Vegas Baby

I am so excited to go to Las Vegas in September. I know it’s still 2 months away, but I’m still super excited. We’re going with Lanie and Jeff, Boss and Megs, Taryn and Nahim and Tina and Jorge. It’s been a while since we’ve been and I’m looking forward to relaxing by the pool during the day, taking a nap whenever I feel like it, and of course doing some gambling. We’re staying at “The Golden Nugget” downtown which has the raddest pool slide! It’s a clear tunnel that shoots you through the shark tank! I know! Dom will be staying with my parents so I will be able to totally relax knowing he’s in good hands.

Limitless Love

This photo makes me happy. It speaks volumes and I can see the truth in it. There are no pretend smiles or forced emotion. I see real love looking back at me. Not the fluffy, “new car smell” kind that we all experience in the beginning. Not the fake kind that only shows its face for someone’s camera or in front of people that you think needs to see it. Not the “sort of” kind that keeps you there because it seems like the right thing to do.

It’s the kind that is there even when the door is shut and it’s just us. It’s the kind that’s there when we’re in bed, both on our iPad’s, half listening to the TV in the background. It’s the kind that’s there, even when we don’t always see eye to eye. Even when he upsets me so much I feel like I’m going to explode or hurts my feelings so much that I want to just crumble. (see post from July 7th.) Even when he gets annoyed or frustrated with me. It’s there even though there are many things that we handle differently. It’s the kind of love that says “hey! We have been through some serious shit and I still want to be with you.”

It’s the kind that can still make you weak in the knees when he looks at you a certain way and make you feel like home when you’re snuggled in his nook. The core of who we are is shown in this photo. Wrapped up in our love, pure passion for each other. That’s what it all comes down to and that’s what we will always come back to. My heart has never felt as full as it does with him and I see that in this photo, clear as day.

Dom loves JLO

You know that Jennifer Lopez song “on the floor” featuring Pitbull? Of course you do, it’s on one hundred times a day and it’s a really, really good jam. Well, Dom loves that song too and on the way home from daycare yesterday, it was playing on the radio. The chorus goes “La la la la la, la la la la laaa laaa you gotta get on the floor” and I hear Dom singing from the backseat “La la la la la, la la la la laaa laaa, get on the phone!”

I die. Official cause of death: the overwhelming cuteness of my kid.

Busy Day, No Nap

This morning Dom asked me for a Dora band aid because he had a “boobie” on his knee….I couldn’t help but laugh and give him a big hug. No matter what kind of mood I’m in or how tired I am, as soon as I see him I am good to go. 2 is such a fun age. He says the funniest things without even realizing how hilarious he is. Well, actually, he does see it because he’ll tell me “Mommy, I’m funny. Funny Domi.” See, that right there is funny, how he’s talking about himself in third person. Please note it’s only funny because he’s two years old. Adults that do that? Creepy and annoying.

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Rob and I took Dom to Zoomars petting zoo on Sunday and he loved it. He cried when we had to leave and that’s just no fun for anyone. We got carrots and other veggies to feed to the bunnies, guinie pigs, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys and alpacas. Dom was slightly nervous at first and stayed firmly in Uncle Steve’s arms, but once he saw his cousin Jake cruising around, he was ready. My favorite thing is when he crouches down on the ground and puts his hands together on his lap. He usually does this when he’s looking at something and it just melts my heart every time. His favorite thing was going on the train. “Mommy! Choo Choo Train!!!!” he loved it so much he went twice. He’d probably ride it all day if we let him. I kinda fell in love with the alpacas. They have gorgeous long eye lashes and soft fur but those teeth…wow…pretty jacked up.

Later that day we went to Stellagio to celebrate my Dad’s birthday. I can’t believe he’s 67 years old. That just seems unreal to me. He doesn’t look 67 and he doesn’t act 67. When I think of 67 I picture someone much older and …I don’t know…frail? My Dad is so young at heart and I love it. We had an amazing late lunch that was an traditional English meal. Mom outdid herself, especially with the cauliflower and cheese, glazed carrots and butter nut squash. Oh, and let’s not forget her roasted potatoes. Those are always a big hit and usually end up with people fighting for the last one. Dom put 4 away on his own.

We all chipped in and got Dad a ticket to go see Englebert Humperdink in Las Vegas. Mom got orchestra seats so he was speechless. That’s always a good feeling…especially for the man that has everything! Dom had been singing “happy birthday to Bapouuuu” all day so he was excited to show off his skills. When it came time to leave, he was very upset with me and didn’t want to leave. “Stop it Mommy! I stay Yia Yia and Bapou’s house!” His little hands held up infront of him as if he was directing traffic. “Come on baby, it’s time to go home and take a bath!” “No Mommy, stop it” in his angry voice. Then a sad face and begging/pleading “five more minutes Mommy!” Yes, this is my child. He is asking for five more minutes. I have a child old enough to know that he’s pulling at my heart strings. Wow.

He hadn’t taken a nap that day (no nap mommy!) so of course he fell asleep on the way home, which was about 6:30pm. We skipped the bath and I got him into his jammies. It was story reading time where he always drinks his sippy cup of milk and sits on my lap as I rock us back and forth in his bedroom. But tonight, he wanted an apple. “are you ready for your milk baby?” “Mommy, no milk. Apple please.” Mmmkay, that’s kind of random. So while I read to him about the adventures of Dora the Explorer and the birthday wish adventure (for the thousandths time) he crunched away on an apple while listening very closely for his cues..”what do you need when you can’t find you’re way?” “MAP!!!!”

Finally it was time for bed and although he was now wide away, he didn’t put up much of a fight once he laid down. Usually not taking a nap messes up his schedule and he finds it hard to go to sleep. Luckily though, the days activities had worn him out and there wasn't a peep from his room. I love nights like that!

About Me

I found this old questionnaire on my facebook page so I thought I’d post it up here. It’s from March 2009 so I was preggers with my baby cub. Wow, that seems like a lifetime ago.

1. Do you like blue cheese?
On my steak, yes

2. Have you ever been drunk?
ha ha ha ha ha!
Oh, you’re serious? Um, yes, yes I have.

3. Do you own a gun?
No but i want to learn how to shoot one and then own one. Don’t eff with me.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?
Never had Kool Aid-I’m more of a Crystal Light girl

5. Do you get nervous before doctor’s appointments?
If it involves a blood test, yes.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
With a little ketchup, mayo and grilled onions...Yummy!

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Love Actually-Lexi and I have a tradition of watching it every year, it’s the best!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
a tall glass of calcium enriched orange juice

9. Can you do push ups?
hmm, I used to be pretty good. Haven’t tried since I got this huge belly

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
My Yia-Yia’s cross and ring that I wear every day

11. Favorite hobby?
It was shopping before the economy went to shit...I heart it so much. Now it’s..well, who am I kidding? It’s still shopping, but more window shopping,

12. Do you have A.D.D?
No but I’m with Lexi on the RLS (restless leg syndrome) Man it sucks!

13. What’s your favorite shoe?
flip flops:)

14. Middle name?
Don’t have one!

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
a. how is it humanly possible to be this tired after 7 hours of sleep?
b. is that the baby kicking or is it indigestion c. why is it so cold in here?

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, pink lemonade, tea

17. Current worry?
Getting to a place financially where we’re not struggling

18. Current hate?
When I was 14 my Mom told me hate is a strong word

19. Have been married?
yes

20. How did you bring in the New Year?
Sober! That was a first lol. But still had a good time with Rob, Marcus, Megs, Lanie, Mitch, Traci, Troy and a bunch others playing Celebrity at Jill and Marks. This year = Stellagio!

21. Where would you like to go?
Right now? To bed

Ohhhhh you meant as in travel...hmm...New York (I will get there one day) Italy, London to see my family, Cabo San Lucas, Spain

22. Name 3 people who will complete this:
Not sure....Traci, Jill and Laurie? (come on, don’t make a liar out of me)

23. Do you own slippers:
nope

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now?
Pink

25. Do you like sleeping in Satin sheets?
Never have but I’m more of a cotton girl

26. Can you whistle?
ha ha, I say yes but most say no, I can’t. It’s more of a humming noise with some breathiness behind it

27. Favorite color?
Green

28. Would you be a pirate?
you bet your arrrrrrrrrrse I would

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Dont sing in the shower, more a constant stream of inner dialogue about the things on my plate. Is that weird.

30. Favorite girls name?
Sophia

31. Favorite boys name?
Nicholas. (dang you Dimitri for taking it.) I also love love love Max (thanks again Dimitri!) Others include Giovanni (come on Lex, it’s a great name) Lucas, Nico, Marcus, Luciano (Lucky), and Oliver.

32. What’s in your pocket now?
nothing

33. Last thing that made you laugh?
Rob, last night. Man he cracks me up:)

34. Best bed sheets as a child?
Hmm, I don’t think I had kid sheets. Just plain ones. How boring!

35. Worst injury you ever had as a child:
cracked my head open before i could walk (still have the scar.) (Thanks Dimitri.) Oh, and got 3rd degree burns on my left hand when I was about 6. (still have that scar too)

36. Do you love where you live?
omg YES! YES! YES!

37. Are you happy with your life?
Yes:) *clapping*

38. Who is your loudest friend?
Lexi, when her and I get together lolol. And my Mom!

39. How many dogs do you have?
two Shar-peis, Lucifer and Cleo

40. Does someone have a crush on you?
I’m going to guess yes :)

41. What is your favorite book?
The Four Agreements

42. What is your favorite candy?
hmm...Cadbury mini eggs

43. Favorite sports team?
Basketball: LA Lakers!
Football: AZ Cardinals!

Silly Putty Recipe

I’m not sure that Dom is quite old enough for silly putty, but I’m dying to try my go at making it. Here are two recipes that I found.

Egg Method
1. Mix a 1/4 cup of flour and 2 eggs.
2. Add about half a cup of Elmer’s glue and mix together with your fingers.
3. After mixing, add a few drops of food coloring and keep mixing it in.
4. Add 3 tablespoons of water, mix, and you’re done!


Liquid Starch Method
1. Mix two parts white glue, one part liquid starch (e.g. Sta-Flor, found in the laundry section).
* If you use Elmer’s school glue instead of regular white, the putty won’t bounce or pick up pictures.

2. Adjust the proportions until it feels like commercial Silly Putty.

Totally Sucks

It totally sucks when someone says something that hurts you deeply and they don’t care enough to make it right. It totally sucks when someone thinks it’s ok and acceptable to be disrespectful to the person they love. It totally sucks when someone has the ability to make their loved one feel like shit and has no hesitation in doing so. It’s totally sucks when you wonder what you did to be treated that way. It totally sucks when the person that is making you cry is the person that, in the beginning, would have hurt anyone that made you cry.

“Close enough to start a war, all that I have is on the floor. God knows what we’re fighting for. All that I say, you always say more.” Adele, Turning Tables.

Happy Birthday Dom!

My baby is two years old! Dom’s birthday was a big success complete with piñata and photo cake. He had so much fun playing with his cousins and friends. He loved running around the playground and going on the swings. When we sang happy birthday to him, he grinned the whole time and blew out his candles like a pro. He got tons of gifts and enjoyed opening each one. He totally got that it was a party for him and for days leading up to it, he would say “Mommy, my party!”

I got creative and instead of cupcake, made cake pops. It was a two day process and a little on the labor intensive side, but totally worth it. They came out great and everyone really enjoyed them. I did white chocolate and dark chocolate wit sprinkles. I wrapped each individual cake pop in a clear cello bag and tied it with blue and green ribbon. Then I wrapped a Styrofoam board with wrapping paper and stuck them in that as the display. It looked pretty legit and I was happy with how they turned out.
I can’t get over how much Dominic has grown up. He says all kinds of new words like “slippery” “that way” “my tummy” “piñata” and of course “stop it Mommy!” He’s talking in 3 and 4 word sentences and of course still loves to sing and dance. It’s awesome to see him continue to learn and expand his vocabulary and to see that rad little personality shine through.

I continue to be in awe when I look at my baby boy. He takes my breath away and makes me feel so proud to be his Mommy. I can’t believe that he’s all mine. He makes every day a good day and I don’t know how I ever lived 34 years without him in my life.

I love being a Mum!

I think I have posted this before, but it still rings true. Especially number 8.
Here are some of the purest perks that come with being a mother.

1. You see everything for the first time again through the child's eyes. Even ants are amazing.

2. A single gummy smile can save even the biggest wreck of a day.

3. When the infant fusses, your mere presence calms him.

4. If you rest your child on your chest, your hearts beat in unison.

5. When he laughs, he shakes, drools, and almost keels over, but it's the most adorable thing you've ever seen. So you make him do it again and again.

6. You think about the future in bigger and brighter ways. You picture him heading off to kindergarten and graduating from high school.

7. You anticipate and even dream of little things like a cutting tooth, a single step, or a two syllable utterance

8. You forget about things you used to care so much about, because they actually don't matter at all.

9. You finally understand what a mother's instinct means.

10. Your will to live intensifies because you don't want to miss a moment of your child's spectacular life.

The best thing that ever happened to me was having Dominic. He brings me so much joy, happiness and love..I only hope that one day he knows how he has changed my life for the better.