No whining!

So, out of nowhere, Nate started doing this annoying whining when he wanted something. It started about 6 months ago. It went like this..."Mom, may I have a banana, pleeeeaaaassseee?" I couldn't stand it so I made it clear to him that he wouldn't get anything when asked with a whiny, pleeeaaassseee? It stopped as quickly as it started and then there was this morning. Nate asked for a banana and proceeded to tell me that he no longer said "pleeeeaaaassseee" because he "took it out of his head" because I (mom) didn't like it. Gosh, I love that kid!

"I don't want to eat my vegetables"

So, as any mother of almost any toddler knows, meal time can be a real battle sometimes. Well, it is a battle that I chose not to fight for the last 3 years. The rule in our house was that you eat what is on your plate, or not, but don't ask for anything else if you choose not to finish your dinner. I've read the books, articles in parenting magazines, blogs by other moms with tried and true tricks to get toddlers to eat what you give them. I've put carrots, corn, and cucumber on Nate's plate for over 2 years and he has never tried one. I didn't push the issue... he eats a lot of fruits so I was satisfied. But last night I just couldn't take it anymore. I asked him to eat 1 kernel of corn before he could leave the table and he refused. The picture says it all. After an hour and a half of sitting at the table (no tantrum, no whining, just sitting) he finally fell asleep. I woke him up to put him to bed and he agreed to eat the one kernel of corn so he could watch 5 minutes of Lion King before going to bed!

More Natisms

Instead of "the baby spit up", Nate says "he spit out"

I need to screw, Mom!

So, Nate is at that age when he is curious about how things are put together and how to take them apart. He especially likes to use the screwdriver like his daddy. However, due to concern for his safety, I told him that he could only use the screwdriver if mommy or daddy watched him. This morning we had a delightful conversation with Nate about "screwing". Nate got his trash truck toy out and wanted to take it apart, the following are bits of our conversation!
"I need to screw, Mom"
"Someone needs to screw with me... I can't screw all by myself!"
"Dad, will you screw with me?"
"How come this thing has nuts? How do I get the nuts?" "Can daddy get the nuts so we can screw?"
Out of the mouths of babes!
On a side note, since I've been home from the hospital we have been trying to explain to Nate that mommy's tummy hurts (from the c-section). Everyday he asks if I am better. I usually say I am a little better. Today he wanted to know if I was big better! Love that kid!

Baby Samuel Has Arrived!

Baby Samuel was born March 4, 2009 at 1:10 pm, 7 lbs 15 oz, and 20 in long! A big boy! If I hadn't opted for the c-section, I may have had to deliver a 10lb baby, yikes!! Just wanted to post a few pics! Nate loves his lil brother. Mom is no longer numero uno in "da world o Nate!" Nate wants to kiss baby Samuel first thing in the morning, before he takes a nap, after he takes a nap, and just about anytime he sees him! Nate uses a high pitched voice and tells the baby (when he is upset) "Its o.k, I'm here (and then he will sing twinkle, twinkle, little star)" It is precious!

Samuel's Room

Just wanted to post a couple of pictures of Samuel's room for those of you that are too far away to see it in person! We are just days away from meeting Samuel. Nathan talks about him a lot. He tells me that he is going to sing to him, hold him, and teach him to walk when he gets bigger. I think he is going to be such a wonderful big brother.

Some of my favorite "Natisms"

Nate is 3 years old now, hard to believe. He is my little chatter box too! Never stops talking from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed! Listed below are some of my favorite "Natisms" that I don't want to forget!
1. Hospital = Hosipal
2. Hamburger = Hangaber
3. Umbrella = Buwelwa
4. If he hears a loud sound = What's that noisy?
5. Elevator = Alligator
6. Why does daddy go to work? = Nate will reply, "He has to pay the bills"
7. If he passes gas = "I burped out my bottom"
8. Papa is little but daddy is big!
9. Peanut butter and jelly = pee n jelly
10. flashlight = frenchlight

Potty training is a breeze!

So, we weren't in any hurry to potty train Nate. I decided long ago that we would do it when he was good and ready... even if that meant he wore diapers to kindergarten (not really). When, at 2 years 9 months of age he informed me that he had to go pee on the way home from grammie's house but couldn't do it in his diaper, I decided it was time. It took exactly 3 days to do it. He had a couple of accidents the first few days and then it was smooth sailing. We still use a diaper at night but it is big boy undies all day long, including nap time. I am so proud of him. Poop wasn't even an issue. He doesn't like public bathrooms and still needs that little potty seat on top of the big boy seat (diego is our lil seat he uses). He is willing to try the big seat once in a while but he feels like he's going to fall through, who could blame him?! So, I carry diego everywhere we go, which isn't too bad considering how well he has done!
Just a side note... Nate has always been a great sleeper. In fact, to this day, he will not get out of bed until I go get him. He will just sit in his bed and read or play with his cars until I come in. Lately, he hasn't been taking his regular nap, which is about 2-2 1/2 hours everyday. He will just lay in his bed and read or play with his cars for the entire time until I get him. Is that crazy or is this normal for an almost 3 year old? Either way, I sure feel blessed because it means I get to rest/try to nap while he's in there. Thanks Nate the Great!

Pregnancy sucks

O.K., I just need to gripe for a minute and then I'll concede to the fact that this pregnancy is truly a miracle and a blessing... blah, blah, blah! I can't sleep for more than 1 1/2-2 hours at a time, I wake up at least 4 times a night for 30 min to 2 hours at a time, my braxton hicks contractions last all day instead of for a few minutes at a time, I'm huge and have to roll my big but out of bed or off the couch, none of my "small" maternity clothes I wore throughout my pregnancy with Nate fit, I'm still nauseous (but at least it isn't all day everyday like it was with Nate), I have a bad cough and everytime I cough I pee, did I mention I'm huge? Nathan asked me yesterday if "I could play with him when the baby came out". Poor kid. I'm just so exhausted all the time that I don't have the energy to play with him. He has been really patient but has decided that he doesn't want to be a big brother after all. What am I supposed to say to that? Hopefully he'll change his mind someday!
I think we've decided to name this little blessing "Samuel". I just can't wait to meet him and be done with this pregnancy business. Why can't we do it like cats and be done in 9 weeks!?!?