Here we are again..another addition of freeing my mind and saying all those things I could of not possibly EVER done!!!

Never would I have let Nico once again have a cookie when he didn't finish his dinner and barely ate his lunch, no NOT ME!

No way could I have stayed in my jammies all last week because why get dressed when this is my final week off......

I couldn't have possibly not decorated the back of the tree that is up against the wall because who is gonna see it.........(I guess all my friends that come over, now :)

Could it be?? No way am I blogging at work when I have been here since 10/17 and have too much stuff to catch up on...no way, not me!!!

And finally, no way did Nico get the Goldfish bag and spill it all over the train table and no way could I have walked away thinking the dog will get it..........no not me, I certainly got the sweeper out immediately!!!

Happy Monday!!

Until next time.........

My friend Jennifer, got this idea of putting down at least 10 things I am grateful for and I think it's a wonderful idea!! So here goes my list:

1. Of course the obvious, I am grateful for my wonderful husband who has been through a lot this year and really stepped up when some would of walked away.

2. I am so grateful for my son who is the highlight of my day and amazes me continuously.

3. My parents who love me unconditionally, even if I am a pain in my Mom's butt sometimes :)

4. To my siblings and siblings-in-laws, who even though we might not always see eye-to-eye, you guys are important to who I am.

5. For my best friend, who believe or not has put up with me for the past 17 years and our true friendship began with a door slam I am so grateful for!

6. To my dishwasher who if I could hug, I would!

7. To all my other friends and family, I am so grateful you are in my lives and for being there when we needed you the most.

8. To my surgeon who could of butchered my hair not once but twice, but didn't, oh and who saved my life....

9. Caribou Coffee's, Passion Fruit Green Tea smoothie.......or Panera's Black Chai Tea Latte...YUMMY!

10. For all my nieces and nephews, all of you are special to me.....that means you too Kait and Kourt.

11. To my puppy, Athena...you shed to much but what would I do without you??

12. For Pampers Diapers....gosh I love these, and have NEVER leaked on me...even on a 4 hour car ride!!!

14. Sweetarts, oh how I love my sweetarts especially the one's Eric always seems to know when I need them!

15. OK, this list is getting long so I'll rap it up but to my Doctor's, especially you Kiki who even though my file is embarrassingly thick I am certainly thankful that all that put up with my complaining and hopefully with the next year approaching quickly, seeing you monthly is a thing of the past!!!

Thanks Jennifer, this definitely helped me remember who and what is important in my life, and I think we all should make lists like this to keep us in check. Life is way to short to not enjoy everyone and everything in it, I definitely have learned that this past year.

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I thought in the spirit of Thanksgiving and before I run around to the three different places today that I would wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving!! Which got me thinking about how many things I am thankful for...

I am thankful for my husband, who has been wonderful this past year and never really complained about having to take care of me when I couldn't take care of myself.

I am especially thankful for my son, Nico, who I love and adore more than life itself and who continues to amaze me everyday.

I am also thankful for my family and friends who have stuck with me through this past year and have supported me through the good and the bad.

Last, but certainly not least I am thankful to God who has allowed me to survive these hard times and allow me to find my problems that could have turned into a bad situation but allowed me to realize that life is hard but fortunately I am still here.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Hope everyone enjoyed their day and that everyone takes a moment to be thankful for all the wonderful things in their lives.

Until next time!!!

A MYSTERY IN OUR HOUSE??

WHO COULD OF POSSIBLY MADE THIS MESS??

THE SUSPECTS:

MOMMY, ME?? COMME ON.....I DIDN'T DO IT!!!

NICO SAYS, ATHENA DID IT??

WHAT DO YOU THINK???

Mommy and Daddy think, some two year old not naming names wasn't sleeping when he was suppose too and this picture hasn't been the worst.....Before ever single piece of clothing was out from his dresser, the clean diapers were placed in the dirty diaper pail and all of his dirty clothes were mixed with clean ones....lets not forget the slider chair and the cushions and stool were misplaced.....I am not saying any names but I am guess the dog hasn't yet learned in her almost 9 years how to open drawers, but weirder things have happened...........

Until Nico's next adventure...or mess........

More time...

It is sad to say it that now that I am getting back to my normal self, I can't believe how much stuff can get backlogged in just 5 weeks. From toilet scrubbing to dog hair bunnies, it is never ending and not that Bry didn't try his best he was wonderful but now I look around and think......WERE DO I EVEN WANT TO BEGIN??? Actually I just want to walk out of the house and walk back in hoping it'll all be clean again. I guess the drugs are wearing off and reality is starting to set in that sitting on my butt for 4 weeks was really not fun and even worse now that I see how much I have to do and so little time I have to do it in!!! I know as people have always told me, "Don't sweat the small stuff", it's easier said then done. And poor Nico is so confused with Mommy and Daddy home all day for 5 weeks and tomorrow Bry is back at it and I go back on the 1st, I am sure he is definitely going to act out as any 2 year old would with so many changes in their routine as he had this past year. OK, I guess I should stop venting.......it's just dirt and as my Mom always told me..."God made dirt, and dirt don't hurt".......why I just thought of that, who knows!!!! I am crazy...

On a lighter note, I have found a really fun place to take Nico. My friend Kelly called the other day and asked us to go to Story time at the Plain Twp Public Library and although we didn't make it on time, Nico had so much fun in their Kids Area. Plus we got some new books to read, and even one that had pictures of Athena in it....we'll not really Athena, but he doesn't know that. He loves just to look at the picture and say "Mommy, Athena, Athena...see Athena??" It's too cute. He started saying sentences the day after my surgery, his very first sentence was after seeing my car...."I want my Mommy". When my Mom told me that I cried, I was excited that finally after months of waiting for words he was finally saying them in a sentence but in such a way that made me so emotional....I blame it on the drugs...LOL! So this weeks words are, Mommy or Namma, "What this?".....I guess it's better than "Why?", right???

Well better get to bed, my head is pounding and Nico got up early this morning so I better catch up on my beauty sleep.........I definitely need lots of that, LOL!

Until next time...........

I am back!!! Well we will see what the doctor says today, but hopefully he'll give me good news that I can pick up Nico again after 4 LONG weeks!!! Well here is another try at "Not Me Monday"....hope you enjoy!!

Even though I had brain surgery 4 weeks ago, I couldn't have possibly not gotten off the couch, showered or changed my pj's for 2 days in a row and just never left the couch for those days.....NO NOT ME!!

Nico couldn't have possibly worn his jammies all day and then Daddy was to lazy to change them and let him wear them one more night....NOT NOT US!!!

I couldn't have have let Nico just cry his little eyes out bc, Mommy it's not fair I have to go to bed at 10PM..............and then he feel asleep on the floor and we just let him go, no not us or the next night when he slept on the slider cushion...we couldn't possibly!!!

Well I know there's been more, but time has gotten away from me and maybe I need to start writing this stuff down......

Until next time!!!

Two year old's and bedtime...............

Well in Nico's world it's been a tough week. It began on Sunday afternoon when Daddy tried to put Nico to bed in his pack-n-play because that's the only place that he would sleep, but then it happened....he figured out how to crawl out of his pack-n-play, and it was on. First, Daddy thought ok if he doesn't want to be in his pack-n-play then we'll revert back to his big bed.....let me tell you that was a joke, he screamed, he yelled, he cried, and he even got the safety ball of the door handle that even I have a problem with. Then he was free..........well he thought he was free until Daddy caught him and then it was back to the repeat of the above and it was to the point of Daddy saying I guess no nap....but then oh my gosh, it was bedtime!!!! So here we are again not being able to put in his pack-n-play and he was extremely tired without a nap we thought this would be a snap............boy were we wrong. Daddy fought with him in his big bed, that didn't work, and then it was laying on the floor with Nico trying to have him fall asleep....we'll two hours later it ended up Daddy let him cry and after checking on him after two hours of quiet.......guess where he slept all night??? In his big bed with his blanket Daddy left on the floor for him. So not only did he climb on his bed, he grabbed his blanket on the way to bed and slept until about 5 am. Which wasn't what Daddy wanted, but now it's worked out to he sleeps in his big bed and is getting up later and later, today it was 7ish!!! And he started taking naps in his room so even though on Sunday we thought everything was lost and we were going to loose our minds, it worked out and hopefully we don't have to go through this again.........but now we are onto potty training.............please pray for us!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!

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

I AM WELL SORT OF BACK.............

I know it's so hard to believe but finally, I am semi and I do mean semi back to normal....although it's been a tough week and half, I am starting to at least be able to sit at the computer desk for a short amount of time!!! So as most everyone knows surgery went well, and although I only expected to be in the hospital for 2 days, I actually ended up there for 4 and not because there was complications, I think they wanted to get my pain under control. Which was nice that they had me on a pain pump but was awful because if I feel asleep and didn't push the button every 10 mins or so I paid for it for hours.....but all in all the nurses were wonderful and everyone tried to help as much as they could. I thank those who came to visit me, and for those who couldn't I knew you were there in spirit which means the world to me. You know you learn who your true friends are in situations like this, and I appreciate and love each one of you.

But back to my recovery, it's been a slow process and the hardest part is not being able to hold Nico...bc what two year old wants to just sit there?? Not being able to play with Nico, not being able to pick him up when he whines for me, not putting him to bed or all the little simple things we take advantage of everyday. But Bryan has been awesome and has been taking very good care of us! So hopefully by the 17th when I follow up with the surgeon, things will become easier and easier and this stupid pain medicine that makes me loopy will be a thing of the past!!! Let's just all pray that my migraines are gone and my numbness and all this "stuff" will be finally a thing of the past!!!!

Until next time...........

SIGNING OFF....

So this is my last post for probably a couple of weeks, as most of you know I am going for my second brain surgery in a year on Friday. Which is kind of ironic because up until Nico was born via c-section in October 2006, I had not been in a hospital since I was probably 5 years old ....umm, oh yeah there was the military hospital incident that I try to forget....and then it seems that I turned 30 and went down the tubes. It's been a frustrating year, but I guess in some ways I should say it's been a blessing because I am still here and God had choosen a different path for me that has made everyone around me only stronger and taught me that in rough times, who is really important to me. So even though I am being strong for my son, who thankfully is only 2 years old and will never remember any of this but also for Bryan who for some reason puts up with my crap for last 13 years and continues to even though these hard times. And for my family and friends who have been there through the good and the bad, and keep being here for me I thank you more than words can ever say.

So, not that Nico won't keep having adventures these next couple of weeks and funny stories but know I'll be back bugging all of you before you know it and you'll have to hear whether you want to or not, another Nico adventure.....the true story of Nico teaching us what life is all about!!

Thank all of you in advance for your thoughts and prayers and for now I am signing off.....

Love and peace,

So this is my second "Not Me!" Monday and probably my last for quite awhile, but with the week I have had and the week I am going to have, I just have to for some laughs because we all know I could use some laughs right now.

I never could of have almost dropped Nico when I thought I broke my back picking him up and then crawled to the phone for help and he thought now it was a game Mommy and him were playing and then let him run around in the buff until Gma came to help.

I most certainly didn't give Nico fruit snacks at 4 am because he was up crying and begging for fruit snacks and then gave him another pack at breakfast because I was certainly not to tired to argue.

No way did I turn on cartoons and let him run around at 4 am and catch him 2 inches from the tv screen and thought I don't have the energy to fight with him today.

I surely didn't think I'll do last week laundry on Sunday and then only one load because I had no "under" stuff to wear and leave another load in the washer to be washed again tonight.

I never could of not made dinner again because there is something in the fridge and darnnet I am not the cook and the maid.

And I certainly would of never walked out of the house with Nico in his diaper only because he was fighting me to put clothes on and wasn't feeling good. NO not me!

Now I feel better, now if only this works for times that I have coming up....I'll just have to start writing them down and when I can get to a computer in a couple of weeks I'll have to make up for those weeks missed! Happy "Not Me" Monday!!!

Until next time......

Chuck E Cheese

I have to say I was a little disappointed in Chuck E Cheese last night....let me start from the beginning. I have been wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese for a while, but wasn't sure if Nico was old enough and if it would be crowded, but finally I gave in and we went last night for Nico's birthday. Not that Pump It Up wasn't enough..what can I say, I spoil my child I know. But not only was it pretty crowded, Nico was still to little to do much but the kiddie rides and we ended up with 25 or tokens left on our card and we started with 40. Although we all know the terrible 2's are here, he just wouldn't cooperate or understand that he had to eat before he could play, he couldn't just push people out of the way because he wanted to see or do and lets not forget the meltdown because Mommy made him sit and finish eating....finally we off and playing, Nico finished eating what little Nico usually eats and then it was trying to find what was fun to play, and I had been there a few times with Kait and Kourt, but it seems like they changed a lot of the games and the small area for little kids, was not that fun. Then he had to go up the ladder to the tubes, car and slide but even though he is pretty tall, he wasn't tall enough so off was Mommy to chase after him and I don't know if I'll ever let him up there again, it was pretty nasty with candy wrappers, something spilled and dried on...don't want to know what that was along with the fact that the older kids were not accommodating at all, and I understand that they didn't want to wait on a 2 year old plus his crazy Mommy, but have a little patience as I am sure I would have it were them. After finally getting him down and it was time to leave he did get a few stickers and a tiny Frisbee, but I have to say this is one place I probably won't go back to again, the food was expensive and just OK and the games are not really accommodating for a 2 year old. At least until I forget, and he is begging me to go back......what can I say, I am sure in 5 or so years I'll forget all about it!!!

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

The poll results are.........

I know everyone was patiently waiting for what exactly happened the first night of Nico sleeping in his big bed!! The majority was right, Nico cried for about 15 minutes and then finally fell asleep and slept through the night, only to have me find him in the closet when the sun shined in his room. He has been sleeping at night in his bed, no crying ever since but when that sun shines he's up and ready to go!! Nap time is another story, he won't stay in bed and thinks he can pull out all his clothes and shoes, and anything else he can his little curious hands on! So until we do something to make the room dark or we can rationalize with him, he'll be sleeping in his Pack-n-Play...but hopefully that will be a thing of the past very soon.

Thanks for all who voted!!

Until Nico's next adventure......Chuck E Cheese!!!

THE PARTY OF THE YEAR!!!

Mommy & Me

Wheeeeeeeee!!!!

Comme Chay, we can make it over this mountain!!!

I know everyone has been waiting so patiently for the adventures of Nico's party...so here it is!! Nico had so much fun with his friends and family, he jumped, slid down the slides, did the obstacle course and ran around laughing and carrying on! And if wasn't enough, he got his Lightning McQueen cake that had a car for him to take home and now he won't let out of his sight...we'll until he dropped it in his sleep and Mommy hasn't climbed under his new bed yet to find it....I know I am such a bad Mommy, and he absolutely has no other cars to play with!!!

Overall it was a great day and Nico had a blast and was soooo tired when we got home and went straight to bed for a nap. Thanks to everyone who came, he loved all his new toys and clothes!!! Now only 359 more days until the next party of the year.....NICO'S 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!!

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

I found this website from my friend Jennifer's blog and I thought this would be therapeutic and fun for my readers!! So here goes my first official "Not Me Monday".....

I certainly didn't give into feeding Nico chips before dinner just because he was begging at the pantry door and I was trying to deal with Athena and make dinner. And then hand him a second helping because he flashed those beautiful blues at me....

I couldn't have possibly opened another can of spaghetti O's because that's the only thing he would eat for dinner and then give him more chips because he asked so nicely....

It's not possible that we never got out of our pj's all day Sunday and then I continued to watch the clock to wait for bath time and then put him more pj's that were last years Christmas jammies...

No way, did I leave the playroom a mess and think why should I have to clean it up?? I didn't make it that way........or allow Nico to play playdough on his art desk and walk away because I really didn't care if he got it all over the carpet.

It's not possible that I left a load a laundry in the dryer to get wrinkled and then think maybe I should re-wash those to get the wrinkles, and then just figured what the heck everyone wears wrinkled clothes these day.....plus they have to feel sorry for me bc I have a 2 year old!!

I would of never skipped dinner and then ate potato chips and pretzels for my dinner....maybe that's where he gets his chips obession...no it can't be possible!

And finally, No way did I EVER decide to not make dinner for Bryan because I wanted to watch my taped DVR stuff and might do that again tonight :)

Geez, that was fun!!! Now I definitely feel better :)

BIG BOY BEDS.....

What's going on Daddy??

No more cribs!!!

Umm, not sure about this Mommy!!!

Nico's New Big Boy Bed!!!

So it's official, Nico has turned 2 today and become a big boy, sleeping in his big boy bed!!! Gma Beth and Gpa Tim brought over his super duper big boy bed that Gpa Tim made, and it's beautiful!!! He was too cute, we sat him on it and he didn't know what to do he just kind of stood there looking at us with those beautiful blues, thinking seriously or whatever a 2 year thinks when you put him in his big bed for the first time. Then he didn't like the pillow we got him, and he especially didn't like the fact that Mommy and Daddy wanted him to stay in bed. So after taking a few pictures and putting the room back together, it was time for bed. We all gave him a kiss and told him we loved him, and then it was kicking and screaming for about what seemed like a lifetime, but was only about 15 mins....Mommy was stressed out because the pillow was over his head, then the blanket, then the cars went overboard with a bang...until that moment when finally he found his thumb and pushed the pillow away to fall asleep sideways and he has been asleep for over an hour, so let's all just pray tonight that he sleeps through the night and wakes up in the morning wanting to do it all over again! Thankfully to our good friends Kelly and Chane, they allowed us to borrow their video monitor so we can watch him and know what's going on!!! Not that I am going out to buy one, but now I kind of wish that we would of had that when Nico was little, definitely would of saved many nights of waking the poor little guy up!! It's so hard to think of Nico as a toddler, but he definitely has grown into a little independent little prince!!!

Wish us luck....until Nico's next adventure...the party of the year!!!!

The adventure begins...........

The adventure begins in our house, with not only Nico turning 2 on Wednesday but we took his crib down yesterday! It almost made me want to cry because it made me realize he is not a baby anymore!!! His bed is not quite ready until Wednesday, but Gpa Tim needed the box springs to finish it up, so us as naive parents that we are, we thought we'll just put his mattress on the floor and I am sure he'll take a nap in his bed.........LOL!! Let me tell you he got the last laugh, not us. So after finding him in the closet, not once but twice it was time to get the pack-n-play out. Which he hasn't slept in since our trip to NC in June, but man has he grown he is pretty much as long as the bed. I swear he is going to taller than me before he is 5, but we'll see on Thursday how tall he really is! What was funny though is that we put the pieces in our computer room and he went in there a couple of times, touching, looking and I think wondering what the heck was going on! Poor little guy is probably thinking he is moving out...LOL!!! So the next week or so should be VERY interesting in our house, trying to keep a 2 year old in his bed so please say a prayer that we make it through without to many tears and I am betting Nico will end up sleeping on the floor at some point!!!

Until our next adventure.....

I'll post pictures once we have the room set up and things settle down.

MILESTONES.....

NICO TURNING 2 AND OUR 100TH POST!!!!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY NICO!!!

Dearest Nico,

It seems like just yesterday Mommy and Daddy were trying to figure out what to name you and that you were going to stay in your little hot tub FOREVER, but now here we are 2 years later and you are not that little baby anymore!!

To us this is the best time of our lives to be able to communicate, play and show you and see the world through your eyes. Eyes that are innocent and amazed by every aspect of life that Mommy and Daddy just let pass by. This past year has been especially special to me because of all the heartache and worries we have gone through, but you have given us hope and shown us that no matter how hard things get, smiling, laughing and melting us with those beautiful blue eyes that everything is and will be ok.

So on October 1st, we celebrate the most important day of our life, the day Nico was born and we celebrate all of the accomplishments of this past year. Looking back at your photo show in review and reading past blogs, it's amazing to me how much you have changed. You have started talking, walking or running, gotten most of your teeth, grown about what Mommy thinks is a foot, developing the personality and orneriness any Mommy would want, and continually learning new things and new experiences that amaze us everyday.

So when we think of you, Nico, we think of this little guy who melts anyone's heart that loves him and we think of cars and the wonderment of his wheels turning in his head trying to figure out how a new toy or anything that he gets in his hands works. And anyone who knows us knows he is a passive, loving, caring little man who will only continue to melt your heart into giving him whatever he wants!!

Happy Birthday Nicolas Aaron, our one and only spoiled rotten child, who we love more than anything in this world!!!

We love you very much!!!
Mommy & Daddy

Seasons

Can anyone believe that the summer has left us and fall is upon us? I didn't realize today was the first day of fall until I logged onto my computer and then I thought, where did the summer go? All the fun things we did this summer, putting up a swing set, zoo trips, airplane rides, farms we went too, playing outside until dark, sidewalk chalk, riding the lawn mower and 4-wheeler. How much fun Nico had this year and how much we had with Nico!! He is at an age where everything is new, exciting, and funny and it is amazing to watch his eyes grow every time he sees something new!!! From Uh-oh choo-choo trains to wheee down the slide to trying to blow bubbles and flinging them all over Mommy. These are the moments I cherish because I know before I know it, it'll be Mom I wanna go to my friends or Mom no I don't want to hang out with you, you embarrass me....Can you imagine me embarrassing Nico?? I guess those moments when I have my pink shorts on and tank top on walking around the neighborhood and everyone wondering what happened to that crazy lady?? OK, maybe it's time to throw those out, but some clothes are like old friends.....LOL!

So now it's on to long pants and shirts, coats, gloves and hats and thinking is it really worth bundling him up for 20 minutes to go play outside for the 10 minutes it'll still be daylight out?? But then you see his baby blues light up when he sees the snow come down for the first time this season or the leaves fall from the trees, and you think of course it was worth it! Then before you know it the sun is gone and Nico's little porcelain cheeks turn rosy, and you know it's time to come in for something warm, and you wonder where did summer go and will it ever return??

Happy Fall everyone!!

Until our next adventures..........

SWIMMING LESSON ACT II

I know everyone has been patiently waiting for the next "story" of Nico's second swimming adventures! Last night was Nico's second swimming class and I have to say I think we definitely have the next Michael Phelps's!! He was too cute, this time Mommy and Daddy got in the water with little Nico and of course Daddy had to hold the little guy, and that gave Mommy the opportunity to watch Nico's eyes and see how is wheels were turning! This class was a little bit of repetition of the last class, practicing kicking, paddling, blowing bubbles and jumping in the pool but like before he amazed me of how he could follow directions so well. We also got the kick boards out and he leaned on that kicking his little legs out! Then it was time to start jumping into Daddy's arms, he almost got it but like his impatient Mommy he wanted to jump before 3.....but he did pretty good with allowing Daddy to even dunk his head!!!! Then it was time for the instructor to put the kids underwater and swim to Daddy. Mommy of course was a little worried about dunking him for so long but he was a champ!! The instructor put him under pushing him towards Daddy and Daddy grabbing him, and when he came up he was a little star struck but then started laughing! He even held his breathe, only taking in a little water!!! All in all it was a fun night for Nico, Mom and Dad and we can't wait for the next lesson!!

Until Nico's next adventure.....

NO POWER....

Now you never realize how much we depend on electricity until you don't have it! Hopefully everyone survived Hurrican Ike that seemed to find it's way up to Ohio.....definitely a lot faster than it made landfall in Texas :) So not having electricity for almost 20 hours with an almost 2 year old has been a blast....it all started yesterday afternoon and the electric kept flickering but never went out until of course I had Nico in the tub. Then it was taking a bath by flashlight, it was as it sounds....a pain! But I guess I can be very thankful that we have city sewer and water, so that at least we can flush and drink...I guess not to words that need to be together..LOL!!! Then to Nico it was fun running around the house in the dark trying to find candles and playing with the flashlights!! Until it was finally time for bed, and at this point I am thinking ok it shouldn't be to long, right.....wrong!!! Still at 7 am still no power and getting ready without power is also soooo much fun...even now when I call home, still no power with the ETA of up to 7 days! So with food out of the freezer thanks to my Mom, it'll be off to Grandma's until the power comes on because without power eating and playing can be VERY difficult in the dark!!! I guess just another adventure in the day in the life of being Nico's Mom!!!

Hope everyone else has power and until next our next adventure or until we get power back.........

***UPDATE****AFTER 24 HOURS OF NO POWER....IT'S BACK ON!!!! I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY TO TURN EVERY LIGHT IN MY HOUSE ON IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SWIMMING CLASSES ACT I

Nico started swimming classes last Wednesday with his friend Chay at the Louisville YMCA, and how impressed I was with how different he did this time from last time we took this class. Now granted he was 6 months old at the time, but it's moments like these that it proves to us that he is getting older and smarter everyday. I got in the water with him this time, but next time the instructor who was very nice, asked for both of us to come in and interact with Nico. We sang songs, played with boats and learned how to paddle and kick, and jump off the side of the pool into Mommies arms. It was so cute as when I said, "kick, kick" Nico kicked his little heart out not going anywhere but having so much fun kicking and laughing! Then we turned him over and I told him to "paddle, paddle" and believe it or not he paddled with his hands and splashed Mommy but again was laughing and having a great time! Next, was jumping off the side of the pool and although he was a little hesitant at first, as soon as he realized I was not going to drop him he was off and jumping! We'll sort of, but a Mommy can over-exaggerate a little bit can't she?? LOL! I had no idea how Nico would react, but was definitely surprised by how big he acted and how much fun we really had. The only downer was the fact that I brought the camera but left it in my bag in the locker room......so we'll have to wait for next week for some photo opts that I know you are all patiently waiting for!!!

Until next weeks swimming adventures or until Nico does something too cute not to write about.......

"WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING......"

On a normal day I would of blogged about Nico's adventures, like his swimming classes last night, but instead I decided that being that it's 9/11 and almost the exact time Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon....I decided that it was more important to write about today and ask the question....."Where were you when the world stopped turning?"

I can tell you where I was, I was working and listening to the radio when suddenly the music stopped playing and I heard voices talking. I thought that's weird, and went to the stereo to turn it up only to hear that the Twin Towers had been hit by what I remember them saying was a helicopter. So we turned on the TV and Debbie and I sat there wondering what was going on, and all of the sudden another plane came out of no where and I remembering exactly what I said to Debbie...." That plane is going to hit the other tower" and her saying no way, and the next thing you knew it happened. Then we went across the hall to get the rest of the girls, and then four of us huddling around a 19" TV trying to see what was going on, with all the confusion and being scared wondering what the heck just happened. Trying to call Bryan to see where he was and what he had heard, and then having the realization that maybe he would be called back from inactive status to active, and that fear. Or wondering where they were going to hit next, the fear came over me so quickly thinking this was the end. Then watching the towers start to sway and saying those towers are going to fall, and before we knew it they did. Even now I get chills just thinking about it and wondering why?

So today, as we watch our TV's tonight and reflect on the last 7 years we can remember, remember those who died and those who survived and have to live with the painful memories forever. I know that I'll never forget how I felt and where I was, and that feeling of helpless will never be forgotten. We also need to stop for a minute and thank our soldiers, our police and fireman who put their lives on the line everyday for someone they never met. These people to me are very special and I am very grateful to be married to someone put in a similar situation would go into those towers and not even think twice. So today as we remember, I think Thank you to those who protect and serve us whether in our towns, counties, states or the world we do appreciate it and I ask my readers to as the song says,

"Where were you when the world stopped turning?"

Please....

Who would of thought such an easy word to me and you, would be so hard to teach a 2 year old??? Until today, he finally said it while once again Mommy asking him to say please for a drink out of the fridge and to my surprise my months and months of working with him FINALLY paid off. He said and he kept saying it as I did, I was jumping up for joy like the kid just adding 2+2 or something, but if you know Nico his words come far and few and although we are bound and determined to teach him new words everyday. Not to mention when he wants to talk he will, but he chooses when to and not too... I mean look the kid at 15 months went into the doctors office, she sneezed and he said bless you!! So we all know he can talk, but he is stubborn like his Daddy of course..LOL! So today is another accomplishment for little Nico.....he finally said PLEASE, the best word a Mommy could hear!!!

Until next time.......

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY KOURTNEY!!!

It's so hard to believe Kourt that you are 5, seems like just yesterday I was visiting you the day you came home. I remember it well as you were wearing that cute little pink outfit, and were so adorable! How times flies, and now you are turning 5!!!! You are such a sweet, funny, beautiful little girl that can always make Nico laugh! I was so proud of you at how much you have matured at the dance recital it almost made me cry that you weren't a baby anymore, but now an independent, smart little girl. You amaze me every time I see you and your smile is something that always make me smile back, no matter the day I am having.

So on Sunday, Kourtney Elizabeth we celebrate your day....a milestone in your life....turning 5!!!

Happy 5th Birthday!!

We love you,

Bryan, Kelli & Nico

Pony Ride

Nico had another exciting adventure with Gpa Tom and Gma Connie....riding the ponies! Over the weekend we went to the Great Trails Festival that had pony rides. Poor Gpa Tom though had to walk in what seemed like a lifetime to make sure little Nico didn't fall off the horse, but impressively he held on tight and balanced himself on the pony the entire time! The only time that he started to fall was when the guy was giving him the ride on his ponies had to re-adjust the saddle because he said that it was a slipperly saddle. But all in all it was another fun adventure in Nico's summertime fun!!!

Until Nico's next adventure.....

DADDY AND NICO'S BATHTIME FUN....

THE CRAZY THINGS WE DO TO ENTERTAIN A 2 YEAR OLD AT BATHTIME!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME.....

RAINY DAYS...

So finally after 2 weeks of trying to schedule Nico's pictures with our friend Jennifer, the newest up and coming photographer in the area....what does it do all day, RAIN!!! What the heck??? Got up this morning thinking oh, it's just going to rain for a while and as the weather person said...I was half asleep not sure what station I was watching....that it was going to be scattered! Ha, scattered my toshie...it's been raining all day and not a pouring down rain, but an annoying sprinkle that just won't go away!!!! Not that we don't need the rain because I don't know about everyone else's grass, but mine is brown and completely scratchy to the touch but why today?? I guess in life though if this is the worst thing that happens, then today was ok....but as in life I can still be disappointed and that I definitely am.....

So to all my friends and family who I inundate with photos of the cutest baby boy, we'll have to wait and see until hopefully in the next couple of weeks we can show off Jennifer's talent and everyone can enjoy the newest, cutest pictures of Nico.

Until next time......

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

It's hard to believe that another year has passed and now Nico is turning 2 in a month or so and it's Daddy's birthday again! I was thinking on my way to work today that not only is Bryan going to be 32 this weekend, but also that I have known him since he was 19 and I guess I knew that, but thinking about that and how much we have been through the last almost 13 years...Gosh am I that old????? :)

Starting out from working at McDonald's and then you going away a month after we started dating and believe it or not our 10 year anniversary is in a couple of months!!! Then moving to North Carolina where I knew no one and you leaving for Japan. Or buying our first house that ended up being the biggest money pit ever!!! Or how about the frustrations of owning a brand new house even.....then the biggest journey of our lives, having our one and only son who we both love and adore more than life itself. Then the brain surgery and everything that has come along with it, and that was a life changing experience for both of us but in the end as everything else has worked in the last 12 years and will continue to for the next 12.....because you know you are stuck with me :)

So as this day comes upon us, and we remiss on our lives together and celebrate your birthday I can only think of one thing.....Boy you are getting old!!!!! And that my birthday is just around the corner to be old like you.......

Happy Birthday, and we love you!!!

Kelli and Nico

Nico's Language

I was sitting here thinking about Nico and how he is changing and learning new things everyday, and it came to my mind that he really has his own language. A language that no one understands, and he in his own little mind has a conversation with himself and if he had a sibling maybe it would be their language but since he doesn't we all just look at him like...WHAT?? The funny thing is that he says something in his language looks at you and starts laughing, and continues talking and then laughs again...we all look at him like what the heck?? Everyone says it's just a matter of time that he will be talking away but if you could just hear him sometimes, you would be rolling on the ground laughing with me!! He definitely has a personality and I am sure he gets those genes from me....where all the good ones came from.....LOL!! Now don't worry though he can talk when he wants to, the other day Mom and I were driving and talking about Athena and the next thing you know he says "Athena" clear as day. Of course you ask him to say it again, he looks at you like you have three heads and he doesn't have any idea what you are talking about. I keep telling myself, he will talk when he is ready and I am sure once he starts talking he will never stop so in some ways I do encourage him to use his words, but in the back of my mind I am thinking maybe I shouldn't push it so hard :)

So the next time you see Nico and you hear "his language" and he looks at you and laugh, you'll understand it's just another crazy moment in the wonderful day and life of being Nico's Mom.

Until next time........

Nico Wins the Gold!!!!

In the spirit of the Olympics, I thought these pictures were cute on a day when Nico was being Nico....so one day when he is the next Michael Phelps we can come back to these photos and say this is where it all began....winning the Gold Medal in Mommy's heart!!!

Until next time......

Nico's Fun Weekend!!

It seems like lately that Nico's been having a lot of fun weekends and this past weekend was no different! Daddy was off so of course we had to pack everything into two days.....first Grandma Beth and Grandpa Tim took Nico to the Uniontown Festival to sugar up an almost 2 year old up properly, but to Grandpa Tim's surprise......Nico wasn't coming home, he was spending the NIGHT!!! Nico got to ride the train ride and jump on the jumpy thingy (does anyone know what those are called??) and eat a elephant ear, boy was he in heaven!!! They brought him back to their house to eat more cookies and ice cream with Grandpa Tim because apparently that's what Grandparents do.....at least that's what I am told....and then it was off to bed!!! And to Mommy's surprise he slept through the night with only getting up once. Which is good, but on the other hand only shows me that he is growing up and not needing me as much and as Bryan says I need to cut the strings..........for all those Mother's out there you know how hard it is!

Then on Sunday it was off to the Akron Zoo! I couldn't believe how nice that zoo is, even though it's not as big as the Cleveland or Toledo Zoo we went to last week. They definitely do a nice job keeping it clean and their exhibits are beautiful. The weather was perfect and the animals were out and walking around entertaining the crowds!!! Nico even got up close with the bears, we'll close to the glass....he got to pet goats again and even fed them crackers!!! All in all it was a beautiful day and the rain waited until we got home so what could we ask for more?? I would definitely recommend the Akron Zoo to anyone and if you haven't been there this year, you gotta go!!! Not to mention the neat Jelly Fish exhibit!

The summer is almost gone, but I am sure Nico will continue to have more adventures....so keep visiting!!!

OUR TRIP TO TOLEDO

Kevin ~n~ Nico

Nico Swimming...

Nico and the goat...

Aunt Melissa

Another picture Mommy????

Last weekend Nico had another adventure, visiting his Aunt Melissa in Oregon, Ohio. It's amazing to me all the places this little man has been in his 22 months of life...plane rides, through the mountains, to North Carolina multiple times and now to western Ohio....I can't imagine Bryan or I did so much in such a short time of our lives, it must be good to be Nico!!!

Anyways, he was such a good boy driving up watching his Cars DVD, yet again, and looking through his bucket of cars....Until finally we arrived to see Aunt Melissa and meet Kevin's parents who very nice and had lunch ready for us before we off to the Toledo Zoo which was only about 20 minutes away. We got to the Zoo to see lions, tigers and bears.....or something like that. Actually it is a very nice zoo, with a lot of exhibits and even a Fisher Price petting zoo that Nico got to pet a few goats which he was very nice too ( I was a little nervous after the bunny incident). Then we were off to the aquarium where he loved watching the fish and other creatures in the tank, and by then it was almost dinnertime so we left to go to a restaurant that is famous for their hot dogs in Toledo called Tony Packo's. There is signed hot dog buns all over the restaurant of famous people, such as Bill and Hillary Clinton and many more (don't worry they were lacquered or something so they weren't moldy!!) It was a really neat place, and Nico got mini-corn dogs, which he devoured!!!

Then it was off to Nico's first hotel experience, which surprising he was so good. He ran around the room like he owned the place!! He had to open all the doors and drawers, and even took a shower like a big boy!!! He thought he was king of the place!!! About 9 o'clock he crashed and we put him in his pack -n- play to have him fuss for a few minutes only to fall asleep for the night and even though he threw a few things from the sink he was up against, he was a really good boy that surprised both Mom and I!!!

Sunday Morning we were off again to walk the Boardwalk at Lake Erie and Nico had a great time looking at the deer and running around, but he wasn't too sure about the sand on his feet at first. Even though he loves the sand at Grandma Decker's I think the different texture on his little feet, he wasn't gonna have anything to do with it but we got his feet in his the water and he was splashing away having a great time!! All in all it was a great day with beautiful weather and great company!!! I sure know Nico had a great time because when I put him to bed last night, not a peep out of him until he got up this morning with Daddy at 8:45am!!!

Until our next adventure....

EMBARRASSED...

I have to admit that I am kind of embarrassed because I just looked at the ticker at the top of my page that I just updated when I changed my background this week and noticed that I inputted that my son is 1 year 6 months and 3 days old......obviously I don't know when he was born even though I was in labor with him for 13 hours and cried to the doctor for 3 weeks begging him to take him 3 weeks prior and then having him say I guess you were right when he was almost 9 pounds......if I could of gotten up and smacked him, I think I might have.....but anyway....I updated his age and I have to say to my little man, I am sorry and Mommy does know that today you are 1 year and 10 months old.....only 2 more months until you are 2, Gosh!!!

Where did the time go??? I guess I'll have to cherish the last two months of your 1's and even though your terrible 2's have already begun...I'll pretend that they haven't and that you are going to stay little forever....OK, I'll wake up now!!!

Until next time.....

NICO'S 2ND BIRTHDAY BASH!!!!

Here's the details for everyone to put on their calendars with invites to follow:

Where: Pump It Up

When: October 4th, 2008

Time: 1PM-3PM

I know Nico had so much fun at Kait's party a couple of weeks ago and he can't wait to play with all his friends at his party!!!

LET'S GO AGAIN MOMMY....

THE BIG SLIDE.....

TUMBLE......

HAPPY B-DAY KAIT!!!

PUMP IT UP....

NICO HAD SO MUCH FUN AT KAITLYN'S PUMP IT UP BIRTHDAY PARTY ON SATURDAY THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY HAVING HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY THERE THIS YEAR. HE PLAYED AND PLAYED UNTIL HIS LITTLE LEGS AND MOMMY, COULDN'T PLAY NO MORE!!! IT STARTED OUT IN THE FIRST ROOM WHERE THE SLIDE LADDER WAS STRAIGHT UP AND I HAD TO PUSH HIM UP IT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO GET MYSELF UP WHILE TRYING NOT TO FALL....AND I AM THINKING I AM GETTING TO OLD FOR THIS CRAP....BUT I A MADE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND NICO TUMBLED DOWN, AGAIN AND AGAIN LAUGHING AND SMILING WHICH DEFINITELY MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE, AND I DEFINITELY HAVE TO THANK ALL THE KIDS FOR BEING SO PATIENT WITH LITTLE NICO BECAUSE THEY WAITED WHILE HE CLIMBED OVER EVERYTHING AND EVEN AT ONE POINT THEY CLOSED DOWN THE BIG SLIDE WHILE HE TOOK HIS TIME GOING UP TRYING TO BE A BIG BOY AND CLIMBED ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP WITH KAIT'S HELP AND TUMBLED ALL THE WAY DOWN THE SLIDE, BUT AT FIRST HE WAS UNSURE OF HIMSELF UNTIL WE ALL CLAPPED AND THEN HE GOT THE BIGGEST SMILE ON HIS FACE!!! ALL IN ALL IT AS A GREAT DAY, AND HE WAS SO EXCITED TO BE THERE AND PLAYED WITH THE KIDS AND ME, PLUS JAMES AND SCOTT AND KIM. SO THANKS TO TERRI, JAMES, SCOTT, KIM AND EVERYONE WHO WAS SO PATIENT WITH THE LITTLE GUY, CUZ IF HE COULD TELL YOU HE HAD A GREAT TIME HE WOULD OF!!!

AND WELL SEE ALL OF YOU IN A COUPLE MONTHS AT NICO'S PARTY SO YOU CAN ALL HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES I DID AND FEEL OLD LIKE ME....LOL!!!

UNTIL NICO'S NEXT ADVENTURES......

Barber Gene & Nico

NICO'S 1ST HAIR CUT

Today Daddy and Nico went to the Barber Shop for his first hair cut. To Mommy's surprise Nico waited patiently and the other customers wanted to entertain him....but who wouldn't want too??? So as they waited Nico made new friends and even made a dollar that he stuffed in his pocket, and then finally it was his turn!!! So like a big boy, Daddy put him up in the chair and Barber Gene wrapped the paper around his neck (twice) and put the smock around him and started trimming his little locks of hair. And to all of our surprise he sat their like a little angel only moving his head side to side to see what was going on in the Barber Shop, never crying or fussing. Barber Gene said he was the best little guy he has had in a long time and before Nico knew it he was all done and Barber Gene gave him a few suckers and Daddy and him went to the Gas Station to get a slushy for being so good. I guess Nico can be the Angel everyone says he is when he wants to be.....

Until his next adventure......water fun!!!