Off to see the Bunny

I took the boys on our annual visit to see the Easter Bunny last Friday. Both were very excited about it and eagerly awaited their turn to whisper in his oversized ear what they wanted in their baskets. However, once Dante was actually sitting there, he very matter of factly told me that he had no intentions of smiling for this photo. Still pretty cute, in my book. Maybe by the time he reaches Dominic's age, he'll be ready to ham it up like his big bro. 

While at the mall, Grandpa even found a way to sneak a train ride in under the guise of having 3 little boys to entertain. 

It's in the genes

A couple of weekends ago, we got a surprise visit from Jacquelyn and Bill. It was an awesome treat to spend some time with them and of course, as soon as they were gone, both boys were asking when we would see them again. 

Since then, I keep thinking about this phrase that Mom often used as we were growing up to explain why or how we did something. The topic of much of the recent visit was how similar Dante and my nephew, Matthew are in personality. Jacquelyn and Bill got a huge kick out of it, telling me what I was in for trying to raise a kid like him. I have no doubt that whenever my first gray hair decides to finally appear that I will absolutely blame it on Dante, as he sure gives me a run for my money. And I also know that even though I haven't been around Matthew on a regular basis in some years, if Dante turns out to be anything like him, then I did at least a few things right.

As soon as she got home, Jacquelyn even sent me an old picture to show how  alike they look. I think these two shots are pretty close ages.....I guess Mom was right! 

The Pizza Man

Looks like Dominic had a big adventure this weekend! One of his friends saw these pictures and asked if he got a job....hmm, Austin, you might be onto a good idea there...

Weekend Visitor

Last weekend, the boys and I had a special guest for the weekend - Aunt Becky! It was so much fun to have her here, but the boys are way more interested in getting on a plane and heading to Denver to visit with her and Thom there....hope we can make it happen soon! We miss you already! 

Life with Little Stinker

I think this picture just about sums it all up...

Boynton Beach Babies

Whether it's rain or shine, we can always have fun at Grandma and Grandpa's! 

Outsmarted

Dominic's bedtime routine went a little something like this tonight....

DOMINIC: Mom, do we have time for a story?
ME: Sure, pick something out.
DOMINIC: OK - I choose this one!
ME: Can you pick a different one? You know Mommy doesn't like that one.
DOMINIC: Sooorrry (as he drops the book in my lap)...just don't listen to yourself when you read it and then you don't have to hear it. 

After we finished the story and snuggled together for a bit, I got the usual smattering of random questions before he settled down to sleep:

Mom, does space end?
How old do you have to be to go surfing?
What does God look like?
Why do I have to lean forward instead of back when I get a bloody nose AND do I have blood inside of my bones?
I want to go on a rocket ship, OK?

2014

To my two little men,

Mommy has never been one for resolutions, however, if there were ever a year to think about trying things in a new way, it's this one. You see, last year kicked my butt in all sorts of ways, consistently putting my personal strengths to the tests. Sometimes, I felt like I came out on top, sometimes, I felt like I didn't and some of the situations felt like no matter what happened, there simply could not be a winner. 

The best thing that came from all of this is what I learned about myself. Some of what I learned, made me really proud to be me and some of it made me really feel like a work in progress. The good news is that new years are an easy marker to start fresh and makes changes. When there are days that I pick you up from school and I feel like I can visibly measure that you've grown in some way since the morning of that very same day, it makes me realize that I have no time to waste. 

So, this weekend, I found this and knew it was the perfect addition to our home. 

I am resolving to try my hardest not to sweat the small stuff and be a little less of a perfectionist. Decide to cut a few corners and reorganize priorities so that we can spend more time riding bikes, reading books, and building blocks. Together, I hope, we can explore, discover and live, a little more. 

To 2014! 

Love, 

Mom

'Tis the season

The boys and I picked out our cute little tree last week. Vincent came over a few days later to help add all of the trimmings. A few more decorations have made their way around the house and the cold weather seems like it's here to stay. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

Thanksgiving on Seabrook

The boys and I were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving weekend on Seabrook Island with the NC Stio clan. It's hard to keep us from the beach, even if we have to throw on jackets. Although once Thursday night came, it felt like we were already celebrating Christmas, it was a much needed get away, no matter which holiday! 

Bedtime Concert

Snuggle buddies

Zoned out at the end of a long week! 

(Auntie Jenna - notice what they both have death grips on)

Surprise!

Look who the boys found today while we were at the deli counter! They have flown South a bit early for my liking, however, thought it might be pretty bad karma to boycott Santa and the Mrs. 

Happy Halloween!

BounceU!

If you have had more than, oh, I'd say three conversations with Dominic in the last year or so, then I would guess that the topic of BounceU has come up.  It is most definitely one his favorite places on the planet which made it pretty easy to decide where to celebrate his 5th Birthday.  It was hard to contain his excitement all the way to 4pm last Saturday - especially in those last minutes getting ready to finally leave - but we managed and it was worth it!  Dominic and his friends had a great time expending some of their everlasting energy on bouncies and slides and all things inflatable, only to finish up with pizza and none other than a Spider-Man cake. 

 

 

F-I-V-E

Dear Dominic,

Today, at 5:05pm, you will be exactly 5 years old.  We will have the meal that you requested (chicken fingers and sweet potato French fries) for dinner and eat cake that you insisted on helping to make.  This morning, you brushed your own teeth and buckled yourself into your car seat.  On Saturday, we'll have a party at the place you picked, with old friends and new.  The point is that you are really growing up and fast! There are days when I feel like my labor to give birth to you took longer than the last 5 years. 

 

You are the sweetest, most thoughtful, little boy.  You have a curiosity that amazes me and a memory that blows my mind.  You're silly and smart and brave. You are a helper and a great big brother.  You innately understand how important it is to make the people around you feel good about themselves and remind them that you love them. You are a thinker and a puzzle solver and a builder.  You can be shy at times but know when it's time to speak up.  You want to know, "what's next?"  You are a snuggler.  You love feety pajamas and wish they were meant for all year round. 

 

You are Dominic and when I look into your beautiful eyes, I know that all is right in my world. 

Thank you for being you.
Happy Birthday!

"To the moon and back."

Mommy

 

 

Superstar!

Dominic had been living with a pyogenic granuloma (basically a blood vessel gone haywire) on his face for about two months.  It appeared one day as the tiniest little red bump and although slow at first, once it started growing, it grew fast! We had a few scary episodes with it, but overall, Dominic adjusted to life with it and was such a trooper patiently waiting to see the specialist at Duke and then for his surgery yesterday.  His two only complaints were having to take his bandages off each day and not being able to play with his friends on the playground the last few days of school before surgery. 

 

At the hospital, Dominic handled everything like such a pro.  From patiently waiting to get called, to doing all the prep tests, not being a single bit scared as he got rolled into the operating room and even waking up calmly and relaxed.  After about 5 minutes of being awake, he just wanted to get dressed and go home.  He's being great about following all of the doctor's post-op instructions, including taking it easy and watching a bit more TV than usual. 

 

Last night as we were getting him ready for bed, he was so happy to be able to put his pajama shirt on normally without having to take extra care to get it over his blood vessel, as we came to call it.  He said "Now, I'm just plain, old Dominic.  All back to normal!" and he had one of those smiles on his face that makes all of the extra wrinkles earned through life as a parent so worth it. 

 

Dominic,

I don't know if I could ever think of you as "plain, old Dominic" but I do know that you are such a brave little boy! Mommy couldn't be any prouder.

 

Pre-surgery bath

Patiently playing while in the waiting room


Pre-Op




Waiting for him to wake up


He's up and it's gone! (We took a picture to show him that it wasn't there anymore)


Taking a few minutes to get dressed again


Snuggling with Daddy while waiting to get discharged


A little rest on the way home

Home with Mommy the next morning, happily having a pajama/movie day!