Nikosaurus is 2!

 ROAR

 

 Our friend, T-Rex joined us for the bash

 

 Nikosaurus

 

 The birthday boy

 

 

 The cousins

 

 What a difference a year makes...

such a happy boy at his party.  

 Mimi helping Nik out

 

 Cupcake time!

 

  

 

 Everyone loved the cupcakes

 

 

 Presents!!

 

 Natasha being a good big sister

 

Loves his backpack

 

Nikolaus went skiing on his actual birthday!

 

Look who turned 2 (almost 6 months ago)!  Why does it go even faster with the second child?  And it doesn't help that he thinks he can do whatever his sister does.  Running, jumping, climbing, and dancing... he loves to move.  But, he also loves to relax and watch movies.  His favorites include: Frozen, Toy Story, and Despicable Me.  For his birthday party, I went with a dinosaur theme.  He likes Rex from Toy Story and his favorite word for a while was ROAR.  Nikolaus definitely enjoyed his birthday party and was excited about all the new dinosaurs he got.  He loved being sung too and trying to blow out the candles himself.  It is so fun to see his little personality grow.  We had his party a week early, since we would be in Colorado for his actual birthday (the day after Thanksgiving).  And what did this lucky duck get to do on his birthday?  He went skiing for the first time.  Amazing!  He wasn't too crazy about it that day, but we tried again the next day and he loved it.  He was so excited about riding up the magic carpet.  And then Zac and I held him by his bib and guided him down the hill (we were walking).  We can't wait to get him back out there.

 

We knew that being the second child and a boy that talking would be delayed a bit.  We never experienced this with Natasha so we were not sure if we would have to try speech therapy with Nik.  While we were in Colorado he actually started saying "two word sentences."  "Sit, Cooper" (although the way he said it it sounded like "Shit, Pooper").  Our pediatrician was very happy with this simple milestone.  Next she asked us if he has referred himself as "I" or "me."  He had not at this point, but either later that day or the next day he started to say "me."  He has made tremendous progress since six months ago and I will share some of his greatest sayings in another post.  Other than that he is a thriving two year old.  Here are his stats from that appointment:

 

Weight: 23 lbs. 12.5 oz. (50th percentile)

Height: 31 1/2" (75th percentile)

Head circumference: 47 3/4 cm. (75th-90th percentile)

 

What else can I tell you about our not-so-little boy.  Nikolaus is as sweet as can be with lots of hugs and kisses. He is still attached to my hip, but he loves to play with his sister and help his dad in the backyard.  Nik enjoys going to Toddler Time with me, but is not a fan of the daycare at MOPS.  He is still a great sleeper and an adventurous eater.  His new favorite is soup.  A little random, but maybe that is because Natasha would never try soup.  He is also not afraid of a little spice.  Nikolaus has some favorite new tunes.  He is still a dancing machine, but he is now into singing too.  Some of his favorite songs are "Let it Go" (obviously), "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Living on a Prayer."  I know he is a mama's boy and I probably should work on that, but I don't know yet if he will be my last baby (I'm not pregnant).  So, for now he can keep me wrapped around his tiny finger.  We love you sweet boy!   



Tasha Tells It All

 

 Dress up day at dance

 

 

Natasha still loves to dance. 

She was devastated when her dance studio

closed in December.  But we are now

at a new dance studio and she loves it!

 Rapunzel ballerina

Natasha's ballet/tap class

Last game for the Pink Diamonds included

 pink tutus and pink hair 

We could not get the dads to wear

pink or spray their hair pink

 



 Addie and Tasha... best soccer buds

 Addie, Anabelle and Tasha

 

Soccer pizza party

 



"Put me in coach"

A couple more years for these boys... Can't wait!

 



So excited for her first trophy... probably the

only reason why she wanted to play soccer

 

Natasha's most recent ramblings: 

 

On the plane to Washington DC:

Me: Are you going to take a nap?

Tasha: No way, Jose!

Zac: Her name is Shaunna.

Tasha: But instead of saying no or no thank you, you say Jose. 

Okay then.  And she did take a nap.

 

Driving home from Mimi's:

Tasha: When I grow up and become a mom, can my kids and I come and see you every Friday?

Me: Of course! I would love that.

Tasha: Oh, wait, it might have to on Wednesdays because I see Mimi on Fridays and I see grandma on Thursdays.

Me: Whatever day works for you, I will make sure I'm available.

My heart is warm :)

 

Jumping on the trampoline:

Tasha: I'm going to make the whole world bounce!

Me: Yes. Yes you are!

 

Tasha: I deleted a picture on the iPad... Don't worry, it was not a picture of me.

Me: okaaayyy

Tasha: It was a drawing that Nikolaus colored.  I didn't like it, so I deleted it.

Me: Well, as long as it was not a picture of you.  But, maybe next time you can run it by me first before deleting anything.

 

Conversation between Tasha and Niko (a 4 yr. old boy in the neighborhood):

Tasha: Do you want to play family?

Niko: No, I hate that game.

Tasha: Do you want to play hide-n-go-seek?

Niko: No, I don't like that game either.

Tasha: Well, maybe you need to just get used to playing those games!

 



Fall Fun

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch

 



Nikolaus loves the goats

 



 



This one looks good...

 



Pulled the stem right off.

 



 Irvine Regional Park Pumpkin Patch with Natasha's classmates

 

 

 

 

 Our cute little pumpkins

 

 

  He would trade his sister for candy... or French Fries with ketchup

 

 

 Fun with friends

 

  

 Pumpkin carving

 

The masterpiece

  

  Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger

 

 Queen Elsa

 

 Grandma Lou with her grandkids

 

 Buzz and Elsa

 

 Cousins

 

So excited for trick o treating

 

I love fall!  Pumpkins, fall colors, cooler weather, our football tailgates, pumpkin patches, dressing up the kids, etc.  It was a lot of fun to experience a pumpkin patch with just Nik and I this year.  We went with my MOPS group while Natasha was in school.  Tanka has a great pumpkin patch with a petting zoo (Nik loved the goats) and their wagon ride (trying all the different vegetables they grow on the farm).  We also visited Irvine Regional Park's pumpkin patch with Natasha's class.  It is another favorite with the train ride, haystack maze, bounce house and the haunted house.  We hosted Halloween over at our house because Ladera is crazy for Halloween.  Our neighborhood is so popular for some reason.  We get between 200 and 300 trick o treaters.  Nikolaus went as Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.  It was between this and a "Roar Roar" (dinosaur).  He loves to watch Toy Story and I couldn't find a good Rex costume.  And after going back and forth, Natasha finally decided on Queen Elsa.  Luckily, I waited long enough and the Disney store got in a huge stock of dresses. It was fun watching Natasha, Brooks and Nikolaus go door to door to collect their candy.  But, I think they had even more fun passing out candy at our house.  It will be fun to see what they decide to be for Halloween this year.