He reads!

So Nate was never much interested in books as a toddler; I blamed it on the fact that we didn't spend much time reading to him. Seems logical, right?

But, as you can imagine, we don't do things much differently with Jack and at least three times a day I find him sitting somewhere (on the couch, in a chair, or smack in the middle of the floor) with a book. Heck sometimes I find him standing stock still in the middle of the room looking through a book. He hoots at pictures, points, smiles, and sometimes brings them to me to share the joy. I now keep one in my purse and when he gets antsy in the car I just give it to him and watch the grin spread over his face.















I get such a kick out of this kid!

Fourth of July

Stewart took such wonderful photos on our weekend away that I'll just muck them up if I write too much about them. I'll try to let them speak for themselves.



Nate hanging out with his beloved older cousins:



and learning different "hand bumps":



Cherubs cavorting:













In the fireworks glow:

Funny conversations

I've been jotting down funny things that Nate has said to me over the last year or so; I keep meaning to work them into a post. Seeing as how they're building up I thought I'd just make one post of them so I don't forget or lose them. Without further ado...

Ages ago, I asked Nate something about his brother; probably what he liked to do with Jack and he told me "I love him and I kiss him and I push him" which was about right, and still is.

Last week I was starting the bath, sitting on the edge of the tub, and watched Nate head into the hallway towards Jack. Sensing something, I peeked through the gap between the door and the wall and saw him take Jack's arm and push him backwards. I came around the door and growled "We do not push Jack" and Nate's started response was "But you didn't see me!" (My response? "I see everything.")

Another ages ago: Nate was asking for a snack and I asked him "What about Goldfish?" and he said "What about NO?"

Six months ago? We were driving home from Charlottesville and Nate was pointing everything out, like he always does. I usually respond with some nonsensical "Hi truck!" or "Hi house!" and this time I said the requisite "Hi star!" and had Nate respond "It's not a talking star, it's a night star!"

A few months ago Nate took Jack's ball away from him and I made him give it back. Nate told me "Then I don't love you anymore." I swallowed hard and casually told him "That's okay, I love you enough for both of us." Later we had a little talk about how words like that can make people feel sad and he told me "Well I still love you a little bit.

And lastly a not particularly funny but super-cute one:

Nate: "We all have jobs, right?"
Leah: "We do!"
Nate: "What's Daddy's job?"
Leah: "He helps people fix their computers. What's your job?"
Nate thinks for a while...
Nate: "My job is to be a good brother to Jack."
Leah: "Yes, and to be a good boy for us."
Nate: "What's Jack's job?"
Leah: "He's so little, he doesn't really have one yet."
Nate: "I know! His job is to take care of pink doll."

Is my kid the sweetest or what?

Traditions

My family took a trip to King's Dominion, or occasionally another amusement park, at least once a year. It was a blast and it was one of the first traditions I planned for "when I have kids."

On Thursday my sister and I took Nate to Sesame Place for the first of what will surely be many trips to the amusement park.

There was much playing and running and climbing:



He's perfected his "camera smile" - here with Deborah on Big Birds Balloon Race:



He met super-heroes:



and was spoiled rotten by Aunt Deborah with large sugary treats:



We saw Big Bird marching next to the Big Bird float in the big parade:



and stood in his foot prints on the way out of the park:



Mom and Nate together before we left:



and Nate so tired on the way home that when we stopped for dinner he slept while I put him in the stroller and slept all the way through the meal. Tired boy:



Nate was pretty brave; he balked at the roller coaster and after Deborah and I rode it we were thrilled that he'd skipped it - it was pretty intense. He dove head-first into all the kid rides and recovered nicely from a scary experience on a waterslide. Next year he'll be a whole different kid and I think it'll be time for King's Dominion and all of the kiddie rides there. And the year after we'll bring Jack along for the fun!

My special guys

Today we went out for lunch with my sister and parents, and a few of my sister's friends. It was a normal lunch and we had a nice time. On the way out one of my sister's friends came up to me and said "I just want to tell you how well behaved your kids are. I'm a teacher, and I can't believe how great they were." It made my day.



Nate helps out in little ways all the time, too. He gets Jack's shoes for me, brings the newspaper to the table, carries groceries from the car, hauls bags to the car...he's just a great helper kid.

And in-between his sometimes-moodiness and grumpiness, Nate is the most incredibly caring and giving brother and son. He never ceases to amaze me. He's always giving Jack some of his juice, bites off of his plate, and toys. If Jack's upset, he runs to find Pink Doll or a pacifier. At lunch today he was handing bites of his spaghetti, and sips of his OJ, all around the table. He and Jack are just starting to be able to play together and boy is the cuteness making me want another baby. But that's a different post for a different day, right?

But seriously, who wouldn't want more of this around?

First day of camp!

Nate had his first day of camp today and it truly could not have gone better.



On the way over I talked to him about whether or not he wanted me to stay with him and he decided that he didn't (I planned to stick around for a bit regardless). We made our way to the community center and opened the door to the room - Nate shrunk against me and said really quickly "I want you to stay." It took about 4 minutes for him to start playing with the toys in the room and about 15 for him to peel off and hit the big, huge, fabulous playground. I tried to say goodbye but he was too interested in playing - I got a half-hearted hug before he tore off back to the swings.

And that was it! Camp was supposed to go until 5 but I headed over around 2:45 to check on him. He was crashed out sound asleep on his bedroll (they do rest time from 1:30 to 3). I let Jack play in the playground while I peeked in and watched the wonderful aide, Miss Raquel, gently try over and over to wake Nate up. She was so sweet and kind and ended up cradling him like a baby while he came back to life. Then they started Snack #2 and I went in and crashed the party. He was a little grumpy from having his nap aborted but couldn't have cared less about having his first full-day away from me. He's just tough as nails.

I'm thoroughly thrilled with the facility and the teachers. They are so kind and warm and genuinely happy to be there with the kids. The classroom is tiny but they have access to an enormous fenced-in playground and lots of other play areas. They take a field-trip every Monday, sometimes to a pool (with a kiddie pool). All of this for $100 for each two-week session! Thrilled.

Tomorrow I'll leave him until 4 and see how it goes. I feel so foot-loose and fancy-free!

Quick update

I know, I know - I missed another Nate newsletter. We're just so busy with buying the house, getting Nate ready to start camp tomorrow (!) and regular life that I just had to let it go.

Jack had his 18-month checkup last week and the doctor is very happy with his progress. She said if he came in as a new patient she wouldn't have any concerns about his speech or development. He has about 16 words that he uses totally independently now and several more that he repeats. He's now trying Please ("peeeeee!") and All Done. He's cruising along, and my concerns are by the wayside. I'm so grateful that this sweet boy of mine is okay.



Here are his stats from the appointment:

Height: 33.5 inches (75-90th percentile)
Weight 26.2 pounds (50-75th percentile)
Head circumference: 50 cm (95th percentile - thank goodness he didn't come out the old fashioned way!)

So Nate starts camp tomorrow and it'll be the first time he goes full-day (the hours are 9-5 but I'll probably head over around 3:30 or 4). I'm very aware that this is a major turning-point in Nate's life and in mine, too. I feel like we're at the top of the hill and he's about to head down the other side - I can see him starting slowly and picking up speed as he moves towards his life, and away from life with me.

I know I've made mistakes with him. It's just in the last weeks that I've found a middle-ground where I'm still enforcing the discipline but taking the edge off so we're getting through the days with a lot more laughter and fun. I wish I'd found it sooner. I regret so many days I could have lighten the mood, played a little more, worked a little less.

But I also know I must have done okay because he still wants me around, he still asks me to play, he wants to hug me when I'm sad, and he's got the greatest heart I've ever seen. He's giving and loving and kind, and if he's also sassy and grumpy sometimes I'll take him exactly the way he is.



Any minute he's going to grow up - I've already seen it happen with his friends. They're already concerned with how they look, what they say - they already don't want Mom around. Nate's not there yet and I promise to savor all of this little-boy time we have left. I'm so grateful for him, for his spirit, for his fun, for his sweetness.



Love you Natey.