Followers

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone  currently following!  I'm honored that you all care enough to want to read my blog ;)  I went through all of your profiles and saw some of you have blogs -- so I began following any of your blogs that I wasn't already.  If you didn't intend to have followers, just let me know and I'll remove my name.  Otherwise, I'm looking forward to reading all that you have to say! :)

On a similar note, I've noticed I have one follower who's profile name is ZosMommy21...but this user name doesn't match up to any of the emails/profiles I've invited.  I'm sure I'm just not making a connection somewhere, but whoever you are, could you please post a comment or shoot me a message or fb message or something to let me know who you are?  Sorry I'm having a disconnect :) 

Thanks!

Warm milk

Since switching Nick to whole milk, I worried that his last bottle of the night would be too cold when poured fresh from the fridge. His formula bottles were always made with just regular tap water - never warm, but not ice cold either. So I started warming his whole milk on the stove for a few seconds (30-60) before bedtime. Not hot like I drink my coffee, but definitely warmed up. And since starting this, combined with starting bedtime earlier (between 6:30-6:45pm) he is now passed out cold by 7:15pm at latest...and doesn't make a peep for the next twelve hours. Seems warm milk really agrees with him. Case in point:

Is it January?

Window down, no jacket, Keith Urban's "Long Hot Summer" on the radio, and this on the thermometer:

Cauliflower? Never again.

The other night I was scratching my head about what to make Nick for dinner.  We were planning to have leftover chili, and I was hesitant to give Nick chili, as I was fearful it would give him gas or a stomach ache.  So instead I opted to make him a grilled cheese sandwich (one of his faves) with a side of steamed broccoli & cauliflower.  Color me naive. 

Little dude gobbled it all up like a champ, making sure to spread the melted cheese, and mushy vegetable bits all over his high chair, while occasionally running his fingers through his hair or rubbing his face.  At one point he even had a piece of broccoli on his eyelid -- which of course made me panic unnecessarily, seeing as I was sure he would get it in his eye and go blind.  Mommy problems.

Anyway, in true Nick fashion, the minute he was full, he loudly announced that he was finished by refusing to chew the last mouthful of food (which, mind you, he had shoved in there himself) and cried until I fished the food out of his mouth with my finger, removed the high chair tray, unstrapped him, and set him on the floor.  Of course, I wiped him down from head to toe first.  And he had a bath later.  But I digress. 

The real reason for this post, is to remind myself that serving steamed broccoli & cauliflower before bed was a horrendous idea.  Case in point: Nick was up with TERRIBLE gas (I'm talking rip-roaring farts) for nearly two hours after I laid him in his crib for bed.  He cried and cried, and was inconsolable.  At 10:00pm, after we had gone in to his room about 15 times already, rubbing his back, and each time thinking we'd just gotten him to sleep, only to leave the room and hear him stand up and wail again, Todd finally said "ok, if he doesn't stop crying in 20 minutes, I'm admitting defeat and letting him sleep in our bed all night."  And wouldn't you know it, he passed out before the 20 minutes was up.

The next morning at daycare, I asked the babysitter "have you ever given Nick cauliflower before?" To which she looked a bit horrified, and said "no, not yet...I didn't know you'd given it to him before??" Well, that's because until that night, I hadn't.  Too bad he seemed to love it, because I'll be damned if he has it for dinner again anytime soon.   Lesson -- totally learned.

Dear Mrs. Gillett,

How has it been 12 years? I can still recall the day you passed away, as though it were yesterday. Can still feel the flannel on the blue cloud pajamas that Stephanie was wearing as she threw her arms around my neck.  Still shiver from the cold air in that Lake Braddock hallway. Can still smell her herbal essences shampoo as she buried her face in my shoulder. Can still feel the emptiness in my stomach, and the hurt in my heart, from watching my friend's world crumble.

They say time heals all wounds. For the most part, I believe that to be true. But scars never fade. And, oh how they miss you.

I know you can see your girls -- you must be bursting with pride! How beautiful they have turned out. How successful and driven and loving.

Melissa is so talented. Building her own business and thriving with success. She is such a wonderful mommy to Miles. You must feel such a sense of pride knowing what an influence your own mothering had on her's. She and Hayden are such incredible parents. And sweet Miles...Oh how you would've loved to squeeze him. I bet you spend hours every day just staring at him. Listening as he finds his voice in the world. Taking in his sweet innocence and breathing in those toddler smells.

Stephanie is so strong -- loyal to friends and family; completely true to herself. You must be so proud of her independence. Taking care of herself - keeping her future in focus. Traits I'm sure she picked up from you...learning how to keep that beautiful smile on her face, even when it hurts inside. But oh how focused she is! Taking in each day and making the most of it. Living without regrets. She is such a perfect Aunt to Miles...and it easily reflects what a wonderful mommy she will be to her own children one day.

Your cup must runneth over as you watch the relationship that continues to build between your girls every day. A love between sisters that is rare, deep, pure, and envied by all. They keep your heritage alive. They honor you every day. But oh how they miss you. A longing to see you again that only they can truly understand. Only they can truly feel. But all of us that love them -- that love you -- know how much they miss you.

As I was driving home from work last week, I witnessed the most beautiful pink sunset I have ever seen. And as I pulled to a stoplight, the airplane paths through the clouds displayed the shape of a ribbon. Against the pink sunset, it was a perfect breast cancer ribbon.  An instant feeling of peace and calm settled around me as I confidently stated out loud - with nobody else around to hear but you - "Hi Mrs. Gillett!"

The picture doesn't do it justice - but it was so beautiful.

Thank you for making your presence known.  For continuing to remind all of us to take time to enjoy God's simple gifts.  We remember your legacy, today and every day, and we thank you for the two beautiful gifts you gave this world: your daughters. Thank you for keeping your presence in their lives. When they're least expecting it, you're there. They will continue to need you for as long as they both are living...and even beyond that, when they see you again in Heaven. Please continue to watch over them as you already do so well. You are missed. You are loved. You are never forgotten.  

Those cabinets look delicious

Further evidence that if I tell him not to do something, he only wants to do it more.



Also, we don't live in a filth hole, but considering I don't remember the last time I lysoled the kitchen cabinet handles, I didn't want him putting his mouth all over them -- you know, since we use our sometimes unwashed hands to open them (don't judge, you know you don't wash your hands prior to every cabinet opening in your own house).

Private

Due to some unfortunate circumstances (which out of respect for all of those involved, I will not go into), as well as some personal reasons, I've decided to make my blog private.

So if you're currently reading this, it should only be because you've received an invite to do so! Congrats! You're one of the chosen ones! ;)

I had no idea so many people actually read my blog. And I'm honored that many of you are interested in the mundane happenings of my life.

That, and I'm thrilled to see so many people love sticking their noses in my business the same way I love sticking mine into theirs.

That being said, now the pressure is really on to keep up with posting. Phew...I'm overwhelmed already!

New Chair

Great for sitting, lounging, snacking, and football watching. Love my new chair! Thanks Gramma and Boss!

Clearing the coffee table

"Hey, ma! Where'd all the stuff on the coffee table go? That's the stuff I like bangin around!"

BIG Debate

I'm finally pulling together my Erin Condren planner (eeee! so excited!) and I've decided to personalize it with a picture on the front and back.

A little background -- my husband sent me a Erin Condren e-gift card with the sweetest message ever (which he'll probably be embarrassed about me posting - sorry honey!). It said:

To: #1 Mom

From: Todd

Because you do so much for our family, you need something to keep us in line. You deserve this and soo much more. Enjoy making your personalized calendar. I love you!!

We've been in a "freeze" so to speak on unnecessary purchases -- spending money only on things we truly need, as opposed to things we just want. But I have felt unorganized for quite some time -- and keep forgetting important dates and appointments until the last minute...so for me, a planner was a definite need for our family.

Enter the big problem. I can't decide what pictures to put on my personalized planner. I'm fairly certain I want to put this picture on the back:



I mean, really, can it get any cuter than a boy - in overalls - and his faithful sidekick, longing to go outside and play? Not to mention, how perfect are their little backsides for the backside of my planner? Perfect.

But the front cover picture is proving to be much more difficult. I am having "The Kalinosky Family" put on the front cover, so I sort of feel like the picture should be of our whole family. Which, as it turns out, is slightly impossible considering we've taken only a handful of pictures as a family since Nick was born. And none of them include Whinnie. A sad fact I realized as I was sorting through pictures to find a suitable candidate for said planners front cover.

So now I'm sort of leaning towards an adorable picture of Nick a la Tigger at the pumpkin patch. These were my favorite photos taken of him to date. I'm just fearful they're a bit outdated, considering he was only 8 1/2 months old in these pictures.

What to do, what to do??

Happy 11 months, Baby Boy!

It's January 18th, and my precious baby boy is a mere 2 weeks (from tomorrow) away from turning a year old. For the sake of documentation, I'm still going to post his 11 month stats and pretend as though I have a time machine that will freeze the next two weeks and allow me to enjoy my baby just a wee bit longer, before he enters into the throws of toddler-hood.


I'll spare you all the mushy-gushy, weepy, can't-keep-your-eyes-dry, post...as that will come in due time. As in the morning of February 2nd, when I wake up misty-eyed by the fact that a)we survived the first year of parenthood; b)there's no going back and reliving those months of Nick being a sweet little cuddly lump of baby; and c)we will soon be handing over the keys to the blazer (because you better believe we'll still have that monstrosity in 15 years) and staying awake all night more due to sheer panic, than due to a crying baby. My heart is literally aching right now.


MOVING ON.

How old is Nick?: 11 and a half months. Cue pomp & circumstance because holy crap, he might as well be putting on a graduation cap in two weeks.

Stats: We had a silly bout with a fake ear infection (as in mommy thought he may have one, but turned out to be just teething combined with a slight cold), so we ventured to the doctor last week. They didn't measure length, but judging by the fact that every day his pants get shorter and shorter and we keep moving into the next clothing size (currently 18 months), dude is seriously getting taller. Which is good, because if he inherited my mom's height, most future sports careers would be null & void (no offense, mom ;). He did get weighed while at the doc's office, and butterball is 23lbs, 3.5oz. I can barely remember when he was a mere 7lbs, and I sat crying in the doctor's office about the fact that he just wouldn't put on weight while breastfeeding. Memories. He's wearing some 12 month clothes, but mostly 18 months. And still size 4 diapers...because we bought the box of 200+ at costco, and I refuse to let them go to waste. Although truth be told, I think he can wear the size 4's for quite a few months to come considering they're supposed to go up to like 32lbs.

Sleep: We've sort of given up on trying to figure out if he's a good sleeper or not. He'll go several days straight, sleeping all night through...as in 7:30pm - 7:30am. Not a peep. Then the next night, he'll wake up at 1:00am wanting nothing more than to just hang out with us. Or he'll make it to 5:00am, and decide "eh, I'm done sleeping for the night". Too bad we're usually still mid-REM cycle. On rough nights, we've resorted to bringing him into the bed with us. This usually entails me cuddling up with him as he waves his little arms and hands in the air as if conducting an invisible orchestra on the ceiling. While it's slightly irritating at 4 in the morning when my eyes are slightly fused shut, it's quite hilarious and adorable to think about the next day. And while I know co-sleeping can be frowned upon, I've resorted to the fact that it's what works for us on those off nights. And if I want to cuddle with my baby while he'll still let me...even if that means he's 4 years old, crawling into our bed for an hour snuggle before we all have to get up for the day, then so be it. He won't want to snuggle when he's 14, and at the rate he's growing up, I'll be damned if I'm gonna let these days get away from me. No regrets.

Milestones: Every day, Nick wakes up a new man. He's chattering more, though we're still not actually saying real words - other than mumma (he might be British) and da-da. He often makes some sort of sound when petting (or tormenting, rather) Whinnie, which I'm pretty sure is his way of saying Whinnie. He understands a lot of what we're saying, though his stubborn personality often proves otherwise (who the heck does he get that from?! Not his mom! ;) He now claps when you say the word "clap" as opposed to just clapping when he sees other people do so. He is very responsive to his name, and lights up whenever you say "Nick!" He knows the word "no", though he only seems to understand it's meaning when the babysitter says it. No joke - I've tried using a Dominican accent when trying to correct or reprimand him, but it doesn't work...he just smiles and keeps doing what he knows he shouldn't. He pulls up on everything, and will let go and stand for a few seconds before getting excited and either lunging forward at whomever is sitting nearby, or falling backwards onto his butt. If he has something to push, he'll walk around endlessly -- or until he runs into a piece of furniture and one of us has to turn him around. He LOVES to give kisses, and understands how to lean in, pucker up, and even say [some form of] muah! This is my FAVORITE "trick" of his, by far. Nothing better than baby kisses. He's in his big boy car seat, but still rear-facing. Not such a big fan of getting in and out of the car, but once we're moving, he's typically content with the ride. And he's figured out how to go up the stairs, so we're currently on the hunt for a good, secure baby gate that will fit our wide staircase posts.

Food/Appetite: He'll eat just about anything you put in front of him. He had cantaloupe for the first time right after Christmas, and while he seemed to really enjoy it, it all came back out on me, him, and the floor at daycare the very next day. Needless to say, we haven't tried melon again. He seriously hates eggs though. We've only tried them scrambled, and even added cheese, but after just a couple bites, he refuses to chew or swallow and ends up crying with a mouthful of mush. I'm pretty sure it's a texture thing, which I can completely understand. I have a serious texture issue. It does baffle me that he'll eat an entire bowl of oatmeal instead of scrambled eggs. He also loves veggies and fruits, but much prefers fresh fruit to the processed, slimy kind that comes in either cans or fruit cups. He has almost completely moved away from the bottle, using only a sippy cup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He's still getting a 6oz bottle with a little rice cereal mixed in at about 7pm, right before bed. I'm secretly dreading the day that we give up the bottle, because I love that last little cuddle time just between the two of us. The doctor said we could start him on whole or 2% milk and move away from the formula. I'm actually not quite sure how to do this...do we just replace all formula with milk? I need to do a little more studying on this one...

Otherwise, all is well in Nick's world. We celebrated a wonderful Christmas with family, and a nice quiet New Year's eve at home. Nick was showered with a ton of presents, and our living room looks more like a romper room. He still has yet to meet a stranger, and greets everybody with a big, closed-mouth smile (it's sort of his trademark), and open arms. He lights up when he sees my parents, and full out belly laughs when my dad merely puts his hands up as if to tickle Nick -- doesn't even need to follow through with the actual tickle -- the implication is enough to send him into hysterics. Every day he seems to become more and more of a little personality, and every day my life is more full than the day before...something I didn't even know was possible.

At times I can't believe it's only been a year that Nick has been in our lives, as I can hardly remember life before he existed. At other times, I can't believe it's been a full year since he was born, as it seems like just yesterday I was a crying mess bringing home a newborn baby that I had no idea what to do with. Being a mother is the most amazing, difficult, rewarding, heartbreaking, and fulfilling job in the world, and I am beyond blessed to be Nick's mother. I love that boy more than I'll ever be able to put into words. But I'm glad I have this little outlet to write it all down, because when he's grown and off building a family of his own, I'll be so glad to be able to look back on these memories and remember that little lump of baby, that quickly became a boy, who stole my heart -- and never gave it back.

**NOTE - pictures will be added in soon!

How rude!

I know, I know. I have sooo much to blog about and I'm totally sucking at keeping up. So to tide you over, I leave you with this picture. I wore my hair wavy today (as in au naturale) and totally think I look like DJ Tanner. I am aware it was her younger sister, Stephanie, that coined the ever annoying phrase "how rude!" but it seemed a fitting title for my lack of blogging as of lately. SO! Without further adieu, I give you Melissa-DonnaJoTanner-Kalinosky:

My little Klingon

Totally forgot to post these pictures of Nick. He slept on his hand so hard, that when he got up that morning he looked like a [very cute and not creepy] Klingon.

Time to catch up

I have so many things to blog about...

• Pictures with Santa



• Nick's first Christmas



• Our exciting New Year's (complete with scratch off lotto tickets, Monopoly, and a wee bit too much champagne)



• Nick's 11 month post (I just passed out for a minute)



• A sleep update (partially for my personal documentation; partially to bore my readers)



• Videos of Nick walking (well, he's pushing something while walking, but hot damn he's close!)

Now all I need to do is find the time to upload 7 million pictures to my computer and compose the posts. Great! Good thing I'm not busy.

As I was in the shower this morning, my mind wandered to thinking about all that 2012 surely has in store for our little family, and for some reason I kept thinking that by the end of 2012, we will in some way be preparing to have a sibling for Nick.

And then I gave myself a good slap as I remembered how much being pregnant and sleepless nights actually suck for me. So no baby #2 plans just yet...

For now, we enter 2012 as a happy, healthy, and well-rested (at least this week) family of 3 + Whinnie.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Monday

Scene from our Monday after new years...

Play hard, Nap harder