Here are a few pictures from our fun times.  Fun times that seemed to fly by.

Kirkland Waterfront

Funny bench Kirkland Waterfront

Wine tasting Chateau Ste Michelle

Nate watching an iPhone at the aquarium (hhhmmm)

Bottom of snoqualmie falls

Grandpa showing Nate the bears

Boat tour with the Space Needle in the background

3 generations throwing stones

Museum of Flight

The Tude is Alive

Attitude that is.  Nathaniel seems to be getting very comfortable as the boss of the house.  HHhmmm that isn't right, is it?  It is very possible that Kevin and I are totally in over our heads with an almost 3 year old.  

Here is a sampling of the best, most used sayings

- "That's enough mommy" or "That's enough dad" with a slight hand extension.  Now, this is usually us tickling him or chasing him.  He may actually have had 'enough'

- "That's a pretty good idea"  Of course this is usually his own idea that most likely contradicts what I've suggested.  For example... I might say, "Get ready to go to the grocery store" and he will say "No grocery store, Let's go to the park, that's a pretty good idea" Another favorite is

- "Don't say that anymore"  This is usually after I've told him not to pinch the dog or to finish his lunch or something.  

- "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOO" ok this one isn't used a lot, thankfully, but boy is it a doozy when he does use it.  His face gets red and he means business.  I feel a little bad because it is so hard not to chuckle a little because of the drama of it all. 

-"I want to hit you" This is one we are working on.  He is definitely trying to learn how to deal with his frustrations.  He is a bit of a hitter when he gets mad.  This is actually a step in the right direction since now he just says it instead of trying to hit.  It can also be a little scary because he says it so calmly haha, like he is calculating some bigger revenge.  Nothing like a little guy to look at you straight away and say 'I want to hit you'.  Oh toddler rage!

-"Mommy (or Daddy) go away" This is how he directs us who gets to play with him at any one time.  For some reason he likes us only one at a time.  So if dad is the playmate choice I'm told 'Mommy go away'... which is usually fine since I need to go do stuff anyway.  

Nate certainly knows what he wants.  I have a feeling he may have my opinionated outspoken side of the gene pool ;)  or it is possible he is a spoiled only child.  HHhhhmmm.

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 ;)