Road Trip

With Daddy on vacation all week, we all agreed we were ready for a road trip adventure. Nicholas took his morning nap on the way to Rochester. This new seat doesn't seem to give him the same 'lay back and relax' position.

When we got to the Museum of Play, we realized Nicholas had a poppy seed stuck between his 2 bottom teeth from the muffin him and Daddy shared for breakfast. Daddy tried his best to get it out...
"I don't think so Daddy!"
"I'll just smile with my lips together today - that will be an easy fix to this problem!"
Look how BIG Nicholas looks in this warped world!
These two squeezed into the car.
"Check this out Nicholas!"
What you talkin about, Daddy?
"Don't plan on leaving me here Daddy. I feel like you've just stuck me to this wall."
We got to see Big Bird!
Nicholas could have stayed in the kid's Wegman's all day!
"Gosh, I can't believe how much these grapefruit cost. Now, what's Mommy trick for finding the ripe produce?"

"Thankfully they had my favorite black olives here. Maybe I should have gotten the big can!"
Daddy and Nicholas found the helicopter controls
and the train set!

Then we were off to the garden. Nicholas loved the potatoes and carrots.
"This one would be perfect for my dinner."
In all, we had a fabulous day!

A Whole New World

Nicholas wasn't sure what he initially thought about his new view in the car

now that's he's facing forward in his big boy seat!

This will be perfect for snooping at Christmas lights!

An Uneventful Day

Don't ask us how, but we ended up going to the Delta Sonic for lunch this afternoon (does this count for Nicholas' first meal at a gas station?). Nicholas enjoyed his giant pickle in the comforts of his window seat - watching all the non-stop action outside.

Then we fitted him in his big boy car seat (which is still in the family room, but one step closer to being used). As you can see, he shared the ceremonial event with his plunger.

Boys will be boys

This weekend, Daddy gave Nicholas an introduction to his flight simulator. Nicholas got a charge out of all the sound effects.

"Okay, I'm going to rise in altitude. Watch my technique."
"What happened?! Daddy did you mess things up - I'm crashing here!"

Who's that bald baby?

this day, last year

We are currently experiencing some technical problems...so enjoy the flashback.

A Quiet Black Friday

Can you believe we've just finished opening presents from Nicholas' birthday today! This pictures looks like it could have been taken at Wal-Mart this morning around 5 when Grandma and Mommy arrived!

"Hey Mom - this Frosty book looks really neat! You know I always love new reading material!"

"I got a match! Oh, that Emilee knows how much I like little buttons!"
Instead of all the great presents, Nicholas went to the junk draw and found his "treasure" of the night - eye drops.
This video will seem boring to many, but gives insight to his developing personality. And don't mind my hysterical laughing - I know he has a hard head!

A Day of Thanks

With so many things to be thankful for, Nicholas was all for working on his independent feeding skills at Thanksgiving dinner. He's able to feed himself from an "pre-loaded" spoon - check it out!

"mmmmm, mashed potatoes, gravy and turkey!"

(In addition to that pile, he ate a whole banana, nearly an entire cheese stick, a third of a crescent roll, a couple spoonfuls of cranberry jelly, some crackers, a little green bean casserole...not to mention the 8+ black olives he had during appetizer time. I guess we know where those 4 pounds came from over the past 3 months!)
Being at Aunt Elaine & Uncle John's very un-childproofed house, the remainder of the day looked something like this...
" ahhhh, here's some more windows to leave my cute hand prints on!"
"Why is Rudy outside? He only destroyed my spoon...what's the big deal in that?"
"Oh, I still love you Rudy!"
Today was even more special, with Grandpa's birthday falling on Turkey Day!
Grandpa stayed busy escorting the stair man up and down, giving Mommy and Daddy a much appreciated break.
Grandpa made a special request for assistance from a now-experienced candle blower...
well, at least Nicholas got an upclose view of Grandpa in action.
Happy Birthday Grandpa!

We are so appreciative of all the joy our little Nicholas has brought to our lives over the past year. On this day, we send a special thanks to all our family & friends who share in our excitement of 'the little things in life' with him.

An Extraordinary Morning

This morning, Nicholas discovered his latest birthday gift - this neat fire truck from Great Aunt Anne! He just couldn't get enough of the peek-a-boo fire dog - with just a press of the button, the doggie pops up!

"Look ma, no hands!"
Then we ate breakfast in the family room while watching the Macy's Parade. He was really tuned into the Broadway performers, but unfortunately, it was naptime before any of the giant balloons were on (thank goodness for the DVR - we'll get to show him them later!).

Monkeyin' Around At My Gym!

With no school today (yippee!) - we were able to check out the waddlers class at My Gym! Nicholas had a great time crawling all around...up & down the steps

though the tunnels
and he even found Olivia's favorite hang-out spot!

I'm Nearly Naked and Don't Know What I'm Doing Here...

Mommy and I were enjoying a nice lunch when she rushed me out the door, stripped me down to my diaper....and tossed me on this butcher paper!

Then this mean lady came and poked my finger!
She better not come back!
Oh, these appointments are oh so hard on everyone! But the good news is, Nicholas is growing just beautifully. He now weighs 22 pounds 8 ounces (a 4 pound gain since 9 months!), placing him at the 41st percentile for weight. At 31.5" tall, he's at the 90th percentile for height! Horray!

First Steps!

Nicholas thought cousin Dominic's Christening party was the perfect place to show-off some of his first independent steps...and thankfully, Grandma was right there with the camera!

Maybe he was motivated because he was the oldest baby there...or perhaps it was the 'over-tired surge' from missing his afternoon nap that gave him the needed boost!
Nicholas also fell in love with Great Aunt Sue's Cabbage Patch kid. Lets just say the doll's face was dripping for all the kisses. Maybe Santa caught this affection and will bring Nicholas his very own doll.
Congrats baby Dominic and his proud parents!

Nicholas Rocked On...Doodlebop Style

Nicholas went to his first concert - the Doodlebops! His favorite skit was with the birds - he thought that was the best!

"I can't look at the camera for a silly picture now - I have to check out this lighting and sound system!"

"What do you think Livi, did we come here to look at this bright sign? Haven't we waited long enough... when are they going to start the show?"
"Ahh ha! So this is what we came to see!!!"
What a great adventure! Thanks Ayden and Cyndi for introducing us to the latest tiny-tiny bopper craze!
After such an exciting night, Nicholas came home to a fun surprise...Daddy set-up his new workbench from Grandpa John.
"Now what's that line Daddy always says... measure twice, cut once - oh wait, I think its the other way around."