Thursday, July 31, 2008

Theme Thursday: Fashion

I am hoping this still fits this coming winter.

Head over to the The Land of K. A for more Theme Thursday: Fashion!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

What possessed me? What possessed my toddler?


What in God name possessed me to try and convince Francesco to walk on his own from the daycare to the car today is beyond me.


Let just say it was not pretty and it required 3 glasses of wine to calm me down in the end.


So there we are, getting ready to leave the daycare at the usual time in the usual manner. Nicolo patiently and quietly sits in the stroller while the whole scene unfolds. Francesco places himself between me and the stroller and impedes my forward progression. All the while yelling wait, wait, help, help. This is his way of saying hold me.


Now, normally I oblige this request due to the fact I just don't have the time. I didn't have the time today either but I was being adventurous. This is all due to the fact that I have witnessed with my own two eye Francesco's ability to follow commands. The teacher at daycare will tell him to throw his applesauce cup away, put the spoon in the sink and wash his hands. I saw him do exactly that when he was asked. I looked at her and she say "don't let him fool ya".


So I believed in my tiny little mind that I could reason with a 2 year old and convince him it was better to walk to the car than be carried by Mommy. Big mistake, huge mistake!


Let me paint the picture:

(First I must say we have to pass through the Administrative Office's of the Hospital I work for to get to and from the Daycare)

2 year old screaming at the top of his lungs, all red in the face with tears running down his cheeks, clinging to my legs, head thrown back, repeating Help, Help, Wait, Wait!

The big bad mean Mommy trying to continue forward progression pushing the stroller while dragging the screaming toddler.

(Mind you I stop numerous time to comfort, reassure and "reason" with him, a little begging get thrown in there too.)

Nicolo quietly hanging out in the stroller.

Multiple people I know asking if I need help. I say no, I am trying to get him to walk on his own. These people have toddlers and all understand.

As we progress I am 3/4 of the way to the door, the light at the end of the tunnel, I figure if I can just get him outside he can scream all he wants.

Then all of the sudden everyone is out of their offices, in the hallway and offering help, asking whats wrong, glaring at my screaming kid.

I broke, I pick him up and as soon as I did he turned it off like a light switch.


That made me even more frustrated, he turned it off that quick. I was so embarrassed, mortified is more like it. To top it all off I am now back to square one. I don't think I have the cajones to go through that again. I am ready to shell out the dough for a double stroller so I can strap him into it and run out the door with him.


I know so people will say, just carry him but I have a few reason why I can't.

1. I am trying to teach him to walk on his own, he insist on doing everything else on his own.

2. I have already been treated once for rotator cuff tendonitist and the symptom have recently returned, I am beggin for a cortisone injection if I don't get it under control.

3. I have another child to tend to who can't walk let alone sit up on his own yet, at least he has an excuse.


Please send me all the advise you got, dig out of the attic, dust it off and send it my way. I will take it all!


Stay tuned.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I Heart PhotoShop

I just loaded my new photo software and I am sooooooo excited to get started.

This is the original picture I took of Nicolo.
















This is the edit I did. Now bear in mind this is my first try at this. Up until now I only had Picasa, which was good for some basic fixes.

I still have tons to learn but am so excited to get knee deep into it all.























Thanks to my hubby for the software, and for the camera/lens/flash for that matter.

Thanks sweetheart!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Best Shot Monday: Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Francesco!
For more best shots, head on over to Mother May I and see what every one else has to share!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Blink...you're 2years old!








July 25, 2008

Francesco,

It feels like 1 week ago I was talking to you in utero, a few days ago you took your 1st step and yesterday you said “Momma”. Tomorrow is your Birthday, I blinked and your turning 2.

You are intense in your emotions, persistent in you play and emphatic about your likes and dislikes. You test my patients daily and teach me how to stop and look a life. The sparkle in your eye when you are excited makes my heart grow two times it size. The proud look on your face when you complete a puzzle fills me with pride. The sound of you sweet voice when you read a story to yourself brings happy tears to my eyes.

Just a few things I have learned are…
· Throwing toys down the steps can entertain a toddler for hours.

· Food taste better if you are wearing it.

· You can clean a screen door with a bubble maker.

· Sometime you get whine with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

· Trying to change a toddler diaper is like a WWF match.

· You wave to say Bye, but you throw kisses to say Ciao! (now that's a true Italian)

· One Binky is never enough, each must have its own distinct flavor.

· Sometimes it takes 10 trips to the Thinking Chair before you really get it.

· It is okay to leave the laundry and dishes, because chalk drawings on the driveway are way more fun.


I am in such disbelief that tomorrow you turn two. I really only have one thing I can say, “I am so glad you have come!”

To the moon and back,
Momma

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Theme Thursday: Summer Fun

Francesco getting his first swim lesson from Daddy.
Head over to the The Land of K. A for more Theme Thursday Summer Fun!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

He's on a roll

Nicolo is living up to his little nickname I gave him in utero, Hercules. He was such a stronger kicker and mover inside that it actually would hurt at times. He has proven himself worthy of this name recently with his new party trick of rolling.

I am amazed at all the milestones he is breezing right through. I haven't even had the time to blog about them they are coming so fast and furious.

Lets see, he hold his head up like a champ and literally breaks his neck trying to keep track of Francesco. His smile goes from ear to ear especially when he sees his Mama. He loves to stand in the walker and exersaucer and is so happy to not be looking at the ceiling. He has a great laugh that is coxed out by us tickling his older brother.

His latest and greats is rolling back to belly. He will just whip himself over and go up on his arms with a proud look on his face. Then, after a minute or so he realizes he doesn't know how to get back and he lets us all know it. You turn him back on his back and he flip over again. This can go on and on and on. Give him a day or two and he will figure out how to go the other way.

This is all great, right?

Yes and no. That mean I will have two on the move. I am not sure but I don't think Francesco did this rolling thing until a little later. I loved being able to put Nicolo down and know he would be in the same spot when I got back. All bet are off on that one now.

I am happy though, he is such a pleasant and content baby, I can't complain. He is very different than Francesco as an infant.

Nicolo sleep 10 hours, yes I said 10, a night. I use to think people that said their infants slept through the night at 10 weeks were either lying or just plain forgot. I have one of those babies now. Believe you me, I feel extremely blessed, Thank You Lord!!!!!!!!!!

So there my little update on Nicolo my wonder baby. More news flashes to come as he flies through more milestones at lightning speed.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Best Shot Monday

For more gorgeous shots, head to Mother May I and see what every one else has to share!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Franceso Imitating Mommy



Francesco picked up the little point and shoot camera the other day and it was already set to video. He was able to get it turned on and started to record. He had the camera turn around backwards and was walking towards us. He kept calling out like I do when I try to get him or Nicolo to look at me while taking a photo. The video make me and my husband crack up every time we play it. Just remember he is imitating me while I try to take his picture, he just has the camera turned the wrong way.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

First day back

Let's me start out by saying that the end of the day was much better than the beginning.

So for my first day back to work, after 13 weeks on maternity leave, I decided to get up early to prepare for the day. I ventured down the steps to go make a bottle and the formula for the day and smell the pungent odor of gas. At first I thought I was have olfactory hallucinations but as I got to the kitchen it was stronger. I looked to the stove and one of the knobs was not in the full upright position. It was turn just between "off" and "lite". I quickly turned it off, flung the sliding glass door open and called for G to grab the kids.

I take the baby and run outside with him. I soon realize we are standing on a wet deck in the puring rain. Nicolo looks at me like "what is Gods name are you doing women?" G gets to the door and says just open all the windows for a few minutes and go back upstairs.

So after a few minutes of all the doors and window open the smell was gone. The kids were awake, hungry and cranky. Francesco doesn't like it when his beauty sleep is disrupted, but as soon as the Backyardigans started to dance on the TV he forgot all about it. Thank God for TiVo!

After that fiasco the rest of the "getting ready to leave" went pretty good. I could have done with a little less whine during the process but we managed.

Now we are at the daycare, and early for that matter. It also pouring down rain. So I get the baby in the stroller, the bags under him and on my back and Francesco out of the booster seat, all while trying to hold and umbrella so Nicolo is not soaked. Francesco again had quite a bit of whine for me and the inability to walk on his own. Let me just say that during all this Nicolo is just sitting there not making a sound, he is so darn patient.

We finally make it to school and everyone gets situated in their respected classroom. I take a deep breathe and leave. I then realize I never told anyone about when the baby last ate, how much, last diaper, or even when he got up that morning. So I have to go all the way back, it really not that far, to give them the details and pray they don't think I am an irresponsible mother.

All of that gets taken care of and as I step outside to go to my office....it had stopped raining. Go figure on that one.

Needless to say rest of the day was good. Pick-up went well and G even got home 2 minutes after us so I was able to cook dinner. Again, Nicolo took a 30 min. nap once we got home and you didn't hear a peep out of him. We did have more whine with dinner but the wine I had cancelled out the whine Francesco had.

Day 2 can't go any worse so I am not stressing about that and am looking forward to getting us all into a nice routine. Time will tell!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

And so it ends.

My time at home with just the baby came to an end Friday. I reach this milestone with mixed emotions.

One part of me will miss the time I spent laying on the floor talking to my cuing little butterball aka, "butters", or lying on the bed for a nap while I soak in the smell of his sweet head. Another part of me is looking forward to talking to adults and eating lunch without having a baby on my lap who is eyeing up my fare.

Is it wrong to look forward to returning to the work force? For the most part I have to and a small bit of me wants to. I have worked for so long it seem wrong that I don't get up to go to work each day.

On the flip side I am extremely blessed that my boys will be a short walking distance from me daily. After an extended wait on a list Francesco, at the age of 10 months (on wait list since 13 weeks pregnant), got into the daycare at my work. Nicolo got and express ticket in due to his brothers veteran status.

I could not be happier with the care and education Francesco has received and I am looking forward to Nicolo enjoying his time there. They even made a conscience decision to but the Nicolo in the infant room right next to the Nursery room that Francesco is in. For one I will have both boys in close proximity and they have already told me they will hold the baby up for Francesco to see him.

Francesco has already coined a new nickname for the baby. I had strategically planned that Nicolo would get Nico as a nickname, Franceso nipped that in the bud with his mispronunciation of Nicolo into MowMow. The other day I picked Francesco up from daycare and one the girls picked up the baby and took him over to Francesco. He looked up and said "my Mow Mow!" G will even say "take the Binky to MowMow". It's not the nickname I planned on, but I may not be able to get too far from it.

So come tomorrow both my babies will be in the care of others and I will be trying to get back into the swing of things at work.

Let hope the first day goes well (crossing fingers).

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Theme Thursday: Celebration

My Grandfather turned 90. His two sons and all his grandchildren and great grandchildren got together to celebrate. We took a road trip with a toddler and an infant just to be there. I am extremely bias but he is the best Pop in the whole world and worth the trip!
Visit The Land of K.A. for more celebratory pictures!
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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Survived!

We all survived the road trip. It took us 15 hours to get there and 13 hours to get back.


The boys did really well with the long trip. Nicolo slept most of the way and was otherwise pleasant as long as we feed him. He even seemed to enjoy some of Francesco's DVD's. Is it wrong that a 3 month old already likes the TV? Francesco hung in there even though he didn't like the fact that he couldn't lay down to sleep. Like I have said before Thank God for portable DVD's and a endless supply of Goldfish.


G did most of the driving. The few time he let me drive he couldn't deal with the kids. He claims that turning around over and over to tend to them was making him car sick. He eventually admitted that it was easier to drive than the deal with the kids and keeping them happy.


There was only 2 incidents that occurred. On the way home we ended up driving through torrential rain storms. The car hydroplaned, but luckily G was at the wheel and is a very good driver, he was able to keep control of the car. When that happen the only thing I could think of was my boys, it took a good 10 Min's for my heart rate to return to normal.


Then we were 3 hours from home and made a quick stop. We debated changing Francesco's diaper but he was happily watching a DVD and decided not to get him out of the car. Then at about 1 hour form home I was reaching in his chair to find his Binky and he was soaked. G said, "maybe he spilled his water," I checked and his water cup was full. When we did finally get home I was surprised that the diaper did not bust it was so full. Needless to say I had to remove the seat and all the covering for a good laundering.


As hard as it is to drive that far it was well worth it. We had a Family Reunion/90th Birthday Party. How many 90th Birthday Parties do you get invited to?


Nothing was better than getting to spend time with my family and my children getting to know all of their cousins. Francesco had a blast, he never once gave us an once of trouble going to sleep at night. His cousins are older than him but they all played with him and were so wonderful.


Nicolo was passed around a lot, he was the only baby and everyone was more than happy to hold, rock, feed and change him for me. He also did great sleeping and slept through the night every night we were there.


G and I also had a really great time. He gets along with my family and actually enjoys visiting with them.


So we are back, my house needs a good cleaning and I go back to work Monday.


As soon as I get situated I will post some of my pictures from the trip. Thanks for all the advise for the road trip. The Magna Doddle was a great tip.