wysereeser + 1

Angie called me this morning to let me know that when she woke up this morning she went close to Nates room and discovered him whispering to himself. Upon further investigation, he had a copy of “Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel” in front of him flipping through the pages ‘reading’ to himself.

[several days ago] Middle of the night and I heard Nate sneeze, sounded a little odd, i.e. from the hallway. Didn’t think anything of it. Starting thinking about people sneaking around the house for some dumb reason. Then I heard someone fiddling with Angie’s clock radio on her side of the bed. I turn over to to see Nate just standing next to Angie there staring back at me. Not a sound. I got out of bed and came over to get him. Told him it was “Too early….” and took him back to bed.

Alot has happened since the end of May. Nate continues to grow leaps and bounds. He is more and more a little boy every day.

Vocabulary and Comprehension: Nathan is now able to speak complete sentences including words like and, but, he, she, the. His verb tense isn’t always correct, but he is getting there. Lately, Nathan seems to under most everything we tell him or ask of him. It seems as if he uses new words on a daily basis that he has picked up from somewhere. An example of the “from somewhere” is that just yesturday Nate had a play thermometer. First he was taking temperatures under our arms, but then he suddenly was giving us shots. I don’t ever remember talking to him about shots and it has been quite a few months since he had a shot. I think his last shot was at 18 months. Anyway, he is somehow putting so many things together. He will play and use conversations had earlier as part of his imaginary play. Nate now is given choices. We have been giving him choices for a few months now, but he is definately to the point of understanding which choice is a better one. For awhile the choice was based on which option was given first. Now he chooses which one he wants. Sometimes he is known to change his mind. All a part of learning. Nate is also able to rationalize things. If he doesn’t want something we can talk him out of it or into something else by saying things like “you can’t get on the road because a car may be coming” or “don’t do that because you may get hurt” or “wait until I get my shoes on, then we can go outside” or ” Let’s do this and this first, then we can do that”.

Nate will request things that he wants on his own initiative. He will ask to go to Grandma’s house, the zoo, Micah’s house, Joanne’s house, the store, etc. He will also request certain things to wear. Usually he likes to wear clothing with trains, cars, bikes, dinosaurs or something like that on them. He does not like to get out of his pajamas in the morning, but luckily rationalizing works. This morning I said, “Nate, we have to put clothes on b/c we need to take Bailey to the doctor”. It was ok then to put clothes on.

Mood and Tantrums: It seems as if we can rationalize Nate out of most tantrums. Once in awhile he will be too tired or too hungry and he just needs a few minutes to cry it out and then one can talk to him. His tantrums don’t happen much, however he has been a bit whinier the past few days. There is a chance he isn’t feeling 100% though so I am not ready to say it is a new stage quite yet. Nate is also known to tantrum a bit when he is not in the mood to share. On the other hand sometimes he will offer to share without anyone asking it of him.

Relationships: Nate is really starting to learn to play with others. Alot of the play currently is still mimicking each other, but there is some play where he is playing with others.
Likes: Nate still loves books. He could sit for hours (only a little exaggeration) and listen to book reading. Some books have been read so often that he can finish sentences. One of Nate’s favorite books now is “Five Little Monkeys”. He loves saying with his finger pointed “no more monkies jumpin on the bed”. Nate loves to be outside. He loves to be around people and doing things. Nate loves to be helpful and he loves to “fix things”

A few stories:

Nate has a Teddy Bear, Hershey. We bought him in Hershey PA while vacationing out East this past summer. Nate likes to take him along whenever he is going somewhere for the weekend for security and he also likes to sleep with him. He has been known to want to protect him in his sleep by sticking Hershey under his shirt. Just this past weekend he had a slumber party at his cousin’s house (Connor and Quinn). When is aunt Michelle picked him up in the morning, she found a lump under his shirt. Low and behold it was Hershey all snug and tight.

I took Nate with me to the vet this morning. I told him on the way that Bailey needed to see the doctor so the doctor could look at Bailey’s leg. Nathan asked if I was a doctor, I told him I was a social worker. (Not sure if he will hold on to that or not). Anyway at the end of the appt. when we were leaving, Nate on his own with no prompting said “Thank you doctor for looking at Bailey’s leg.”
A couple weeks ago, Nate went to his grandma and grandpa’s for the weekend. Grandma Reeser came here to pick Nate up. That next morning we told Nathan only that he was going for a ride with grandma. We didn’t know if it would be bad or good to tell him he was going to spend the weekend there. We even packed the bag when Nate wasn’t around. As we buckled Nate in, he asked for a few things including his pajamas and said “See you tomorrow morning mommy” He then said “I said goodbye, you can go in the house now” I don’t know what was harder, to see him leave for the weekend or that he was acting like such a big boy and despite not telling him what was going on he figured it out anyway.

This past weekend as mentioned earlier we went to Ohio. Nate knew who everyone was right away. He did not at all act shy nor did it take any time for him to warm up to anyone. He was polite and gave hugs right away. On Sunday he was exceptionally cuddly with his aunt Michelle. He wasn’t afraid to go off on his own as long as a familiar face was there. An example of this was during church. Quinn followed Barnaby out of church. Nate wanted to follow as well, I talked him out of it, then at the end of church all the teachers were going downstairs. Nate wanted to go downstairs so we went into the basement. As soon as we opened the door, Nate turned left, saw Quinn in a classroom and ran towards him without any hesitation. He went to Sunday School all by himself for the first time. He had a good time and even learned a scripture verse. If one says “And God said” he will say “it is good”.

One other thing he did in church last Sunday. After a song and during prayer, Nate was sitting on the floor with a hymnal open. He started to sing his ABC’s. I said shhh Nate we are praying and Nate said “no mommy, I am singing now”.

Nate spent a weekend this summer with his friend Leah and some of our friends at Leah’s grandparents cabin on Sugar Lake in Minnesota. Nate had a blast swimming, playing, and just hanging out. Bailey also had fun that weekend, swimming all weekend long. Nate did not want to leave at the end of the weekend.
I could keep writing more and more, but feel I could go on forever. The vacation highlights for this summer are that we took a two week trip to Washington and back. It was a road trip that consisted of camping in Ohio, PA, staying with our friends Dan and Jill in New Jersey, staying in a hotel in Fairfax so we could go to DC, camping at Swollow Falls state park in Maryland, visiting friends in Colombus, stopping in Archbold and heading home. Nate was so flexible and such an easy traveler the whole time. He would just go with what each day brought him. He is still doing the same each and every day.

One more thing that needs to be mentioned. At the beginning of September we changed our child sharing arrangement. It had been with Joanne and Miriam, but now it is with Jonathan, Tonya and Micah and one day a week Chris will watch Nate. Nate already knew Micah and his family but he did not know Chris. So far the transition has gone well. We haven’t really had a chance to see Joanne since the change, so I am curious how that will go.

So Nathan’s birthday came and went without a hitch. In a nutshell Angie and I took the day off (last Thursday) and took him to the Milwaukee County Zoo, animals and train ride later, and we were on our way back home. Nate passed out as expected and finished off an afternoon nap in the car seat. After he woke up we took him to the Deep Sea 3D IMAX. At the start he wasn’t interested in wearing the 3D glasses, but eventually he got into wearing them and munching on popcorn with Angie and I. After a while into the movie an eel ate a sea anemonie. As it was crunching away Nate turned to us and said, “Fish cookie.”

One major change that has happened gently over the past few weeks is how Nathan communicates with others and reacts to his environment. No deep conversations (obviously), but many people have commented on how Nate is a ‘real person’. Mostly by clearly indicating his desires and what he does (or does not) want to do. Angie would probably do a better job describing specifics, but I think you get the idea.

Angie had another milestone moment, that was somewhat unintentional. I can’t remember the reason, but a disciplinary moment that Angie tried to implement by sitting Nathan on his potty toilet (naked…it was bath related), surprised her by Nate producing a little liquid (if you know what I mean). We haven’t tried to repeat the event and we both think it was completely accidental (he seems too young yet), but he did manage to pull a #1. So who knows?

OK, So I doubt they were lies, but more association.  Enough of something though that I felt it worth logging.  On Monday Nate associated his actions with certain other beings that are known to do such actions.  The first incident was when Nate accidentally scratched me. I said “Ouch, Nate, you scratched me” Nate said “Kitty scratch”  I said “no you scratched” and again he said “kitty scratch”. The 2nd incident was in the afternoon when he spilled a big container of paperclips. I said, “Nate you spilled mommy’s paperclips” Nate said “Miriam dropped”  Miriam does often drop things so this wasn’t too far fetched.  Definately a mile marker of thought process for Nate.

Nate’s communication has exploded the past few weeks. He now says so much I can’t keep track of it all. Each day he says a new word or two or three, etc.  He is able to communicate so many things. He even says that someone is sad when they cry. He is noticing feelings.  Nate is also able to now say when someone does something to him.  He will say if Miriam hit, bit or scratched him.
Manners is something that Nate seems to really understand. Most every time that someone hands him something after he asks, he says Thank You.  He has also been know to say bless you after a sneeze.  A common Thank You phrase is “Thanks Much”.

So I thought it was worth mentioning quickly that for the first time over the last few days. Nathan and I have actually been able to have a conversation where I felt like he genuinely understood the question, and his responses were appropriate. But, to clarify, the questions were primarily Yes/No (Did you have fun today? Did you eat all your food?… and the like) and maybe its moreso that his answers have changed to “Yes!” instead of seemingly always “No!” (regardless of the context). Anything beyond simple Yes/No and he’s stumped. But from his angle, I’ve also noticed a better understanding of what he wants me to do on occasion. Last night for example he wanted me to come over with him on the carpet. I was sitting at the dining room table (on the computer of course), he kept pushing me on the side saying, “Chair off!” and then once I was standing, “Daddy walk!” (with a finger up pointing at me as he’s walking away toward the carpet).

Last night I must admit was a special moment for me. He and I were sitting on the couch playing with some of his toys. He was half curled up in a little ball playing. He’d hold up a toy person, make it sound like he/she was saying something and giggle about it. I joined in saying the same sort of babble and giggling, and thanked him for the moment.

Lately Nathan has also been playing more and more frequently on his own figuring out his own unique combinations of toys. Of particular note, I think, is that he’s been taking toys that are not necessarily meant to ‘fit’ together. I’ll explain. Legos fit together in the context of playing with Legos. Blocks within blocks. Mixing legos with blocks is something a little different. Nate hasn’t actually mixed Legos/Blocks together, but for a while yesterday he had a toy bulldozer that had a matchbox car stuffed in as the driver, pulling a wagon (that was meant for a different toy tractor) hooked on, and in the wagon was a small stuffed animal.

But he’s done similar combinations with other toys as well. Sometimes he gets frustrated when he attempts to combine a couple toys that won’t fit properly together. Usually it only takes one of us telling him that it won’t work because toy A won’t fit into toy B (or that the one won’t hook onto the other). Either way its fun to see in terms of his developing creativity.

I thought today after Nate counted to 8, that I should write an update on what Nate’s new talents are. It is very hard to keep track of all of them, so I am sure that what I say will just touch the surface.

Nate, as stated above can count to 8. He also is very fluent in the english language basics, like “it fell down”, “I broke it”, “help me, please”, “thank you”, “I love you”, “I’m tired”, “she’s sleeping”, ” I don’t want it”, and “I want it”, “sit down”, “lay down”, “where is it”, “over here”, “I found one”,”ready, set, go”,”ouchie” “hurt?”etc.

Some of Nate’s words are car, snow, truck, bus, rain, piano, sing, Bailey, Indah, cat, dog, giraffe, penguin, duck, cow, turtle, frog, table, chair, wash, sink, bathtub, towel, diaper, bear, picture, door, pillow, blanket, outside, house, barn, tractor, floor, stool, hat, coat, sippy, milk, juice, cookie (for cracker too), eyse, nose, hair, brush, face, tongue, butt (for button), gloves, boots, potato (for mister potato head), orange, apple, grape, grandma, grandpa… the list goes on.

Just today he again was clear about what green was. I was coloring and was using a green crayon and said it was green. Later in a book, I asked him what color something was and he said green. He was right.

Nate has an understanding of pretty much anything we tell him to do and just what is going on around him. Just now he pushed his friend Miriam and I told him to get on his stool and he did and then after a minute, I asked him to say I am sorry and he proceeded to do that.

Nathan has been able in the past few weeks to play with 3 of his 4 cousins and seemed to get along with them pretty well. Sharing is always a bit of a challenge for all the cousins.

Nathan still eats well, he is a bit more picky and will always choose fruit over anything. Sometimes even over a cookie.
Nate already has an opinion about what he wears and when he wants to put his clothes on. He also is some what obsessive at times about being organized. Not all the time however. Some examples were when he was playing with his blocks. He would put a row of yellow blocks down and then on each yellow block he would place a purple block. He likes to line up things like his cars. He doesn’t however always feel the need to pick up his toys. Another fairly new thing is that Nate doesn’t like his hands to be dirty. If he gets marker, paint or playdo on them he wants them washed. When he is done with his meal if he has gotten food on his hands he will say insistently that he wants them washed because they are dirty (”wash hands, dirty”).

Nate continues to be good spirited. He does try to push limits at times, but as a whole seems to be really happy and social.

Nate is now 21months 3weeks old!

At 19 months Nathan is able to say complete sentences. Most of which are when he wants something. So he will say “boom, it fell down” or “what is that” or “why” or “where did it go”? He also is able to say all the numbers to 10. He doesn’t have the order yet, but will walk around saying . ” 2, 5, 7, 3, 9, 10″ etc.
Nathan also seems to understand everything we say and understands direction like “let’s pick it up” or “let’s go outside”
Nathan will bring us his coat, hat and shoes, if he wants to go outside. He will tell us what he is bringing us and say “let’s go outside”

Nathan continues to bring us much joy. He is good at playing independently, he likes to play on the piano and sing along, he loves to dance (especially to 80’s music) and he loves to play with his dog. Nathan continues to love to read, put together puzzles and play with legos. Nathan also loves his cars and tractors. Nate has become a very happy, interactive toddler.

Nathan loves to help out. He “fixed” his little toilet when his daddy was working on fixing our toilet. Nathan held the screws for me and handed them to me when I needed them while I was putting some shelving together. When we were hauling out paint buckets Nate also picked one up to carry it out. Anytime he sees us doing something he tries to help out. He has even helped us cook on occassion.

This past New Year’s Eve, we moved to another home and Nathan has adjusted quite well. He seems to enjoy the space. On a few occassions, Nate has made it to the top of the stairs by himself and just yesturday he made it all the way down by himself. I am not sure when a parent feels that their child can use the stairs alone, but at this time, when Nate has, he has done it safely, we still aren’t ready to knowingly let him do it on his own.

I am feeling a trend of not being able to keep up with blogging and Nate’s growth. It has been two months, so I don’t know where to start, so I will just state what he has been doing the past few days.
1.Last night Nate kissed me goodnight and said (on his own), “I love you”. He then smiled and closed his eyes.
2.Just this morning I was putting on Nate’s boots, and he said something got down from the chair grabbed his tennis shoes brought them back, sat down and pushed his boots away.
3.Nathan seems to understand most of what we are saying to him.
4.Nathan loves to put puzzles together and he seems good at it too.
5.Nathan is definately stating short phrases like, “what’s that, who’s that, up, more milk, etc.
6.Nate said Miriam as we drove up to her house the other day. He likes to walk around and call her on the days she is here. There have been a few occassions when it seems as if he is trying to get her attention to show her something.
7. If Nate doesn’t want to do something, I am able to rationalize with him.
8. Nate still can’t get onto the couch by himself, without the help of a stool. If the stool isn’t there, he will push it close to use it.
9. Nate can climb onto the kitchen chairs.
10. Nate likes to draw and paint and help with cooking and baking. He seems very concerned about what we are doing and how we are doing it. He has even whipped imaginary eggs after he saw me do it.

So that is the short of what Nate is doing. Everyday he suprises us with a new comment or gesture. He continues to remind us each and every day how lucky we are. He is such a joy.

Oh Gee, it has been so long, I can hardly keep track of what Nate can do, but will make an attempt.

So Nathan continues to communicate with us in many new ways. He will bring us his shoes if he wants them on, or he will look for them if we ask him to get them. The looking for thing goes for other things too, like his books, his dinosaur, his coat, etc.

Lately Nathan has been repeating or attempting to repeat my comments if they are short. For example this morning, I asked him to sit so I could put his shoes on. I repeated sit, and he said “sit” as he sat down. If I tell him to sit with a pat on the floor, Nate will say it and pat on the floor.

There are not very many words that we understand when Nate initiates. I am sure he is saying more than we realize. I have mentioned before that he has said things like dog. This morning he was trying to get to the cat and was meowing at her.

Just a couple weeks ago, I randomly asked Nate where his nose was, he pointed to his eye and said “eye” then I asked again where his nose was and he pointed to his nose and I asked where my nose was and he pointed to mine. He also seems to know where his ear is.

Nate understands more than just goodbye. He has also waved bye to comments such as see ya. Sometimes we wonder why we don’t ask Nate certain things sooner, b/c when we ask he seems to know and then we wonder why we haven’t asked him earlier.

Nate is really getting into some of his toys such as his stuffed ones. Just yesturday, Nate was dancing to some music and decided to make 2 of his teddy bears dance to. This morning, I saw him kissing his teddy bear, as well as his blue kangaroo. He was talking to his teddy bear and rolling around on the couch yesturday morning. It is fun to seem him interact with his toys.

Nate has been making car sounds for awhile when he is pushing his car around. Lately, Nate likes to roar like a dinosaur. We will ask him and he will do it. He has also been caught playing with his dinosaurs and roaring independently. I asked Nate to get one of his dinosaurs and he grabbed his dinosaur roar book (His favorite book).

This past weekend, Nate had the opportunity to ride on a combine with his Grandpa Reeser. He had a hard time saying combine, but when he would see it, or another tractor, he would say “tractor”. The first time he rode the combine he was very excited and just watched the corn get eaten by it. The second and third times, it put him to sleep.
Also this past weekend, Nate got into the whole kissing thing again. He used to kiss with an open mouth, then he started to hug and the kissing stopped, now he is kissing again and most of the time it is with a closed mouth. He seems more apt to kiss people he isn’t very familiar with than hug them.

Nate is now in 18 month clothes. 24 month is a little big. We haven’t weighed him for awhile, but my guess is that he is 27lbs. He got his second haircut a few weeks ago. Again it wasn’t such a good experience. He wonders what this stranger is doing to his hair.

Nate just has a general understanding of everything going on around him now. I will tell him we are going outside or to Joanne’s and he seems to understand. We will tell him to come to his bedroom to change his diaper and he understands. Just last weekend he showed me a diaper, he then layed down and rolled over a bit to set it behind his bottom. I changed his diaper and low and behold and really really needed it changed.

The next morning for fun I set him on the toilet and asked if he needed to poop. He said no. I had him sit for a bit (which he didn’t mind) and nothing happened. Actually he was constipated the whole day, so he was right, he didn’t need to poop.

That is enough personal info for now. He is still a joy to be around and we love him dearly. (17 months)

As a growing surprise to us (at least to me), the boy has been showing signs of increasing attempts at communication. A few I thought I’d mention.

• We were at the grocery store a little while ago. I was pushing the cart, Nathan contained within it. Angie collecting items to purchase. I leaned down to Nathan and said, “You’re silly!” It was a little garbled, but Angie and I could have both sworn we heard, “No! You’re silly!” as a response. It could, of course, not be repeated.
• Yes/No questions to Nate have been met with nods of approval or denial. Dinner of course, Nathan’s able to turn his head when he’s ‘done’ (whether or not we agree with him). But it has been fun as well to ask him if he’s tired or if he had a good day and to get a nodding “Yes.” as a response. I have not seen “No.” too often (if at all), and we’re not totally sure Nathan understands the question at times. Regardless its great to get some easily understood feedback from him.