New babysitter

Nate's new babysitter/respite care worker, Rachel, came today, and Nate just LOVES her! She is so patient with him and just plays plays plays nonstop the whole time she's here. I was in and out, but I saw them playing ball, playing in his tent, playing with play doh, throwing a book in the air (Nate's idea, and he was cracking up at himself). When I left for Bible Study, Nate said, "Bye, Mama!!" just totally happy to spend more time with Rachel.

I told Rachel that Blake would be home at 8, but I gave her a rundown of the bedtime routine just in case. Nate has at times over the last couple years been very finicky about bedtime, so I was hoping he could hold out until Blake got home. But at 7:30, he was apparently ready.

He told Rachel, "I go night night." Rachel asked if he wanted to stay up a little longer so Daddy could put him to bed. He thought about it, and said, "Night night." So she somehow got him up the stairs (she recently had surgery on her leg and is on crutches, so I know she didn't carry him up. He must have climbed himself.). Just as I told her, she put on his PJ's, read him his favorite "Clown Train" (Little Engine that Could) book, and another book, then sang a couple songs. Then Nate pointed at his crib and said, "Crib." I guess he was walking her through it! So funny. He went to sleep immediately and is still conked out, so it worked great! I'm SO grateful to have somebody who's so good with him.

A couple random things that I want to remember. Every time we tell Nate it's time to wash his hands, he says, "Cold water?" Okay, cold water. I don't ever remember him getting scalded by hot water, but he is very insistent on getting cold water when he washes his hands.

Also, he thinks it's so funny to answer "no" to everything. And he says it so cute, I wish I could write it like he says it. Yesterday, Dr. Haney asked him how old he was, and he wouldn't answer (he really doesn't know the answer to that question). She asked him if he was two, and he shook his head very seriously and said, "Noooo." She asked if he was three: "Nooooo." On and on. He did the same thing with Rachel today. And he gets a cute little mischevious grin when he says it.