Nickisms

It has been a while since I have written. I realized last night, that there are so many new and wonderful things that Nick is doing, I needed to blog about it so I will have it to remember. He grows and changes so much that I know in a short time some of these great (and not so great) things will be gone.

Nick's vocabulary has grown exponentially. He has a ton of words that he says - too many to name. Most I can understand, although there is a few that he repeats over and over that I can't quite get. I try the context clues, but still can't get it.

He is really starting to string words together, we aren't up to sentences yet, but he does do 2-3 words at a time.

Nick LOVES his Cul Brain (Uncle Brian) - and asks for him everyday. He even goes to the back door calling for Uncle Brain in the hopes that we will hop in the car and go see him.

He loves to tell you what certain animals say:

Puppy : "Fruft" (Ruff)

Kitty: "Mauw"

Duck: "Cack, Cack"

Cow: "Moooooo"

Lion: "Raaaar"

Can-cakes (pancakes) are his favorite breakfast food, made even better with Bacon. Oni (macaroni) is his favorite dinner time meal. He also likes chicken.

Every morning on the way to school he looks for school buses - his favorite thing to spot. He loves to spend time outside and swing!

There are many other fantastic things that Nick does. He makes me smile and laugh everyday!

There are a few less fun things - the tantrums, oh the tantrums! Luckily, he doesn't do it often, and there is often and underlying reason (hungry or tired). There was an incident yesterday morning involving a dirty diaper and Nick apparently trying to "change himself" that resulted in a complete and total clean-up, but most days are absolute joy.

I love my little man and can't imagine my life with out him!

Growing Pains?

Nick has been going through a rough couple of weeks. I don't know if he is growing or switching schedules or what. Lately he has not been sleeping well. He goes down just fine, but around 1 am he wakes up and screams. I try milk, rocking, etc. Most of the time, he will sit contently in my lap, then sit up and start talking to me. While I LOVE any opportunity to have a conversation with my little man, 2 in the morning is not my ideal time of day.

This doesn't happen often, but last week it was 3 nights in a row. Of course, they had to be all on work nights, none on the weekend. He usually sleeps all night on weekends.

He also hasn't been eating well. Last night I struggled to find something he would eat for dinner. we settled on peanut butter crackers, yogurt and blueberries - which is pretty healthy, even if it isn't a "traditional meal".

Regardless of growing pains, sleepless nights, or mealtime struggles, we had a great weekend. Sunday consisted mostly of dancing in the rain. He is obsessed with rain right now. Loves to say "It's raining". So Sunday, when we had a few light showers, outdoors we went. Why shouldn't we take a little time to play in the rain?

All Done

Nick loves to say "all done". We started it when he was a baby as sign language. Mostly he uses it when he is done eating. There are other times he uses it as well, bath time, etc. Sometimes when he doesn't want to be in the car, he will tell me "all done".

The other day he was napping. Usually when he wakes from his nap, I can hear him stir a little over the monitor, start babbling, then talking, calling for various people. The other day, all I heard when he woke up was "all done". I thought it was so cute. It made me laugh.

A few days later, we were in the car. Nick wanted to sing, so I was singing to him. About three verses into the song I was singing, he said "all done". Somehow that wasn't so cute. Guess he confirms what everyone else thinks about me... I can't sing.

Two Evaluations

It was a big couple of days for Nick. He was evaluated by ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) - and they determined he no longer was in need of their therapy! At first I was a little stunned, then as it sank in, I gradually got more excited and was almost in tears. - Literally-. I remember when we started this journey, after the scary medical stuff was out of the way, the next big hurdle was Nick "catching up". I remember hearing lots of issues from various people and most therapists and doctors cautioning that he wouldn't caught up till age 3 - and even then there would be delays.

While ECI - determines him caught up, I in no way believe my child is a super child by reaching this level now - at 20 months. More so, I realize that these so called "tests of ability and development" are really inaccurate. Any child can pass or fail on any given day- mostly due to the fact that they are toddlers and on a whim can decide to cooperate and not cooperate.

Don't get me wrong it is important, and while I fully recognize and see the value in it- sometimes I feel like the prematurity causes a little more scrutiny than that of other kids. I think if he weren't' a preemie - and wasn't doing some of the "developmental appropriate" stuff, no one would see any red flags. Cause the truth is - he is walking, talking, and running. He is a normal toddler.

I remember 20 months ago when this was all new and fresh and scary. Back then, I worried about every little detail and every little development. I fretted that he wasn't sitting, or standing or walking. Truth is, they all do it, and in their own time, preemie or not.

For now I take a cautious optimistic stand that all is going to continue to go well. We do have the option to go back to ECI if I and his doctor thinks it is necessary.

For now that is one less appointment I have to make every other week! Whew!

The formula study appointment was Monday. I don't know the results for that. They have to mail them to me. From what I observed, Nick did a great job. He could point to photos and do things that I was a little blown away by. His biggest issue was paying attention - but he is 20 months old. Surely the build that into the test!

Day Care Days

Nick started day care last week. Up until then he was in the care of a great woman in her home. I loved that environment for him, but the commute was far (20-30 minutes extra each way). There is a great day care right near the house. So great, in fact, that there is a waiting list. I have had him on the wait list for a few months. He was set to begin Aug. 2nd.



So far, the transition has been fantastic. I was so worried that he would be a little overwhelmed with all the new stuff. I think I was more worried about the routine. Up until now, if he was tired, he slept, if he was hungry, he ate. Now, he eats on schedule, naps on schedule.

I am happy to report that he has adjusted fantastically. (Is that a word?) The first day he walked in with me, and was so excited about all his new friends - he almost forgot that I was there. When I requested a kiss and hug good-bye, he obliged, but went right back to sitting at the table with friends (3 girls I might add) - and playing.

It has really been a good thing so far. He is eating dinner better, he naps for the entire nap time during the day. He is genuinely happy to go to school. Every morning when I tell him we are getting ready for school, he smiles and says "cool!" (school).

The only problem we have had was the nasty eye infection he picked up at the end of last week, but I guess that comes with the territory. For now, happy and healthy and loving his new school!

Next week Nick will have two developmental assesments. I can't wait to find out how he is doing. I know that chances are he will still be behind in some areas, but I know that he is quickly catching up. His vocabulary is starting to explode, he is growing and learning! It is so neat to watch him grow.

This is from a recent photo-shoto at work. I loved the idea!

Catch Up... Again

I feel like I have done nothing this month but play catch up... and I guess the blog shouldn't be any different. I wish I could say nothing much has been going on, but we have been really busy. Nick continues to grow and change and learn at amazing rates. He talks so much now - most of which I can't understand. I do relish the fact that I can understand him more than others. He absolutely amazes me with his knowledge. He only has to see things once or twice to be able to repeat them. He loves to copy mommy. (I am learning to watch what I say and do). It is so amazing what little sponges they are at this age.

I wish that I could say that I have some great video of all these things, but the moment the video camera comes out, all his energy is immediately focused on getting to the camera. So, most of my video is closeup views of his nose, with his little hands reaching beyond the camera.

I thought yesterday it would be a good idea to save a few things for posterity sake on the blog... things that I can't wait to go back and read many years from now.

Nick LOVES blueberries. If he sees them, he immediately shouts "Berries" until you give him some. He eats them at least once or twice a day.

Nick loves to be sung to and listen to music. His top favorite songs right now are itsy bitsy spider (or "piper") as he calls it. He puts his little fingers together and requests "piper" until you sing it.

He also loves Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and Pat-a-cake.

When he hears music on the radio, on a commercial, or just on t.v., he will start stomping his feet, and waving his hands and saying "Nance, Nance" (dance, dance). If he is really excited about the music, he can usually put a little spin in there right now.

Nick knows body parts, and loves to point them out on himself as well as others. Some of the favorite ones to point out are nose, eye, teeth, ear, belly (a big favorite), toes, hair and tongue.

Nick can count to 5 when prompted.

His absolute favorite thing to do right now is "Go Bye-Bye". He doesn't care where he goes, as long as he goes.

Life is always fun around Nick. He amazes me, and makes me laugh more than anything I could have ever imagined!

A few photos from a recent family wedding:

Nick dancing at the wedding with his Aunt Crissy Toes!

A Lot of Catch Up

It has been a while since I have updated. I have been so busy, time has just gotten away from me. Here is a quick update of what Nick and I have been up to with pictures!

The week after Nick went to the doctor - he got sick. His first illness (you know, other than that whole premature in the hospital for 3 1/2 months thing). This was the first time he has run a fever and I had to actually take him to the doctor. How blessed am I that we went 18 months? He ended up having a virus, that causes a high fever (103.7). No antibiotics because it was a virus, just waited it out. I was at home with him a few days and while he was medicated with Tylenol, you could not tell he was sick! He was a wild man, into everything. I think at one point I asked him why he didn't want to lay down and cuddle like you do when you are sick. He responded by running in the other room to get into yet another cabinet and pull everything out.

Next thing on the to do list - getting Nick his first hair cut! I always envisioned a head full of curls, but sadly, he did not get my full head of thick hair, so while I was trying to let the curls grow, he just started looking scraggly. So first haircut was a must. My brother decided he could do it - and did a really great job.

Next came the 4th of July. I bought Nick the cutest pair of plaid shorts in red, white and blue. Unfortunately, I bought them a while back and he did not grow into them as I had intended so, my wonderfully envisioned 4th of July photos of him didn't turn out as planned. That's ok though, because he didn't really cooperate either.

He did really enjoy the corn on the cob on the 4th of July! (Notice the new haircut)

I am trying to get Nick used to wearing shoes all day. It is a challenge. While he loves to wear his Yews (Shoes), he likes to take them off, put them on, take them off, put them on etc. We are working on it. I bought him some tennis shoes that tie (harder to take off). He gets so excited to put them on every morning.

Whew! That is all we have been up to for now. This coming weekend is a family wedding - so I can't wait to take lots of pictures of my handsome man in his wedding best!

18 Month Stats

It's a little late, but cut me some slack. I spend every free moment chasing a VERY MOBILE toddler!

So - here is the latest from his doctors appointment last week.

weight - 20.5lbs

height - 31 inches

His doctor was very pleased with his progress. He is catching up and surpassing their expectations at every turn. She was impressed with his walking, running and climbing abilities. She had me fill out a questionnaire about his development. She analyzed it and felt like he was doing fantastic. Starting to catch up to his actual age.

The biggest news, she felt that he could stop drinking the really expensive formula. He is on all whole milk now. That also means he is on all sippy cups - which he loves. The milk transition was wonderful. So far, we have had no issues. The first time he got milk in his sippy cup, he gulped it down. He loved it!

Nick continues to astound me with his absorption of knowledge. He is developing his problem solving skills. I am pretty sure he learns a word a day. His new favorite thing is to bring you a toy, then hold out his hand for you to give it back. Upon handing him said toy, he says "Tank too" (Thank you).

A few of the words in his vocabulary-

Mom (I think he is the only toddler to ever call mom)

Momma

Daddy

puppies

Cocca (Mocha our dog)

Row ( the other dog)

Troy (his favorite neighbor)

Bite

Thank you

Milk

Bye-Bye

Light

Done

No, No, No (this one is usually accompanied by shaking his finger)

Hello

Ok

Uh-Oh

Toy

Book

Car

Shoes

There are probably many more, but these are tops in his vocab.

All of the wonderful things he does and learns is nothing in comparison with the joy he continues to bring to my life every day. I live for that smile, his hugs and his kisses. He is such a blessing to me, and I am thankful every day.

** He doesn't realize you really need water for that, but he loves pulling it through the yard.

** Had to snap this at the doctor's office. They want the kids to wear them before being examined. Thought it was too cute!

George

I don't know when or how it started. It was probably all my fault, mainly because there is no one else to blame. I heard the advice and didn't follow it and now must pay the consequences. Nick has a "George". George sleeps with Nick every night.

Like I said, I don't know how this started. I don't' remember. Every night when I put him to bed, he grabs George by the neck, rolls to his side, sticks a thumb in his mouth and that is how he falls asleep.

For a few weeks months ago, I kept thinking to myself that I needed to take George away and replace him with various other stuffed animals to change it up a bit so he wouldn't get too attached. Before I could do that we had a little diaper leak incident, which lead to washing George, and a bad mommy who forgot to put him in the dryer, thus he was not ready for bed. I prayed when I put him to bed that night, he wouldn't notice the brown stuffed animal that was in his bed wasn't George.

He did. When he layed down, wrapped his arm around... wait, this isn't George. He sat up in bed, looked at me and began to cry. Yeah, I felt about this (see me showing you an inch between my two fingers) big.

He cried for an 45 minutes until he finally fell asleep. But not before he threw the new animal out of his bed.

The next night George was clean and dry and waiting for Nick in his bed and bedtime.

I have managed to keep George as an "at home" toy. Mostly he stays in bed, but every once in awhile George is allowed to venture out of the bed (like last night - we have 2-3 molars coming in and got shots yesterday- can you say cranky baby?).

George always makes everything better.

Single Parent

A friend recently told me how much she admired me for being a single mom and the job that I do with Nick. It has taken me a while to admit to myself that yeah, I am a single mom. Have been the whole time. I haven't really talked about being a single mom, because I never really thought about it much. I don't say this to slight those other single mom's out there. It is a HARD job! I will never take that away from anyone. Being a parent is a hard job.

I guess I never thought much about it, because, I have been alone since before Nick came home, so it has always been he and I. I can only imagine how much harder it would be if you were used to co-parenting and then suddenly it is just you.

Not to go into too much detail, but sadly my husband made some bad decisions in his life and about our marriage. Even worse, he made them at the worst possible time. When Nick was 3 weeks old, and still in the hospital, he came to me, confessed and affair and left. To say that I was taken aback would be the understatement of the year. It was the most difficult part of my life. Nick pulled me through. Concentrating on his health, well being, traveling to and from the hospital every day helped in ways that I can't begin to explain.

I tell this story, partly as a catharsis for myself. To get the truth out, and feel okay with it. The whole ordeal was painful and at times hard to talk about.

Again, it is hard to be a single parent. There is no one to turn to when you are busy and your child is crying or getting into something. There are no extra hands, there is no one to turn to when he gets up in the middle of the night.

But I am okay with all of that, because there is no one to share the smiles with, the hugs, and the laughter. I get the privilege of the first smile almost every morning. I didn't miss the first crawl, walk, or word. I know he loves to have "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" sung to him. Then he says in a quiet little voice "row, row, row".

I get so many special moments with my man. And that is something I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

Another one of those fantastic "moments". Sitting in the car the other day (by the way- check out the new "big boy seat!!") He picks a cell phone says "Hello, OK, Bye" Maybe I should pay attention to what I say on the phone...