8 Months, The Unoffical Start of Summer & How Mama Got Her Groove Back

Over this last month my husband and I happily celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary. Mind you we had a super long engagement (Stefano-you're a saint for waiting on me honey) so it's actually been over 9 1/2 years for us. Meaning I have almost spent a decade with this man! Time flies when you're having fun I guess! It really seems crazy that we now have an addition to our "family" and I'm sure some would probably consider it even crazier that we would take our baby on our anniversary dinner date. Looking back I guess it is a little out of the norm-but to begin with we weren't even sure if we'd be able to go for dinner (#restaurantlife) so on last minute notice-I didn't want to put that pressure on anyone to feel obligated to watch Nico. In addition, we truly enjoy being with our baby and it seems all to rare that we get to be a threesome and go do things (again #restaurantlife) as a little family unit. Not to mention- if he wouldn't have been along for this picture it probably wouldn't be as adorable as it is...

Our Love Has Grown Into ANOTHER Human!

Obviously, Nico looked the sharpest out of all of us three. His little baby button up with a coordinating vest and leather shoes-he defines a well dressed man. Takes after his dad. Speaking of his dad-when he walked in before we left for our dinner he complimented and ohhhhed and ahhed over the baby. Me not so much. Don't worry I'm getting use to it. Happens all the time...with everyone. We had a delicious dinner at one of our favorite restaurants at the moment-Bleu. Although, dinners out as of recent are getting a little more tricky since Nico is so active and wants everything in sight. But all in all-he was well behaved and allowed mommy her glass of wine, let her quick eat dinner, and enjoy the one and only dessert she likes...Crème Brulee. She even gave Daddy a bite. So we will chalk our anniversary dinner along with our marriage thus far a success. :)

So what else is Nico up to these days? Well he has become a pro at shaking his head "no". Its so funny and cute you can't help but laugh which only makes him do it more. 

He likes to go visit at the restaurant and smile and swoon all of our customers and the Luigi girls give him oodles of attention which he very clearly enjoys. Recently, there was a customer who unprompted stated Nico is going be a Packer player...so yeah-he obviously is already being scouted (reference 2 posts ago).We are now showing a little more interest in "real" food. Nico is a big fan of carrots! He also has expended his palette and tried nectarines, cauliflower, applesauce, apricot, and fresh figs. 

Feeding Time Fun!

While Nico has been read to early on he is REALLY getting into books! He gets super excited when we open each book and start to read. He is really examining and interacting as we navigate through each page…being a huge lover of reading myself this thrills me to no extent. 

What Do You See?

Seriously, reading to your child and having them develop a sincere enjoyment of reading is so very important and so very beneficial in every aspect of childhood development and really life in general. It is the single most valuable gift you can ever "give" your child. Sorry...I'll stop myself and get off my soapbox before I go on a huge tangent. Just do it ok? 

Letter Fun!

A few more of Nico's other favorite things at this point in time (in pictures)...

Loves Anything With Dad...

1st Swing Experience…

Wagon Rides...

When The Wind Is Funny...

Smelling & Touching New Things...

When TT Puts You In A Dump Truck...

Laying Outside on a Big Blanket & Stroller Rides with Bellina... 

We are now upon 8 Months…each month that goes by is just a reminder how quickly time passes and also an opportunity to reflect on what life was, currently is, and is yet to become. Being a new parent you are not only trying to meet all the old obligations of life-but now also all the new obligations that come with the new life you've brought into this crazy hectic day to day life that we live that somehow manages to become even more hectic than it previously was. Got that? If you did, you're probably a parent as well because I think that's the only way you can fathom how busy life gets when you throw kids into the mix. After 8 months and a very generous gift from our husbands-the bestie and I (Just us! No kids! What? Weird!) went out of town, had an uninterrupted lunch, day "drinked" (just one) where then a handsome gentleman graciously covered our food/drink tab. Sometimes you're just that lucky. With our full stomachs and empty arms we went and indulged in a little spa time together. It was a new-found bliss-being touched with nothing expected or needed in return...heavenly. Don't get me wrong…I am by no means complaining about life's demands-I love the chaos, I love being needed, and I especially love taking care of my family-but after 8 months (maybe longer) the moment you realize you have not taken any time for yourself… a facial, bikini wax, massage, color, and a haircut later- I'm feeling like a better-well groomed-even busier-so very needed-version of my old self. I like it! Remember that me/you/us need to take care of ourselves in whatever, however or whichever fashion that might mean to you. It's all for the greater good when we are mind/body/spirit ready. We are then able to better care for those in our home/work/life that need and deserve the best version of us. We ALL need to never forget or lose our "groove". 

He Deserves The Best "Me" Every.Single.Day

XO. 

JLOVE AKA "Mommy"

P.S. Erin and I already have our next spa day on the calendar. We learn quickly. But for now I gotta run... I have a baby that needs to be fed, clothes that need to be put away, phones calls that need to be returned, reports that need to be finished, a dog (and a husband) that both need some attention…

Room Unveil

If there is any truth in what I hear about how with the first baby one plans endlessly to make the room look something out of a magazine then along comes #2 and you're lucky if you even have a sleeping bag ready...then I better get this crap documented. Especially for the fact that we can give any children from here on out a huge complex that we loved Nico more than them all because of such a lovely room. Which may be true, I mean how could I love another baby as much as I love Nico? Is that possible? One day maybe I shall know....Anyway, lets get back on track to the room thing and not the questions that dance around in my mind. As most of you know, we didn't know if we were having a boy or girl. (Well...I did. Mommy intuition) I knew I wanted to do a gender neutral coloring of the walls...just in case. After a "few" trips to Sherwin Williams and my professional painter (Mike) coming in to see if the colors matched my expectations-we finally had it. Just a simple light cream color along with a darker accent wall. We tore out carpet and put new flooring in (thank you to our other Mike for that). My mother kindly provided the dressers for us. My Pops the crib and Sara the rocker and bedding. We had all the essentials and just had to wait on the little one for the fun part...the details. I of course had some general ideas if it was going to be a boy we'd go for this look and if it was a girl it would be more along that look. But BB (Before Baby) we were out shopping and I saw this and I knew either gender this would be perfect...When something makes you get teary eyed it's a must right?! (At least that's how I explained those new boots to my husband).

So So Soooo Sweet.

This kind of ruggedly sweet look was exactly what I wanted boy or girl. Well here comes Nico and after many trips to Hobby Lobby and other like shops and stores here are the details we came up with for his main wall for above the crib... 

Love. Love. Love.

Don't you just love the giant dandelions? I hope that Nico takes after his dad and loves to give flowers to his mama and that there are many dandelion bouquets in my future. Hint, Hint Nico. Huge thank you to Tony for scoring the barnwood and holding it up against the giant wall all while I was like-"a little to the right, nope 1/2 inch down now up 3/8 inches to the northwest corner." Yes, I am literally that insane. As well as humoring me and having lengthy discussions on how many wood pieces we should include, and if we should do longer in the middle or the top or maybe all 3? Should we use the front side or the back side? Told ya, insane. How 'bout that burlap banner? Custom created and painted just for Nico…finally Tiny's Art Degree has paid off. ;-P Some other note worthy details is the center picture...my sister has a new Graphic Design Degree and I put her to the test! Here it is up close.... 

Contact SENECA for ANY of your Graphic Needs. :)

Shout out to Dad's home land courtesy of Etsy.....

Sicilia

I searched endlessly for the perfect rocker and as fate seemed to work we stumbled upon it randomly! I love it!

Ciao & Vespa Pillow? Seriously. Thanks Etsy!

Next I found some awesome prints on Etsy (obviously you can find anything you dream of on Etsy) that the graphic is printed on dictionary paper. (Random Mommy Fact-she won the fastest dictionary looker-upper in her class one year!) I tied in the barn wood above the crib with some coordinating frames. Love how they turned out!

Nico Will Never Have 1 of These...

OR These. Sorry Bud.

Dresser details include antique crown drawer pulls-aren't they perfect for my little prince?!

Rug is perfect to play on and for some cute photos. :)

Finding decorations for on top was just as fun! I thought I'd compliment the sailboat print with a mini rustic version! Nico loves it already! 

Sail Away

Then a little boys room just wouldn't be complete without a globe right? He already knows how to spin it!

Nico the World Travler

My sister is also a Scentsy Seller (Jack...errrrr...Jane of all trades I tell ya!) and she got him the Edison Light Burner! I hope it inspires him to be innovative and full of ideas…in addition to never having a stinky room…girls don't like stinky boys. 

Be Bright Always Nico!

The tall dresser I trimmed with candlesticks that I spray painted myself and have the stain on the patio to show for it...whoops. I paired them with a little luggage set along two clocks. One with the current time here at home-another with the current time in Sicily.

Burlap Anything? Yes. 

I throughly enjoyed decorating and perfecting Nico's room. I'm sure I drove a few individuals insane with all the details but I wanted it to be almost as special as the little one we were welcoming into it. 

Again, thank you to all of our family & friends that helped make the room utterly perfect for our Nicoló.

P.S. Suck it Pinterest.

XO.

JLOVE AKA "Mommy"

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"