a ROCK star is born

Nate is insanely happy this Christmas. He got exactly what he wanted. An hour into the morning, we haven't opened a single present, which is just fine with Tom and me.

(He has been asking for a drum set since his birthday in May).

Merry Christmas from Nate and Nile

It was such a good picture I had to share.

Bouncing Boy

Nile has become a picky eater. Many times it's not unusual to have him eat nothing but peas for dinner, or a few bites of applesauce, or the ever popular mac 'n cheese. His favorite phrase over the last two months is "No like it!" (said no less than 25 times a day)

We've also found that he gets REALLY cranky when he is hungry (oddly enough, just like his mother). Today was no exception. After we decided that he did not need to have mac 'n cheese for the fifth time in six days, at lunch he refused to eat anything. And not because he couldn't eat it, because he wouldn't. Really. He actually ate a few bites then pitched a fit when we tried to help him spear a piece of pasta with his fork. Tom gave up and put him to bed early for his nap.

After this experience, and two hours of CRANKY NILE, I settled for a kid-friendly dinner. Rotini pasta, sauce to dip it, apples, and peas. And, we started dinner at 4:30. To our amazement, he ate everything on his plate and I had fun watching the boys be "apple robots" (that's another story) and polish off almost a whole apple.

Guess what happens when Nile eats?

He is insanely happy - he actually bounces around the house.

stereotype reversals...

Children learn a lot about the world from what they observe. And, having limited time to observe the world, they often make assumptions about the way the world works. Remember I am an engineer, and Tom is a principal, so Nate’s view of the world is very 21st century. And, to Nate, right now, any adult male is a “daddy.”

Nate: “Mommy, you sure know a lot about numbers.”
Me: “Yes, honey, that’s because I’m an engineer.”
Nate: “A train engineer?”
Me: “No, there are two types of engineers. One drives trains, and that’s not what I do. I am the type of engineer who solves problems.”
Nate: “Okay.”
Me: “So I know a lot about numbers because I really like math, and numbers. I took a lot of math classes in college, and that’s how I learned so much about numbers.”
Me: “I could teach you about numbers, too. Maybe when you get older you’ll want to learn math just like me? You can take math classes too.”
Nate: “But daddies don’t do that.”
Me: “Yes, they do.”
Nate: “Even at school?”
Me: “Yes, honey, even at school. Daddies can learn math too.”

I only hope if we have a daughter someday I can instill the same belief in her, that women can do math and science.

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This morning’s experience reminded me of another story from several months ago. I had taken the boys to the doctor’s office because Nile was sick. We were out in the parking lot and I was loading Nile up into the car. Nate was waiting patiently by the rear tire (his “assigned” spot). An older woman was standing nearby and we struck up a brief conversation about the weather or something. I think she was waiting for her daughter…anyway, that’s not relevant. She spoke to Nate, who was wearing one of his green John Deere shirts.

Lady: “Is that a John Deere shirt?”
Nate: “Yes.”
Lady: “Does your daddy work for John Deere?”
Nate: “No. My MOMMY does.”

I was so proud I could have burst! I think the lady was speechless. At least she didn’t say anything else to us…

seeing double

I don't think I have two sons. I think I have one that they cloned at the hospital and gave me 2 years later.

There's this shadow that follows Nate around, doing everything he does. If he picks up a toy, this creature does too. If he marches around the house chanting, the shadow does too. If he rolls on the floor while I tickle him, this smaller Nate rolls on the floor too.

I can almost hear Nate talking through this clone. It seems to mimic his voice, even his inflection. Sometimes I can hardly tell the two apart.

When Nate gets in trouble for running and yelling in the house and is told to sit down, the copycat does too. It's so weird. Look at the picture. Maybe you can see it too. I hope I'm not imagining it.

Oh, Christmas Tree

This morning when Nile woke up, I brought him into the kitchen as we normally do to get him his milk. I put him down to get into the fridge. From behind me I hear this little voice...


"Mommy... Kiss...muss...?"


You can see our Christmas tree from the kitchen. He had forgotten completely about setting it up yesterday, and was standing there amazed by the lights.

Christmas Cake

This year we have introduced an advent wreath as part of our holiday traditions. For the uninitiated, this (at least ours) is a ring of four candles, and each Sunday for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, you light the candle(s) from the prevous week and the next candle. The idea is that by the week of Christmas you have all four candles burning.

We have a beautiful Advent wreath that we got from Tom's mother. So this year we got it out, and last week we lit the first candle after Sunday dinner and talked with the boys about what the Christmas season is all about. We also discussed things we are thankful for. I was winging it as I hadn't found an Advent tradition that the boys would sit through. I mean, reading bible verses to our boys wouldn't resonate. In fact, I wasn't sure if anything had registered.

So on Saturday at dinner, Nile was begging to light the candles again. (Have I mentioned our children's obsession with fire? See my post from November 9).

I asked Nate if he remembered what the candles were for. They are for Christmas." I'm thinking, hey, he remembers something! Then I asked him what it would mean when all four candles are lit. "It will be Jesus's birthday." Even better... So I remind him that Christmas Day is Jesus's birthday. Slightly confused, he thinks for a moment. "Will we have birthday cake?"

I know that he's not the first kid to say this, but Tom and I were rolling on the floor laughing. (figuratively, for you literal types...)

First Snow

This year, I have been making as much of an effort as possible to enjoy those little moments, the ones that you may only get once. This morning, as we awoke to the first snow of the year, I was able to pull Nate onto my lap and look out the window with him, and enjoy the surprise on his face when we opened the blinds to see the snow. But for Nate,this was something he had seen before. I couldn't wait to show Nile.

Nile slept late today, so when he woke up, I went up to get him and brought him downstairs. I opened the front door to show him the snow. Looking at the wonder on his face, I realized this was the first snow that he would actually be able to enjoy, since last year he was a baby. So, naturally, I went for the camera. I am lucky I got a picture that caught the awe on his face as he tried to understand what the snow is.

Let there be light!

So this isn't really a "cute funny story" but it was fun and I got a good picture, so I wanted to share. The boys helped Tom hang the christmas lights on Saturday. It was earlier than we usually would do it, but it was probably the last 45 degree day for a while.

Nate spent the night checking to make sure the lights were still on, then would run to get me: "Mommy, come look at the lights! Aren't they beautiful?"

Say Again?

Along Route 82 there is an evergreen tree that was planted in memory of a girl who died in a car accident. Every holiday season they decorate it with ribbons, bows, and even solar Christmas lights. This year is no different, and the holiday decorations appeared this week.

Nate sees the tree, all decorated, and asks me why there is a Christmas tree by the side of the road. He asks me what it's for, and having told him already on Friday, I tell him the short version of the story. I remind him that a girl was in a car accident there, and her family planted the tree there to remember her and to remind people to drive safe so they don't get into a car accident too.

Nate's reply?

"A Christmas tree for a car accident? That doesn't count."

How to entertain two toddlers on a cold November morning.

There is no place that our two little boys love more than the John Deere Commons.

As a reward for the injustice of having to get flu shots on Saturday morning, we wanted to do something fun as a family. We had planned to go to the Festival of Trees parade, but Nate (and the cold) convinced us that we should go "see the tractors" instead.

Nate spends his time running from tractor to tractor, making sure that he gets to "drive" each one.

Nile is more interested in figuring out how to disassemble the displays.

After visiting the tractors, we went to lunch at Lagomarcino's. We've actually never eaten there as a family before. Nile ate nothing but chips and goldfish crackers...no matter how much we tried to convince him that grilled cheese is yummy. Nate ate his sandwich, and part of Nile's. Tom and Nile were in the car, having already paid, and I waited with Nate to let him finish eating. I guess he was enjoying the experience.

At one point, after Nate had to use the "restaurant potty," he came back and announced to the entire room that "that bathroom is really cold!" The man at the table next to us laughed, and then agreed. Leave it to Nate to start a bathroom conversation in a restaurant.

I'll apologize for the fuzzy pictures, my cell phone camera just doesn't have quite the same resolution as our regular camera.

Play cooking to playing drums

I post this not because of the cuteness of the pictures (although they are, admittedly, cute). I post them because of the story behind it.

After lunch, the boys had pulled out our metal mixing bowls and a few wooden spoons and were play cooking. I took a picture because they were playing so nicely together. Then, I returned to the kitchen to clean up the lunch mess.

Not two minutes later, I hear "NO, NILE! NO!!!!" followed by loud screaming and crying. I get to the living room just in time to see Nate hit Nile with a wooden spoon, both boys pulling on the largest of the bowls. (I did not take a picture of this...)

Well, I couldn't just let that fly, so two time outs immediately ensued, both boys crying at the injustice of it all. Amazingly enough, I was able to get them both to apologize to each other. As parents of small children know, this sometimes can be the hardest thing of all. Nate has been known to hold off on an apology for 15 minutes, even if it means he has to stay in time out. This time it was quick and painless. And guess what they were doing within 1 minute...?

Yes, you've guessed right. They were playing drums.

Goodbye highchair...

It became apparent this weekend that the boys were trying to tell us something. In the mornings when Tom's at work, Nate has been wanting to sit in "Mommy's chair" at the table. Then all of a sudden Nile was begging to sit in Nate's booster seat for snacks. We decided that, just maybe, it was time to make a change.

So tonight, for dinner, the whole family sat at the table for the first time. It felt strange, but yet felt totally right. Like we hadn't really eaten as a family until now.

I guess it is finally time to put away the highchair. It's going to be bittersweet, now that I will have to accept that my baby is not really a baby any more. But getting the big blue highchair out of the kitchen...well, that will be nice.

Figuring out how to get Nate to stay in his seat for meals, now that will be the next challenge!

Wishing Stars

I wanted to get this documented somewhere so I wouldn't forget.

Back in October, a few weeks ago, (before Daylight Savings Time ended so it was dark), it was about 6:45 AM and the boys and I were in the car on the way to Grandma's house. Nate was looking out the window of the car:

Nate: "Mommy, I see a star!"
Me: "Wow, maybe you should make a wish?"
A few seconds of silence, and some quiet whispering followed. Then more silence...
Me: "Did you make a wish?"
Nate: "Yeah...it didn't work."
Me: "What do you mean?"
Nate: "It didn't fly away."
Me: "What?"
Nate: "The star didn't fly away!"

Apparently he had it in his mind that wishing stars are supposed to fly away once you wish on them. I explained to him that stars can't fly away, and reminded him in our story book the wishing star just twinkles brighter when you make a wish. Then my little scientist needed an explanation of why stars are so far away, and why we can't fly to them in a rocket ship.

It takes two to piano...

last weekend the boys were actually sharing for once, and I was able to grab a picture before the oasis disappeared. Mark this in history, because it probably won't happen again for a while!

We're just getting started

I promise that I will use this more as I get more comfortable with it. It's funny, because I'm really not sure if anyone else will read it (so if someone does, please let me know). I would have done more up to this point but I don't have any family photos on my laptop.

This weekend we experienced our first fight between the two boys. Nile held his own, as Tom said "you aren't innocent in this either, Nile!" We have quickly had several more. I have visions of what my life is quickly becoming: a mix between referee, judge, and negotiator, with an emphasis on referee. You know, the rule enforcer. Oh, well, this should help me at work too, right? I've been thinking I needed to get more assertive.

After the excitement of the big Hawkeye win (see below) and the Metallica concert (which was awesome) on Saturday, it was nice to spend the day Sunday at home.

Fire as fuel for the soul?

This weekend we lit the pilot light on the fireplace. So as soon as Nate saw this, he was obsessed with us starting a fire. Finally we relented and started it up, after a firm discussion with Nile about how fires are hot.

Nate sits in the middle of the floor staring at the fire for a minute or so, then turns to me and says "Mommy, this fire hits the spot!" Apparently, this is all he needs to be happy.

Nile, on the other hand, stands a few feet in front of the fireplace trying to "blow it." To him, it's just one big candle.

An Awesome Football Game

So, Tom and I were at the Iowa-Penn State game yesterday. The picture says it all :) A last second field goal to win 24-23 over the #2 ranked team in the nation.

I sent this from my cell phone to see how it works

Nate and Nile checking out the animals at the pumpkin patch on October 4.

Nate's First Race

Here's Nate at the John Deere 5K kids run in early October...

He had watched me run my 5k, and had found his new favorite thing for the day. "The Gun!" He absolutely loved the gun they fire at the start of the race. He kept asking, "will they shoot the gun for my race?" They did, and he was so excited he stood at the start line for a moment while all the other kids took off. It was hilarious - he ran the whole 1/4 mile race (I wasn't sure if he could do it all), bouncing along and swinging his arms. He would not let me run with him at all - at one point I stepped on the road and he stopped, put his hand out like a traffic cop, and informed me I was not to run with him. At the end I had to stop him and get him over to the line to get his medal - he would have kept running...

Hello World

Well, the Ryerson family has now entered the 21st century...our very own blog. I promise not to be pretentious and assume anyone else is reading this except the few people who I send this to.