Sixteen Months

Nathan, you are sixteen months old!

As you continue to grow and develop, finding your self and testing your limits, I must say this month has been the most challenging I can remember in a while. We've struggled with communication, a new-found pickiness for eating and a really hard sleep month. Ah, the joys of toddlerhood!

In spite of the challenges, you've also continued to grow my heart and make me love you more with each day. Your sweet smile and sneaky grins could win anyone over and you are super friendly, waving (or pinching your fingers) to friends and strangers alike. You are running and toddling all over and it is the cutest thing to watch you zoom around. I love seeing you process new things and trying them yourself. The latest is playing chase and hiding, which you think is hilarious!

More and more, your favorite "person" is Jax. You wake and immediately want to walk out of your room to find her, calling her name and lighting up at first sighting. You ask to give her cookies and you love to snuggle her, though she can sometimes be overwhelmed by your love. You even find her collar and leash in hopes of taking her on a walk. Dogs in general get your attention and you love spotting "woofs" when we're out.

You love practicing your golf skills by smacking the ball around the house and you're actually quite good at connecting. You're also always into something, pulling things out of drawers and exploring the bathroom cabinets. Forget toys, you'd rather play with our stuff! You still have a penchant for reading, which I love, and are always up for a story.

Though I know it's early to tell, it does seem you favor your left hand over your right. You use a fork or spoon in your left hand and you are stronger at throwing with your left. We'll have to see if you're just like Daddy or if it switches as you get older.

For weeks you've been having a hard time with sleeping past the 5- or 6-o'clock hours and it is killing us! You wake exhausted and crying but won't go back to bed, which makes for a miserable morning. You're also working on dropping that nap still and most days only sleep for an hour and a half tops. I know you need more rest but just don't know how to encourage it more. I blame the molars that are halfway through (the bottoms are almost all the way in but the tops are still working on it) and pray that when they have broken in you'll be back to a more acceptable sleep pattern.

Our little vacuum is no more and it's tough finding things you actually will eat now versus your former self that rarely passed on anything. You could live off cheese and fruit, which you do on most days, but I really try to incorporate more proteins and substance. It worries me that you aren't getting all the nutrients your little body (and brain!) need to grow, but I know this is a sign of the toddler times, too.

We're back in music class after a short break and you really enjoy it. I love watching you dance and shake your little booty. I'm sorry you won't be inheriting any dancing skills from your mama but it's still fun to watch you try! You crack yourself up with your antics and I love hearing you laugh at the silly things you do.

Oh, buddy, I love you so much and even when you test my patience I could not imagine life without being your mom. You are a handsome little beasty boy and I love the expressions you make. It's a joy watching you grow, as hard as it is to believe you're not a baby anymore.

I love you!
xoxo

(officially monthly pic to come...)

Labor Day Beach Weekend

We've heard a lot about Hammock Beach and after spending Girls' Weekend there earlier this summer, Ryan and I decided to take his family back there for Labor Day. We rented a three bedroom condo so there was plenty of room for all of us to spend the weekend. It was a gorgeous resort and so much fun to bring Nathan on an overnight beach trip with Lolly, Uncle Brad and Aunt Sarah!

We cooked dinners in while we were there but enjoyed lunch out at the pool grille and had lots of beach and pool time. There was a seven acre water park complete with a lazy river and spray grounds that N loved! He wasn't so keen on the ocean but he liked playing in the sand and collecting shells. The only way we got him close to the waves was to go pet the pups that were on walks with their owners!

I would definitely go back as a family. We had a great time and really enjoyed our fun in the sun! 

Nell's Baby Shower

It's hard to believe that our breakfast club has nearly doubled in size since I first met these great ladies, let alone that we are starting to welcome the next round of babies into the group! We got a chance to celebrate Nell and the upcoming arrival of baby Graham with the whole crew at Kelsey's house one morning.

Everyone gathered to shower the mommy-to-be (again) with diapers galore and lots of adorable gifts. The kiddos all got to play while the moms enjoyed brunch and mimosas. It was a great morning and we can't wait to meet Graham when he arrives later this fall!

Fifteen Month Well Visit

Our growing boy checked out great at his 15 month appointment.

His weight was 25 pounds, 12 ounces (65 percentile)

His head was 18 3/4" round (60 percentile)

His height was 33" (90+ percentile!!!)

We are so blessed to have such a healthy, sweet little bubba and I am so thankful God has continued to watch over him as he grows. I can't believe his height is now topping the charts, although he definitely stands taller than most friends his age. We have a big boy on our hands!

Fifteen Months

Nathan, you are fifteen months old!

You've surprised us this month and started becoming picky and particular about meals. We just always thought you were such a vacuum! However, you love to snack and constantly ask for things at the pantry door. You are mastering a fork and spoon - you can stab things pretty well and you are so proud when I let you scoop your own bites of yogurt.

 
You talk all day long! You're really trying to say more words but it can get frustrating because a lot of it all sounds the same - "ja" (jax), "da" (dad), "na" (snack), "tha" (that); "ma" (mom), "mo" (more); "bah-bah" (bottle), "buh-buh" (suckie), "baw-baw" (ball); "puh" (up, cup or grape - they all sound the same!) I'm trying really hard to be your translator but it can be challenging for both of us when I don't know what you want.

That adventurous spirit of yours has begun testing limits and you know full well when you do something naughty. You can climb down from our bed and the couch all on your own, you can get on and off the rocker in the guest room, and you can even open doors! You often look for approval and to make sure you are noticed.

It took about a month after you learned to walk but you finally figured out how to stand up from sitting and now there is no stopping you! You are into everything and all over the place.

We're in the process of dropping a nap but you've decided it's the afternoon one that should go, which makes for a very long day. You've been waking up really early, too, so we're back to another sleep pattern. Definitely keeps me on my toes! When you're awake, you are awake - you quickly scramble to the side of the crib, climb up to standing, and start crying. There is no more hanging out in your crib, that's for sure!

You love reading and go to the same books time after time. Your current favorites are "Little Blue Truck", "Hello Baby", "Moo", "Mama Calls Me Monkeypants" and "Big Red Barn". You are obsessed with balls and have more fun playing with Jax's toys than your own.

You love Jax so much! It's so fun for you to give her cookies or have her shake your hand. You often find her and curl up with her on the floor. It's adorable.

It amazes me how much you understand when we talk to you. You are a great helper and love being included in grown up tasks like unloading the dishwasher or bringing us things. You gesture for what you want if you can't already say it and are learning quickly how to communicate.

How are you such a big boy already?! This is such a fun stage, albeit challenging, and I am enjoying you so much. I love you monkey man!

xoxox

Fifteen Month Stats:

Weight - 25 pounds, 12 ounces

Clothes - mostly 24 months, size 5 shoes

Diapers - size 4

First Haircut

While we were up in Atlanta for Ryan to take the Bar Exam, we decided it was about time for the bubs to have a small trim to his overgrown locks. They weren't so out of control and with it being straight as a stick, there was no mass of curls to part with, but it was starting to look a bit scraggly and it drove Ryan nuts that it hung over N's ears.

We just happened to pass by a cute hair salon one day and made an appointment for the following day to get it done.

The "before"

Nathan did so well and barely even noticed someone was messing with his hair. His stylist did a great job swiftly combing and snipping before he even knew what was happening!

"Wait, what were you doing back there?"

And the finished product! Again, nothing too dramatic since it wasn't that long to begin with but it's so much cleaner now and I think he looks adorable.

His favorite part? The balloon at the end, of course!

Hotlanta in July

We traveled to Georgia once again so Ryan could take the GA Bar and we could enjoy our monthly visit with my family. Originally, we were going to fly...that plan quickly changed when we arrived at the airport only to find our flight had been delayed THREE HOURS due to maintenance issues. We were not about to sit around with a busy, moody toddler who couldn't sit still so we canceled the tickets, headed back to the car and hit the road. What a mess!

It ended up being a blessing in disguise, saving us a ton of money and making it much more convenient to have a car at our disposal. We arrived after 1 am and quickly collapsed into bed at Kelly and Lincoln's house - a fun change since we usually stay with my parents.

My poor mom was battling shingles on top of everything else, so we had a pretty low key weekend, hanging out at their house and taking it easy. We got to spend lots of time playing with the little boys and enjoying family dinners together.

Ryan spent the night in a hotel on Monday night so he could focus on the test so we joined the Hamiltons for dinner at my parents' house and then joined Kelly and Carter for playgroup on Tuesday before heading down to pick Ryan up and start the long drive home.

We won't know the results of the test until September but I'm so thankful that stress is over for Ryan and I'm also grateful we could make a weekend of it to be in Atlanta together. I just hope we can continue our monthly visits back and forth as the boys continue to grow up!