You, Me & Baby C: October 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

Fall in the Big D

As the weather couldn't make up it's mind between 55 or 90 degrees, our days flew by with lots of good times with friends. I've been balancing some craziness at work along with not always feeling well, so it helps to look back at all of the great times we've had this fall. I may not always felt 100% but our family always gave 100%! Dominic is adding to his memory bank with each day that passes... costume parties, football games, birthday parties, visits from family & parties at school. He is a busy guy with an incredible village surrounding him.

McDonough's annual pumpkin carving party

We threw a VERY family friendly OU/TX party. Funny how things have changed over the years for these OU wrestling vets!

Heritage celebration party at school

Our belated Father's Day present for Granddad. An old school train ride to the Ft Worth stockyards. Dom loved every minute of the day! We were glad we waited until the weather cooled.

Levi turned 1, oh what fun! Ben & Becky hosted a great party.

Pumpkin Patch fun during Auntie Lydi's visit

Dom had great fun with Aunt Lyd

Mom & Dad got a date night. Old school Texas swing music at the arboretum w/ Michael & Andrea. Perfection!

We went to Brenda & Robert's for dinner. It had been way too long since we have seen them. Both of them have been such incredible troopers over the past 2 years since Robert's accident. Dear friends are great for the soul.

Babyville: 4 & 5 months

ahhh... the differences between the 1st & 2nd pregnancy are surprising me. With Dom, I remember pining for the next week to get here so that I could see what the new developments were happening. I would anxiously open the book to see what new vegetable size he was that week. This time around, while I do consult my handy app & do journal, the days are just flying by. In the first 20 weeks, I would even forget that I was pregnant numerous times a day (unheard of the 1st time around!)

Life as a mom who is juggling the joy & chaos of a 2 year old, full time job, high(ish) risk pregnancy, marriage, keeping the abode running & holding some resemblance of a social life! I wouldn't trade it for the world, but it's no surprise that the days are flying by.

I'm writing this at 23 weeks & the baby is moving around like crazy. The bump is also growing exponentially. I have a feeling that I won't be forgetting I'm pregnant much in the future! On a note of gratitude, I'm so very thankful that both baby & I are healthy.

The Pumpkin Patch

This day was a page right out of the story of my life... the life that I've dreamed of since I was younger. For our pumpkin patch visit, I was holding the hand of a healthy & happy Dominic and smiling at the handsome husband by my side... it was perfection. This life can throw rough days & curveballs every so often. When storybook days like this come along, I soak up the moments, make some great memories & relish in the goodness of life.

Finding the perfect sized pumping (after this one, he went straight to the 25+ pounders)

I have to admit, this was a mom choice, not a dom choice ;)

My precious fam

the pumpkins were strapped in with Dom

One of my fave parts of the day. Nudie baby cleaning his pumpkins in the front yard

State Fair

It was Dom's THIRD year at the state fair! We love our annual visit. Aunt Leslee was able to come with us again this year. At age 2, it was such a full circle moment to see him really taking in the animals, sights & games. The winners:

Dog shoe: the ran, they jumped, they did tricks above the water. Dom was in pure bliss!
Children's area with a giant wooly mammoth & sandbox area
Duck game with where Dom won a "BAAA!" (ball, his most favorite of things)
Petting zoo
Big Tex Cup from Aunt Leslee -- the cup was bigger than he was

Three Years at the State Fair: Dom was 6 weeks, 13 months & 25 months (respectively)

Loving his time at the petting zoo with Aunt Leslee over years

Three years of games with daddy!

When Dominic gets super excited, he runs like he is flying... hands thrown back. He then likes to grasp his fingers.

Mommy too! Isn't this funny that I'm smiling in both pics as Dom stares at the goat. And the goats are almost identical. Too funny!

He wanted the tattoo... then he wasn't so sure... then he was VERY PLEASED!

FAMILY PIC

His prize winning ball. It's truly now one of his fave possessions

When we were at the fair, I was snapping these pics & remembering back to last year. I remembered that I had these super cute pics of Dom walking with Nick (he had just started walking.) I had a mommy-full-circle=moment.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

She's having a baby!

Dear Baby,

We are so thrilled that you're on the way. We're busy playing the name game, dreaming of nursery design & teaching your big brother all about you. He already loves to give you kisses. My dear, you were a dream for some time before you became reality. We're so incredibly blessed at your presence. Stay safe & cozy in there. May God watch over you as you grow & develop. We can't wait to meet you at the end of February.

All of my love, Mommy

Gram Sam & GG visit

We had a blast with visits from the Wisconsin Grandparents. GG came down for a nice long week. It's always fun to have him for an extended time period. With GG we did a lot of fun things including exploring Bass Pro, taking walks & heading out to the mall. The most special thing we did with GG was visit Reliant, the hospital that helped him recover from his stroke. GG was very emotional to see his doctors & give inspiration to the patients in the hospital Dom created quite a few smiles as well. The last time Dominic was there he was 1 month old.

Gram Sam was able to take a long weekend a few weeks later & join us. When Gram Sam was here, we visited the Rory Meyers Children's Garden at the Arboretum. Dom is always enthralled here. Gram Sam was enthralled as well! Mom & I took a wonderful Saturday for some "girl time." We shopped, got massages, went out to lunch & enjoyed a lovely fall day in Dallas.

the most precious pic

Visiting Reliant with GG

Lunch & shopping at Nordstrom. Dominic was an angel at lunch & the sun was pouring in. It was a special lunch for me!

Hanging out with GG& Omi

Gram Sam Arrives!

Snuggles & "fishing" with Gram Sam

Fun with cotton tails at the Rory Meyers Children's Garden

Snacks & loving with Gram Sam

Showing Gram Sam what's up as he rides on the bumble bee

Building blocks!

Cooling off in the shade

Water play at the arboretum

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Dom is 2

Happy Birthday Dominic Michael Curcio!

Your dad & I love how much you've changed our lives. You make us laugh every day, keep us on our toes & bring so much delight to the world around you. You've grown up so much in the past few months. You are still cautious & sweet. You like to analyze a bit before you jump into something. You're very careful about how & where you like your things. You've also discovered however you have definitely discovered choice & opinions! While at times it's trying, I love this in you. Gram Sam says that you're exactly like I was at 2 years old.

Likes:

•When Daddy comes home & plays with you. He tosses you on the bed and you sign/say "more more." you could do this all night!

• Playing with Lilah. Ever since you were 4 months old, Lilah has been delighting you. Now you can actually play tug of war with her & it's hilarious.

•Balls, blocks & legos. If we just had these 3 toys in life & no other toys, you would be happy. The blocks are from when I was a child, the collection of balls is in a giant basket you haul around & the legos are a new 2nd birthday present.

•Bathtime/Showertime: A favorite for you. You're a water baby like mommy & daddy.

•Planes: on walks, in the car... planes in the sky are an obsession. If you're ever upset, I"ll take you outside to look for birds or planes

•Drawing. You're adorable with your artwork. You come up to us, do the sign for drawing & say "daw? daw?" It's one of the most precious things you do. You'll move your crayons all around the house & they usually end up in the new pirate ship that Aunt Cami & Uncle Rich got for you.

•Swimming. You are a pro! 12 seconds underwater, independent kicking. Thank you Armando & Emler.

•Animals. Petting zoos, the zoo, anywhere we find animals is a fave spot. You're doing a great job with your animal noises. You always make me giggle with your light "roar" and throat "moo". It's pretty funny

•The playground - you and every other kid! the swings are your favorite

Dislikes:

•Brushing your teeth. You like to hold the brush, but you won't brush. We have to really work to get your teeth brushed.

•When mommy sings!

•Getting dressed (sometimes): If we give you plenty of options & you can make the decisions, we are usually good. Otherwise, look out world, here is Dominic & he is NOT happy.

•Putting away toys... it's as though you think they'll be gone forever. You can't even hear them being cleaned up in a different room or you'll run in & throw down an epic tantrum.

Daily activities:

•School: We all love your school & teachers, especially you. The other day we got to school a little late & everyone was walking in a circle on colored mats to "All You Need Is Love" in the background. It was the sweetest sight. Your current teacher Juliana is incredible. You run & give her a hug every morning. If you're ever sad at drop-off, she'll give you great cuddles. I also like that she's easy on you guys & bends the rules if you come in with a cup, snack or little token that you're not quite ready to part with.

• Eating. You're 50/50 on dinner these days, it's sometimes tough to get you to eat. Favorites: nuggets & honey, hot dogs, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, fruit (especially raspberries!) Gram Sam introduced you to fruit snacks & they are your new favorite treat.

•Talking: You're saying a lot of words including: mama (first word), dada, ihlah (lilac,) bir (bird,) moe (more), bububa (bubble bath), mil (milk) & lots more I can't think of right now. You're EXCELLENT with your signing. You sign to a lot more than you say. You'll come home from school each day signing new things. Daddy & I have to work to keep up with you.

Little love, thank you for making our lives so enriched. You're sunshine in the best pint sized package!

Happy 2nd birthday party! We served hot dogs & had an easy swim party. Aunt Cam flew in for the festivities! A lot of friends & family came including the Shempp boys, Jungs, Matt & Danielle, McDonoughs, Dowlings, and cousin Levi. It was a blast.