My sweet, handsome, loving, fun, ornery, goofy, adventurous, sports loving little boy is 4. I can not believe how quickly these last four years have gone.
I remember, plain as day when I was holding Nathan in my arms and he was about 9 months old and I though, "This little guy will not be a baby for long. Very soon, I won't be able to pick him up. Not to long after that, he will be taller than me. Then, I will give him to another woman, and pray I have helped to raise him into a hard working, loving man. Not much later, he'll have his own little baby, maybe another little man, in his strong arms. And then, it'll be me he's holding. An old woman, about to pass from this life with my son holding my hand. My son....who I am holding at this very moment as a baby will grow much to fast for me."
Seriously, these are the things I think about. I am sitting here, weeping as I recover this memory, from just 3 1/2 years ago. I knew it would happen, and it is. It's happening to fast. He is proof of it. My little buddy, my little guy, my little man is already four.
I know to some that doesn't seem very old, but I'm having hard time letting go of that baby...and he doesn't make it any easier by reminding me that he is a "big boy" now and doesn't need to do a lot of the stuff he needed, even just a few months ago.
Nathan is a special blessing to our family. He keeps us laughing, praying, and occasionally crying ;) It's a challenge to see that strong "man's will" rise up in him because as much as I want to foster that independence and leadership, it also needs to come under authority.
It's tricky thing to raise a little boy into a man. Good thing he has a wonderful example in his father to look up to! Nathan and Jeremy have spent more time this year playing baseball together
and learning to play kick ball. Jeremy is teaching him the symbols and names for the baseball teams. It's something Nate looks forward to go over with Jeremy at night (and sometimes get goofy when saying the names). He loves to have pillow fights with his daddy, and for daddy to wrestle with him before bed. They already have memories of watching football, and football movies together (Nate still talks about his "favorite move" Facing the Giants, that he watched with daddy when the girls and I were out).
He adores his daddy, and I'd be pleased if he grew up to be just like him one day.
Nathan loves his sisters.
Simply adores then, often to the point of annoyance.
He has special moments with both Nicole and Hannah. I have seen a new dimension to his relationship with them this year as he has grown to communicate with them better and be able to play along.
He likes Nicole to read to him, and to explore and adventure with him.
He lets Nicole pick out his clothes (and especially loves when they match camo together).
He and Hannah have been buddies since day one.
They are often found playing together,
making each other laugh,
tickling each other, pillow fighting together,
swinging with one another
and ride bikes along side each other.
My prayer is that these three would grow up with a close relationship that they can rely on through their adult years.
Nathan is a sweet boy to me.
He always picks me flowers. In fact, yesterday he apologized because he didn't pick me any flowers while at CC! Isn't that sweet? He is sensitive to how I am feeling or acting, and always quick to give me a hug if I look sad (or if I act sad to sneak an extra hug for the day).
We have a special time each day where I snuggle up with him just before naps and read him a book. I have found that this time is just as important to him as it is to me! He is crushed and heartbroken if I don't take those 15 minutes. I truly look forward to it.
Nathan doesn't often get alone time with anyone, so when it happens, it is ultra special. He knows it and completely changes how he behaves.
Often, he will start that alone time with, "So, how was your day?" similar to how Jeremy and I talk at the dinner table. Quite simply, he is a good natured, sweet little boy.
98% of the time. But, that extra 2% or so...whew boy....you better watch out ;)
Although his tantrums have greatly improved over this past year, there is still a glimmer or two of them, and he has learned to mostly take the screaming, kicking, and hitting down to simply standing, stone faced in defiance. It's disobedience and disrespect still...but it's less visual (and truthfully less embarrassing)
Nate isn't afraid to be adventurous, as was demonstrated on Jeremy's birthday swing from a 300ft drop (which he says he won't be doing again...mostly because he had to wear pink ;)
He is usually bold and brave, but sometimes he is also timid and shy.
He loves to find ways to help around the house, unless he's to busy playing with cars ;)
I think back on his 11th month, and that crazy hair that wrapped around his toe, that stuck us in the ER for 5 hours!
He still loves his blanket that I made for him before he was born. To this day, he likes to sleep with it, and Shamu (and he especially loves his blanket, freshly warmed out of the wash!
Nathan is 100% boy. He loves all noises that come out of a body
He loves to be outside playing, and is interested in checking out things he finds on our nature walks.
He also loves video games and playing on the iPad (and is perfectly the manly right of passage of "watching while sleeping")
We are so thankful Nathan is in our lives. He has challenge us over these past four years, but he has also brought a lot of laughter and wonderful memories.
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| He loves to be crazy with Hannah |
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| And even to be sweet and calm with her. |
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| He always brings a smile. |
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| Although he's outgrown this bike, it took him many miles. |
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| Walking hand in hand with his big sister. |
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| They absolutely love each other! |
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| He has always loved bath time |
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| and pool time. |
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| Maybe one day he'll be a ball player |
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| From the first day he was born, even to this day....this is often how you will catch Nathan sleeping. |
