The Start of 9 Months…

There's something that feels big about 9 months. Maybe it's because for 9 months of pregnancy you were awaiting this precious little baby. Now 9 months have passed and you have this big giant baby...or at least I do.

9 Month Old---->Looking Like A 2 Year Old

We were just at the doctors for the official 9 month weigh-in. Nico is a little over 30 inches and weighing in at 21lbs and 4 ounces. He's leaning out since almost the second after Nico's 8 month mark he decided it was time to start crawling. As the month progressed Nico is now crawling at a super speed. My husband chases him around the house all while saying, "He's going way too fast! Look at him, he knows I'm coming after him so he goes even faster!!" All while I'm thinking that Nico is going be walking before we know it and then Steve's really going lose his shit trying to keep up with him! Oh and when Nico pulls up on things...I can see the torture it brings to Stefano anticipating our first ER visit for stitches. I say that in jest...I really hope that never happens. I mean how could it happen when I'm keeping Nico in his ultra deluxe padded bubble?!? As detailed previously-Nico is saying nothing but Dada as the 8th month closed. He's loving the food stuff. Mostly giving him the typical fruits and veggies. He's still loving his wagon (thanks again Nonna, money worth on that one for sure!) and his favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  from our other baby cub-Gracie. Nico's hair has grown a bit and he's gotten a great summer tan. Thank goodness he inherited my olive skin and not his dad's freckled Italian white boy skin. :) We spend a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful Wisconsin summer. Nico has even gone over to the door and started hitting it in protest to go explore. I love his zest for all things outdoors and happily oblige to his protests to go out! Nico was able to go in grandma's pool for the very 1st time! She bought him all the pool essentials he could ever need/want and he's been enjoying his pool time thus far!

Um, yeah...ok, I guess.

Alright…I Guess This Big Bathtub is Cool!

One of my favorite experiences of this past month was Nico's first attempt at painting! I was inspired by another mom who's one of those artsy-fartsy kind of people (totally jealous) and she started painting with her son at the age of 5 months! In other words, Nico is wayyyy behind in being able to express himself artistically-which I'll probably pay for later in therapy bills. :) With the help of TT and GG we had SO much fun! Nico loved it!

Red & Blue Make.....

Artistic Mess!

Painter's Bathtub

His Final Masterpieces...Sorry They All Sold!

This past month we've had a pretty full social calendar with our friends! From grad parties, wedding showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties, to holiday celebrations it is no wonder everyone loves summer time! People are happy and have things to look forward to and nice weather to enjoy. What's not to love?! We are so so so sooooooo (repeat 1 million times to really emphasize) blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends. Like I can't even begin to put into words how amazing they are. Below is just a small little sample of what I speak of (exclusively from this past month-I had to limit it somehow)...you'll be feeling warm and fuzzy feeling all the love.

Uncle Papa, Mimi & Company (They Come w/ Lots of Fun People to Love) 

My 1st Baby Ellie with MY Baby

Ava, Nico aka Larry, & Brady

Nico And His Gracie...See The Love In His Eyes?

The One & Only Eric (Lovvves Asiatic Lillies) and His Meat

Kisses For Clara

Oh And Emily Too!

4th of July Boat Fun

With Grandpa George & Grandma Marilyn Celebrating 65 Years of LOVE!

Love overload, right?! Did I mention how incredibly lucky we are to be able to have seriously some of the best friends to celebrate life with? Not only do we celebrate with them-but all of the people (and/or their parents) in the pictures above and many that are not pictured (but they better know who they are) have also helped us get through those rough-not fun-at-all moments in life as well. And really, those are the friends you want to keep forever…so I'm keeping ya'll ok? Friends whether abundant or few are something to be treasured above gold. They give us new experiences, a different perspective on life, exciting stories, and of course little quirks of their own to embrace and love. Our friends really aren't even friends...they are family. 

You all are the best and so much more. Thank you for all you do. 

XO. 

JLOVE AKA "Mommy"

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." ― Muhammad Ali

The Month of Dada

In honor of Father's Day this past month-my sweet son has decided to say nothing but "Dada". All day. Everyday. "Dada" when he first opens his eyes, "Dada" when we are in the pool, "Dada" while we are playing, "Dada" while we are eating, "Dada" while taking wagon rides, and I'm pretty sure I hear him say "Dada" in both his and my own sleep. My husband loves to throw this all in my face with little innocent jabs on how Nico loves him more. Doesn't bother me one little bit though. Nope not even a little. Really I'm not bitter at all. No way, José. 

I have researched (What? There must be some logical explanation for this right?!) classic linguistic theories stating that mama is actually easier (Wait! This can not be right?!) to say because babies tend to naturally make the "m" shape of the mouth while the baby is at the breast/bottle. If this was accurate- Nicoló should have been saying mama right out of the freaking womb because he's an expert at the breastfeeding stuff. In other words, this Russian Roman Jakobson "expert" is full of shit...all in my very humble opinion of course. Upon more research of my own-more recent theories have suggested the "M" sound is actually harder to make since air has to go through the nose to successfully make that specific sound. See NOW that makes so much more sense! Wouldn't you agree? Don't you think? Right?! Yep! Explains it all! 110% logic right there! No doubt. I of course explained this more current and accurate theory in depth to my husband and he simply said, "Keep telling yourself that." Tough crowd round these parts. We practice saying mama every.single.day. It goes something like this....

Mother-"Me-mama. You-Nico"

Nicoló-"Dada"

Good thing I'm not bitter huh? Because one could understand why every other mother might wonder how her first born-that she takes such very wonderful care of-would only say dada 635487329 times a day but will not even mutter even a mmmmhmmm for a solid 8 months-but nope not me. 

Did you happen to see this viral video yet of the dog saying mama before her baby? Probably going be happening in our house soon….see video below. 

Bellina, you better learn how to say mama real fast....someone in this house better start saying mama damnit! In fact, to anyone reading this-if you run into me out and about please call me "mama". 

So what has this last month brought us besides Nico obsessively saying Dada?! We were lucky enough to spend Father's Day weekend with our friends in Minneapolis. The Mommy's got the fun started with an evening out seeing a pretty sweet line up of country singers with a pretty sweet view (thanks Kari). Yes, Luke Bryan may have sweated on us and I may also have permanent hearing loss from standing directly in front of the speakers. While all of this was occurring-my husband and baby were having an extremely traumatic night. I mean I even heard the screams of my baby over the deafing speakers of Luke Bryan yelling "Shake It For Me" at 16.2 million decibels in my ear. All because obviously Nico was wanting his mama so he could go to sleep properly. I checked my phone so many times that I had to steal "juice" from a complete strangers portable battery pack certain that I'd be getting a SOS text from my husband telling me I had to leave immediately and tend to our baby. While I was obsessively checking my phone this is what really was happening...

Kid looks like he's having a horrible time and wondering why his mother abandoned him huh? I thought so too. I sadly missed my sons first pool experience but I'm glad that his dad got to have a "first" all to himself to be able to enjoy and treasure forever. Oh wait, what else is that in the water you ask? That's just Steve's phone also going for it's first swim-which explains why I never received that SOS text! Stefano said he wasn't even the least bit upset about the phone because Nico was having such a good time. Sweet huh? Anyway, us "mamas" got back to our hotel in the wee morning hours while my baby was sleeping like an angel without hardly any fuss at bedtime. Good for you dad. Glad you make it look sooooo easy. We already know by all the evidence above that Nico may favor his dada but go ahead rub it all in my face a little more. Punk. And when I say "Punk" I mean the both of you.

For Father's Day-Stefano was able to enjoy a round of golf and come back and relax with good company, a few cocktails and a nice big fat cigar. 

I Like It When They Call Me Big Papa...or Dada.

The evening continued with a fantastic meal (when your husband cooks-everyone loves you) and we were able to kick back enjoy our friends company and their very sweet children. It was awesome.

Picture Perfect

Thank you to my baby daddy for being such a wonderful "Dada" and our friends for making us part of their family (Special shout out to Mama and Papa Johnson for that as well) and making Father's Day for Nico's dad a very special and very memorable one.

Until next time family and friends-I'm going to go tape Nico's mouth close and see if he will start breathing more from his nose….you know, just to help him develop additional letter sounds. 

XO.

JLOVE AKA "Mommy" or "Mama" or I'll even settle for  "Mhmmm" 

OK Nico?!