Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

Nicholas loves letters. Big letters, small letters, spelling words, you name it. It is his favorite past time. His favorite book is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert (thank goodness I taught elementary school, right?) He has been playing with the book and matching all the letters to it. So, I made him a tree for our door so he can put his magnetic letters up the tree himself and make them go boom, just like in the book. He was very excited about it when he got up this afternoon! Here he is playing!

A Silent Night

Nicholas asleep in his bed last night (the flash makes it so bright!!)

Well, Nicholas didn't take a nap yesterday without his pacifier, but I was really expecting to be up a couple of times during the night reminding him that he doesn't need his paci anymore. When we got ready for bed last night, we had to remind him that we gave the pacis to Baby Will... but he wasn't upset about it at all and fell right asleep without any protest. In fact, Nicholas slept from 8 PM last night until 8 AM this morning without a peep. He didn't even mention his paci this morning until we told him we were so proud of him for being such a big boy for not needing it. So, I think our transition went smoother than we hoped. If there are any people out there still trying to get rid of the paci, don't worry! Just make a Sassy Bear and your kid will be just fine!

Nicholas's First Intervention

Why don't they invent the "Paci Patch," something fashioned along the same lines as the nicotene patch for smokers? It would be a must have for parents like us.

This morning, Nicholas gave his two pacifiers to Baby Will. It went really well. He kissed them goodbye before we dropped them in boiling water to sanitize them. Then, off we went to our friends' house where we handed them right over to Baby Will. After all, at this point, he was more excited to play with his friend Anna than be with a baby.

Yep, the pacis are in there.

"I'm ready, let's do this!"

"Here are my pacis Baby Will!"

We then proceeded to Build-A-Bear, which isn't at the closest mall to us- we had to drive 45 minutes to get there. He did a great job picking out a suitable bear to take to bed. Here is how the experience went:

"Stuff my bear lady!"

Pressing the button to stuff his bear.

They put a heart inside the bear. Nicholas is making a wish on the heart.

Kissing the heart before he put it in the bear.

Cleaning and brushing his bear.

Paying for his bear with the gift cards everyone sent him.

However, his new favorite word (and don't ask me where he got it-- it has to be one of his TV shows) is sassy. So when asked what to name his new bear, who is wearing a football outfit at this point, he insists upon Sassy. Mathew complied beautifully with a frown on his face.

Nicholas and Sassy, the football bear.

Nicholas pushing Sassy around the mall.

After we got home, we proceeded as usual to get him ready for his nap, and he asked for his pacis. When we reminded him that he is a big boy now, he gave his pacis to the baby, and he has Sassy to take to bed, he proceeded to ask if we could get the pacis back. We told him that we couldn't and the look on his face was one of terror. So, it is now 3:07 PM and we are still waiting for Nicholas to go to sleep for his nap. It is going to be a long weekend but it had to be done. At least he isn't crying, right? So someone out there- create a Paci Patch. It would be oh so much easier!

The Beginning of the End

Well, tomorrow is the big day- the pacifier is no longer going to be in our lives. Granted, Nicholas has only had it just for bedtime for over a year, but it is time to lose it for good. So, tomorrow morning, we are headed to our friends' house to give our two lone pacis to Baby Will. He is 6 months old and he needs them; Nicholas is a big boy and big boys don't take pacis to bed. After the giveaway, we are headed to the Build-A-Bear Workshop to make a bear to take to bed with Nicholas; after all, big boys take bears to bed but not pacifiers. I have gone as far as calling the shop to find out if there are pacifiers as an accessory to the bears, and there definitely are. So the nice lady is going to take them away for us while we are there. The family has sent Nicholas gift certificates to buy something for his bear for being such a big boy. Everyone is ready... So, keep us in your prayers tomorrow. It won't be easy on any of us, and I am sure we might lose a little sleep. Hope you have a great weekend! Love you all!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Nicholas saying "I love you!" to all of you!!

Nicholas got to go to his first real Valentine's party today at his friend Anna's house. They made their own mailboxes for their cards, created their own big Valentine, and had a yummy lunch with cookies to decorate. The kids were so cute. Nicholas was the youngest and only boy there, but luckily, he enjoys playing with anyone (but did look at the girls like they were nuts when they were singing all the words to "Beauty and the Beast".)

Here is a video of him unloading his mailbox when we got home. I know the grandmothers will enjoy it. Hope you do too!

Happy Valentine's Day! As Nicholas says, "It means 'I love you!'"

The Week of Birthday Surprises

This Wednesday I turned 30. There were so many surprises; I don't know how Matt kept them all from me! On my birthday, Matt stayed home from work and we had a great family day. My mom and sister sent me flowers and the phone never stopped ringing with birthday wishes! My neighbor, Kathy, made me a beautiful and delicious cake. On Thursday night, I had a massage at the house. And on Friday, the biggest surprise of all- my dear friend Cigdem and her husband Volkan rang my doorbell. I had no idea they were coming-- Matt picked them up from the airport and I could not believe my eyes. We got to spend the whole weekend together-- catching up, going out to dinner, and going to tea (no, the boys did not come!). It was wonderful to spend time with wonderful friends. I would turn 30 every year if it meant all of this! Thank you for making me feel so special!

My birthday flowers from Matt and Nicholas

It tastes as good as it looks! Thanks Kathy!

Are you catching me eating cake??!!

Flowers from my mom and Annie and all my birthday cards! I am loved!
(Yes, the Giants made my birthday special too!)

Auntie Cigdem and Nick having fun!

Auntie Cigdem, Uncle Volkan, and Nick

The girls and Nick!

A Tribute

In case you haven't heard, the Governor of NY had 100 signatures for the passing of a new "America's Team." Sorry Dallas, you're history. Here is a tribute. I cry every time I watch it.