Nick & Daddy

Our little mellow man...he's our little equalizer in the family. We have our high strung, dramatic, energetic fireball...Jonathan and then there's little Nick. Our go-with-the-flow, affectionate, silly little cuddle bug. He's been so funny lately as he learns to talk more and of course, exert his will. I witnessed for the first time Nick fighting back when Jonathan took a toy away from him. He'd usually submit and walk away to find something else, but not anymore. He's decided enough is enough. I didn't know whether to stop him wailing on Jonathan with his little arms flapping as he screamed or to sit back and let it play out. I really had to contain my laughter because it was a side of Nick I hadn't seen...but in some small way, wanted to...for the sake of Jonathan realizing he could no longer take advantage of little Nickles. So now, I suppose, it begins. The real sibling rivalry and beginning of my role as referee! Here are a few pictures of some Nick and daddy time! Daddy just loves to come home from work and get the boys all riled up by chasing and throwing them around a bit. They LOVE it!

Ready to go to school

Jonathan is waaaaay excited to go to school next week for two full days to transition him before I go back to work in just a few days. He asks every morning if he's going to school today. If I say no, he cries, puts on his backpack and tries to open the front door. Today he accepted the "no" and instead, put on his backpack and tried to get in his Little People bus. He realized he was too big and then told me his zoo animals were going to school today instead. I'm so thrilled he is excited about going to school...but sad too. I've shed my fair share of tears over the idea of him starting school...it is preschool afterall, but it's a different environment than he's been used to the last three years and as any mom who is leaving the care of their child in someone else's hands, I worry. I know he'll thrive there and do much better with adjusting than I will...he's just growing up way too quickly. Now...if we can only keep pants on him!

Trying on his new backpack...I doubt he'll actually even need one, but he thought he did!

Checking out the inside & putting it on his head

Playing on the computer...he could sit and play on Nick. Jr. for hours...it amazes me how much he's like his daddy with his gaming!

A Year & Two Years Ago This Week....

...we were in North Carolina soaking up the rays and dipping in the ocean. What a sad week it has been (and really a sad summer not having this amazing vacation to look forward to this year). We opted out of the adventure due to having our hands full with three so young and frankly, the thought of traveling with all three sent chills down our spines! Sadly, this would have been the first time I wasn't pregnant and feely icky too. Next year, we will make it a priority an commit to the family time....most definitely. *sigh*

Who needs a nap?

Jonathan has been quietly sneaking into Nick's room during nap time...Jason caught them together the other day. Jonathan had jumped into the crib with Nick and they were jumping up and down, wrestling and having a merry old time...but obviously not sleeping. This has been the routine of late, so I have had to resort to locking Nick's door since Jonathan has to have access to a bathroom since being potty trained. Jonathan no longer naps...so we have "quiet time". Hey, at least they are playing together....finally.

Daniel

I had an amazing time practicing photography on my little nephew, Daniel, this past Sunday. He was quite the poser...made my job so easy! He's definitely turned that corner from being a baby to a little boy. Here are a few of my favorites...

6 MONTHS OLD!

A half of a year already? Hardly seems possible. She'll have her 6 month checkup next week and I can't wait to see her stats. She loves being upright where she can see all the action, loves being outside...loves any bit of attention she can get from her brother's (which sadly, is little), is so easy to smile bearing her little toothless gums and has learned to cluck her tongue. Get her too close to your face, and she's grabbing and pulling and poking with a serious, studious expression. She's added that little bit of sweetness to our crazy little family.

Yum, Yum and more from Evil Knieval...

Kate loves her food...she now grabs my hand and tries to force the spoon in her mouth more quickly. Guess I'm not fast enough for her. Her love for stage 2 foods has meant better nights! YEAH! She still wakes up, but she's starting a pattern of only once at night. With only two weeks left of summer before I head back to work, that is a GREAT thing.

Okay...on to Mr. Evil Knieval. It's official that you can not take your yes off of Mr. Nickles...he has absolutely no sense of self preservation whatsoever. Yesterday at the park, he climbed to the very top. I've allowed him to do this in the past as he has never ventured over to any area where he could fall. The fireman's pole was too tempting and as I noticed him lean over, I knew I could not get to him fast enough. My heart stopped and THUMP...he fell about 10 feet onto the nice thick new layer of mulch below. He cried, I checked him over...thankfully, he was fine. I thought, "this is good, lesson learned"...NOPE...he tried again. This time stopped. Well, at least we've met our insurance deductible because I have a feeling this boy is headed to the ER in the very near future!

What's new?

I've neglected posting regularly for a several days...so here's an attempt to get caught up:

Jonathan has been officially potty trained and accident free for over three weeks now!!! This was a huge celebration for us all as we tried EVERYTHING (lots of bribery...for which we are now living the results of) for weeks and we would be in a world of hurt if he wasn't by the time pre-school started in mid-August. (a stipulation of enrollment). I credit my mom for finally making him understand what it is he needed to do when at their home over the 4th. Now everytime he goes "browns" as he calls #2 (it is brown...usually), he insists I come and check it out. "Mommy, come look and see!" He often refuses to put his underwear and pants after going potty...and has even streaked outside many times like this. Yesterday during "quiet time" (since nap time is a dirty word and he never actually falls asleep) he went potty, went back in his room and when I went to get him out later, he emerged with one green tube sock pulled up to his right knee....and nothing else. I think I'll warn his preschool teachers just in case...

I had the pleasant opportunity to photograph some second cousins (Maci, Maddox and Linc)...they're so stinkin' cute and have the most amazing eyes, it was easy). Thanks Ashli for letting me practice on some adorable subjects...looking forward to doing it again!

Jonathan got some new shoes from Gaga (grandma) and was so excited about them that sometime between the time he went down for bed and 11:30pm when I went to check on him before heading to bed myself, he had put them on and fallen asleep. Of course they were on the wrong feet too!

Kate's growing like crazy and has taken to Stage 2 food more quickly than her siblings did. That girl can eat! Now....if she'd only sleep.

Nick's taken to climbing on EVERYTHING. This is a new thing for us as Jonathan never did at that age. He particulary likes to get on the table behind the couch, stand up and jump wildly off onto the cushions of the couch! Our little evil knieval!

ABC's

Beware of Pirates!

Although his actual birthday is July 14th (Tuesday) we celebrated today. This was a special birthday because it marked the beginning of really having an understanding of what birthday parties are. Balloons, cake, presents and friends. Jonathan has been talking about having a birthday for a long time and when nickalodean had "Pirate Week", it was settled that his birthday would be a pirate birthday. There was nothing more priceless and tender than the moment this morning, when I was finishing decorating the dining room with his pirate balloons, and Jonathan looked up and said a genuine, "thank you mommy" Completely unsolicited recognition of mommy's role in preparing for his big day. As people started to arrive at 4pm, he kept saying, "My friends are here mommy, look at all my friends!". Pure excitment!

Jonathan is our gift (as all children are) in the sense of the unexpected blessing God granted us the day he was born. After struggling for three years with not having a successful pregnancy, we finally had our baby boy and felt like a family. This past year, Jason and I have witnessed Jonathan grow leaps and bounds in his cognitive development...from communication to his constant analyzing of the world around him. We have seen this little toddler with a binkie and diapers turn into a little boy with an imagination, a sense of humor and sincere sensitivity toward others. His favorite phrase seems to be, "I do it by myself, mommy!" I often go into his room at night before I go to bed to tuck him in, move some of the toys off of his bed and give him a peck on the cheek. There is nothing like looking at your sleeping child to make your heart melt. Just the other night I was caught off guard by my emotions and tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked at him and realized how big he has become. Where did all the time go? I almost already see the young man in him. At three years of age, that probably sounds crazy...but I believe the many people who have said, "Blink your eyes and they'll be leaving for college" A while back I asked my sister-in-law, Shirlene, what her favorite stage was with her kids. Her reply was, "everytime I think 'this is my favorite stage', they reach the next stage and I think 'no, this is my favorite stage' and so on..." Having experienced Jonathan changing from year to year, I have to agree. It just keeps getting better and better! Happy 3rd Birthday sweet Jonathan. We love you!