NAP: 30 Months

Nash Archer,

You are two-and-a-half! You hear that time flies, but man does it with little kids.  You are growing so quickly.

You are still super busy, except when you are watching movies.  You can sit for an full-length movie, and you would all day long if we let you.  You like pretty much anything you have ever seen, including Nemo, Toy Story, Cars, Dumbo (The flying Ef-e-lint), Meet the Robinsons (Tiny Robbins), and The Chipmunks.  We are so very tired of watching movies.

When you are busy, you love to play trains, build with blocks, watercolor, jump or the trampoline, play in the baby pool, water the yard with the hose, and collect treasures on our walks.  We have noticed that you are quite coordinated with a ball.  For a couple of weeks, you have been bringing us a ruler and a nerf ball, asking us to pitch the ball at you.  You frequently hit it.  Daddy just got you a t-ball and bat.  You are loving playing that in the back yard.

You are into dinosaurs (you name more than I know) and Thomas trains. You like to pretend that dinosaurs are everywhere.  You name their characteristics - sharp teeth, big eyes, how many legs, if they eat meat...ok, you are really into dinosaurs. You got your first Thomas engine for going #2 in the potty.  Percy is taunting you, but you have little interest in trying that again.

You still love fruit as your main food group.  You eat lots of other things too.  We have noticed that you eat just enough for us to let you down from dinner- you'll even take a few bites of the things you don't like.  Then, about 30 minutes later, after we have cleaned up, you'll ask for a PB&J or banana.  Clever.

You speak in full sentences, although words are sometimes not in their proper places.  You like to tell us what's going to happen next.  I frequently give you a sequence of events so that you know what to expect.  You have started giving me directions in the car.  You love to ask for "five more minutes," but sometimes argue for only one minute when we offer five.  That one works in our favor.

You have been playing with our co-op friends, old school friends, and our family friends all summer.  School starts back next week.  I have been trying to prepare both of us, but I am sure it will not be super easy.

You are a wonderful brother.  You bring Sissy toys, give her hugs, tell her good morning and good night.  Other than that, you pretty much go about your own business, though you like to know where she is. I couldn't have asked for a better relationship.

Nashy, we love you to pieces.  When I peek into your crib at night, I know big changes are on the way.  I can't believe how big you are getting.  We are so loving interacting with you and watching your mind work.  We love your enthusiasm and strong will.  We love every bit of your two-and-a-half self.

Love,
Mom

WDP: 8 Months

Wren Pie,
You are growing so quickly.  Is that how I begin each of your updates?  That is certainly how I feel.  Good gracious, sweet girl.

You are finally sitting on your own, unsupported for long stretches.  You still have very little interest in being on your tummy or back (that darn reflux), so crawling does not even appear to be coming soon.  You are pulling up on Brother's train table and reaching to get things, even if you have to scoot or topple over to reach them.

You have started forming your ba-ba-bas.  How quickly talking begins.  You also seem to be making the sign for dog when you see ours.  Hmmm. I'd better refresh my memory on baby signs.

You are eating like a champ!  After some issues introducing grains - issues solved with prune juice - you seem to be adjusting to solids just fine.  You nurse first thing in the morning, have fruit and grains for breakfast around 9, nurse and have some sort of veggie or fruit and grain at 12:30, nurse at 3, have sliced bananas, avocados, veggies and puffs around 5, and a big bottle of breast milk around 7:30.  You are loving puffs and just today started feeding whole ones to yourself.  You are so proud.  I am excited.  You have no idea how much more cooking I will be able to accomplish with you entertaining yourself with bits of food!

You sleep through the night most nights, sometimes waking to find a paci.  I have taken a tip from other moms I know and you now go to bed with a few pacis.  That does not always ensure that you will look for one, but my nights of running across the house to shove a paci back into your mouth are decreasing.

You are very happy.  Daddy, Brother, and I can get you to belly laugh often.  You like the jack-in-the-box, the basket of play food, blocks, holding onto the train table, and just watching the activity.  You still prefer me when something is not right - hungry, tired, over-stimulated.  But, you are going to your grandmas more easily, which they both cherish.

Sister, we love you so much.  We love your big, two-tooth smile.  We love hearing you giggle and shriek.  I love holding your rolly body and I especially love when you snuggle in. You are a yummy baby.

Love,
Mom