3 and A Half

Last night, the door bell rang and Nicky {and Brandon} rushed to answer it. Dan and I followed. 2 of the neighbor kids, Ruby and Tate, were standing there, and they asked if Nicky and Brandon can come out to play. The happiness that crossed over Nicky's face was apparent and both Brandon and he whooped and hollered as they put their shoes on, grabbed their scooters and tricycles, and went out to play. I think Dan and I were more excited than they were.

While we were out there, I watched Nicky fall of his scooter and bang his knee and finger pretty hard. I ran over, but even before I got there, he was telling me he was OK, brushing himself off, telling me his is a big boy - and finally, no mom I cant see his knee to kiss it.

I saw him shaking a bit,  holding back tears, and standing tall. so I stayed where I was and
I watched him GROW UP.
But I know even when he is 30, I will still run to him, ready to kiss him better.

Today Nicky is three and a half...in six months he will be FOUR. {oh. my. god.}
Three and a half years since my life changed forever.
Since I met my first little Adventure.
Since I became a mommy.
Since I fell madly in love with a little boy named Nicholas.

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False Alarm

Three years ago, I was sitting in my room, exactly where I am right now, so disappointed that a morning trip to the Hospital was dubbed a "false alarm". So disappointed that I was not holding a baby already.

It all started when I woke up on May 9th and assumed my water broke! I will spare everyone details but for those in the know, "the plug" came out! I ran into the guest bedroom where my mom was sleeping. I excitedly told her the news! It's time. Baby Nicholas is coming.

We called Bob and Val to catch a flight out, and I made Dan return as fast as he could from a trip to La Grange for work. I jumped in the shower, blew my hair dry, applied makeup, grabbed my bag, and jumped in the car.

{I should have known it was a false alarm when I had time to put on makeup. :)}

Dan met us in Labor and Delivery at Seton Main, and they checked me in. Sadly, 2 hours later, I was discharged and while feasting on the best smoked Gouda and apple wood bacon burger fromChez Zee, I realized it could be another week or so before I met my first born.

That evening, I walked around the block a couple times, massaged my ankles, and pouted. I was so sure he was coming, but it wasn't meant to be..

Three years ago, I had no idea what was about to happen. I had no idea how my life would change. How I would soon realize that there is no love like a mother's love for their babies. Little did I know, I didn't have to wait much longer...because at 4 am the very next morning...May 10....my water broke!

.:To be Continued:.

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Inside the Head of Master Nicholas

Scene: in the car on our way to school in the morning
Nicky: Mommy, do you like Daddy?
Mommy: Yes, I love Daddy
Nicky: But you said mean things to Daddy when Booba was here. and Papa. Time out for you Mommy!

Scene: At the dinner table
Nicky: I don't like Brandon's name
Mommy: Why?
Nicky: I like my name better
Mommy: What is your name
Nicky: Nicholas Awexander Abewing

Scene: Sun setting over house
Nicky: Ohhh Daddy. It's so beautiful. It's perfect

Scene: At the book fair at school, Nicky see a book of baby animals
Nicky: I don't like crocodidles {I love how he says Crocodile}
Mommy: Why?
Nicky: You can't stomp on them like spiders
{I taught him well!}

Scene: In the car, Nicky sees a motorcycle
Nicky: I want a motorcycle
Mommy: You will never EVER, EVER, have a motorcycle
Nicky: YES I WILL MOMMY!
Mommy: No you will not.
Nicky: Yes, when I am four

Scene: In the bathtub learning our letters
Mommy: How do you spell Nicky
Nicky: N-O-C-K-Y, Nicky
Mommy: There is no "O" in Nicky
Nicky: {shouting} THERE IS TOO AN "O" MOMMY. No thank you, Mommy.

.:And That is That!:.

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The World of Nicholas

Scene: Getting ready for school in the morning
Mommy: Nicky, Put your (orange) shoes on
Nicky: I need new shoes, Mom
Mommy: You love these shoes
Nicky: Orange is out. Green is in.

Scene: At Boathouse Grill on 620 for dinner
Nicky: I want Lemonade in my Apple Juice
Mommy: Why?
Nicky: This is my favorite
Mommy: You've never had it

Scene: Grandma Booba and Mommy browsing Menswear at Dillards. Nicky in Stroller
Mommy to Grandma: Btw, where did you get Dad's shirt he wore for your birthday? It was so bad
Grandma: We love it. It's from Eddie Bauer
Mommy: Well, I didn't like it.
Nicky: No THANK YOU, Mommy. Be nice to MY Grandma.

Scene: Dan and Nicky eating a late night snack of cereal; Wipeout on TV
Nicky: What are these Daddy?
Dan: Those are nuts, Nicky, eat them
Nicky: Daddy! NUTS are for squirrels!

Scene: Primrose School at pickup
Mommy: Hi Nicky, how was your day?
Nicky: Is the baby still in your belly?

Scene: At home, getting the boys in the Car
Mommy: Look Nicky, your monster trucks are on the roof of the car
Nicky: OH. MY. GOD. Shit.

.:THE END:.

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Nickle Pickle is 32 months!

Dear Nicky, 

In the past 32 months, I have watched you grow from a tiny little bundle in my arms

 to the big boy you are today

I love so many things about you...

 your big golden eyes (just like momma)

your Abeling tail (just like daddy)

your perfect full lips

your long legs...

and your tiny little calf muscles

I love your laugh and your giggle

I love how you blow a kiss

how you say you are sorry

how you cry with 3 fingers in your mouth

how you love suckers

I love your passion for dinosaurs and tractors

how you love all things orange

I love that you know how to use an iPad

and you play games on it

and watch Curious George

I love that Wipeout makes you laugh hysterically

I love your tantrums

Your stubborn personality

I love your smile

and your sharp fang teeth

I love your imagination and your stories

I love how you dance and swing your arms

I love how high you can jump

how fast you can run

how you love to play baseball

I love when you sing Bingo

and ask me to sing you the mirror song (Hush Little Baby)

I love your lawnmowers and your spay bottles and your latex gloves

my heart swells when you hold my hand

or kiss me for no reason

when you say "I love you, Mommy" and give me a hug

when you say "No thank You, Brandon" when he does something you don't like

I love when you share, but that's not too frequent

you love Chocolate milk

I love your toes

your long fingers and long eyelashes

And above all, I love how these past 32 months have been the most incredible experience, and the moments above, are the moments that matter - and I could not be more proud to be your Mommy

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The Greatest Show On Earth

Nicky and Mommy practicing for the Circus

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Finally!

It's no secret, that we've been challenged to get Nicholas to sleep.
I talk about it here, here, here, here, here, and here.
PHEW!
Last week, against my better wishes and pleas, Dan turned Nicky's crib into a Toddler Bed.
My argument has always been,

"If Nicky doesn't sleep in his contained crib, why would he sleep in an OPEN big boy bed??"

Dan did it anyways.
The first night, as expected, Nicky got up 2-3 times
The next day, I screamed and yelled and gave up
But Dan did not
And that was the first and last time Nicky got out of bed
It's been 6 nights now
the last 5 nights....not a peep
crickets from up in Nickyland
Dan is finally on the board
Dan  - 1 , Vicci -  202874654
That means I'm still winning :)

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Nicky's First Picture

Nicky took his first picture. 

I was surprised. 

It was kinda GOOD!

{this isnt the actual picture of Nicky taking that picture on the right. I was behind the camera first. so then I had to take a pic of him, taking a pic of me, taking a pic..ok you get it.}

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Masterpieces!

Once the babies start school, there is no shortage of art work. If you are like me, you have every single piece of construction paper covered in paint, glitter, sequins, crayons, and chalk, saved in a box, overflowing in a drawer, on top of you bills on your desk, and in the side door pockets in your car.

Every once in a while, a piece comes home worth 

K E E P I N G

And you wonder how to display their creativeness 

without cluttering up your already cluttered (in my case) house? 

So you don't have to, I put together a bunch of ways to master your little one's masterpeices.

 One of my personal favorites...

a collage from SimplyCreate 

on Etsy.com

 Be creative, like Jen

and D I Y

with Ikea Ribba frames.

 Also from IKEA

this is another really cool way to D I S P L A Y

your kids artwork!

Or pick a favorite and

turn it into a R U G

from Carpetzz

Or go to a professional

and have them capture a years worth of memories 

into a M A S T E R P I E C E

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Daily Cuteness: Nicholas

Over the weekend Nicky rocked his new swim shorts, euro style.

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Like Mommy, Like Son

My boys must get their penchant for "nakedness" from me
and drama
and attention

{Cheeky}

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Why can't you be like Kathleen?

When I was little my mom taught me manners, how to set a table, say Thank You and Please. She taught me to be nice to people. To call my grandparents, and kiss your parents good night. To call if you are late, to look both ways. Not to say Fart. And she also taught me to write Thank You notes.

But I have an embarrassing confession.

Something I am not proud about.

Something that I keep telling myself to change.

After every Holiday or Birthday, my mom sat us down as we wrote out our thank you cards. I hated to do it. Not because I was ungrateful, but because I hate my handwriting. It's s l o p p y and l a z y, and my hand get cramps. Not one word on my thank you looks the same. I can't write in a straight line. My hand takes a life of its own and goes faster and faster until my writing is ineligible. I start sweating and breathing f a s t.

When I left for college, I felt free. I still wrote my notes, but they started getting later and later. I procrastinated. I met one of my best friends. She was perfect until....I started to hear my mom say:

"Why can't you be more like Kathleen?"

Kathleen sends her Thank You's before you give her something, she's that good. She's my hero. She's my inspiration. I love her and so does my mom. I know a lot of "Katheens", so here is to you girls.

Tonight, and before it gets any later, I will make a promise to send them out this weekend. Before my next child's birthday.

Until then...

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Daily Cuteness: Nicholas the Rockstar!

Little Drummer Boy
N I C K Y bangs the the drums
at the Children's Museum in Austin
my Future Rock Star, my Future Retirement.

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Night Four. Sicky

Last night we returned from taking pictures around 9 pm. Nicky complained of a "hurt tummy". We kept him up watching TV for a bit until he felt better. He fell fast asleep when we finally put him to bed. I still think that counts...even if we kinda cheated.

{I'm writing this as we begin Night 5. He has been crying for 4 minutes... I'll update tomorrow. Good Night!}

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Night Three. Bedtime.

5 

MINUTES!

We'll see how he does through the night.

Until tomorrow!

Good night to all.

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Monkey See Monkey Do

Nicky: Kylee Jo, how much pool water can you drink?
Kylee Jo: Probably a lot
Nicky: Me too.
Kylee Jo: Thank God you have your Popper (aka lawnmower) with you!
Nicky: I know! btw, you're visor looks great backwards!

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Class Picture 2009 - 2010 School Year

Young Toddler Class at Primrose

Nicky with his classmates (Mariana, Jackson, Christian, Andrew, Kylee Jo, Ella, Adrian, Lila, Miss Noemi and Miss Crystal (missing Reid, kelsie, Brooklyn and Lyla)

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A Puff Haiku

Oh Morning!

Peach Puffs in my Lexus

Only you Nicopotamus.

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2 Year Wellness Check - Nicholas Abeling

Yesterday Nicholas had his 2 year check up and during the check up, we heard things like "persistent", "strong",  "demanding", and "gifted". We know most of this, but it was nice to get reassurance from the pediatrician and to realize we are not crazy, terrible parents, out of our minds, etc. We were also told to HOLD OFF the toddler bed due to his unpredictable sleeping habits*. 

(*meaning, he won't go to sleep without screaming bloody murder,  unless we lay on the floor until he falls asleep. Last night I actually climbed in his crib and sang the "B" song and the new "Chuga Chuga Choo" song. Once he is alseep, he sleeps. Phew.)

Here are his current stats:

• 31 pounds! (OH MY *big* boy!) - 85th percentile
• 36 inches tall (although I think she measured wrong, so I will recheck this, and confirm) - 60th percentile
• Body Mass Index  (whaaaat?) - 85th percentile

They don't measure the head anymore, but he still has a tinier head than Brandon. Or Brandon has a big head.
He got one vaccine, which resulted in a low grade fever today and him being sent home. (Thank you to our wonderful babysitter Lori, who picked him up from school today while we are at work! xo)

Our Dr. defined gifted as being able to use 3-4 word sentences, understand context and respond, articulate clear words, say his ABC's, count to 20, identify colors, say Buon Giorno (jk, i added that), use the potty  and TELL us that he has to go. He made up his first story yesterday (more on that later), and his imagination has kicked in. He is a comedian. He learns and says new words every day. He is pretty athletic and his calfs are developing into true Abeling/Fleming calves. He can catch a ball *sometimes* and has a pretty good arm. He loves to run and kick a soccer ball and is still obsessed with anything with Wheels

He really is pretty smart, I'm not kidding. I don't know what this means yet - we will be talking to the Pediatrician about what to do in the future to help challenge our little man retain and grow his knowledge as he gets closer to school age.

Until then, Nicholas, Mommy and Daddy are SO sososososososo proud of you, no matter what you do - GOOD or BAD. You (and Brandon) are the reason I became a Mommy.

{Enjoy 24 months of Nicholas...}

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About that helmet...

Remember that helmet Brandon has been wearing since Feb? The one that corrects his flat spot. That we paid $3800 for? That one.

Yeah, well he stopped wearing it after our last check up because we liked the results we saw, and he was sick with Hand, Foot and Mouth...then I went out of town, Dan left it off...and lots of other excuses...

Yesterday in the mail I got a compliance letter from DocBand, stating that we were out of procedural compliance and since his helmet has not been adjusted since April 19th, he needs to stop wearing it immediately.  WORST mom in the universe. 

However, since he hadn't been wearing it for a month, we have not done any damage, but we do have to go for 1 more check up so he can "graduate". Yay!  Our EXIT interview/appointmnet is next week. I am excited to show you before and after pictures, so stay tuned! 

{nothing to do with this post, I just like the picture below}

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