Camping and Thanksgiving

We had a busy few weekends, but oh so much fun! For Stephanie's birthday we went on our 2nd annual camping expedition and Nate had a blast! So much open space and attention, what more could you ask for. He wasn't too keen on going to bed though, and since he doesn't fall asleep on us well anymore, we hit the hay early with him. I got to sneek back out to the party, but Bob seemed pretty tired, so he and Nate just slept on! It was a bit chilly, but worth it for the quiet.

We used to have a Christmas Eve tradition of camping, but since my pregnancy, and Nate being so little last year, we haven't returned to it. We considered it this year, but after camping in Yosemite, we realized how hard it is to camp with just the 3 of us, no one to help entertain while things get set up, etc. Therefore, to stay within the spirit of our tradition, we have rented a cabin on the outskirts of a horse ranch in Julian for Christmas Eve. We are looking forward to some chilly weather and a change of scenery.

Thanksgiving was at our house this year, being the biggest of the small houses (and if you have been to our house, I know it is hard to imagine it is the biggest). But, we do have ample space in the backyard. The weather chilled on us a bit, but with the use of a heater we rented, it was perfect outside for dinner and beyond. My folks and Cristina drove down from Claremont, Suzanne and Brian came over early to help with preparations, and Lowell and her dad showed up around noon. Nate was in heaven with all the attention...AGAIN! Suzanne and I made our traditional 2 (yes, 2) 20 lbs turkeys! One is for leftovers! There were also massive amounts of mashed potatoes and gravy as well as all the other good stuff. Our friend Lowelly and her dad spent the holiday with us and brought with them 4 homemade pies! I know, you must be wondering how many of us were at this Thanksgiving feast...9 (yes, only 9!) But, it was so good and everyone had plenty to take home with them.

Happy beginning to the holiday season.

18 Month Doctor's Appointment

Nathaniel had his 18 month doctor's appointment yesterday and is doing great! Dr. Sianno said he looks like he will continue to be "long and lanky." He now weighs 24 lbs. 6 oz. (25%) and is 33 inches long (75%). He continues to have "big brains" and they always insist on measuring his head more than once to double check. It is always the same (97%). She is happy to know he eats and sleeps very well, isn't using a bottle, loves books, and has a few words and a lot of signs. She also said that he is one of the happiest 18 month olds she has seen in a long time since they usually see the white coat and start to scream. Nate was to entranced by all the new toys and his Aunt Suzanne who came along for the ride. He only got one shot, his flu shot, and although he cried a little, he was over it in time to wave to the nurse as she walked out the door. We aren't scheduled to go back until he turns 2 years old. Glad to know he is healthy and happy.

He continues to really try out the hitting and we have started trying mini timeouts in response. But, he also has days when he is all about sharing and hugs! Today at the park he had his first experience being left out and it was really sad. Three little boys (ranging from 2-3 1/2) were playing with trucks under the slide, so he carried his bus all the way across the playground to join them and as he approached they all yelled, "No babies allowed!" He looked so sad and turned and carried his bus back to where he was playing. The other mom told them that wasn't nice and that he could play if he wanted, but by then he was settled back down. Just a glimpse into the future of friendships and sibling disputes.

October Pictures

Nate and his friend Eva in their costumes. Another of them on Sundays in support of their daddy's football teams. Nate and Grammy & trampoline jumping at gym class. Only Grammys can towel dry hair without protest! Nate & Eva hit the road on his motercycle.


How can I get out of here??? Park and petting zoo fun!

Thursday hikes with the girls before it got too dark. Nate had so much fun!

Tantrums & Body Parts

I have been having some trouble with uploading pictures and so this has taken me a while to post. I still can't get the pictures in that I wanted so I will go ahead and post and hopefully I will get better at it soon so I will be motivated to update more often.

I started writing this over a month ago...

We are finally recovered from the stomach flu, followed by the cutting of more teeth. Now Nate's appetite is back and we figure he must be going through a growth spurt because the amounts he can put away are amazing!

Along with feeling better comes returning to discovering and trying new things and behaviors. I had worked on body parts with Nate a while back but he didn't seem to interested, and we hadn't really revisited since. So, one evening while watching a Baby Einstein video, I said he should be ready now to try again. Out of curiosity, Bob asked, "Where is your nose?" And to our amazement, he pointed to his, then ours. We went on to try eyes (which he signals with a really cute slow blink, blink, blink), ears, hands, head, mouth, feet, and toes. He knew them all!!! We figure Carron must work on them a bit at daycare, but also realize how incidental learning can occur. We are trying to capture it on video, but he seems to get camera shy when he sees it. Although, that may be part of his new trying to establish control attitude.

Nate is also testing out tantrums as well. He very carefully flings himself to the ground, flails, kicks, and screams. This usually only occurs when he is exhausted, but he does test it when he is not getting his way as well. Right now, I just try to clear the area around him and walk out of the room. He wants and audience and I don't want to encourage this behavior...because although sometimes it is quite funny, other times it is just exhausting. He also alternates between swatting/hitting his friends and giving big hugs to them. I prefer hugs of course, but I know it is just a developmental stage he is going through. It is always nice when other parents understand that too, although some look at you like you can't control your kid.

Grandma just came down to spend a few days and spent the day babysitting Nate on Tues. She took him to gym class and then she and Suzanne took him to the zoo. The is definately remembering who people are now, even if he doesn't see them for a while. Grandma left Wednesday afternoon, and Grammy arrived! She had such a great time seeing all Nate's new tricks! He was just inching along, holding onto furniture last time she saw him and now is trying to run and jump, climbing on everything...pretty much fearless! Both Grandma's loved that his new favorite word is YEAH!!! said with such excitement at almost everything. Nate, do you want to eat? Yeah! Do you want to take a bath? YEAH!! He is also now dunking his head under in the bathtub, laying on his belly and kicking, and splashing up a storm. He LOVES his bathtime!

Nate also learned to catch a ball last week and has been working on perfecting his new skill. He loves to go on walks and look for birds, cats, and dogs. It is now an evening ritual, and on my days off a morning one as well. The birds have now become an obsession and we have to go down to the park and feed them. It creeps me out a bit, but he sure enjoys it!

For Halloween he was a San Diego Charger (he wouldn't let me near him with the chicken costume again) and his friend Eva was a Charger cheerleader. He got to come to school with me for our Halloween Parade, and then went to daycare to hang out with his friends. We went for an evening walk, but figure we will wait another year to go trick-or-treating.

He continues to be a happy and positive little guy most of the time and he is more and more fun to hang out with.