POLLS ARE CLOSED....

Thank you everyone who voted, hope it was fun and suspenseful for everyone!!!

So the winning number of Nike Shox that Nico has accumulated over 18 months is......drum roll please..............

6

Believe it or not, even though Aunt Adriane thought he would have at least one pair for each month he has been alive, he only has had 6. Although, as far as shoes go he has had 6 pairs of Shox, 1 pair of Nike Airs, 3 pair of boots, 2 pairs of play tennis shoes, 5 pairs of sandals and I think that's it.....I know, I know it's crazy but thanks to Chane it's an obsession now!!!!

I'll post pictures soon enough to show the proof of his 6 pairs!!!

Until next time......

WHO'S THE CUTEST 18 MONTH OLD EVER????

Mommy, Daddy........
Yea, I know I am cute.....

See Chay, this is gonna make us rich someday......

Me?? I didn't do it.......

These are photos we had taken last week for his 18 month photos. I got this idea from Jennifer to post them on my blog!! These are one's that I didn't purchase, but definitely deserve to be seen!!! Hope everyone enjoys.

Keep visiting and remember to vote, only 5 days left!!!!

OBSESSION....

As most of you know, it's my "thing" as I call it to buy little Nico shoes. Now I know it's ridiculous in most people's eyes to spend what I do on shoes for my little guy, but think of it this way....I spend on shoes what most Mom's would spend on dresses for their daughter....LOL!!!

So I encourage all my family and friends to guess how many pairs of Nike Shox little Nico has acquired in the 18 months he has been with us. It'll be interesting to see how many shoes people think an 18 month old needs....I'll give you a little hint for those who haven't seen his collection, I bought another pair tonight....

Good luck and yes thankfully for my bank account that I am only having one!!!!

PS You don't even want to know how many sandles he has.....:)

WATCH OUT, NICO'S TURNED INTO A TAPE RECORDER.....

It's funny how Nico went from saying Momma, Dadda to repeating every word you say. Which means to all my family and friends, Nico is finally a tape recorder that repeats every word you say....we'll let's just say a lot of words.

It seemed to begin with Daddy last week when he found out that why isn't the best word to teach a 1 and half year old because not that he understands the context in which to use it, he uses it just like Daddy use too. Only now instead of annoying the heck out of Grandma Decker, Nico seems to say it to Daddy and I just sit there and think "what comes around goes around" and laugh....although Bryan doesn't think it's soooo funny......

Mommy got it with bubbles, when we were taking a bath last week Mommy said does Nico want some bubbles and now every time we get in the bath it's BUBBLES, BUBBLES!!! Or yesterday when Grandma Beth had him outside and they were chasing the ball, it was ball or as Grandpa Tim taught him BULL so it's bubbles, ball or bull. He definitely seems to have his "B's" down...now it's time to start on Grammy or some other word other than Why??

Then yesterday we called him and he looked at me and said "WHAT" I could of died laughing right there because I thought he is turning into this little person who acts just like us!!! So what I have learned this week, watch what you say because our little tape recorder is listening even when you think he not!!!!

Until next time....

GOODBYE TO MY TWENTIES.....

So since tomorrow at 9:36am I will officially have to say goodbye to my 20's, I thought I might reflect on the first 30 years of my life. Sometimes it is hard to believe that tomorrow my glorious 20's will be forever lost....

In all reality I have had a very good first 30 years and really can't complain, but what scares me the most is seeing my friends and cousins who have 9 or 10 years olds. And it really creeped me out when I went to my cousin Julie's and her son had a friend spending the night, I kind of looked at them and then looked at her and said "Julie, wasn't that just us a blink of an eye ago??" Gosh, I can remember the first movie Julie and I went to without parents, I think it was "Field of Dreams"....now that I said that it makes me look REALLY old!!! Now to all of those friends who are older than me, no I don't think you are old but I am sure when you turned 30 you kind of felt like I do......

Than I started thinking about my bestest friend Terri who I have been friends with since we were 13 and sitting in band together....wasn't that just yesterday Ter? Or the Florida trip with the door slam that started our life long friendship of being each other's other half...just ask Dan Chance who thought we were crazy when we said that while working at McDonald's....Wasn't it just yesterday Ter, that we went to Hilton Head and paid what to park or how about the speeding ticket in SC that I got in your car while Barney Fife thought we had something in the back seat??? Or our best friend award that I thought Kathy was gonna get us for winning....or the throwing up on the side of the street cuz James had to pull over or all the other stuff you would hurt me for saying.....Gosh going down memory lane there are so many good memories I might bore everyone but you to continue on......Truly, from the bottom of my heart Ter, thank you for being here every single day and even though we might not always agree, you are the bestest friend a girl could ever have.

To all my old friends and new, each one of you are special to me in some way and I can't imagine spending my 20's with anyone else but you guys. We have had some unforgettable memories that will never be forgotten, such as Kiki do you remember spending the night in the hot tub or at Jennifer and Jason wedding, keep saying it's still daylight and we were toasted?? Or I have to give you credit Jennifer for going to Kiki's bachlorette party and having a blast even though you were pregnant, I don't know if I could of done it!!! Or Chloe all the times we have done so many fun things, but all the great laughs you have given me is priceless. Suz, don't even know where to begin....we can make anything funny and you can always put a smile on my face without you I would of lost my sanity years ago!!! Michele, we have been through it all and yet even though we live thousands of miles away you mean the world to me and through the worst of the worst, we're still here and that we have to be thankful for!!! Kelly, sometimes I look at you and think you are super Mom, and you have showed me that there is good in everyone. You have really been there for us the last year and for that I will never forget it. Jen, gosh we have done it all been great friends, mortal enemies, and then friends again and even though we lost so many years over petty 20's crap it's been fun. Vicky, you are a true inspiration to me and definitely a woman of my heart to instigate others.....OK maybe it's more me than you, but we sure have had some fun times drinking and not.....Eric, what can I say we have been through it all and more, you have been a great best friend to Bryan but you also have always been there for me and mean the world to both of us and I am sure you have drinking stories to tell people too, but we'll skip that for now.....And to all those others who I haven't mentioned because this was getting long, it has been fun and to all of these fun memories I can't wait to continue with lots and lots more!!!

Gosh, rereading this I sound like I drink a lot but honestly I don't think I have had more than a wine cooler since September when Vicky made me drink....LOL!!!

To my family, you mean more to me than I can ever tell you. This has been a rough year for all of us and I know sometimes I don't express my emotions in the right way but God has been good to all of us and not just my family but my friends too. You all are an inspiration to me and have helped me become the person I am today. Especially to all my parents, including my extended parents who adopted me thank you, thank you for guiding me in the right direction and always loving me for me, even my faults. To my sisters, and my extended sister I love all three of you and even though sometimes times have been tough it's been worth every minute to get where we are today. To the rest of my family, cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandma's and Grandpa's, I have to thank all of you too!!!

Last but not least, to my son Nicolas Aaron and my sweet Bryan. I love you both more than life itself. Bryan, we have been through it all and somehow we have made a great lives for ourselves and our son. I thank you for spending my 20's with you and making it through the good and the bad. Who would of thought after dating a month and you leaving for the Marines for 4 years we would be here 12 years later, living the good life?? It's been a wonderful life and I couldn't see ever living even a day with anyone different. This last year has been the hardest of our lives and yet in some ways it's only made us stronger, and made our faith only stronger. I only hope we can live another 60 years in the happiness that the last 12 have been. Nico, Nico, Nico what can I say but you are my angel from Heaven definitely a gift from God. I love you in a way that I never thought I could love another human being. You make our lives complete and I only pray you can be half the man your Dad is and that all those people mentioned above will help us continue to make you the man I know you will become.....some of us are counting on you to take care of us...J/K!!! I love you guys!!!

OK, for those who haven't fallen asleep.....I truly want to thank you for being a part of my 20's and hope that when things settle down we can all celebrate my 30's the proper way and unfortunately Eric, you might have come pick me up off the floor and carry me to the car AGAIN!!!! So I guess this will be my last post as a 20 some year old....but bring the 30's on because we are all going to have a heck of a time beating the last 10 years and before we know it....we'll all be 40 and going to kids graduations and weddings.....AWWWWW!!!

Goodbye 20's, hello 30's.....................

NICO'S TANTRUM'S.....

Is it just my child or is every child kicking and screaming when you have to come in from outside for dinner, bed or nap whichever time of day it happens to be? It's now from the time I pick him up from Gma and Gpa Decker's until the moment I close the garage door because it's time for dinner not play time....I know I am a horrible Mother for making him eat :)

Now I know I may shock some of you who think Nico can do no wrong......BUT he has started throwing tantrums and I think before today, I would of given in but now I am sitting there while he is yelling and screaming thinking "please God please don't let the neighbors see my bad child" but I guess in all reality I know every child has their moments, but lately it seems like in Nico's world it's his way or no way. And I ask myself after the situation is defused, how can I make a 18 month old understand when he looks at me like I have three heads when I start to explain it's dinner time or bed time....

I guess these times makes me feel like I have been defeated, but then after the big crocodile tears are gone and the tantrum is over, and he crawls over to sit on my lap I know it's just another one of those moments we would all like to forget but have to go through until they are old enough to understand.....Your grounded!!! If I only had a nickel every time my Mom said that to my sister because you know I was the angel!!!!

Until next time........

Nico at Price Park

Spring......shhh, better not say it to loud.....

I am happy to report to all my family and friends that finally in Ohio, Spring might actually be here....we'll at least for the time being. We finally can put away the gloves, winter hats and winter coat (we'll at least for now) and roll up our sleeves for our skin to finally feel the sun it's been craving all winter. And if you have seen Nico up close, you know he needs all the sun he can get:)

Now it's time to get the basketball hoop, tool bench and all the other fun toys we having been waiting to play with this long, long winter but I do have the realization that my birthday is coming up and it always snows around my birthday time, so we better not put the winter jacket to far...gotta love Ohio weather. Wait ten minutes and it will change :)

So now the routine of playing cars all night is out and playing with bikes and taking walks is finally here!!! It's almost time to find Nico some shorts and short sleeve shirts or just let him run around like the hillbilly he is, in his diaper!!! I am sure the neighbors will love it :) Now if we could just get a bit warmer for the pool, Nico loves the water and I have a feeling his little pool in the driveway isn't gonna cut it and we'll have to be at cousin Julie's more often then she'll probably like. J/K!

So all those readers of Nico's adventures it's time to (hopefully) put away the snow shovels and start enjoying the long evenings but I bet you before we know it we'll be watching out for those mosquitos!!!!

Happy Spring everyone!!!!! Until next time......

NICO'S HALF BIRTHDAY.....

Happy Half Birthday little man....geez I can't believe how fast the last six months have gone compared to Nico's first year. Since his first birthday he has:

Walked completely on his own

Said my juice, mine, bye, hi, hole (thanks Uncle Eric), bull, Uhuhuh, thank you

Plays with matchbox cars

Made basketballs in the hoop

Chases the dog

Watches tv for more than a second

Reads books with Mommy before bed more than just a few pages

Locks and unlocks doors

Rides his tri-cycle around the house

Knows where the pantry is that holds the candy he has to have

Developed quite the personality

Has those beautiful blue eyes and dimples and knows how to use them :)

I am sure there is a whole huge list of things I haven't mentioned, but my point being how much he has grown up since some of you have seen him at his birthday party. He not only warms your heart with those eyes, but makes you laugh by being goofy like his Daddy. So today little Man, Happy Half Birthday and we can't wait to continue to see you grow into the man I know you will be.

Sad, but true today marks the day my little guy is no longer a baby, but now what he thinks is a independent toddler.....don't worry you don't have to tell us, we know he is in control of us...not the other way around :)

Happy Half Birthday Nico!!!

CARS, CARS AND EVEN MORE CARS....

Being Mom I guess I don't really understand and now thinking about it, I am not sure Bryan understands either, but I feel like my house is being taken over by cars. Now let me explain, Nico has a passion for cars whether it's matchbox cars (his favorite), Gma Beth's PT Cruiser cars or even a little paper car that came from a Happy Meal toy, Nico has to play with it. We find cars in the playroom (obviously), or in the living room under the couch, or in Athena's water bowl because cars can swim you know, or how about in the bathroom floor where Mommy steps on it when she is not quite awake. Which kind of scares me because sometimes you hear the flushing and we run in there to have Nico laughing and you think..."did he just flush a car down there?" We all have heard horror stories of kids ruining the toilet...that would just be my luck.

Then just last night it was cars all over Mommy's head, I could hear him saying "Comme Mom it'll be fun let's run cars all over your head"...fun for who is what I am thinking? Maybe it's because I am a girl and played with dolls or Barbie's or even the Smurf village my Dad gave away 15 years ago and I have never really forgiven him for...J/K Dad! But the cars have taken over my house and I wonder if at 17 months he has this many and throwing them wherever he can reach, in another year how will we be able to walk without stepping on a car? It's like Arachnophobia but instead of spiders taking over it's cars....AWWWWW!!!

OK, back to my happy place......But truly I kid about the cars taking over my life and opening the door to your house and dropping Nico off, of course with the cars in tote :) but he is my world and I adore him more than life itself. So the next time you come over, please watch your step and just think the invasion of the cars might be coming to your house soon!!!

Until next time......

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Nico finally got the idea of how to color eggs without throwing them!! Definitely an accomplishment after 3 dozen broken ones!!! Hope the Easter Bunny was good to everyone!!!

Deja Vu......

Can you believe that little precious Nico had another AirTran incident, but this time it wasn't because he was confined in an airplane but at a restaurant not able to run around...I know what kind of parents are we to ask him to sit for dinner?? So now not only are our pictures on AirTran's list, we now officially cannot go back to Rockne's.... See little Nico thought that he should be out of his chair running around doing what he wanted to do...we'll Mommy and Daddy had a different idea, something like it's time to sit down and eat your pizza or how about coloring with the crayons that the hostess gave you, but no we have to not only give Mommy and Daddy the most embarrassing moment, by yelling and screaming because something just wasn't going your way. As I said in previous posts, we are officially set in our terrible 2's at 17 months......

So needless to say we got our food to go and Daddy waited with the crying baby in the car while Mommy paid and tried to sliver out of the restaurant, only to go home to Nico eating his pizza in his chair, happy as a clam and Mommy and Daddy eating cold food....so as with any other adventure in Nico's life what seemed to be horrible yesterday is only forgotten with his big beautiful blue eyes and lovable smile.

Although Rockne's is definitely off the list for a while or maybe we are off their list.....LOL!! Until next time......

EASTER EGG COLORING......

Let me do it, I promise I won't throw this one!!!

Look Daddy, it's turning blue!!!

So many colors, so little amounts of eggs.......

Another first in Nico's Adventures....easter egg coloring, we'll maybe not exactly the first because last year he did carry an egg around and then broke it, so maybe that counts?? Anyway, tonight Bryan and I decided to have another Nico experience and color easter eggs. I was really excited, but Bryan just goes with the flow as he expected Nico to do what he did at the pumpkin carving experience which was running away to play, BUT.......

So it started out today while I was at work Nico and Daddy went out and bought the eggs to bring home and boil. Mommy came home with dinner and then it was coloring time!!! So Daddy got the egg dye all ready while Mommy stripped Nico down to his diaper and socks, with a white sleeved shirt and white undershirt I could only imagine what would happen if I didn't. Anyway, we put a cardboard box down on the table, propped Nico on the chair and off we were starting the process of coloring easter eggs. To our surprise Nico kind of liked the idea and even said Thank you on some of the tape we have, but not to our surprise the first egg he got a hold of he threw and then it was on dye everywhere, but luckily only all over the cardboard!!

After a few more cracked eggs, and Mommy and Daddy finished the eighteen pack and called it a night. Nico only stuck his fingers in the vinegar water twice but surprisingly didn't even make a face when he put them in his mouth. I thought that is pretty nasty but the kids gotta learn somehow, right??

So out of eighteen eggs I think we have 2 or 3 that don't have cracks in them, but hey to me that only adds character, right??

Happy Easter everyone and keep visiting for another installment of Nico's adventures......

POTTY TRAINING...

A new adventure is upon our household and I have to admit, it scares the heck out me....not only because I have NO idea what I am doing, Nico can hardly talk and it's sad to me to think my little man is growing up, but I have bought his very first potty insert to sit on the big potty.

So I take the potty out of the package and just look at thinking this thing has directions....ok, that's scary. But anyway, then I think where's the best place to put it and realize probably in Nico and Daddy's bathroom, you don't want to know for those who I haven't explained it too, and thought ok we are going to do this....

So Nico wakes up from his nap and I think ok, this is a good time as he was in a normally happy mood so I took his diaper off and sat him down. If I had my camera guys, it would definitely been one of the bigger photo moments in his life as he looked at me like I was CRAZY to think he was gonna do anything but instantly want off. He didn't want to look at, touch it or have anything to do with it. Talk about discouraging......

So we decided the next approach of encouragement, if anyone had a video camera we definitely could of made $10K off of my silliness and still he is sitting, smiling, thinking I know my real Mommy is gonna come rescue me someday :) But he sat there for another second until this time he said in his own way, "Mommy get me off this thing or else...."

So I took him off and let him look at it on his own merit, not mine which meant now not only am I chasing a laughing, naked baby but thinking he is gonna pee on carpet!!! So my adventures begin and I have absolutely no idea what the heck I am doing, but I am going to continue trying....

Until the next adventure this week of coloring eggs with a 17 mos old......I know, I know I torture myself but I just can't help it so when you see food coloring all over my walls, just be nice and don't ask :)

DISORGANIZED......

It's crazy to thing I know from the people that know me, but lately I have been feeling so disorganized.....between not knowing what I am going to find where to having Easter pop up on me next week and not even having Nico's basket in my thoughts.....what a crazy 2008 this has been already!!!

It just seems I get up every morning, wake Nico up get him breakfast get ready for work...OK time to get Daddy up. Then it's off to work, go pick Nico and dinner, bath time and playtime and then bed...is it already 8??? Where has my time gone?? Then once Nico is fast asleep in his bed, I am thinking is it midnight already, cause that's what it feels like to me???

Maybe it's my laziness or just pure exhaustion of chasing after a 17 month old after working all day after playing Mom to a 48 year old (AKA my boss). Or maybe it's the crappy weather of not having the sunshine on my skin and watching Nico play outside without 15 layers of clothes, but whatever it is I definitely can say even though my house may not be the cleanest or my laundry isn't quite caught up like it was 6 months ago, I have really enjoyed the times with Nico now that he loves to play and chase poor old Athena!!!

Hopefully one day I'll get the energy again to once again feel organized.....until next time!!!

I found this on the Internet and I guess it means a lot to me because we waited so long to have our little angel, Nico, but when I read this I thought this is me....and nothing has been more fulfilling than being Nico's Mom and I hope everyone enjoys this poem as much as I did.

BEFORE I WAS MOM

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Drooled on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple little grin.
I never sat up for hours watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom

NO MORE SNOW......

It's pretty sad when we woke up the morning looked out our back deck and found a county snowplow stuck in the snow!!! You just had to chuckle at the thought....I have to say Steven, Kiki and Olivia even though we miss you, you are definitely not missing the 12+ inches we have gotten since 11am yesterday, and it's still snowing!!!

So I decided to get Nico all bundled up to help Daddy shovel his way out, which by any indication our next stop will be at Home Depot for a snow blower.....anyway, after fighting with a 17 mos old for 10 minutes to get all his layers we finally make it out. Only to find the wind is blowing, the snow is drifted and Nico has troubles with his snow boots walking. After a few minutes and falling face first in the snow, Mommy and Daddy tried not to laugh too hard, he finally got into it only to want to play with all his summer toys stored in the garage. So we got out the basketball hoop and the swimming pool toys, only to figure out they don't work quite as well in the snow!!!

As much as snow is pretty, I have to say I AM OFFICIALLY TIRED OF IT AND READY FOR SPRING!!!!! Although we have had fun with Nico in it, for goodness sake it's almost the middle of March!!! I am definitely at the point of having Spring Fever and I am sure when it's 90 degrees and 100% humidity, you'll all look back at this post and remind me why I love Summer so much!!!

Not a great picture, but I think you get the drift of the snowed in Snowplow!!!

Ready....Set...Cheese....

Funny thing happened last night and I don't know why I never noticed it before, but Nico is camera ready...I know it's hard to believe with the thousands of pictures I MAKE everyone watch over the last 17 months :) Everytime I get the camera out and finally get Nico's attention he knows what to do...I guess he is thinking "Another picture Mom, Hurry up Mom!!" What cracks me up is the fact that he actually (we'll sometimes) poses for the camera. Believe it or not as many photos as I have taken, most of them that turned out good which is not from my skills (none) but from my little Ham posing and knowing exactly how long it takes for the red out....

I don't know why I just noticed it because now that I think back, last Christmas when we waited and waited for our turn at the photography place.....after 5 minutes and 20 pictures we were done and she said to me, "he doesn't get his picture taken much does he?" I guess then I should of known we were going to have a Ham on hands :)

BTW, thanks Jennifer for telling me to add photos, but I think I have gone crazy with over doing it!! Although at least he's cute :)

Terrible 2's...

The terrible 2's....I know it's hard to believe with this adorable face, but I think they have begun. See being an only child allows you to get away with more as he is the "first" child for us and the youngest grandchild on both sides, but Mommy has started to notice a bit of change. Beginning with tonight, see little Nico has anything a 17 month old could ask for on the first floor, but of course even though he knows to stay downstairs, when Mommy looks away for just a second he rockets up the stairs. So Mommy notices it's gotten a little too quiet and starts the task of walking up the stairs only to find little Nico running for the computer he's not allowed to touch or the water faucet he HAS to turn on or even hiding under the computer desk just long enough to freak Mommy out! So then it's on, I pick up little innocent Nico and once again tell him No which is NOT working, so we go to a time out but on the way down he decides he going to start biting, which is definitely not something I will put up with sooooo now it's time out, the yelling, screaming and croodile tears that only last long enough to get what he wants. And throughout I am wondering, "Nico did you really think biting me was really gonna help your situation?" I know he is only 17 months old, but I am so scared he is going to turn into "one" of those kids that nobody wants their kids around.

So to all those mothers out there who have ANY advice I am definitely ready to listen for any encouragement on the terrible 2's!!!

On a completely different note, for all of those family and friends who read my Blog please add our good friends, Steven and Kiki to your prayers. They are having some pregnancy issues and we are very worried about them, so any prayers and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW.....

Is it me or will the snow NEVER end?? Now I know we live in Northeast Ohio and I love the snow when it first comes, but to me this has been the longest winter ever. It's been fun playing with Nico in the snow and sled riding, but I am ready for the snow to be gone and to play outside with all those cool toys little Nico got for his birthday. Having an October birthday really stinks for the summer toys.....

Between bundling up and having cabin fever with playing with a matchbox cars or watching another episode of cartoons....I am sooooo ready for winter to be over and for spring to arrive. Then it'll be fun time to swim in the pool in the driveway or ride bikes. This year is going to be so much fun with Nico playing now and walking....although chasing after him will be challenge and I am sure the neighbors will love to hear me say NO NICO, NICOLAS AARON.....I can almost feel the sunshine on my skin :)

YOUNGEST POKER PLAYER???

Sad, but true I think my little guy is gonna be playing poker with the old fogies (us) before too long. See Nico's favorite toy is playing cards, doesn't matter if they are real cards or learning cards we must pick them up, shuffle (Mommy's job), deal them out and then Mommy gets to fix little Nico's hand. Now I realize that he has no idea what he is doing, but watching him watching me deal them out and wondering what's turning in his little genius mind makes me laugh.

If Daddy has any say, as soon as Nico can hold a hand he is gonna teach him how to play. Although I keep telling him you gotta wait until he knows his numbers, I am not sure Daddy is gonna wait....before long Nico and Daddy will be scamming Uncle Eric, but I think Uncle Eric knows his game and will probably use Nico to his advantage....it might be a challenge for both boys :) What they might not realize that kids are smarter than they think and Nico might take both of them for all they have.....lol!!!!

For some reason if you are playing with cards with Bryan and Nico is there, don't always believe what little innocent Nico says cause Daddy been trying to get him to say...."Daddy, is 3 Kings a good hand??" I know, I know it's so wrong but sooooo funny!!!!!

Now we just have to get Nico to talk......

Here's Nico and Daddy going down the little slide!!!

Nico's New Adventure....

We have found the best place in the world for Nico. Our good friends asked us to go play at Fun Fortress and not knowing exactly what it was I was a bit skeptical, but boy was it soooo much fun!!! I am not sure who had more fun, Nico or Daddy?? To watch him run around and jump, fall and jump some more or go down the big slide with Daddy was so exciting for all of us!

Along with the jumping and obstacle courses, Nico found the drinking fountain which is his new favorite way to drink! Me being a cootie freak, am thinking oh my gosh....don't touch anything...I know, I know there are far worst things than a drinking fountain :)

Again, last Monday, Daddy took Nico along with his girlfriend Chay and her Daddy to play. By the time I got home Nico was so tired I think he could of slept all evening and through the night, but man if he could of talked he would of talked my ear off!! So all of those parents who need to run some energy off their children and want to see the excitement and pure joy in their little eyes I definitely say get on their mailing lists and take the time to be a kid again, I know we sure did!!!

BACK TO WORK....

Sad to say after 5 weeks home with Nico I am back to work on Monday. In some senses it will be nice to have adult conversation from time to time without Nico yelling Mom, Mom in the background, but I sure will miss the little guy. We are so fortunate though that if he's not with me, he's with Daddy and if not with Daddy he is with Gma D or Gma Beth. Knowing he is with someone who really loves him means the world to me.

I am sure just after a few days things will be back to normal, whatever that is and Nico will forget that Mom was home everyday with him but I sure have cherished every minute and learned one thing....Nico is definitely faster than me :)

Until our next adventure!!!

NICO'S 1ST COVER OF A MAGAZINE......

To all those parents who think their little angels should be on a cover a magazine here is a cute to start out, HA!!! The link is http://covermaker.parenting.com and it will walk you through adding your photo and changing your cover if you would like too!

Hope everyone enjoys Nico's 1st of many shoots...HA!!!

THANK YOU...

Who would of thought two little words would have been the best sentence I had ever heard?? Maybe it sounds crazy to you, but let me explain...

See as most of you know little Nico only talks and says things when he feels like he wants too but after two months of saying please and thank you, after you give and take things from him he FINALLY said thank you!!! Those two words melted my heart thinking, am I hearing things but Gma Arlene confirmed it and like all those other words and phrases he repeated them and even three days later he still says THANK YOU when you hand him something he wants.

Who could of thought my little angel was a genius at 16 mos old, but in my eyes saying thank you was the most ingenius thing his little mouth could say. So call me crazy, but as with all the other milestones in his life saying a such a small phrase would really get little Nico ANYTHING, well almost anything he wants. I am just so thankful that not only was I not the only one that heard it but that Gma Arlene got the opportunity to be here and listen another first for our little angel!

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR...WE'LL A LITTLE LATE :)

It's been a while since I posted, but thought I should while I have a little time to myself. What a year already so much going on and even though I know everything will work out it's seems in just then a little less than month since my last post, life has changed so dramatically....let me explain.

Well as usual my little angel has continued to amaze me everyday. It is unbelievable all the words he can say and does, once yes just once. Like for example today I gave him his juice cup and to mine and my Mom's surprise what does he say....."my juice" but of course never to say it again. Our theory is that the boy can talk, he just chooses not too although most people say don't worry one day he'll just starting talking and never stop.....that kind of scares me if he is anything like us because both Mom and Dad love to talk and sometimes I think Dad talks to hear his own voice....ha!!!

It's been really difficult since my surgery and not being able to pick him up by myself. Honestly I think that is the hardest because he doesn't understand and to hear him cry for me breaks my heart, but before I know it I'll be back to my old self as everyday gets a little bit better. Luckily he is at the age that he won't remember anything about this whole ordeal and life will be restored soon enough.

Also with the bad news of Nico's uncle being called up for duty in Iraq. I know that was always in the cards but until it happens to your family, you can't even imagine. It breaks my heart so I can't even begin to know how they feel. I just know in my heart that things will be ok and that we will all be there to get them through this tremendously hard time. Love and support will be what gets us through this and pictures to remind Nico of his brave Uncle is so when he comes back Nico can say (hopefully) uncle and show him his bright blue eyes that will melt anyones heart.

So as you can see we have many things to look forward to in 2008, but we also have some things we all need to be strong for and hopefully my health will take a better turn this year but with many tests still in the works, I can only hope for the best and know that as I keep telling everyone that I am to mean to go yet and that I still have a lot of heck to raise yet!!!

And as I always say good things happen to good people and I know in my heart that only good things can happen as we continue on for a better 2008!!!

Happy New Year to all! Until next time.....

Christmas 2007

I have to say that even though I was a little disappointed that Nico wasn't more interested in what Santa brought him, it was still a wonderful day. Surprisingly Nico slept in until 8:30AM and after making him eat breakfast, I know I mean but he doesn't know any different anyways, he opened about two gifts to want to go play with his old stuff. So after making him sit with us for video moments, he was off and running playing with a baby toy. Now after all this time, he hasn't played with this toy he finds it and it's his new favorite thing....we should of just wrapped up his old stuff, ha!!

Seriously, it was a wonderful day and Nico was really good even though he only a had an hour nap. This only makes me more excited for next year when I know he'll open gifts and watch me track Santa.....we'll I hope so or Bryan will make fun of me again!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007!!!!

As the Christmas holiday has arrived, I thought I would reflect on the good things God has blessed us with this year. First and formost, my precious Nicolas who is everything to Bryan and I, but also to our friends and families who have been here for us these last couple of months when we really have needed them.

This year is really exciting for me, but I think Bryan thinks I am nuts doing things like tracking Santa, opening Nico's Christmas jammies this morning or just the traditions of reading him Twas the Night before Christmas. All of these things are so important to me because even though he may not understand this year, it's traditions that we have to continue on years to come when he does understand and one day when he may act like he doesn't care, but I know he will as I do now with my families quirky traditions.

So for all of my family and friends, those who I adore and love more than anything, know this Christmas all of you no matter where you are, you are in my thoughts. And just wait until you are forced to see ANOTHER picture of the cutest boy in the world because to me watching him grow up has been the best thing in my life, and hopefully yours.

Even though the next month or so might not be as great as this moment today, I can reflect back and think I have to make it so that next year I can do all those cheesy things Bryan makes fun of me and see my little angel's face as he opens yet another pair of shoes.....HA.....and hopefully Nike will take my advice and let me personalize them.....I know I am crazy, but I guess that's why I work.

Merry Christmas to all and God Bless, Kel.

Terrible 1's......

I think Nico has reached his terrible 1's....not that he is bad because compared to most kids he is an angel, but I swear Bryan did some really bad things to his mother that I am being punished for....for example Daddy has taught little Nico how to fill his squeezable toys with water and squirt Mommy or Grandma, whoever is giving the little angel a bath. Or the ball pit balls that somehow end up hitting Mommy in the face or the wall or the pretty picture on the wall as little Nico doesn't have great skill unless it's something he wants to throw. Or how about the clothes that somehow end up from the hamper to being thrown all over his room. Or the attitude of I am going to do what I want or scream until I get it...we'll I might be exaggerating a little on that one, but what Nico wants, Nico wants.

So thus begins the terrible 1's that I am sure will turn into the terrible 2's before long, but I guess I am very lucky because he is a good boy, but one of these days it going to turn into a little bit of water into a bucket while our little angel is laughing his head off because soaking Mommy is his mission in life.....Although this seems terrible, it has been a wonderful journey that even though life has become quite stressful watching our little angel in his terrible 1's makes me laugh and help a not so great time in our lives seems wonderful!~

NICO'S SECOND CHRISTMAS....

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE ANOTHER YEAR HAS PASSED AND IT'S NICO'S SECOND CHRISTMAS. I WAS SITTING HERE REFLECTING WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR...AND THIS IS WHAT I CAME UP WITH.....

LAST YEAR NICO DIDN'T:

TALK

WALK

CRAWL

EAT SOLID FOODS

EAT ANY FOOD

DRINK MILK

UNDRESS HIMSELF

UNTIE HIS SHOES

RUN FROM MOMMY NAKED

LAUGH UNCONTROLABLE ABOUT WHO KNOWS WHAT

CHASE AFTER POOR ATHENA

TAKE ATHENA'S TOYS

THROW FOOD, TOYS OR ANYTHING HE CAN GET HIS HANDS ON

HAVE TEETH TO BITE MOMMY

PULL OUT ALL THE PANS OUT OF THE CUPBOARD BC HE CAN

PLAY WITH THE DISHWASHING FLUID WHEN DADDY WASN'T WATCHING

THROW FOOD AT MOMMY

CRAWL OFF THE COUCH...HEAD FIRST!

TURN OFF AND ON EVERY TOY AS WELL AS TURN THEM UP!

CLIMB THE STAIRS IN A SECOND BEFORE MOMMY IS CALLING AFTER HIM

CLIMB OFF THE BED

TURN ON THE WATER AND THEN TURN IT OFF

HOLDING HIS BREATHE UNDER WATER

OPEN HIS OWN PRESENTS

TURN THE TV ON AND OFF BC IT'S THE FUNNIEST THING EVER!!!

HIT HIS HEAD AGAIN! I GUESS WE'LL CALL HIM BOPPER #2

IT'S FUNNY MAKING THE LIST HOW DIFFERENT HE REALLY IS, BUT HOW MUCH FUN WE HAVE REALLY HAD WITH HIM THIS LAST YEAR! YOU CAN ONLY LOOK AT THIS LIST AND LAUGH EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN OUR LITTLE ANGEL DO ANY OR ALL OF THESE THINGS JUST WAIT UNTIL HE COMES TO YOUR HOUSE!!!!

I SWEAR MY VOCABULARY CONSISTS OF NO NICO, NICOLAS AARON, NOOOOOOO, WHAT DID MOMMY JUST SAY? ALTHOUGH I AM SAD SOMETIMES NICO HAS CHANGED, I AM ALSO GLAD AND CATCH MYSELF LOVING SAYING NOOOO BECAUSE IT TELLS ME HE IS GROWING UP AND REMINDS ME HOW MUCH FUN THIS AGE IS....BECAUSE BEFORE WE KNOW IT HE'LL BE BIGGER THEN ME AND NOOOO JUST WON'T MATTER ANYMORE :)

20 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS AND COUNTING!!!!

HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 1 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR....

We took our fourth trip to NC since little Nico was born and I learned one thing, well maybe two...you will do anything to entertain a 1 year old and he has taken over control!!! OK, as with my previous post I guess the second part we already knew but he made sure we reaffirmed it on our trip!

It started out very nice he was talking, well baby talking in his LOUD voice and we were enjoying the trip until, ok believe it or not after a couple of hours he wanted out and he wanted out NOW!!! Of course being the responsible parents we are that wasn't plausible sooo....he comes the I would do anything to entertain a 1 year old.....so we made funny faces, sang songs I would NEVER want anyone to hear me sing, eat gold fish and more gold fish, stopped for Burger King because we have to have Chicken and FF again!!! I know, I know it's the worse thing that you can feed your kid and Bryan says he is going to hate Chicken one day but when your desperate for him to feed himself, it's Chicken and FF AGAIN!!!!!

I look back now and realize that he was a really good boy, but if anyone saw the faces I made or the songs I sang they would look at me and think.....man she has lost it, and maybe I have but it made our trip so much more pleasant and along with enjoying our week at Grandma's we had a a fun trip home, which one day I am sure he will never remember but if he does he'll think man my Mom is a dork!!!

Happy Weekend!!!

PINK EYE...YUCK!!!

So my family got the wonderful experience on what pink eye is and why we don't want it again. See it all began couple of weeks ago when Nico started to get a cold and what I thought was a cold in his eyes, but surprise not only wasn't it but Mommy had it too! So the fevers started for both of us and the running nose and eyes, which gave the normal week a wonderful twist, ha! So lesson learned on both Mommy and Daddy's part, when Nico has something coming out of his eyes don't touch it!!!! And definitely don't touch your own eyes!!!!

But as with anything else in the adventures of Nico it was a big surprise, but once again he is off and running waiting for the exact moment when he can sneak up on Athena and thus begins the chase...Athena running away and Nico wanting to love his puppy. Who would of thought all those moments when I thought is Nico ever going to walk, I would think that can't he just lay down for a second??? Truly though this time in his life has been definitely been the best and now that he has decided that he needs to copy everything we do, it's time to reevaluate our gestures and words because Nico has now finally become a mimic of us!!!!

Until the next adventure........

TUDE....IS THAT EVEN A WORD??

I THINK OUR LITTLE PRECIOUS ANGEL HAS FINALLY GOTTEN HIS FIRST TASTE OF ATTITUDE. YOU SEE LITTLE NICO HAS GOTTEN HIS WAY MOST OF HIS LIFE AND NOW HE HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO WORK IT. FUNNY AS IT IS, MAYBE GRANDMAS WILL LET HIM GET AWAY WITH IT, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE OR THE TIME TO WATCH HIM SCREAM AND CRY WHEN IT DOESN'T GO HIS WAY....YOU THINK, HOW POSSIBLY COULD IT NOT GO HIS WAY AT 1 YEAR OLD YOU ASK??

WELL LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, IF LITTLE NICO WANTS TO GO OUTSIDE, BUT MOMMY IS SAYING NO BECAUSE OF A RUNNING NOSE OR IT'S GETTING DARK OUT, LITTLE NICO LOOKS AT YOU LIKE YOU JUST TOOK AWAY HIS BEST FRIEND AND SCREAMS....SERIOUSLY DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT'S GONNA HELP, KID? OR HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT MOMMY PUTS ON YOUR PLATE AND YOU WANT TO THROW IT ON THE GROUND BECAUSE IT'S NOT CHEETOS AGAIN...THERE COMES HIS "TUDE". I AM GOING TO SAY THIS AND MAYBE I WRONG BECAUSE HE IS ONLY 1, BUT.....

EVEN THOUGH HE MAY THINK IT'S NICO'S WORLD....OMG HERE IT COMES, IT'S NOT!!! SO THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE ME WALK AWAY OR IGNORE MY PRECIOUS ANGEL IT'S BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT, NICO HAS THROWN ANOTHER TUDE!!!

SO FOR ALL OF HIS GRANDMAS AND THOSE WHO LOVE OUR LITTLE ANGEL, REMEMBER THIS, IF YOU THINK NICO COULDN'T COME UP WITH THAT HIMSELF OR DO SOMETHING TO BE A LITTLE ORNERY, HE CAN....HE KNOWS MORE OF WHAT HE IS DOING THAN YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. SO WITH THE NEXT TUDE THAT COMES ON, IT'S TIME TO DO WHAT MOMMY AND DADDY DOES, WALK AWAY AND ACT LIKE YOU NEVER EVEN SAW THE OTHER SIDE OF OUR PRECIOUS ANGEL!!!

WALKING......

My baby boy has really gotten down walking and it's funny as with anything he has accomplished, it seemed like forever to get here but when he has finally completed the task it went to fast. Maybe that doesn't make sense to anyone else as when I say things like that Bryan thinks I am CRAZY and maybe I am a little bit.....but he has finally gotten a grasp on walking.

As you watch him get himself up and walk across the room you don't want to fuss about it because when you do he just falls down as he losing his balance, but as any trooper he gets back up and starts again. When he reaches you we clap and tell him how great he is, and his beautiful blue eyed smile just melts you heart. And I think he is not my little baby boy he was when we brought him home such a short time again, but we are beginning the first stages of the toddler years.

So for every step he takes and the one more then last time, I thought is he walking more?? Until we fast forward to today and I don't ask myself that, but instead think man I better get into better shape because he is definitely faster than me!!! Although he gives himself away when he knows he is doing something like going up the stairs Mommy just told him not too because he is laughing hystorically or is being just a little too quite. So today it's walking and tomorrow it will be talking and building until we'll be waiting for the school bus for the very first time.....and Mommy will be crying harder than you :)

Happy Birthday Nico!!!

You are now officially one year old!!! Who can believe how fast a year has gone and how much you have grown in such a short time! You are loved by so many and our love for you is so hard to put into words, but no matter what we love you forever and always!!!

So today as we celebrate your "birth" day remember how special you really are and what a miracle it has been to us to have such a special son. I just hope as the years go by, we will cherish every moment as it is a last one because before we know it you'll be off to college and we'll think didn't you just turn ONE????

We love you Baby Boy!!!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Nico's First Ear Infection....

We have been pretty lucky with our healthy little guy and not really having a cold in the first year of his short life, but yesterday we got our first reality check....

It started really on Monday when Daddy took Nico to Gma Beth's house before work and he threw up for the first time in a long time, but I didn't think much of it as we all know how Daddy loves to horseplay with the baby. But then it turned into waking up at 3am screaming, not wanting to go back to sleep until almost 4:30am, which I thought was odd as Nico is such a good sleeper and has been since he was 4 weeks old, but didn't really click. Then when Mommy got him up to get him ready for breakfast he was hot and I took his temperature to find that he had a slight temperature but still nothing to alarm me something was wrong. Mommy went off to work and Daddy started feeling how warm you were too and it turns out your temperature was over 100.....

But Daddy fed you and you were ok, and took you over to visit Gpa but when they returned and Nico got up the temperature was back up to almost 101, so Mommy called the doctor and the doctor said to come right now. Mommy left work and Daddy met us at the doctor's office to find out Nico had his first ear infection. Since you were so small, he recommended that we get you on antibiotics and now you are loving the cherry flavored medicine as you think it is a treat!!

So our precious little angel got his first "real" illness and now Mommy and Daddy can be called old pros!! I am sure there will definitely be more trips to the doctor, but hopefully the next cold will good as smoothly as the first, but of course I am sure we have much, much more to learn as the adventures of Nico's life go on!!!

Walking....

Oh my goodness, I knew the day was coming but it is finally here and I had to hold the emotions of my little boy learning to walk.....

So this is how it started, Bryan called me to tell me he took three steps for him and of course I knew he wasn't lying, I had to see it for myself. So when I got home sure enough as most things go, Nico was tired of walking and just wanted to be left alone and held. So as he melted my heart once again with Mama, I left it alone but......

Then my Mom decided she just had to see the little guy do it for himself, so when she came over Bryan got out the big guns....soda. He stood up and looked at all of us as we intently wanted him to do nothing more than walk, but he stood and stood until he decided he couldn't take it no more and took 5 WHOLE STEPS!!!

Now let me tell you I could of melted right there as my little baby boy was growing up so fast, even before my eyes. Of course now it's not about walking it's about getting that can of soda from Dad!!! So Bryan opened the can and to our surprise it wasn't the soda he wanted but the can tab....so we let him play with it for a minute until we realized maybe that isn't a good idea...but he did just walk, I thought!!!

Then Daddy decided to try again and he did it again!!! Everyone just had to clap and yea because he had accomplished so much. So whether or not he ever walks again (I am sure he will) I feel sad but joyful that my little boy is growing up. And even though I can't bring those baby moments back, I know that it's only new adventures of chasing after the kid that before we know will be running from us :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

It's funny to think two things, one that Bryan is 31 and two that just a year ago little Nico was NEVER going to come out....or so we thought and now he is such a little man!

I guess in this last months pictures I can really start to see him as a little man instead of a baby, he is starting to have his features be more distinct and his personality is definitely coming out!!! As I have stated before he has become so independent that every moment I have him in my arms for more than a second, I cherish because one day he is going to be too big for my lap, especially at the rate he is growing!!! He might be taller than me at 5, HA!

It is also amazing to me how smart he is, for example Great-Grandpa taught him how to push the button to open and close the garage door and even though there are two openers, he knows what buttons to push. And if you don't let him do it when he wants too, you would think you took the child's best friend away :) So begins the learning of you may want something, but you don't always get what you want part of life....

This is definitely something that is hard for me because I want to give him the world, but I also know that I have to step back and let him work for what he wants too. I know being an only child, he will be spoiled I don't doubt that but I also want him to work hard and be a good person without the expectations of getting what he wants when he wants it because we all know that is not how life works! I guess maybe I am looking to hard into it, as he is only 11 months old (tomorrow), but I have realized that even though he thinks we think he doesn't understand, I think sometimes he does more than we can ever imagine.

So today on Daddy's birthday we celebrate him, but we also know that our birthdays are nothing compared to celebrating all the new things Nico continually learns and does as he amazes us every single day!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!
We love you!

ANOTHER 1ST FOR LITTLE NICO.....

IT IS AMAZING TO ME HOW ONE DAY NICO WAS A LITTLE BABY THAT NEEDED US FOR EVERYTHING TO TODAY WHEN HE IS MR. INDEPENDENT WHO NOW CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME WITH HIS 1ST'S....

I STARTED TO NOTICE HIS INDEPENDENCE QUITE A WHILE AGO, BUT NOW IT'S CRAZY ALL THE NEW THINGS HE DOES EVERYDAY AND I DON'T EVEN REALIZE IT UNTIL I SIT BACK AND THINK....DID HE DO THAT YESTERDAY??

SO A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I NOTICED THAT WHEN CHANGING HIM AND TRYING TO OCCUPY HIM FROM ROLLING ONTO THE FLOOR FROM HIS CHANGING TABLE, HE CLAPS. NOW I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM FOR MONTHS TO TRY TO GET HIM TO CLAP BY SAYING YEA NICO TO PLAYING PATTY CAKE, BUT AS WITH ANYTHING ELSE IT'S ON NICOLAS TIME....SO WHEN HE WAS READY AND FEELS LIKE HE WANTS TOO, HE CLAPS. AND HOW CUTE IT IS, IT ALMOST MADE ME WANT TO CRY AS NOW I FINALLY KNOW HE IS GROWING UP WAY TO FAST!!

ALONG WITH CLAPPING HE HAS DECIDED WHAT NICO WANTS, NICO GETS...SO WATCHING HIM ONCE AGAIN CLIMB ON THE TOY BOX (WHICH HE KNOWS HE NOT SUPPOSE TOO AND DOES IT JUST TO HEAR MOMMY SAY NO AGAIN) TO CLIMB ONTO THE COUCH, TO CLIMB AROUND TO GET TO THE BLINDS. TO ME, THAT'S A GENIUS TO AT 10 MONTHS OLD TO SIT THERE AND FIGURE OUT, HOW CAN I OUTSMART MOMMY AGAIN??

NOW I KNOW EVERYONE SAYS THERE KIDS ARE THE SMARTEST EVER, BUT I AM CONTINUALLY REMINDING MYSELF THAT SOON ENOUGH, HE WILL FINALLY REALIZE HE IS SMARTER THAN HIS OLD PARENTS!!!

The adventures of flying with a 9 month old......

So you think you have everything you could possibly need to entertain a 9 month old, but do you?? Case in point I thought, snacks, a book, toys, Mommy's cell phone, juice cup and milk would be plenty to keep little precious Nico entertained for our short flight, but of course he had a mind of his own....

So getting on the airplane, he's asleep in my arms, safe right??? Wrong he wakes up and not just hi Mommy I am awake ready to play mood, but the rarely seen I just want to go to bed right now scream!!! Twenty-five minutes later and everyone thinking when the heck is this kid gonna shut up, he finally realizes that Mommy putting him in his own seat standing up showing the entire plane, yes I am the kid that just annoyed you!!! Luckily, when he was laughing, smiling and twinkling his beautiful blues at everyone I knew we would be making it off the plane without being pointed and stared at. Which in turn made us the beautiful baby that was screaming :(

What this experience truly taught me as I have posted in the past, it's not about Mommy and Daddy anymore, it's all about Nico. And I thank God he is so beautiful or if not I am not sure our picture wouldn't be on the AirTran board of people who are not allowed to travel with them anymore :)

NICO'S FIRST ACCIDENT....

I RECENTLY HAD A NEW EXPERIENCE WITH LITTLE NICO WHO IN HIS WORLD THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FEAR AND UNFORTUANTELY I HAD TO FIND OUT THE HARD WAY....

SO IT ALL BEGIN WITH AN INNOCENT AFTERNOON OF SWIMMING AT COUSIN JULIE'S HOUSE. WE CHANGED INTO OUR SUITS AND MOMMY WAS GETTING NICO'S BOTTLE READY. SO INSTEAD OF HAVING HIM TERRORIZE SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE I DECIDED TO PUT HIM ON THE COUNTER, HOLDING ON AND GETTING HIS BOTTLE READY BEFORE SWIMMING. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT HE IS ON THE FLOOR SCREAMING AND I AM SEEING THIS ALL HAPPEN IN SLOW MOTION WONDERING HOW CAN I AVOID THIS??

AFTER PICKING HIM AS HE WAS SCREAMING A CRY I DON'T OFTEN HEAR, AND SEEING THAT NOTHING WAS BROKEN THE TEARS POURED OUT AND THE BLOOD STARTED FLOWING FROM HIS LITTLE GUMS. I RAN OUTSIDE AS EVERYONE SAW THE EXPRESSION ON MY FACE, JULIE RAN IN TO HELP ME WITH PUTTING A WET WASHCLOTH ON HIS GUMS. AS I AM HOLDING MY INNOCENT CHILD AND THINKING I AM THE WORST MOTHER IN THE WORLD, JULIE SAVES THE DAY WITH A POPSICLE. LUCKILY JOSH WAS THERE WHO IS A EMT AND CHECKED HIM OUT, AND REASSURED ME HE WAS GOING TO SURVIVE HIS FIRST OF MANY, MANY FALLS!!

REFLECTING BACK, I AM GLAD I KEPT MY COOL BUT AS JULIE TOLD ME LATER THE LOOK ON MY FACE SHE KNEW SOMETHING WAS TRULY WRONG....AND NOW I CAN SAY WE GOT THROUGH THE FIRST FALL, HOPEFULLY TO BE THE LAST ONE FROM THE KITCHEN COUNTER AS MOM DEFINITELY HAS LEARNED HER LESSON....ALTHOUGH I AM SURE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY AGAIN WITH THE FEELING OF NO FEAR, NICO WILL BE GOING HEAD FIRST OFF THE NEXT ITEM HE HAS THE CHANCE TOO AND IF AS IN THIS DAY I CAN'T CATCH HIM FAST ENOUGH I HAVE LEARNED KIDS BOUNCE BACK PRETTY QUICKLY AND CAN BE WRITTEN IN THE RECORD BOOK OF JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE ADVENTURE OF RAISING LITTLE NICO~