Merry Christmas!

After opening presents this afternoon, we facetimed with Grandpa and Grandma Russell and Great Grandma Gohl. Nico tried to hand a book to Grandpa through the iPad.

For Christmas Nico got cars and markers and some other small things.

Tonight while Guy was reading "The Hat" to Nico, Nico signed "pig" through the whole book. Lately he's been signing it by sticking his finger up his nose. So as he's flipping the pages with one hand, his finger on his other hand is up his nose. It was pretty cute.

Christmas Eve

We went to the cabin today and saw a lot of family and ate a lot of food. After the ornament exchange, Nico with the rest of the grandkids stayed upstairs to be read a story while me and my brothers and our spouses were sent to the kitchen table for a competition. Each couple was given a lego to put together and whoever finished first won a board game. We won!

Both of the boys are in their beds right now, and I am headed there now. Tomorrow will be a merry Christmas!

The picture is of Nico and his Aunt Alanna.

Bouncea bouncer

Today Nico climbed into his bouncer and bounced and bounced and bounced. He has never done that before, but it sure looked like fun!

We ate bacon and eggs for dinner.

And tonight Nico and I played a long time with a ball, rolling it back and forth and me bouncing it off his backside. Lots of laughing!

Oh dear!

I got in the habit of not updating while the Grandparents were in town, so I completely forgot to download pictures onto the computer tonight to upload a few. Woop! It's too late now to do it, must go to bed!

The Grandparents Russell left this morning after stopping by to hang for a few hours before the airport. We wandered around outside with Nico and generally just watched the baby. Most of their visit could be summed up by "watching the baby". He's a cute one to watch :)

Grandparents

Grandpa and Grandma Russell came into town today from Washington to celebrate Christmas a week early with us! Nico remembered them and it was nearly instantly that he reached to have them pick him up.

Nico really enjoyed the wrapping paper from his presents. He got some books and clothes and a handmade blanket!

More fun tomorrow!

Cheese

Two days in a row, while Nico is in the tub, he signs "eat". So when he gets out I give him some cheese to munch on while I read him some books. Communicating with him like this before he has words is awesome.

Sewing

Today Nico helped me sew by standing on his little step stool and dancing to the beat of the sewing machine while I used it. Every time I'd stop sewing, he would laugh!

Snail

While I am in the kitchen in the mornings cleaning up after breakfast, Nico has been entertaining himself. He sometimes brings toys into the kitchen and plays with them there, or he moves magnets around from the fridge to the washer and dryer to the pots in one of the cupboards. Another thing he's been doing is pulling around his snail pull toy. I have never seen him use it so much, but for five minutes this morning he was walking around and around and around, through the kitchen and living room and dining room and back through the kitchen. I wish I had a picture of that to show you!

Salmon cakes

For dinner tonight I made salmon cakes. They were a big hit! Nico ate a little more than a whole cake (they were each made with a heaping heaping tablespoon of batter). And Guy was wanting more after the plate was gone. Success!

Not much else was done today. Walk. Play. Nico has been very mellow the past few days!

Dentist

Guy had a dentist appointment today, after which he came home and made us some chicken salad- yum!

Nico now signs "Nico", or at least he signs the sign that we came up for Nico. He thinks it's hilarious.

He likes to look at the pictures on the wall so I bring out the step stool and let him climb up so he can get a closer look.

Christmas tree

We bought and decorated our Christmas tree today! We listened to Mannheim Steamroller while decorating the tree. We had dinner (Guy made pork chops, yum!) and then wrapped some presents. Nico enjoyed helping us with everything we did today. We bought a new mop and he walked around the house with it for a while. He also helped us wrap presents and sweep the floor. By "help" I mean that he imitated what we were doing. It was pretty cute.

Nothing

We didn't do anything today. We had plans to go pick out our Christmas tree but I was a little too tired. Nico did grab my glass off the table and attempt to drink it. It was really full so it spilled all over him and made him choke. That and the mess he made at dinner prompted me to change his clothes after we were done eating.

He signs eat and mouse. He also signs pig the right way now.

Liver

I made liver for dinner today and Nico ate a lot of it! He seemed to really enjoy it.

We went to the library today after Guy got up. That's about it!

Balloon

We are trying to teach Nico to sign "balloon". Whenever we go to Fred Meyer he gets SO excited when we pass the greeting cards because there are tons of balloons hanging from the aisles. He points nonstop and talks. In the picture today, Nico is squeezing his friendly balloon that is starting to lose some air. Grandma Salisbury got this balloon for him almost two weeks ago, it has lasted quite a while!

Park

I can't believe I forgot to update yesterday, I was trying to go at least a month without forgetting! Oh well. Not much happened yesterday anyway.

Today after dinner, Guy had to go to work but Nico thought he was getting ready to take him for a walk, since for the last few days that's what they have been doing after dinner. But Guy left, and Nico walked around in circles whining and staring at the door. So I took him to the park, the one we used to go to. We had to drive, though. He went down two slides head first without hesitation.

He can sign mouse and Grandma!

Hamburgers

Guy made hamburgers for dinner tonight made from beef and pork, and they were really good! They tasted like sausage. Yummy! Then Guy and Nico went for a walk while I did the dishes.

I'm also including a picture from yesterday. Guy and Nico were sharing cheese, it was pretty cute to watch. Be sure to notice Guy's right hand feeding Nico his cheese. Then a picture from today of Nico in his rocking chair reading his Bible :)

Winter Garden Aglow

Today we went to Winter Garden Aglow. Nico has mittens that came with his coat but we lost them, and so Nico was not wearing mittens tonight. It was freezing! I felt so bad. We didn't stay long, it was cold and Nico's bedtime, so we just stopped in to get our picture taken and then left. The photographer gave us 50% off because we are return customers. And because he's the one who took our engagement pictures.

Nico was very excited to be there, and wanted to stay and wander around. He did get to stare at the trains for a while, but other than that and getting our picture taken, we didn't stay long. NEXT YEAR we will be prepared!

2011 at Winter Garden Aglow

2010 at Winter Garden Aglow

Ants

This morning I discovered that Nico's room has ants in it. I had seen a few random ones since moving in, but this morning I saw about 15 all in the same spot. So we dealt with those today.

Nico and I also went for a "walk" outside, where I let him decide where to go. We ended up walking back and forth up the hill to the end of the sidewalk and back down again. We heard lots of dogs barking and we got to pet Meatball the cat.

I put Nico's hair in a Mohawk in the bathtub, just to show off how much hair he has now!

Plastic bags

Nico found the roll of food storage bags and pulled the rest of them out of their box and dragged them around the house.

After dinner he was a little fussy as we were cleaning up so I pulled the stool over to the sink and let him climb up to help Daddy with the dishes. He loves those stools! Later tonight I put it in front of our wallhanging picture holder thing and he stood up there and stared at the pictures forever! Then he realized he could pull the pictures out. So he did.

Nico also seems to be getting more active and loves to go outside whenever he can!

Cabinses

This morning we went to the cabin for breakfast. We saw Grandma Salisbury and we played outside for a bit too. Nico slept for 30 minutes on the way home and then wouldn't take another nap the rest of the day. I think his sleep patterns are changing.

This afternoon Guy made soup. Then Lizzie and Bruce and Rory came over to see our new place. Rory and Bruce and Nico played hard in Nico's room, it was a lot of fun to see them play together. Nico was interacting and laughing up a storm at Bruce's antics.

 Nico can sign "outside". We're working on teaching him to sign "Grandma".

Unpacked

Today I finished unpacking the rest of the boxes. Nico and I played "earthquake" with an empty box tonight. Still assembled box, with Nico inside, I shake the box, earthquake! Punch out both ends of the box to form a tunnel, Nico crawls through it, I shake the box, earthquake! Flatten the box, Nico walks on top of it, I shake the box, earthquake! Nico had so much fun.

We also went for a walk tonight to the Roosevelt Market. A small store with a few aisles of bare minimum groceries. They also serve homemade food. Breakfast, lunch, soup!

Nico also discovered where the bookshelf is!

All Moved In

We are all moved in now. We still have a few boxes to unpack, but other than that we are all set up. This place feels a lot bigger even though it's only 100 square feet more than our previous place.

Nico seems to like his new room. Because it's bigger, we've actually been spending more time in there. Today he crawled onto his rocking chair and he rocked himself. While standing. Without holding onto anything. He's got good balance!

Packing

Today I spent most of the day packing. My mom came over and helped me clean and pack. We went to Costco for a break and then came home and Nico took his nap.

When I was emptying the linen closet, Nico discovered it as a fun place to crawl around in. He tried to stand up once while he was in there, but he learned quickly not to try that again.

When Guy got up, he made us pesto soup and then we packed Nico's room.

Moving day is upon us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we all went up to the cabin for Thanksgiving. Nico got to see some cousins, uncles and grandparents! We had a big feast with lots of food and lots of pies for dessert. Nico tried some pumpkin pie and whipped cream for the first time, he seemed to like it!

He climbed up this stool all by himself, while his cousin Alexis was already on it. He spent a good portion of time climbing up and down the stool today. He had a lot of fun playing with the water in the sink.

Packing

Today we spent most of the day packing. I took frequent breaks to read books to Nico or to play with his toys with him, though. He came up to me often with a book in hand or with his arms outstretched. I'm pretty sure he's learned the sign for help, but more investigation is required.

The picture today is courtesy of Nico. I held the iPad while he took the picture.

Turkey

We made a turkey today. We are making stock with the bones. After dinner we went to the park. It sure does get dark sooner these days! I found some dried sagebrush and gave it to Nico to hold on our way home, he seemed to enjoy sticking out his right hand with it so it would brush up against the fences that we passed.

Water

Whenever I refill the water filter, Nico hears me and runs over to grab the lid of the water filter wherever I put it. Then he hands it to me. He does this so much that I just started asking him to hold the lid for me while I fill up the filter. He loves this job! When he returns the lid to me, he says "dah" matter of factly like he's saying "You're welcome. Anytime."

Today we facetimed with Grandma and Grandpa Russell, after which Nico ate a lot of pesto soup and then went to bed a bit early.

Mall

I accidentally deleted this entry so I had to re-create it. Woops!

After Nico's nap, Grandma and Grandpa Salisbury picked up Nico and took him to the mall. I stayed home and packed and cleaned. They were at the mall for at least three hours, walking and walking and having a great time! Nico is quite an easy going kid, and loves to be around all the people.

The Pen

Today Nico played with a pen for at least 30 minutes. He was so happy when he figured out how to take the cap off and put it back on. He walked back and forth across the living room trying out his new skill.

We packed a bit today and had a roast for dinner.

Milk

This evening we went up to the cabin to deliver some milk to Grandma Salisbury. We couldn't stay that long because of Nico's bedtime, but it was really fun while we were there. We made a smoothie and shared it and he was full of giggles and laughs. He fell asleep on the way home.

Picture is of Nico standing in his crib, I put him in there while I get ready in the mornings.

Ziplock

Nico took a very long nap today, three and a half hours! We got another offer on our house and after Nico woke up we all went to the UPS store to fax the signed paperwork back to our realtor.

We returned home to a roast chicken. After Guy left for work, Nico and I went for a walk. Without the stroller! I had to carry him near the end, and we didn't get very far, but we saw some dogs and that is all that matters.

After we got home, he found a box of ziplock bags and started pulling them out. I tried to catch a picture, but all I got a picture of was Nico trying to grab the iPad!

The Stick

This morning Nico and I went out to the garage and took pictures of the things out there that we are trying to sell on craigslist. Nico found a long stick of wood and had a fun time carrying it around.

This afternoon we all went to the Youth Ranch to drop off donations, then we came home and ate dinner. Guy and Nico then went for a walk while I took care of the dinner dishes.

Nico had an early bedtime because he didn't take a very long nap this afternoon.

He can sign coat and elephant and eat. Not sure if I mentioned any of those before.

Swimming

This morning Nico and I joined Grandma Salisbury and Alexis for swimming. Grandma S is staying at a hotel for a few nights in town, so we were able to swim in the hotel's swimming pool. Before we went to the hotel, Nico fell and scraped the skin next to his right eye. He was not happy!

This afternoon we just hung out, and then this evening we all went to see my Aunt Jill and my three cousins. We got home later than Nico's bedtime. Then I went to the Co-op to pick up some homeopathic remedies for Guy's migraine.

Nico made up his own sign for "Panda". When I read him the Life Size Zoo book, he started pulling on his ears whenever the Panda would show up. I think it's because the text for that page mentions the Panda's black ears. He has also learned the sign for elephant.

Roseola?

Today Nico still isn't back to eating as much food, and after his nap I noticed he had a rash. I am pretty sure he has Roseola, which is a common childhood viral infection that manifests as fever, and then rash.

Nico and I took a nap this afternoon. Guy is gaming with friends tonight.

All Better

Nico woke up as cool as a cucumber this morning! But he was very fussy and cried out quite often throughout the day, I think he must have been teething. He refused food and most nursing sessions all day, but ate sufficiently right before bed. I thought he might have had a sore throat, but now I think it was teething. I forgot to take a picture today! :(

Oh! Nico can sign train. He does it the same way as bunny, but they are very similar.

Fever baby

Nico was feeling better and cooler this morning after waking, but then a few hours later he got the chills real bad and then his fever spiked again. He has been tired and sleeping all day. He slept in our bed a bit last night and he may do that again for a little bit if he is in need of a snuggle. I'm hoping tomorrow the fever will be gone! I thought it was this morning but no luck.

Still Sick

Nico still had his fever today, didn't eat a lot and then threw up tonight after dinner. Poor buddy! He has slept most of the day, and is asleep now. We have read a lot of books today! I'm hoping he feels better tomorrow.

Fever

Nico woke up with a fever and has been tired and snuggly all day. He took two long naps and then went to bed early. I'm hoping the fever breaks tonight!

Boxes

Today we went and bought some moving boxes. We are moving on November 26th. We ate dinner at the mall and then went grocery shopping.

Nico can sign frog. He also recently has started poking our eyes softly, underneath our glasses. One finger for each eye, and at the same time.

It was an early night for him tonight, he seemed way too tired to make it to 6:30. Must have been the time change.

Facetime

Forgot to update yesterday!

Yesterday was an inside day. We Facetimed with Grandma and Grandpa Russell, and Nico showed them how he danced and was generally very cute.

Guy had a Biblestudy with our pastor. And Nico and I looked through Nico's closet. I found a sweater I had knit for Nico before I even knew I was pregnant. He has never worn it and I think is now a bit too small for him because it doesn't close. But here's proof that he wore it at least once!

More Cousins

This morning Nico and I went to the Saturday market. It was freezing! We stopped by a stand at the market and bought him a new winter hat. We bought chickens, dried apples, and ground beef.

Then this afternoon we went up to the cabin. Guy had to work tonight so he wasn't able to come. We saw Nico's Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Bambi, and his cousins Karli, Kai and Lily. Also Grandma and Grandpa Salisbury. It had been a very long time since he had seen these cousins, and they had a lot of fun interacting and playing. It's too bad that they live so far away! (just an hour away, but it feels like it's further)

Box

Today was a wet, cold, and uneventful day. After Guy went to work, Nico helped me pack up a box of his old clothes to send to a friend. You can see him in the picture dragging the empty box down the hallway after I put it together.

He can sign cat and mom now, though he signs them both the same, as well as dad and pig. Since all of these signs have you using your hand to interact with you face/head, he does the same sign for all of them! He will start to differentiate between them eventually. For now, it's usually pretty obvious which one he means.

Oh, and in the picture, note his Arlington Eagles Tshirt! He wore it for the first time today.

Socks

This morning I asked Nico where his socks were and he signed "socks"! In the past I have only ever signed it myself but have never actively tried to teach it to him. He is learning so much every day. Yesterday after waking up from his nap I asked him what he wanted to do and he signed "Daddy". So we went and woke Daddy up. It is so cool to be able to communicate with Nico without needing him to first learn to talk.

Today we went to the cabin and saw Grandma Salisbury, Uncle Jonny and cousin Alexis. Alexis and Nico played in a fort built by Uncle Jonny, with light sticks.

This afternoon we ran errands and then this evening I took Nico to the park. It was chilly outside and no one was there. Nico climbed up the BIG toy (first time) and sat right down on the slide and pushed himself forward. I caught him before he went down, then sat on the other slide next to him and we went down side by side, me holding his arm. I was so surprised that he tried this! Then he climbed down off of the fire truck all by himself. He took the first step forward without turning around and scooting, but by holding onto the rail and taking a step forward. The rail stopped after that so he turned around and scooted backward the rest of the way. So proud of him! It is so awesome watching him learn to do things!

New Toy

Nico was dressed like a lumberjack again today. We went and saw three different houses. And we submitted an application for a house that we both liked, one that we actually saw last night. So we will wait for news of that!

We hooked up the old iPhone we got from Grandma Russell (thank you!) so that Nico can play with it. I suppose we still have to make sure he doesn't make an emergency phone call though! He likes to hold the phone up to his ear and walk around with it. Blurry action shot. And then I'm also including the picture from yesterday which I forgot to upload!