Adventures on a plane with Nico....

So I know you all were waiting patiently for my adventures on our plane trip to NC last weekend and this is all I have to say....

WHAT PART OF I WILL NEVER GO THROUGH ATLANTA AIRPORT AGAIN DID I FORGET FROM OUR LAST TRIP.....

Yes, yet again we got delayed by Atlanta airport a strong wind and lightning storm, but I guess at least this time it was only 10PM instead of 2AM that we finally reached our final destination. And Nico didn't cry the entire two and half hours we were on the runway and the hour and half we were actually in the air and when they kept telling us that we were next but then only to find out we were next out of 15 other delayed planes...and if you can imagine there is a worst part, I think that was when they had to shut everything down because we needed to conserve fuel or we would have to taxi back to get more.....I am thinking SERIOUSLY??

But once again, Mommy got through another Nico adventure and one day I am sure that we will laugh about Nico's two and only adventures through Atlanta Airport and at least this time I don't think our pictures are posted for never to be allowed back on Delta like I am certain they are on AirTran....

Until Next time.......

Prayer Request

To all my family and friends who read my blog, please say a little prayer tonight for Nicolas' Aunt Adriane and Uncle Kenny, and his family as Uncle Kenny's Gma passed away today. It is a hard time for them, but I am sure with the love and support from their family and friends as well as prayers from you, they will get through this tough time.

Adriane, Kenny, Lauren and Haley,

You are in our thoughts and prayers, and may the fond memories you have with her will help you through this tough time.

Love you guys,
Bryan, Kelli and Nico

AIRPLANE ADVENTURES...

OK, to all my readers I have a little favor to ask....please, please say a prayer for me that in 3 days when we board another plane to visit Nico's Gma Arlene that he is a good boy and we don't have another AirTran incident....This time I have more confidence because we are on Delta, but Atlanta airport scares me because they pretty much close for anything......so on Thursday morning, please think of us and say a little prayer we make it without incident :)

Until we return.....with another Nico adventure.....

CONVERSATIONS WITH AN ALMOST 2 YEAR OLD....

So last night I was watching Nico play on his swing set and started to think about conversations I have had with him earlier in the day and thought I bet my readers would find them comical as sometimes I just look at him and think, what??? So this is how it went...

Mommy: "Nico comme lets go play outside"

Nico: Looks around and runs for the garage door

Mommy: "Hold Mommy's hand while we go down the steps"

Nico: "Why?"

Mommy: "Because I don't want you to fall"

Nico: "Why?"

Mommy: "Just because I said so"

Nico: "What?"

Mommy: "What do you mean what, because I said so"

Nico: Runs to the nearest toy, sidewalk, lawnmower whatever he can find that he has to have...

Mommy: "Comme Nico let's go play on the swing set"

Nico: "Why?"

Mommy: "Because it's fun, let's go slide"

Nico: "Why?"

Mommy: " Let's just go, Nico"

Nico: Runs for the backyard, stopping at every plant or thing that moves or if an airplane flys over we have to stop and look...

5-10 mins later.....

Mommy: "Be careful on the steps"

Nico: "Why?"

Mommy: "Because I don't want you to fall"

Nico: "Why?"

OK, OK I think you get the hint....now I only blame Daddy for this because he is the one that taught him "why" and it's funny because now every time he does it (daily) everyone who knew Bryan has a child says Nico acts just like Daddy did when he was that age. I think it drives G-Gma Decker batty the most because not only is she going through it with Nico, but 30 years ago she went through it with Daddy....it's like she is stuck in the twilight zone!!!!

Yes, Nico says other words...when he wants to but the "why" stage cracks me up and honestly can be quite frustrating at times but then I remember that I guess his curiosity makes him who he is and one day when he is a doctor, engineer or lawyer asking why is probably what will make him achieve only great things in his life!!!

Until Nico's next adventure.....

THE SWING SET IS DONE!!!!

I know everyone has been on the edge of their seats waiting for Nico's swing set to be done and I can say finally, it's done!!! I'll have pictures to put up tonight, but after 6 days of piecing together the million pieces it came with...IT'S DONE!!! And the best part has been seeing Nico's face and seeing how big he has gotten to want to do everything on his own....from climbing up the ladder to going down the slide frontwards or backwards and even trying to go head first if Mommy would let him...I swear this kid is such a daredevil!!!! If I would let him jump from the top step to the ground just to see if he could make it, he would!!! Now all we need is to get a baby swing and he'll be off climbing, sliding and swinging his summer away! Now it time to invite his friends over and it'll be all complete for a summer of sun and fun!!!

Until Nico's next adventure......

IT'S STARTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE A......

SWING SET.....

DAY 4......

Today Nico got to climb the stairs, play in the fort, slide down the slide front and backwards, and think he was helping Daddy and Grandpa. Now is the fun part because finally it's starting to look like a swing set!! Nico had so much fun tonight, running around the backyard and climbing and re-climbing on the stairs so he can go down the slide just one more time. We also found out the little booger is quite the climber up the slide!!! Another couple of hours and I think Nico will be climbing, sliding and swinging all the rest of the summer, and inviting all his friends over to come play!!!

Until the final pictures of the swing set adventures......

TOUCHED MY HEART....

I know lately, I have been blogging a lot because as most Summer's we have had a lot going on, but today while celebrating Father's Day I innocently sat down for a minute to read the Canton Repository only to have my heart touched by a story that I read. You see as all my readers know this last year I luckily by the grace of God had a brain aneurysm that was mistakenly found. To me what made this article so special was the fact that unfortunately, the newly single Dad featured in this story, had not been so lucky with his wife. They had the world going for them, good jobs, a beautiful family, a loving marriage until that dreadful day she wasn't as lucky as I was and her aneurysm burst only to have her last communications in the back of an ambulance and have her entire families heart and souls rocked to the core, never to be the same....without out their daughter, mother or wife how would they move on.

So on this Father's Day, I thought even though it wasn't my time and I have in a sense been given a second chance about how lucky I am to still have the opportunity to see my son grow up, my marriage to continue grow and get stronger and watch my family and friends grow old together, and that my husband and son don't have to do as that Father does every single day wonder why. Maybe I am being emotional because that's who I am or because she was 29 with a daughter under 2 years old at the time, or maybe it's just because I could relate in a way but whatever way with tears in my eyes, I thought this is definitely the second chance she would of given anything for and it is my time to take that second chance for what it is, a miracle.

And it's funny, as when the surgery was over and the surgeon said everything looks good and that before we know it I'll be back to my old self again, but I truly never have been. In the last couple of months I have looked at life like I am not taking anyone's crap anymore and I am going to do what's best for me and my family, and not worry how I might hurt someone else's feelings because in the end it's not about status or who did what for who, but who was there when I needed them and for once in my life I really felt the love from so many unexpected sources and for those who I thought would be there, and weren't I have no hatred for you but I also know where we stand. So I guess most of you have heard this before from me because as my cousin Julie says comme Kelli be nice, it's not about being nice but about knowing even when you are at your lowest point, someone will always be there to pick up the pieces....whether like in this story that I read today was heart breaking or like my story, sad but unbelievably lucky we all need to know when tragedy strikes we will all pull together to be what FAMILY stands for no matter how hard it is to deal with.

So to all those father's in my life....friends, family or just anyone Happy Father's Day and please enjoy your day with your family because they are the most important thing in our lives blood relatives or not, and know to all of you that have stood by me these last couple of months I love you more than anything and am so thankful that we have more time to be together.

Happy Father's Day 2008.

Until next time.....with another swing set adventure......

Day 2 of the Swing Set Adventures.....

Day 3.....

OK, I have to fair to Bryan because he told me I was being hard on him by posting each day when in actually he only has been able to work on it during Nico's nap time which is a couple of hours tops at the most in one day. So total time so far has probably been less than 3 or 4 hours...not days :) Today was fun because we got the steps attached and almost all the boards for the tarp to go on next. It's a slow process but I am sure in the end definitely worth it to see little Nico's face when it's all done and watch him play on it.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day!!!!

Until the next step....only 27 more to go until it's all complete......

CONGRATULATIONS TO KAITLYN AND KOURTNEY!!!!

Dear Kait & Kourt,

We are so proud of your hard work this last year and how much you have accomplished!!! It's funny, Mommy and me were just talking about how Kaitie has been in dance for 6 years and I have had the pleasure of seeing you grow into such a graceful, beautiful dancer that we couldn't be prouder of!!! Who would of thought that shy little girl 6 years ago, who was shy on stage when the curtain went up would of continued on and has turned into such an enjoyment to continue to watch grow into the graceful, perfect dancer!!! And now it's Kourt's turn to shine in her sister's footsteps and how wonderful you have put you heart into being such a wonderful dancer to watch. It's hard to believe all that you have accomplished in only 2 years of dancing. I sometimes step back and can't believe how big you guys are getting and how much I have enjoyed watching you grow.

Congrats on a wonderful dance recitial and I can't wait to be at the next one so Mommy, Daddy, Gma, Gpa, Aunts, Uncles and I can be your biggest fans!!!!

Love you,

Bryan, Kelli & Nico

On a side note, for those who don't know...Kait and Kourt are my best friend, Terri's little girls who had their dance recitial last night and tonight. Here are some pictures from last night show!!!

Until next time.....

Day 1....

After patiently waiting for 4 long weeks, the swing set is FINALLY here!!! But wait, it's here in four boxes and a million pieces!!! Watch as our adventures of putting Nico's swing set together hopefully before Summer's end continue.....anyone who is willing to help, I am sure Bry would love the company....

Who would of thought a silly swing set would have so many pieces....not Daddy!!!
After working hard all day Thursday, this is what Daddy accomplished (no second story boards)...

Until tomorrow when Day 2 is posted (or whenever Mommy gets time).......

WATER FUN!!!!

Water slide time is over....boo hoo...

OK, Chay I am ready for my dance lesson!!


OK, I think I gotta it Chay!!

Over the last couple of weeks, Nico has had a lot of fun playing outside and especially playing in the water with his friends and cousins. I thought everyone might enjoy seeing the fun Nico has been having over the last couple of weeks and in a couple of weeks he'll be splashing around Aunt Andi's pool, and she'll be thinking why did I let this crazy kid stay here...J/K!!!

Hope everyone else is enjoying the nice weather....FINALLY!!!!

Until next time.....with the swing set adventures.....

I am a big boy now!!!!

BIG NEWS.....

Now I know everyone will be as excited as we are!!! We have big news in our house.....

NICO POOPED IN THE BIG POTTY!!!!!

I know it's hard to control your excitement with ours, but please try...and although I don't think he knew he did it or even tried, I will take what I can get. So even though I know he probably won't do it again for a while, I am so excited to say Nico FINALLY used the potty and hopefully we can continue down the right path of no more diapers.....I know I am dreaming......

Until Nico's next exciting news..........................

SO WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT 3:15AM THIS MORNING???

We'll I can tell you what I was doing....and that was listening little Nico talk to I am not sure who while listening the storm roll in. Not only was it talking then it was the screaming and not the crying kind of scream, but lets see if we can blow out the monitor kind of scream because it's fun....then it was more laughing, playing and when I saw 4:20am and it was quiet for a few minutes I think we might have both fallen back asleep for me to be woken up again by Athena jumping on the bed because it was lightning to Nico talking to who knows what or maybe him and Georgie were having a conversation?? Finally, at 5:15am Mommy had enough of Athena lying on her feet, Daddy snoring...AGAIN...and Nico trying out that monitor again!!!

So I got up and rocked little Nico which he laid there and sucked his thumb, played with his hair but as soon as I put him back in bed it was play time again....so finally at 5:30am Mommy gave in and we went downstairs to watch Cars again because Cartoons at that time in the morning really stink.....until it was time for breakfast. Then of course he was cranky when I left because he was TIRED...imagine that!!!!

I am sure there was a reason and it's hard to be irritated with him as one he is just a baby, but I am definitely to old and tired to be having these all nighters without any sleep and let's just all pray tonight he sleeps through the night.......a Mom can dream, right???

Until next time.....

OUR LITTLE GENIUS!!!!

Look, Nico's a genius...he can read!!!
I guess all those months and months of Mommy reading to me paid off!!!

OK, time for a break...how many books can one 20 month old read??

Thought you guys might like a look at what Nico's been up too!!! OK, I'll fess up he can't read but he is soooo tall now that he can get up on furniture all on his own and reach for his books that we have for our nightly reading sessions. I know that Bry thought I was crazy reading to him when he was only a month old, but it has really paid off because he will sit with me every night and listen to me read to him.....unless Daddy is teasing him through the hallway...I know it's hard to believe Daddy would do that!!! And even sometimes with his pile in the playroom I'll catch him reading those ones by himself (well actually just looking at the pictures) but I'll take it any way I can. Hopefully he'll love reading as much as Mommy and Daddy do one day!!!

Enjoy the pictures and I'll be posting some more from our water adventures of last week in the 100 degree heat wave we are having!!!

Until Nico's next genius move......