Today is Sunday and it is
one month Nicholas is home with us.
Time is flying by and here are some of the hi lights....
In the beginning it was a big adjustment for all of us but especially the little guy. The first few nights he woke up in the middle of the night crying and screaming and was just not happy which I’m certain was the combination jet lag and the time change. At times he would give Dennis & I this look – with those big blue eyes like what the hell are you people doing with me – it was scary yet funny as Dennis & I just couldn’t believe the looks he would throw us – especially when we wouldn’t let him do what he wanted to do! The tantrums were also very, very bad in the beginning – again when we wouldn’t let him get his way – the head slamming on the floor – wailing and kicking of the legs. Whew they were tough on a new mom but I would just bring him to his room and let him cry it out – he got wise to that and would crawl out to the kitchen with a whimper and just look for some hugs which were happily supplied. The tantrums are few and far apart and only last a minute at most – again this was good.
His doctor is terrific and he could not believe how well behaved Nicholas was and ordered lots of blood work and a few shots – all of which Nicholas handled like a typical 18 month old.
He has met lots of his extended family, first visit was with Grandma (Dennis mom) and she was so happy to meet her grandson and couldn’t believe how well he ate – she was impressed – yes you know those Italian mothers!!
Uncle Nick, Aunt Chris and Cousin Michelle, who played with Nicholas almost the whole evening and who has offered to baby sit the little man anytime Momma & Poppa need her – Thanks Michelle!
Aunt Grace & Uncle Joey loved meeting Nicholas and couldn’t believe how very smart the little guy is!
My niece Patricia and her daughter Noelle came out to meet Nicholas & Nicholas and Cousin Noelle had a great first visit!
Dave & Liana’s house was next and with 3 girls all under age five and newborn baby Andrew it was a great visit – Nicholas had a blast!
We went to visit Cousin Noelle and got to see Belle their dog - Nicholas was in his glory as woof woof is one of his favorite sounds to say doggie! He is not eager to get licked but loved petting Belle and watching her run around!
Another stop was to my office and my oh my Nicholas was a star! Everyone came around to find and meet the little man and he loved every minute of it!
So how is Nicholas doing?
He is simply a dream come true! Nicholas is a very sweet little boy who is loving and affectionate – he is the perfect child and Dennis & I couldn’t be happier!
Nicholas has had his Early Intervention Evaluation and the doctor said that he will be one of his memorable children as Nicholas is way ahead of his age – the doctor could not believe how advanced he is with everything – he was very impressed with him and feels the only thing we might have is a slight – very slight speech delay but even that is not likely considering he is only here a few short weeks and he has an advanced vocabulary already. We are waiting on the final evaluation to see what if anything is needed.
Nicholas pediatrician (who is the International doctor we used while in Kaz) was also very impressed with the prior care he received – he said it is very rare that all of the shots that are normally stated on the foreign medical records are accurate and in Nicholas’ case everything was up to date based on all the blood work results he received. Nicholas has a few to catch up with now but otherwise he is in great shape. He is gaining weight and everything looks great.
A few notables – Nicholas has not met a food or had a meal he hasn’t liked. The first few days he was eating like it was his last meal – fistfuls of food into his little mouth & as much as he could jam in and I couldn’t get the food to his mouth quick enough. Now he eats one teaspoonful at a time (yes I got him off the tablespoon!!) and eats at a normal pace. Nicholas loves vegetables and will gobble them up first from his plate – he also loves fruit – and although in Kaz he would eat a whole apple on his own his Momma started off with small cubes – I moved this up to slices- which to him still seems odd as he’d prefer the whole apple!
Nicholas loves, loves, loves books – he sits on the potty and will flip through a book countless times and is very happy just sitting doing this. His potty training has regressed a bit but only because we have him in pull ups and if he is preoccupied with playing he tends to not let us know, yet other times he will let us know and on some mornings he wakes with a dry pull up goes right to the potty and does his thing. I believe this will get better once he has a better grasp of the language – which by the way is remarkable. He has learned so many words just by looking at the pictures and hearing Momma say them over and over and over again. He understands and shakes his head for yes & no and we are almost completely to the point that when he wants or needs something he will say Momma instead of reaching out and just uttering sounds.
Nicholas now says “hello” and has even learned “school bus” and will point out one when he sees one. He is mastering the word circle and has just about mastered drawing one on his magna doodle. If we ask him to put something in the garbage he does it and if I ask him to get or put something in his room he will. The other day I simply asked him get me his magna doodle to draw a circle & he knew exactly what I meant (and I have never referred to his magna doodle as a magna doodle while we are playing with it) he just simply understood me when I asked him to get it.
Things that we are working on are his sleeping at night - he now sleeps through the night most nights but it is a battle getting him down but after a few differnt techniques I think we are on the right path.
Nicholas is a true gift and we love him so very much. Our life with him is everything we hoped and more and we thank god everyday for the gift and blessing of our wonderful little son!
Hi lights in pictures
Nicholas receives his U.S Citizenship certificate!!!
To celebrate we had some fun at the mall!
Checking out the cool tools with Poppa
Just wait till he figures out the whole
"Christmas" thing!
Out to dinner to celebrate
Checking out his certificate again before nite nite!!
Some cute shots
Nicholas woke up from his nap and before he made a peep he decided to put his underwear on....notice they are over his pajamas!!!
Getting his hair dried by Poppa - which he loves!!
Hanging out in the office with Poppa.....
and having lots of fun!
but with plenty of kisses for Momma
Notice the crossed feet which he does almost all the time!!
Yeah life is good!
