The Very First Mother's Day

My very first Mother's Day! I have been looking forward to this day for so many years. Now it has come and gone, but I know I have so many more in front of me. My amazing husband knew how much I was looking forward to this day and he, with a little help from Nico, made the day very special. While waiting to leave for breakfast, Ed presented me with a beautiful necklace with a pendant made up of 5 of Nico's birthstone-blue topaz! This was so thoughtful. Every time I look down at the gorgeous blue stones, I think of my little blue eyed boy and how awesome he is. Then the entire family, including my mom who was in town, went to breakfast. This was quite an occasion. It is not very often when we can get all three teenagers out of the house for an activity at the same time! Church was after breakfast, where Nico had his moment in the sun, and then Ed, Nico and myself went to the zoo!

The family at breakfast.

Nico's birthstone times 5!!!

The zoo was symbolic to both Ed and I, because this is where we came the day we were waiting for the phone call from the doctor telling us whether we were expecting a little one or not. Walking through the front gates of the zoo I could remember the jittery, nervous feelings I had at the pit of my stomach when we were there last. Then I looked down...and I saw my Nico sitting in his stroller, looking around at everything, taking it all in...and then he looked up at his Mommy and Daddy and gave us a big smile! All the worrying, stress, heartbreak, crying, and needles were worth it. There he was-just so perfect!

This was Nico's first trip to the zoo! While he did look around and appeared to see some of the animals, he did not really seem to care. He was definitely not as interested in these animals as he is in Pettie and Luke. However, we still had fun and pointed out the elephants, monkeys and penguins to Nico. Next time we come there is a good chance that Nico may be able to walk around the grounds on his own! Overall, I had an amazing Mother's Day. I couldn't have asked for anything more-being able to spend it with my amazing husband and son, as well as my very own mom.

Nico and Mommy with the elephants

Nico hitching a ride on Daddy!

Nico and Daddy in front of the monkeys

Nico with his Gigi on Mother's Day

And They're Cousins!

With Mommy having a little extra time off of work due to the swine flu outbreak, Nico was able to meet his cousin Mason who is only 2 1/2 months younger than him. The two of them together were so adorable. This was the first of many visits our boys will have with each other. I can't wait to watch them grow up together. We really enjoyed visiting with Aunt Shae and little Mason and can't wait to see them again soon.

5 months old!

I can't believe how fast my little man is growing! He is 5 months old now, wearing size 3 diapers, out growing his 3-6 month old clothes and is loving his pears, peas and avocados! Everyday is a new day, full of exciting adventures for him with new foods to taste and sights to see. Nico loves the sight of our two dogs, Pettie and Luke. He watches their every move, will often laugh and smile at them as they move around, and reaches out to touch them. There is always a smile to be found on his face, especially at the sight of Mommy and Daddy.

Sleeping like a baby!

Ready for Chicago in a few weeks!

First time with yummy peas!

This video is of Nico not wanting to take his medication. Watch his facial expressions! What a funny boy!

A Texas Tradition

Spring time in Texas means bluebonnet filled fields. It is a Texas tradition to take pictures in the endless blue countryside during this time of year. Often times, you can even spot people taking picutres on the side of the highways in a ideal bluebonnet site. Following suite, I had pictures taken of Nico surrounded by our state flower. Enjoy, and Happy Spring time!

Messy Boy!

Nico had his first solid food today! We started with sweet potatoes, which he actually seemed to enjoy. Nico did well eating from a spoon for the first time, and opened his mouth every time the food came in for a landing. He also appeared to like sitting in his high chair for the first time and did not hesitate making a mess with his food. Our little boy is definitely becoming a big boy and enjoying all his new accomplishments.

Kid of the Day

Nico was chosen by a helpful "mommy website" to be the kid of the day! All day on April 13th Nico's very cute face is posted on www.lilaguide.com with his own link of www.nicholasguide.com! Along with his adorable chubby cheeks for all the world to see, there are some fun facts of how Nico got his name.

Since the website expires at the end of the day, I have posted a snap shot of the site.

Happy Easter!

Another first has come and gone: Nico's first Easter. It is hard to imagine that just a little over a year ago we were struggling with conceiving, and now we are so blessed to have little Nico in our lives. God certainly is good, and Easter is a celebration to remind us of just that. Here are some pictures of Nico at his first Easter egg hunt, as well as a video of Nico with his very own Easter bunny that Daddy and Big Sis brought home. You can see that he just not sure what to think of it., especially since the Easter Bunny sings and dances!

Cool things about Nico

Nico's personlaity is coming out more and more the older he gets. In the last few weeks, Nico has begun to laugh, has discovered his feet and toes which he loves to play with, enjoys playing peek-a-boo, rolls from side to side, can turn on his crib light up soother/entertainer by pushing a button, has gradutaed from swaddles to sleep sacks, and has begun the beginning stages of teething. He is such a great kid and here are a few unique things about our Nico-man:

• Loves having his tummy “eaten,” which is what Daddy was doing when he laughed for the first time
• Does not like being put in the car seat, nor riding in the car
• Does enjoy being outside-being outside will actually calm him down when upset
• Has sucked on his fingers since before he was born
• His happy place is the changing table
• Prefers standing to any other position
• Tries to hold his bottle when eating
• Often eats with one eye partially open and one closed
• Gets a kick out of sitting in his Bumbo chair every afternoon while Mommy cooks dinner.
• Sneezes two times in a row
• Gets excited when trying to sit up by himself (or so he thinks-he is usually propped up some)
• Prefers being in the Moby when in a store so he can see everything around him.
• Always makes a pouting lip while looking up with big blue sad eyes before breaking down to cry.
• Loves his bath time at night
• Prefers to not have socks on and will pull them off on his own
• Is happiest in the morning and gives big smiles form his crib when Mommy comes in his room in the morning singing in order to wake him up
• Gets his best naps when sleeping on Daddy’s chest
• And always gives huge smiles and "talks" quite a bit (I think he is telling me about his day) when Mommy comes to pick him from school.

4 Months Old

I can't believe it has been 4 months since Nico arrived. I feel like so much has happened and can't even imagine life without my little Nico now. Without even knowing it, Nico has impacted so many people in a positive way and has really bonded our family together even more. He is such an amazing boy and I am having so much fun watching him grow and learn.

Thank you so much my little Nico man for being such an awesome, wonderful and happy baby boy! Mommy loves you with all her heart! Happy 4 Months Old Birthday!

Poor Sick Baby!

Too often babies come down with serious illnesses and so Ed and I realize just how blessed we are by having such a healthy baby! On that note, Nico graced us with our first trip to the ER yesterday. Nico was not acting like himself, so we started out at the pediatrician's office. During the day he vomited once, appeared lethargic, was crying as if he was in pain, and was hot to the touch, yet he did not have a fever. Our pediatrician's office sent us to the ER in order to get an x-ray on Nico's tummy, thinking that this was the root of his sickness. After hours and hours of waiting, it turned out that Nico developed a fever while we were in the ER. He had to have blood work done, provide a urine sample, which of course was through a catheter and be tested for RSV. Poor Nico screamed and screamed and did not appreciate all of the sticks and pokes. The good news is that the lab results came back normal on everything and it seems that he just caught cold with a fever which should subside in a few days. While this was Nico's first time being sick, I am sure this will not be the last. Nico is home now and is taking it easy so he can get back to his normal self.

Here are a few pictures of Nico at the hospital. Notice the "cast" he has on his hand which is holding the IVs in place. Poor Baby!