The Winds of Change...

When Nolan turned one, all the books and websites on child development stated that he was officially a toddler.  Joe and I refused to accept that information.  Nolan was still crawling, was only speaking a few words in addition to the couple of signs he used, and he required a good amount of assistance at meals. 

Little by little, it has become apparent to us that he is truly bridging the gap between "babyhood" and "toddlerhood."   In June, just shy of 14 months, his few unassisted steps turned into a sweet little waddle.  Soon he was running...

Then came the climbing.  He was up on chairs, the couch, the back stairs, the glider in his room - everything was his Mt. Everest. 

 

 

 

Then, of course, there's the tantrums....I have not enough energy to get into this topic. 

At bath time this summer, we finally ditched the infant tub for the regular big tub.    He was just getting too big for the tiny tub and it was warm enough that I didn't worry he'd get chilly too quickly.  After that, he outgrew the sweet little hooded towels we received so many of as baby shower gifts.  Now, he uses a regular bath towel like the rest of us in this household. 

In August, per recommendation of our parent education professional from the Parents As Teachers program, we started making a list of the words he was saying.  Not just repeating (although he does make a great parrot), but actually using.  The list started at 4 or 5 besides "Mum-mum" and "Daddy," and we're now up to about 2 dozen.  

Nolan has a special chore - feeding the dog.  He now expertly dumps the cup of food into Buckley's bowl and we tell Buckley "Okay!"  Nolan also delights in helping in other ways such as sweeping, dusting, and, his favorite, vacuuming. 

 

 

He's started helping in other ways as well.   A couple of times, Nolan has joined me in baking or cooking.  This past weekend, he helped me make pumpkin cookies.  It went surprisingly well!   Since dumping things out is one of his favorite activities, he did well with dumping out the ingredients after I had measured them. 

 

 

 

At meal times, Nolan started grabbing the spoon more often and then pointing his finger down on his high chair tray as if to say "You can put that bowl right here."   So I decided to let go one day and hand him the reigns.   Here, he is feeding himself oatmeal: 

Now, he has 100% control of dishes, bowls, spoons, forks and sippy cups.  Yes, sometimes he decides his hands make better utensils which is totally fine, and, yes, sometimes the forks, spoons, or bowls end up flying across the table or on the floor, but he is so independent now. 

Then another change - one night at dinner, he threw a fit when I tried to put him in his high chair.  He was kicking, grabbing my neck and doing everything he could not to be placed in that chair.  This was strange behavior.  He calmed down after a few minutes and I was able to finally get him in his chair.  A few days later, it happened again.  This time, Joe suggested we make the switch to booster seat.  We got a great 2-in-1 high chair that you can take the seat off and use as a booster on a regular kitchen chair.   So off came the tray, then the seat, and we buckled it to the kitchen chair.  Happy as a clam, Nolan gladly climbed in his seat and ate dinner without any more issue.  I sadly put the rest of the high chair away in the back room.  Now, he'll run up to his chair at dinner time and say "My seat! Sit down!" 

Sure, there's still times we're quickly reminded that Nolan is still our "baby."  But, all too quickly, this little boy is growing up - and faster than I can keep up with!  My busy, busy toddler. 





Being this cute....

Is Risky Business!!!  ;)



Off to Daycare

Monday was supposed to be the official start of our teacher's school year.   With Hurricane Irene on the horizon, my school department postponed the start of school.    One more day with the little man is like gold!!!   Daddy did the drop-off on Tuesday since I had to be at school earlier in the morning than I had anticipated (read "in past years with the previous superintendent").   On Wednesday, I chose to bring Nolan in.    At 7:10, about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours prior to his normal, summer wake-up time, I went in to wake him up.   He was on his belly, with one of the many stuffed puppies' ears shoved in his mouth.....grumpy and not used to being woken so early, he was slow to rise.    I snatched him up in my arms and settled into the glider.   I rocked him for a few minutes, enjoying this quiet, solitary moment.   Soon it was time for the diaper and wardrobe change.   After getting dressed, we chose a couple of puppies from The Nest  for naptime and headed out the door.  On the quick drive to Nolan's new daycare, we sang a few songs  (I tried so hard NOT to tear up during "You Are My Sunshine.").   I could see in the rearview mirror, his face grinning as he snuggled with one of his puppies.  We pulled into the driveway at daycare, and I snapped a quick picture of this boy:

He's ready for his day and he didn't need a cup (or 3) of coffee like his "Mum-mum" to make that happen.  His daycare provider refers to him as "happy go lucky," but we're the lucky ones.   So blessed to have this child who goes with the flow, makes adjustments as needed, and doles out the hugs and kisses when requested. 

Just this afternoon, I picked him up from daycare - he was playing with a ride-on car toy.  I scooped him up, ultimately pulling him away from this preferred activity.   He gave me a hug, said "Awwwwww," then pulled my face towards his, gave me a smooch, and demanded "DOWN!"   So sorry I interrupted......    

As we start a new school year, and a new daycare, I realize there are so many changes.  Nolan is not the 4 month-old infant who began daycare last year.   While an infant requires more care, supervision, attention, etc., here is a boy who knows very much what he wants and what he needs while not always being able to communicate that.   And I'm not the stressed-out, exhausted, post-partum, ready for someone else to take a turn, mother-of-a-newborn I once was.  After nearly 11 weeks at home or on the road this summer visiting friends and family, and making some wonderful life-long memories together the question is....So who is having the separation anxiety here??????     My guess is not the child in the back seat, grinning and ready to see which friends are waiting for him at daycare....

"You are my sunshine,

my only sunshine.

You make me happy

when skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

how much I love you.

Please don't take 

my sunshine away." 

- Oliver Hood, Jimmie Davis, and many, many others....

*tap, tap, tap* Is this thing on?

I realize it's been well over a month since my last post.  This last month of summer has been a busy one in an effort to cram as much as we possibly can into these few fleeting days.   (Stay tuned for a "Summer Recap" to occur after Labor Day; because that's when summer is truly over)   This blog needs something - a weekly review, a "Yuck it's Monday, here's a picture Nolan to cheer you up and get you through the week," something to keep me on my toes and motivated to get back into this blogging thing.  At this point, I feel so overwhelmed by the possible blog topics that I don't know where to begin.   So, here's a picture from this morning when I had to go in to wake Nolan to go to daycare (not happy about that whole deal either - more to come).   But it's this kind of picture that brings a little bit of sunshine to those mornings we have to go to work (Do I HAVE to???)

Happy Friday!

My Own Hiking Challenge

While searching for some short, local hikes, I came upon this:  http://tinyurl.com/6l2wshv
It's a hiking challenge in Harpswell, Maine to hike 8 waterfront trails in 2 days.  Unfortunately, it was back in June.  But I thought it would still be cool to complete the 8 hikes listed as part of the challenge.   I will not do it in 2 days (it's just not possible with a 14 month old at home)...instead I thought my challenge would be to complete all 8 hikes by the end of our summer with the little man on my back.   If we did 1-2 a week, we could definitely do this.   And since Nolan loves the outdoors, I think he'll enjoy our weekly excursions.  PLUS Harpswell is just a beautiful area and I love that it's only 15-20 minutes down the road.   Most of the trails are a part of the Harpswell Land Trust.  Most towns in our area have a land trust and open the trails on these beautiful parcels of land to the public.   Now, I know this is no "40 4,000 Footers" list like New Hampshire has, but this is baby steps!!  (which I have completed at least a dozen of those hikes on the list, by the way)

So our first hike was one Buckley and I have already done with my good friend and her dog (also, Buck's best girl) and it's definitely a favorite of mine.   It's called the Cliff Trail.  It's a very pretty hike through the woods where children can stop and build fairy houses.   It also peaks at Harpswell's highest point and the views are just breathtaking (and sometimes stomach-taking at first).   I was able to drag Joe away from some outside yard and shed work and we all went for a "Family Hike."  It was nice to get out together.  Buckley chased countless number of poor, innocent chipmunks and one very angry red squirrel.  And Nolan and I started a little backpack fun where we pretend the tree branches are going to tickle him and he squeals with joy when the branches brush up against him.  Then he reaches out for more. 


 Here's some pics:

And we're off!

Family self-portrait

Good times

Joe and Buckley at the top

Such pretty views just minutes from home!  We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area of Maine.

On to hike #2!   Nolan had woken up from a nap, Joe was busy roofing the "addition" to his shed, and I decided I was going stir crazy at home.  Nolan and I headed out to the Devil's Back trail on our own.   This is a newer trail and I couldn't find any information online about whether or not dogs were allowed.  Come to find out when we got there, our furry friend was more than welcome.   Since I really enjoyed this hike, we will definitely be heading back with Buck in tow.  There were a couple of spots for him to enjoy a dip in the ocean.   Online the hike was described as easy.  I guess when you don't have a 25 pound toddler on your back, it is!   There were definitely a few steep spots that I had to think about my footing and use the help of some sturdy trees to negotiate my way up the trail.   I got a really good workout in on this hike!  One half of the loop was this way, and the other half was fairly easy to get through.   We had a lot of fun exploring this 1.4 mile loop.   A pretty location in the woods with some nice water views along the way.   At the end of our hike, we went down on the rocks to snap some pictures and engage in Nolan's new favorite pasttime of throwing rocks in the water.  He could've stayed there all evening.   I'm sure we'll be back.  

A little tricky to find, but glad we did!

Heading out at the start of the trail!

Nolan loved this boat and waved every time it came into view along the trail

Fun in the sun

I have no idea what he's pointing at....

Down in the little cove

"One, two, three, throw!!!"

After our hike, we decided to head a little further down the road to this cute little place called the Island Candy Company for ice cream.   I perused the list of flavors and decided on some blueberry ice cream.   Yum!  It was delicious and we fought over the spoon constantly until the very last bite!   The perfect cool treat after our hike.  

So, that's 2 hikes down, 6 more to go!  Can't wait to choose which one we'll do next.   After Harpswell, we'll have to pick our next area to conquer!   :)  

These are a few of my favorite things....Part 1

I added "Part 1" at the end of the title because I'm pretty sure I'll have things to add to this, already, ever-growing list!  There's so many things that make me smile throughout every day spent with Nolan (and some things that make me grind my teeth or mutter under my breath, but that's a different list I don't want to focus on).    Instead of fighting the urge to blog about every cute moment, I thought I'd just begin to compile a list. 

So here goes:

1.  That toothy grin (all 4 of 'em!) 
2.  The way he points his finger at something, while shaking his head and babbling - like he's a disappointed parent or teacher, dissatisfied with something
3. Speaking of babbling - he could go on forever in his own little foreign languge and Joe and I just look at each other, shrug our shoulders and laugh
4.  Nolan's kisses - you ask for a kiss and he either offers his forehead to you, blows you a kiss or dives in, mouth wide open!
5.  Coming home from an errand to find a piece of board in our living room which Daddy informs me had been used as a ramp for cars and trucks (who was having more fun here??) 
6.  Nolan loves to play Ring Around the Rosy now - he falls on the floor laughing and clapping and then promptly gets up for another round
7.  Nolan watching and listening intently, swaying back and forth when Joe plays the guitar
8.  Those chubby bare feet! 
9.  And how he offers you his foot when you say "Where are your toes?"
10.  The way he attempts to blow bubbles - Thhhhhppppppppppppttttttttttt!!! 
11.  When he's tired and you pick him up and he pats you on the back as he lays he head down on your shoulder
12.  Any snuggles in general - now that he's walking and is busy, busy, he doesn't always have time to sit and cuddle
13.  Seeing that toothy smile and blue eyes peering through the rails of the crib when you go in to get him in the morning or after naptime
14.  When he shrieks with laughter
15.  How he claps his hands to say "more" and he's trying so hard to learn "please"
16.  Trying to repeat things you say
17.  The words he does know - Momma, Da-da, Daddy, Doggy, Turtle (which usually means he wants to go outside because that's where his turtle sandbox is), That (or more like Dat) for "What's that?", Bubbles
18.  And I think he's starting to say "Dirty" for anything used to clean up - the vaccuum, the broom, a cloth...
19.  His love for the outdoors, even when it's raining (Just like Daddy)
20.  How he and Buckley get along (or manage to co-exist in this small house) so well - even when Nolan throws one of his own balls to Buckley and Buck knows he's not allowed to put his mouth on it or when Nolan crawls on his bed while he's sleeping and screams in his face
21.  His strange affinity for cords - a power cord, the camera cord, the cord for the computer, the cord to our electric griddle, etc.  (not plugged in, of course!)  But cords will occupy his interest for lengthy periods of time.  He's often carrying one around
22.  How he sleeps through the night and has since he was about 3 months old (with a little bump in the road around 6-7 months)
23.  And the kid sleeps in late, too!  (okay, so he doesn't go down until about 8:30, but that's because we wanted to spend so much time with him in the evenings through the school year).    For the past week or so, he's been sleeping until 10:00.  He's really embracing the summer vacation...
24.  He's at the helping stage - he wants to help screw the cap back on the bubbles or the toothpaste.  Give him a cloth and he'll wipe things down for you.  Or a small broom and he'll "help" sweep up!  So cute to see what he's interested in doing.
25.  When he walks over to you, grabs your legs and looks up at you and you know he just wants to be held.  Love it.

I'll stop there for now - this list is already getting long.  There's so much I love about this kid!  Stay tuned for Part 2!

Bedtime with the Big Boy!

Tuesday night was Nolan's last.bottle.ever.  Since his 12 month appointment, we had been taking bottles away one at a time and replacing them with milk sippies.  The last to go would be the bedtime bottle - Nolan's most needed, psychologically and emotionally for the three of us!  The bedtime bottle was Daddy's time with Nolan to snuggle on the couch and Mommy wasn't sure if the bottle had anything to do with his ability to sleep so well through the night (which, when I think about it logically, I know that's not the case)  Over the past couple of weeks, we reduced the amount in the bottle.  We had decided we would wait to take it away altogether until school was finally over.  Nolan had already been through a couple of changes with daycare the last week of school and we didn't want any more disturbances to occur at the same time.  Besides, we weren't sure how he'd react when the bedtime bottle was no more.    Well, Tuesday night came and we put that last scoop of formula into the bottle - all 2 oz of it.  Needless to say, Nolan sucked it right down in no time.  A part of the ritual that used to take 10 minutes, now only took 2.   We were off to bed and I couldn't help thinking as I rocked him how that next night would go. 

Wednesday night, we got him ready as usual.  I had already cleaned and put away the bottle warmer, hiding any evidence of its existence.  He didn't even glance at the bare spot on the counter it used to occupy as we walked through the kitchen.  Instead of sitting on the couch for that bottle with Daddy, the three of us cuddled up for his favorite bedtime story Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton.   He sucked on one of his puppies and listened without any fuss or any search for his usual bottle.  After the story was over - "Shhhhhh! Good night! Sleep Tight!" - we gave kisses good night to Daddy, waved na-nights to the dog, and Nolan walked all by himself with puppy in hand down the short hallway to his room.  He turned around and smiled at me as I followed him, and he pushed open the door to his room.   I stood in the doorway and watched him toddle over to the rocking chair.  He looked at me and patted the seat of the chair, indicating to me to take my usual spot.  I sat down and scooped that big boy up.   We said our prayers and I thanked God for such a sweet, happy, easy-going, and special little boy.   I sang the usual "Dream a Little Dream," and he squirmed around in my arms towards the end, letting me know he doesn't need to be rocked completely to sleep anymore and that he was ready to call it a night!  (I like to drag out our snuggle time by humming the end of the song for a while)   :)   With one last "I love you" and a few more kisses on the forehead, I put him in his crib, turned off his nightlight, and walked out.  I can hardly believe sometimes how big he's getting; how much he's grown in just these past (almost) 14 months.   We are so blessed and we remind ourselves of this everyday.   It might not always be this easy, but for now we'll enjoy it while it lasts.