A Letter From Santa

Tomorrow at school Nico will be receiving a personal letter from Santa and his teachers will be reading it outloud to him and his friends in class.

Dear Nico,

Your mommy and daddy told me you have been a very nice boy this year! I guess that means I will be coming to visit you in a few weeks while you are at your Gigi's house. I heard you really like the guys from Toy Story, Woddy and Buzz? You keep on listening to your mommy, daddy, Gigi, and your teachers. They all love you very much. Great job at being such a nice boy, see you soon!

Love,
Santa


Update: Nico's teachers took a great picture of our proud little man after he had his Santa letter read to him.

Big Boy Bed

Nico's big ticket item for his birthday from Mommy and Daddy was his new big boy toddler bed. We had the option of converting his crib into a bed, but after ho-ing and humming about it, Ed and I decided against it. The reason being was that we could keep the crib intact in case the transition from crib to bed went badly, and he would need to switch back temporarily. Thankfully, he is doing well so far with the big transition and loving his new Cars bed.




The little man helped as much as he could. With tools in had, Nico was right there doing what he could in putting the bed together with Daddy. Once it was completed and moved into Nico's room, he knew just what to do. Nico crawled onto the bed, and after making lots and lots of car sounds, laid down, closed his eyes and made pretend snoring noises! It was really hilarious.



The first two nights Nico did "okay" with the transition. He went down for nigh-nigh without any resistance, and stayed in bed asleep until about 3am. It was then at 3am where he was heard trying to escape from his room and yelling, "Momma" at the top of his lungs. Once he was quieted and put back into bed, Nico then continued to get up every hour and inform everyone in the house he was awake. Last night was the third night of this new rite of passage, and I must say the third times the charm, because it couldn't have gone any better. Daddy and I had a little talk with Nico before bedtime and explained to him that he needed to stay in bed all night for nigh-nigh time and that Mommy will come get him in the morning when it is time to get up. The little man did not make even the slightest peep all night long until 6 am! He did not try to escape, did not play around in his room (from what we know), and at about 6:20 am began trying to poke through the doors to see out.

As usual, Daddy went into check on Nico before we hit the sack and these two pictures are of Nico in middle of night sleeping in his new Cars bed.

Nico was obviously, without a doubt, ready for this transition. I definitely think that the fact that Nico has been sleeping on an open cot at school during nap time has helped him understand what is expected of him regarding "nigh-nigh" behavior in the big boy bed. I am very proud of my angel boy! He is growing up so fast, but both he and I are enjoying it together. I love, love, love, love him a little more each day (if that is even possible)!

Sponge Bob Birthday Party

Birthday party #2 for my precious 2 year old was a Sponge Bob party at our home. The day after Nico's actual birthday, we had a small celebration with presents to boot. Nico's Nana was still in town visiting from Thanksgiving, as well as big brother EJ. Gigi also drove up for a night and then Auntie Lisa and Sissy Amber came over to join us in partying, Sponge Bob style.



Last year at Nico's birthday party, he hadn't a clue on how to or why he should open the presents that were given to him. This year, he couldn't wait to get started. As soon as Nico walked into the room and saw the pile of presents, a small shriek escaped his mouth! It was precious! Nico is very blessed to have such a wonderful, although small, family who loves him so much. He got lots a really wonderful presents and we are very grateful for everyone's generosity.










After presents and lots of play time with the new toys, it was cake time! Nico is now a BIG fan of eating cake. I am pretty sure he could eat cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner, at any time of the day...in a house with a mouse, in the rain while on a train!

Last year Nico just used his hands to gobble cake down; this he has moved to a fork!

How old are you Nico? Two!

Stay tuned because....Yes, that's right, Birthday Party #3 is coming soon....To Infinity and Beyond!

School Birthday Party!

The first birthday celebration for this big 2 year old was yesterday on his birthday, at school! Nico was pleasantly surprised when I walked into his classroom with a box full of Toy Story cupcakes! In fact, he was so surprised, he screamed excitedly as soon as he got a peek of this delicious, yet quite creative baked good.


I must say, that the children were all very patient in waiting to be served and sat quietly at the table...well, all students except Nico! Nico was so excited about his Toy Story cupcakes he just couldn't take his eyes, or fingers, off of it!




After Daddy arrived for the celebration, everyone was served, Happy Birthday was sung to Nico, prayers were said, cake was then happily shoveled into 10 little mouths.

2 Years Ago Today

Dear Nico,

2 years ago today you entered into this world after quite a struggle and was on your way home to be with God, before I even got to meet you. But that was not God's will. You are truly a miracle here on Earth. I'm not sure how many miracles we are "allowed" to have throughout our life, but I am unbelievably grateful to God that you are my miracle. I actually can not think of any appropriate words to express how truly thankful I am to have you in my life. You are the light of my world and just plain down right wonderful in every aspect.

I look back at the pictures of you over the last 2 years and you have grown and changed into such an incredible little boy. You are beautiful beyond words and so hilarious, that you keep both your Mommy and Daddy laughing. The special unsolicited hugs and kisses you give us, warms my heart to the very core, and the sweet way you grab hold of my hand when walking always puts a smile across my face.

Nico, I love so many things about you that make you special. The way you say "nigh, night" when you are ready to be put into bed for the night; the smile on your face when you pick flowers; the special way you sing the Sponge Bob theme song; how joyful you are in the mornings as soon as you wake up; how you love to help both Mommy and Daddy, especially when tools, particularly screwdrivers, are involved; and how you dance when you think nobody is looking. I could go on and on.

You are amazing in every way possible and I am so incredibly proud to be called your Mommy. I pray you continue to grow up with the same joy and love for life that you show. I love you with every single fiber of my being and can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be."

Love Forever and Always,
Your Momma

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Nico's birthday is now right around the corner! Yikes! Ed's family, including one of his cousins and his family came into town for Thanksgiving, along with Ed's mom, Nana and EJ, Nico's brother. Nico was a little overwhelmed by so many people being in the house and the fact that noise level went up about three notches. Nico is definitely my kid, because there were times when he just became over stimulated by the typical chaos of family get togethers and needed some quite time in order to calm down. Overall, however, the holiday went well, the food was good and we all survived. Nico (and his mommy) was happy when the week was over and he was able to get back into his routine at school. Before our week long break, I was actually worried that Nico would have a difficult time Monday morning going back to school, but he proved me wrong. Monday morning came and Nico happily joined his friends and his teachers in the classroom, waving good bye and blowing kisses to Mommy and Daddy.

Here are some pictures of Thanksgiving 2010.

Nico hanging out with a couple of his cousins.

Nico, Daddy and cousin Rocco.

Nico hugging on his younger 2nd cousin, Chole.

Nico with his sissy and brother for the first time in over 5 months.

Playing cards with brother...

...and now playing poker with Daddy? Oh, goodness.

Stuffed and watching movies with cousins, Michelina and Alicia.

Moos!

With family in town for the holidays, we went down to the historic Stockyards to wander around. Twice a day, there is a cattle run that comes down the street for the tourists to get a feel for the area. Nico has been and seen this in the past, but now that "moos" are one of his favorite animals, he was even more excited about the event! Here is a video of the longhorns coming through the streets and Nico's reaction.

Primrose Pictures

Typically school pictures are the ugly backgrounds, mundane, sit and smile kind, but not at Primrose. At Primrose School, a professional photographer is brought in and pictures are taken while the kids are having fun on the playground, running around and just doing their own thing. I have to say...my kid is so beautiful! He has the bluest, most clear eyes and a smile meant for an angel.

Two Year Old Pictures!!!

How has it almost been two years already??? Our little man is going to be 2 years old soon, and it is so hard to believe. I have been looking through pictures from the past year and it is amazing how much Nico has changed in such a short amount of time. I am so incredibly blessed to have such an angel as my child. I would not change a single thing about my joyful, blue eyed, blonde haired boy.

This past week we had Nico's professional 2 year old pictures taken, and I must say that it was a challenge. Funny, because I thought his 1 year old pictures were difficult since he was mobile, but now, not only was Nico moving all over the place, but he had his own agenda on what he wanted to do with all the props in the studio. Thankfully the photographer had gummy bears, which is how we got through the session with some great pictures. Here are a few more of my favorites.