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!

June 2012 - Events & Activities

Visit from Uncle Mike and Aunt Abby & Alex's Birthday Party


Uncle Mike and Auntie Abby drove down to go to a wedding in Virginia wine country and stayed with us for two nights. It was great to visit with them and Nicholas loved spending time with them. We also got to celebrate Auntie Abby's birthday with an impromptu Italian feast, complements of Grandpa Busso. Delicioso! Many thanks! Grandma and Grandpa were in town for cousin Alexander's 4th Birthday party - such a big boy! Hard to imagine that our little Nicholas will ever get that big.

Coloring with Auntie Abby

I love Grandma, but give me that camera!

Happy Birthday, Alexander!

Amazingly, Nicholas wore that hat for the whole party!

Father's Day 2012

We got to celebrate Father's Day with everyone with brunch at the Busso-Lammers house before all the family hit the road.

All the Dads: Opa Lammers, Grandpa Busso, Uncle Marshall, Daddy and Uncle Hendrik

Plus Caroline!

Status Update on NGB


Finally, a quick status update on our little guy: Nicholas is quite the speedy walker these days and is becoming harder and harder to keep up with. He hardly wants to be held anymore, unless he's tired or hungry or hurt.  He says Ba-ba for bottle, sometimes says Bubbles, Hi and Hello and always says da-da-da-da-da-da-da! He shakes his head "no", but hasn't learned "yes" yet. And he has a strong, but sensitive little personality. Nicholas has already thrown himself on the floor in protest over, say not being allowed to stick his fingers in an outlet, or not being allowed to walk out into the street. But he usually recovers fairly quickly and luckily Momma can be just as stubborn as baby. He also comprehends much more than he can verbalize. If I say "do you want to take off your shoes", he will sit down and pull the velcro straps off his shoes. He'll also eat on direction - like "eat your bananas" and out of two or three items on the tray, he can pick out his bananas. So cute!! Nicholas is still a terrific eater, thankfully! Our daycare provider says he eats more than some 2-year-olds.  Oh and he is quite the  little dancer - he spins around, squats up and down, and throws his arms in the air and tosses his head back and forth. Nicholas loves music!  

Lunch date with Laurel

Fabulous Footage of Nicholas!

Nicholas is doing lots of new and exciting stuff these days! He dances, he says "ruff" when you ask what a dog says, he climbs on his toy box, he is a master negotiator complete with pouty face and he can do "cheers" with his sippy cup. But his most exciting feat is that he has started walking! With arms stretched out above him, he toddles along like a drunken little sailor. He frequently plops down, or squats down, to retrieve objects and then pops back up again. His best work is done without any shoes on at all, but we did make a trip to Stride Rite to get him fitted in some kickin' "early walker" shoes. One interesting fact is that he refuses to walk at daycare - except when momma shows up to pick him up. Then he pops up on his feet, stretches his arms out and barrels over to me.  It doesn't get any better than that! 

Since he's been on the go, I have fallen a bit behind on the posting. So here are his most recent videos - highlighting his insane cuteness and progression in learning to walk.

Nicholas and his first friend, Laurel, on a playdate where they both get their groove on!

Nicholas burns off some extra energy by hammering on his pegs - a favorite pastime!

Nicholas takes his very first steps!

Late March 2012

Nicholas is really starting to get into climbing on and off his ride-on car that Nonnie and Auntie Coll-Coll got him for his birthday. He has a little trouble climbing on, but he loves trying!

Nicholas practices walking - his secret weapon is his stacking ring power bracelets!

April 23, 2012

Nicholas perfects standing man. 

May 25, 2012

He stands...He walks!

Yet some more footage of Nicholas practicing walking.

May 26, 2012

Final shots of our little walking man.

1 Year Old Photo Shoot

We took Nicholas for  his 1 year-old photo shoot around Easter time and wanted to share the highlights. He turned on the charm as usual and hammed it up - wonder who he gets that from! His props include an adorable "Farmer's Market" tote complete with veggies that he got for his birthday from Auntie Kristen and Uncle Darren. Nicholas favors the tomato, probably because it is just another ball to him. He is definitely a boy in that he likes all things that roll or can be thrown.  Nicholas was smiling the minute his feet touched the canvas and flashed those pearly whites continuously! Such a happy little guy. Oh and check out those curls along the back of his head - too precious! Enjoy!

Easter 2012

We had a lovely Easter brunch with the Busso-Lammers clan and Uncle John and Uncle Fred came too! Nicholas was looking dapper in his Sunday best and the weather was perfect.  Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the awesome wagon full of Easter goodies!

Nicholas got a trendy green basket full of toys & books from the Easter Bunny!

And a fun-filled wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Busso!

The weather was perfect!

Look at those dagger eyes on our little guy

Our little cuddle bunny was getting sleepy.

But he still had one great pose left in him!

Thanks for letting me practice walking, Uncle Fred!

There's nothing like some quality Daddy & me time

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