First Day of Kindergarten

Today was my sweethearts first day of Kindergarten. He loved it and he agree to go back again tomorrow.



Just in case you were wondering, yes I cried. Once on the way home after dropping him off and then again as I saw him come out of the school with his classmates and his backpack on. He looks so grown up all of a sudden.

Five Already

Francesco-
Wow, five already. I never believed it when people said the time would fly. In a few short week you will be heading to school and learning new thing. It feels like we are closing a chapter on a part of your life, you know what they say...you can't go back. You can capture it though, and that is just what I've tried to do.

Words could never describe how I feel about you, I've tried to find those words but I just can't. You have a smile that lights up the room, eyes that make my heart melt and the biggest personality a little kid could have. So, since I can't tell you how I feel I thought I would show you what I see when I look at you.



I would love to be able to pause this time and not move forward, freeze you at 5 forever but I can't. I hope that in the coming years when you look back at this it will make all the memories of getting to 5 seem more real and let you to remember what an awesome little kid you were.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Love,
Mommy

Pre-K Graduation

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson



My Francesco graduated from Pre-K today, and yes I got all choked up. Kindergarten here we come!



This is what I get when I ask for a smile, he is so stinkin cute!

Milestone - Riding a Two-Wheeler

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”
~Albert Einstein

Francesco learned to ride his bike this weekend without training wheels, he had a great time and was so proud of himself. I don't think he was as proud as Michael and I, we were amazed at his determination and willingness to keep trying even though he fell often early on. It just goes to show, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Francesco, you rock!

When in doubt and true to form.

I was questioning Nicolò's language development over the past few months. The only gauges I have are Francesco who, once started, never stopped and the girls in his class that speak like little women. The other day one of the girls from his class saw me in the hallway and said, "Hi, Nicolò's mommy! Are you coming to take him home now?" The most I get out of him, with prompting, is to just say Hi. Then when I get to his classroom I am inundated by the girls explaining to me what he did today, if he followed the rule, if he was nice, where his cubby is, etc. Nicolò is in the corner dressing his Matchbox car in a Barbie dress.
So in my mind I questioned and I was concerned.
I then took him on Wednesday for a follow-up Hearing Test and Ear Check (he has those wonderful tubes). He aced the hearing test and his tubes were in and clear. Since I was concerned I told the Audiologist and the Nurse Practitioner my fears that he was behind. I wasn't sure so, when in doubt...ask.
They were great, they reassured me, gave me handouts on where he should be at 2. 2 1/2 and 3 years of age. These handout also had tips on how to foster more language development.
So I took these handouts and was on a mission to figure out how "behind" he was. They also said if I felt he was really behind to talk with his Pediatrician about it.

Well...I began to question, test and listen to him all the time.

True to form, Nicolò decides to prove me wrong. Just like the last time when I told the Pediatrician he didn't put two word together. The next day he was doing just that. Since I said something, I SWEAR, he has gone through a major language leap. It may also be that with my concern and the handout I was tuning into him more, but I am floored by the resent developments.

So the next time I am worried about a developmental milestone I am going to bring it up to the doctor sooner so he can prove me wrong...again.

I don't like to be wrong, but in these cases I am good with that!
**Update 11/29/10 - last night (or really early this morning, let's say 4ish) Nicolo was sitting up in his bed, calling for me. When I go to see what was wrong he point to his sheet and say, "look a snowman." Can someone please smack me, what's that saying...careful what you wish for!




Calvin: Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak.
Hobbes: Probably so we can think twice.
~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

Kindergarten Redshirting

Have you ever hear that term redshirting? It's the practice of postponing an age-eligible child front entering kindergarten for a year. I recently realized that my oldest will be eligible to go to kindergarten next year. Which means that by the end of this year or as late as early (Jan) next year I need to make a decision about when and were he goes.

When did that happen???????? He is only going to be 4 at the end of July, only 4! He will then turn 5 at the end of July 2011 and technically be eligible to go to Kindergarten in Aug/Sept 2011. Again...when did that happen.

I am struggling with the decision for him to do Pre-K again or go to Kindergarten. Why am I thinking about this now you ask? Because no matter what I decide that application/registration process needs to be completed by, anywhere between the end of Nov 2010 to the end of Jan 2011. I know as well as the rest of you that the time will be here before I know it. I am also looking early because this is also going to cost me. He will have to do a full day no matter where he goes as well as a before and after care. I need to make sure that I will be able to afford it or start putting aside now to supplement. Argghhhh!

Have you hear of the postponing of school for kids with summer birthdays? I hear it practiced even more for boys. How do you know if they are ready? How do you know they aren't? Where is the handbook? I would love to know others thoughts on the subject.

Look at him, I just want to make the right choice.

Best Shot Monday:Life is looking pretty Happy!

Tracey wrote: What have you been reminded of lately? How is life looking in your world?
Great questions, and this picture answers both those questions.

1. I am reminded that my, 4 in July year old, is turning into a preschooler. Yes, I said it preschooler. He won't say he is 3, or even 3 1/2 or 3 3/4, no he is 4 in July.
2. Life is looking pretty happy. I asked him to draw me a face and he asked, "happy or sad?". I of course picked happy. Then I talked him through the other body parts but never once did I touch the pen. He drew this all himself and I had to show his father and hung it on the fridge.

I had that Mom moment when your child reaches a milestone right before your eyes. I know drawing a person is some sort of milestone, but for me this picture is more so a piece of him at the age of "4 in July" I can hold onto forever.

Three

Can someone please tell me where the past 3 years went? Yesterday Francesco turned 3 but it feels like yesterday I was looking at the + sign on the pregnancy test.

I remember sitting in the rocking chair, in the nursery the night I went into labor. I saw stars every 2 mins on the way to the hospital and cried tears of joy the moment I saw his beautiful face.

Since that day there has not been one dull moment of my life, literally. Francesco is energetic and that energy is 24/7. Ask anyone who knows him and they will confirm that statement. I didn't not know that you can actually survive 3 years without getting a full night sleep (LOL)!

I remember the day he first smiled, I thought to myself, "is there anything better?" Why yes, yes there is...the first time they laugh. It was my husband who made him laugh and we spent the rest of the day trying to make him laugh just because it was cute. I also remember sitting at home with him on a day off from work when he first sat by himself, he was wearing a "I Love Mom" shirt and I took about 100 picture of him. Crawling came soon after and then the day my life really changed for good...walking. He walked on Father Day, 2007 and he never looked back or stopped moving.

Then came the issue of talking. He wasn't much of an early talker. He was a doer and he made his needs known without any words at all. Even as he moved into Nursery One at school I was worried because his verbal skills were lacking. I said a few prayers that he would talk soon and I got what I asked for and then some. What's that saying..."Careful what you wish for!" Let's just say, I am no longer worried about his verbal skills and at time I wish he would give his voice box a little rest.

Gross motor skills were never and issue and I foresee some extreme sports in our future. He is fearless when it comes to physical abilities and he loves to go fast. Fast on the big wheel, fast in the power wheels, fast down the slide. He climbs all over my furniture and creates a mosh-pit with the cushions of the couch. We have been fortunate we have only had one set of stitches so far.

He amazes me his memory and now that I know he can recall so much it makes the not listening even harder to take. I love when we read books for bed and I will stop before the last sentence or word on a page and he recites it for me. The first time I realized he had memorized a book we were reading a "Cars" book. The books states, "Nothing would stop McQueen,"...and he said, "not even Chick Hicks and his mean tricks!" I was astonished. Then I realized he had the whole book memorized.

He is very affectionate and knows how to use it. If he know he is in trouble or if he is STALLING he will ask for "a hug" or I get, "Mommy, you my friend?" It so hard to stay angry at him when he wants to know if I am his friend and then wants a hug. Watch out girls, he will probably use that again when he is older.

He love to help and I find that the more jobs I give him the better. It's his job to put the lunches in the refrigerators at school. That give me time to settle his brother. He also is getting much better at cracking eggs when he helps me bake or make breakfast. We only eat a few shells now. He will help me carry stuff into school, especially if the stuff is cupcakes or donuts. He love to push his brother in the stroller and really does a great job. He no longer runs him into the walls now that he is tall enough to hold the handles and see where he is going. He will also help me put the clothes from the washer to the dryer, and he has to keep telling me that the clothes are wet. He tells me like it's information that need to know (this is one of those...you got to be there things, I am not good at describing).

He's got a few quirky behaviors that I chalk up to his "personality". He does not like thing on his hands, he insist on a napkin instead of a plate to put his snack on, his blanket has to be laid out across the bed and up to his armpits and Cesco bear has to be a the head of the bed above the pillow. I'm thinking a little OCD, we shall see. He also has a lot of my "high strung" personality. When he asks for something he expects either an immediate action or immediate response. That I am certain he gets from me. My mother said enough "I hope to God you get one just like you!" that it actually happened. We butt heads the most because we are so much alike {which also means he incredibly smart :-)}

I think my friend Chelle said it best... "He is my greatest achievement. He created me as a mom, he is my first, he has captured my heart."

Happy Birthday Francesco, thank you for making me your Mom. I love you!

I didn't get much chance over the weekend to take pictures, being the hostess (with the mostess) take so much time that I fell short on my picture taking duties.

They Say It's Your Birthday......

My baby turned 1 today. I am still in disbelief at how fast this last year has gone by. The milestone of turning a year old is bittersweet, I am really missing my little baby (even though he was never that "little"). Nicolo is just such a different kid than his big brother, and I love that about them. He is on the verge of walking, takes 1/2 to 1 step and then decides it's quicker to crawl. I am not trying to rush him but at 27lbs. he's a load, you would think I'd be thin as a rail carrying around a 27lb baby all the time...not.

Nicolo~
You love a stuffed bear named Hoagie and can't go to sleep without him, the binky and your chi-chi blanket. You recently cut all 4 front teeth at the same time and there is still one incisor that needs to break the surface. Your favorite fruit is mango's and the only jarred baby food you will still eat. Cheerio's and Goldfish top your snacks list and Trader Joe's Cereal bars are a must. Your favorite toy is the Big Wheel your Daddy found for you on Craig's List so as to not be left out of the Big Wheel gang that has developed in the neighborhood. Your favorite person, after Mommy of course, is you big brother. Anything Francesco say or does is hysterical to you, even when it's not to Mommy. Wheels on the bus is your favorite song and it drives Francesco crazy that Mommy sings it everyday on the way to school, he doesn't know talent when he hears it (LOL).

Here you are 1st thing in the morning on your 1st Birthday.


Here you are as we brought out your cake. I just love the expression on your face.


Here you are just digging in. Francesco never did that with his cake.


Note: this is not the Giant Cupcake Cake, I was planning on having that one tomorrow at my parents house. I am still hoping to do that, but I will say the one that I baked today to save to decorate tomorrow did not release from the pan. Can you say disappointed...with a touch of "@$#%^!&#^%$@*!!!!! My neighbor was so kind to let me use her industrial strength cake release, so I am going to attempt it again tomorrow morning. For those of you who know me this will be the 4th time I tried the recipe and the 3rd time I tried the pan. I finally got the recipe straight and then I couldn't get it out of the pan. Do me a huge favor and cross your finger for me. Thanks!

That's my boy!

"He's our special one."

That's what I hear a lot from a number of people at the daycare where Francesco goes. What I think they mean is, "he keeps us on our toes."

The nursery teacher has recently worked with the children on taking their shoe, shirt, pants, and jackets on and off. They are helping them work on developmental skills. This is one of the reason I am really happen with the daycare.

Francesco tend to take thing to the extreme, now he's decided that he is going to take his shoes off even when he's not suppose to. In attempts to get him to put them back on he has not gotten snack, not gotten to go outside, and not gotten to do other activities. All of these attempts have usually ended with Francesco winning and the teacher putting the shoes back on.

Today there was another episode of shoe removal with Francesco's refusal to put them back on. This time they decided to send him out of the classroom to the Director Office (my 2 1/2 year old is already getting sent to the office). The teacher thought that if he was away from the class he might decide to put his shoe on so he could return.

While in the office, the Director, told him he was not allowed to play with the magnets on the cabinet he sat next. He then tried to play with some toys in the corner, so she told him to move over and not to play with the toys. He was then sitting next to a stack of paper and the Assistant Director Lunch bag.

As she was talking on the phone she heard a rustling sound behind her. She thought when she turned around she would find him playing with the papers. What she found was, my son went into the Assistant Directors bag, into a box of corn flakes and was shoveling them into his mouth.

She couldn't believe it and said all she could do was laugh.

So as I was walking down the hall to a meeting she flagged me down (the daycare is at my work) to tell me the whole story. I went in to see him and asked him if he took his shoes off again today. He proceeded to tell me that he did and in so many toddler words he told me he ate Miss M's corn flakes. Well at least he admitted it.

Let's just say his teacher tells me there's never a dull day and she always has a story to tell her mom when she get home from work each day. I told her, "I don't know what to do, she's the one who taught him to take the shoes off (LOL)".

He's my special one too!

Out with the old, in with the new!

I decided that I was not going to make any New Year Resolutions for myself this year.  Instead I made a couple for each boy.

Nicolo will learn to crawl and then walk.

Francesco will give up the Binky and be potty trained.

Nicolo's resolutions don't seem as daunting a task as Francesco's do.

Both boys started on their resolutions early, they don't procrastinate like their mother. 

Nicolo started Army (commando) crawl on New Years Eve.  He realized he could slide on the hard wood floor.  Michael wants to see if we could make him a suit out of the Swiffer Cloths to clean the floor while he is at it.  Yesterday Nicolo was on the floor playing and Michael accidentally knocked the TV remote off the end table.  Nicolo army crawled to it so fast, I didn't even make it out the kitchen in time to see it.  We of course kept moving the remote so he would do it over and over and over.  Let's just say, his little arms are probably sore today (like when you work out for the first time in a long time).

Francesco also has made a jump start on his new year resolution.  I have been debating for sometime now taking the Binky away.  He only uses it when he is in bed, but he was very attached to it.  He actually acquired 3 of them some how (I think they multipled on their own).  So, he would have one in his mouth, and one in each hand.  Then in the middle of the night if he dropped one and couldn't find it he would call out.  We (more like me) like idiots would go in there and find it for him.

Over the Holiday I overheard a conversation about a couple of kid I know that at the age of 8 and 9 were still using a pacifier at night.  This to the point where they have had some dental issues that require "appliances" placed in their mouths.  This made me really think.

I decided to wean him down to one and then off of it all together.  When I tried to give him just one he complained (whined) until he fell asleep.  I figured he is going to whine for a week having only one and then we would repeat the same thing with none, why do it twice.

So just like that, cold turkey, we took it away.  We made valiant efforts the first two night to look for them with him but we were unable to find them.  He cried/whined for about an hour each night.  The last two night he only whine for 10 minutes max and did not wake up crying for it. 

So here we are day 2 of the New Year and I think Francesco can cross one of his resolution off.  

I am so proud of him!

Update

It has been a really crazy week.

Monday first thing my computer took a turn for the worse. I was able to get all my files off and especially my pictures. My husband thinks the hard drive is going. It is still being worked on and I have no clue when it will be finished or if it can be fixed.

Francesco is working hard on being a big boy and walk to and from school without throwing a fit. I am so proud of him. Last week I offered a treat after the "incident" if he could walk to and from school for the rest of the week. He made it all the way till Friday afternoon and then had a melt down. I felt so bad because I really wanted to give him the treat but I stuck to my guns.

He has done really well this week and if he walks out of school today he will get his treat. I have been pumping him up every morning, letting him know he is a big boy and how proud I am of him.

I don't think I give him enough credit sometimes. I really need to assume he understand way more than I think he does. He is going through his language explosion right now which is so fun and exciting for me. To hear him sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" bring tears to my eyes. He walks past offices on his way to school waving and saying "Hi, you guys". Every time he says "thank you" my heart melts. On the flip side of that he gets frustrated when I don't understand him and that can trigger a melt down.

Nicolo is getting big and strong. We started solids and boy does he love it. I had to start adding in some solid food a little early because I couldn't keep up with the bottles. Once I started to give him cereal at dinner he moved into a nice schedule. He is at least double his birth weight now, which was 9 lbs, we will see Monday at his well visit. He has of coarse charmed all the ladies at daycare and they just can't get enough of him. He is so happy to be there in the morning when I drop them off and just as happy when I pick him up.

One good thing has come out of me not having my computer. I actually made a small Scrapbook this week of Francesco (his first 6 months). I had been meaning to do it for 2 years now.

So as soon as my computer is *cross your fingers* fixed, I will post some new pictures. I have been playing with camera settings and PhotoShop. I think some of my picture came out good. Everyone was right, PhotoShop is addicting.

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.

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).

And so it begins...

potty training!

I had decides that I was going to wait until after Francesco second birthday to start the whole potty training ordeal. That sort of got nixed by school. The class he is in now, most of the kids are 3 years old, some are already potty trained and others are in the process. Francesco is the same size as the other kids but he is the youngest in the class. I had my reservations about him moving to the older class but I was reassured that they would not expect him to be potty trained nor expect him to act like a 3 year old.

So far all is going well. One thing they do is take the whole class to the potty together. They let him sit on the potty and try but there is no pressure to actually go. I have also gotten him a potty chair at home that he likes to sit on an read.

Last Sunday (Father's Day) I went to change him after his breakfast and realized he was dry, I figured he would be going any minute. I don't know what possessed me but I sat him on the potty and we read a book. He made a face and them he looked down. I had him stand up and low and behold he pee peed on the potty. I made such a big deal out of it and he was so happy. We even woke daddy up to tell him.

So we decided to make it a routine to sit on the potty after breakfast. We have had mixed success. One day he goes, one day he doesn't, one day he even poops. We praise him when he goes and tell him good try when he doesn't, no pressure.

This morning he sit there after breakfast and nothing. So we got dressed and started to pack up for the day. He then started to grunt...a sure sign he has to go. So I take him in to the bathroom and sit him on the potty. In the rush of things I forgot to attach the little splash guard the come with it for little boys.

Let's just say that as soon as I cleaned up the bathroom floor I myself required a shower. He ended up going on the potty and again we gave him huge praise. I on the other hand need to get with the program and keep the splash guard attached.

Why is it that when the baby spits up he gets it all over me and not a drop on himself and when the splash guard isn't attached Francesco some how manages to pee all over me and not get a drop of it on himself?

Motherhood, gotta love, gotta take a shower!

7 Days to Go!

Can you believe I only have at the least 7 more days to go!
G took this picture this morning before work, as you can see I am as big as the house!

Yesterday the baby decided to take it easy all morning to the point I was worried. I had a non-stress test and all was well. Once I was on the monitor he decided to get up for the day. Then he decided to have a party the rest of the day.

I am in the deep throws of nesting. I just feel this insatiable need to put things away and wash everything. I cleaned every washable cover for all the baby things from Bubbie. All the receiving blankets and blanket. I have even finished the baby blanket I was making for him (I stayed up one night just to finish it).

I think I am ready!

My biggest fear right now is Bubbie. He either knows something is coming or he is going through the terrible two's. Lately he has had numerous meltdowns and only wants to be held by his momma. I am so afraid he is going to feel like I left him when I am in the hospital for a few days. I know he is young and he will adjust but he is still my baby for the next 7 days.

Any good suggestion helping Bubbie feel like the big brother once the baby is here. I know he will eventually adjust, but I would love to make it easier (probably more for me).

I will keep you all updated.

Bottle free!

I didn't want to say anything to soon, in case of jinxing myself, but Bubbie is completely bottle free!

(Balloons rising, confetti flying around, Hurray!)

With the coming of his brother in a few short weeks we decided he really needed to get off the bottle. We were down to two, one before bed and one in the middle of night b/w 1-4 am when he fussed.

We finally realized that he did not need the middle of the night bottle. He was not hungry, he eats well and gets plenty of substance throughout the day. It was more of a habit (mostly on our part than his) and we decided to break it.

That took about a week but we all persevered and made it thorough. Middle of the night bottle gone!

Then came the before bed bottle. This was a routine for him, get changed into his jammies, lay on Mom & Dad's bed and drink a nice big bottle of milk while hearing a story or song. He also knew that he was to lay down for the bottle to the point if he saw it before he was laying down he would do just that. The only issue was he did it where ever he was.

If you came walking through the dining room with the bottle and he saw you he would drop to the floor and assume the position. I could just see it, every time I go to feed the new baby a bottle Bubbie will lay down on the floor and want one too. Oh, I can't have that.

So one random night we just decided to take the bottle away, skip it. We did not even try to replace it with a sippy cup of milk (tried that before with no success and a huge tantrum). We just change the routine and cut out the bottle.

I really thought that he was going to pitch a fit, but he didn't. I almost feel like he didn't even miss it. We made sure to completely change bedtime routine. We now get change for bed in his room, read a book in his room and then he goes in the bed.

It has been over two weeks! I am just hoping that once his brother gets here in 4 week or so he will have completely forgotten the bottle. We are also getting completely different bottles for the new baby.

On that subject I am thinking of going to glass bottle from the reports of Bisphenol-A leaching out of bottle. Any advise or thought on the subject? Send them my way.

He Speaks

I thought it would never happen but I am positive now he can talk.

For the longest time I would hear kids his age say “Hi”, “Bye”, “shoe”, “more”, “ank ew” (Thank You). All Bubbie would say is “Abba, dabba, dinky, dabba, cachew, cachew.” He would babble on and on and narrate books. I could tell he was counting when he would point and say “Da, Da, Do, Di”. As much as I tried I could not get him to say a real word.

I brought this up to the doctor at both his 15 and 18 month well visits. They say as long as he understands and is babbling to give him time. Most boys go through a language explosion 18-20 months.

So I wait and I talk and I sing. Still, no real words were coming out. I worried because by this age my nephew was naming everything that crossed his path and even knew the names of all his family members. I am not even sure if Bubbie is saying Mama for me or just part of his babble repertoire.

So, 4 days ago we were reading his Rocket Counting Book. At he end of the book is a countdown from ten and when you turn the page it say “Blast Off!’ with a picture of a Rocket taking off. We get to the end of the book, do the countdown and when he turn the page he blurts out “Tast Toff”.

I almost fell over. I said “Blast Off” and he repeated “Tast Toff”. I wanted to cry.

Since then we have noticed other distinct word (articulation not on target but they are definite words for specific things). He has also pick up a few words in Italian.

So we now have:
“Tast Toff” = Blast Off
“Erkle”= Circle
“Asheto” = Bacetto (kiss in Italian)
“Daa”= qua (here in Italian)

And of course we have the ever popular: “no,no,no,no!” = NO

In the toilet

Bubbie was innocently playing with G's name tag from work the other day. He has the kind that is on one of those retractable cords. Bubbie loves to pull it out and let it go. I really didn't think much of it.

So there he was merrily running around playing with daddy's name tag, and being quite no less. Then I realized it was just a little to quite. I look out from the kitchen, no Bub's. I notice the bathroom door open.

That the other new skill he has acquired. My in-laws have those lever handles on the door, he figured them out in no time.

I digress.

I realize that he is in the bathroom and make a beeline for him. Just as I turn into the bathroom he lets go of daddy's name time right into the toilet. As I reach in to retrieve it, I realize that not only is it daddy's name tag but daddy's thumb drive from work.

Now I panic.

Good thing G was home. I told him right away. He was not at all upset. He did have 4G of info on the drive, but he didn't break a sweat. He was able to retrieve all the data and dry it out.

When we move into the new house I am seriously going to invest in all kinds locks (toilet, door, cabinet, drawers etc!).

Walking on Sunshine

He's walking, another milestone under his belt!

He has been letting go briefly since the middle of last week. Friday G and my mother were betting on when he would up and step off. G guessed in 2 weeks, Mom guessed in one. I just hoped he did it before he was 12 months.

He showed us all. Father's day (Sunday) evening he up and step off and took 6 steps across the room. I almost fell out. He just looked at me an took off.

The best part was he had that "look what I did" expression. He was awful proud of himself when he made to the couch.

He is not real steady, nor is he running but he is WALKING!

The only down fall to the event was that G was not there. He was actually on his way back to were he is currently working (3 hours away). So G hasn't seen him actually walk yet. I am excited for him to be here this weekend to see him.