It's..... CHRISTMAS!

Well my dear, it seems as if Christmas has rolled around once again. However, I would like to point out that it is Christmas for you every day since you get presents almost every day. Yes, you are spoiled. Yes, it is my fault. Do I care? No. I am on this earth to make you happy love. As long as you are sweet, loving, kind, and appreciative, you may have whatever your heart desires. You are worth it in so many ways. So, this Christmas I bought you a LOT of things along with whatever everyone else is going to buy you (hopefully not toys.. you have way too many of them).

You also picked out our tree this year along with the majority of the decorations. You helped Mommy decorate and absolutely loved every second of it. You're a Christmas girl. I thought the Christmas spirit left me but you brought it back something fierce. I love Christmas with you Nina and I am going to make it ever so special for you every single year.

So, this year the first snowfall we have seen was in Tennessee visiting your Uncle Ryan and Aunt Ashley. Apparently it doesn't snow there a lot but of course when we go, it snows. You loved it baby girl. You kept screaming, "It's snowing!" It was so very cute. You also decided to torture their poor puppy Artie but I think he liked it. You kept going inside his cage calling it his "house" and locking you and him in their together. It was super super cute.

You are such a good little traveler. I can't believe that an almost two year old girl is so good in the car for so long. I am really blessed to have you Nina. Anyone that has you in their life is a very lucky person. You make me the happiest Mommy alive! Oh, and you look just like me now. <3<3<3

Love,

Mom

Thanksgiving Time

Nina,

Every day I give thanks that you are my daughter. You are beautiful, smart, funny, personable, kind. Everyone is in love with you but no one in this world could love you as much as me. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for you, for my family, and my friends.

I will always love you and you alone my Angel. You're my number one. ALWAYS!


Your loving Mum

Hal Hal Halloween!

It has been a while since I posted. I apologize to Nina and anyone who follows my blog for her. It has been a very hectic week!

Halloween was a success! Ashley and I, or should I say Pashy and I (that is what Nina calls her), went to my dear friend Nicky's house to go trick or treating around the neighborhood. Her fiance Scott attached a wagon to his tractor and took some of the neighborhood kids, Nina, their children Nicholas, Lorenzo, and Matteo around the neighborhood. At first, Nina was scared. You can see by the pictures how terrified she was.  Lorenzo was dressed in a scary mask and Nina was petrified of him. She was putting her head on Nicholas's shoulder as if he was her protector. It was adorable.As soon as I got in the wagon with her she was fine. I had Nina on one leg and Nicholas on the other. They were, as promised, matching pirates! She kept saying, "Weeeeeeeeee!! GO GO GO!!!!" She absolutely loved it. Then after a little while she got the hang of trick or treating and thought it was the greatest thing on earth. She was following all the kids we went with, screaming, laughing, running, jumping. To every person who answered the door she said, "Twit tweet!" Then I would say "happy Halloween" and she would say, "Hap eeeeeeeeeen!" Everyone thought she was the most adorable thing ever and well, I can't argue that. She truly is. She didn't want to stop!

My darling Nina, you are getting so big and smart. Your full sentences are getting clearer and clearer and your intelligence astounds me every day. I have no idea how you know some of the things you know but I am impressed. Certainly not surprised though. You do have a very smart Mom and Dad you know. ;) The fact that you know all of your colors, can count to three, can sing some of your ABC's, know how to read "Mom" and "Nina," and every other awesome thing you do, truly makes me feel blessed to have such an incredible child. You are loving, sweet, kind, smart, funny, and every other positive adjective in this world. I love you cupcake.

 Love,

Mommy

Autumn with my girl

My Dearest Nina,

You got your appetite back! Thank you Lord. This morning you ate a bowl of cheerios, a piece of bacon, and a banana. It is October 25 and absolutely beautiful outside so we will definitely be visiting the park today my little one. I finally got a hold of those pictures from Mateo's football game and I just can't believe how sweet you and Nicholas are together. You had such a blast baby. You went to bed at 6pm and didn't wake up until 8am the next day. You totally wore yourself out running around like a little maniac.

You are definitely an angel.



HOWEVER,

You may be Picasso in your little toddler brain, but let me assure you, you are not. Nor do I appreciate you sneakily coloring all over the walls with your crayons.

Washable markers are totally the way to go. I let you color on me and yourself all the time but you had to go and move it on up to the walls didn't ya kid?

I forgive you. You are too cute not to forgive. But please don't ruin the walls anymore. I may have to give you to the Gypsy's at the New Egypt Flea Market if you keep it up. ;)


Love,
Mum

Eat!

Nina,

I realize that you are going on two and you are growing and changing every day, but please do your Mother a solid; EAT! Every day I make you everything I can possibly think of for you to eat and every day you don't eat it. It gives me some serious anxiety little girl. I keep reading and hearing from other parents that it's completely normal, but even though it may be normal, it still sucks that you aren't getting the nourishment your little body needs. I give you Pediasures which I know you love, vitamins, lots of milk, and whatever you will eat but baby, eat some normal things! Like...mac and cheese,  pasta, pancakes, oatmeal, waffles, potatoes, MEAT! The only thing you eat is: grapes, apples, bananas, crackers, chicken nuggets, and french fries. Sometimes I can get you to eat a lunchable. I even took you to the doctors to get her advice. She said I'm doing everything right and it's just a phase but I can't help but feel bad because food is so good and you are totally missing out!

I am glad you are too young to remember the screaming you do and the torture it seems you are in when we visit Dr. Pellar. You definitely don't like to be messed with. I feel bad that she has to do all of those things to you, but at least I don't make you get shots. It is kind of funny to watch her put that stick on your tongue and you scream so loud that your hangy ball in the back of your throat shakes all crazy. That might sound terrible, but it is funny. The best part about visiting Dr. Pellar is that you get a lollipop, right? Oh, the blessed lollipop. Let me poke and prod you, make you cry, make you terrified of me, and then give you a lollipop as an "I'm sorry." It works!

Now you are happy!

Just remember, if I take you somewhere you don't want to go, make you eat something you don't want to eat, say no to something you really want to do, or anything of the sort; it's because I love you and want you healthy and happy.


Your loving Mum

Halloween Cookies.

Nina and I decided to make some Halloween cookies. I wanted to dye the batter orange but when I poured the orange food coloring in, I realized from the smell that it was actually orange extract. Lack of sleep and seeing the color orange was enough for me to believe it was food coloring. So, oh well. It was very..... orangie... but surprisingly tasty. Nina decorated the cookies. Look at how well she did!!.....

Awesome right?

I wish those were our cookies. No no no no. Ours came out more like this:

I think one has an eyeball on it and the other has a finger. I was having a hard time finding decorations for cookies. No store had any. Guess we should have made cupcakes. That is on our list of things to do together. :)

This past weekend Nina and I went to my friend Nicky's son Mateo's football game. I took a ton of beautiful pictures of Nina and Nicky's other son Nicholas playing together. They were rolling around in the grass, running, hugging, laughing, giggling, holding each other, kissing each other. It was the most adorable thing I have ever seen. I couldn't get enough of it. So this Halloween, Nina and I are going to Nicky's house and her son Nicholas and Nina will both be pirates together. They are totally in love with each other and it will be cute to see them matching. Nina, when you are old enough to read all of these blogs and the many more that are sure to come, mark my words..... you and Nicholas are totally getting married one day. I will make sure to take a ton of pictures and post them up here. This is what Nina's costume will look like...

I know I know. I already know. I want to buy her every costume in the store and do a photo montage. You are so beautiful Nina.


Your Mama

Beware of Dog

A mother's love for her child is like
nothing else in the world. It knows no
law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes
down remorselessly all that stands in its path.

~ Agatha Christie

My Dear baby Nina,

I witnessed you get bit by a dog yesterday and I cannot even begin to describe to you the feelings I had in that moment. I ran to you, of course, scooped you up, and held you close and tight. I wanted to hurt that dog so bad, but I was too busy consoling you, and well, your Aunt Lauren did a pretty good job of it. ;) She loves you like I do.

It is amazing to me how honest a child is. How honest you are. A minute after he bit you, you were your usual self. Talkative, happy, sweet little Nina. You wouldn't be you if you didn't say, "Nooooo Primo..... Noooooo!" Oh baby, you are going to be just how I was when I was a child. I didn't fear anything. I got bit by many a dog, and have lots of scars to show for it. Just remember this, and this is something my Mother always said to me; Don't ever trust an animal. They are animals. You never know what you are going to get from them. Your Mémère and I should know. I was attacked by a Black Lab when I was five that knew me well and a Doberman who lived next door. My Mother was attacked by a Doberman when she was young and the scars on her face are a forever reminder that dogs know no boundaries.

I just want you to be careful. I never want to see you hurt. It breaks me in half to see you cry. As you get older and go to school, I have a feeling I am going to be that Mom who flips out on parents when you come home bullied or sad. Either that or I will bring some cupcakes in to school and whatever kid was picking on you, I'll "accidentally" trip them something fierce. I know I can't protect you from everything. I wish I could. I just want you to be the happiest child you can be and I want you to be able to experience everything this life has to offer. I love you Nina. Let's stay away from the dogs for a while and maybe get some fish.



Your Loving Mum

Videos

Nina, throughout my time working on this blog I will post videos here and there of when you were a little baby, before you were a little baby (in my tummy), and the present. Here is one I would like to share as it is definitely one of my favorites. People always get on my case for taking too many pictures and videos. I just want to cherish these moments for the rest of my life and share them with as many people as possible. This is a video of your first walking experience. It was December 1, 2009.

Dinner fun

Nina and I are making a concoction of sorts in the crock pot. I wrote it down just in case it turns out to be good. That is something I never did before. My Mom always told me to write down everything I make so I don't forget. Well, now I'm taking all of her advice. In every aspect of life. :)

So, we have some beef and a LOT of spices, Spanish rice, vegetables, AND potatoes. Yes that's right. We are double carbing it. Since my darling Nina doesn't try and/or eat many foods, I'm going to safely assume she won't be trying this. Plus, it's a little bit spicy for a toddler. Anyhow, she helped me prepare everything. Nina's job: Pounding the meat. She did a good job too. I have a strong little girl on my hands. Every day she shows me how strong she is by catapulting balls at my head... lol.

It is 12:30 and Nina and I have a pretty busy day ahead of us. I know Nina is a little young for preschool just yet and she doesn't need to be in daycare yet (although I did find an amazing daycare she will be attending when needed), but I want her to interact with children and music as much as possible so I found this program in Sewell, NJ and I think we are going to be signing up for it. Check it out. http://www.music-in-me.com/page4.html 

Tomorrow morning: Halloween cookies. <3

My Beautiful Girl

Today I watched you sleep for a while. I don't remember the last time I did that. It is such a beautiful feeling to watch a child you brought in to this world so at peace with it. It kind of breaks my heart to know that one day you will grow up and know that this world is not so peaceful. I wish you could stay young and naive forever. Then you would never know any pain other than Mommy not giving you another cookie. Things are going to break your heart baby girl. Such a thing is inevitable in anyone's life. But I want you to know that nothing is bad forever. Life is full of ups and downs and twists and turns and although you may feel like your world is crashing down; that your heart was just stampeded on; it will always get better. I promise.

You are my world Nina. I didn't know it when I was pregnant. You weren't even real to me until I saw you. You made me a Mother and you have given me more love in my heart than anyone in this world. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing a good enough job and in my heart I know I can do better. I promise to do better by you, to teach you, to be patient, to put you above all else in this world, to pick you up when you fall down, and to love you unconditionally all the days that I am breathing.

Tomorrow when you wake up, crawl out of your little toddler bed, and come running out to me saying, "Hi Mommy," I am going to scoop you up and kiss you until you get annoyed with me. Which will probably be two seconds in. Two seconds of kissing Nina? I'll take it.

"When you feel like nothing ever goes your way, look at the smile on your child's face. It can brighten up any dark day." - Me


Your Loving Mother