Hello Sunshine!

I love Spring time! The sunshine means I get to go to the park almost every day -- I love the park! The swings in particular are fantastic. We go as a family on Saturday mornings, as long as it's not raining, and then my mom and I walk around Mill Lake and play on the playground every morning during the week! Except for Fridays, when I have regular play dates with my buddies.

This one time, though, my mom and I were walking to the playground and I got distracted by a really cool but loud motorcycle driving by and I fell down on the pavement and scratched up my cheek and a little bit of my nose and mouth. It hurt so bad! We had to turn right around and go back home to clean up my face. And I also needed to get in some good cuddle time with my mom -- there's something about a good, long hug that just makes everything better.

With this great sunny weather I also had a picnic at the beach with my buddies Annah and Julia. We played catch, chased after bubbles, and ate outside! So much fun! And I got to see the ocean. I can't wait to swim in the ocean one day.

There's Nothing Like a Good Book

I've been real busy lately, keeping up with my much beloved reading. Books are my thing and I like to read the same book over and over and over -- it never gets old! My current favourite is a sturdy little board book titled "Monkey Steam Train," a classic from the Peters boys (my cousins). Yesterday my favourite book was a lift-the-flap book by the Baby Einstein people. I'm an expert flap-lifter-upper now. Other favourites include a search-and-find Elmo and Grover book, "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" (Dr. Seuss rules!) and another Baby Einstein book that plays music and lights up. I love books so much sometimes I just sit in my room by myself quietly flipping through books, pointing at things I recognize and making the appropriate noises if I see animals I know.

I'm also getting into dancing and even singing. I can sing along with the Elmo's World theme song and I bop to anything catchy. I especially love to stomp one foot to the farm songs on the Leap Frog fridge toy my Grandma & Grandpa Horban got me for my birthday. I'm so enthusiastic when I dance that I get everyone around me to join in! It's quite a scene.

I've learned to nod and shake my head, I can help clean up my toys when asked, I love to help out around the house by closing any doors that are open (such as the fridge or dishwasher) and I've added "mama", "poop", "again" and "papa" (grandpa) to my vocabulary. And I'm so very relieved to report that all four of my one-year molars have finally cut through!

Nathan Baerg: Professional Walker

It's official - I'm walking! I've taken a few tumbles these past few weeks, but nothing that's deterred me from pursuing a life of walking. And now there's no turning back. I love it, and I'm so proud of every step I take.

Speaking of walking, I've been going on a walk outside every day lately since we've had such nice weather. I love walks! My mom and I have been going on one after lunch each day, and then we usually go for another after dinner, with my dad. I love being out and about, seeing the sights. I would have to say it's my favourite of all things. And the best part about going on walks is that I get to greet everyone I see. I wave to every person we walk past, and if a fellow kid doesn't see my wave, I yell in their direction to get their attention. I even wave at those very still people on big signs and billboards... They don't wave back, though.

Snazzy New 'Do

Watch out ladies! Nate's got a new hairdo - and he's a clean-cut handsome little fella!

I had my first haircut on Sunday. My daddy took the clippers to my head, and I quite enjoyed it. A haircut was long overdue; my mullet was starting to get out of hand. And we all know a mullet of any kind isn't pretty! So I've shed my 'little baby Nate' look and entered into the world of 'big boy-hood'. In addition to my updated hairstyle, I now face forward in my car seat, just like a big kid. I've added "dada" to my vocabulary and thoroughly enjoy blabbering on and on as loud as possible, especially in public. And - probably the biggest news of all - I am a proud owner of a fish! I originally had two fish, but one of them moved on to bigger and better things within a week of joining our family, so I now just have Dexter. We're good buds. I take care of him.

My First Steps!

Well, it seems as though February is a month of firsts for me... and today I took my first unassisted steps! I love to look out the window, and in our living room are two windows just at my height that look out onto a parking lot. I make sure to wave at everyone coming and going. Anyway, I was truckin' along with my walker when I realized someone was about to leave the parking lot without a friendly goodbye wave. I knew I couldn't whip my walker around to the window fast enough, so I decided to give walking a try. And man I nailed those few steps from my walker to the window! My mom got all excited and yelled to my dad, but he missed it. So a few minutes later when everyone was situated, we recreated the event and both my mom and dad watched me repeat the steps I took the first time. We had quite a celebration! I'm very proud to be an official walker. But I don't feel ready to take it on full-time yet. I'll keep you posted.

My First Birthday!

I celebrated my first birthday this past week! My mom and dad and I celebrated as a family on my actual birthday - February 13th - with a cupcake and gift. I did not like the cupcake, nor the pressure to eat it! I did enjoy smearing it all over my belly, though. And I loved my present from my parents: a musical activity table, just my size! I love noisy toys.

We celebrated my birthday with the Horbans on Saturday afternoon, with cake and gifts. Again, no way was I eating cake or ice cream. But bring on the gifts! I received clothes and books and toys. And then we celebrated with the Baergs on Sunday evening, with more cupcakes and gifts. What's with all the sugar on your birthday? I don't like it. I received more clothes and books and toys. So much fun! I'm so thankful for all the presents - my family loves me so much!

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