Just around the corner...

In 10 day, yes only 10 days my baby will be 4! Wow, is all I can say. Nicolo has grown into such a strong willed little boy with a HUGE personality. He definitely knows what he likes and dislikes. It crazy to think that a little boy doesn't like peanut butter and jelly. Now, peanut butter and Nutella is a different story, aka - chocolate sandwiches are a staple. He won't drink anything other than water, milk or chocolate milk. (Are you seeing the chocolate trend?)
He is my stuffed animal lover, he has more than I have room for, not to mention the 53" teddy bear he talked his father into buying him yesterday. What's great is that he can remember when and where he got each one. He also loves real animals and on occasion a little too much. Our new kitten Aston is very tolerate though, sometime I think he even like the attention Nicolo gives him.
Nicolo=Dirt, Dirt=Nicolo - enough said. He is my independent child, the one that wants to do things himself, can play by himself and can get into trouble all by his quiet sneaky self. If I find the bathroom sink full of soap water and 25 matchbox cars in the sink I really don't have to ask who did it.


Case in point, I just had to step away to bath him due to a "marker incident" which ended up with it all over him and his hand print on my back. I really love this kid! He is the one that keeps me guessing and makes everyday an adventure!

Nico - 3

Boy, n.: a noise with dirt on it. ~Not Your Average Dictionary

Where did the time go? How can I make it stop?

I still can not wrap my brain around the fact that my baby is 3. I mean its seriously was just yesterday that I brought home a 9lb little boy who was the most laid back infant I had ever met. He is now the Yang to Francesco's Yin, the one that completes the family. I literally mention on a daily basis how different the boys are from each other. I like the fact that they are not carbon copies and love the little things about them that make them stand apart.



Nicolo is my nature boy, dirt should be his middle name. He loves dirt and wears it well. He also is fascinated by rocks, bugs, caterpillars, butterflies, flowers, sand and puddles. He's the kind of kid that will sit there and play with ants, collect caterpillars and dig a hole just for the sake of playing in the dirt.



We also think he has a internal radar system (I think he is just very observant) because he can spot a Dunkin Donut's a mile away. He also picks planes and helicopter out of the sky well before any of us notice they are around. There is no getting anywhere near a train track without him pointing it out and wanting to know where the train is. Maybe is will be an air or rail traffic controller someday.



He is an animal lover through and through, animals are also naturally attracted to him. We have friends who have two dogs and a son. Francesco and the little boy will go off and play and we find Nicolo sitting on the couch flanked by both dogs just sitting there watching cartoons. My cat is also not keen on kids, but Nicolo is the exception and she tolerated being petted and picked up by him. We take him to the zoo and he could spend hours just watching the animals, Francesco is the one that is only good for an hour and then we have to go. Currently if you ask him his favorite animal he says snake (let hope that changes).



I love to here him say his name, or when he tells me that Cesco (that what he calls Francesco) is his best friend. I love the way his hair sticks up in the back of his head when he first gets up and how he pats my back when I hug him. I love that he smells like syrup because he is a waffle eating machine and sticky kisses are what you get after breakfast. I love that he say "No Please" instead of "No Thank You" when you ask him if he wants something. I love how he always want to go with me no matter where it is, and he loves t try new things and foods. I love the way he tilts his head and gives me a little grin when he wants a treat. I love that he makes my dads expressions and has my dimple. I just plain love this kid.

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

A little disclaimer

The other day I posted a photo of Nicolo:


I only wrote one sentence:
You answered so many questions...and created so many more!

I didn't think much of it because that was the thought that went through my head as I looked at the picture.

Then Joanna commented:"Intriguing post. Beautiful boy! :)"

When I read her comment I went back to the post and read the sentence and thought, "that is a bit intriguing, what excellently did I mean by that?"

I thought I might explain.
"You answered so many questions..."

1. What would it be like to have another child?
2. What would it be like to have another BOY!?
3. Would those two boys be very similar or COMPLETE opposites of each other?
4. What would it be like to see myself in another human-beings face?
5. Can you really love another child just as much as the first?
6. Will I every be able to get two kids and a husband out the door and be on time for work?
7. What did my dad looked like as a little boy?
8. Do some kids really eat dirt?
9. What is it like to have a child that is content to play solo and spend time by themselves.


"and created so many more."
1. Why do some kids just refuse to use utensils?
2. Why is it that dirt seems to find you?
3. Do I want to do this all again?
4. Do I need to do this all again?
5. Will you be as interesting as a boy as you are a toddler?
6. Will I survive those years?
7. Why did God think I could handle two energetic boys?
8. Will you and Francesco be friends and can I do anything to make sure that you are?
9. Will I able to instill in you what my parents did in me?
10. Will your love of dirt take you to places like MIT?

No matter the question or the answer, one thing is very clear...life would not be the same without you. I will always remember the day I realized you were on the way and never forget the day you joined us forever.

You...are my baby.

You

You answered so many questions...

and created so many more!

There was no doubt...

that he would run straight for the water.


that he would dive in head first.


that he would become one with the sand.

All I Said Was...

Would you like a banana?

This was the response:











The answer was No!

baby&sofia Monkey Muffins

A few days ago I had 3 very ripe banana's on my counter. I said to my husband I guess I need to make banana bread. That day I was reading my friend Brook's post about Monkey Muffins and knew right away I was making them. Come on, banana's and chocolate chips, win, win!

Let's just say they were delicious and my little monkey loved them.

This is how yummy they looked right out of the oven.


That night they had hardly cooled off before Nicolo got his hands on them.


Today there were three left and he would not share.


Thanks for the recipe Brook, definitely a keeper.

Best Shot Monday: Time Gone By

I look at this picture and wonder, where did the time go? He was just an infant, unable to do anything for himself, totally dependent on me. Now he is getting in and out of his own chair at the table with no booster, climbs in an out of his car seat, goes up and down the steps all by himself and riding a balance bike.

Nicolo ~age 2

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is my baby boy's 2nd Birthday.

His Uncle Cullen helped keep him out of harms way.

We think...

he liked...

the cake.

To top off the day we also had a surprise 40th for my Older brother today. He was completely surprised, we had all our family together and my sister and I made the most awesome cupcakes and cookies. (Post to follow.)

In Two Years

4-10-08 @ 10:08 a.m. I became the momma of 2 boys! The day is still burned in my memory with all the details crisps as if it was yesterday. I remember thinking that everything would be a repeat of my prior birthing experience. Nothing about Nicolò's birth or him is anything like his brother.
Nicolò has proven to be his own person in so many ways and I love to watch him develop in such a different manner than Francesco.

• He knows what he wants and if he can't tell you he just grabs your hand and takes you there.
• He dances all the time even when there is no music playing, he dances to the beat of his own rhythm.
• When I check on him at night he is always in a completely different spot then the last time I checked. Don't even think I can get any sleep if he is next to me.
• Dirt, sand, rocks, grass, plastic, cardboard etc. are all very appetizing to him for some reason, as well as food that has dropped on the floor. Food on the plate is questionable and utensil are completely optional in his opinion.
• Getting dirty and wet are his two favorite activities. He is drawn to rain puddle like an electron magnet, and he is to fast for me to get to him before his shoes are soaked. I really should have named him Pigpen.
  
• If you ask him for a high five you get, a high five and then knuckles (when you pound your knuckles to another person)
• He gives the sweetest kisses and puckers his lips and say "Mawww". He waves and says Bye-Bye and blows kisses when he say Ciao! (Italian boys are lovers)
• I have a hard time not complying when he pats the pillow next him when I put him down to bed at night, telling me to lay down next to him.
• I love the way he idolizes his brother and if Francesco does something he also has to try it.
• He absolutely loves to be naked and to take baths, I swear he is part fish.
• He always notices every plane or bird in the sky, I think his head is in the clouds!
• Without him we would on have a Frick and no Frack, I wouldn't be able to say "lets go boys", who would chase the cat, pull all the toilet paper off the roll, empty the silverware drawer onto the floor, dump all the toys/cooler/broom over the deck, throw anything they can find down the rain drain or fill that spot in my heart?
  

Happy Birthday Stinks! We love you.

Baa Woon

Baa Woon; translation = Balloon . Nicolo is going through his language explosion and one of his newest words in balloon. Francesco came home with 2 balloons the other day after an afternoon out with daddy. They played with those balloons for hours. They wanted to take them to bed but with the strings attached I protested and did not allow it.

The next morning the were almost completely deflates and would not "fly". They still wanted them but appeared a little disappointed at the lack of aerial height they maintained. I decided to run out on my "lunch hour" and pick up 2 new balloons from the party store around the corner from my work.




2 balloons = $1.30
2 balloon weights = $.50
Hearing my baby say Baa Woon a million times = priceless!

Best Shot Monday

I've said this before, I thought my second child was going to be a newer version of the older one. Once I found out he was going to be a boy I also thought he would be another version of my husband. Everyday I am amazed at how completely different my boys really are, from looks to temperament.
I saw this photo of Nicolo and I that was taken by my nephew at a family get together and was amazed at what I saw. I see my husband in his eyes and my dad in his expressions, but you see that little dimple on his right cheek...that's mine. Now that I saw it in the photo I see it all the time. That my piece and I love it.

I wondered if you could love another child just as much as you love the first when I was pregnant with him. I actually worried about it. I have never worried about it since the moment I saw him. He is his own person, he got his own looks, his own personality and he very own place in my heart.

For more Best Shots, swing on by Tracey's over at Mother May I.

Not a baby anymore.

As Nicolo approaches 18 months I find it bittersweet. My baby is no longer a baby by a long shot. He is just entering his language explosion and has a spattering of words that I make him say over and over again because it's so stinking cute. His repertoire consist of the usual Momma, Dadda, Nanna. He also can say bubba (bubble), ircle (cirlcle), chew-chew (a saying he hears a lot at the dinner table) and my favorite is Kecco (Francesco).

He can climb up and down the stairs (with close supervision of course) and get on and off the couch and Francesco's bed (the easier it is to jump on them with Francesco now), all by himself. He loves to ride with Francesco in the power wheels and has really taken to the big wheel. When he gets on the little bike I look at him and the baby is really gone.



I am still in disbelief that 18 months has gone by so fast.

Wordless Wednesday

We are building a patio and had 4 yards of sand dumped in our drive way. As you can see Nicolo was in heaven.






Just in on the fun over at Wordless Wednesday.

Notte di notte

New Do

Since I mentioned that I chopped off all my hair a few people asked to see my new "summer" do. I like that it takes no time to blow-dry. I've got 2 kids and a husband to get out the door by 7:00 am, my time is no longer in existence. So with a 5 min. hair-do at least I will get it brushed before I leave.



My little guy also has a little trim of the bangs. Can you tell I did it, they are a little bit uneven.

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!

Wordless Wednesday

Just in on the fun over at Wordless Wednesday!

Best Shot Monday: any day now.

Any day now this one is going to take off and walk. In less than a month he is going to be a year old. Where did the time go?







I couldn't pick just one for my Best Shot so you get them all. Head on over to Tracy's at Mother May I for more Best Shot Monday captures.