The LaGreca Family

Just another Sunday evening. We had Joe’s sister & her fiance over for pizza & salad. We were chatting at the table after dinner and NCL was spinning in circles — to make himself dizzy. Yes, he thinks this is fun.

And then….CRACK! He bashes his head into the built-in desk in the dining room. I immediately ask Joe to grab ice and then pick up NCL (face down on the floor, crying). I see blood. Ugh.

He hit the edge of the desk right on his eye brow. A deep, wide gash — lots of blood. My first thought was — we are going to Urgent Care.

Both Meg and Steve thought it looked ok — so we gave him a bath, gave him some ibprofen and put him to bed. I checked on him a few times and the bandaid was soaked through with blood.

ER — here we come. Luckily NCL was a trooper the whole night. We got there (he and I) after 10pm and didn’t get home until 1am. And thankfully, he only needed some glue (no stitches). He did great..even when they had to strap him down so he wouldn’t move. And the glue stung while the doctor was putting it on. Poor NCL was crying and saying “Mommy, it hurts!! My eye hurts!”

This child is a disaster. I wish I could wrap him up in permanent bubble-wrap. I will pray that we won’t have to make anymore late night trips to Children’s ER — but let’s face it. This is Nicholas we are talking about…I have to be realistic. And, I should start setting aside my $100 co-pays for ER visits

We actually had a GOOD day with NCL today. We went the entire day with NO time-outs & NO tantrums!! (That is a really big deal for us).

Now, I realize it’s only 1 day…but I am ALL about celebrating the little things.

Oh AND…today was NCL’s 1st successful public pee! He went on the potty at the Zoo! We are so proud of him.

Happy Saturday to us!

Survival…it’s another name for parenthood.

I honestly feel like the last 6-12 months have been all about survival (maybe even the last 2 1/2 years). Which is why I think it’s a good acronym for parenthood.

Random thoughts as my birthday comes to a close:

I most definitely feel another year older. With every argument I have with NCL and every night of lost sleep..I feel like my aging is moving at a very rapid pace (I know I am not alone in this).

I totally get it. I understand why couples stop at 2 kids. It is very clear to me—wanting a “big family” has quickly been replaced with wanting a “good day” with NCL. I honestly can’t even imagine adding another human being to this rollercoaster.

I am told often “it gets easier” and “he won’t be like this forever”. At this point I believe people — but man, it’s hard to hold onto a future when you are living (and drowning) in the present struggles.

I have always told Joe that NCL was a good kid and he wasn’t as difficult as Joe said he was. Joe always says “we got the advanced model” — meaning the extra energetic, hard to deal with kid. I am finally going to have to agree with Joe. I have been around quite a few 2-3 year old kids lately and NCL stands out in the crowd….for many reasons. I am just thankful that I have a strong partner in this life because I am pretty sure I couldn’t deal with this on my own. I am cracking under pressure….I feel it every single day.

I go back to work in 1 1/2 weeks…I am terrified.

I have NO idea how I manage to get the laundry done. Or how I find time to load the dishwasher…how in the WORLD will I get these things done when I go back to work?

Today didn’t feel like my birthday. But I think that’s normal. It really IS just like any other day. Today was actually harder than most days…which is why NCL was in bed by 6:15pm. Too bad little Anthony is STILL awake and it’s 10:20pm. And if tonight is anything like the last 3+ weeks – NCL will be awake (crying) in about 45 minutes…and that will be the first awakening in the night. If we are lucky, it will only happen twice.

I got 2 gift certificates for the movies, for my birthday. I have to laugh because I have NO idea how we will ever use them. That would mean we would need to find a sitter for both kids…and it can’t be a late show because there is mo way we could stay awake. I guess we can wait a few years to cash in on the movie gift cards…as long as we don’t forget about them.

I am glad I have other Mom-friends that are experiencing similar trials — trying to survive with 2 kids. Just hearing them say “I totally know how you feel!” is comforting (somehow).

Potty training is a big commitment. I knew it would be. Maybe that is why we waited so long. I wonder how long it will take? We have yet to have a successful “public” potty. But he doing really well at home.

I usually LOVE shower time at night…the last few nights, I haven’t even wanted to take a shower. Bed sounds a whole lot better.

I wasn’t meant to be a preschool teacher (not that I ever wanted to be one), but after volunteering in the 2yr old VBS class at church this week (my sons class of 14 kids)…I have a new appreciation for ALL preschool teachers. They are angels. They are heroes. They are simply amazing.

Enough of my random thoughts. I could probably go on forever.

Time to shut the light out on 31 and begin the journey of 32. Good-night.

Oh, the things you get excited about as a mom. Napping and bedtime are probably two of the biggest for me. We have VBS this week at church (vacation bible school) and it’s BUSY! NCL didn’t take a nap yesterday and we ALL needed one. And then, to make matters worse, he was up nearly the entire night last night (no exaggeration). We were all hurting today (except Anthony – who slept great last night).

I promised NCL that I would take him to the park if he took a nap. The boy was TIRED. He went to sleep right away and slept for 2.5 hours! Anthony slept for 2 hours!! And i laid down to rest (even fell asleep for a bit).

So, when NCL woke up – we went to the park. Just him and me

More VBS fun tomorrow… And for my birthday, I would like another quiet afternoon.

Potty-Training boot camp..that is. We are at the end of our potty training boot camp weekend and here are the stats.

7 successful pees and 3 successful poops. 1 pee accident out on the back patio (Joe thinks he did it on purpose).

We are absolutely thrilled with Nicholas’ results this weekend. (and frankly, I think we are both shocked). He did so well! Of course, the kid will do anything for candy — and his special treats for going potty in the toilet were mini-marshmallows and peanut butter M&Ms.

We picked out big boy underwear today (Nemo, BuzzLightyear, Lightening McQueen..etc). Tomorrow will be the first day out of the house in underwear. We have VBS at church all week (Vacation Bible School) so we will see how things go.

A few pictures from the weekend:

(1) NCL playing in the back patio in his new shades.

(2) NCL on our new ($6) slip’n'slide.

(3) NCL and Daddy making block castles.

(4) Anthony finally asleep on Sunday night.