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.

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!

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!

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

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!

Wordless Wednesday

Just in on the fun over at Wordless Wednesday

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.