News Bulletins from Amanda & Nate: Fall '99 Update

Amanda Turned Two!

...

What a happy kid Nate is becoming!

Shu News Bulletins

*BIG NEWS: In early September, Amanda took her first steps on her own -- a milestone we've been waiting for a long, long time. Since then she has done it again a few more times, so she is definitely getting the hang of it.

*DAY TO DAY NEWS: It also looks like Amanda is over the hump at daycare. It has taken a long two months, but of late she hasn't melted down at drop-off. (Hardest parenting moment(s) this year: turning our back on our screaming child and walking out the door -- and hearing them continue to scream as you walk down the street!)

We enjoyed a summer break on the Ogunquit Beach

*VERBOSE NEWS: Amanda really is turning into quite a talker for her age. One morning, when she was in bed with us as we were taking our time about getting up, she must have been feeling crowded because she suddenly gives Dad an elbow and says, "EXCUUUSE ME, DAD!". Other times, when Annamarie sleeps in a little and Amanda and Dad go down to watch TV, Annamarie will mumble, "I'll be down in a little while." Before Dad can respond, Amanda says, "Take your time, Momma." The other day, when there was some commotion going on, she suddenly says, "Enough, you people!" -- where she got that phrase, we have no idea! We were also stunned one day when she found something she liked to eat, she said, "DELICIOUS!"; in another appropriate context, "CONGRATULATIONS!" Of course, listen to us being the typical proud parents going on and on. But it IS a lot of fun.

*NEWS from NATO: Nato is also doing just great. He is turning into such a smiley, good natured easy kid. He is so easy to make laugh or smile. He is close to 16 lbs. now (50th percentile in both height and weight at 6 months.) We have just started him on some solid baby foods and he is doing pretty good with it. He is also starting to roll around a bit and grab things. He likes to pound on the table too, so he soon may have a new nickname, "Krushchev". He also looks very strong when he stretches that his other nickname is "Superboy!", which will be his Halloween costume this year.

*BEST NEWS for MOM & DAD: The best news for Mom & Dad is that Nate sleeps through the night like a champ now. In August, we bit the bullet and "Ferberized" him (letting him cry for progressively longer times). The first night was awful, he cried for 4 hours! But the next two nights were amazingly better and now he doesn't even cry when we put him in his crib. He just puts himself to sleep. He doesn't even cry in the mornings but just plays himself until we come to get him. Annamarie and I and now getting full night's sleep for the first time in many months -- what a difference! Nate's only "flaw" is he drools like crazy. We have to put a bib on him all day, otherwise his clothes get soaked! Everyone says, "he must be teething", so we sure hope they come in soon.

Amanda enjoys her new birthday house courtesy of the McInturffs. ...
Dad has his hands full!