Year in Pictures (The Fave)

Hi Everyone,

This shall be our last post on this page. I am very sad about this! This was my first blog, but there is no way, I can keep up with two blogs anymore. We are already working on new posts for our new blog. Nicholas and I have been working hard on some material for the new blog. We think you will enjoy the new blog.

I am ending the year and the blog with some of our favorite pictures. The first two pictures are my precious babies. I struck gold with the first picture. I have no idea how I took that picture. Just the right timing. Jacob was only 3 months old when the picture was taken. The kid loves to smile - a lot :)

The second picture is the way Nicholas treats his baby brother. He loves his baby brother so much. He still kisses Jacob everyday. He is very good with Jacob. People told me I would have problems with Nicholas and a new baby. He is very jealous, but he is an excellent helper and these two boys will have a wonderful relationship!

The third picture shows my big boy. I was told today that Nicholas is not a little boy or a baby anymore. He wants to be known as the big boy. Oh - kay :( He will still be my little boy in my heart - just don't tell him. I have seen him do many things this year. He became a big brother, potty trained (100% by the end of the year), started preschool. It was fun watching him grow!!


The last picture is our first Family picture. I meant to capitalize the F in family. Each boy in this picture are very important to me. I never thought I would have a family. I love my family very much!!!

We did not do a vacation this year, for many reasons that I will not go into. During the summer, we did the Zoo and Lake Farm park - which was fine. In the Fall, we visited a couple of Pumpkin patches and went to some fun Fall fests. In December, we saw Santa. We had a busy year and I have a feeling 2012 will be even busier!!!

Signing off for the last time on this blog - Mandy and Niko (who is having sweet dreams right now)

Year 3 - Phew!!

Jan. 2011 Feb. 2011 (I have no Feb. pictures :) )
March 2011

April 2011
May 2011 ( two days before baby brother was born!)
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011

October 2011 (Above this picture - Sept.2011)
November 2011
December 2011






A year in review

Physical - Nicholas is still on the move quite a bit. I have been told this is normal. We shall see if he slows up any as he grows :) He is very active. In the Spring, I will sign him up for soccer. He is looking forward to that.

Mental - I am very glad the 3's are over. However, the 4's are not looking very promising :) I have a VERY smart kid. I am so proud of him! He is doing very well in preschool with the academics and behavior is coming along. Nicholas likes to be very independent, which is very trying at times. Nicholas does not like to listen or follow directions. We are hoping these issues will be solved once the 4's have really settled into his body :)

Nicholas had a lot of changes this year. He was made into a big brother - with a rough start. I know that affected him. Baby brother didn't come home right away and Mommy was disappearing every day for two weeks. Daddy was in the hospital for 20 days. That kid had a rough June. At the same time, he was working his way into being potty trained and am I glad about that! I love when he tells me he has to pee or poop!! He also stands to pee now, which I think is amazing!! So, we still have firsts in Niko's life.

What's coming up...... Niko has another round of blood work in Feb. His numbers are still elevated. We do not know if this means he may be diabetic. We need good thoughts and the number comes back normal!! Mommy's instincts are telling me that we will have challenges to face. The doctor told me that the second round of numbers were supposed to come back normal, and well..... they didn't. I am hoping Nicholas will learn how to ride a bike with training wheels this summer, but he may be too small for that. We will continue to learn our ABC's, Shapes, Colors. and numbers!!!

Happy Birthday to me!

All my mess!
The new 4 year old
We did cupcakes this year!
Mommy's boys




Hi Everyone,

On Monday December 19th, I celebrated my birthday. Actually, we celebrated that Sunday because Mommy had school then we went out to dinner at a friend's house. We had a really nice time on Sunday. It was just Mommy, Daddy, Jacob and I. We had Bob Evans as my birthday dinner. I opened my gifts. I told Mommy at the end of the night that I had a lot of gifts! Then Mommy and Daddy sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I was very excited and wanted to play with everything that night.

We had a good time at dinner on Monday. I even had a surprise visit from Santa! I was so excited. Mommy said my excitement was priceless :) Santa had a gift for me and Jacob. I helped set up Jacob's gift from Santa. I am a good big brother.

Of course, Mommy is going through the change of life again - her baby is getting older and she thinks back to the past Birthdays. She cannot believe her baby #1 is 4!!

Behavior is going okay. I have some good meltdowns and I do not like to listen to Mommy or Daddy. I still love preschool. Mommy is very happy that she enrolled me in this school.
My pneumonia is gone. I still tell Mommy my throat hurts - but she thinks I am playing her, because I am acting perfectly normal.

I had some blood work done yesterday and some level is off. The doctor calls it elevated. I have to go back in two months to see how the level is going. The doctor told Mommy that the levels would be normal this time around and they weren't, so Mommy is a little worried. We don't need anymore issues with my body.

Starting in January - we will have a new blog. I am turning the blog writing over to Mommy. She will blog about Jacob and I. Two blogs, full time job, etc. is too much for our tired Mommy - so she is condensing our life into one blog. The new blog will be www.balyeatboys.blogspot.com

We will do a few more blogs on lovingniko!! Have a good Friday :) Love, Niko

Little Indian

What I am Thankful for this year!







Hi Everyone,


I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. My Thanksgiving was very nice. Baba and Papa celebrated Thanksgiving with us. Mommy and I made a paper plate turkey and watched the parade. Then Mommy took lunch to Daddy and sat with him for awhile, since he had to work that day. We ordered a Turkey dinner take out, and we enjoyed some Turkey and stuffing. I really have enjoyed Mommy's vacation.

On Friday, the weather was pretty nice, so we went to the playground. Mommy took some pictures, we will save that for another blog. On Saturday, I was a busy boy! Mommy and I put up the Christmas decorations. It was a lot of fun. Mommy and I started a new tradition and to her that is just priceless!! On Sunday, I woke Mommy up with the sickies. I threw up in bed, but seemed to be better after I did it. We are just chilling today.

I have been picky about eating. Mommy can't get both of her kids to eat :( Mommy thinks that may be another reason why I got sick. I had pretzels before bed, and they may not have settled right, because I did not eat all day! We are working on this and Mommy and I are talking about it everyday on how and what I should eat.

Have a good rest of the weekend! Love, Niko

Preschool is Awesome!

My Class
Autumn Leaves are Falling down, falling down
Circle time - My tushie barley touches the carpet
I was the working kid! Mommy loved watching me
Making my Halloween necklace






Hi Everyone,

Bad Mommy! She said she would do more blogs and that just didn't happen. We have a new routine at night now, and Mommy doesn't spend too much time on the computer anymore when we go to bed. Mommy puts both of us to bed, takes her bath, then goes to bed too. She made time tonight. We apologize!

On October 28th, Mommy came to my school. She was the working mom and I was the working kid. I love being the working kid! I get to do circle time. Mommy's favorite part was the "Weather watcher" song. I have to count everyone in class and the calendar days, and I do very well. Mommy was very proud of me. We had a great time at our Halloween party, and I told Mommy that I had fun at my Thanksgiving Feast this past Friday. Mommy is so pleased that I really like preschool.

Behavior is getting better. We cannot believe I will be four years old in a month. I think we are just going out to dinner, have some cake and open a few gifts. Next year, I can have a real Birthday party and invite friends. I am a BIG helper and I still have the independent trait in me. We have all been sick with a nasty cough. All four of us got it, but it seems to be getting better. I have not had one accident for almost a month! Being potty trained is a wonderful thing!!

We hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving, and Mommy is not promising a blog this week - but she will try :) Love, Niko

Boo at the Zoo 2011

Boo At the Zoo 2011 with our new addition!

I was too tired from walking, so I sat in the stroller
I actually wanted my picture taken! I never request a picture :)







Hi Everyone,

Mommy is so backed up on the blogs. Now, that Jacob is sleeping a little better at night, Mommy may try to do two a week. The Holiday season is approaching, so there might be a few extra blogs :)

On October 23rd, we went to Boo At the Zoo. This was our third year going to the Zoo. I of course woke up with a stuffy nose. This always happens when we go to Boo at the Zoo. Mommy called Ahmi and said if I am not better in the afternoon, we won't be able to go :( However, I took a two hour nap, and was good as gold! I had a good time. We did not leave to go home until 9pm! I didn't do the Monster Mash, because Mommy wasn't too sure with my tummy and the cold that I was experiencing. It was a good time!

My behavior is slowly improving at night. I was REALLY bad for awhile, but I seem to have calmed down. Some nights Mommy is not home, because she took on a second job or she goes to meetings at my school, and I am not okay with that! Daddy jokes and says we are attached at the hip - he jokes but we all know it is true!

I got my first progress report from Preschool. Overall, Mommy is pretty happy. She is not surprised with any of the marks or comments that the teacher made. I have a hard time sitting still at circle time and I need some more practice with scissors. I also need to recognize my name. So, by springtime - Mommy and I will practice those skills. Mommy was happy when the teacher put that I know my numbers up to 12 - because the requirement was knowing numbers up to 10. I actually can count to 20, but 15 - 16 get a little shaky, so I need some help there.

Well, I need to go to donuts with dad! I am so excited. Mommy took pictures at preschool!! Wait until you see those!! :) Love, Niko

Part 2 - Fall fun Weekend!!

Hi Everyone,

Here is part 2 of our fall weekend. That Sunday, we went to Bedford Fall Festival. It was fun! The had bouncy house which I loved. Mommy thought it would tire me out, but nope it didn't. I also liked playing the games. I won a few prizes. Ahmi also bought me a bubble maker. I wasn't on my best behavior that weekend, but we were glad we could start the fall activities.

I have been a good boy all week. I even got a good report from preschool - 2 days in a row! Ahmi bought me a real, live fish! We named her Dorothy. I love her!

Tonight we are going to my friend David's house for a Halloween Party. Sunday we are going to Boo at the Zoo. Now, the pictures won't stop! Have a good weekend :) Love, Niko

Pumpkin Patch

On the hayride
With my teacher Mrs. Pearl - Oh my! red eye :)
Of Course, I wanted to help feed the animals
I like this pumpkin!





Hi Everyone,

Last weekend was a busy Fall weekend. Here is part 1 of that weekend. On Saturday October 8th, we went to a pumpkin patch with my preschool. I pretty much behaved. I followed my teacher, Mrs. Pearl everywhere. Mommy was getting a little worried that Mrs. Pearl wouldn't like that I was following here everywhere, but because Mrs. Pearl is so nice, she didn't mind - and eventually there were other kids following her too. Mommy was amazed by how much I admire my teachers. I really like Preschool and I am a smart boy!

The Pumpkin patch was a lot of fun. We went through a hay maze, saw baby animals and went on a hayride to snatch up pumpkins out of a pumpkin patch. Just Mommy and I went. Daddy stayed home with Jacob, because he couldn't leave work early enough to join us. It was a nice outing for Mommy and I, and we really enjoyed ourselves. After getting our pumpkins we had a potluck dinner. Of course, I did not eat - but we had to cook our own hot dogs on a campfire, and I really liked that, even though I did not eat anything. When it was time to go, I did not want to leave, but we had a 45 min. drive on the way home. I did not fall asleep on the way home and I was up at 6:00 the next morning. I didn't even take a nap all weekend. Mommy was pretty frazzled by the end of the weekend.

We had some ups and downs this week. Mommy really had to fight to get my shots this week. That was no fun! We got them now, after a long battle - but there will be a letter involved. I also had a speech evaluation at preschool and I did not pass. We know I can talk :) but Mommy thinks it's my communication skills. If Mommy asks me about my favorite part of a day, I tell her - "Don't talk" or "No". I also have a hard time communicating with my peers. They suggest further testing, but Mommy might wait until Kindergarten - I am only three years old !! The ups - I was good for Baba and Ahmi this week. I also gave Mommy sweet kisses and hugs before she went to work. I also love my baby brother!

Mommy promises to do part 2 of our weekend in Fall. Next Sunday, we go to Boo at the Zoo! We can't wait!! Love, Niko

Ho Hum

With my friend David
I LOVE to hold my baby brother!!





**Warning*** Starting at 5:30pm (almost) every night, you do not want to be at our house. An alien invades my body, and Mommy loses her sweet baby boy #1. Some nights are wonderful, and we have no problems. Sometimes the alien invasions start a little later, but one thing always stays the same - Mommy cannot wait for the 8pm bedtime call. But then she has to start her night duty with the other baby boy :) She gets about 20 minutes of Mommy time in the bathtub, and trust me she cherishes that time!!

We really do not know what is going on with my behavior. I can be the most perfect boy and Mommy gets sad that she has to put me to bed at 8pm, but there are the nights when she can't wait to read me the stories and I can go to bed. I won't go into my behavior, because my blog is not about the negatives, but Mommy did tell me about the gypsies tonight - Yikes ;)

I am really liking Preschool. My behavior is getting better. I got two puzzles for getting stickers on my chart. Yep, I am already on a behavior chart. Mommy wants to get this behavior now! I am an extremely smart boy, I just have a hard time controlling my emotions in Preschool. My teacher is amazed with my puzzle skills.

Fall is in the air! Hopefully, we can start posting some Fall pictures. It is hard to do anything on the weekends, because Daddy works. Mommy isn't that brave yet to take us places by herself. Hopefully, there will be a Pumpkin patch in our near future!! Have a good night :) Love, Niko

First Day!

First day at Sunday School - September 18, 2011
First Day at Preschool - September 8, 2011










My Mommy is going through the change of life! She cannot believe her baby #1 has started school these past two weeks. I love Preschool! Sunday school was pretty neat, and Mommy is so happy that she can drop me off and pick me up - since she can't during the week.

I am doing okay in Preschool. I love the puzzles and circle time. I am bringing home some neat artwork. I am having a few issues, which Mommy knew would happen, so she and Mrs. Pearl will work together to get my behavior back on track. People tell Mommy not to worry - but she does anyway, because she knows her child and what he can do ;)

Mommy and Daddy are really tightening up on the discipline at home. I am getting more time outs and time spent in my room. I think I am in trouble, since my Mommy is a teacher :) My behavior hasn't been terrible, but I need to know there are rules and I need to follow them.

Mommy has been busy with school. Jacob's colic is almost over, but he keeps battling the cold. Mommy will update his Blog this week. Well, Jay-guppy is waking up!!! Have a good week!! Love, Niko

Oh Brother........

How I love thee! I really do love my baby brother. Mommy can honestly tell people that I love my brother and that I am a good big brother. I do not like when other people hold Jacob. It makes me nervous. I actually told a lady at Wal Mart to go away when she was looking at Jacob. Mommy is okay with me being over protective, because she doesn't really like strangers coming up to Jacob either. But it is okay that people hold Jacob - because sometimes Mommy needs to watch me. Mommy remembers when Jacob was first born and how well I handled myself and emotions when I couldn't see him right away.

Everything else is going okay. Bad Mommy brought home a cold and we all caught it, except Daddy. We couldn't go outside today, because it was too hot. Maybe next weekend. We all took a good nap though - hopefully to get rid of these colds.

Well, I just took my medicine - getting sleepy. Have a good weekend!!! Love, Niko

B-O-Y

Mommy enjoyed an all boy afternoon. I played in the dirt, which Mommy gave me permission to do. I loved that! Then, I wanted to make a rainbow and I did. Mommy thought it was funny when I ran in the backyard and I told her I had to get the Indigo color for my rainbow. We were outside for an hour. Mommy read Ladies Home Journal Magazine, Jacob was sleeping, and I was playing. Perfect afternoon!!

Preschool is starting up. Mommy actually had no school this past Friday due to power outages and she was able to go to my Open House. Mommy thinks I have some issues that will need to be worked out. Ahmi assures her that everything will be fine. Mommy also has her own issues - for example, her number one baby is growing up!

I still have my days. Mommy thinks an alien invades my body and I become a terrible three year old. We hope my behavior improves!!

Have a wonderful weekend!! :) Love, Niko

This is how I roll....

When I am watching one of my favorite movies. When it was really hot, we had to stay inside because Jacob was too young to be outside in the heat. We are lucky I have shorts and underwear on in this picture. I usually like to wear nothing at home. It is easy access to go to the bathroom and how can Mommy argue that point?

We are doing pretty good. Everyday I ask if I am going to preschool today. Mommy and Daddy are going to another parent meeting tonight and make it more official.

This past Saturday, Daddy watched Jacob and I while Mommy went to the baseball game. I was an angel. Baby brother - not so much. I still have my fits, and the independent phase is driving Mommy crazy. Well, I want to go on Thomas website. Have a good week! Love, Niko

Family Time

Hi Everyone,

We are trying to get in all our family trips in now. Mommy goes back to school in a couple of weeks. Daddy has a new schedule at work, and we are able to do something during the week as a family. This past week, we went to Lake Farmpark. They have farm animals. When we first got there, we went to the cow milking session. I was scared and did not milk the cow. After lunch, I insisted we go back for another session, and I was going to milk that cow - and I did! I was very excited. I still talk about it. We had a good time. We even saw a really neat garden.

Mommy thinks it is wonderful that I am completely potty trained. I wear underwear to bed now. I have not pooped in my underwear for a whole week. That's a big accomplishment. Mommy went to a meeting at my preschool and she sat next to my teacher. Mommy is the class mom, so she will communicate with my teacher... a lot :) Mommy did not tell her that I know my ABC's, numbers, and colors. She wants the teacher to observe my skills :) I am very ready - I was ready to go to preschool on this past Thursday.

My behavior has been okay this week. I do not like to listen, big surprise. We are doing okay. Mommy and Daddy still love me :) Have a great week!! Love, Niko