Nico: 17 months

Dear Nico,

You have reached the ripe, old age of 17 months! Congratulations!  You seem oh-so-big sometimes, and other times, you are still my little baby.   You love walking and exploring things, climbing stairs, feeding yourself, and "reading" (turning the pages of) books all by yourself.  You also love running into my and "Dada's" arms, being held, and kissed dramatically by me. 

The past two weeks have been so rough for you, me, and "Dada" because you are teething.  You currently have 4 teeth on top, and two on bottom. I can't tell what teeth are coming in right now, but boy, they are giving you trouble. You are up late in the night with me.  Sometimes you cry so loud that Daddy wakes up and joins us.  We have had many late nights, and it is really starting to affect my well-being.  Yes, Nico, MY well-being!  You get to nap all morning and in the afternoon. But I'm up and on duty for three other people/dog in this household from 6:30 AM onward, no matter what time I get to sleep or how much sleep I get. Mommy and Daddy will be so relieved when this teething spell is over (and so will you, I'm sure!).

When we are up late at night together, you are always happy though.  You just seem to be so relieved that you are in good company, in a well-lit room, instead of in your crib, alone, in the dark.  This is why, when Daddy argues that you need to just "cry it out," I say, "NO!"  I will not leave you, Nico.  I can't do it.  It breaks my heart to hear you cry and I never want you to be sad if I can help it.   I am so worried about your well-being,  and I'm so over-tired (this post really is about you, Nico, even though I seem to be writing a lot about myself) that even when I sleep, I have nightmares about you.  I had one nightmare the other night that has led me to inquire about swim lessons.  So coming up soon, you'll be in the pool, just like your brother and sister! Won't that be fun?  We will be in the pool together. Yes, I love you so much that I am willing to put on a swimsuit (argh) and expose my post-partum body and white legs to all the world. 

You have regular words these days, saying "Mama" (my favorite word), "Dada" (Dada's favorite word), "qwackah" (cracker), "dank do" (thank you), "baaf" (bath), "baba" (for milk), "roar" (for Nico monster), "hi," "bye," and "No," (probably your favorite word, if not, probably your favorite word when you turn 2).

Your brother and sister still love playing "the Nico monster" game around you and you love to be a part of it, running around behind them as they shriek in mock terror.  At night, you join in the book reading session by settling down on the floor with us, and turning the pages of a board book, "reading" to yourself while Mommy reads a book to Bode and Gianna. Sometimes while I'm reading, you'll decide that you'd rather have the book that I am reading, and our book reading session will be put on hold while we sort out who is reading what.  Gianna has become great at giving you substitutes for things that she wants (a trick that Bode learned quickly when she was a baby, too!). 

Eating is a good experience but still tricky.   You drink Lactaid and water.  You can't eat things that contain a lot of eggs and milk (? or maybe wheat?), or you become so splotchy and itchy (again, breaking my  heart when I inadvertently give you something not good for you).  I can't decide if we need to get allergy testing done or if we should wait it out and see if you grow out of it.  You like eating peas, waffles (gluten-free), crackers (plain Goldfish), sweet potato, rice, broccoli, avocado, mango, blueberries, oatmeal and pasta.  You are not big on meat at this time. I have tried all different kinds of meat, cooked all different ways, and no matter what I try to give you, you leave it. 

You are so physical.  You love hugs and kisses and long tickle sessions, as well as the "Grand Ol' Duke of York" (you stand before me with a quizzical look and ask, "dude dor??" and I know that it is time for you to ride on my knees). You enjoy kicking the soccer ball around the yard. You love going on walks with your family, and surprise us by walking so far. You love being outside and of course, don't mind the rain or wind or whatever element. You're just happy to be out and about. You love going "bye-bye" and will bring me  your shoes and jacket, as if to seize the opportunity before I forget or leave you (never!). 

Just for grins, here is what your big sister was like at 17 months.  I see some similarities!
Now, let's put those toofys to bed and get some sleep!

Love,

Mommy

xo

On the last week before Christmas, my true loves...

Whee! We are almost to Christmas! Are you ready?!?!?!

This morning Bode and I mixed up gingerbread cookie dough.  He seems to be especially interested in the gingerbread men mentioned in some Christmas stories. So I decided that we need to make some so that he knows what he's seeing in the books.  While I was measuring out the ground cinnamon, Bode had the mixer all to himself.  Can you guess what happened?   Bode shouted, "Whoah!" and I looked up to see the mixers out of the bowl and cookie dough mix flying through the air!  We laughed (even though, I wasn't really laughing at first...it took me a minute to get over the initial, "Oh, no! My kitchen! What a mess!" reaction).   My t-shirt is covered in cookie dough and I'm sure there are parts of my kitchen that I missed.  

While the cookie dough is firming in the refrigerator, here are a few things we have done this week:

- Sunday I decided that we needed a bigger tree.  So after dropping RWF off at the airport in the early morning, we went Christmas tree shopping.  I picked out a 9 ft tree.  After checking out, I realized my tree wasn't going to fit in our car! (I wasn't driving the QEII.)  So we had to leave the tree behind and go exchange cars.  We returned to pick up our tree in the QEII.  I got the 9 ft tree into the house, and built it while the babies played in the Christmas tree box.  It fit, but only in the spots where our ceiling arched high. I wanted the Christmas tree in the window. I just love seeing Christmas trees in windows, don't you?   So...I took the tree down.  I put it back in the box (after convincing the babies to leave the box).  We went back to the store after naps.  I picked up a 7 ft tree.  We took it home, built it, and it fits perfectly in our front window. Hooray!  I love having my own grown-up tree (in addition to our lovely homemade Charlie Brown tree).  The babies are enjoying both trees as well.

-Cookie making in full force. Bode understands that Santa gets cookies and milk when he leaves toys for good girls and boys. So we are busy in the cookie department. I am a sneaky mommy though. I only make half the dough.  So the cookies disappear quickly.  Bode usually eats one or two cookies.  I eat a bunch while he naps.  Don't worry, Santa, we'll have cookies for you!

-Bode and I wrapped the rest of our presents while Gianna napped yesterday.  I enjoy asking him to put his finger on the ribbon to hold it in place while I make a bow. My mom used to let me "help" her wrap presents the same way. I remember feeling Very Important holding the ribbon down while she made a bow. 

-Bode and Gianna are both wearing Christmas pajamas every night. Bode seems to feel that this is a "requirement" as he won't wear anything else.  They both look so festive and huggable.  This is another Christmas tradition that I want my children to enjoy every year. (Okay, so it's really for me to enjoy.)

-Bode doesn't want to wear anything that isn't Christmas-y.  In fact, he insists on wearing one of his Christmas pajama shirts during the day.  The other night after RWF returned home from work, I ran out to Target and bought Bode some Christmas t-shirts to wear for the next couple of days.  Problem solved. 

-Yesterday both babies got haircuts.  Gianna got her bangs whacked off and she now has a 1/4 inch fringe above her eyes.  Seriously, it looks bad.  The stylist blamed Gianna, stating that she moved her head. I blame the stylist, of course. It looks like I did the job myself.  After seeing Gianna's fringe, I was not in the Christmas spirit, as  I gave the stylist a (small) tip.  Bode has a big boy haircut again. I really enjoy his hair on the longer side but I don't think I can handle the growing out phase to get it long again.  The short cut looks nice on him, but I miss the curls and longer, shaggy 'do that my boy used to wear.

And last, I have no pictures to share.  Gianna ran off with my camera the other day, and I have no idea where she "hid" it. I have turned the house upside down looking for my camera.  We need this camera to take pictures of Christmas, so please send some good little elves over to help me find it.

Happy Wednesday. 

xo

I am done

Gianna sez: No Christmas card for you!

It's all her fault. She refuses to smile. I give up.

Happy weekend.

xo

Mia Gianna: 17 months

Dear Gianna,

In your 16 month, you endured a lot of changes. I think your daddy would say that you "thrived" through the travel and changes.  I would say that you have endured the changes of the move (not that you  had much choice) but you did get very clingy over the past couple of months.  You always want me to hold you!  Not that I am complaining (except when I need to cook dinner, or you know, use my hands for something).  I am enjoying this "baby" part of you as I am not at all anxious for you to become the independent toddler I know that you will be soon.

And you are becoming independent.  Now that you are a walker, you will just take off in any direction you want.  Isn't being able to walk the best?  I know that you are enjoying this newfound freedom (except when  the rest of your family is walking faster and ahead of you).

I think the funniest thing you do lately is allowing your daddy to kiss you.  When he comes home from work, or walks into the room, you lean your head forward so that he can kiss it.  It is like you are the queen offering your hand so that your subject can kiss your ring. 

You broke from teething tradition and now have a giant back toofy (a molar?).  So you have three front teeth on bottom, two on top, and this big tooth in the back.  I don't know what is going to pop out next, because you don't seem to follow the typical pattern.  

You are a terrific napper and sleeper.  Dare I say that???  But you are...even with all the changes, after a brief hiccup on schedule, you get right back into the sleep mode.  You still love your Penguin and bring him to sleep with you always.

When I mention to Bode that we are going out, or going "bye-bye,"  you will run and get your shoes.  You bring them to me, drop them on the floor, and then sit down so that I can put your shoes on your feet.  

You still love taking a bath more than anything.  Sometimes I have to "Shhh!" Bode because he will mention taking a bath around dinner time.  If you hear the word "bath," you start saying, "BAAAA! BAAA!" over and over.  If you are able to, you'll run to the bathroom and stand by the bathtub, announcing, "BAAA! BAAA!" You love taking a bath and God forbid if someone says the word before I am ready to give you a bath.

You are very loving and seem to be exhibiting typical "caretaker" roles, like playing with dolls, that are common with little girls. It really surprises me to witness this behavior coming out.  And I only attribute it to being a girl because Bode never showed any signs of "caretaker" or "loving" behavior.   If you are given a stuff animal, you will say, "Baby" and then give the baby a hug.  You will carry a baby around and pat it on the back while you carry it.   You are more interested in dolls and stuffed animals than cars or blocks.   You like blowing kisses, too.

Sadly, you are still not interested in reading.  I have tried reading to you in different settings, at different times, with and without Bode present.  In all cases, you show no interest in following a story.  Last night, I was reading a book to you and Bode at the dinner table, and Bode was absolutely engrossed in the story and pictures.  I looked over at you, and you were looking off in the distance, as if you were imagining what your future prom dress might look like.   Gianna, we are readers in this family and we expect you to enjoy reading!  

You do love music and will "dance" or sway while listening to it.  You still love clapping, and think it is quite the party when we all clap together. 

Happy 17 months, my lovely girl.

Love,

Mommy

xo