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

Nico: 16 months

Dear Nico,

Tomorrow you turn 16 months old.  You are growing, growing, growing...but in my mind, you're still my little baby!  Lucky for me, you're happy to go along as my little baby.  You don't mind being carried and you don't mind snuggling in the chair with your mommy.

You are always smiling.  You charm so many people when we are out and about, just with your happy smile.  It makes me happy to see that you bring a little joy to others.  It's like I'm carrying around the lucky charm, bringing happiness everywhere we go.

Your obsession right now is shoes.  You love putting on your shoes. If you don't have shoes on, you'll go find a pair and bring them to me. "Nah?" you'll ask or state emphatically.  I'll put the shoes on your little feet, but sometimes explain that we aren't going outside.  

Your other obsession is going outside.  You love getting dressed in your jacket (and your shoes!) and going outside. You walk around, sometimes on stilt-like legs, looking at everything. March, march, march. You go around, getting in more mileage every day. You're interested in all the different surfaces: grass, gravel, dirt, wood chips and concrete.  At first, you were naturally cautious about any new surface, and would pause before making the step onto something new.  But now, you pretty much keep moving no matter if the terrain changes. On steps, you are wary and will not step down anywhere (thank goodness!).  

You love playing games with your brother and sister.  Or, they love playing games around you.  A favorite game is "The Nico Monster."  Bode and Gianna will be doing something ordinary, and suddenly, one of them will announce, "Oh, no! It's the Nico Monster!" Then the two of them take off running and shrieking.  You'll follow behind slowly, Frankenstein-walking after them, while they run through the house as if you are a terrifying beast set on devouring them in one gulp.  Another game is the vacuum cleaner.  This is a game that I have played with Bode and Gianna since long before you.  I chase them with the vacuum cleaner, or they will slowly creep around me while I'm vacuuming, and I'll try to suck them with the hose attachment of the vacuum. They shriek and run away, and then come back for more. Well now, you're in on the action. You'll walk right up to me as soon as I get the vacuum out, smiling broadly, daring me, just waiting for me to put the hose attachment up to your tummy and 'get you' before you start running off.  Bath time is always a favorite with you. I'll ask you if you want to take a bath and you'll respond, "Bah? Bah?" while toddling straight to the bathroom.  And of course, baths are even more fun if your brother and sister are splashing in the tub with you.

You eat a lot of different foods these days but cereal and Goldfish crackers are your two most requested snack foods. You know to point to what you want, and I won't refuse anything you want.

"Shey shey" is your special name that Gianna calls you.  I think it is fitting that it sounds like "xie xie" in Mandarin, which means, "thank you." At least, that is what I think of when she says it.  You are a gift to me.  You'll never know how much your presence helps me through life right now.  I'm always thankful for you, a wonderful little addition to our family...our little "xie xie."

Love,

Mommy

xo

Nico: 11 months

Dear Nico,
Wow, this past month you've changed a lot.  Luckily, I captured most of it in pictures (thanks to the iPhone).

You currently have 2 teeth.  You drool all the time now.  Last night, you were crawling around, with a steady stream of drool escaping your mouth.  I thought, "Man, he's drooling a ton," and then I thought, "Hmm.  This seems to be a different kind of drool."  I pried your mouth open and sure enough, found a broken yellow crayon.  Change #1 is that you are putting everything in your mouth these days.  We have to watch you like a hawk. I've lectured both Bode and Gianna to make sure that the floor is clear of any small objects. They understand this, but they are babies, too, so can't be expected to remember to pick up stray crayons and Legos. But they do know to tell me if they see you put something in your mouth.  They are always quick to yell, "Nico put something in his mouth! Nico put something in his mouth!" so that I can quickly fish your mouth for the object. 

Change #2: You are starting to pull up on things.  The very first time I spied you doing this was in the garage.  Whenever we go outside, we all stop at the shoe basket and put on our shoes.  And you've learned this routine, too.  Once that garage door is opened in the kitchen, you make a beeline for the garage.  (Yet another area that I have to be careful about because I don't need you attempting to crawl down stairs!) The first time I saw you pull up was on a low basket in the garage.  And now, you are pulling up on other objects, too. You are ready to stand, moving your legs out straight, so that you are doing an inverted V on the floor.

The biggest surprise was last week, when everybody was in the playroom.  You decided to crawl up on the trampoline!  That was a pretty amazing feat, and I just sat there and stared, snapping pictures while you climbed up.  When you got up there, you sat and bounced, like you knew what to do.  While you bounced, you had this big smile on your face. You were so happy.  I clapped and cheered for you.  Then I called Daddy and told him that he needed to put the trampoline in the basement ASAP.  And so it is, but you're still looking for things to climb on. 

Speaking of play, you love playing ball. You are so good at rolling it to another person, catching it, and throwing it out again.  We usually do this in the morning before your sibs wake up. It is our little morning routine, and we both enjoy it. If I need a minute to do something, I can just roll a ball to you and you will play  with it for awhile. You love chasing after the ball, rolling it away, chasing after it again. 

Change #4 would be to food.  No more baby purees for you.  You won't even let me near you with a spoon.  If I approach you with a spoon in my hand, you push your arms out as if to ward off something bad, and turn your face away.  Today, you'll only eat finger foods: shredded chicken, peas, banana,  strawberries, watermelon, pasta, and pancakes.  It stresses me out, because I worry that you're not getting enough to eat.  I just have to trust that you're going to fill yourself up. At dinner time, you're more vocal and will 'demand' food while we're eating. Sometimes I don't give you what you want and you'll grimace and demand again.  It's kind of fun, to see what you'll eat. But it's also nerve-wracking, like, "Is he going to choke on this?"  

Change #5 is to sleep. But isn't sleep always changing with a baby? And it is a Rule that if you talk about sleep and a baby, the Universe and Baby will decide to change things up on you real fast. So let me just say that I've had a good sleep this week, and leave it at that. 

Thanks for being so wonderful.

Love,

Mommy

xo

Daddy love

I took this photo after the big scare at the farmer's market.  After that scare, we went straight home, and we were putting Gianna down for a nap. The little monkey ran and jumped into her daddy's arms before bidding us goodnight.

Happy Wednesday.

xo

Nico: 9 months

Dear Nico,

I am late reporting. This is your last week of your ninth month! The big news is that your first toofy is on its way! Woo hoo! Congratulations on your first tooth! You've been handling it pretty well. You have not been sleeping as well lately, which could be due to the tooth making its way through, or the heat that does not escape us until late in the evening.

You love crawling all over the house. Your favorite thing is to find Priscilla's  bowls and throw them around. Speaking of throwing, you love  balls and throwing them. You will throw a ball and then crawl after it.  Actually, you will throw almost anything and crawl after it.

Food is still touch and go. You prefer smoother purees and generally reject any thicker, chunkier textures I try to feed you.  I have tried finger foods, too. You usually just pick up the little pieces and throw them to the ground. That is, unless your brother and sister get to them first. They love "teaching" you how to eat Puffs and bits of banana that I have put out for "you" on your tray. As soon as I sprinkle food on your tray, they are there, swarming your highchair like a couple of bees.

You love to take a bath  with Bode and Gianna. And you still love Bode so much! He will call you "Neeek" or "Bobby Builder" (a name he has called you since you were wee) and you will give him the biggest smile for it.  Gianna is getting in on the act, too, calling you these names and sending love your way (occasionally).  We've been getting out and about, and I think it is so easy with you. You're happy as long as you're with all of us (and have a fully belly).

I think your 9th month has been a lot of fun for you, with all the crawling and exploring that you're able to do. Good luck on that toofy...don't worry, it's almost there, and there are plenty more where that came from.

Happy 9 months my love!

Love,

Mommy

xo

Nico: 8 months

Dear Nico,

Happy 8 months! 

You are such a happy little guy.  Your smile is frequent, and infectious. You make everyone happy with that beam!  You are discovering new things every day. It is so fun to watch you. You, in turn, love watching us. You learn so much from your sister and brother.  You are by far the most active baby we've had.  It is most likely due to the fact that you  have older siblings that take what they want and ignore you, and the fact that your parents are often too busy to respond quickly to your needs. In other words, you're on your own. (not really!)

You are thisclose to crawling. This evening, I set you down in the kitchen while I fixed some bottles.  I saw you move from a sitting position to all fours, and then saw you make two distinct forward movements (and I panicked, and thought, "I didn't see that."). Suddenly, I felt a tug on my pajama pants, and I looked down to see you smiling up at me. (I won't call it....yet. I don't want to call it....yet....not until you are very mobile.)  

Lately, you have been consistently napping once a day. This is because I've been diligent about being home by 10 AM in order to get you down for a nap.  You will sleep for about 2 hours, and then you are up for the rest of the day.  (Now that I've documented this nap, it will no longer happen.)

The other night, I put you in the bath (sink) and you were fascinated with the flow of water. You kept trying to grab it. When it rushed through your one hand, you would switch hands. And then you just stared, transfixed.  I loved watching this discovery. 

Your father went to Germany last week. When he returned and kissed you hello, you gave him the biggest smile. He said, "Hello, my little Gummi Bear!"  And I thought, "What a great name," because you have such a lovely, gummy grin (and because Gummi Bears are my fav!).

Happy 8 months, "Gummi Bear."

Love,

Mommy

xo

Saratoga Springs Horse Show

On Sunday, after Bode's soccer practice, we went to the Saratoga Springs Horse Show.   I love horses, and getting to see them up close and personal was pretty exciting to me.   I could have stayed there all day, just looking at the horses and watching the show.  But alas, I have small children.  They enjoyed the show for about an hour. And then it was time to get home, eat lunch and take a nap.

After naps, we went outside to enjoy the sunshine. And Gianna filled up on daddy love.  She missed her daddy while he was gone (though she'd never let him know it).

Tonight, while I was bathing Nico, I found this:

Yeah, a sticker stuck into the palm of his hand.  At least it wasn't in his mouth.  This time around, baby-proofing is going to be so much harder! I've got two toddlers that have all kinds of tiny crap.  And they love to spread it all around the house, too.   I'm going to be so stressed once Nico starts moving around on his own. Ai yi yi.

And in other news, Bode insisted on going to sleep with two boxes of macaroni & cheese.  Today, I went to the grocery store, and I decided to surprise Gianna (who loooooves mac & cheese) with two boxes of the toxic orangey yellow noodles. Well. For whatever reason, Bode Wm would not let these boxes out of his hot little hands this afternoon, and even insisted on taking them to bed with him tonight! He is such a funny little guy.

Note to self: If you hear some strange rattling noise in the middle of the night, don't freak out, it's just mac & cheese!

Happy eve.

xo