Success!

When we got back from the beach in Sept. I told Nathan I was tired of cleaning his big boy pants after he did number 2 in them. I also told him he wanted to poop in the potty. I kept telling him that same line for the next 4 days hoping he would believe me and also hoping I was right. I think he really did want to all this time but just didn't know how to switch over. After much sitting and even some crying on day 4 I was wiped out. I laid down for some much needed rest at his supposed nap time, which he isn't wanting to do anymore. He was in his room, happy to be playing instead of being forced to lay down. About 30 minutes later I hear him yelling at me, "Mommy I did it!" Surprised, I wasn't sure if he meant poopy or what, and if he did, I wasn't sure what shape I would find the bathroom in. Thankfully, the bathroom was neat and tidy and there he sat on his potty having been quite successful. I was so happy I cried. He asked, "Mommy you proud of me?" Oh if he only knew how proud I was of him. I was still a bit nervous as to whether this success would continue but it has. It's like he got it, he likes it, and there's no going back! Yeah!!

Coloring

Nathan usually doesn’t really enjoy coloring with crayons.  Markers are better but still don’t occupy him for very long.  I try to mind how much I suggest he color longer or use more colors since I don’t want him to think I don’t like his artwork.  Today I had him color on a Birthday card for my Dad and as usual he was done after 5 seconds.  I asked him how many colors he used in his picture, to which he didn’t really respond so I waited a few seconds to see if maybe he had decided to add a little more.  When I looked over, he had the 16 pack of crayons lined up on the table and he was quickly making a mark with each one and then returning it to the cup.  He made sure he used all 16 colors.  I of course told him what a beautiful and colorful picture he had!

Doing the laundry

I worked yesterday, all day (12 hours) and was exhausted when I got home. Usually I want Lee to keep Nathan up until I get home which is usually before 8 anyhow but I was glad that he was already in bed last night when I got here. He hadn’t fallen asleep yet and we just listened to him through the monitor as is our usual to keep an ear out for any disasters. After about half an hour I heard something that I didn’t really recognize, like something was running. After mentioning it to Lee, I decided to go in and see what was going on. Approaching his door, I realized his light was on; if we don’t turn it off at the ceiling fan he sometimes does this. So I knew he must be playing hard. Once I went in, I sound that he had pulled his stool over to the washing machine and had turned it on. He also had the dryer running. He quickly announced, “Mommy, me washing clothes.” Of course I couldn’t help but laugh. So then I decided to lay down with him and spend some time with him. He asked me to sing him a song and I told him I couldn’t because I was just too tired. He replied in full chant, “You can do it, You can do it.” It was so cute I could hardly resist him. But I did. J

Counting Backwards!

Nathan and I went to VA to visit my side of our family this past week.  Coming home, he and I were both ready to be here so I started telling him how much time we have left.  I started this at the 1 hour mark and then went down by 15 minute increments until 15min was left.  Then I also said 10, and 5.  When I told him we had 5 minutes left, he replied, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, doggies!”  I have to give Lee credit for this one.  I haven’t taught him to count backwards but apparently Lee has counted this way with him a few times and it sunk in.  It’s quite amazing how much he takes in during his rowdy and rambunctious playing.  I don’t even think he hears us half the time but I guess he’s actually still soaking it in.  And how cute that he was excitedly looking forward to seeing our dogs. 

Zerberts

I’ve been reading Dr Dobson’s Bringing Up Sons and felt a little concerned when I read about the importance of fathers and sons doing physical games such as wrestling and such.  Lee just isn’t really into that.  In fact we’ve never really wanted to rough house with Nathan because of fear of aggression and adding to a little boy’s already imminent rowdiness.  Well, today my fears were set aside when they took turns zerberting my stomach.  I was attempting to nap and Lee started zerberting my stomach to awake me.  Nathan kept asking, “What you doing?”  At first I was laughing too hard to answer but after a few minutes I told him to come and look.  So he climbed up onto the bed and was watching and then said, “Me do.”  His zerberts were of a much higher pitch where as Lee’s were very deep sounding, it was so cute.  Lee teased him that he was passing gas and as we all ended up in laughter, I realized that they do boy things in their own way and that I’ve no need to worry.

Compliments

I just think it is so sweet when Nathan compliments me out of the blue.  Last week after I washed my hair he said, “Mommy you hair look better.”  I wonder if he had been thinking it looked bad all day.  Luckily he hadn’t said so if he was thinking it.  Then yesterday I painted my nails and he noticed and said, “Mommy you nails look pretty.”  I made sure to thank him both times and of course I was smiling quite big too.  Now Lee is a different story.  I vacuumed and armor-all’d my car last week.  Lee got in and out 3 times and never did notice.  I finally told him because I was so proud of myself and wanted him to know about it.  It’s not like the car is always that clean and he shouldn’t have noticed.

Father's Day

Today was Father’s Day and what a lovely day it has been. Nathan actually slept in until 7:40, a very rare treat anymore. While we were getting up I excitedly said, “It’s time to rumble!” Nathan replied, “I’m going to eat.” We all laughed! I offered to make Lee a special breakfast but he opted for his cream cheese scrambled eggs instead. Hmm, you’d think his cooking was better than mine or something. Nathan gave Lee his card and he also opened one from his parents. Earlier this month at a play group, I helped Nathan put his handprint on a coaster as a gift for Lee, so Nathan also gave him that. Lee liked it and said we should frame it but I told him it had an acrylic topcoat and could actually be used if he wanted to.
After breakfast we went to Home Depot, every mans dream store, for some pressure treated lumber to go around Nathans swing set as we have some “kitty” issues under the swing. Nathan “helped” Lee create a nice barrier around the swing set in the late morning heat, not every mans dream of how to spend Father’s Day. But I think they had fun, maybe Nathan more so than Lee. Lee laid 15 bags of gravel and we quickly learned that we needed more like 80 bags. Oh well, at least we got a good start.
As Lee finished up, I went to the grocery store. I was hoping for help unloading the groceries but found him napping instead. Tempted to wake him, I let him sleep; it is Father’s Day after all. :)
We went on a “date”, all 3 of us to dinner at Mimi’s and then treats at Brewsters. Nathan was very well mannered and the food was great. Last time Lee and I went out on a date, Nathan later told me he was sad and wanted to go with us. So I made sure he knew we were all going out on a date tonight. He enjoyed himself and loaded up on the bread.
I put Nathan to bed and he asked me to tell Daddy he wanted him. I told him I would but actually didn’t. About 20 minutes later I had to go in and check on the dryer. He was still awake and asked me if I had told Daddy he wanted him. I told him I would make sure he knew this time. I couldn’t deny the sweet thing again. He loves for Lee to go in and hold his hand as he falls asleep. It is quite precious but I’m not sure if he’s just putting off sleep or really wants to be with us.

Pup E Dog

Whenever we get home, our dogs, especially Emmitt is standing in the bay window of the great room excitedly barking and wagging his tail so hard that it hits the window repeatedly. Yesterday when I got home from work, Nathan was standing in the window with his hands up on the window excitedly yelling Mommy and barking. Once in the house, he informed me that he was being Emmitt the dog. I hugged him and "petted" him just like Emmitt and he was just so tickled with himself.

Sabbath

On Sabbath, I had to work unexpectedly when someone called in sick. Lee was scheduled to play the saxophone at the Anderson church and felt that he would be ok alone with Nathan. He and Nathan agreed that while he played, Nathan would get to come up front and sit on the first pew. Nathan had also said that he wanted to sing while Lee played. When the time came for him to go play, Nathan did in fact go up front and sit. When Lee started putting his music on the stand, Nathan came up and said, "Me help you Daddy." Lee decided that would be a great idea, so Nathan held the saxophone while Lee spread out his music, then Nathan took the cap and helped by holding it while sitting as Lee continued to play. Lee said it was quite cute and everyone seemed to like watching them together. Lee said that as he played, Nathan did indeed "sing" along. No particular song or words, he just made them up as he went along. I love it that he is catching on to the spirit of worship.
During one of the hymns, Nathan asked Lee, "Daddy, what you singing about?" Lee replied by stating the name of the song, "We're singing about God's Loving Grace." He seemed satisfied enough with Lee's reply and Lee continued to sing. Until the next verse when he asked, "Daddy, what you singing about now?" Again Lee replied, "We're singing about God's Loving Grace." To which Nathan surprisingly answered, "You singing about that again Daddy?"
Sounds like it turned out to be a pretty special Sabbath.

manners

I firmly believe in children respecting their elders and have been diligently encouraging Nathan to mind his manners by saying Please and Thank You, as well as referring to adults as Sir and Mam. He has caught on to the Thank You term very well and says it often, even unprompted. Please, seems to be harder for him to grasp and I found him asking for things and following the request with, "Now." After several times of this and me trying to explain to him that he wasn't to say that to me and that it wan't nice, it occurred to me that he is only saying to me what he hears. I realized I am good at saying Thank you to Lee and Nathan but I don't say Please very often. What an eye opener! Not only that but when I really want Nathan to do something quickly, I was following my request with, 'Now." Children learn by example so obviously I'm the one that has to fix my manners before I can effectively teach him. And actually he will repeat more of what I do than what I suggest him do. I'm thankful that my heart was open to God's conviction of this problem and am trying to rectify the situation by asking him to do things prempted with Please. I realized he will still know I am serious even when saying Please rather than Now, by my consistency with following up with discipline if he doesn't complete the task. How awesome I can be both firm and polite!
A few days ago when I asked Nathan a question, he replied, "No Sir." I was so impressed that he remembered this all on his own and understanding that he doesn't have a grasp on gender, I simply smiled and said, "Thank you, son."
That's my Boy!!

The Thinker

Nathan's response to my questions never ceases to amaze me. Recently when I asked him what his favorite thing to play with at Ms Charla's house was he replied by putting his pointer finger up to his chin and saying, "Hmmm, let me think?"
It was so cute!!!

Snow Play

Yesterday Nathan and I went to the Pavilion Ice Rink to play in the snow with our Moms/play group. Nathan loved it! It was so much fun. They had a big pile of snow in the middle of the rink and as soon as he saw it he was all smiles. Some of the kids weren't so sure about it, but not Nathan, he walked right over and onto the pile picking it up. He ate some, he squealed with delight as we threw little balls of it at each other, and he even laid down like he was going to make a snow angel. He was sooooo cute! They also had a big blue sled that looked much like a box with the front missing; it had a seat at the back that fit 4 kids, but more of them sat on the floor of it. One of the Dads came, which was really great as he wore ice skates and gave the kids a great ride. He was able to get up momentum and twirl the kids around and they loved it. After about an hour, his pants were good and wet so we went and changed and then went to leave. Once outside we saw several kids over at the playground and decided to go slide for a while. Nathan loves the slide and there were 4 of them. He has no problem going on the big slides, it's pretty amazing. He climbs right up and says catch me Mommy! We had such a nice day and I really enjoyed my time with him.

Double Mommy

Can you imagine 2 of me? Well according to Nathan that is the case. He must have heard the word double and really liked the way it sounded because he uses it as a term of endearment. This morning when I left the house he said, "Love you Double Mommy." Sometimes when he talks to our dogs he refers to them as "Double Jake or Double Sadie". And of course he refers to his blankey and dog as "Double blankey and Double dog". It's quite sweet. I guess he doesn't understand the true meaning of the word and I almost hate to educate him on the meaning because then he will probably stop using it in his own little way, which is just so precious. So for now we will just go on being double Mommy and Double Daddy. :)

Counting!

One week before Nathan's 28m birthday he started counting to 10 unassisted! I am so excited; and it was like all of a sudden. The week before, he had started counting to 6 with help. I would hold up my fingers and he would count them but always got stuck on #4, then he started saying 4. Then like overnight he added 7 without me even encouraging him to do so. So the next day I got on board and started encouraging 9 & 10. After a couple of days of that he was doing all 10 by himself while playing with his toys and whatnot. It was the cutest thing watching him count his trains while he was playing. I am so proud of him.