handyman in training.

I'll admit it, I ration toys. After birthdays, Christmas, etc. I always take my time until I give Nate something new to play with. He appreciates them much more that way and he doesn't get overwhelmed. Case in point, my parents gave Nate a little workbench for Christmas and we just opened it last night.  I don't think Nate's 100% on what he is supposed to do with it, but I love seeing his little mind work. It really is amazing what he can come up with sometimes!

Here's little man playing with his big boy toy!

wine & craft festival.

My friend and I took our kids to the Wine & Craft Festival today and had a blast. Normally, that would be something totally outside of my comfort zone (taking my very active toddler to an adult-geared event), but everything went great.  We saw a lot of interesting craft booths, tasted some great wines, and even let the kids play for a while.  Hands down, my favorite winery booth was the Peaks of Otter Winery because the workers were hysterical and most of the wines were exceptionally yummy (a few were super spicy, not my thing!).

I love being able to take Nate out to different things on the weekend. It keeps life interesting and helps to introduce him to lots of new people and surroundings. I can't get enough of this darling little face!

twenty-one months.

Nathan is going to be talking in full compound sentences any day now.  As much as he talks in his baby gibberish, this boy is going to have lots to say once he's able.  At this point, he will say something to the effect of "do do do do do do Mama" so that you understand one word out of the whole thing. It'll get there!

Recent Nathanisms:

• Calling roll -- when around lots of people, Nate will pause for a moment and go around the room to name everyone
• Adding more letters to the mix -- now he will say E, O, I (still on vowels)
• Tells me that he is 'ready' when he wants to do something
• Walks around and says 'oh my' to everything. I guess I must say that a lot? :)
• Hand holding -- when Nate wants something, he will come to grab your hand and take you to it, then point and (try to) say the word. Absolutely precious.

Here are a few shots from his monthly baby-birthday pictures:

mother's day.

There are some things that you aren't able to understand or appreciate fully until you encounter the same circumstance.  Case in point, I was never able to completely appreciate the literal blood, sweat and tears that go into being a mom until Nate came along. It simply is the hardest and most rewarding thing that I have ever done in my life.  Work, school, wedding planning, buying a house -- you think that they are huge 'to dos' in life, and in their own time and place they are, but it is all preparation for the main event.

This year, we spent time with both of our families and a little time on our own.  Nate was such a sweet boy that day. Granted, he is a sweet child anyway, but he was extra cuddly on Mother's Day -- it was like he knew that it was 'my' day :)

Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend:

double trouble

Miles is crawling. Nathan is running. In a few months, these two are going to be quite the destructive force! For now, they are having a bit of more reserved fun...can't wait to see what the future will bring for this cousin duo.

do not operate heavy machinery.

The city decided to update the underground power lines, so our front yard is a hot mess right now.  After the workers spent all day 3 feet down into our front yard, they left their backhoe behind.  Nate was curious and my camera was charged, so why not?

Something tells me that today's fun has raised the bar for upcoming birthday gifts :)