nate school pics

Natester doesn't love to smile for the camera, but these pics still are pretty cute.  Photos taken by a (very talented) parent of another child at Nate's preschool....

nate + bike

Nate does love to ride his bike. He has a need for speed and doesn't always watch where he's going. We're working to moderate both of these tendencies. For now every Sunday we take advantage of the road that closes to car traffic and zoom along with frequent shouts to Nate to "keep your eyes on the road!!"

four years

It was fun to celebrate Nate's 4th birthday in MN! We had bounce house, lots of buddies, cupcakes, and a great adult:child ratio.

this is nate

This is Nate.  He is a really sweet guy.  Except when he's not.  3.5 year olds are so emotionally INTENSE.  A few examples of severe injustices that occurred over the last couple of weeks that led Nate to break down into hysterics:

1) His yogurt at breakfast was not served in a green bowl.

2) On the car ride home from preschool he was not allowed to rip the pages of the road atlas into tiny pieces.

3) We made him take off his pajamas before putting his clothes on in the morning.

4) Abby got in the car first.

5) We had ravioli for dinner.

6) When brushing his teeth before bed, we wouldn't let him squeeze the toothpaste directly onto his teeth.

nate's school pics

Nate's first reaction to school picture day .. when asked to smile.  What a tease.

Handsome big boy.

A little smile.

Now this is fun!

I'm a good jumper!

JUMP!

All these wonderful pictures by www.justinramsdellphotography.com

nate turns three

Our snoozy dude sleeps in...until about 9:30 when it is time to get the day started.

After waking up, Nate's first words were "Where are the big diggers?" He loved playing with buddy Niko's trucks during our visit to Seattle.

Abby (or Abbie as she now spells it) had made many birthday cards and notes for Nate by the time he woke up.

Later on, Nate takes a turn in the drivers seat and learns he can honk the horn with his tummy!

It is good to be three!

birthday dinner with friends

Celebrating the big 3 with new buddies Kea and Niko (and longtime parent friends Kapena and Claudia)! Thank you guys!

choo choo party

Thomas had a sweet load to pull today .. the cupcake train!

Nate gets the train table warmed up before party guests arrive.  We had the party at a fun historic B&O Railroad Station ... Nate does love choo choos.

Train time for the 1 and 2 year old set.

Cupcakes!

Train station fun.

Eloisa & Abigail.  Big Sisters.

Back to the trains.

And then outside on the platform for real train viewing! (with Walter!)

Nate stands on the old baggage cart for a better view of the approaching train.  (Papa's office is in the background.)

Abigail gets away from it all in the old phone booth.

MORE TRAINS!  LOUD TRAINS!

Back home, Nate eats some lunch and plays with the great helicopter he got from G&G for his birthday!  Happy birthday to our big boy!

 

nate is two!

Happy Birthday to one sweet little dude! 
Pizza dinner with new "neighbors" Uncle Dan, Aunt Anna, and Walter!

Nate was interested and sort of puzzled by the blowing out the candles concept.

Garbage truck from Grandma & Grandad - HUGE hit!

 

dear nate: sleep please

Let's talk about Nate.  Nate is going through a serious 18 month sleep regression.  Unlike when Abigail was this age we do not find ourselves with abundant time to consult baby sleep books, etc.  So we turn to our bloggy friends and family to complain (a little) and look for advice.  Let's take the last 24 hours, which were particularly unusual: Nate was awake and screaming from about midnight - 2:30am on and off (this is not the unusual part...this is the new normal).  If we go into his room he stops crying immediately and is quiet as a mouse and seems to be sound asleep...until you try to leave the room and return to your own bed.  In other words, it seems Nate would like some company in his room all night long.  This has led to one of us sleeping on the loveseat in his room some nights, to shush him every time he cries out.  It has also led us to try the old cry-it-out plan, which is painful for everyone.  After Nate's choppy choppy night he slept in until 11am (that is the unusual part of this story...Natester usually wakes up around 8:30am).  Woke up, chowed down, and was like "what's the big deal?"  He went down for his nap at 3pm (usually would be 1pm) and we had to wake him up for dinner at 5:15 (usually would wake up on his own at 3ish).  He was happy to see us, happy to eat a little dinner, and eager to play in the sandbox.  In an attempt to get back to normal sleep schedule, Jamie put him in bed around 7:30, and he is still in there wide awake and chatting to himself and talking about choo choos.  It's now 9pm.  What will the night be like? No one knows..... Send advice, please.  

el natester: sunday AM

Jolly dude turns on some tunes and enjoys some cheddar bunnies on the couch.

A little outside playtime in the backyard house while big sis is at ballet class.

Nate loves opening and closing this door and playing peek-a-boo.

Back inside, Nate relaxes and catches up on some phone calls.

Hi cutie.

"Who else should I call....?"