Celebrating 7 Months, Theresa, & Being a Mom

Today marks 7 months for my big little man! Wait...I had a baby 7 months ago? What? Weird! But it's true! It's also been over a month since I last blogged too...the days slip away I tell you! We had big boy's weigh in-and he is measuring in at an impressive 29 inches (98%) which the doctor said is technically over the growth line based on his age and 20lbs 2oz (80%). He is well on his way to being a future Green Bay Packer. Did he just miss the Combine? Perhaps next year he'll be a top performer…watch for his name. 

Combine Weigh-In

Nico has tried a few foods in this last month but after it's in his mouth he's just like whatever and wants the good ol' reliable boob. I don't mind… and obviously the proof is in the numbers that there is some Miracle Grow in my milk. So we will keep plugging along (more like chuggin' along) and let Nico take the lead on when he wants to eat. What else can I tell you about that boy of mine? Wellllllll…..Nico is very focused and even months ago I noticed him doing things with incredible recall. Taking his lead I decided to "play" with it a little bit. I recorded this after showing him twice… 

Don't worry I won't be one of those mom grilling her kid with flashcards at the age of 15.5 months strapped to a chair. Even if I was...it would be none of your business-he's my kid to screw up. As you can see he was having a ton of fun (as all learning should be)-so I just went with it! 

He's growing sooooo fast and he's wanting to crawl sooooo bad but it's just sooooo hard and sooooo darn exhausting! But check out his party tricks/yoga poses that he just learned yesterday!

Hey Mom! Look at ME!

Nico's dad went to Vegas for a Bachelor Party a couple weeks back (best wife ever for signing off on that permission slip?!) and we spent the weekend in Milwaukee with our Nanny...AKA Seneca. So don't worry-we did OK without dad and had our own fun! But, I'm pretty sure Daddy missed you the most little one and will never take another plane trip without you again. Besides being abandoned for strippers, drinking, and gambling (totally kidding-only one of those sins are true-you can have fun picking which one you think I'm speaking of and letting your imagination run wild with it) - we are loving the sporadic "niceness" of weather we get here during Wisconsin's "spring". When it is pleasant enough to go outdoors-he loves going for stroller rides, playing in the grass and watching kids play. I took Nico to a function this past Saturday and he impressed all the party goers with his smiles, style, and ability to skip his usual nap and rage for 5 1/2 hours straight without being crabby-all in the name of FUN! That's my boy! 

Speaking of FUN! Today we had the opportunity to celebrate one of my dearest friends- Theresa. She had a birthday in March and the stars finally alined with both of our schedules and we were able to meet up and enjoy a meal together. Nico loves her. No matter how many days, weeks, or months pass he takes to her like a day has never gone by. His mommy feels the same way. She gets us...always has, always will.

We Go Back-Way Back-Era 7th Grade-Plastics Class

She's going make such a great mom one day! I can't wait to share in the joy of motherhood with her. I feel extremely fortunate to be blessed with Theresa as a friend and to have her in my corner in this craziness of life. She reads my mind and makes me laugh like crazy. I love you Cheese. Happy Birthday 2 months late. :)

Speaking now of mothers…. yesterday was extra special being my first "official" Mother's Day! Mother's Day wishes had been kindly coming in days before but each and every time-I got a big lump in my throat and my eyes filled with tears-as I pushed out a "Thank You" before my voice had a chance to break. I feel so incredibly blessed to be a mom. Having always wanting babies my whole life and now to have one here with me-especially one like Nico- makes my appreciation so deep.

I love being your mom Nico. Thank you for making everyday special.

Karen Ann Photography

XO. 

JLOVE AKA "Mommy"

P.S. If you haven't yet had a chance to see Nico's 6 months pictures check them out HERE. They are soooooo cute! Thank you Karen! I'm lucky to have you as a friend to capture my baby growing! Oh and don't forget to "LIKE" her page HERE too…I'm sure Nico will be making future appearances! 

Karen Ann Photography

Well Ain't This Something?

So my wonderfully sweet friend Erin, started her own blog that I discovered after she referenced it (what blog?) and then embarrassingly realized I had missed almost a whole year of her posts. Bad Bestie Award? I just recently read them start to finish...well actually finish to start to be exact and I had SO much fun reminiscing how far our Gracie Girl has come! I thought what a great way to document this big blur of life as well as some thoughts and feelings for others to relate to and/or your child to look back at one day and kind of get a glimpse of the real you and allow them into your head. Wait, this could backfire big time...Nico Baby-Remember Mommy knows EVERYTHING. :) I have decided to take Erin's lead and start my own documentation of my journey into motherhood. If I'm lucky maybe I'll get one follower (her) or better yet maybe I'll be able to quit my job because I'll obtain some great sponsorship on my blog. Pampers you hear me? Actually-Nordstrom-yeah Nordstrom...you hear me?

Let this be my disclaimer from here on out: 

Get ready for some poor grammar (It happens when you live with an ESL Italian) and words that you probably won't find in the dictionary (they are my favorite). Just remember, I ain't no English major. ;) Disclaimer #2-There may be a swear word here and there-again I blame it on that ESL Italian who has mastered the art of swearing in English and whose kitchen language I hear a little too often. Regardless, take this all for what it is-take me for what I am. But I hope that perhaps by doing this-not only am I documenting the most beautiful story but that I may be able to open some dialogue and write about "stuff" that goes unmentioned and be some kind of hope for others. Here we go....

My sweet baby is almost 6 months old-like five days shy of 6 months. What better time to start reflecting on what life is...what it has become. Let me tell you...it's become something that is so much more magnificent than I could document through words or pictures (and obviously y'all know I like my photos). It's not that I didn't believe others when they said parenthood is this life altering magical crazy event in one's life -cause I totally believed them. But you don't really understand until it happens to you. It changes you. It changes you in the most amazing ways. *Enter every cliche here*. Thankfully, this "mom" thing has come as a very natural role and easy transition for me. Not sure if it's because by trade I'm a nurse and it's just part of the job description to be ultra nurturing and patient -or- if I just have the worlds easiest baby and that alone makes this mom thing a piece of cake. Which, in turn-makes it look like I have my shit together. Let's go with the first theory. Really it's probably because my own mother was a stay at home mom and watched several other little ones in addition to her own 3 offspring-so growing up there were always babies around for me to practice with. Not to mention-I was the most sought after babysitter this side of the Mississippi in my teen years. So thank you to all the parents that entrusted me with their own and groomed me into the mother that I am today. I'll forever be thankful. 

To think of life before my Nicoló-don't want to do it-well at least right now. We will save that for a future blog post. So let's talk about NOW...Baby Nico is almost 6 months old. SIX month old! Half a year. How did that happen? I'm not sure myself-but it did. These almost 6 months have been nothing short of a fantastic blur-a blink of an eye-but to look at a picture of day 1 compared to right this moment? I think my baby got switched! He's not a baby he's like almost a walking little man.

Same Kid?

It's beyond crazy. He's crazy! He's the epitome of a boy! Laughs whenever you say "poop", "stinky feet", and "boo". And obviously thinks the shaking of a water bottle is THE funniest thing ever-see video evidence below....

 
He loves his daddy and all the girls in his life and has quite the fan club (those Luigi Girls fo' sho') which has transpired to a small mob when I bring him to the restaurant. We feel ya Justin Beeb-we feel ya. Most likely because Nico is a happy baby 99'% of the time but he has also mastered a shy slow smile all while simultaneously looking up at you and lifting his right eyebrow making the most harden hearts melt into a sloppy mess. I mean his "TT" (aka my sister Seneca) drives home every weekend just to get her Nico "fix". Not to mention all the Instagram/Facebook admirers he has! Assuming you all are reading this....you all are toooo much and are going to give this kid a big head one day! Actually, if he's anything like his dad-he'll just say it's nothing he didn't already know and continue on. But rest assure-his mama is grateful that he has a spirit that makes others smile and love him as well. Nicolo's little personality is developing and his little (big self) is growing even faster. This kid is in the 96% percentile for height and 77% for weight-and that statistical information is already 3 weeks old. He's currently wearing 9 month clothing and even some 12 month. Which by the way-can we create some type of standardized sizing system? How annoying is it to have to remember what size clothes our baby takes in this brand versus that brand? Like new moms don't have enough to keep track of?! Anyway, in short (punny) he's going be carrying me around pretty soon. He has mastered rolling as well as scooting-I turn-and all of a sudden he's facing a new direction! Impressive mister. We have yet to start solids-only because I'm a tad bit of a "hippy" mom (plus do a ton of research) and decided that I would exclusively breastfeed for six months-I won't bore you with all the details on why-but please inquire if you are wondering! And obviously since his growth is almost off the charts - I didn't feel the need to start the food thing super early. That mama milk I tell ya! Good stuff!  My Dear Italian Husband said if I were a cow-I'd be a real good one! A keeper in fact! Wait a minute....

My ESL Italian Husband. My Big Baby. Us.

I hope you'll follow me on this journey. I hope I can make you laugh a little, reflect on your own path, and maybe inspire something in you as well. If not-well then just enjoy my bad grammar. 

XO. 

JLOVE AKA "Mommy"