Nate the Great at 11 months

For the sake of time…I’m messing up tradition…it’s just going to be a recap.  But, that’s better than my performance at 10 months – because that just didn’t happen!

So for the sake of my sweet boy’s 11 month birthday being noted on their little blog…here we go.

11 months…oh my goodness.  That is just one month away from ONE YEAR!  What a beautiful whirlwind.

Sweet little fella, you are so much fun.  We laugh more with you in our lives and it is GREAT to see the way our family is enriched with your presence.  Many prayers as we see the sweet boy you are becoming, that God would graciously grow your character and your love for others.  Nate, you are a great little sleeper.  You have found your morning rhythm and take a solid 2-3 hour nap in the morning, followed by a 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon.  Thanks for being kind to your momma.  You love to eat.  Never have I seen a child who loves to eat so much.  And you will eat everything.  It is awesome.  And when we sign to you “all done”  you throw your head back and whine.  I probably shouldn’t laugh so much, but it is darn funny.  And you come up laughing – so I’m pretty sure you’re putting on a show anyway.  You are still pretty big, scale-wise.  In the 75 % for weight at your last check-up and off the charts for height.  Nate’s wearing 12 month or 18 month clothes (YAY for hand me downs from lots of boy cousins!!)  You are so not interested in walking.  You started standing on your own for a few seconds the other day, but that didn’t impress you too much.  You still think crawling rocks.

Some glimpses of your 11 month “party”:

(Not post-related, but this picture of abi just makes me smile.  So her.)

Sister taking care of business for you.

Nate, you are so loved!  You are a special boy indeed.

Two of a Kind

If one has ever doubted that they are brother & sister…doubt no more.

Nate…just has his tongue out all the time.  It’s kind of weird to me.  Yet, endearing as well!  Abi?  Well, she’s like her momma.  Also weird…when we’re in extreme concentration…tongue comes out.  I mean it was a big deal, Abi had to help rescue the princesses – serious stuff.  (Apparently so serious that we didn’t have time to wipe her mouth off after breakfast, oops.)

Sometimes, it’s just good to believe…

One of my favorite “unexpected joys” of parenting has been bringing my imagination back to life.  From making up stories in the car and as she goes to sleep; to being immersed in the world of make-believe (remember, my little lady is in dress-up clothes daily) – it has been so refreshing (and challenging at times!) to have my imagination be used again.  It’s probably a little sad that it had been in the land o’ slumber for so long.

So for that Abi, I thank you!

Announcing…

The Children’s Museum at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science!

Abi & some of her friends from school were asked to jump out of a box (literally) to announce a large donation that was enabling the Children’s Museum to be moved/built in the lowest floor of the new (opening in early 2013) and AMAZING Perot Museum of Nature & Science.  We can’t wait.

Full story here.

This obviously happened a while ago.  But, we had such a good time being a part of a neat experience – that I thought it was worth documenting here in this childhood blog o’ ours.

 

 

  

If you have the winter blues…

This is for all of our dear friends who don’t live in Texas.  Even though it has been delightfully chilly in Dallas the past week or so.

Just put on your swimsuit. Then you feel like it’s 73 degrees (or whatever you have your thermostat set to!) outside – and you can’t wait to go swimming.

Now, I understand that 73 degrees doesn’t make most people want to go swimming.  It doesn’t even make me want to go swimming anymore.  But, if you grow up where it’s relatively “chilly” in the summer…well, sometimes you have to rally and get pumped to swim when the temps are in the 70s.  Aka growing up in Michigan.

*Can you tell that Abi is excited to go to her cousin’s house for his “polar swim” party.  She couldn’t wait to try on her ‘end of season and mega cheap’ swimsuit!

Oh wait! One more thing – Nate the Great 9 months

Perhaps the best thing of all this month…

Nate says “mama”

Granted, it’s mostly when he’s really sad or really hungry…but it’s there!!  The words that make every momma’s heart melt!

Joy!

Nate the Great at 9 months

Weight: According to the Wii, he’s rockin’ it at 21 lbs.

Length: I’m estimating a solid 30 inches

Head Circumference: I’m taking this out until 10 months, when I’ll have an official stat :)

Eating: 6-8 ounces 4 times a day (wake up / around 11:30 / after nap / before bed).  Nate is such a content fella (except for when I walk out of the room, we’re having some separation issues!) – however, when this boy is hungry – he is not happy.  When his tummy is full, ahh pure joy.  Nate loves avocado, cheese, and really doesn’t know what to think about chicken.  He has a hard time with that one.

Bedtime: 7:00-7:30pm

Awake: We’re back to the sweet spot of not waking up until 7/7:30 am.  Oh, hallelujah!  I am thankful for the peace in the morning until 7, and he is a happier camper for sure.   A lot of this is still contingent on how good of a sleeper Abi is.  If she wakes up early and is not quiet, well then she wakes up brother.  We really do take it one day at a time.  Sharing a room has been a process, one we’re glad that we’re on…but a process nonetheless. 

Naps: Morning Nap (1-2 hours) – and another 1-2 hours in the afternoon.  I have been given really good sleepers for kiddos.  The goodness of this is not lost on me.  I am thankful.

Diapers: size 3, and the cloth are about to go up to their largest size.  Buddy is getting BIG!

Clothes: 9 months or  12 months (depending on brand)/ 12 month  and 18-24 month (haha, if they’re hand-me-downs and have been washed many times!) sleepers *same as 8 months

Favorites: Standing up!  Nate is pulling up on everything and is always quite proud of himself.  He is working on being able to stand on his own without support…but that usually ends with a quick landing on the bottom.  FOOD & Abi  - his ball!!  Oh my gosh, nothing makes him laugh or gets him to “exercise” like this one green ball that we have.  It is love.   Tickles on bellies, and things that are “off limits” – for example, eating leaves / playing by the fire place / cords!  Oh, these boys!!

Latest "tricks": Pulling up for sure.  It is crazy to see how this little handsome man is growing up so quickly.  He enriches our days to be sure.