Swims Like a Fish

Nico and his little friend Matthew finished their first swim lessons today and we have a little fish on our hands. The first few times, Nico had a great time being in the water and listening to all the songs being sung, but the last couple of lessons were a different story. Mommy discovered that Nico absolutely hates being under water! He learned how to swim under the water for up to 5 seconds, however, there is quite a bit of crying involved. This last lesson today was arranged so that the Daddies could come participate, which made it much more fun for Nico. While we had our ups and downs in the pool, Nico learned many things: float on his back, swim under water, kick when needed, and to use breath control. Maybe after more lessons over the next year, Nico will warm up to swimming underwater. Practice makes perfect.

Too Cute to Pass Up

I just had to share these adorable pictures. Nico is so photogenic!

Good Times in the Valley

Nico and Mommy finally got home today after quite a traveling experience. We were scheduled to depart yesterday evening, but due to mechanical problems our flight was canceled! Pops came back up to the airport, helped us to our hotel (I think he just wanted to spend some more time with Nico) and took us to dinner. After being getting to the airport before sunrise, we came to find out that we had been dropped from the flight we were supposed to be on this morning; however, we made it back on an unscheduled flight!

Thanks for a great time Pops and Mops. We will miss you!

Happy Birthday Great Ninny

Nico was able to spend the day with his great Ninny on her 94th birthday, which by the way is 658 years in dog years! We had a great time going to breakfast and just being able to spend time together. Hopefully there will be more of Ninny's birthdays to come that we can all celebrate together. Here's to 95 in Vegas Ninny!

A Busy Few Weeks

Boy, time sure has slipped away from me these past few weeks. We have been quite the busy bees lately. Here is a summary to catch everyone up on Nico's happenings:

First and foremost, Nico turned 7 months old! Mommy and Daddy are just waiting for our little man to get up and move around. He really wants to and is on the brink of doing so. Mommy and Daddy also decided that with the prospect of Nico hopefully starting to crawl soon, it was about time to create a play area for the little man. Nico now has his own space to play and Mommy can keep a close eye on him.


About a week before the 4th of July, Nico began cutting, not just one tooth, but two! It was quite an ordeal, and I do not think I have ever appreciate teeth so much until now. Nico had a difficult time sleeping at night, he was ALWAYS wanting to be held and wanted nothing near his mouth most of the time, and that included his bottle. All I have to say is thank goodness for Motrin! We made it through our first episode of teething, but I am already dreading the next wave! I have been trying to get a decent picture of Nico with his new pearly whites, but he just does not like to show them off.

Towards the end of the teething experience, Mommy, Daddy and Nico went to Houston for the 4th of July. Here, Gigi and Grandpa Dan (AKA: Krusty) got to spend some time with Nico, Mommy got to catch up on her sleep, Nico saw the beach for the first time, and Mommy and Daddy were able to go out on a date for the first time in a long time.




Back in town Nico and Mommy had playdates with Matthew, Jason Jr. and Nathan where we went swimming lots and let the boys play around together. Nico really loves being in the pool and is becoming quite the little fish.


Just this past Saturday Nico and Mommy flew (by ourselves!) to Harlingen to visit Pops, Mops, and Great Ninny. We are having a good time visiting and will be able to celebrate Ninny's 94th birthday on Friday. Since arriving, Nico has started purposefully clapping (hands only semi-opened) to various songs. His favorites? The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song, and of course the Nico Song, which Daddy made up when Nico was just a wee little one. I tried recording Nico clapping, but made the mistake of putting him in a room he had never been in. He was so excited to be looking at new things...well, you will see. I got more than I bargained for on this video.


Stay tuned for pictures from our trip to the Valley!

Happy Belated Fourth of July!

God Bless America!!!

Just So Darn Cute!

Yep, he's still as cute as ever!

Time with Mommy

Since school and work are over for the summer, Mommy and Nico have been able to spend lots of time together playing and having fun together. Just this week Nico and Mommy joined Mrs. Rebecca and little Matthew for some play time at their house followed by a leisurely lunch at the Cafe Modern. Nico was also invited to a play group with a couple of his friends where he drove a car for the first time and played till his heart's content. While the three boys were playing, the Mommys were slaving away in the kitchen making heaps of baby food...carrots, peas, apples, green beans, and so much more! Mmm...mmm...good.





In addition, Nico got a new prize...a walker. He tried one out for the first time at his playgroup and was immediately a movin' and a groovin' in it.


Lastly, Nico demonstrated he can hold his own bottle and feed himself! We knew he could do it, but he is finally showing interest in doing this now! What a big boy we have!

Father's Day

Nico got a little more fun in the sun on Father's Day. Daddy and Mommy took the Little Man swimming and to the park to play on the swings. Nico appears to be a natural at swimming; he moves his arms and kicks those little, chubby legs as if he has been doing it for years. I guess he will be a superstar at his swim lessons next month! Our little fish also enjoyed relaxing by laying back and floating around the pool. After playing hard outside, Daddy and Nico did two of Daddy's favorite things: take naps together and watched the US Open.

As you can tell from the pictures, Nico and Daddy have so much fun together. I can tell that they already have a very special father-son relationship. Nico really loves his Daddy and shows it with his many "Nico kisses." In addition, Nico's entire face lights up with huge smiles and coos whenever he sees his Daddy. While this was not the Father's Day that Daddy was hoping for, due to various circumstances, I hope he knows that there are many, many more Father's Days to come in which Nico will be right by his side to remind him what an awesome dad he is.

Summer Fun

As I mentioned in the last post, Nico stayed in Houston with his Gigi and Grandpa Dan while Mommy went to visit Daddy in Illinois. While Mommy was gone, Nico was able to have some summer fun! He went swimming for the first time, and was able to play with his cousin Mason again. According to Gigi, Nico was an excellent boy and they all had a blast together. Once Mommy was reunited with the Little Man, we were able to spend some extra time enjoying each other's company. Gigi and Mommy took Nico to the park where he played on the swings and slide, and indulged on his first cookie. Here are some great pictures and a video of Nico having fun.

Nico's newfound love: teething cookies!

Nico and Gigi eating their cookies!

Nico sitting in his "big chair, high chair" eating his cookie again.