NAP: 19 Months

Dear Nash,

My goodness. You, and Dad, and I have had a ridiculous couple of months. You had hand/foot/mouth and then an ear infection, Dad was hospitalized for a bacterial infection, and just last week you were also diagnosed with a bacterial infection. It manifested itself as a serious rash all over and a low-grade fever. You were very unhappy and the rash spread very quickly. I was worried you might have chicken pox (surely it couldn't have been hand/foot/mouth again!). Because of this the doctor's office ushered us in a back door and treated us like secret patients. The news was very scary: the Doc thinks you probably picked up what Dad had. Because they never officially tested Dad and only treated him, you had to be tested for MRSA, which is a scary staph virus. For the next 4 days, we were worried sick, quarantined, bathing you in Clorox, slathering you in antibiotic cream, and giving you oral antibiotics. On Friday we learned that you did NOT have it, but had some sort of less severe bacterial infection that has been responding beautifully to medicine. Whew!

In these weeks, you started school, though you have missed about half of the days so far. Because of the infection, your sleeping patterns have been very off and you were getting tired at about 10:30 at school. The teacher's helpers were so sweet and rocked you! Your teacher, Ms. Angela, says you are the chattiest one and she loves how you say "okay," for yes. We love that too.

Speaking of chatty, you are! You blab on and on and on. We know what some things are, but basically your sentence structure goes something like this: "Ahbdakjhd asjd frjgir skfjsd sfjij HOTDOG." Or " ZEUS djgndj skfjdsifj skji NO." or "Gkajsi seirhwif HAPPY jadjfjd KNOW IT." We are working hard on your manners so please, thank you, and sorry are repeated to you lots.

You have been coloring up a storm, though sometimes you like to test out the windows and furniture as drawing surfaces. This leads to time out and revocation of free-reign of the crayons. That you do not like. Thank goodness for washable crayons. We have also been playing with stickers, sorting shapes, and singing more (Happy and You Know It, Shoo Fly, and She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain are your faves). We haven't been playing outside tons because of the heat, but expect that to change very soon.

Your appetite is nil. Thanks antibiotics (insert sarcasm here). We're really trying to get you to eat anything at all. Your tummy is upset and we think you are avoiding food so that your stomach does't get more upset. We're changing serious diapers around the clock...even in your sleep!

Your hair is getting really long. Soon we will be at a crossroads: cut or let it be. It's a toss up right now as it's kind of poofy, but I am hoping the length will soon weigh it down. It's such great hair! You also have all but your canine teeth, which you love to brush several times a day. You are a seriously cute boy.

All this quarantine time has done two things: made you sweeter and made you more strong-willed. I love getting all of your kisses, hugs, and love. Your determination reminds me of myself. Sometimes it is frustrating, but you usually respond well to being corrected and we move on. Seriously, I understand it; you've been cooped up with me for a long time! We will get out starting tomorrow, I promise.

Nashy, we wonder at your intelligence, spirit, sensitivity, and will every day. We are so honored to be your parents. We're a little worried about the coming months and you meeting your little sister, but we know that it will be great for both of you as the years go on. We love, love, love you, little monkey.

Love, Mom

First Day of Pre-School

NAP started mother's day out today. He will be going twice a week. When we dropped him off this morning, he just went right on in and played. However, when I picked him up, he was much worse off. The teachers said that about an hour in (10 am) he got very sleepy and they had to rock him off and on for anout an hour. What? He doesn't nap until noon or one. Hmmm. We have noticed that he's been taking longer naps and sleeping less at night, so this might be part of that. We have also noticed that he seems a little off. He's drooling and has stinky breath, but those are the only other symptoms. Ideas?

Anyway, our sweet guy will go back on Friday. Hopefully he'll have a better day.

For Sue Sue: A Dos and Mommy Update

The picture below was last Friday at 22 weeks, and some change. I think I have now gained 15 lbs. The last few are a direct result of the 1lb bag of peanut M&Ms I consumed over a four-day time period. That consumption was a direct result of KP being hospitalized, Nash having hand/foot/mouth, having to replace appliances, having a water leak, almost getting mastitis (at freaking 22 weeks pregnant), and just generally liking chocolate.

We think we have a name. I am not sure if we will ever pull the trigger though. I realize that that is obnoxious, which is not the point. We're tired. August has been hot and so much crap has gone on that we're just not in the mood.

September is already shaping up to be a much better month. I am not going to jinx myself, so I'll wait to tell you all about it, but let's just say things are looking up. Maybe we'll announce Dos' name when the birds are singing, everyone's sleeping, and the world according to Amy is calm. On second thought, that may never happen...

Gua

Or Agua, as some might call it. KP is so worried that NAP says agua and not water. Funny. Anyway, NAP loves to play in the gua and since we have had something like 65 straight days of 100+ temps, it's a necessity to turn the gua on when you go outside!

NAP: 18 Months

Dear Nash,

You are WILD. At one and a half years, you are running the show. If you are not running, climbing, or getting into everything in the house, you must be watching Elmo. That's the only thing you will settle down for. Notice I wrote settle. You aren't even still when watching TV either. You are climbing onto everything, which can be a little scary for us. You also are getting to be more adventurous at the park and trying to slide down big slides by yourself (insert heart attack for me).

You have been sick for two whole stinking weeks now. You have had hand/foot/mouth which manifests itself as a rash (only on your hands and feet) and low-grade fever. It also lead to inflammation in your sinuses and an ear infection with high fever. Your HFM is very contagious so we have been home for TWO WEEKS. You and I both are about to go stir crazy. Luckily the mornings have been cool so we can walk outside and in the evenings we play in the water. Don't tell the utility company; we're on water restrictions.

You are talking like crazy. You ask for help to get on the bed, pull out the tent, or anything you could use a hand with. You also offer your help to feed the dogs, help us type on the computer, and take out the trash. What a sweet guy you are! You have started singing songs and will fill in the blanks on Shoo Fly, Hot Dog, Baby Bumble Bee, and Twinkle, Twinkle. You like music a lot.

You have also become quite cuddly. You give great hugs, love kisses, and snuggle more than ever before. I absolutely melt for those hugs and kisses and Da loves to snuggle with you in the mornings. You also blow kisses and kiss some of your stuffed animals. You pat the pugs and are generally very good to them. Don't get me wrong, you are still quite mischievous and like to play in the water bowl, destruct toys, and climb and hide. I am pretty sure that you will be just like your cousins and spell the word TROUBLE first.

We go for your check up next week and while I am sure you have grown tons, you're still my little guy. You eat like a horse and now constantly ask for food. Veggies are still a strict no, but you love meat and fruit. Carbs are sporadic as well.

You start Mother's Day Out at the end of this month. I am excited and nervous, but know you will love it. You already love to read, draw, and play with other children. Hopefully you will love those things when I am not around too. We'll see!

Nash, Da and I are having so much fun with you. You certainly keep us on our toes. And laughing. And wondering. And hoping. And praying. And dreaming. For too many things to count.

I love you,

Mommy

Dos Update

The above picture was taken at 17 weeks. We are now a little over 20 weeks. Hip, hip, hooray. My tummy has popped drastically since this picture, but until I straighten my hair again...no pic! Just kidding. I'll try to take one this week.

Dos weighs almost a pound. She's super busy, which is no surprise to us. I have gained 10 lbs, which is fine, except that I gained 7 in the last 5 weeks. I guess a family reunion will do that to you.

We have just started to clean out her room and make some space for her. We're trying to figure out bed situations, as now there will be no official guest room. We have to have room for Mimi to come, so we'll figure it out.

We have two names. KP loves one and I love the other. Wonder who will prevail. This is what happened with Nash too and we ended up choosing a third name. We'll see.

Summer Lovin'

We've been having a blast this summer. I know you can't tell from this blog, but we've really been doing a lot.

Nash and I find something fun to do at least 3 times a week. We also joined in with some other friends and created a babysitting co-op. This has been such a blessing, especially since my work has picked up. I still work mostly nights and weekends, but it's nice to have the ability to pop out to an appointment when necessary.

It's really hot here. I know if you're reading this, it's probably really hot where you are too. We tend to play inside lots. In the evenings we also let little Nash play in the hose/sprinkler/baby pool. We are constantly looking for swimming spots too!

Being silly with Daddy's "hat."

Luke, Davis, and Midge came up for a visit. We celebrated both boys' birthdays with cupcakes and presents.

Nash loved the cupcakes.

Luke and Dave with their new Star Wars lego sets.

Nashie as a cupie doll.

Smiley cupie doll.

The Walters family came for a visit. I love this pic of the boys all watching TV, including Baby C. We did lots of fun outside thing when they were here too, but Elmo in the morning always rocks.

Nash is big into helping when he wants to.

Here's Nashie helping with the hose, his favorite chore.

We had a family reunion for Buddy's Grandmother's side of the family. We were again on the Orange team for family games. Daddy and Nash played lots so Mommy could help with the festivities.

Here's a pic of the whole Woodland crew.

Daddy and Nash hanging out at Mimi and Buddy's.

Here's a very tired Nash learning to fish.

"If you're really quiet..."

"You'll catch a little fish!" (Or in the case of Buddy's pond, if you put a line in the water, you'll catch a fish!"

Here are Nash and Daddy simultaneously working at the dining room table.