Weekend Update

What a fun weekend! Our bro-in-law, Uncle Cody, came into town for the weekend. He is helping consult on the opening of a new restaurant in La Mesa. Vito's friend, Phil Giordano, has a brother Gabe, who just bought a restaurant and has totally renovated it. It has been re-named and is known as Gio Restaurant. So their Grand Opening was Friday night. Vito and I went out and bought some new duds. Auntie Crissy, Uncle Ryan and Sammi baby-sat for the night. And the rest was a night to remember. Ton of fun! My friend Regina met up with us...I don't look like I've been drinking do I? The rest of the weekend we all just hung out together for a little R&R!



So Neekers is loving the fact that he is getting the hang if this walking thing. He's so close and he finally knows it! This video is a little longer and of course his best walking is at the end. P.S I learned how to add a play list so you can listen to some tunes! Dang I'm getting good! And if you don't want to hear the music, but still want to hear the videos, scroll all the way down to the bottom and pause the playlist. Thanks!

Thank you Cards!

Hello All! If you are viewing this because you got the thank you card, then make sure you scroll down a couple of posts for birthday pictures and a little summary of the party! Thank you!

P.S. Can anyone help me figure out who bought Nico the cute Baby Einstein bat and ball?! It was our one gift we didn't have a card for! Please help!

It's Official...

Okay, well only kind of official...but Nico FINALLY took his own steps on the 5th of August. I was so proud of him. As he was just as proud of himself! So what ended up happening is that he took like up to 5 or so steps on his own. For probably this whole week. THEN, i don't know what happened, but he has decided that walking more than 2 steps is just way too much work. The thing is that he loves to walk around using all of his "push" toys. He can almost run when he is holding onto these things. But take them away and it's instant floor-abatics, as I call it. Soon enough as everyone keeps saying.

Also, not that I forgot, but Grand Mama was here to visit! It's been wayyy too long since she has seen him and I think she was surprised at what she saw! It was so hot, but we made do with what we had...which was a cool pair of glasses and and awesome mini-pool! Hey, kids don't know the difference. Especially this one. He thinks they are all a bath! So, I have included some videos and pics. And if you are new to our family blog, then don't forget to read down below!!

The Big 1st Birthday Party!

Well finally! This has probably been the hardest blog to get done! So many pictures, that it made it difficult to download. Anyway, the party was great! Everyone who was invited showed up. How often does that happen?! I was so busy doing so many things that day, that I didn't get all of the pictures I had wanted. Of course, my goal was to try and get pictures of all the groups of tables. That didn't happen. There was just so much for me to do and so many people I wanted to see and talk to. But Vito and I think it all worked out. Nico was being slightly timid that day. Which I suppose is to be expected when all the attention is directed right at you. I keep telling him he has to expect it if he plans on being an international super model/star. He doesn't seem to get that though. The sandwiches were awesome! (Thanks Antonelli's) The cake was duh-li-cious!!! (Thanks Crumbs of Paris) I had hoped Neekers would have been a little more excited about having a whole smash cake Elmo face to himself. But again, when all eyes are on you singing, and you don't know the words, you tend to freeze up. I still think he performed like a champ! There was so much for everyone to do, that it didn't seem like a baby's birthday party at all! Some people fished off the dock. The kids went swimming in the lake. The big boys played horse shoe. Some of the kids went to the playground. We were even ready for Bocchi ball and volleyball, but there just wasn't enough time for all of it!
As for Big Boy's great debut as a One-year-old, he LOVES cake. (We did a practice run on his actual birthday) In the video you can see that he gets a little tense and tries to sink back in his highchair...which shows a lovely, pudgy face. But he quickly snaps out of it thanks to the help of his cousins Maya and Sammi - whom he adores! After the cake was clean-up time with Mama, Nana and Auntie Lili, which he wasn't pleased about. However, literally 3 minutes later he was in the water and apparently forgot about the whole incident!

It was very important to Vito and I that we find just the right place for all of us to enjoy the day. We wanted it to have all of the things that we feel "represent" (I know that's a lame word to use - but I can't think of anything else) us and all of the things we want our friends and family to enjoy. For weeks we struggled with where to have the party so that everyone could/would have a great time. Therefore, Vito and I also want to give a super big thanks to Uncle John and Aunt Carol for helping us get the Clubhouse for this party! Of course we don't want to forget to thank our out-of-towners for coming in. And last but not least all of you for being there to celebrate this milestone! What a great First Birthday you had Nico!