Nicholas Turns One Year Old!

Our little baby boy turned one year old on March 27, 2012. It is hard to believe a whole year has gone by already, and we are proud that our little family has made it to this milestone. We love our little guy so much - he continues to amaze us and make us laugh daily. Can't wait to see what he gets into during year two!

Nicholas was feeling a bit under the weather on his actual birthday - so we laid low and celebrated with an oreo cookie for dessert (his first one!) Of course he loved it, just like Daddy.

Then the next day (March 28th) Nicholas had a joint birthday party at daycare with his friend Laurel. Miss Christine made them both crowns and they had balloons, and cake and capri sun fruit punch and cheetos cheese curls. Nicholas was still feeling a bit sick, and took full advantage of the "its my party and I'll cry if I want to" clause...but in the end he enjoyed the party and had a great time. Mom and Dad got to stop by too! Thank you Miss Christine!

Little Laurel

On Sunday, April 1st we had a big family party for Nicholas at the house.  Nonnie, Natalia and Auntie Coll-Coll flew in for the weekend and Grandma and Grandpa Busso drove down form Staten Island for the big event. Of course Aunt Christina and Uncle Marshall were here too - along with Alexander and Caroline. And Auntie Cassie, Uncle Hendrik and little Anna! Plus we had a few friends thrown in the mix.  It was a beautiful day and Nicholas had a ball. He is quite the social butterfly (as long as mommy is out of sight) and he absolutely loved hanging with the older cousins.  He got some wonderful new toys and cute clothes and loves them all. Thanks everyone!

"I'm ready for my party!"

 

Appropriate cake decorations for such a musical family!

Mommy and Daddy helped blow out the candles

Natalia couldn't wait to cut into the cake!

"Ok I'm ready for my cake!" 

Natalia & Alexander are fast friends!

"OOOOhhh its's time for cake!"

Cousin Caroline was her party finest! Posing here with Auntie Christina, Uncle Fred and Uncle John!

Grandma & Grandpa goofing around with Deborah

"Yum...this cake is tasty!"

Nonnie says "Happy Birthday, Nicholas!"

Cake comma

"I'm this many!" 

"It's present time. Here Dad, let me help."

Alexander and Natalia wanted in on the action too.

"It's a bird, it's a plane....yup it's a plane! thank you Auntie Annie"

"And what's in this bag...."

The musical card from Grandma & Grandpa - always a favorite! 

"Hmm? do I have something on my head?"

Nonnie, Natalia & Auntie Coll-Coll got Nicholas a great new ride/push toy.

Nicholas & Auntie Coll-Coll

Nicholas & Laurel - the Dynamic Duo!

We recently had a little play date with our friends Audrey and little Laurel and Christa and little Bea. Nicholas was quite the stud amongst all the ladies! The babies are all the same age and learning to walk at the same time - super cute. However, Laurel clearly has things figured out - who wouldn't want to be chauffeured all around town by Mr. Nicholas.  We're quite proud of our little workhorse - he's so strong and cute!

And here's one where they work together - so cute!

Nicholas is Almost One Year Old! - 11 month update

We can't believe our little guy is almost 1 year old! These days he is crawling around at light speed, pulling up on everything, cruising along furniture and chatting, chatting, chatting! He has six teeth and two more on the way. And he generally a smiley and happy baby.  We've taught him to sign "more" and "all done" and he figured out how to give kisses all on his own.  He claps his hands, waves bye-bye and plays peek-a-boo by pulling blankets, shirts etc over his own head. He puts his little plastic phone (and our cell phones) up to his ear to talk and he is starting to figure out the concept of a remote control. He loves the TV remote and tries to point it to the TV - and he absolutely adores the ceiling fans and the ceiling fan remotes.

Nicholas' appetite is growing everyday - and so far, he likes everything! (yay!) Some favorites include: salmon, broccoli, cheese, yogurt, peas, eggplant, and french fries (only on special occasions).  His all-time favorite snack is...Cheerios! The other day, I fed him some Cheerios with milk, just like mommy eats them - and he was making little excited humming noises the whole time he was eating! So cute!  Here are some highlights of the cuteness that is Nicholas around 11 months old:

Fun with Pots & Pans!

Lazy morning at home in PJs:

Thank you Hosanna for this great placemat!

Reading Corner - Nicholas learned how to empty out his bookshelf in just a few seconds!

One more super cheesy smile!

Cute Videos of Nicholas - Winter 2012

Auntie Kristen taught Nicholas how to roll the ball back and forth and now he does it like a pro. Here's a video of his first "game of ball"!

Nicholas has been pulling up and cruising along the furniture since January. He loves listening to music and even tries to sing along. Check him out!

Nicholas got this great pull toy from his Great Aunt Valerie and Great Uncle Ricky as a Christmas present. And he LOVES it. He pulls the string and it races towards him, then he pushes it away with his foot to pull it again. And just recently he learned to pull it while he crawls...like a little worker ant :-)

Finally, here's a great video of Nicholas banging on pots and pans in the kitchen. He likes to play with pots while mommy cooks, or in this case, videotapes him!

Nicholas & Laurel at the Baby Park

A few weeks ago, Nicholas and I went to the new baby park in Del Ray with our friends Audrey and little Laurel.  Audrey, Jesse & their daughter Laurel live right in our neighborhood and Audrey and I met during maternity leave. We've always got lots to discuss since our little ones were born just five days apart. We're really happy to have made such great new parent friends! Nicholas and Laurel met when they were about 6 weeks old and they go to the same daycare now (thank you, Audrey!) - they are childhood friends in the making!  It seems like just yesterday they were just two little blobs, lying side by side on the blanket at the park - now look at them go!

Nicholas Practices Walking!

Hendrik, Cassie & Anna gave Nicholas a very cool baby walker - and he LOVES it! He flies around the house like a little old man and stops to give little speeches...check it out:

Happy Valentine's Day!

Nonnie sent Nicholas an adorable "little heartbreakers" tee for Valentine's day.  Lately, whenever he sees a camera, he flashes this cheesy, super adorable smile. Such a big boy!

Grandma & Grandpa Busso also sent some wonderful gifts for Nicholas - including a super cute "my first Valentine's Day bib"  - and Nicholas posed again for the camera.  Thanks grandparents!