Dominic --Three At Last!

Good-bye two – hello three!!

Yes, our sweet potato is now three! He is so thrilled! But now he wants to be five! I told him he has to hold on because we are not ready for five just yet!!

He started planning his birthday back in May when he told me he wanted a” pina-yata” for his Happy Birthday. To this day, we do not know where he learned about piñatas – but it was a great idea.

We checked out a book called, Hooray, A Piñata and it fueled his adoration for piñatas even more. In the book the two characters talk about how they want to whack and smack and thump the piñata until all the candy falls out. SO for months we’ve heard about Dominic “macking and whacking” the piñata with a big stick.

As the months leading up to his birthday unfolded, Dominic would add more dimensions to his party. He told us whom he wanted to have there – absolutely every one of his friends and cousins was on the list. (Unfortunately his Ohio family couldn’t make itL.) He even wanted humpty dumpty. Next he told us that he wanted to have honey and one day when we were making cookies, after licking the sugar off his fingers, he told me, “Mommy I want to have that stuff at my happy birthday party too.”

Well, we didn’t have honey or bowls of sugar, but we had two parties, with two piñatas filled with sugary candy and treats. Dominic got to mack, whack, and thwack and thump the piñata – I would say it was everything he expected. He really loves the stick – just the sight of it makes him smile!

In the end, all of the kiddos seemed to Dominic’s piñata idea for they all got to whack the things a few times and then dive for the candy. If this third birthday is any indication, Dominic will likely host some great parties in his lifetime – to no credit of oursJ

I’ll have to take pictures of the Super “D” cape that Miss Irene made for Dominic – he LOVES it and it’s so Dominic!

Two was so much fun! We are now opening our arms to the wonderful quirks, challenges and celebrations that are three!

THE CHANGING FACES OF LITTLE MISS ELLIE

Sept. 30

Ellie is 11 weeks today and Dominic is 3! First, let’s start with Ellie. Thought I’d go ahead and share rapid growth of our sweet little girl -- she’s growing like crazy!

I hate to admit it, but those first five weeks, I was whispering in her ear to “grow, grow.” For me, those first five weeks are the hardest. They are comparable to getting in shape as a runner. In the beginning, it’s just so painful, and I can barely run, but once I get into shape, I adore my long runs and want them to last and last. When my babies arrive, I am initially overwhelmed by their wee needs – I’m a wimp! But as time passes, I get into a groove and love every minute. As for Ellie, I’m not telling her she can slow down in her growth… She’s not listeningJ For what it’s worth; I truly am cherishing every minute of it!

Ellie’s personality thus far:

She’s sleeping 6 – 7 hours straight each night – (I keep pinching myself after our first year of Dominic’s every 2.5 hour wake-ups!)

She has a smile that lights up a room

She smiles and looks when she hears Dominic’s voice

She has the sweetest little voice

She adores music – the louder the more apt it is to put her to sleep

She detests the car seat. (Funny how I forgot about that fact for Dominic. I had flash backs eventually and then Chris reminded me that it lasted the entire first year with Dominic. I’m hoping that when she becomes more aware that Dominic can entertain her in the back seat. He’s amazingly patient with the full throttle screeching that goes on beside him in the back seat. I have told him that she sounds just like he did when he was her ageJ)

She’s a wee little dream – an easy baby. I wonder if it’s that she’s so easy or that we are much more relaxed this time around? With Dominic, we were learning as we went and thus were much more nervous about things.

Perhaps it’s the sleep we get this time around, but I’m suddenly understanding of how people can have babies so close together. I remember with Dominic, at the one- year point, Chris and I were looking at each other and saying, “How do people do more than one of these?” It took us until he was almost two to know we truly wanted a second child.

Enough of my banter, let’s take a look at the changing faces of little Miss Ellie…

Catching up -- Sept. 14

Can't even believe it has been months since my last post. I wrote one on Sept. 14 but never did get to post, so let me attempt to get it out there:)

September 14, 2009

OK, time slips by way too fast! It’s been a wonderful eight plus weeks! Little Ellie is getting so big (I’m guessing close to 10 pounds already!) and her smiley little personality is emerging. It’s so much fun! Ellie’s smile lights up a room and her sweet little voice is so melodic. When she hears music, or when I hum or sing, she smiles. I love it!

Dominic adores being a big brother! He looks out for Ellie, hugs her and always wants to hold her. Through all of the challenges we have had with his adjustments to sharing mommy and daddy, he gobbles up his little sister with hugs and kisses.

Dominic is becoming so independent it’s mind-boggling. Last week he came out of his room in the morning and had his outfit for the day. (Of course it was his Ohio State jersey with Lepore on the back and his “football shorts” and socks!)

Back to Ellie -- It’s amazing how much I forgot about those first weeks of little life. Little Ellie did not let us put her down for about the first six weeks. This meant that sleep included a wee baby nestled on my chest for many nights. Of course it was mediocre sleep, I know I will yearn for these few short weeks as time continues to slip by.

She actually just started sleeping on her own in the Graco last week. We swaddle her up and she manages to get a good 4 hours on her own. (Last night, she slept from 11 – 5:30!) This much sleep makes parenting a dream!