The First Haircut! - 9/15/12

We finally took Nicholas in for his first haircut. The curls were so cute and adorable, but they were quickly turning into a mullet. We took him to mommy's salon and she did a great job! It is nearly impossible to keep a 1 year old still for an even cut - so we left in some layers and he still has some wave. Our little baby boy officially looks like a little kid now!

The before shot - oh the curls!!

"Mom, it's time!"

How cute is he in that little smock!

Wow - his hair was LONG!

"Hey, what are you doing back there?"

"Here, let me help - I am a pro with the comb"

"Mom - I think there's something on the back of my head!"

Almost done!

"Ahh, the cool breeze on the back of my neck and a slider in my hand - this is the life!"

Our Trip to Norfolk to Visit Aunt Cynthia, Uncle Doug and Cousin Amasa

For Labor Day weekend we finally made the relatively short trip down to visit some of the Smith clan in Norfolk, VA.  Amasa (our little Junior Bridesmaid from our wedding!) is all grown up and just started her Senior Year of High School. She was an awesome help with Nicholas and kept him thoroughly entertained the whole trip. Plus we enjoyed more adult conversations with her about her college search!  Of course Frank and I got to reminiscing about our college years.  (feels like ages ago!) And we are secretly, ok not so secretly, hoping she will decide on a school in Washington, DC - we even promised a free place to do laundry! Uncle Doug and Aunt Cynthia seem to be doing really well too and enjoyed having a little one toddling around the house again. Nicholas had a ball with the wooden kitchen set that Aunt Cynthia got out of storage. We set it up on one of the wooden benches that Grandpa Smith made. Turns out Nicholas is quite the make-believe chef!

Here are some photos for the trip - regrettably we forgot to get one with the whole group! 

Botanical Gardens:

Father & Son

Spray Park

Nicholas loved the bubbling rocks! Just his height!

Nicholas and Amasa

Nicholas, Amasa & Cynthia on the giant swings

Pool Club:

The older boy didn't have much luck convincing Nicholas to share his watering can!

He was a little unsteady navigating across the center.

The kiddie pool was the perfect depth for Nicholas.

Our happy little guy!

Beach Week - Hollywood Beach, Florida

Nicholas, Frank and I spent a week Hollywood Beach, Florida with a large contingency of the Smith clan - Nonnie, Auntie Colleen and Cousin Natalia. Overall the trip was great - lots of family time and fun in the sun.  But parts of the week were a bit like a National Lampoon Vacation:

• Nicholas started the week with a virus and ear infection, a full night of screaming/crying and a trip to the ER, 
• we all got sunburned the first day (except the kiddos), 
• Natalia had a mid-week fever and vomiting (but she stayed on the beach, little slugger!), 
• it was 105 degrees each day with sand hot as coals,
• there was a leaky roof and window in the condo, 
• we rented a surrey style bike that broke halfway down the esplanade, 
• we missed a boat cruise by 3 minutes, 
• and of course all drove each other a little nuts. 

But that's a family vacation, no? :-) Since Nicholas is the star of this show, I'll focus on his perspective: he was super happy to spend a week with both his parents, his Nonnie, his Auntie Coll-Coll and especially Natalia. It was his first time at the beach and he loved the waves - they were mesmerizing! He splashed about in the pool and lounged in the awesome inflatable toddler float that Nonnie brought for him. He didn't even seem to mind the sand, but was a bit concerned that it was sticking to his feet (several "uh-oh"s were uttered). And he seemed to enjoy our evening strolls along the boardwalk - he even got into the groove and did some stroller dancing whenever we passed live music.  That's our happy little guy!

Here are some highlights of the trip!

Check out these toughies!

Ready for the waves! 

"Hands off - this plum is mine"

Natalia practices her lounging.

"one for you, two for me!"

Cuddles with Auntie Coll-Coll

Enchanted Isle Resort - a little outdated, but great location!

First Day at the Beach - chillin' with Mommy

Splashing in the waves

Fun in the floatie!

The gang in a surrey bike (Coll-Coll had taken refuge to go visit a friend). It was HOT

Stay Tuned - more photos to come once we retrieve them from Frank's cell phone!

Summer Fun

The Fitzsimons Come to Town
May 2012

We kicked off the summer with a wonderful visit from The Fitzsimons, including little Sadie dog. It was great to see Sean and Sara and little Max and Nicholas were fast friends (this was their second meeting).  Nicholas did get a little possessive about sharing his toys.  Whenever sweet Max would pick up a toy, Nicholas would hightail over and try to take the toy back while protesting "AHHHHH!!" Luckily, Max didn't take it personally, and eventually Nicholas settled down and let Max play with a few things.  As an aside, Nicholas also gets very upset and jealous whenever Momma picks up another baby! For his sake and the sake of any future siblings, I hope he grows out of it. But in the meantime, I have to admit - I do love the love!

Hi Max!

"Now, now kids...time to share!"

Check out those curls - I can't bear to cut them off!

Pool Time
May 2012

Nicholas took his first dip in a swimming pool with his friends Bea and Tyler. He loved it and laughed most of the time he was in the water. Good thing, because we signed him for swim classes at the local recreation center.

When Life Gives You Lemons . . . Eat Them!
June 2012

Here are a few cute shots of random summer fun!

I couldn't resist sticking a toy in that mini pocket!

"Hey Mom!" (He's on to me!)

Nico surprised us by grabbing a lemon . . .

. . . And liking it!

Swinging the Days Away
July 2012


We finally got around to setting up Nicholas' swing on one of the deck beams. He loved it! It is a bit high off the ground, since the deck is so high, so I think he was a little nervous at first. But he soon got the hang of it and was pure giggles! We can't get enough of his little laugh. A big thanks to Auntie Christina, Uncle Marshall, Cousin Alexander and Cousin Caroline for giving Nicholas the swing for his birthday!