Another Chore to the List

In anticipation of our new addition coming soon, we've been finding a lot of chores that Nicholas can do to help around the house. This weekend, he turned the chore of transferring his clementines to the fridge into a game of slam dunk. It was super cute...and hopefully he'll continue to love his chores into his teen years (okay, wishful thinking, I know).

Admiring the Tree

Now that we finally have a few decorations on the family room tree, I've found Nicholas sitting on the floor in full admiration of it. He points and talks about the ornaments and calls this one his "favorite shinny star."

Cruisin' In Big Truck

Nicholas found one of Daddy's pre-amps and knew just what to do with it - install it in his "Big Truck."

Flashback!

We're desperately overdue for a flashback!

Here's a peek into life this time last year...

Beep Beep!

Nicholas quickly learned to love his first ride on the carousel with Daddy.

He's always loved swings.

Who's so big?!

We had some beautiful fall days that we were able to take advantage of the outdoors.

~ tubby time ~

Halloween 2007

out little skunk

The 1-year-old birthday boy shared a sucker with Poppy on his special day...

...and was crawling all over the house exploring.

He carried that bottle of vitamins everywhere (and loved to suck on the soft end). These days, we're onto gummy vitamins that he looks forward to every day.

cheeseball!

Oh, those two cute bottom teeth!

Decorating the Memory Tree

Tonight we actually managed to have a productive tree decorating session. Nicholas really got into checking out all the ornaments, talking about them and finding the perfect spot for each one.

He loved every Santa ornament.

Nicholas wanted Daddy involved in our fun. Help repeatedly dragged him in the dinning room to show him each new ornament he placed. Just as he demands others to dance (or stop singing), Nicholas insisted that Daddy make the nutcracker dance.

Hot Chocolate!

After being outside in such frigid weather, we all had to warm up. Nicholas has been talking about hot chocolate and hot cocoa (yet another thing I have no idea where he learned it from - perhaps Curious George?). When I made the hot chocolate, Nicholas initially appeared surprised to its appearance.

After some careful stirring, he tried it for the first time...

He announced to Daddy that he "like hot chocolate!"

Going back for more!

I'd say it's a winner!

Now we officially have another beverage Nicholas will be constantly requesting, in addition to his smoothies and orange juice.

"Lights Up Outside!"

Saturday we tackled decorating the outside. Nicholas was eager to help. He's completely fascinated with extension cords and helping to plug in any cords he comes across.

Daddy was our hero to do all the ladder work this year.

When Daddy was sweeping, Nicholas took it upon himself to go find another broom for himself. He came back to us saying, "I'm sweeping too!"

Out of the Mouth of a Babe!

Its been ever so exciting to hear all that Nicholas is able to share lately. He was really pumped when I told him he was going to Miss Judy's house today. For the first time, he spewed the scoop on what he likes to do there. It started with "oooo, watch tv at Judy's...turn the tv on...play with Katlin and Jenna....Mike eats candy.....yummy orange juice....make forts..." When I asked him what he watches there, he innocently responded, "watch Curious George, watch Elmo, watch Judge Judy." It was clear as a bell!

~

On our way to the sitter's, Nicholas started yelling from the back seat, "Big orange light on!" I immediately started examining the dashboard, expecting a big flashing light indicating a major problem with the car. When I looked in the mirror, Nicholas was in the back squinting like nuts and trying to pull his hat over his eyes. I asked where the orange light was and he pointed to the sun! Even with an explanation that it was just the sun, he didn't seem convenienced. What does that tell us about life in CNY!

~

I sure hope this story is worth documenting over the embarrassment it brings.

Tonight when we were rocking before bedtime, Mommy passed a little gas. Nicholas popped his head off my shoulder, laughed out loud and proudly announced, "Mommy pooped!" I seriously had a hard time not peeing myself after that one!

"Turn Lights On"

This weekend, we went to the Baldwinsville Tree Lighting ceremony with Gammy and Poppie. Nicholas was so excited to see Poppie and have a buddy to explore all around with.

"Ooooo, what's that?"

A giant polar bear that Nicholas ran up to and greeted!
Oddly, he was fascinated with the bear's feet.

When we were waiting for Santa to arrive on the firetruck, Nicholas was insistent that the lights needed to be turned on. We were all relieved once the lights were on so he'd stop constantly demanding.

~ admiring the tree (with his giant cookie in hand!) ~

Poppie took Nicholas for a ride on the horse-drawn carriage. He talked about it all the way home!

What a fun night Gammy and Poppie - thanks for inviting us!

This one's just for Daddy!

"Daddy Silly"

Nicholas thought Daddy was just hysterical playing his harmonica after dinner tonight. He kept saying "Daddy silly!" and laughing his buns off. I can't get over how grown-up Nicholas looks!

A New Tradition

Tonight Daddy showed Nicholas our advent stocking. He quickly figured out there were a bunch of tasty treats in each pocket.

He got one of his favorites - Smarties.

Of course, Nicholas wanted to check out every other pocket and wouldn't pose for a picture.

Playdate with Kalie

Today we had Kalie and baby Erica over. Nicholas and Kalie were priceless to watch playing together - they are totally into each other and share so nicely.

Talk about parallel play.

Bring On Christmas!

We started our holiday decorating this weekend. Nicholas was such a good helper carrying up things from the basement for me and was just flabbergasted when we started to set up the trees. He screeched in excitement for all the lights and started to get the concept of hanging ornaments.

He would get really attached to a particular ornament and repeatedly tried a bunch of spots on the tree for it.

We also celebrated with some virgin strawberry daiquiris - which Mommy could have used with the alcohol, since I quickly realized that involving a curious 2-year-old with a million Christmas decorations is an exhausting feat!
We called it a day with 2 assembled and lit trees with about 6 ornaments on them in total.

Turkey Crafts

We had a lot of fun doing some crafts for Thanksgiving this year. I'm so excited Nicholas now gets into crafts. We made edible turkeys...

a handprint shirt...

and cute little cards. Nicholas was a super good sport with getting his hands so dirty - and he was all so proud of his work!