Nathan is so much fun to be with these days, as always, but growing more so in new ways. He’s so conversational and can talk at length about just about anything. He loves to learn how things work, so he could spend hours in a garage learning about tools or car parts or chains on a bicycle. He loves to know why things happen and in which order they will happen. He wants to know the consequences of his thought out plan (both good and bad) and what will happen if he does or doesn’t follow through with this plan. He’s sneaky and often stays one step ahead of the game. He has a way about him, a certain perceived innocence… one that sometimes is misleading. For example, the other night, the Sunday School teacher for the 2s was babysitting for the kiddos in our bible study. Nathan needed to go pee pee and asked to have some privacy. Okay, to a 2 year old Sunday School teacher, that seems like a normal request, right? Well she doesn’t know Nathan. Normally, he’s begging us to sit right beside him and to help analyze every last creation he makes. Really, what he wanted from Miss Tina was permission to shut the bathroom door. He got it. In the last 2 days we’ve been struggling with catching Nathan eating toothpaste so finally I’d hit it up on a high shelf. Apparently his “need for privacy” wasn’t about going potty, it was about brushing his teeth. Since he couldn’t find the toothpaste, he used noxema and cetaphil. Miss Tina heard spitting and came in to find Nathan doubled over the sink saying something about bubbles and yucky toothpaste. He was rinsing his mouth out for sure. :) We called poison control, and thankfully no worries. Again, perceived innocence. If he’d asked me for privacy in the bathroom, I would have laughed and asked what he was really up to! :)
He truly is a delightful kiddo though. He grows more and more like Christ each day. We’re working hard on teaching by action and God’s repeated word to help mold Nathan into a man of integrity… a man of honesty… a man after God’s own heart. He grows more and more compassionate toward others, more sensitive of the needs around him, more aware of the moods of those around him, more likely to tell us he loves us, just because. He is telling the truth more often even when he knows he might get into trouble. He’s asking for forgiveness from friends and us when he’s done something to hurt another. He worries about people and their feelings/illnesses. He does NOT easily trust, but once he does deem you worthy of trust, it’s sealed and you are indeed TRUSTWORTHY. He’s learning about gentleness, self control, love, joy for another, humility, peace, raising the interests of another above your own, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and truthfulness. It’s so … I don’t even know the word… It’s such a privilege to watch the Lord work in Nathan’s life… sometimes through Chad and I, sometimes through others, sometimes just between Nathan and Jesus. Wow, what a privilege. :)
Nathan’s temperament is beginning to change and mature as well. He is very go with the flow, as long as he knows where we are going and what’s after that. He loves to go places and explore. He is drawn to things Chad and I never would have noticed, but it’s fun to watch. He’s quite observant, to the point of knowing when the shelves at Target are in different order. He is happy most all of the time, but when he is not… you know it! Hunger, overstimulation (especially in terms of sound and big groups of people), excessive tiredness, being too hot or too cold, can turn him from a happy joyous easy going tot into a rapidly melting loosing rationalization kiddo in seconds. We learning the triggers of this and working with Nathan to notice them and to ask for food or a break from the crowd, or a jacket, etc so he won’t end up so upset. We’re also learning when he’s had enough and removing him from the situation before he hits the fan. He is incredibly independent in thought and play but often checks in with Chad or I. If he had it his way, the three of us would be together all the time, not necessarily doing the same things, but all together. When we take walks, he wants everyone to go… night time needs a family hug or a family book. It’s so sweet and you can tell he feels most secure when his home life feels intact, whole, and secure. He is opinionated and easily can tell you what he wants and doesn’t want. He knows what scares him and what brings him joy. He’s quite confident when he knows he’ll be successful. He is super confident hanging with the big kids in the culdesac. (17 kids in one culdesac and 20 more just within a few houses… our neighborhood is teaming with life – mostly boy life!) They are really good with Nathan and include him in everything. They help him when he needs help, lead him on good paths (literally and figuratively), think about his needs and abilities, and they challenge him. It’s such a wonderful situation and I love watching it unfold! Nathan’s favorite kiddos to play with are some of out neighbors… A (7yrs), S (10 yrs), M(12 yrs), L(12yrs). This crew could play for hours on end!!! They treat Nathan like he’s one of the older kids yet they are so responsible to look out for him. Beautiful. Another crowd Nathan hangs with are from 2 other families close by. 1 family has a Baby Girl H (1.5), B (3yrs), B (6yr) and the other family has 3 boys… 10 mos, 3, and 4. When the 7 of these guys get together its soooo funny to watch. They help each other but the also fight well and teach each other some of lifes greatest lessons. We’ve learned that Nathan can hold his own quite well and doesn’t easily back down when he believes he is right. When he doesn’t get his way, he will sometimes will try to grab and hang on to the toy he wants, but he usually goes off to play with something else. He’s not one to come crying and screaming to me about it. He loves being in these groups on such a regular basis and knowing the kids and having so much room and time to play! As rough and tumble, independent, athletic, explorative, jumping bounding, trying new things as this little one is… he is still a big tender heart. His feeling are easily hurt and he is very sensitive to tone of voice. He still wants his booboos kissed, and a good snuggle from mom or dad when he’s hurt or scared. He doesn't like to be scared and doesn’t like things that can cause people harm (ie – me getting too close to the fireworks). He also doesn’t like things that are out of his control, especially the wind. He gets anxious about things blowing away when we’re on a windy patio or in the boat. He is very gentle with small animals, babies, and even our huge dog Bailey. He has a really tender side and I love to watch him share this side so freely! He loves to read to baby Taylor, he sings to her, shares his cars with her and shows her his Monster Trucks. The other day he asked when she would pop out so she could sleep in her bed. He’s ready, as much as he can be from what he knows, to be a big brother, and I think he’s going to be an incredible one!!!!!!!
Speaking of little sisters… we’ve added some new gear to the family… you know, an infant carseat, double stroller, pink everything… more on that to come! The most fun part of all this to Nathan are all the boxes!!!
Nathan can get himself almost completely dressed these days! He sometimes needs a bit of help with his shirt, but can do underwear and pants like a pro (as long as I’ll button and zip). He can put his socks and shoes on too. He loves to choose which shoes he’s gonna wear on which day. It’s cute to watch him think about what he’ll be doing and which shoes will be best.
He is totally reliably potty trained during his waking hours and most of the time he’s dry through his nap. He is completely poopy trained and will only poopy in a potty. He wakes us up in the middle of the night if he has to go, or tells us at 5am, or on the road. Whenever it is, he lets us know and he goes. He also does a great job telling us he needs to pee pee or just going to the bathroom himself when he’s in familiar places (like a friend’s house). I’m really proud of him and hoping this will stick through little baby girl coming along, but if he regresses, that’s totally understandable.
Nathan is around 38 inches tall and weighs right around 30 pounds. He wears a 9 or 9.5 w or XW in shoes. His shirts are almost all 4T for breadth in the shoulders and length in the arms. His waist is closest to 18 months, but he needs a 3t for length, so he often shows a bit more butt crack than I’d like. We’re doing as much as we can with adjustable jeans for now. :) He loves comfie fuzzy clothes (mommy trait) and wants to be in those when he’s home. He also like to sleep with no shirt. It doesn’t matter how cold it is, he still likes it that way. :) He sleeps on a fitted sheet with a sherpa/veloba blanket on top of him… again, the boy loves fuzziness!
As I already mentioned, Nathan is really athletic. He hits a baseball well, both off a tee and when pitched. He can kick a soccer ball well too. He’s really good at shooting basketball and loves to watch and practice with the kids. You can often find a pack of 20 boys riding and so Nathan has watched quite a bit of cycling and now can often be found in some of the smaller younger aged group. He’s riding a 2 wheel with training wheels and doing beautifully! Sometimes he’ll ride his scooter too, and occasionally his trike too. He’s really fast on his bike and has the turning, steering, and braking down pat!
His love for fruits and veges straight off the vine hasn’t gone away this summer… although he won’t touch a tomato inside (though he will eat them cooked) he’s chomping down on a tomato from Mrs. Annettes garden. I think he may even have had two. He’s still a fabulous eater and has a very wide variety in his diet. He usual breakfast is one frozen waffle (still frozen), one warm waffle with peanut butter and the waffle folded in half. This is in addition to yogurt, fruit, milk, and occasionally a bowl of cereal (any kind, total, raisin bran, quaker oat squares, all bran, apple jacks, you name it).There have been times after breakfast that he’s still hungry! Lunch can be just as big but usually isn’t. His variety of foods is huge at lunch and we try to shoot for protein and veges. Dinner is hit or miss in terms of his hunger. Sometimes he eats more than Chad or I, other times he barely nibbles. When he says he’s done, we allow him to get down, with the understanding that there will be no snacks available later, only water. He understands that well and usually takes a cup of water to bed with him. We feel good about it because he’s able to determine when he’s full and can walk away when he feels that way. 
Nathan and daddy share a common sweet tooth in terms of cake. I’m not much for cake (with some exceptions)… Chad and Nathan on the other hand are cake addicts! It’s really cute to watch them share the excitement over new cake in the house!
We’ve taken quite a break from formal educational lessons at home as Nathan is getting great ones at school. Sometimes at home, we do work on things, especially things he can’t work on at school. One thing I have noticed is that his pencil grip is greatly improving! :) Yay Nathan! He loves to color, paint, and draw.
He has also discovered the vacuum and dust buster and I couldn’t be happier. He will do the whole downstairs and is really good and finding all the Bailey hair tumbleweeds. He vacuums the baseboards, and under the tables and chairs! :) Such a good helper!
It’s hard to believe he’s almost 3 and that he’s about to be a big brother. I think he’s ready, although he’ll always be my baby… my little snuggle bug. I love you Nathan!
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