nk and nate :: time for a family update

(You guys.  I've been trying to write this post for freaking ever.  Everytime I re-read my draft, the kids are doing something new and I have to re-write.  Pathetic.)

We'll start with the littlest one since she is the easiest to talk about.

Nora Kate:  Hater of school and food.   Lover of mama and her owl blankie.  Recently fiesty. 

Both of her hates?  With the passion of a thousand burning suns.  Seriously child, EAT SOMETHING and stop crying when I drop you off!  We basically skipped baby foods entirely and are now working on coaxing any sort of table food at all in her mouth.  So far, basically, she's on the white diet.  (Pasta, crackers, potatoes.)  I get it.  I like carbs and starchy things too.  She comes by it honestly.  She's not withering away but I'd love for her to eat more.  Pretty much the only other foods she'll eat are broccoli and watermelon (so HIGH in CALORIES!).  We're making progress.  She won't eat a single bite at school.  Honestly, I'm not too worried about it.    She's still nursing when she feels like it (usually just the morning) and taking bottles the rest of the day.

She is drunk baby Frankenstein walking like a champ. She is also (I shouldn't type this) sleeping!  Hooray!  It only took her 10 months but considering she wasn't even put into her crib until about 6 months, I'd say that's pretty good!  (To be honest, the first six months when she was in our bed I didn't feel that sleep deprived.  Moving her to the crib and having to actually get up?  That's when I felt the most ti ti.)

(Y'all know if it was up to me I'd just have one ENORMOUS family bedroom...mattress on the floor style, right?) 

(And, I've come so far as a parent and person that I'd even blog about it and let you all judge me as you like!)

With her recent walking has come some fiestiness.  I'm starting to doubt my doctor's "if she's a mellow baby that'll be her personality" theory.   Her recent bite marks in Nate's arm and my shoulder  tell a DIFFERENT story.   She's also loving her daddy lately.    FINALLY.

Unsure about the Razorbacks.  Us too, sweetie.




Nate:   Lover of school and his best friend Ryan.  Hater of sitting still and being inside.

He has discovered farting is a funny word (Like whispering "Mommy I have a secret" and then "I farted!"  THANK YOU NATE.) He also said butthole for the first time.  Sigh.  SERIOUS milestone moments going around here.  Why are bodily functions SO FUNNY to four year olds?  I already KNOW THAT POOP COMES OUT OF YOUR BUTT.   Yesterday, at the grocery store, he spent no less than five minutes shaking his booty at the overhead camera (one where you can see yourself on screen) in the cheese aisle.  

He still has his imaginary friends Boppy (the troublemaker) and Tu-Tu (MODEL FREAKING KID) though they rarely come out to play these days.  He's continues to adore school and any and every type of sport known to man.  (Seriously.  His capacity for making up games combining homeruns, touchdowns and goals knows no end.)   His video game obsession abated (we went weeks without playing) and has (just this week) returned with a vengeance.  Thankfully, the weather is insanely gorgeous so we mostly spend our free time together in the front yard or at the park. 

October is bringing us visits from both my parents and my sister and her boyfriend.    There will be pumpkins.  Oh, yes, there will be pumpkins. 

take THAT s.a.d.

It's a new season and, normally, you know me, I'm all SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER and I hate everyone and so on and so forth.  (What?  You know it's true.  Like clock work every year I struggle as I'm ripped from my flip flops and tank tops and have to actually WEAR CLOTHES.  What?  It's a rough life.)  But this year feels a little different.  I don't know what it is.  (I really don't.)  I definitely can feel myself changing.   I feel, for the most part, MORE patient with the kids (which is a bonus) and MORE patient with life in general.  (I'm sure my parents are laughing hysterically - slowness and patience.. hardy har har KATHLEEN.) 

I think if I look closely I'd say a lot of it is TOTAL DENIAL about how old my kids (ha - 4 and nearly 1...so, basically, college) are getting and how fast life is changing.  I want to enjoy it and I want to enjoy it with people I love and trust.  (Not that I didn't want these things before but when time and energy become more precious commodities choosing what you do and who you do it with seems more critical.)

We've lost several close local friends in the past couple of years to new jobs in new cities (and some, let's face it, to simply drifting apart because our lifestyles are different or whatever else.)   Our little church that we've been a part of for the last few years also recently closed its doors (last week) so that chapter is also closing.  We've (obviously) added another person to our family and, though she's a happy girl, she is still demanding and getting more so.  (And, FTR, we are still contemplating if the child chapter is closed for us.  Don't ask me about how I burst into tears last week and decided I needed another baby.  We are NOT talking about it.  The baby is NOT turning 1.) 

Anyway, all I'm really trying to say is:  All of these things have made me contemplate how life and relationships and friendships change and how important our choice to be happy really is.  With that being said, I'm trying to focus on the people and the activities that I love (discovering new things - HELLO SOCCER COACHING!)  and letting go of some old (GOODBYE TEEN MOM 2 MARATHONS!).   I also will continue this blog because I love it.  

That is all. 

Run along. 

Nora Kate, how are you almost one!?

It's like I've been hiding her from you.

I'm sorry.

Today she pretended to drink coffee in one of Nate's old tshirts.

Clearly, a moment to RECORD.  (And share.  You're welcome.)

I will now pretend to speak 11-month.  (The things I do for you people.  I mean really.)  

Back up off my cup: 
This is hilarious, right? I'm finding it amusing.

Ahhhhhh. Hits the spoooooot. (Wobbles drunkenly.)

passive aggressive much?

The only qualm Nate has about school?  Not getting to do carpool line every day.    

Nora Kate is not old enough for carpool line so, on the days she goes to school, we all walk in together.

THE EMBARRASMENT. 

We argued about (discussed? AHEM) it just this morning.   (Clearly, I would NEVER argue with my child.  EVER.  He's so rational and logical.  What could there be to argue about?) 

After school, he came home with a list of what each kid likes to do with their families.  

Nate's?

Sit in carpool line with Mom. 

I think my four year old is MESSING WITH ME.