I know, I never update this blog due to FB. Sorry. Anyway, Nathan has turned from a baby into a kid! He is talking up a storm and frequently surprises us with 3-4 word sentences and multi- syllable words. He continues to be a great eater, but seems to have (finally) slowed down in growth. He's in 24 month pants and 2T tops (has been for several months now). He has gotten leaner for sure, but still seems big compared to his peers.
The biggest news is that last night (November 18, 2011) [<-- this is the closest he'll get to a baby book, so I need to be precise!], Nathan went #1 on the potty!! We have had a potty in both bathrooms that he had been sitting on regularly clothed for a couple of months. In the past month we have added a pre-bath (hence, naked) sit on the potty to his bath-time routine. After his bath last night, he got crazy eyes (he raises his eyebrows and gets big eyes when excited) said "potty, potty," went to his potty and sat down, made an interesting face, and said "pee-pee." He got up, and there was pee in the potty! We were all very excited. After flushing said pee down the toilet (and Nathan saying and waving good-bye to it), he wanted "more!" Getting him off the potty took some convincing as he was just so excited.
So, yes, it seems it may be time to capitalize on his interest. We think we will do the naked route at home, so we need to find a few days when we are home all day (not so easy with us these days). If I feel ambitious, we'll try this coming weekend after Thanksgiving, but I don't think I'll really try until Christmas break. I wasn't even thinking about potty training until this summer when I am off, but it seems that he might me more ready than we thought. What we know for sure is that we aren't ready for this next step for our "baby"....
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Baby's first surgery
Little Nathan had his 1st surgery today. The surgery was quick as promised by his Dr. I went back with him to watch/comfort him when he went under anesthesia. Wow, that was hard. He was a champ as always, but I wish I could say the same for me! I tried to hold it together, but tears were flowing as his sweet eyes closed and he went "under." He was very brave, and very cute even as they put the mask on him. He pointed to his blood pressure cuff and said "owie" (what a faker!). The docs and nurses got a kick out of him for sure. I looked back at him on the bed in the OR as I walked out - yeah, shouldn't have done that! He looked so very little in that big OR with the large lights and long bed. Phew.They came to get us in just 10 minutes or so. His Dr talked to us before he went in about potentially taking out his adenoids along with the ear tubes. We gave permission for him to check them and "make the call" if they needed to come out. That would have added about 20 minutes to the surgery, and he opted not to take them out as they were not large and seem fine for now. He had just woken up and was crying when we went back. I guess that babies get very confused and are often inconsolable when coming out of anesthesia as they don't understand the groggy feeling. He was also starving (no food/drink all morning). He drank some water and sucked down an applesauce pack. Thanks to the post-op nurse, he even had some chocolate pudding.
Dr. Dickey (ENT) came into recovery to see us. He said the surgery went great and that there was A LOT of fluid in his ears. Some that looked like it had been there for months. The ear tubes will allow us to get antibiotic drops right to the source and hopefully get him cleared up for good. The Dr hopes for lots of drainage of the nasty fluid over the next two weeks. Yuck, but we'll be happy to see that stuff get out of his little head! Although he was pretty much inconsolable throughout the time in the recovery room, he did pause for a sniffly bye-bye to the nurses. So cute.
Our brave boy took a snooze in the car, so Chuck and I drove around for awhile to give him a good nap. He woke up pretty happy and very hungry! He ate a huge banana, some cereal, and a bowl of oatmeal. He was feeling great, so I took him to lunch with Kari and Anderson - where he ate abour 1/4 of a corn dog and a bunch of cantaloupe. He is taking a good nap now, so I think we are already back to normal around here. Amazing.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
18 month appointment
It is so hard to believe that our little baby has turned into this little person. He charms everyone at his pediatrician's office, especially Dr. Sunit. :) He had a great checkup and is doing all the right things. He is ahead a bit on many milestones.
His stats:
Height: 33" - 75%ile
Head: 48.7 cm - 75%ile
Weight: 29 lb 9.6 oz - > 90%ile (he's been toggling around 30, sometimes above, for the past month)
We are keeping him rear facing in the car until he is 2, per the revised AAP guidelines. We can legally flip him now, but we're sticking to the guidelines for now. The best news is that he is really done with shots for awhile outside of his flu shot this Fall (and annually) and his last Hep. Yeah!
His stats:
Height: 33" - 75%ile
Head: 48.7 cm - 75%ile
Weight: 29 lb 9.6 oz - > 90%ile (he's been toggling around 30, sometimes above, for the past month)
We are keeping him rear facing in the car until he is 2, per the revised AAP guidelines. We can legally flip him now, but we're sticking to the guidelines for now. The best news is that he is really done with shots for awhile outside of his flu shot this Fall (and annually) and his last Hep. Yeah!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Nate hearts DIRT
Nathan had a great time camping. He loves rocks. He LOVES dirt...
He had a wonderful time getting very, very dirty. We washed him down in the sink of the camper nightly to get the top layers off. Small sink. Big baby.
Our campsite was in Moraine Park in the Rocky Mountain National Park, with an unobstructed view of Longs Peak. Pretty awesome. Minus a microburst that nearly resulted in the awning coming off the camper (thank you to our neighbors at the campsite!), the weather was perfect. It was warm during the day and cool at night.
Nathan also went for a hike with the Spencers and me. Matt carried him about 2 miles on a hike up to Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Talon (their 2.5 year old boy) made the whole hike on his own (since N was in his backpack!).
Taking a rambunctious 18 month old camping without Daddy made for some exhaustion for me, but luckily I had a lot of help from Mimi, Popi, Natanee, and Matt. Chuck was off with Uncle Kirby doing fireworks in Mammoth. We missed him (and Nathan asked for him several times...even a very cute "Out. Please. Up. Dada. Dada" first thing in the morning from the Pack-n-play.
Discipline is continuing to be a challange for us. Speaking stearnly and putting Nate in the Naughty spot (time out) is not effective. In fact, Nathan smiles at the stern tone and laughs on the way to the spot. Hmmm. So, we're trying other methods. Right now I'm working to show no reaction to the negative behaviors (primarily throwing and hitting) and giving positive feedback to the desired behavior. When he hits, I go into another room and tell him I don't want to play when he hits. This has already backfired a bit as he then threw his water bottle (mom: no reaction) and then picked it up and placed it down nicely (mom: Yahoo! [clapping and smiles]). Repeat. Kind of like the hit mommy and then putting himself into the naughty spot. This kid really understands cause and affect. I keep telling myself that all of this is a phase and is totally normal. Slow, calming breaths....
Nate has his 18 month appointment tomorrow. Stats to follow.
He had a wonderful time getting very, very dirty. We washed him down in the sink of the camper nightly to get the top layers off. Small sink. Big baby.
Our campsite was in Moraine Park in the Rocky Mountain National Park, with an unobstructed view of Longs Peak. Pretty awesome. Minus a microburst that nearly resulted in the awning coming off the camper (thank you to our neighbors at the campsite!), the weather was perfect. It was warm during the day and cool at night.Nathan also went for a hike with the Spencers and me. Matt carried him about 2 miles on a hike up to Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Talon (their 2.5 year old boy) made the whole hike on his own (since N was in his backpack!).
Taking a rambunctious 18 month old camping without Daddy made for some exhaustion for me, but luckily I had a lot of help from Mimi, Popi, Natanee, and Matt. Chuck was off with Uncle Kirby doing fireworks in Mammoth. We missed him (and Nathan asked for him several times...even a very cute "Out. Please. Up. Dada. Dada" first thing in the morning from the Pack-n-play.
Discipline is continuing to be a challange for us. Speaking stearnly and putting Nate in the Naughty spot (time out) is not effective. In fact, Nathan smiles at the stern tone and laughs on the way to the spot. Hmmm. So, we're trying other methods. Right now I'm working to show no reaction to the negative behaviors (primarily throwing and hitting) and giving positive feedback to the desired behavior. When he hits, I go into another room and tell him I don't want to play when he hits. This has already backfired a bit as he then threw his water bottle (mom: no reaction) and then picked it up and placed it down nicely (mom: Yahoo! [clapping and smiles]). Repeat. Kind of like the hit mommy and then putting himself into the naughty spot. This kid really understands cause and affect. I keep telling myself that all of this is a phase and is totally normal. Slow, calming breaths....
Nate has his 18 month appointment tomorrow. Stats to follow.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
8th time is the "charm"
Nathan currently has ear infection #8 in twelve months. His trip to the ENT left us with a surgery appointment for ear tubes in two weeks. We hope that the tubes will alleviate his ear infection issues. Poor little guy.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Talking, climbing, playing
Nathan is a busy, busy boy. He is all about climbing and figuring things out. He can identify non-Nathan-proofed things in a room in seconds. Nathan's curiosity can get him into trouble (literally and figuratively) - he recently took a chunk out of the wall when knocking over a chair that he was pushing and he likes to investigate wall plugs...
We realized that he has a ton of two word sentences and be both heard him say "I do the book" ("I do" is a common one for him) this morning on the changing table. He brought the book up with him and was looking through it. It is amazing how fast he learns!! He is also learning to drink out of a big boy cup. He also likes to put his food AND his hands in his cup...so we are still working on this skill!
His cooperative play skills continue to grow. He loves watching older kids play and will often follow their lead. This weekend he and his cousin Sofia were playing in a pool at Mimi and Popi's. He followed Sofia up the slide (over and over and over) and would splash when she did. Sofia liked this most of the time, until he commandeered her toys. Ha! Sofia is growing so fast - she is almost three, which seems crazy!! She is a great big sister to her little brother, Nicholas.
This weekend Nathan and I will be going camping in Rocky Mountain National Park with Mimi, Popi, and the Spencer family. Chuck will be out with Uncle Kirby doing fireworks in Mammoth. Mimi and Popi have a camper trailer, so we won't be roughing it. I am guessing that Nate and Talon (Natanee and Matt's son) will have a blast playing together. Nathan loves rocks and dirt, and there is plenty of that camping! :) Next week, Nate gets to go to Boulder to hang out with the Luttrells on Tuesday and has his 18 month appointment on Thursday. Cheers!
Have a safe and happy 4th!
We realized that he has a ton of two word sentences and be both heard him say "I do the book" ("I do" is a common one for him) this morning on the changing table. He brought the book up with him and was looking through it. It is amazing how fast he learns!! He is also learning to drink out of a big boy cup. He also likes to put his food AND his hands in his cup...so we are still working on this skill!
His cooperative play skills continue to grow. He loves watching older kids play and will often follow their lead. This weekend he and his cousin Sofia were playing in a pool at Mimi and Popi's. He followed Sofia up the slide (over and over and over) and would splash when she did. Sofia liked this most of the time, until he commandeered her toys. Ha! Sofia is growing so fast - she is almost three, which seems crazy!! She is a great big sister to her little brother, Nicholas.
This weekend Nathan and I will be going camping in Rocky Mountain National Park with Mimi, Popi, and the Spencer family. Chuck will be out with Uncle Kirby doing fireworks in Mammoth. Mimi and Popi have a camper trailer, so we won't be roughing it. I am guessing that Nate and Talon (Natanee and Matt's son) will have a blast playing together. Nathan loves rocks and dirt, and there is plenty of that camping! :) Next week, Nate gets to go to Boulder to hang out with the Luttrells on Tuesday and has his 18 month appointment on Thursday. Cheers!
Have a safe and happy 4th!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Two word sentence!
Our little boy said his first two word sentence (I'm not counting phrases like "thank you" or "up/more, please") today. I asked, "who is this" while pointing to Nathan and he said,
I Nay-Nay." :)
I Nay-Nay." :)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Much belated...
Ok, so I am not a very good blogger. :) I am, however, a great Facebooker (even a worse addiction now that I have an iPhone) though, so "Friend" me to keep up with Nathan in real time! I'm a bit hard to find if we don't have a shared friend (on purpose given my teaching job), so let me know if you can't find me. I also haven't taken photos on the "real camera" in ages, so the photo albums on FB are by far the most current. Anyway, enough about my iPhone addiction and more about our boy!!
Our baby has grown into a full blown toddler over the past few months! He is pretty much fearless. Nathan can now get up on the couch and toy box on his own, which allows him to get into a lot of mischief. He likes to dive bomb (throw himself from a standing position on the couch to his belly, or onto one of his parents). Reminders and consequences for staying on his bottom haven't worked so far. His newest trick is getting up to the arm of the couch and STANDING UP!! No photos of this trick as we run to get him down before he falls off. Lots of climbing ability, not always so much with the balance.
He is a master of the stairs (up and down on his belly), but he desperately wants to go up and down like a big boy. He takes stairs one at a time (big steps!) when holding hands. He also likes to push toys over to the coffee table (or climb on us) to get up on the table.
Nathan is working on using a regular cup (mostly at daycare), and he is starting to use his fork/spoon more often. He also uses a plate or bowl (plastic, of course!) for most meals and his messes are (generally) limited to what he throws on the floor (see discipline discussion below! Ha!)
Disciplining a 17 month old is pretty much impossible. We're working on gentle touches - he is great with animals (not that Zack gets close enough to learn that Nathan will be gentle), but not so much with people. We've started the "naughty spot" (so that we can have a spot wherever we go), which at home is next to the gate at the stairs. This last week, he walked up to me, smack my leg, and went over to the naughty spot and sat down. Then he did the whole thing again. Yes, he's learning cause and effect, but not so much the discipline part!! Loading the dishwasher when he is playing downstairs is an exercise in patience. He definitely tests his boundaries on a regular basis. It is exhausting at times.
Nathan learns new words every day! He is a bit of a parrot and will repeat (or try to repeat) just about anything you ask him to. Some of his new words/phrases that he uses often (and mostly knows the meaning of: Stuck, thank you, sorry, no-no, hot, yuck, truck, bath, water, Nathan (nay-nay), toes, eyes, sock, shoe, nose. He can identify his nose, ears, eyes, mouth, and feet/toes and many animal noises when asked. He has also started to memorize parts of some of his books - he says words with us as we get to them. If you ask him who Nathan is, he points to himself and says Nay-nay.
He continues to be a big boy. Every time I think he is thinning out, he chubs up again. He isn't as chubby as he was at say 6-9 months old, but he is very stocky and solid. He is 30 lbs (weighs more than Sofia!) and is in 2T shirts and 24 month shorts (some 18 month shorts still fit if they are stretchy). His hats are 2-4T and are sometimes a bit snug depending on the brand. His new shoes are 7XW (extra-wide). I have his hair cut in a "buzz cut" since that is as fancy as I can get with our hair trimmer!
We've had a great summer so far and I love being off with him! Our social calendar has been very full! He started swimming lessons last week. Not that we expect him to learn how to swim, but we hope to learn what to help him with in the pool and that he feels safe in the water. Our little fish LOVES the pool. It's like a bath only way, way better. :) Here is a video from his lesson - this is a blog exclusive (nope, not on Facebook!).
Our baby has grown into a full blown toddler over the past few months! He is pretty much fearless. Nathan can now get up on the couch and toy box on his own, which allows him to get into a lot of mischief. He likes to dive bomb (throw himself from a standing position on the couch to his belly, or onto one of his parents). Reminders and consequences for staying on his bottom haven't worked so far. His newest trick is getting up to the arm of the couch and STANDING UP!! No photos of this trick as we run to get him down before he falls off. Lots of climbing ability, not always so much with the balance.
He is a master of the stairs (up and down on his belly), but he desperately wants to go up and down like a big boy. He takes stairs one at a time (big steps!) when holding hands. He also likes to push toys over to the coffee table (or climb on us) to get up on the table.
Nathan is working on using a regular cup (mostly at daycare), and he is starting to use his fork/spoon more often. He also uses a plate or bowl (plastic, of course!) for most meals and his messes are (generally) limited to what he throws on the floor (see discipline discussion below! Ha!)
Disciplining a 17 month old is pretty much impossible. We're working on gentle touches - he is great with animals (not that Zack gets close enough to learn that Nathan will be gentle), but not so much with people. We've started the "naughty spot" (so that we can have a spot wherever we go), which at home is next to the gate at the stairs. This last week, he walked up to me, smack my leg, and went over to the naughty spot and sat down. Then he did the whole thing again. Yes, he's learning cause and effect, but not so much the discipline part!! Loading the dishwasher when he is playing downstairs is an exercise in patience. He definitely tests his boundaries on a regular basis. It is exhausting at times.
Nathan learns new words every day! He is a bit of a parrot and will repeat (or try to repeat) just about anything you ask him to. Some of his new words/phrases that he uses often (and mostly knows the meaning of: Stuck, thank you, sorry, no-no, hot, yuck, truck, bath, water, Nathan (nay-nay), toes, eyes, sock, shoe, nose. He can identify his nose, ears, eyes, mouth, and feet/toes and many animal noises when asked. He has also started to memorize parts of some of his books - he says words with us as we get to them. If you ask him who Nathan is, he points to himself and says Nay-nay.
He continues to be a big boy. Every time I think he is thinning out, he chubs up again. He isn't as chubby as he was at say 6-9 months old, but he is very stocky and solid. He is 30 lbs (weighs more than Sofia!) and is in 2T shirts and 24 month shorts (some 18 month shorts still fit if they are stretchy). His hats are 2-4T and are sometimes a bit snug depending on the brand. His new shoes are 7XW (extra-wide). I have his hair cut in a "buzz cut" since that is as fancy as I can get with our hair trimmer!
We've had a great summer so far and I love being off with him! Our social calendar has been very full! He started swimming lessons last week. Not that we expect him to learn how to swim, but we hope to learn what to help him with in the pool and that he feels safe in the water. Our little fish LOVES the pool. It's like a bath only way, way better. :) Here is a video from his lesson - this is a blog exclusive (nope, not on Facebook!).
We have a lot of adventures coming up this summer, including camping with Mimi and Popi, trips to the zoo, and a family trip to Crested Butte. I'll do my best to get the camera charged up to get caught up...until I go back to school in early August...!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
15 month checkup
Nathan had his 15 month appointment today. His growth has slowed down (as expected for this age) and he is going great. He took his shots like a champ (cried, but was soon running the halls making friends). Nate continues to be a great eater (but doesn't eat as much as he was eating), and bananas are his favorite food! When we get him out of the car after school, he signs for eat, and says, "nana. peeeze." Very cute.
Here are his stats:
Height: 32 1/4" 80%ile
Weight: 28 lbs 15 oz 90-95%ile
Head: 48.2cm 80%ile
His Doc was pleased to see him back on the chart for weight (he was nearly off the chart for weight at 12 mo), and everything else looks good. We're still on the watch list for his ears - one more ear infection in the next 2 months and to the ENT we will go. Keep your fingers crossed! We're keeping him rear facing in his carseat (at our doc's recommendation, and the AAP's) for awhile still. The recommendation now is 2 years old, or the rear facing limit of the seat (the law is one year old). Nathan is big for his age, but has a few more pounds (6, to be exact) to reach the limit, so he gets to watch the world move away from him for a while more. The research is pretty convincing, so we'll deal with the inconvenience. He doesn't seem to mind. :)
Oh, and I don't think I ever posted about his allergist appointment. I took him in over spring break for a FOUR HOUR appointment. Yes, 4 hours in a tiny room with a busy boy. He did great though and we did take a field trip around the hospital. The good news is that he is *not* allergic to the penicillin based antibiotics. The not as good news is that he did show a slight reaction to peanuts - nothing to be alarmed about (no epi pen or anything), but we shouldn't feed him peanuts (or peanut butter) until he can be tested again next year. Let's hope he out grows it. His lungs continue to be clear (with two asthmatic parents, this is awesome!!!), and he didn't show any reaction to common allergens. So, the four hours was worth it. :)
Happy Easter everyone!
Here are his stats:
Height: 32 1/4" 80%ile
Weight: 28 lbs 15 oz 90-95%ile
Head: 48.2cm 80%ile
His Doc was pleased to see him back on the chart for weight (he was nearly off the chart for weight at 12 mo), and everything else looks good. We're still on the watch list for his ears - one more ear infection in the next 2 months and to the ENT we will go. Keep your fingers crossed! We're keeping him rear facing in his carseat (at our doc's recommendation, and the AAP's) for awhile still. The recommendation now is 2 years old, or the rear facing limit of the seat (the law is one year old). Nathan is big for his age, but has a few more pounds (6, to be exact) to reach the limit, so he gets to watch the world move away from him for a while more. The research is pretty convincing, so we'll deal with the inconvenience. He doesn't seem to mind. :)
Oh, and I don't think I ever posted about his allergist appointment. I took him in over spring break for a FOUR HOUR appointment. Yes, 4 hours in a tiny room with a busy boy. He did great though and we did take a field trip around the hospital. The good news is that he is *not* allergic to the penicillin based antibiotics. The not as good news is that he did show a slight reaction to peanuts - nothing to be alarmed about (no epi pen or anything), but we shouldn't feed him peanuts (or peanut butter) until he can be tested again next year. Let's hope he out grows it. His lungs continue to be clear (with two asthmatic parents, this is awesome!!!), and he didn't show any reaction to common allergens. So, the four hours was worth it. :)
Happy Easter everyone!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sorry....
Sorry it's been so long for an update. Things have been busy!
Most importantly, Nathan would like to announce the arrival of his first boy cousin! Nicholas Anthony Garioto arrived on Friday, April 8th! Mom and baby are doing great, as are big sister Sofia and Daddy. We spent the morning with them yesterday at the zoo. Carrie was quite a trooper walking around the zoo just one week after her c-section (with a baby strapped to her!).
Our 15 month old boy is very, very busy!! He is nearly running now and is very curious. He even likes to "help" Ms. Fox at daycare...! He is starting to follow directions, and he is very proud of himself when he does what is asked (he claps and says "yeah!"). He, however, does not like to be told "No" and expresses his displeasure with mini-tantrums. I say mini, as I know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Other notable new skills include eating with utensils (kind of...), putting books back on the bookshelf, and responding with what sound a cow and sheep make.
Vocabulary (that we understand): Hi, Bye-bye, More, Please, All Done, Mama, Dada, Up, Yeah, Wow, Ball, Baa (as in a sheep) and Moo
Teeth: 7 (4 on top, 3 on the bottom). It looks like one more is on the way on the bottom to balance out his smile. No sign of molars, yet.
Nate has his 15 month check-up on Friday, so I'll post his stats after the appointment. He is close to 30 lbs now, but he does seem to be getting more lean in his torso. He still has "rubber band wrists" though. He's starting to outgrow 18 month shirts, but the pants still fit. I can't believe I'm starting to buy 24 month clothes for him. He really looks like a kid sometimes, much to our dismay.
Here is a video of him working on his spoon skills this morning...
Most importantly, Nathan would like to announce the arrival of his first boy cousin! Nicholas Anthony Garioto arrived on Friday, April 8th! Mom and baby are doing great, as are big sister Sofia and Daddy. We spent the morning with them yesterday at the zoo. Carrie was quite a trooper walking around the zoo just one week after her c-section (with a baby strapped to her!).
Our 15 month old boy is very, very busy!! He is nearly running now and is very curious. He even likes to "help" Ms. Fox at daycare...! He is starting to follow directions, and he is very proud of himself when he does what is asked (he claps and says "yeah!"). He, however, does not like to be told "No" and expresses his displeasure with mini-tantrums. I say mini, as I know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Other notable new skills include eating with utensils (kind of...), putting books back on the bookshelf, and responding with what sound a cow and sheep make.
Vocabulary (that we understand): Hi, Bye-bye, More, Please, All Done, Mama, Dada, Up, Yeah, Wow, Ball, Baa (as in a sheep) and Moo
Teeth: 7 (4 on top, 3 on the bottom). It looks like one more is on the way on the bottom to balance out his smile. No sign of molars, yet.
Nate has his 15 month check-up on Friday, so I'll post his stats after the appointment. He is close to 30 lbs now, but he does seem to be getting more lean in his torso. He still has "rubber band wrists" though. He's starting to outgrow 18 month shirts, but the pants still fit. I can't believe I'm starting to buy 24 month clothes for him. He really looks like a kid sometimes, much to our dismay.
Here is a video of him working on his spoon skills this morning...
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Giggles
It's been a bit since I've posted. Our boy is all over the place. We can barely keep him contained and he loves to investigate everything. He also tries really hard to climb up on everything. He isn't successful at getting up on anything except his mega blocks table (see photo below!)....yet.
Nathan has had a nasty ear infection (for 3 weeks!). It became more nasty as we had to switch antibioics on him. He has had a reaction to several antibiotics and the first round of Azithromycin didn't do the trick. The second antibiotic caused him to break out in hives. So, he finally had to get the Rocephin shots (3 shots, for 3 days in a row). It appears that the infection is finally gone. But, now we get to visit an allergist to figure out what his issue is with the antibiotics (3 have caused reactions). Each test takes all morning, so we hope to get at least two done over my spring break. Poor boy.
Other than the antibiotic issues, he is doing great. He "talks" constantly, and we wonder what he is telling us. He has several words and learns new things every day. His current favorite is to throw his sippy cup and say "uh oh." Um, yeah, it isn't an accidental if you throw it on purpose! He is also really, really trying to run. If he gets excited about something, he sort of runs in place. It is very funny.
Speaking of funny...he can really get going with the giggles....
Nathan has had a nasty ear infection (for 3 weeks!). It became more nasty as we had to switch antibioics on him. He has had a reaction to several antibiotics and the first round of Azithromycin didn't do the trick. The second antibiotic caused him to break out in hives. So, he finally had to get the Rocephin shots (3 shots, for 3 days in a row). It appears that the infection is finally gone. But, now we get to visit an allergist to figure out what his issue is with the antibiotics (3 have caused reactions). Each test takes all morning, so we hope to get at least two done over my spring break. Poor boy.
Other than the antibiotic issues, he is doing great. He "talks" constantly, and we wonder what he is telling us. He has several words and learns new things every day. His current favorite is to throw his sippy cup and say "uh oh." Um, yeah, it isn't an accidental if you throw it on purpose! He is also really, really trying to run. If he gets excited about something, he sort of runs in place. It is very funny.
Speaking of funny...he can really get going with the giggles....
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Why we need a dog.... :)
Nathan is now at the fun stage when he throws/drops things off his highchair and thinks it is funny...
I guess we need a dog. Ha! He sometimes drops his sippy cup and says "uh oh." Yes, cute, but naughty.
Nathan had a bit of a rough last couple of weeks. He ended up with a double ear infection and a respiratory virus that gave him lots of nasty gook and a bad cough. He is on the mend though!
Other big news in his world is that as of this next week, he will be in the toddler room at daycare full time. Big boy!! He loves that room and I like the idea of him being one of the youngest instead of the oldest in the room.
He babbles pretty much constantly. Yes, I know, I know. Payback. We wonder what he is telling us/trying to day. I swear that he mimicked the song of one of his toys this afternoon.
We're laying low given the stress of my new job. Chuck has been taking the brunt of childcare and household duties as I work to find a work/life balance in my new career. I am so lucky to have such a supportive partner. And he's cute, too. :)
I guess we need a dog. Ha! He sometimes drops his sippy cup and says "uh oh." Yes, cute, but naughty.
Nathan had a bit of a rough last couple of weeks. He ended up with a double ear infection and a respiratory virus that gave him lots of nasty gook and a bad cough. He is on the mend though!
Other big news in his world is that as of this next week, he will be in the toddler room at daycare full time. Big boy!! He loves that room and I like the idea of him being one of the youngest instead of the oldest in the room.
He babbles pretty much constantly. Yes, I know, I know. Payback. We wonder what he is telling us/trying to day. I swear that he mimicked the song of one of his toys this afternoon.
We're laying low given the stress of my new job. Chuck has been taking the brunt of childcare and household duties as I work to find a work/life balance in my new career. I am so lucky to have such a supportive partner. And he's cute, too. :)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I survived
Wow. What a week. This week was my first week as a teacher and was by far the hardest week of my life. As my principal put it this week - they handed me the baton in the middle of the race and I didn't even have time to stretch. Not only am I trying to figure out how to teach (and what type of teacher I want to be), but due to all the changes (keep reading if you want more on that), there is a lot of defiance from the students. True to form, I am putting a lot of pressure on myself, and the pressure nearly proved to much for me. But, I made it through the week, and even chalked up a few small victories. The environment is such that most of the teachers consider it a success if we actually "teach" 2 days a week.
My personal path has been confusing. I almost feel like the last 10 days were an out of body experience. Tuesday (2/8) I presented a large credit facility to credit committee and on Wednesday (2/9), I became Mrs. Nellis. This week I didn't think once about the stock market. These kids and their families know the true reality of the economic crisis. Talk about a change. I can't even quantify the changes that I know I will personally experience. More to come on that, I'm sure. If I ever think I'll have the time, I may start a separate blog, as I believe most of you are hear to read about our sweet 13 month old boy. :) Nathan is now saying "Uh Oh" and Please (peez). He has a very sweet demeanor - he goes to bed happy and wakes up happy.
To catch you up: I am a science and math teacher* at a charter school** with in Denver Public Schools (DPS). I teach two 8th grade science classes and 2 mixed grade (6-8) math classes. I also have a study hall that is mixed middle school grades.
The school serves the community of Montbello. The school has been under-performing in regard to CSAP scores and declining enrollment. The board brought in consultants from a charter school in Ft. Collins that is highly ranked nationally to help. The first step was replacing administration and most of the staff. As you might expect, this transition has been hard on the community (most of which was not aware of the under-performance). The school culture is in transition as well, and the kids are a bit rebellious. As such, staff turnover has been a huge issue (as you might expect since I joined mid-year).
*How am I a teacher? I am Highly Qualified to teach Science through my educational background. We are hopeful my MBA will qualify me to teach math, otherwise I will take the test. I have a Statement of Eligibility from the Colorado Department of Education that gives me three years to get my teaching credential. I'll start that process in August.
**What is a charter school, you ask? A charter school is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers, or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district. DPS charter schools operate under a contract between the members of the charter school and the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. As a semi-autonomous public school, a charter school has the ability to establish and implement its own educational program, curriculum, personnel practices, budget and operations according to its charter. A charter school may seek waivers from state regulations and district policies. However, they must follow all federal and state laws. I am not a member of a teacher's union.
My personal path has been confusing. I almost feel like the last 10 days were an out of body experience. Tuesday (2/8) I presented a large credit facility to credit committee and on Wednesday (2/9), I became Mrs. Nellis. This week I didn't think once about the stock market. These kids and their families know the true reality of the economic crisis. Talk about a change. I can't even quantify the changes that I know I will personally experience. More to come on that, I'm sure. If I ever think I'll have the time, I may start a separate blog, as I believe most of you are hear to read about our sweet 13 month old boy. :) Nathan is now saying "Uh Oh" and Please (peez). He has a very sweet demeanor - he goes to bed happy and wakes up happy.
To catch you up: I am a science and math teacher* at a charter school** with in Denver Public Schools (DPS). I teach two 8th grade science classes and 2 mixed grade (6-8) math classes. I also have a study hall that is mixed middle school grades.
The school serves the community of Montbello. The school has been under-performing in regard to CSAP scores and declining enrollment. The board brought in consultants from a charter school in Ft. Collins that is highly ranked nationally to help. The first step was replacing administration and most of the staff. As you might expect, this transition has been hard on the community (most of which was not aware of the under-performance). The school culture is in transition as well, and the kids are a bit rebellious. As such, staff turnover has been a huge issue (as you might expect since I joined mid-year).
*How am I a teacher? I am Highly Qualified to teach Science through my educational background. We are hopeful my MBA will qualify me to teach math, otherwise I will take the test. I have a Statement of Eligibility from the Colorado Department of Education that gives me three years to get my teaching credential. I'll start that process in August.
**What is a charter school, you ask? A charter school is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers, or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district. DPS charter schools operate under a contract between the members of the charter school and the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. As a semi-autonomous public school, a charter school has the ability to establish and implement its own educational program, curriculum, personnel practices, budget and operations according to its charter. A charter school may seek waivers from state regulations and district policies. However, they must follow all federal and state laws. I am not a member of a teacher's union.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Big News
No, the big news isn't two blog posts in one day....
It is certainly big news for us that I have chosen to change careers and finally follow my heart to be a teacher! I've accepted a position as an 8th grade math and science teacher at an area charter school starting in TWO WEEKS. I am also admitted to a teaching program for Alternative Licensure, which I will start in August. It's a huge change and will be a challenge for me to say the least. This isn't a new thing though - I was just a semester shy from completing a science teaching certificate program at Purdue when I moved back to Colorado.
So, after 10 years and 1 month at Northern Trust, I gave my notice yesterday. It was a surreal experience to resign from somewhere where I have learned so much. I was 24 and single when I started there - I really have grown up there! I'll always treasure my experience at Northern and the amazing people I worked with over the many years. And, true to form, my partners there have rallied around me with support and encouragement of my decision. Nathan and Chuck think it's pretty cool, too. :)
Our 1 year old
Nathan had his 12 month appointment on this past Friday. He's a happy, healthy boy doing all the right things. We've gotten him off bottles and formula, and as of this past weekend, his pacifiers. He already expresses his independence (wonder who he gets THAT from?) when he wants to do something or wants something. I know, trouble...
12 month stats:
Height: 31.25" (90%ile)...1/2 my height
Weight: 27 lbs 15.8 oz (97"ile)
Head: 48 cm (90%ile)
Tooth count: 2 bottom, and almost 4 top. He also would prefer to brush his teeth himself (yes, that independence thing) and is very, very unhappy that Mommy or Daddy have to do it for him first before he has a try. At least it is easy to get to his teeth when he is screaming...
Words: Up, Ball, Mama, Dada, and attempts to say Cat (he so loves the kitty)
Signs: More, Ball, Eat, Milk
Nathan loves to put things in and out...and in and out....and in and out... Shape sorting is fun, and he still loves to have a toy in each hand when navigating his world. Nate is a walking fool, but he still does crawl to get somewhere to pull up. He's gotten up to standing without pulling up a few times. He's also learning cooperative play outside of just stealing toys from his friends (yeah, um, opps). He likes to play ball with his Daddy in the hall. It's very cute. See for yourself...
12 month stats:
Height: 31.25" (90%ile)...1/2 my height
Weight: 27 lbs 15.8 oz (97"ile)
Head: 48 cm (90%ile)
Tooth count: 2 bottom, and almost 4 top. He also would prefer to brush his teeth himself (yes, that independence thing) and is very, very unhappy that Mommy or Daddy have to do it for him first before he has a try. At least it is easy to get to his teeth when he is screaming...
Words: Up, Ball, Mama, Dada, and attempts to say Cat (he so loves the kitty)
Signs: More, Ball, Eat, Milk
Nathan loves to put things in and out...and in and out....and in and out... Shape sorting is fun, and he still loves to have a toy in each hand when navigating his world. Nate is a walking fool, but he still does crawl to get somewhere to pull up. He's gotten up to standing without pulling up a few times. He's also learning cooperative play outside of just stealing toys from his friends (yeah, um, opps). He likes to play ball with his Daddy in the hall. It's very cute. See for yourself...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Birthday Boy!!
Well, he's ONE!!!This year has just flown by. Our life has changed, but it has changed in such a wonderful way. Nathan is an amazing little boy and I couldn't imagine our lives with out him.
Here is some raw video of the boy eating his cake. It appears that the boy likes cake...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
11 mo and 3 weeks = first haircut!
It is so hard to believe that Nathan is almost ONE! To prepare him for his big 0-1, we decided it was time to trim his hair. We are suckers and took him to a kid's haircut place - but unless it's a buzz cut, I have no boy hair cutting skills. Anyway, he did great, and is pretty cute. :) Stay tuned for his 1 year old photos.
Nate is a happy baby. :) He is cruising one handed...and nearly running while doing it. He continues to do 2-3 steps at a time, and walking doesn't seem too far away.
He had a great first Christmas and was spoiled to his delight! That reminder me that Nathan still needs to get his thank you notes written!
He also had his first vacation from Mommy and Daddy! We went to a wedding in Michigan (congratulations Tricia and Curt!), so Nate spent 3 nights with Mimi and Popi. He had a great time. I think they both took a long nap after chasing him around. We missed him a bunch, but it was nice to get away.
Here are some haircut photos:
Nate is a happy baby. :) He is cruising one handed...and nearly running while doing it. He continues to do 2-3 steps at a time, and walking doesn't seem too far away.
He had a great first Christmas and was spoiled to his delight! That reminder me that Nathan still needs to get his thank you notes written!
He also had his first vacation from Mommy and Daddy! We went to a wedding in Michigan (congratulations Tricia and Curt!), so Nate spent 3 nights with Mimi and Popi. He had a great time. I think they both took a long nap after chasing him around. We missed him a bunch, but it was nice to get away.
Here are some haircut photos:
Before
During
AFTER!!
Our big boy!!
Our big boy!!Catching up!
Ok, I'm finally catching up on photos! I've uploaded November and December photos to our online album, and a few from the last few days. Sorry I took so long....
And, here are some videos, too. :)
Nathan loves his push car! He is getting quite speedy....
And the boy loves to eat....
And, here are some videos, too. :)
Nathan loves his push car! He is getting quite speedy....
And the boy loves to eat....
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