In the past month, Nathan has been displaying some unusual behavior. He is either insisting he is a baby, "like Ryan." This includes crawling on the floor, asking me to feed him, pretending to cry and babble and he apparently even convinced my dad to burp him last night. Or he's deliberately disobeying me, stealing toys from his brother and just acting out constantly.

In my opinion, he's begging for attention and that makes me so sad. For nearly three years, he was my right hand man.We did everything together and he got 100% of my attention. Ever since Ryan came along, he is constantly being told to stop, wait, or be quiet. He loves Ryan and has so much fun playing with him but I can't help but feel guilty that part of him feels like second best.

We've spent one day together, just the two of us, since Ryan was born. That was almost 8 months ago. (Insert Mom guilt here) I need to make more of an effort to spend one on one time with him. So tomorrow, I am taking advantage of having my in-laws in town and leaving Ryan home with them and taking Nathan out for a special "Just Mommy and Nathan" morning. I told him we can do whatever he wants, including lunch at a restaurant. (This kid loves eating at restaurants.)

His first choice was easy, he wants to go to a playground. Such a simple request but ever since Ryan came alone I stand on the sidelines holding the baby, or nursing the baby, or comforting the baby while Nathan plays alone. Tomorrow I will get to go down the slide with him, push him on the swing, run and chase him, like we always did when it was just us.

His second choice is proving to be more difficult. When I put him to bed tonight he told me he had narrowed it down to his three favorite restaurants. 1. Kelly's, because he likes to watch the big fish tank. 2. Papa Gino's, because he loves pizza. 3. Friendly's, because you get ice cream. I told him he can be spontaneous and make a last minute decision although I'm secretly hoping he chooses Friendly, who doesn't deserve a little ice cream on a Friday afternoon?

Nathan will always hold a special place in my heart as my firstborn. And although he can't have all of my attention anymore, it is my job to let him know everyday he still has my whole heart.

Fall fun

Tis the season for apple picking, leaf peeping and trick or treating. It's mid October and we're off to a good start. Two weekends ago we went apple picking. Hayride? check. Cider donuts? check. Pumpkin picking? check.

Last week we picked out the kids Halloween costumes. Nathan had a hard time deciding but in the end, he went with a dog.  I was surprised he didn't choose a super hero or a police officer or something a bit "older" since he is becoming more and more interested in those types of things but secretly, I'm glad he went with the cute little puppy. At three and a half, he is becoming less of a baby faced toddler and more of a long and lean boy each day. This might be the last year he chooses something cuddlly so I am going to enjoy it while I can.

I would say 90% of Ryan's clothes are hand me downs from Nathan so although the adorable green dragon costume that Nathan wore for his first Halloween would have fit perfectly, I thought the kid deserved his own, "new" costume. So I bought him a very cute costume which won't make its appearance until the 31st. For all the pre-Halloween activities (because seriously, there are an insane amount of costume/Halloween themed activities the entire month of October) he will be wearing a skeleton costume. Which technically is a hand me down since it was bought for Nathan, but Nathan never actually wore it, so its also technically new?

It actually goes great with Nathan's costume. This past Friday I took Nathan to a pumpkin decorating playdate, the boys went as a Dog and his Bone(s).

We have also been enjoying the beautiful foliage all around us. Will works hard during the week, but I think he might actually work harder on the weekends getting great photos of me and the kids!!

 Finally, it wouldn't be Fall without school pictures!

Fall is my favorite season, if I could wear jeans and a sweater everyday, I would be a happy girl! But unfortunately we only get a few weeks of crisp, cool weather before the harsh Boston winter comes around and apple cider will switch to hot chocolate, sunny days will turn grey and the scariest part, we'll have to turn the heat on! So until then, we are going to make the most of it.

Next weekend? Carving our Jack-o-lanterns.

Firsts

As a parent, it's fun to record a baby's "firsts." First words, first steps and I'm pretty sure the first time they sleep through the night stack up there as the top items on the list. However, there are lots of less memorable but just as special firsts that might go unnoticed or unremembered.

Last week I had to stop into the grocery store to pick a few things up for dinner. I planned on letting Nathan walk and holding Ryan in my arms, since I only needed a couple things. But then we saw a pumpkin display and I decided to get a few of those. And then Nathan saw the apple pile and wanted one of those. And I couldn't resist the bakery section. Unable to hold anything else with my free hand, I saw a cart out of the corner of my eye. Ryan is 7 months today and been starting to sit on his own so I sat him down in the cart and voila.... he stayed upright.

So....first ride in a grocery cart.... recorded and will always be remembered.