nugBlog #21: May 18, 2026

Hello my Nug,

It has come to my attention that the “Nug” nickname is mostly for this blog now. Mom and myself don’t often refer to you as a nugget anymore. Probably because you’re becoming so much more of your own person.

I don’t think you’ve physically grown much since our last check in, but your development continues to amaze us. The big sentences continue, and you’re starting to really grasp time and future events. I am writing this from ‘downtown’ right now after work and I won’t be home for bedtime. Upon learning this was a possibility from Mom this morning, you specifically asked, “Can we talk to Daddy on the phone later?” (paraphrasing).

Other skills are coming along well too: counting is getting better, you can sing the days of the week, you recognize individual letters and words that go with them.

The weather is finally getting warmer and that is opening up many more outdoor opportunities. You are very good at climbing stuff on the playground, getting creative with ways to go down (or up) the slide… though the swing remains your go-to.

Gymnastics has been a hit. Once a week for an hour you get to do a big circuit of different activities and stations. You are talented at front rolls, hanging from bars and doing ab/leg work, and doing the “bum drops” on the trampoline.

Toddler negotiations are in full swing, meaning you always have a counteroffer ready for whatever restrictions we propose. You don’t quite get math yet, so sometimes your arguments are silly, but they are made passionately. In general you are very good about not getting your way. Sometimes if you’re tired or frustrated you will get sad and mad, but it doesn’t take much to get to a happy place again.

A good example of this: you graduated to the next ‘grade’ in daycare, and things were pretty hard for only about a week. But now you are perfectly settled in, used to the routine, and even wear a uniform every school day.

We are all ready for summer to arrive, to play with friends more often outside, and enjoy more interesting outings. As you get bigger and more independent, our options expand! In this vein, I also think I want to start to teach you some board games soon. Your Dad is a big board game nerd. We’ll see if you end up liking them as much as I do.

All my love,
Dad

This series of blogs is to catalog the memories, milestones, and reflections of parenthood. Perhaps one day you (the Nug) will be curious to read them! In the meantime, they’re a nice way for Dad to process this whole parenting thing. He’s a writer, so putting words out into the world is relaxing, therapeutic, and fun!