I can't believe how quickly summer has gone! I was attempting to clean the house the other day and found Nate's 2 year doctor's appointment information from the end of June and realized I never posted it. Nate has finally climbed out of the 20% weight percentile and moved up to about the 35%. He now weighs in at a wopping 27.4 lbs. Still a light weight, but healthy as can be. He is 36 inches tall (which has been great since 36 inches is the height requirement for the only rides he can go on at the amusement park outside swimming class). His head remains large...but we will continue to support the "big brains" theory. Other than that, he is on schedule and the doctor said he looks good and seems developmentally on track. What more can you ask for?
Summer has been busy! I decided to sign Nate up for 2 sessions of swimming lessons, so we schedule both Monday and Tuesday mornings around swimming lessons. I am glad we did though because his comfort level seems to have increased quickly. Since no one else signed up for the Tues. spot, he gets private lessons for the same cost! What a bargain. I really like the instructor and feel they are much more competent and prepared than where we went last summer. Nate has perfected his "balloon face" and likes to dive (with assistance) to the bottom of the pool to pick up rings. He also likes to swim through the "hoop of fire" but continues to resist floating on his back a bit, since he doesn't like the water in his ears. At home this all translates to "Maniac in the water!" It has been hot so we have his blow up pool filled. He jumps and falls in with reckless abandon when the pool is uncovered, and dives and stunt rolls across when the cover is on. He has also continued his gym class, but moved up to the next level class, which we are both enjoying. His buddy, Chase, moved up so after a few classes with Nate looking for him, the instructors asked if we would like to move up as well. It has a little more structure and Nate has always liked being with the older kids, so it has been nice. 
Bob and I enjoyed a rare mini vacation up to San Francisco in late July and Nate spent a wonderful weekend with Popah and Momom. He was spoiled rotten and we enjoyed dining out, walking around the city, and sleeping in. Nate had a little spill at the park and scraped both his knees, and immediately said, "I go call Da." So we got a teary phone call and then he bounced back. What a treat it was! We will have to do that more often!
The following weekend Nate and I flew back up to the Bay Area to visit my good friend, Alison, and her family and to celebrate the soon-to-be addition to Laura and Thang's family. That was my first flight with Nate since last summer, and although he did great, it is a challenge traveling solo with a toddler and all the extra stuff. Since he is now 2, we did have to purchase him his own seat and carried on his carseat. That and a DVD helped keep him settled for most of the flight. My mom flew up for the baby shower as well, so that helped when we arrived. We spent a nice day with Alison and her girls, Violet and Greta, and then were joined for dinner by the Toledo clan. We spent Sat. morning at the Oakland Zoo, followed by a very special trip to the Oakland Fire Station, to see Dan. We not only got a tour of the Fire House, a hat, the opportunity to climb in and around the fire engines, but we got a ride in the fire engine around the block! Nate has been addicted to the show on PBS Kids called "Fireman Sam" ever since, although he was a huge fire truck fan before the trip. We has a great time seeing Laura pregnant and spending time with the whole Wilson clan. We had a busy trip, with late nights and short naps, so we were exhausted by the end but had so much fun!
Then home and trying to get back on schedule. We also decided to switch Nate's daycare closer to home and were able to find someone less than 5 minutes away who has space for him come the first of Septemeber. Since I am returning to full time work, this will give Bob the chance to pick him up on days when he is off before me. Additionally, it will be nice for Nate to start making some little friends near where we live. His new daycare will have 6 kids, four of them will be 2 year olds. We have visited several times and I think he will be happy there. She has a HUGE yard. So although we could have a tough first few weeks of school due to all the changes, I think it will work out for all in the end.
I had a work meeting and Popah was nice enough to take 2 days off to come stay with us and take care of Nate while I went to work, since I don't have care for Nate until next month. He took him to swimming lessons and they had a fantastic time together. I think they were both exhausted by the end of each day, but they sure had fun!
Now, we are entering our last week of vacation, swimming lessons, gym class and mommy/son freedom. I am excited to be teaching 3rd grade next year, but the reality of going back full time is starting to hit me. Although Nate stays up a little later these days...7-7:30 (mostly because it is summer and why not?) I have a feeling he will crash out earlier once "school" starts and it gets dark earlier, so I won't get to see him very much. But my plan is to work late Mondays and then leave earlier and earlier as the week progresses. Nate will be my reason to stay focused and get things done so I can get home to see him.
We are excited to have Tami and Jesse coming to visit in a week! I will post more soon!
Hope you all had a wonderful summer!
