42 weeks

On the move as always!

Big news... one of Nathan's bottom teeth has broken the skin! You can't see it really well, but you can certainly feel it! It appears that the one beside it will be here any day as well. This leads me to a new mommy question... in the baby book, when it asks you when they got their first tooth, do you write the day it breaks the skin, or the day that it looks like a tooth and is all the way out? How long does it take to go from barely emerged to fully functioning chomper?
It's tought to get pictures of these pearly whites, but I'll keep trying! For now, here's another one from before the tooth broke the skin.

Nathan is reaching an age where he's learning that he has a will, desires of his own, and is beginning to throw "mini-fits". I had no clue that discipline or training began so young. Or maybe I did but just didn't realize how fast it gets here. We're learning what is okay and what is a no around the house. Dog's bowl, spindles on the landing, tv remotes, mom/dad's cell phone, our keys, fireplace, outlets, cords... those are some of the "no's". We're signing "no" as well as saying it, in a gentle voice, "Nathan, that's a no no" or "no" or "that's a no" and he's actually responding. Especially when we appear to be turning back to whatever we were doing. The one time this doesn't work... when he tries to roll on the changing table. Wow, what a struggle! Apparently, we've not been consistent in making him lie still while we change his diaper, and we've only made it worse by allowing him to hold something in his hands while he's on the changing table. He reaches, no lunges, for everything on the dresser and will arch his back and scream when told no. He'll actually try to roll over and off of the changing table if you're not careful and man, can that boy kick his legs. I don't think he's trying to kick me, but wow, the kiddo is strong! For other mom's out there, how have you handled discipline and training at this age?

Updates on the little man. He's cruising on any and everything, couches, chairs, toys, windows, anything. He's also able to push objects and walk behind them. We've not tried objects with wheels, but things that slide on the floor he's doing very well with. He will walk with great balance as long as you hold his fingers, and sometimes if you just hold one. He's still scared to try it on his own yet.

My cousin, Tanya, had her second little one last week and on Monday, we went to Charlotte to meet little Ava Grace. She's such a cutie. Ginga was at Tanya's house helping her with Jenna and we were so happy to spend some time with Ginga. She was so tickled with the way that Nathan crawls with one foot flat on the floor! It was so good to see her as well as Tanya, Jenna, Jon, and little Ava Grace.


This week's big boo boo's...
Nathan pulled the vacuum cleaner down onto himself. It landed first on his head, slid down his cheek and landed in his lap. He was okay, but was not a happy camper.

Also this week, Nathan leaned forward in a chair and about fell out. Thankfully the arm of the chair caught him by his chin. It didn't really leave a mark, but he was fairly perturbed about the situation.

Favorite games...
Peek a boo


Often it's peek a boo with only one eye covered!



climbing into and out of the school bus, or pulling it ontop of himself to get inside


chasing us when we crawl in front of him or when we chase him or crawl right over top of him
tickling games

New foods...
kidney beans, goldfish, hot sauce (thanks to his dad), animal crackers, V8 juice

Nathan is starting to show some separation anxiety, but only around the house, and only when he's tired. He loves to call for me, and climbs up my legs all the time. He will still go to anyone and has no problem being dropped off in the nursery or with a babysitter.

New signs... Nathan will sign more, dog, ball, light, and maybe fan. We're working on all done, milk, baby, up, down, airplane, eat, and drink.

New words... no new words but he's getting more consistent with telling people bye bye while he waves. Sometimes he gets shy, but usually he's quick to wave and say bye bye. He also says ball and more.

Accomplishments... Nathan can climb our entire set of stairs, and needs a constant body behind him (he still turns around to look down and often will lose his balance), but he can now make it all the way to the top.

Nathan can squat without letting his butt touch the ground and then stand back up again.

He comes when he's called. :) Makes him sound like a dog, but it is a valuable skill.

He can also identify a baby in a book, can find a ball or Bailey when asked, and easily points out airplanes, birds, lights, and ceiling fans. He's learning to point as well.

Other than when he was sick, we only give him his paci and blankie when it's nap time or bed time and he's doing really well with it. If you give it to him during the day, he will often throw it on the ground!

He finally has enough hair in the back that he gets bed head back there after naps and in the morning!


Nathan stands and pulls up with no effort at all. Also, when he is sitting and wants to crawl toward something, he will just sort of leap from his but and land on his hands and knees. So funny!

Ain't life grand?



The boy loves door stops, especially the kind that go boooiiiiiing (we used to have those, but he was pulling the wite stoppers off and trying to eat them, so now we have plain white ones!).

Chasing Bailey

Playing in the playroom





Smiling happy boy