Ghosts, Goblins, Superman and Dragons

Despite Halloween falling on a Sunday this year with work and school waiting for us early the next morning, I think we maximized our spooky night festivities. The past several Halloweens have been a mystery for me because we go through the obligatory preparation (costumes, trick or treat bag, dressing up, meeting at Grandma's) and we embark on our hour to an hour and a half trick or treat adventure.  We finish the night with a giant bag of really good candy that Dominick never eats.  Dominick has never been a candy eater, at least not in the first 10 years of his life.  We trick or treat for the sake of trick or treating.  It is fun to dress up and walk around asking for stuff and watching people give it to you because socially they have no choice.  It's a fun evening, I love how much Dominick enjoys it and love even more that he has never had a cavity.  This year's routine was not any different than years past except now we have a VERY mobile toddler added to the equation.  As usual we had pizza at Grandma's, helped the boys with their costumes and with trick or treat bags, light sticks and strollers in tow we set off.  Our little people trick or treat crew consisted of a 10 year old (Dominick), 7 year old (Ashton), 2 1/2 year old (Aryanna) and two 19 month olds (Simon and Brooklyn).  The five of them were accompanied by 9 adults.  Dominick and Ashton are old pros so other than the standard "don't walk through the grass", "don't forget to say thank you" and "look for steps" we let them loose but kept a close eye on them.  The littler ones still needed coaxing, handholding and doting parents right next to them so we could hear all the "look how adorable", "very cute", "two pieces for you for being so cute".  Of the group of five little ones wondering around I think it is safe to say that Simon owned the night.  After the second house he had the drill down pat.  Knocking on doors, saying trick or treat, grabbing candy out of the bowl, walking in houses and saying thank you, Simon was the trick or treating king.  Nothing scared him and the dark did not intimidate him. The stroller was just for show and was utitlized very little.  We did have one incident that involved a steep driveway and ended with a big bump on the forehead but other than that the night was a success.  Dominick and Simon made out like bandits and they were both so adorable in their costumes.  Simon did eat more candy than Dominick did or has.  I have since disposed of all the Halloween loot. Can't wait to see what next year brings.

From My Baby Boy to My Little Boy

I was ecstatic to see that Simon had a nice head of hair when he was born.  I know a lot of parents have bald babies but I selfishly wanted my baby to have some hair on the top of his little head and Simon did.  As the months passed Simon's hair grew and lightened in color.  By the end of Summer/beginning of Fall Simon had almost blond hair and gorgeous curls.  I love my baby's curls and swore I would wait as long as I could before I cut them.  People would comment on Simon's hair, how pretty the curls were and I was told by several people "do not cut that hair, the curls won't grow back".  I didn't want to cut Simon's hair because I knew, in an instant, he would transform from my baby boy to my little boy and sure enough that is what happened.  I finally came to the decision to have Simon's hair cut.  The curls were getting a little out of control, strangers were referring to him as my daughter and Simon was constantly brushing his hair out of his face.  On 9:00 am October 30th at 19 months and 11days of age I took Simon in for his first haircut.  Nick wouldn't accompany me, he thought Simon would throw a fit and be uncooperative so Simon and I ventured out on our own.  My baby was a trooper.  Simon sat in his little fire engine, watched Blue's Clues and had his paci for comfort.  I watched the transformation take place, from the first cut to the final blow dry, taking plenty of pictures along the way.  Before I knew it we were done and Simon was still Simon, albeit a little more groomed.  I kept his curls, they will always be a tangible reminder of my baby boy.  I am very happy with Simon's haircut and do not regret it.  His hair suits him, making him look like such the little boy that he very much is.  The 1st haircut is one of those monumental moments in parenting that could either be a wonderful experience or a disaster. I am happy to say our moment was wonderful!  My baby boy, curls or no curls, will always be my baby boy.

The Before Picture

     The First Cut

The After Picture and still as handsome as ever!

And They All Come Tumbling Down

I consider our little family a healthy family.  We don't, by any means, eat all the fruits and veggies we are supposed to and, to be honest, we lack in the physical activity department.  When I refer to healthy I mean we tend to have pretty good immune systems.  Dominick has been sick a handful of times during his past 10 years. Simon spent his first Christmas very sick with a stomach virus and had croup before he was a year old. Other than that my boys, in particular, are fairly sturdy.  So it was to my great surprise that in the early morning of October 22nd both my boys managed to become inflicted with a stomach virus complete with all the usual physical reactions.  This was the first time both my boys were sick at once.
At 5:30am when Simon first started throwing up in his crib I agreed to let Nick stay home and take care of him while I went to work.  An hour later when Dominick complained of a stomach ache and then proceeded to follow in his brother's footsteps I knew this was a task for mom.  The day progressed like any sick kid day would.  Dry cereal and water, lots of dirty towels, dirty sheets and dirty clothes, long naps, races to the bathroom and whiny children.  Finally, at about 5:00pm, I started to see the sunlight.  A few hours had passed without incident and both boys were up and showing signs of energy, I was feeling optimisitic until....it was mommy's turn.  Sure enough, the next six hours belonged to me, enjoying the lovely gift my boys were kind enough to share with me.  Needless to say, we all survived.  Saturday was a better day.  I even took the kids to the pumpkin patch between rain showers so they could finally get their Halloween pumpkins.  Simon lost any weight he gained over the past month and Dominick and I could stand to lose a few so no complaints here.  Nick never got sick but I am not surprised.  As a parent one of the worst things is to see your children in pain. One of the most important jobs as a parent, especially mommies, is to know how to comfort/hold/kiss and cuddle with your babies no matter how old they are or how sick they are.