This picture just makes me laugh because all summer we tried to get Nathan to wear flip flops but he just wasn't a fan (he didn't like the thong going between his toes). Well, we were packing up his summer shoes and he decided to throw on his flip flops and wear them around the house (and note that he didn't want to wear a matching pair, but two different ones)...
Tickling his baby sister's tootsies (with quite the mischievous look on his face)...
Cat in the Hat and Nathan in the Box! While getting ready to pack up the house for our big move, Nathan decided to pack himself up in the process...
This Fall we decided to skip out on Eckert's and decided to try Rombach's which was lots of fun...
Nathan enjoyed playing on the old school John Deere...
Farmer Nathan - has a nice ring to it, don't you think...
And hanging out on the HUGE pumpkins...
But his very favorite part was riding on the train...
Which we had to pry Daddy out of with some Crisco...
One ride just wasn't enough so Mommy got to take a spin too...
Such fun in our ladybug barrel caboose...
Is this thing a hoot, or what?!?!?
Norah enjoyed spending the day hanging out with Aunt Hanna...
The St. Louis Krestel Clan...
GO CARDS!!! Nathan really got into watching baseball during the World Series and he's had lots of fun playing with his bat and ball. Every once in a while he actually connects and hits the ball (interesting side note, he swings as a lefty)...
In my humble opinion, Nathan is the cutest Cards fan EVER...
We finished up the month with a haircut for our big boy - doesn't he look so adorable (he still tilts his head when we take a picture and tell him to 'smile!')...
October was a month of lots of firsts. For the first time, Nathan opened our bedroom door and I'm afraid this is opening quite a can of worms! I rather enjoyed the fact that a closed door would keep things off limits - but no more! He also starting putting his shoes on by himself and we're not talking his slip on Crocs, but his lace up sneakers (and he even puts the right shoe on the right foot!) He also took his first shower with Daddy sitting outside and helping him versus taking it with Daddy! 'When did he become a teenager?' you may ask. Well, it was October 18th and when I got home from Bible Study, Daddy told me that he had some news. Now, if you recall, one night last month when I got home from Bible Study, Daddy told me that Nathan had gone to the bathroom all by himself. After getting this news about Nathan wanting to take a shower instead of a bubble bath, I told Daddy that I may have to stop going to Bible Study because every time I do my little boy grows up a little more.
Nathan is still always doing the Hot Dog Dance from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse but he's expanded his dancing abilities and now he will dance to any kind of music whenever he hears it- including television commercials - he doesn't care, he just loves to dance!
Nathan has definitely gotten in touch with his emotions this month! He is always pointing out if someone is sad (like when he hears a baby crying at the store he'll say "baby sad" or if he sees a picture in a book of someone frowning or with tears on their face he'll say "sad") He also likes to tell us "Nathan sad" (which he will announce with such a pitiful tone and he'll have a big frown on his face) or he'll tell us "Nathan happy" (which he will yell while putting on a big smile). He also loves to kiss and hug things while saying "I love you" - and we're talking anything from characters in books to the pumpkins on our front steps (which he'll hug and kiss while saying"I love you pumpkins") to the soap dispenser in the bathroom (which he'll pick up, hug and kiss and say “I love you soap"). And of course we're happy to share that he really enjoys hugging and kissing Mommy and Daddy and saying "I love you Mommy!" and "I love you Daddy." This just melts our hearts! He is such a sweet little guy which such a sweet, special, tender heart - we thank God for him and pray he stays this dear!
This month he has really started talking in full sentences - which sometimes are very understandable but other times he will just be rambling on and we have no clue what he's telling us about - it's so amazing to see him growing into such a big boy.
One thing that threw us for a loop was that he started referring to himself as "me" and "I" instead of just "Nathan" - can't believe he's old enough for proper grammar like that!
Speaking of grammar, it's so neat to see him develop his language skills. He knows all of his letters and loves to sing the alphabet song. It almost brings me to tears because I think back to the alphabet quilt that we have over his dresser - ever since he was born I would sing the alphabet song to him and I would change the ending from "next time won't you sing with me" to "and someday you'll sing with me" - can't believe that "someday" has already arrived. Another neat thing is that he now points out letters in words - it's so amazing to watch this development - learning letters and moving on to learning words - what a privilege to be a part of and watch this amazing growth!
