Trip to the East

Typically, when we travel, we head south, but this past weekend Nico and Mommy drove to east Texas, specifically, Tyler. We went to celebrate Mason, Nico's cousin, turning 1 year old. Aunt Shae threw a great party for her darling little boy, including lots of yummy cake balls to eat! We had a great time visiting Aunt Sterling and Aunt Jessica who we don't see as often. Then of course Gigi and Nanny were also there to love on their grandsons as much as possible. We had a great surprise guest show up who initially had not planned on coming...Daddy! Ed called and said he was heading east and was on his way to Tyler for the weekend. I think he missed us!









Aunt Shae took us to a great diamond in the rough in Tyler. The Discovery Science Place was a fantastic place for Nico and Mason to run around exploring and playing. There was a simulated grocery store and hospital, an ambulance and a car the boys were able to crawl into and play around, a puzzle area, a ball room, an exploratory cave and so much more. We will definitely have to make a trip back out there for some more fun soon!

One Night of Peace

Glen Rose, TX was our destination for one night and one night only; but it was one night in which we would be allowed to enjoy each other and have peace from the absence of drama and conflict. It was at the Ten Triple X Ranch, just outside of Glen Rose, where Ed was scheduled to run a 10K. Not only did he run the 10K amidst the snow covered ranch grounds, but he did it breaking a personal record. I was, and still am so proud of how hard Ed has worked at become not just a fit person, but a dedicated runner.



I love spending time with my boys and this one-nighter in Glen Rose was a great chance for us to have quality time together as a normal family. Nico had fun just wandering around the hotel room exploring his environment and jumping off of the bed into Daddy's arms. I am looking forward to doing this again next month when Ed runs a half marathon.

I really do have a toddler!

Two weeks ago Nico developed a strange fear of baths. He went from absolutely loving bath time to kicking and screaming when I would put him in the water. I have no idea how this switched happened, but it did. Scared of baths or not, Nico still needed to bathe, especially since the smearing food in his hair is typically a part of meal time now. We tried bubble baths, having a bath time playdate with Mason when we were in Houston, new bath toys, and even getting in the bath tub with him. Nothing work except time. Just as there was no apparent reason for the bath fear to begin with, the last two nights Nico was practically jumping out of my arms to get in the tub with no cause for explanation. I guess we have to chalk it up Nico just being a toddler.

Nico in the bath crying, while cousin Mason is having a blast playing.

Before the bath fear even began, Nico showed his true toddler colors in the eating department. Up until he was 13 months old, I spent precious time making all of Nico's baby food. Homemade, fresh, organic baby food, what could be more healthier? The best thing was that Nico ate everything! Now? Not so much. He began refusing the baby food at 13 months, so we made the switch to eating all table food. As soon as I mastered how to make and freeze enough vegegtables for at least a week, Nico decided he wanted nothing to do with them. In fact HE decided he only wanted milk, yogurt, Cheerios, and possibly a meatball here and there. Not the best diet. I continually keep offerring the little man all the foods I would have hoped he would still be eating. The strange thing is that Nico will take the various foods, put them in his mouth and even chew on them for a bit; however they do not get swallowed. Instead, out the food comes. So my great, healthy eater became a very picky eater! Well, knock on wood, but I think Nico may be expanding his food options a little more. He has been eating more of a variety of food in the last week. I just hope he keeps it up!

Family Times

While Daddy headed north to New York, Mommy and Nico went south to Houston for the weekend. There was a dual purpose behind Nico and I packing up for the weekend. First and foremost, Nico and I were unable to visit with my grandpa, his great-grandfather last time we were in town. Unfortunately, Nico came down with a yucky cold and I did not want to spread it around. My grandfather's last doctor's visit was not a very encouraging one; so with him getting weaker, I wanted to make sure Nico and I were able to visit sooner rather than later. We had nice visit chatting and everyone had the chance to see Nico walk around like a pro.


Shae, Mason and Mindi (Nanny) also met us Houston, and we were packed into Gigi's house for the weekend. I feel so blessed that Nico has a cousin he is going to be able to grow up with. Being only 2.5 months apart, these two boys will be able to experience so much together for many years to come. What is even more fun is that Shae and I get to experience being new mommy's together and our mom's get to spoil their first grand babies together. Between all of us girls, we had lots of laughs, ate way too much food, and just enjoyed watching our little boys interact with each other.

It Just Needs to Run its Course

It just seems like it has been one thing after another in our little world. A little over a week ago, poor Nico caught a virus from who knows where. First, our little guy broke out in a rash all over his chest and tummy. After observing him clawing at himself, I concluded that this may be an itchy rash, so Benedryl became our best friend. I took Nico to the doc-in-the-box on a Sunday and low and behold I was told, "it's a virus and just needs to run its course." Because time has not been much on our side, Nico developed a fever of 102 and then graced me with a layer of vomit within two hours of returning home from getting the superb advice. With the new symptoms, I called the on-call pedi/nurse, and surprisingly was told, "it's stomach virus and just needs to run its course." I was definitely glad to have that cleared up (sarcastic).

The good news, is that this "stomach virus" was gone within 24 hours and we did not have repeated vomitting. The bad news....as soon as Nico was rid of the virus, he began teething! Apparently I have been neglectful of noticing the new additions to Nico's mouth, and once I felt around in there, I was in shock. Nico now is the proud owner of 12 beautiful pear;y white teeth!

Besides a second haircut, a fun filled trip with Matthew to Abbey's Playtown, getting a new ball pit, and a couple of excursions to the park (before this cold weather came back), not a lot has been happening in the life of Nico. But as always, here are some recent pictures of the man of the hour.

All Over the Place and Beyond!

Nico took his first steps just a week or so before Christmas and it wasn't long he became a full fledged walker. Being on two legs has been the preferred method moving himself around for a few weeks already, and Nico is getting faster and faster all the time. He now has lots of fun playing around with Mommmy and Daddy. For example, one of Nico's favorite things to do now is to take something off of a table such as a remote or a cell phone and wait to be chased by one of us. He will turn around and give us a look along with lots of giggling and then take off just as fast is his little feet can take him around the house. Our little guy now gets around the house really well now. He loves walking from between his four play areas in the house and finding new and fun things to do. He does not have a problem telling us when he needs or wants something; Nico has become a great pointer and is also able to come get Mommy or Daddy's hand and take us to come with him!

Here is a video of the little man moving from room to room and doing what he does best: playing!


And here is a video clip of Nico and Daddy playing chase!

Canine Conflict

I know, it has been a while since I last blogged. 2010 has not started out quite as smoothly as I would have hoped; however, we are making it through every little trial and tribulation God hands us. There is a purpose behind everything that happens, but for me it is finding the silver lining in it all that is hard at times.

God promises, "I will guide you. I will turn darkness into light before you and make the rough places smooth." Isaiah 42:16. With this said, I know all of these little hills we must conqueror are nothing in the face of God, and that He knows what He is doing and why.

On top of the typical discord and tension in the house due to endless circumstances that I do not have the privledge nor the desire of discussing, Nico and one of the furbabies of the household had a conflict. A little over a week ago, while the streets outside were in the process of icing over, Nico startled Pettie and received the brunt of an old, sleepy, startled, defensive canine. Not seeing exactly what happened, all I can say is that one minute all was quiet and the next there was an "I am in pain" scream coming from my one year old. I ran into the bedroom to find Nico laying on his stomach and Pettie crouching near his dog bed. Everything is now a blur, but Nico's face was bleeding near his eye. I remember thinking over and over, what if it's eye, oh my gosh, what we will do, will he be able to see?! It the midst of me screaming and crying right along with Nico I managed to call Ed, and wake up EJ, who was very sweet by sitting with me and helping hold Nico until Ed came home. God, once again, was looking out for little Nico. He stopped crying not long after the incident, but looked like he had been in quite a tussle. The whole situation could have been so much worse than it was, but fortunately, I think God is overly invested in Nico (being a two time miracle and all...). We did make the trip to the ER, where Nico thankfully did not need stitches and I was forced into making a police report.

After texting everyone in my phone trying desperately to find a new home for Pete who has been with me for 10 years, my mom came through once again. After lots of stress, tears, an unexpected visit from Animal Control, and a 10 day quarantine, this story will end on Monday in Waco when I meet my mom to give her my long time friend. While this whole ordeal was a nightmare for me, I think God was giving us a warning with Pete's attack on Nico. He has always been an overprotective and defensive dog and now with him being 70 in human years, this was probably an inevitable occurrence. All in all, the situation could have been so much worse than it was.

Thank You 2009

We ring in a new year tonight. Goodbye 2009 and hello 2010. For our family, 2009 has been year of amazement, discovery, excitement and then some tearful moments as well. Fortunately, Nico has brought only joy to Ed and I. One year ago we were fumbling around on very little sleep with bottle warmers, boppys, and breast pumps. Today, I still sometimes stumble when I come upon a new gadget or trying to adjust Nico to a new schedule, but there is a bit more grace and confidence involved now.
How quickly this year has gone by. Although expected, Nico has changed so drastically over his first year of life. I love watching our little man grown and learn; however, it is still somewhat heart wrenching knowing he will never be that tiny infant again. I guess it's a good thing I take lots of pictures! Since every year just seems to get better, I am looking forward to what 2010 will bring us.

Our precious miracle baby, one year ago.

Our 1 year old Nico ready to go into 2010.

Enjoy the new look. I decided to give the blog a makeover for the New Year!

Christmas Thoughts

Thousands of years ago the first Christmas came; however, no one who was there knew the magnitude for which the impact that the newborn baby boy would eventually have on all humanity. The first Christmas must have been such a mixture of emotions including joy, love and celebration, but also fear and worry of what the future held for Mary, Joseph and their brand new baby. Many times, the true meaning of the Christmas holiday becomes diluted and less of a priority when compared to the gift buying and receiving, outlandish decorations, holiday parties, and Santa. We get so wrapped up in the secular version of the Christmas holiday that we forget that we have already been given the most incredible gift all-eternal life with our Savior.

For many, including myself this year, December 25th rolls around and Christmas day is not filled with all the perfect joy and fun that you had planned. Instead many are filled with disappointment, sadness or depression and some may even experience anger, none of which celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The thought of this sacrifice is so hard for me to wrap my head around. Maybe because I am and have been in the midst of the "baby stage" with Nico, but Jesus came to us in a form of a baby. He had to poop in a diaper, spit up on his mother, learn to walk, talk and so many other things in which God himself should not have to endure. But He did. He sacrificed himself for us, and this fact alone should make Christmas fabulous every year. While the holiday this year was not all that I intended for it to be or expected, I am so eternally grateful for God's grace and love, and Ed and I are also so blessed during this holiday season with our little Nico.

Although Nico was breaking in a new tooth and had the beginnings of a very bad cold, he had a good time opening up his presents.

Christmas Eve, we got more snow than I ever seen in Texas!

The little man was not a big fan of the cold snow, but we had to get a picture knowing we were experiencing possibly the only white Texas Christmas we would ever see!

Nico opening his stocking.

This was a great present! Nico now is the owner if his very own ball pit, thanks Aunt Lisa!