Nathan: Winter

January

You had a really rough three days when you were sick with a double ear infection. The cuddles and loves were endless.

I loved finding you in the laundry room using the kleenex one at a time. 

Random hugs to daddy at the kitchen table. You always give the best hugs especially for him.

February

The way you say the word "yeah" just melts my heart every time.

Some words you are saying now. Hi, yeah, more, dada, mama, papa, bubbles, book, up, that, no, baby, bye, uh oh, that, tractor, bike.

You like to tap or hit us and then point to what you want.

Somehow you always know when we have food in our mouth or when we are headed to get some food and you always want some no matter what it is.

Becoming more and more obsessed with your sweet little lamby.

You got your first real haircut from dad.

March

You threw lamby right into the toilet while dad was peeing in it.

You know all of the paw patrol pups names. Paw patrol and little baby bum are your favorite shows.

I love it after dad gets you out of the tub and dries you off you come running out to me naked and so happy.

You like to say "that book" all day because you love having books read to you.

You started crying so much at bed time and nap time. It was some kind of regression that was not fun for anyone. I finally couldn't take it anymore and we did cry it out for two or three nights. I think the first night you cried for about two hours before falling asleep hanging over the side of your crib. After that first awful night it only took another day or two for you to fall back to sleep on your own without fussing at all.

When we read stories together at bedtime you first like to tuck lamby into your blanket so he is comfy.

You are starting to say more words like water and purple and yellow.

You love sticking your tongue out and I think I notice it so much because Everett never did.

At your two year check up: Weight 26 pounds 25%. Height 34 inches 47%

March

March was a roller coaster of emotions and feelings. So many changes in our world happened so quickly it was hard to process it all. The biggest and most upsetting change from Covid-19 was Everett's preschool getting canceled for the rest of the year. It breaks my heart that Everett's preschool experience was cut so short. I adored his teachers and the school he went to. I loved how Christ centered it was and it makes me sad that he will no longer have such a Christ centered learning experience when he starts kindergarten in the public system. I hate the fact that the structure he thrived on in school was suddenly taken away from him. Honestly I hated the fact that overnight I was now home with the boys with no gym to go to, no break during preschool, no playgrounds to go to and no stores to go to. The first week or two was ok, but as our new normal started sinking in I started sinking more into the depression and hopelessness of it all. It is a hard time in the world and it took me a few weeks to come to terms with being ok not being ok. Once I accepted that it was perfectly fine for me to hate our new normal I was actually able to start enjoying our time together a little more. I started taking more personal breaks during the day which meant more tv time for the boys but it was necessary and really helped. 

Besides the roller coaster of what 2020 has become we had some fun times together as a family this month.

I loved every time the boys played together well. My favorite especially is when I hear them off playing together and laughing with each other. I savor those precious moments and hope to always remember those wonderful sounds of a happy childhood.

We had an afternoon slumber party in the front room when Disney plus released frozen two. We watched it on our mattress and had popcorn.

The boys and I were playing in the front yard around lunchtime and was just finishing up some sidewalk art. The school bus drove by and gave the boys some school lunch. Since that day we have been waiting for the bus every day around 11:20 and the boys get free school lunch. Those free lunches every day have been such a small blessing during this hard time.

After working in the yard one Saturday morning we decided to have a picnic in the backyard. It was just nice having sandwiches while ducking away from all of the bumblebees. 

We started our garden which has been so fun to watch grow. 

Stephen fixed our fence gates. They haven't worked very well the three years we have lived here.

I had a nice 15 minutes alone in the backyard on an especially warm evening. I swung in our swing while listening to the birds sing. It was very peaceful and exactly what I needed at the time. Then the boys and Stephen joined me and I got to enjoy a few sweet moments with my beautiful family. 

Grandpa sent the boys some fun dinosaurs in the mail that they love playing with.

I heard Everett and Nathan getting into the fridge for something and when they came into the front room they each had a hot dog in their hands eating them raw.

All of our church services are canceled until further notice which means that we have the opportunity to have Stephen bless the sacrament in our home each week. It has been really special for Everett to see his daddy bless the sacrament for us each week. They boys love kneeling down next to Stephen while he blesses the bread and water. Our first week of church at home we made cinnamon rolls for our after church treat.