Nikolaus is what?

 



"I am 1"

 



 Celebrating the birthday boy

 

He loved his cake

 It was not fun cleaning it off

 

 "It's my BIRTHDAY and he is wearing my outfit!"

 

All boy 

 

Not too sure about this sledding thing

 

Okay, I like it!

Dancing with daddy by the mountain

First gondola ride in the fall

 

Nikolaus' Mustache Bash back at home

 

 He didn't really like having all those people

 in his house, but he enjoyed his

cake later on when everyone left

 

  Mustache cake

He has a sweet tooth like his sissy

 

Word on the street is that my baby boy turned one (and is now 13 months).  How could that be?  Our little peanut is now a little man walking everywhere, finding his own voice (through his sister's constant chatter), learning to sign (he's nailed "eat"), gives open mouth kisses (watch out ladies), and gets down and boogies at Natasha's nightly dance parties.  "Mama" and "dada" are the words he knows, but I have heard him say "up" a couple of times when he wants to be held.  Nikolaus will wave hello and goodbye and he loves to point to things to know what they are.  He has mastered the stairs, that we rarely use the baby gate... I know what you are thinking, how old is he?  All I have to say is, second kid.  They pick up on things way quicker.  Our thrill seeker still loves to climb, slide down slides head first and gravitates towards water when given the chance.  But he still loves to be held and is quite the mama's boy, but I'm not complaining.

So, let the celebration begin!  Nikolaus had two celebrations since his first birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year.  His actual birthday was spent in Steamboat with our family.  Marsha did a great job making Nikolaus' birthday so memorable.  We had an early celebration before our Thanksgiving feast, so it felt like it was his day.  He went after his smash cake and everyone was so nice to bring gifts for Nikolaus too.  His "Mustache Bash" was the following weekend.  We had 40 of our friends and family in our home (due to rain), but we managed and had a great time.  I can't say the same for the birthday boy though.  He was feeling a bit under the weather and was maybe a little overwhelmed with all the people in our home.  And unfortunately we didn't get many pictures of him at his party... Oh well.  Since Nikolaus' birthday is so close to Christmas, we asked our gifts to bring a new unwrapped gift to be donated to "Toys for Tots" in lieu of giving Nikolaus a gift.  Our family and friends were so generous, we had two bins filled with toys to be donated.  And don't worry, Nikolaus was not left out.  He still received plenty of gifts.

Nikolaus had a great one year well-check with his doctor, despite the four shots he had to get.  He is right on track developmentally.  Here are his stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 6 oz. (55th percentile)

Length: 31 in. (85-95th percentile)... must have caught him after a growth spurt

Head Circumference: 47 1/2 cm (85th-95th percentile)... our kids have huge noggins

The next appointment is at 15 months and he should have 3 to 5 words by then, so that is the only thing we need to work on with him and reminding Natasha to let him speak too.

Not only has it been fun to watch Nikolaus grow, but it has been amazing watching Natasha become a great big sister.  She loves to be the first one to greet him when he wakes up, talk for him (not a surprise) and play with him (but not with her toys in her room).  And, of course Nikolaus loves to be around her too!  His smile tells it all.  This last year has flown by, but what a joy it has been to have Nikolaus in our lives.  We can't wait to see what the second year brings.

 

 

Tasha Tells It All

 

Tasha: Where is Zac?

Yes, she sometimes calls us by our first name

Me: He is outside

Tasha: Doing blow?

Me: What? (I have no words.) To clarify, she meant blowing smoke from his cigars.

 

Meeting her new preschool teacher at our home:

Mrs. Freer: Do you like to sing?

Tasha: Yes, I do.

Mrs. Freer: That is great, because we sing a lot in preschool.  What is your favorite song to sing?

Tasha: Gangam Star (Style)

Mrs. Freer: Oh, I don't know that one.

Tasha: I'll get the iPad...

Me: I don't think we need to hear that song right now.

 

Running into the bathroom and striping down her clothes:

Tasha: Uh oh!  My pee thought the floor was the toilet.

 

Tasha: Oh Nikolaus, you are a handsome boy (must get that from me)

Me: Natasha, you are so cute.

Tasha: Yup!  That's what I do!

 

Tasha: Mommy, I love touching you when you sleep.  You are so nice and warm.

 

Me: So, tonight you are going to sleep in your room.

Tasha: I tried that last night and I didn't like it.  So, I'm going to sleep in your room with you and daddy.

Me: Nope.  Your room.

Tasha: But, I don't like to sleep alone.  And the tantrum begins...

 

Tasha: Can Nikolaus have a sleepover with me one day at Grandma's?

Me: Yes, when he is a little older.

Tasha: Great!  Then he won't miss me because he will be with me.

A light bulb went out in our family room...

Tasha: Mimi's cleaning lady is going to change Mimi's light bulb in her closet.  Maybe we should have our cleaning lady change our light bulb.

Me: I am the cleaning lady!  And I have been doing a terrible job, so you should fire me.

 

 

 Mix and Match Day at preschool

 

 Love this face!
 

 Pumpkin carving

Not too sure about this

 

Pumpkin Party at School

 

Bathing suit and mommy's running shoes... silly girl!

 

Our family

11 Months

I thought that the blocks I was using to take

his monthly pictures would work for every month, but I don't

have two #1 blocks to make an "11."  So, this will

have to do.

 Trying to climb over the gate

Nothing will stop this kid

 

 Mommy-N-Me music class

Possibly another drummer in the family 

Loves parks!

 

 Pumpkin fun at Roger's Gardens

Our two 'lil pumpkins 

Trying to get to the fountain... I don't have a picture,

but Nikolaus left shirtless.

 

Water table fun in November at Mimi's house

 

 

 

What kid doesn't like a cardboard box to play in?

 

Family pic

 Nikolaus playing with his (early) birthday present...

Thank you Ado Erika!

 Balancing

 

 

 Back at the park

 

Two more weeks and our mister man is going to be one!  Seriously, where in the world did this year go?  Nikolaus is still active as ever and I don't think he is going to slow down.  He is not walking yet, but has taken up to five steps by himself.  Nikolaus is also learning how things (cupboards, drawers, etc.) open and close.  He has discovered the Tupperware cabinet and loves to "rearrange" it for us.  And since he is getting into everything, his sister has already banned him from her room unless we hold him the whole time.  I see many confrontations and slammed doors in my future.  We can't wait to celebrate his first birthday in two weeks and we will celebrate it with a big feast (since his birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year)!   

 



10 Months

10 Months old (closer to 11 by the time this post gets published)

 

"Not the hat!"

 

 

"This hat again."

 

I guess this will do.

 

Being silly before lunch

Loving his little personality develop

 

And I thought Natasha was a dare devil... this

kid is going to give me a heart attack!
 

 But I love him so much!

Tunnel fun

 

 

 Sliding at the park

Enjoying an apple with dad... my handsome boys!

 

Nom nom nom

 

I thought by now Nikolaus would be walking.  But, I'm kind of glad that he is not.  He is a busy boy and he sure does love to climb.  His newest trick is downward dog, but I'm pretty sure he is going to flip himself over into a somersault by doing it.  Natasha claims that she taught him that.  He is also starting to balance without holding onto anything, but he then squats down and goes back to crawling.  It is also a challenge to change this kid's diaper.  He rarely lies still, but I am getting better at putting a piper on him while he is standing up.  You gotta do what you gotta do.  

Now on to the better of month 10.  Nikolaus is a great eater.  I haven't found a food he doesn't like.  He loves the German pancakes that I make in the morning and just like his sissy, he loves rice and beans.  I'm definitely more comfortable giving him bigger pieces of food too.  I don't know if it's because he is our second or if it's because he is a really good eater.  I don't think we gave Natasha apple until she was well over a year old.  But, Nikolaus had no trouble biting pieces off and chewing them up.

 

Nikolaus' little personality is continuing to develop.  He loves to imitate the sounds we make... clicking our tongue, grunting and chuckling.  I have to say that my favorite thing that Nikolaus does is look for his sissy.  When I buckle him into his car seat, he always looks to his left for Natasha. Since Natasha started preschool, she is not always with us.  And Nikolaus is more fussy in the car seat when she is not there... It is so sweet.  

 

I can't believe our little man is going to be a year old in less than two months!  It is unreal how time flies by.  I'm just glad that Nikolaus still likes to be held, because who knows how long that will last.