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.

Road Trip

Can you believe we are actually going to take a toddler and an infant on a 12 hour road trip?

If you can't, you are wrong.

We have a important family function to attend that happens to be 12 hours away, so we have to go. Yes, a plane ride would be easier and only an hour ride but who can afford that. Can you imagine the cost to have 4 people fly for a one hour ride. If I had money to burn, that would be a different story, but I don't.

I know, I know we will be burning a pretty penny in gas. We did the calculations and it is pretty steep, not as steep as airline tickets, so on the road we go.

So we are going to try and leave while the little angels are sleeping, we have the in car DVD(Thank God for Toy Story and Cars), and I even mapped out strategic stops.

Who thinks it will all go smoothly?

Who thinks I will return with a full head of gray hair?

We shall see. I will definitely let you know how it goes.

I will also be grateful for any advice or tips on traveling in a car with a toddler and infant, extremely grateful.

Wordless Wednesday

My beautiful niece!

Just in on the fun over at Wordless Wednesday

Best Shot Monday

My newest creation, not to shabby!

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

Photo Challenge: the gory details

Andrea over at Shutter Sisters wants to hear all about the gory details that lead up to a great shot. This picture is one of my favorite but was not come upon easy.

Every year (being only 2 now) I want to take a picture for the Christmas cards. Francesco was not in the mood, not cooperative and just downright impossible and I only had one day left to get it down and sent out. Prior to leaving for work and daycare I tried to get a few shot in the house, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. So as we are leaving at 6:40 in the morning the cars are running with the headlights on. He is trying to get down the front steps on his own (he won't let you help him) as I snap as many pictures as I can. He wouldn't stand still for nothing. I was so frustrated until I got to work and looked at what I had.

I was surprised to find this one.

I know you can't see his face but I captured his best feature, those gorgeous cheeks, everyone always comments on his big pinch-able cheeks. I also like the way the light is hitting. My husband doesn't understand why I like this picture since he isn't even looking at the camera (he just doesn't get it)

Crafty

I promised my niece I would post about our terrarium building. I was inspired by Creative Thoughts by Chelle .

We had a ton of fun shopping for the supplies and then getting out hands dirty. I also got out my box of knick knacks so she could choose some figurines. In the end she decided she wanted to take the big one home. She did a great job and when I look at mine I remember her visit.

Thanks Chelle for an awesome idea, you rock!

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!