Memory #2 - Moving Day!

August 2009

Moving day was soo much fun! I actually had a really bad cold. Sidenote : Mommy cannot believe how many times I was sick this year! I really liked the big truck that the movers brought to the condo. I wanted to go up the big "slide" many times. By the time we got to the house, I crashed - on Baba! Mommy, Daddy, and Baba decided to move into the house, because the condo was getting too small for our family. We love our house! We hope the condo stays in the past. Mommy stills goes there to clean and take notes on what needs to get done. On New Years Day, Mommy will post #1 memory :)

# 3 Memory for 2009

Hi Niko Fans,

Like last year, Mommy decided to pick the top three memories of 2009. There are sooo many to chose from. We had a very busy year. We hope you enjoy our memories :)

June 2009 - We went to Aunt Toni and Uncle Mike's house for a visit. We had a great time! I actually behaved myself while visiting. It was our first family vacation and everyone did very well. The second day, Aunt Toni took us to the Zoo. I was not in the best mood and we only stayed for a short time. I took a pretty good nap though, after the zoo visit. It was very nice visiting Aunt Toni and Uncle Mike - hopefully, we will get to see them a lot more!!

My 2nd year!

24 months old - I am TWO!

23 months old

22 months old

21 months old

20 months old

19 months old

18 months old = 1 1/2 years old

17 months old

16 months old

15 months old

14 months old

13 months old

12 Months old

Merry Christmas!!

Hi Everyone!

We just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Niko did a great job opening his gifts this morning. It is a blast to watch him open gifts. Today, we are going over to Grammy's and Grampy's house to celebrate Christmas. We need a little special Christmas prayer for Grampy - that he can come home soon, and then we will celebrate Christmas with him.

Next week, we will be doing favorite memories of 2009 and "How I have grown".

Have a wonderful day!!! Love, The Balyeats

Breakfast!!

Hi Niko Fans,

I love Breakfast. Sometimes, it is the best meal I eat all day. I tend to be a light eater. Mommy doesn't know how I do it. I won't eat a lot and I never complain about being hungry. I would not say I am a picky eater - but Mommy wishes I would eat more. She does give me snacks - way before meals, and that helps. These pictures were taken when I was craving oatmeal. Mommy made me toast and I said "no" - but she did not believe me, and I did not eat the toast. When I saw her heat up the oatmeal, I went to my seat and got ready to eat. Mommy has never seen me do this before. I ate the oatmeal like a champ. The spoon was only a suggestion, I much rather use my hands :)

Everyday, I surprise my Mommy. I am becoming more independent. I am still stuck to my Mommy like glue - but if she asks me to get my coat - I will. If she tells me to wipe my face with a napkin - I will. If Mommy tells me to go get something - I will. My language and motor skills improve everyday. Mommy is totally amazed by my little boy skills - she realized this week - that I am no longer a baby :(

My mommy does have one request - My sleeping pattern. Yep, it's still messed up. Mommy thinks she saw a tooth this morning. She has to get a closer look. She did buy me a humidfier. It did ok last night - once I fell asleep. I have a mean Mommy! She refuses to let me sleep with her, she is cutting the time of rocking me to sleep (it doesn't work that well anymore - anyway) and sometimes she just leaves me in my room. I have two cries - one is a spoiled cry (which I use a lot) and the other one is a sick - scare cry. I use number 1 a lot and Mommy does not come rushing in. She is hoping this will help the sleep situation. We shall see.

Mommy keeps telling me that the man in the red suit will visit us soon. I tell her "no". She tells me we are going to bake cookies for that man, and I say "no". She better hope I sleep through that night and not stay up and be afraid of that man with a beard.

We will try to take pictures of our NEW Christmas Eve tradition. Mommy has a few fun things to do. Have a wonderful Wednesday!!! Love, Niko

Party!

Hi Everyone,

What a wonderful weekend! On Saturday, we celebrated my birthday with food, presents, and cake. Mommy has a feeling that I knew what was going on. I was very excited. It was a good, contol excitement - which Mommy always appreciates when there are guests in the house :) I am a champ at opening gifts. Mommy was surprised. At one point, I did all the work. Mommy had to help me with the boxes, but it was sooo much fun opening my gifts. When everyone sang Happy Birthday to me, I giggled and laughed. I stood on a chair while they were singing. Mommy did not have to hold me. I ate my cupcake and ice cream very well. It was a wonderful celebration.

On Sunday, Mommy, Daddy and I went to get our pictures taken. We will show you some, but until Christmas, we have to keep some a secret - because we are using some pictures as gifts. I did okay this year with the picture taking. We don't know if we will do it every year - but for now, it is a pretty cool experience.

Mommy needs to frame some of the pictures. We have a lot more Christmas prep to do today! Have a wonderful day!!!! Love, Niko

I am TWO!!!

Hi Everyone,

As of 8:01am, I turned two years old. Time has flown by so quickly. Mommy promises to take pictures of my Birthday Party. There probably will be a lot of blogs for the next two weeks. Mommy is on vacation and she would like to do a "year in review", and "look how I have grown" blog.

My birthday morning started with me getting up at 6:30am. My sleep was terrible for 7 days. My mommy kept count. She does not like being out of routine. It is getting a little better. We had two good days - may they continue. I am feeling better - I am still stuffed up and coughing now. Daddy took me out to breakfast, so Mommy could wrap gifts and get the cleaning done. Later on, we are having a birthday cake, and presents. Mommy is excited, because this year I can open my own gifts. She just has to make a little tear, and then I am good to go!

Well, we have to get ready! Let the party begin :) Love, Niko

"Oh No! "

Hi Niko Fans,

Sorry, no pictures for this blog. I look a little yucky right now, and Mommy did not want to post my sickies on the blog. There will be pictures at the end of the week!

I came down with a few things this past weekend. Our weekend was very quiet. Mommy got sick at the same time too! We snuggled and cuddled all weekend long. Mommy thought we were snuggling a little too much, because I wanted to snuggle instead of sleep :) We went to the doctor tonight and it turns out that I have many things. I had a fever of 99.7, I have pink eye in both eyes, a cold that turned into a sinus infection, an ear infection. Yep, I am pretty miserable. My nose is bothering me SOOOO much. I cry when I touch it. Everything on my face is gooey and goopy. My sleeping, and eating is terrible this week. The only way I will sleep is if I am on Mommy. Mommy told me she misses her bed and Daddy :) Mommy pretty much gives me anything I want to eat. I ate tator tots tonight, because Daddy fed me. Then they shoved medicine down my throat - not once but twice. Blah! The doctor said, I should feel better in a couple of days. Daddy even came and met the new doctor.
I have a few words that I love to say. My number one saying is "George". Mommy loves when I say "Oh No!". I say "uh - oh" and "no". I call Elmo "Mo". Daddy taught me the word Cat today, but I say "Ack". Mommy loves my grammar. There are many words that I am saying - but these are daily.
I need to go to bed. Mommy and I both hope everyone stays in their beds tonight!! But, I don't think so!!! Love, Niko

Not this year!

On the way to see Santa - the only picture from this quest
















Hi Everyone,

Mommy tried it again this year, and guess what? I won!! Mommy and I went to see Santa at a local garden store. We had to wait awhile to see him. I was getting tired and hungry. We only waited 15 minutes, but that was long enough for both of us. When we got up there, I started to cry and turn red. Santa brought out his really neat watch - it went around and played music. I was entertained for about 15 seconds. Mommy would not sit with us, and the man quickly took the picture. The pictures would have costed $15, but they give you an option of not buying it. Mommy decided not to buy it - yep, it was that bad :) We are not going to try again this year. It might have been different if Daddy was with us - but I don't know. Next week, we are going to the Cookie Walk at Daddy's old high school - now, that I am looking forward too :)

I have been an okay boy this week. The terrible twos appeared once or twice this week. It wasn't pretty. I love to say NO and UH-OH. I also go around the house and say "George" all the time. I am repeating things that Mommy says.
Today Mommy is going to book our Family picture and my 2 year old pictures. Hopefully, they are as good as last years. You know we will post them!! :)
Have a great Sunday!!! Love, Niko

Books!

My stash!

Ooh! I like this one!

See what bin I am choosing from?

Hi Everyone,

Mommy and I have been visiting our local library quite a bit since we have moved to our new house. I am very good when we go to the library. I stay in one area, which surprises Mommy. I do not run around the whole library and scream. Mommy lets me pick out the books to bring home. We only pick out two. This week, I picked Dora the Explorer (I love that girl) and a Santa Claus book. Mommy picked the Santa Claus book. I think she is getting me ready for the BIG visit with the BIG guy in the red suit. Last year, I was not a happy boy about seeing Santa. We will see this year. Mommy has a feeling it will be the same thing.

Our Thanksgiving went very well. I was a good boy, a little moody, because Mommy woke me up early from my nap. She said she will not do that again. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and we had plenty of food! A couple things have changed for me this week. Some good and not so good. When Mommy asks me " How old are you going to be?" I say TWO! My speech / words are getting better. I am saying a lot more words now. I am protesting sleep at night again. We haven't had this happen for awhile, so Mommy knew we were due. It might be because I am taking 3 hour naps, and we will probably have to stop the naps at 2 hours again. I have been sleeping in like a champ though. Mommy needs me to go back to bed at 8pm again - Friday, was 10:30pm with a lot of protest from me and Saturday was 9:30pm.

My poor Daddy! All he wants to do is pick me up and give me hugs and kisses - but I won't let him. I have become very protective of my Mommy. I will blow kisses to Daddy, wave to him, and get excited to see him, but I don't want to be picked up by him. Yes, the male weary is back, because I wasn't too crazy about Uncle Dave or Grampy on Thanksgiving. We hope it won't be around for too long.

I need to eat my breakfast! Have a wonderful Sunday :) Love, Niko

Happy Thanksgiving!

Calling Grammy and telling her I am on my way to her house!









Hi Everyone,

My family wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Daddy has been on vacation all week, and we have been having a great time. I have been a very good boy for Daddy. Daddy has been busy with getting ready for Thanksgiving. We are celebrating Thanksgiving at our house this year. Since this is our first Thanksgiving here, Mommy decided to have Thanksgiving and invite family over for the big meal. Mommy leaves most of the cooking up to Daddy, but I heard them at 10pm last night, still cooking. Yep, Mommy actually cooked a little. We also went shopping yesterday and I wasn't in the best of mood. I slept in - and Mommy wasn't too sure when a nap would happen. I had no nap yesterday. I was a real piece of work starting at 6:30pm last night. I did go down at 8pm and slept for 12 hours straight. Mommy loves those kinds of days.
Mommy needs to do some extra stuff before everyone gets here. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and look for a blog from this weekend!! Love, Niko

23 Months ?! - No way!

11 / 07

1/08

Hi Niko Fans,

Yes, my mommy is denial! She cannot believe she will be a Mommy of a two year old in a month. I am showing all signs of two year old behavior, but I think Mommy wants me to stay a baby forever :) We just can't believe how fast time goes.

My mommy had the day off today! We were both excited. Mommy was a little angry at first, because she was all dressed for school, and Baba and Grandpa were on their way to the house - but I got the message. I slept until 8:30. We had a very nice "bonus" day. I was in a good mood, and I was excellent at the store today.

My sleep is okay - Mommy is pleased with how well I sleep at night, but she thinks my naps are being cut short. Daddy told her that, I am very hard to wake up in the morning. Mommy likes that I go to bed at 8pm on the dot and sleep almost 12 hours, but she doesn't want to take time away from my naps. So, starting next week - we will move my naps to 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Right now they are 1 1/2.

I am still biting, and Mommy thinks it is getting out of hand. I do it when I am tired, but I have been biting for 6 months. When we go to the doctor next month - Mommy needs to check out some things about this biting. She heard there is a program called biting therapy.

Besides the biting, I have been an excellent little boy, and really the biting hasn't been that bad. I go in phases - I bite for a few days and then I stop. Sometimes, I go without biting for a week. Anyway, I am having a blast with my family. I have been in a pretty good mood. I am learning a lot. Mommy loves when I do new things.

This weekend, we are going to Cincinnati to see Mommy's college friends. We will take pictures and make a blog. Have a good Weekend!!! Love, Niko :)

A Fall Hike

Mommy isn't too sure of this picture!

Going for a little walk

Hi Everyone,

These past two days have been great. The weather has been wonderful. Mommy and I decided to go to the playground on Friday and Saturday. Mommy had the day off on Friday and we decided to spend it as a Mommy and Niko day. It was great! We went to the playground, then to the library. I picked out a really good book. It has Elmo on the cover. I have not put that book down since we brought it home. On Saturday, Mommy and I decided to go for a little hike. We have a pretty park right by our house, and Mommy wanted to check it out. We walked along a path - Mommy actually walked more than I did. I wanted to be picked up a lot. Mommy was wishing she brought the stroller ;) I did have a good time, and then we went back to the playground to play for a little bit. We have had a very fun two days!

My mood has been excellent. Mommy can tell my gummies are really bothering me, but no such luck yet - for new toothers! Mommy tries to eliminate the temper tantrums before they get really bad or start - and sometimes it works. Oh, I have also had a word explosion these past two days. I repeat almost everything Mommy says. Lucky for us, she has no bad words in her vocabulary ;) I say, Keys, Tree, Ball, Hi, Ga ( thanks), shoes, cheese, cat, and many more. When I see a ball on the TV, I say ball. I also point to pictures in a book. Mommy loves watching my brain work!

It has been a busy day, I need to go to bed. Hopefully, there will be a blog this week. Love, Niko

Harvest Fun

My Halloween Costume in full view

Coming back from the hayride

Stirring the pumpkin goup

I am very proud of myself

Mommy is always telling me to point to my eyes.......

Hi Niko Fans,

Mommy and I tried to have a good Halloween, but one thing got in the way - my mood. It started on Halloween (Saturday). I wasn't being a very good boy. I was very fussy and wanted to do my own thing. It got worse the next two days, because of the time change, and probably teething. Mommy wishes these teeth would come through already. The doctor said it takes a long time. My mommy will be one very happy person when the teething is finished. I must admit, my sleeping is pretty good at night. No one lets me sleep past two and half hours, so I will sleep at night.
On Saturday, we did manage to have some Harvest fun! We went on a hayride and looked at pumpkins. I even got a free pumpkin and a treat bag. Then we went to grammy's house and carved a pumpkin. I wasn't too sure at first, but I got the hang of it - messy is good!! Then Mommy put me in my halloween costume and we did some light trick or treating. I fell asleep on the way home. I was so tired! But, I was up at 6am on Sunday, because of the time change. On Monday, I had a hard time eating and got scared of my bath. Things are getting back to normal.

Mommy has a lot of school work to do, so this has to be a short blog. Mommy and I hope to blog this weekend! Have a good rest of the week :) Love, Niko

Happy Halloween!

Hi Everyone,

We know it has been awhile since we have updated the blog, but Mommy has been very busy with school stuff. Mommy will be busy for another couple of weeks. She is dreading conference time. She will not see me for two days!! She hates those days :(

I have been a very good boy lately. My sleeping was perfect this week. I give a little problem about going down at 8pm - but it is barely a problem. I just make a few noises then I talk to myself, and then I go to bed. I have been sleeping through the night. Mommy loves when I do this. I am sure it won't last forever, but for the time being, we both are enjoying a good nights sleep.

I am advancing in so many skills. My social skills are so much better with men. Grampy and I have become very close. I will sit on the couch and watch Curious George with him. I also have conversations with both of my grandpas. It's amazing - they both know what I am saying! Grandpa Earl is in the hospital again, because his throat is bothering him, but he will be coming home soon - and I will get to see him when Baba comes over to babysit. Mommy is pretty impressed with my alphabet skills. She told me that my letter G was on the bathroom floor, and that I needed to go get it and put it on the fridge, and I did it! I follow directions really well. I am getting smarter and smarter everyday!

Mommy did have to call the doctor again. I am putting my hands over my ears, as if someone was screaming or making a loud noise. I am not in pain. The nurse just said to watch me. It may be teething. These darn teeth take a VERY long time to come through.

Halloween is here! I went to Mommy's school for a parade. Those kids are pretty neat. I was blowing them kisses and giving high fives. I also got to walk around the classroom. One of the girl's was in a wheelchair because she broke her leg, she had to stand up to take off her costume and I got right into her wheelchair and took off!! It was pretty funny, and amazing too. Saturday night, I am going to a craft fair and trick or treating. We will also be carving my first pumpkin. Mommy is packing extra clothes for both of us :) We may also do a hayride.

Have a wonderful weekend!!! Love, Niko

BOO at the Zoo!

Dancing at the Monster Mash

A little tired - getting ready for a meltdown

Another good picture of Daddy and I

Mommy thinks this should be the Picture of the Year!

Hi Niko Fans,

Mommy apologizes for not updating the blog on Saturday. I refused to take a nap, and Mommy could not get much done that day. I am feeling much better. I was sick ALL week. Mommy took me to the doctor on Monday and Baba took me to the doctor on Friday. The doctor said I had a virus and I was over the worst part of the virus on Friday. Poor Baba has to take me back on Wednesday for my flu shot. I probably won't enjoy it. I still have a cough and a rattle in my chest, but the doctor says I will be fine. Mommy hopes that this cough doesn't last for a month, but she notices that the cough doesn't really bother me. I really wasn't feeling to good last week - Mommy felt bad. The grandmas did an excellent job taking care of me. I just snuggled with them. My sleep has been much better. Mommy covers me at 8pm and I am out!

Since I was feeling better, I needed to get out of the house! I was going stir crazy. We went to Boo at the Zoo on Sunday. I had fun. We did not stay too long, because it was cold, and I had a few meltdowns. I wore my Monkey costume and everyone loved it. It was a nice family outing.

Mommy and Daddy bought me letters for the fridge. I can point to the letter Mommy says, and say the alphabet. I make Mommy so proud! My behavior has been okay. Most of the time I am a good boy, but I have been pinching Mommy a lot lately. She is not okay with that :( She said there are some time outs in my future.

Well, I need to go to bed! Have a wonderful week!! Love, Niko