LIFE AS JLOVE: A Year & A Half Into The Parenting Game...

Where does time go? I blink and it's a new day and then suddenly a new month and my "baby" is now a year and half and we are creeping to two years all too quickly. I know, I know...I'm getting ahead of myself as usual. Since our last check in things have gotten CrAzY! It seems after Nico got his first haircut he seemed to turn into a little man. He looked older and all of a sudden he's following multiple step directions, and talking in 2, 3, 4 word phrases. What?!? And as usual I had every good intention that on the DAY he turned 1.5 years I'd write a tribute to him-but once again my best made plans did not unfold. All because we were out double fisting crème brûlée CELEBRATING our big boy! That’s a good enough excuse if you ask me!

So whats-a-happenin’ now a days? Well, one of the biggest changes in our day to day lives is that Nico is going once a week to “socialize”. I never thought I’d let a stranger watch my child but through one of my coworkers who constantly was raving about her in-home provider and showing me cute pictures of her son having a ton of fun-was when I thought about how Nico would love and benefit from an experience like that. So I let go of my arrogant thoughts of how we are the ONLY people that Nico should be with and learn from because we are frankly the best for him. Which I do think is still true to a point…but my better judgment and experience I'm aware of how valuable it is for kids to learn from others early on since this will be a requirement throughout life of learning and following other rules besides our own. Another reason I chose to do this is because I myself was one of those kids that had a borderline unhealthy attachment to my mother. I know the anxiety that came with that growing up and I don’t want my son to experience that if possible. Plus, working with so many kids I really see a difference socially with children that had opportunities away from home and thus making the adjustment to school life easier. It’s all part of that letting go for all of us…even though hard…it’s only once a week and I now am getting the cute pictures of his weekly adventures away from home. And feeling good about my decision to be selfishly unselfish....

Nico hit 18 months and his words are so much clearer! His “Byeeeee” now sounds less like “Dieee” and currently his favorite words are...

"Oh, no!” -Used in a multitude of ways...all appropriate. All hilarious.
“Mama”-Obviously.
“Dada”-Obviously.
"I don't know"-Pleading the 5th already...
"Boom!" "Slam Dunk"-in that order as he dunks the ball into the hoop. Little cocky for an 18 month old, don't you think?

He loves to identify all his family and friends and even points to himself and says “Nico”. He does a mean gorilla impression and has a love for animals and birds.

Because of his love for birds, his dad bought him a bird feeder that Nico helps fill up and they bird watch while having breakfast. So sweet. Nico loves nature and being as natural as possible…aka being naked-hey can you blame him?

But when we are outside we just go pants-less (whoa, not we…Nico..just Nico…even though I would like to join him) and hang from bars and such.

This kid.

Outside is Nico's place of choice. And it's very confusing to a lad of 18 and a half months on why one day we can be running around with no pants on and the next we have winter boots and coats on. Welcome to Wisconsin baby. Yay, for beautiful weather and hopes of months of fun (and good weather) to come!

Oh, and Nico is putting his acting skills to work for Hollywood. He dramatically throws himself to the ground and pretends he's hurt. And his mother (playing the lead actress) says, "Oh, no! Are you ok??! Do you need a hug?!" He slowly gets up (I swear he's thrown in a limp a time or two) and says, "Dessssss" (yes), and puts his arms out for a hug. He walks away and does this on repeat until he feels he's mastered the scene and then demands to be waited on and for some food...so yes, your typical A List actor already.

His obsession with cleaning has lessened only slightly, but his obsession with balls has continued...and when you have "TT's" (aka Auntie Seneca) that play into this ball obsession to the tune of 1000 ball pit balls being delivered- ya know it may be a problem. He loves to instruct his dad to sit down and play on the floor with him. “Down, down, down” as he slams his finger to the ground to get his point across. He knows exactly what he wants when it comes to what he wants to play with, what books he wants to read, or what he wants to eat. I respect people like that. To know exactly what you want in life is admirable.

Nico's obsession with shoes also continues and he loves to put on shoes, especially his dad’s shoes.

Which then prompted me to get him his own matching pair...ridiculous I know....ridiculously cute that is. ;-)

His hair is like his mother's and it just depends on the weather on how it looks each day. Some days he's got this perfectly styled side swept smooth look going on and the next he's curly as all heck.

He LOVES his rain boots and loves splashing in puddles and getting soaking wet and dirty.

The dirt, the rough and tough-most people would think I cringe at this, but I don’t. “Let him get dirty, that shirt is brand new but oh well, he’s having fun!” Those who know me look at me wide eyed as those words come out of my mouth. My sister said, “I thought you’d be one of those moms that would never let their kid get dirty and ruin their outfit.” Thanks?! Although, I do admit being able to dress a boy is so much fun. In my next life, I want to be a stylist (and a travel agent, wedding planner, and a photographer) so now I have my own little person to style. It’s so much fun. But most of all, there’s just something about a boy and his mom. Another mom said to me, “Don’t you just look at him and think he’s the most wonderful creature?!” Yes, yes I do. He’s delicious and wild and I just really love being a boy mom. I always saw myself as having little girls, but a boy is taking me by surprise of how much I'm enjoying it. And I still am the queen of the house…got that Bellina?

Nico enjoys being rough and tough with his dad and they are always laughing and screaming and it sounds like so much fun. But, when your kid starts tackling other kids out of excitement and pulling kid’s hair in music class (twice) I cringe and want to blame his dad and say it’s not my fault. But I don’t. I apologize, curse my husband’s name under my breath and go back home and ~~yell~~ tell my husband he cannot allow Nico to pull his hair because he thinks that’s how we play with other kids. My husband nods like he’s in agreement but then 15 minutes later they are rolling around and Nico is sitting on his head and pulling his hair. Good talk husband. Good talk.

Nico still loves to read. His current favorites are the “The Going to Bed Book” and “Goodnight Moon” and when we get to the bowl of mush he on cue goes “mmmhmm”. Kid loves to eat….fruit and smoothies being his go-tos. He is currently digging bananas, eggs and chicken sausages as well as peanut butter. Did I mention he only still has 2 teeth on the bottom and still eats “impressively”? He’s a little late on the game when it comes to teeth but is managing quite well. He’s pushing 25lbs and stands 33 inches tall and according to some random old man, “He’s going to be a big one I can tell by his hands.” Um, ok? I thought that only applied to dogs and their paws, but what do I know?

We've been busy welcoming lots of new babies into our lives and we couldn't be more thrilled on all the fun that brings! We hang with our family and friends in our spare time and we’ve been lucky to have some extra fun adventures in the last couple months. Shout out to Theresa and Elliana for being SO spontaneous and spending a couple days of fun with us in Madison!

And to Brady, who was just as thrilled to spend his spring break with us in the Dells and went back to school and forgot his parents and sister were along for the fun.....

We are so looking forward to summer to have more time to spend with even more of those that we adore and for more spontaneous fun adventures!

Speaking of good friends…Nico and Bellina ("Nana") are becoming the best of friends. And Nico really helps "Nana" out by if he doesn't want what I gave him for snack he promptly dumps it on the floor and yells "Nana" so she can come gobble it up. Win-win, right? Seriously, things like this? How do I get mad? It's pretty genius. Bellina finally is feeling a worthy part of the pack again…sorry “Nana” that mama has neglected you for the last 18.5 months.

Nico also has yet to sleep through the night and likes to sleep in on days mom has to be up early and wake up early on days we have nowhere to be. How do they know these things?! His favorite place to sleep? On my stomach. He's lucky he's so darn cute.

So yes, this is what a year in a half into this parenting game looks like. Crazy, exciting, exhausting, silly and beautiful. Thank you to all of our family and friends that love us so well. But most of all, thank you to Nico for a year and a half of nothing but pure love for your mama and dada and to everyone around you. Continue to put that love of yours into the world and keep making everyone smile...