Pumpkins for my pumpkins

Due to the infestation of dreary days, germs, and finishing touches on the house this month, we made a last chance stop for pumpkins this past weekend (no, not at a fantastic pumpkin patch like we had hoped...but a Clover's Garden Center in a Elmhurst parking lot :( !)
But they had pumpkins (and hay), and photo opps, and beggars can't be choosers.

We found the perfect one for carving, though Luca wanted to take them ALL home.

Nico, not feeling great like the rest of us, awoke to partake in his first pumpkin picking.

Next year will hopefully be a little more like the picture we had in mind, but memories were created just the same :)

Zoo Babies

We took advantage of the 1 warm warm day we've had in like, 3 months! and took Nonnie to the zoo. Luca and this goat took to each other like glue in the children's zoo...
must've been the tenderness Luca showed him while brushing his luscious locks.

No, his name isn't Joey, it's Luca! If only I had a pouch to contain him sometimes!

But I bet my back would hurt a lot more if I were a kangaroo!

Dreamy

Ladies, back off, he's mine...

and I can stare into these eyes forever!

Cheeky

What's wrong with this picture?

Is it that Luca is playing in the sink when he shouldn't be?

Or...is it the way he put his own underwear on?

I'm not quite sure, but at the end of a long day, the underwear part made the water mess all ok :)

My Bouncing Baby Boys

Nico has hit the age to be able to bounce in the excer-bouncer (or whatever it's called!).

So, I sent Mike into the black hole, we call the garage, to search for it (we didn't anticipate which milestones Nico would be reaching when we moved into our temporary house...who knows where the highchair is!). But the search was well worth it!
But I did find Nico bent over backwards, literally, to see the tv above him. Big brother to the rescue though...he turned Nico right around so they could watch tv together!

Hard to believe my oldest baby is now a big brother, and that my baby is so big already! Buds they will be, now and forever!

Furniture Shopping Is So Fun...

...except with children in their 2's who are experimenting with the defiant stage of development!

Bottles are SOOOO passe!

Get excited, Nico...It's time for cereal!
He didn't really know what to think of the whole thing...he didn't seem to like or dislike the cereal. He did like participating in the feeding though and kept pulling my hand towards him.

My helper in the back for sure didn't like the taste of the cereal and couldn't understand why he couldn't feed Nico himself.

I would say the first feeding was a success (and not surprisingly)!

md/dvs at your service

He is not biased as to how many legs his patients have, or if they are covered in hair...and his bedside manner is incredibly loving.
and boy do his patients have patience!

Super Fans

At 2 weeks apart (and currently 2 pounds apart!) Nico and Vinny are bound to be buddies (their parents won't really give them a choice) or partners in crime. Before you know it they are going to be participating in Fantasy Football Draft alongside their daddies (read: like next year so mommy can have at least one day to herself)!

Tiny Blessings

Nico had a very special day on Sunday...His baptism!
How else to prepare but a nap with Nonno.

What's the matter Nico?
You don't like wearing a dress?

Godparents Uncle John and Aunty Rosa did an outstanding job!

They also got to experience just how tiring it is to hold this boy!

Nico didn't mind getting doust with water one bit (maybe because we practiced in the bath tub the night before!) Mike spent much of his time trying to convince Luca that a swim in the baptismal fount would NOT be a good idea! The baptism went wonderfully without incident...

as did the party at Gatto's afterwards. Couldn't think of a better reason to celebrate with tons of family and friends!

Hot Stuff

Nico thought he was hot stuff for sitting up all by himself! What you can't see in this picture is that Luca's thighs actually fit better in the bumbo than Nico's! Good thing foam is forgiving!

Spooning

I couldn't quite catch the moment, but you get the jist...Gus literally had his paw around Luca's neck and they were laying like that until the moment I reached for my camera. They have such a soft spot for each other!

Under the Big Top

Last week Luca got to go to his first circus, and where else? Darien, Illinois! We had GREAT seats for the Greatest Show on Earth...and a show complete with tigers, elephants and acrobats!
For parts of the show, Luca was much more enamored with the novelty toys the vendors were walking around with, so we eventually ended up with a $12 lightsaber. But hey, it was for a good cause!

Nico thoroughly enjoyed the show~for real! He was supposed to be sleeping, but didn't want to miss a thing. I think he ended up seeing more acts than Luca did!

But the highlight of everyone's evening was the elephant rides! That's right...elephant rides! 4th kid back you'll find Luca being held by his cousin Kaileigh. He was thrilled and not scared one bit. I was soooo excited he got to have this opportunity and super glad I had my camera with to capture the moment. Thanks Nonnie for the special treat!