Nathan starts school

Nathan started school, Smithsonian, on Monday, September 11, 2006. We had to wake him up a little bit earlier than he was used to, but he wakes up really easy - happy and alert. It was rainy and gray outside, befitting of September 11th. He did a great job riding on the metro for the first time. I read books to Andy, while Gary handled Nathan. For most of the trip, Nathan sat in his stroller and just looked at people. Lots of smiles and waves from strangers to Nathan - funny how much people love babies. If only they knew Nathan's special story. Nathan grew restless toward the end of the train ride and Gary took him out of the stroller and played with him a bit. I got off the metro a few stops before they did, as I always do, and Gary took on the challenge of daycare drop off for Nathan's first time. Nathan's main two teachers weren't in yet, and after a few minutes, Gary had to get to work. He handed Nathan off to Andy's teacher from last year, Ms. Ponterero, and he screamed his head off. He continued to scream, clasping his hands together and sucking his sleeve, as he does when he is uncomfortable. Gary left the center with him screaming. Poor guy. I wonder what runs through his head. He was abandoned by his birthmother, lived in an orphanage for 8 months, we took him out of the orphanage and lugged him from hotel to hotel in Vietnam, then back to the US to be in our family, then he stayed at home with his daddies for a couple of months, now in another strange place with new people. Does all of this run through his mind. What memory does he have - any?

Gary got two updates from the teachers during the day-Nathan calmed down after a while and ended up having a pretty good day overall. Each day this week, he has screamed in the morning, but calmed down a little quicker each day. His teachers say that he really seems to like school and they are pleased with how he is doing. I personally think that he is a really easy baby, and given their experience with all kinds of children, I assume they'd agree.

On September 12th, Nathan started saying his first word over and over again. Funny what his first word is - mama. Funny because he has two dads. They say that dada is usually the first word a child says because it is easier to say - but not for Nathan.

September 7, 2006

Nathan and I are home this week - it is his last week before starting school at the Smithsonian. He begins there on September 11th - not the best day to drag our baby downtown for the first time, but I'm sure it will be fine. I plan to take Nathan in tomorrow for a few minutes to show him the classroom, briefly meet the teachers and drop off some baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc), with the hope that this will make his first day of school a bit easier.

Nathan and I have had a nice time together this week. The weather has cooled some, with temps in the 70s and low 80s this week. We've gone on lots of walks through Rock Creek park, which is one block from our house. Today we saw a large, brown snake on our walk. Yesterday we saw lots of deer and a beaver swimming down the creek. When I say "we," I really mean me. I don't know that Nathan noticed any of the animals I pointed out. He does like birds and squirrels though - maybe because they move quickly and don't hide like lots of animals do.

Nathan is very mobile these days. No more GI Joe crawl anymore. He crawls very fast and cruises around furniture all day long. He's great at pulling himself up and getting himself back down. Babies are amazing. Every day they learn something new and are so proud of themselves - especially with a little parental encouragement.