Friday, January 18, 2008

Niko turns TWO!

And it's not so Terrible! He was wonderful today. Even the woman sitting next to us at lunch commented on how well-behaved he is. Just also returned from a trip to Las Vegas to visit the grandparents - had to sneak in that "free" trip for him before I have to pay full fare for his little a**! He loved traveling with his rolling school bag... all throughout the airport and onto the plane, nothing but "ooooh! how cute!" from passersby. Makes him so much fun to travel with, until he starts playing incessantly with the tray tables.

So Niko's day was a cold and snowy one. I'm sorry you were born in the winter! But we kept warm inside playing with balloons ("BA-NOON!" he was yelling all day). We met the rest of the family at Navy Pier to get in some play time at the Chicago Children's Museum, a wonderful place for all ages actually. Niko's favorite is undoubtedly riding and driving the CTA bus, and shopping at the Jewel Osco, and cooking up his favorite foods in the kitchen. Meanwhile, daddy is trying to get him to play with trucks and cars... sorry! He really loves being in the kitchen! Knows that when you put something in the oven you have to "WAIT" (with the "talk to the hand" sign!). Knows that when you cook an egg, you have to crack it on the counter first. And most importantly, when you cook chicken, you have to season it generously to make it taste good!

















So now that Niko is TWO he is starting daycare/preschool tomorrow. We are excited for him to be around other toddlers at the same time dreading the colds and germs he will undoubtedly come home with. Not to mention, they say there is a definite chance he will get bitten at some point! Geez! We will truly miss our days with him, we've been so fortunate to have jobs that have given us the flexibility to be with him. Luckily, he will only be one floor below me as the daycare is in my building, although I don't think they would appreciate it if I wanted to check in on him all the time to give him hugs and kisses.

He really is the sweetest, most gentle, careful, and sunshine boy. Can't wait for the other kids to meet him and want to be his friend :) Love you Niko, Happy Birthday my little cutie pie. And another pat on the back for mommy for squeezing you out two years ago today!! Won't ever make you forget that!! Don't worry... I don't have video ;) More photos and video of Niko coming soon.

Happy 2008!

Happy 2008 everyone. I am happy to say this is the first new year I have spent at home (not counting when I was preggers!). I think I passed out before Niko did, but did make it past midnight. Got this loveliest new year's hug ever. This little guy is like the energizer bunny. Not to mention when we spent Christmas in Moline I could not get him to sleep, not even nap. He didn't want to stop playing with his uncles and everyone. Had to force him to sleep crying, which I hated doing but really he left me with no choice! On New Year's Day we took him to the Museum of Science and Industry (haven't been there since I was like 6. back then the coolest thing used to be the giant heart you could walk through... boy does that exhibit look like crap now!). We were so excited to introduce him to the world of STAR WARS for the special exhibit they were having there. Too bad he fell asleep right before we walked in! Figures! In any case, he loved the awesome model train they have there, the airplanes, and all the endless buttons he could press and see what would light up or happen. Wonderful to experience curiousity and exploration all over again. Here's to 2008... another wonderful year in La Vida Niko.