I Had To Take A Pause . .. But I'm Back

Well, it's been a while since my last post.  I've been in a bit of a funk.  I couldn't see how I could sit here and write about anything good when my heart was hurting so much.  It still hurts, and most likely will forever, but I can finally breathe a little bit and start to move on.  I know some people would say "oh, it's just a dog", but they'd be wrong.  Reggie was more than JUST a dog to me.  He came into my life within a month of my Mommy dying and he helped me to heal that wound.  And that was just the beginning.  He was there with me through so much more.  I won't bore you all with long winded stories.  Just saying that he wasn't just a dog to me, he was part of me.  I can't remember my life before him and I am still having a very difficult time adjusting to a life without him.  Anyway, I am going to focus on positive things, and there is nothing more positive in my life that my little munchkin man!

I'm sure you saw the video I posted of Dominick finally saying Yo Gabba Gabba, his favorite thing in the world.  I thought it'd never happen!  Although, I have to admit I miss his signature hands waving in the air to tell me he wanted to watch it.  I wish he'd do both, but I guess he has no use for silly hand gestures anymore. 

Aside from Ba Dabba Dabba, he is also saying something new every day!  I am so proud of him.  Last night I asked him what song he wanted to hear, I always ask him this, but last night I got an ANSWER!!  He actually answered me!  It was crazy!  He said "Baby" which could only mean one thing, Rockabye Baby.  My heart was bursting with pride and happiness at that moment!  Not that he's ever had any difficulties communicating what he wants, but to hear his tiny little adorable voice say the word was like music.  I even got a sort of full sentence at lunch yesterday! He said "Mama (pause) More (pause) Nana"  I was like WHOA!  haha.  Ok, I know, I'm a dork.  But watching him grow and learn right before my eyes has been the absolute purpose of my life.  I know this with all my heart. I will be grateful to be this little boy's Mama for the rest of my life, and I'll make sure he knows it!! Poor kid.

Potty Training and Pull Ups? REALLY?

When did THIS happen?? I'm not ready.  Well, I guess it doesn't matter if I'M ready, one handsome little toddler is.   I mean, sheesh, he's only 18 months old.  Wait, did I just say "only"? My ass only.  More like HOW IS MY BABY a YEAR and a HALF!?!?  Time just flies by.  So, these past few weeks Dominick has been showing signs of Potty Training readiness.  Well, OK, maybe training to be trained?  I really don't want to force it on him, actually I really don't even want to accept that we are at this stage at all.  Sigh.  But, he has been pulling at his diaper the minute he does a tiny tinkle or fart.  Poor little guy makes the most grossed out face and comes to me for help.  What's a Mama to do, but help of course.  So, today I bought a downstairs potty and some pull ups.  Now, let's not get too crazy here.  This doesn't mean I will actually start enforcing these things just yet.  I'd like to say that I will leave the potty down here for Dominick to get used to, but in reality I am the one who needs to adjust to this.  The moment it was out of the box he pulled on his diaper and popped a squat.  EASY kiddo, let's not rush this.  Mommy needs some time here.  I mean, who woulda thought that something so silly as potty training (training) would make me cry?  Such a sap.  Maybe I should just blame the pregnancy hormones, they've been getting a lot of fingers pointing at them lately.  But, seriously, he doesn't even TALK yet.  Ok, I suppose I will slowly get used to the idea.  I know that I will be SO proud of him when he makes his first pee pee on the potty, I *almost* can't wait!

In other news.....Dominick still isn't saying much, but he does seem to be more interested in making "sentences", which is totally cute.  I am still working on getting him to say Yo Gabba Gabba, since it is his absolute favorite thing in the world.  He does the hands in the air, universal Yo Gabba Gabba sign ~ like all day and night.  Still no words to accompany them yet.  I mean, you'd think it wouldn't be too hard, isn't Yo Gabba Gabba pretty much baby gibberish to begin with?  I guess why bother saying it when you can use your sign language and get your point across?  

Oh, did I mention the tantrums? Oh Mommy in heaven send me patience.  And I thought I had a lot!  He just will NOT hear the word no.  How dare I deprive him of such things as climbing under the end table to get to wires and touching every button on the TV.  Apparently this is his inherent right.  Well, the Dr. DID say that the terrible 2's started at 18 months.  It's gonna be a LONG year.  Year?  More like years.  

OK, that's my update.  Thanks for listening!

One Proud Mama!

It's been so long since my last post, I don't even know where to start!  So, instead of trying to cover a month's worth of doings, I'll just stick with the present.

Presently Dominick is saying at least one new word a day!  Of course he will only say the word once and NEVER on command.  It still counts tho!  Today's word of the day, well morning is : TEDDY!  hehehe.  And he said Banana for the first time, instead of Manana. ha.  The list of words said clearly are:
Teddy
Banana
Knee
Belly
Elmo
Nemo
I DID IT
Mama, Dada, Hi and ByeBye go without saying, of course.  Actually I am definitely missing some here, and I feel awful that I can't remember them.  That's what I get for not blogging about it IMMEDIATELY.  As if I've had the energy or a sound enough stomach for such things lately.  I have still been feeling awful and really hoping that this morning sickness passes SOON.  Silly me for trying to blog with a maniac monkey munchkin on the loose.  I will try to post more frequently from now on, so I don't miss anything!!

Off to the supermarket we go!

Been a While

Well, it's been a while since I've updated my blog.  I have not been feeling well at all, but today, by some miracle, I feel sort of human.  So, here I am.  Not that I really have all too much to say.  Dominick is still the smartest, sweetest little man in town.  Still growing WAY TOO FAST!

In other news, hubby and I were able to go on a "date" for his birthday Sunday.  It was so nice.  I didn't realize how much I missed him until it was just us.  We went to a movie and dinner and it was amazing!  I have my friend Jenn to thank.  She took on the task of running around after the maniac all afternoon and evening and I am extremely grateful.  Hopefully he didn't ware her out too much, because I fully intend on doing it again! haha.  I honestly don't know what took us so long to take her up on her offer.  But, now that it's done, watch out Jenn!

I am so excited, and totally scared for our trip to NY in a couple weeks.  I am slightly nervous about the plane ride with a 16 month old who does not like to be held for more than 5 minutes, let alone 5 hours~~!!!  Still, it will be worth it once we land and see Aunt Jaime and Uncle Mike!  Uncle Eddie is even making a trip to NY to see us!! I am so excited!!!!

Ok, this stinks, I FINALLY feel ok and wanted to jump in the car with the munchkin and head to the park before it gets too hot.  BUT, hubby stole my car this morning to go to work.  Man!  Oh well, there's always later or tomorrow morning if it gets too hot.

Well. that's my sad attempt at an update.  Hopefully I will be feeling well enough to be doing it more regularly.

Ciao!!

15 Month Check Up

Whether I want to accept it or not, my little baby isn't a little baby anymore.  We had our 15 month check up on Monday and the Dr says he is as big as a 2 year old :)  He weighed in at 26 lbs!  32.5 inches long.  He's a tall, healthy, smart boy!  The past 3 months since his last visit he gained 4 lbs.  I have a feeling he won't gain that much by or 18 month visit.  He's been getting a bit pickier than I'd care to admit.  I am having somewhat of a difficult time trying to get him to eat vegetables.  The only veggie he will eat with no problem is sweet potato.  Any other veggie has to be hidden.  I hide carrots, celery and onion in his turkey meatloaf "muffins" and in his lentil soup.  Other than that he refuses veggies.  :(  I bought a spaghetti squash that I am going to try to get him to eat, but I am more worried about his green veggies.  He will eat spinach when I make it with beans and pasta, but I don't make that dish very often.  Maybe I should make a big batch and leave it in the fridge so he at least gets some green in him.  It's frustrating, but we will figure it out.  He still eats just about every fruit available, and I keep a wide variety in the house at all times, so that makes me feel a little better, at least.

Aside from our food issues, my little honey is just the sweetest little guy ever.  His new thing to say is "I love you".  Which comes out more like Ah La La.  Every time he says it he gives this little smile like he is so proud of himself.  I absolutely love it.  Every time I tell him I love him I get a Ah La La back and it makes my heart smile!  I can't wait to see what his next word or phrase will be.

Well, the little monkey has decided to make Reggie's bed his own.  No Bueno.  Gotta run!

Little Big Boy

I knew this day would come, when I would look at my baby and not see a baby anymore.  I believe today was that day.  Just picking him up this morning, I knew.  I swear he had grown at least an inch overnight.  He's so tall, his cheeks and face are getting more plump, he walks steadier ~ nearly running!  Today we were about to go upstairs for a nap and instead of crawling upstairs, he reached for my hand.  At first I was confused, but then he put his foot up and started walking up the stairs like a big boy.  Of course, it took us about 10 minutes to climb all the stairs, but the whole way I couldn't stop thinking "this is it, no more baby from here on out".  He is starting to make new sounds and experiment with them.  He knows just about every animal noise, where all his body parts (and mine) are, he feeds himself with a spoon, and now he walks up the stairs.  It's not only those little things that he does, it's also a feeling I get.  He is astonishingly aware of his surroundings, so observant and smart.  I can ask him to find me any object in the house and he knows exactly what I am talking about and where it is.  Tonight I said "can you say Mama, I love you" (I've been teaching him how to say I Love You and it comes out Ah La La) and he did it, he said Mama, Ah La La.  Okay, I cried.  I'm a sap, I know.  I just have never felt such love, such pride.  He is my sun and stars, without him I would whither. 

ANYWAY, I have been fiending to get back to my book, A Game of Thrones, since nap time.  I have 2 chapters left and the next book in the series waiting for me.  I'm addicted, it's awesome!!!

Blahberry Muffin

Update: Blueberry Muffins were a fail. :(  They were ok for a bite or two but the blueberries just ended up in a sludgey puddle at the bottom of each muffin.  It was not very appetizing to look at.  I wonder if I put too many, or if I tweaked the recipe too much.  Oh well, I will try again another time.  I had to make it up to myself and the munchkin, so I made a new batch of the Banana Muffins.  So yummy!

Anyway, other than the muffin fail I have been keeping myself busy by trying to keep up with the little man.  I try to get out of the house every day with him, whether it's to shop or go to the park or at the very least for a walk to the small playground around the corner.  The weather here in AZ is absolutely perfect right now.  mid to high 70's, breezy.  When the sun goes down there is just the right about of chill.  I love it!  I have to soak it all up now before it gets too hot to even leave the house, except to go in the pool, of course.  Ugh, the pool.  I am curious to see how this summer will be with my little maniac in the water.  If the bathtub is any indication of how he will be in the pool, I am in for it!  It will be fun ... and nerve wracking, I'm sure.

Ok, time to brag about my munchkin.  I wonder if every baby is as smart as Dominick, or if I just haven't spent enough time around babies.  He totally amazes me with the things he does! Here are a couple examples.
While a friend of ours was watching him, she gave him a few stackable measuring cups to play with.  He sat and examined them carefully.  Then he took them apart and put them together exactly how they were supposed to go.  On the first try! ha, Ok, maybe that's not totally amazing....but, the other day while we were playing I was sitting on our loveseat, which is raised higher than the couch, and I put his toy on top of my head to tease him.  He stopped, looked at the toy and walked away.  I didn't think too much of it until he came back carrying his little toy chair.  He set it down next to the loveseat and proceeded to use it as a step stool to get onto the couch!  He reached up and grabbed it off my head as if to say "Did you think that would stop me Mom? C'mon, you can do better than that!" I was floored.  Did he really just do that!? haha,  he's a little pisser.
At a playgroup the other day he was following around the bigger kids and picking up the toys they had discarded, trying to hand them to them, thinking they just dropped them.  So cute.  Of course, they just ignored him, which made me sad.  But, kids will be kids, and Moms will be Moms.

I think I will go have one of those banana muffins now and getting some reading done while he sleeps, then it's off to the library to play!!