5.

Our baby boy is now 5! Whaaat?! When I look back on the monthly updates from his earliest days under the age of one, words and phrases like happy, smiling, talkative, funny, having a big heart, outgoing/social, relentless, and little shit are described most, and wow, do they all still ring so very true today!

He's more of a goofball than ever and keeps us highly entertained. He loves to make us laugh and accomplishes that often. If he's doing one of his little spontaneous stunts that includes goofy faces and movements, he takes me back to the days of growing up with Ryan! David didn't know Ryan then (obviously) and thinks the same.

He has such a big heart. He tells me how much he loves me numerous times each day. He's full of sweet, genuine compliments. He's sure a cuddler too. I'll sit down a few feet away on the couch, and it's not more than a minute that he is curled up against me and positioning my arm around his shoulders. I've mentioned on other blog posts what a sweet big brother he has turned out to be too.

 

His neediness reminds me that he's still a little mama's boy. Like when he runs out to give me just one more high five and knuckles on the way to work. Or begging for just one more hug before bedtime in his cheery, little voice. I try to remember that I won't be nearly as wanted and known as the "super best mommy ever" one day. 

 

He is very BOY and is all sports and superheroes these days. He loves to be outside and has come to expect that he will do something fun every day, even if it's just riding his jeep/bike/scooter/etc around the block. He is so spoiled by David staying home and has no clue.

 

He is also into just about every sport there is, both playing and watching. He seems like an athlete to me so far and it's fun to watch his activities!

 

 

His outgoing personality has made making friends easy, and he has his group of buddies here in the neighborhood that we get together with here and there. Derek and Jake are his best buds of the group. We have noticed this summer that he really tends to drift toward older kids when we are out in public or at the pool, and he has been taking on an alpha role with kids his age. We think it may be because he likes to play rough and is a really good swimmer, so a lot of kids around his age truthfully can't keep up or get kinda wimpy. Let's just say that there have been plenty of opportunities to talk to him about including and being nice to everyone.  

 

He hasn't liked to play alone until recently, which could just be out of necessity with our hands tied with Natalie! It's nice to see him learning to entertain himself and not rely on our attention. He loves building legos, playing with monster trucks, and all things superheroes (both dressing up and playing with toys). One thing that he's into that I am not is the darn ipad. We try to limit, but it's inevitable and a part of our society now. It's been a good babysitter at times this summer though (like when he wakes up at 6 am and we don't want to get up yet)! He likes to watch toy reviews on there where families play with and talk about various toys.

 

 

I'm proud of his imagination and curiosity. He is always thinking. It's not abnormal for him to wake up and ask something like, "Do frogs have teeth?" I often find myself wondering how he even thinks of some things. My parents have laughed at the comments that come out of him at bedtime and first thing in the morning during sleepovers with him. He taught them all about hot lava and rocks at 7 a.m. the other day.

 

He still is such a talker and has an ever expanding vocabulary. That's one thing that strangers have always commented on, going back to his very little days.  He basically starts talking the second that his eyes open and doesn't stop until they close! We have no idea how he maintains such a high level of energy.

 

 

I wouldn't be accurately documenting Nico at this age if I didn't mention the not so fun side of his Jeykll and Hyde behavior. When he's not being his loving, fun self, which luckily happens about 75% of the time or more, you really have thoughts of wanting to punch him at times. He's gotten quite bossy in his last year and doesn't like it when he doesn't get his way. I'm not sure who made up terrible 2's, but it's more like terrible 4's! He is quick to anger and words like "you're mean/stupid" or "I don't like you" get thrown out easily these days. He is more defiant and challenges our authority with a stern face and a prompt "no" when asked/told to do something. He tends to be way worse to David than me. His behavior is definitely a parenting work in progress. We have been trying to take privileges away, which helps some, but there are days that we definitely don't feel in control. He's a good kid though, and our parents remind us of that. We know that too, but in the moment, it's hard to remember!

All of that set aside, I do love this boy with my whole heart. I hope he always can know and feel this. He's just the best. He has brought so much joy to our lives and is a special guy indeed! Happy 5th birthday, Nico!