Nathan: Fall

October:
Saying the words yeah, nana (banana), mom, do (dog), da (dad).
After watching Everett go to the bathroom you will go over to the potty and pull your shirt up as if you are going potty too.
You point out everything by saying "Naaaaaa".
All the cuddles and kisses!
You have the most contagious and amazing laugh.
You were the cutest little astronaut for Halloween and loved tick or treating with Everett.
I was going for a sweet kiss and instead you burped a stinky burp right in my mouth.
You wrap your legs around my waist when I try to put you down and you want to stay held.
You started going to nursery at church. I don't think you even cried once. You love it.
You waving at dad while he was mowing the lawn and laughing uncontrollably about it.
I'm pretty sure this age right here is my absolute favorite.

November:
The way you say the word "yeah" so soft and quietly.
Shoes are your all time favorite thing.
Both of your big toe nails fell off. I didn't realize your socks and shoes were way to small for you.
You are starting to copy Everett more everyday. You especially like to yell when he yells and scream when he screams. But you also copy all of the sweet things, like giving loves.
You have a bit of a temper starting to show. When you get angry you throw your toys.
You want to do everything by yourself, especially when it comes to feeding yourself.
You want to drink from a real cup now instead of one with a lid.
One day I was changing your diaper and you were so into your book until I was putting your pants back on. You simply grabbed at your pants as if to remind me I didn't put a diaper on you and then went right back to reading your book. I completely forgot to put a new diaper on. It was just so hilarious how it all happened.
You've stopped crying every time I leave you at the gym daycare which makes me so happy.
You love building with blocks and are already so creative and can stack them really tall.
You love waving goodbye to dad in the mornings when he leaves for work. When dad gets home from work you run into his arms and give him loves.
You have the biggest belly and I love your cinnamon roll belly button so dang much.
You make the cutest little squishy angry face and your nose gets so wrinkled.

December:
You cried on Santa's lap.
You like to take one bite out of things like crackers and then move on to the next one only to take one bite again.
Books are your favorite thing. If I was willing you would have me read to you all day every day. You are even starting to sit through short stories which personally I prefer over just looking at picture books. I love that you have the same love for books as your brother.
Christmas was so much fun. Your favorite toy was your new sticker book.

Nathan, how do I describe your perfection. You are seriously the most beautiful little boy with perfect brown hair and pretty hazel eyes. You are a cuddle bug with so much love in you. Even though you still aren't talking other than saying two words you want to grow up so quickly. You don't just want to do everything your brother does, you are doing most of what Everett does, even if its dangerous since you are smaller. You more than observe, you do. There is no stopping your ambition. You are such a stubborn little guy and I have the fat lips to prove it, like when you don't want to get in day clothes and throw your head back into my face. I am worried the sweet 18 month stage is coming to an end and the terrible twos are starting a few months early.

I kiss and snuggle you all day long and love smelling and kissing you right on the side of your head on your little warm spot. I love how you run. You are attached to a little stuffed lamb who we call lamby. You always sleep with him and most nights when I look at your monitor you are cuddling up with lamby or your blanket. You like to chew on his ears and tale. I love you so very much Nathan. Thank you for being such a light in our lives and teaching me something new every day.

November

I love looking at the pictures I took for the month I am about to write about. I don't often take pictures of the negative that happens each month which leaves me with a lot of good to look at. Looking back on pictures I took in November I would say we had a pretty great month.
The leaves finally started to change. Even though spring is my favorite season I love fall. We were lucky enough this year to enjoy fall in Utah first, then in North Carolina.
Stephen and I had an amazing weekend away while grandma and grandpa were in town. The boys love when grandma and grandpa come visit.
Nathan and I were able to go with Everett to his field trip at the pumpkin patch. It was really cute feeding and petting all of the animals and watching Nathan pretend that he was one of the big kids.
Everett made me just about cry during his thanksgiving party at preschool. He is such a big boy now and even though he wouldn't stop playing with his pockets and didn't sing many of the words I loved every minute watching him with his little class sing about all of the things they are thankful for. I loved that Stephen was able to make it too. Everett loved having daddy there.
I also almost cried when Everett asked to be dropped off at the round about at preschool instead of me walking him into his classroom two days in a row. I don't know what got into me this month but for whatever reason I was so emotional about Everett growing up so fast. Thankfully he only wanted to be dropped off at the round about for two days then he wanted me to walk with him to his class after that. Now we do the drop off every couple weeks. I have so much love for that little boy. As sad as I am about how quickly he is growing up I also love watching the boy he is becoming.
Stephen went to San Antonio for a work conference and had a great time. Nana came to visit while he was away to help and play with the boys. The boys always have so much fun when Nana comes to visit.
We celebrated thanksgiving early while Nana was in town and uncle Jesse came to visit too. Everett loves Jesse so much. They are pretty adorable together even if Everett gets a bit crazier than normal when Jesse comes to visit.
I follow a mom on instagram who teaches positive parenting techniques and something she was talking about really stuck with me this month. She said "The secret to having it all, is believing that you already do." "What if you created a life that included joy?" "The greatest form of self care is working for a life you don't want to escape from." I love this idea so much. Recently at church in our women's class we were asked to take a minute and brag about ourselves. I love that I am good at being positive and happy with each and every stage of life I am in. I always believe I have everything I need. Definitely not everything I want but my needs as a wife, mother, and women are met. I love that I don't want to escape my life. I love the life Stephen and I are creating. I love knowing that when I am having an awful day, week, or even month, that it will pass and that I have friends, family, and Stephen to rely on. I know that isn't the case for everyone and it hurts me so much to see any of my family or friends struggling. I wish so badly I could do more for each and every one of them I see suffering.
In October on a complete whim we bought a piano. I have been practicing it almost every day. It is a beautiful piano and we got it for only $300. It truly was meant to come to our home. It came at the perfect time and I can't wait to learn more on it and watch Everett start learning hopefully in another year or so. It is such a precious gift to watch Stephen play the piano and Everett singing along.
I love matching the boys in the same outfit. I am going to keep doing it as long as they will let me.
Everett had a day off from preschool and the weather was warm and nice so I took the boys to the beach by myself. I was so hesitant to do it all morning and then without thinking about it anymore, I packed the car up and headed out. We had the best time. I couldn't believe how smoothly it went and the boys didn't fight once. It was a perfect day.
One night we took the boys on a walk after dinner because it was a warm evening. The sunset was incredible. It started with pretty pinks and orange. Then by the end the sky was on fire red.
Stephen has been learning the guitar which has been fun for him. I love that we are starting to pick up some fun hobbies that can be just for us and I love bringing more music into the home for the boys.
On thanksgiving morning the boys played legos on the rug while I practiced the piano. Then the three of us went for a walk. We met up with Stephen at work for lunch. The hospital was serving a thanksgiving dinner all day so we had turkey and ham and everything else needed for a thanksgiving dinner. The boys loved their ice cream dessert the most I'm sure. After Stephen got home from work Nathan and I took a nap while Everett and dad played in the garage. Then for dinner we went to buffalo wild wings.