18 Month Stats

We had Amedeo's 18 month doctor's appointment today.

Here are the facts:

• head circumference: 47.5 in -- 50%
• height: 34.5 in -- 95%
• weight: 24 lb 8 oz -- 25%

Pretty much what we expected. He's tall and skinny with an average sized head. We asked the doctor about milk consumption. He doesn't drink much cow's milk since he's still breastfeeding about 3x a day, and if he drinks more milk, he wouldn't eat any table food at all.

I'm a little perplexed as to what to do. The doc tells me to give him more milk, but then he won't eat. He'd get the fat that the doc says he needs, but would miss out on the other nutrients. I'm thinking of trying to find a nutritionist who specializes in children so I can get more information. I feel like the doctor is encouraging me to stop BFing...well, she called it "skim milk" from a nutrient perspective.

I don't feel like he's ready to stop yet, but I'd like to be a good parent and provide the right things. What do I do? What do you do about milk in your household?

Wah!

For no good reason, Amedeo had some trying moments today. Maybe he was tired. Maybe his teeth were paining him. Maybe he's mad because I cut his hair a little too short in the front. All in all, it was a nice weekend, to the contrary of this picture. Tomorrow, we've got his 18 month appointment. I'm looking forward to finding out his measurements. I'm not looking forward to his (most likely) hysterical reaction to any doctor who might examine him. Ah...that is tomorrow. For now, I can eat chocolate.

Fun with Babies and Mosquitos

I hosted the mommies and babies today in our backyard. 'Twas a fun time...Mel and Jillian plus Denise and Jocelyn. Mel took the pics and swatted mosquitoes. I just swatted mosquitoes. Lemonade and apple cake was had by all.

The girls hung out in the pool, while...



Amedeo picked tomatoes and looked confused.


Violet was a good beastie and let the kiddies chase her a bit. Very brave of you!



A little bit of indoor story-time...


Well, folks, I left the tiling plans up to Pietro, and he decided to postpone it until after he gets back from New Mexico. Ah...there go my dreams of having a nice bath while he's gone...on the other hand, who wants to take a bath when it's 90 degrees out anyway?

Hopefully, I'm going to update the sewing blog tomorrow...I've been working hard on some new projects. JoAnn's had a FABULOUS sale on patterns this weekend, and I admit that I went nuts.

Just a Regular Day in Casa Bernasconi

Can I have a Hallelujah?


This weekend, Amedeo was rifling through Pietro's dresser drawers. He pulled this t-shirt out...Pietro usually wears it on the Swiss National Holiday on August 1st. We thought he looked like a little red monk.

This week...we have a few things planned. Tomorrow, we're going to have a chest freezer delivered. Yay!

At some point, our plumber will hopefully start tearing out our bathroom to replace our tub. We should get the tile at the end of the week. Pietro is planning on installing it next weekend...I envision a few trips to Lowe's in our future. All of this hinges on whether Pietro thinks it can be done before he leaves for New Mexico. He's heading over to Fort Sumner for a balloon flight. The good news is that after he comes home, work will be less crazy. The bad news is that he'll be gone at least three weeks.

I'm hoping to try our gym's daycare to try to get a workout...I've been pretty lazy lately with the heat wave(s).

Maybe a trip to IKEA?

Farm Trip

This afternoon, we picked up our CSA fruit and veg from Breezy Willow Farm. I thought it was about time that I posted about this, since we're halfway through this season. I really like the program. First, the produce is supremely fresh. Second, I don't have to make any decisions. You get what you get. I don't have to stand in the produce aisle wondering if I should buy eggplant or not. Invariably, I choose the same things over and over again. This program forces me to deal with kale and heirloom tomatoes.

I finally received my camera bag in the mail. I haven't been taking the camera around, since it didn't have any protection. I had a good time working on composition today.


I learned something interesting about the chickens today. Some of them lay pale green eggs! Isn't that neat!? Another friend of mine has chickens...she told me that her Aracunas lay pale blue/green/pinkish eggs. So, Dr. Seuss was right...there IS Green Eggs and Ham!




Amedeo LOVES the bunnies. There is a large sign that promotes NOT sticking your fingers in the cages. I've told him 100 times. He doesn't listen. So far, there aren't any vampire rabbits chewing his fingers off. He thinks it's funny when they nibble on his finger. Oh, child!

Sad Weekend

Since Morgan and Debbie and Finn left on Saturday, we've had a sad weekend. Naptime isn't at the right time. The food doesn't taste good and the toys aren't fun anymore. Poor Amedeo. I think he misses his buddy, Finn.

Pietro took this shot with the new camera. I'm impressed with his camera skills...way to go, Pietro!


Amedeo spent some time today in the tomato jungle, searching out all sorts of things to put in his bucket.


Last night was yoga night. Amedeo spontaneously broke out a few moves.


One of the last things we did together was play with a train set that my dad bought. Amedeo was frightened of the sound, but curious about the train. Finn needed no encouragement to get VERY close to the trains. He also is very good at shouting, "All aboard!" Which sounds like this, "Aaaaaaaaall abooooooooooooo!!!" when he says it.



At some point during their stay, we walked around Centennial Lake. The boys had a great time teaching each other things...and at one point decided to hold hands...so cute!




And...the daddies...

Getting there...

I'm surprised by Amedeo's eagerness to try new and daring things. I thought he was a non-daredevil type of fellow. I consider myself warned.

We've had a great weekend and a nice beginning to the week...so many things to recount...and sooooo tired. I'll try harder to put up some more pics!

More fun with relatives...

With two little boys, there have been lots of owies. Grandma kisses make it all better. Some of the owies have been directly caused by Amedeo...he has officially earned the title of "Biter." His canines are coming in and human flesh seems to be about the right consistency to alleviate the pain.




I bought this wand for the enjoyment of the kids, yet, Pietro uses it as often as possible. Maybe it is a stress reliever.




Grandma and Grandpa have an awesome tractor in the garage. I played with it as a child, as did my brother. It still works pretty well!





I thought it was funny how my brother and I were standing in the same position.



Yay! Debbie finally joined us! We love Auntie Debbie!

Morgan and Finn are here!

Pietro came home for lunch on Monday. He got his workout afterwards...running around the house with Amedeo on his back. I think Amedeo likes it!


Yesterday, Morgan and Finn arrived. The boys are having a good time playing together. There's a little competition about tractors that's pretty funny.



Bathtime together was surprisingly calm and spa-like.



Pushing and pulling the dolly down the hall...


We look forward to seeing Debbie tomorrow....this afternoon, there is an Open House at APL. Normally, it is shut down tight, but today they let registered guests come and visit. We can go and see where Pietro works, and check out some displays about space. I don't think they allow cameras there, so I'll say a few words about it tomorrow.

I've joined the club!

The 30 and over club. Saturday was my birthday...and it was a lovely one at that. Pietro made me pancakes for breakfast. He gave me a digital SLR! Yaaay! We had a little party that afternoon with a whole flock of babies and adults. Sadly, the SD card Pietro bought had a fatal flaw, and LOST all the pictures I took of everyone. Pietro realized this after nearly everyone had left, and so caught a few snaps of a few folks.

Emily2 (who is making a funny face...I promise that I wouldn't have used this picture of you if I hadn't lost all my pics) and me cutting the chocolate cake. Amedeo didn't eat dinner...just chocolate cake. He went to bed at 9:30pm. I actually thought he'd be up later than that with all that chocolate. I'm really thankful to have him happy and healthy. Last year, he had spent the night in the hospital a few days before my birthday.



Chris and Dave and Samantha with my parents (and me and Amedeo)...relaxing after everyone left.


We were a bit bummed out about the memory card just putzing out on us. Apparently, it doesn't matter what brand you choose...the quality control isn't all that great. Some cards go kaboom after 10 uses...other people claimed that it took 2 weeks of picture taking before that happened. The bottom line is that there is NO warning. So, lesson learned. I'm going to test out a card for three weeks before I need it for something really important.

Thanks very much for all of the great food! It was all delicious! And, thank you for the birthday wishes and cards!

Next...we may have come to a decision about bathroom tile....da da dum!!!!