Nathan gains some independence

More and more, Nathan appreciates a little 'space' when he's hanging out at the park. We give him the opportunity to run around by himself a little, but we're always watching...

Nathan says "Gracias"

For the first time today, Nathan said "gracias" to someone after getting something he wanted. He had asked our friend, Deborah, for some "manana" (banana.)

On more than one occassion, when she gave it to him, he said "gracias."

Our little gentleman...

Who loves maman?

More new words...

After reading through all my earlier posts, Alex reminded me of a few more words which I had forgotten about which he'll either say, or repeat with understanding of what it means.

• nahrisse = Nariz = Nose (Spanish)
• nez = nose (French)
• oeil = eye (French)
• zeezee = zizi = Guess... (French)
• manos = hands (Spanish)
• ah-ton = attend = "wait" (French)
• mahn = books (probably from when we constantly used to read him "goodnight moon")
• boooshk = books
• puhtsle = puzzle
• boootu = Bouton = Button (French)
• boom-eh = boomer = the infinitive form of "to boom" (French)
• hosht = Hot
• daccord = "D'accord" = OK (French)
• tahnpee = Tant Pis = Too bad (French)
• bohjour = Bonjour = Hello (French)
• hello = Hello (he holds the phone, or a banana (or anything electronic) up to his ear)
• nigh nigh = night night
• bonne nuit
• otay = OK
• mahne/bahne = Le bain = Bath (French)
• bubbles = bubbles
• bye bye l'eau = goodbye, water (when the tub is draining he repeats this over and over)
• pousse = push (French)
• go botay = grain de beaute = beauty mark (French)
• nina = baby girl (Spanish)
• coosh = couche = diaper (French)
• deboo = Debut = Stand Up (French)
• oota = Fruita = Fruit (Spanish)
• bootaay = bouteille = Bottle (French)
• arbol = tree (Spanish)
• ya ooooosh = yaourt = yogurt (French)
• salud = "health" (after a sneeze) (Spanish)
• too doo = tout doux = all soft (as in a blanket or a nou nou, French)
• mamanos or vamanos = "let's go" (Spanish)
• vamanos/mamanos al parkeh = "let's go to the park" (Spanish)
• c'est bon = it's good (French)
• bo bo = bobo = when you get hurt (French)
• "moo" = noise a cow makes
• "puppy" = puppy
• "gako" = gato = cat (Spanish)
• cukarukoo = cock-a-doodle-doo blended with cocorico (English/French)
• "oi oi" = oink = pig
  

(Apparently I missed quite a few -- and there are more being added all the time!)

Go!

Nathan and I came up with a game -- basically one of us yells "Go" and we both run around the living room table (big time fun).

Nathan enjoys it, though, and that's what is important. So I really enjoy it as well!

More new words...

Nathan has been making an incredible amount of progress with his words, lately. When he's in the "right mood," he'll hear a word and look intently at your mouth while trying to imitate you.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

It's always fun, though!

• orvah = au revoir = "bye bye" (french)
• mini = fini = "finished" (french)
• oooooo wa = roomba (our automated vacuum cleaner)
• otay = okay
• gooeh = good
• la mousse = la mousse = "bubbles" (french)
• pasta = pasta
• patu / pato = duck (spanish)
• la lus = light (spanish)
• aarb = arbre = tree (french)
• la nayj = la neige = snow (french)
• gato = cat (spanish)
• goose = goose
• apple = apple
• ko-li-li = crocodile

Nathan's third haircut

If you look at a few of the posts immediately preceeding this one, you'll say Nathan's hair had grown a little long. He was starting to look like a little like a real Californian beach bum. So I took him to get a haircut yesterday.

During the haircut, I don't think you could imagine the volume of screaming, snot and tears that Nathan produced. What is more alarming is the amount of hair that stuck to said snot and tears. It was stunning.

However, the barber and I endured, and with good reason: immediately following the haircut, Nathan looked up at the women who had been apparently inflicting all sorts of unearthly pain on my poor son and said, simply, "hi!" As soon as he realized we were leaving, he said it again.

Ahhhhh Nathan.

Brunch with Charlie, and family

An old colleague of mine invited us to his house to meet his family and break a little (actually, alot of) bread together. His wife, Kay, outdid herself with a beautiful brunch and Nathan had a great time playing with their two children (and their toys). We hope to see them again, soon!

Do not go quietly into that dark night...

So Nathan really had a hard time going to sleep tonight. When he finally did fall asleep, Alex and I went in to check on him.

Exhausted by the hard work he was doing (screaming), he fell asleep still clutching the side of the crib.

Nathan and Papa on the carousel!

The weather today was just TOO beautiful!!! I decided to take Nathan to the "big playground" with a carousel at the Golden Gate Park.

Nathan enjoyed the carousel a lot more this time than last, especially because he recognized a bunch of the animals that we could ride on.... He ended up choosing a puppy.

Nathan after the bath...

That boy's got some BIG hair...

GOAL!

Nathan and Ana often play together with a "soccerball" (a soft rubber ball my sister gave us with a soccer-ball design on it). Ana has taught Nathan all about soccer, and he now knows just what to scream when someone scores a point...

Snow bunny at Heavenly

Max teaches Nathan to bang!!!

In addition to helping Nathan get comfortable in the "big boy bath," Max imparts a very useful skill to Nathan. Banging on things.

Family Vacation: Weekend in Tahoe

We took another long weekend with friends of our family in Tahoe at a gorgeous rental house near the Heavenly ski area.

Eva, Max, Nathan, and Sophia all had a great time lounging, bathing, and playing with each other -- and their parents all had a great time relaxing together and hitting the slopes!

"Down time" in Tahoe

"Down time" is a lot more fun, and tiring, than it sounds.

Nathan and Ana at the park

I came home early today and joined Nathan and Ana on one of their walks to the park today. Nathan really loves hanging out with Ana, and she is a very patient and loving friend and teacher to Nathan.


It was great being able to see them interact.

The best ride in town!

More new words

Lah ni - OR - Lay na = Elena = Nathan's cousin (who came to visit this weekend from Chicago)

pato = zapato = shoe, in spanish

leche = milk, in spanish

pa taay = par terre = "on the ground" in french

Nathan loves Maman's Muffins!

Alex made some special banana muffins as a treat for Nathan and he loved 'em!

Taeyaerts/Sorkins/Wanders/Fells

While my sister was here, we got together with the local Sorkin/Wander families to break bread together at Park Chow. Even though the restaurant was only running at half-capacity because a section was closed, we managed to get a table for 11 people in about 15 minutes. It was amazing.

The company was wonderful, the food was great, and everyone had a nice time (and desert from Arizmendi bakery was a lovely way to end our hike in GGP)

Taeyaerts - Paparazzo photo shoot

While my sister and her family were here, we took the opportunity to do a paparazzo photo session -- we got a lot of great shots (they are a photogenic group -- it must run in our family!)

Steppin' Out, SF Style

We went out to the park today. Nathan had fun playing with his cousin. His aunt had more fun than he did, I think.

Elena reads to Nathan

Elena is a natural with kids, and Nathan just loved hanging out with his big cousin!

Nathan eats with a spoon!

Today Nathan was being a bit of a fussy eater, so we tried giving him his spoon to see if he could "eat by himself."

He definitely enjoyed the experience, although we had to help him get the food on the spoon (but he managed to get most of the food in / around his mouth).