Zoo-ey

(Pardon my delay in posts...things have been a little busy around here!)

Over spring break, our big "trip" was to the Brookfield Zoo.

Yeah-us and the rest of the Chicagoland area! According to zoo staff, this particular day had record attendance~ must have been the record temperatures (80's in the beginning of April??? Unheard of!)

That's Luca's little hand reaching out to pet the zebra...almost had you fooled, huh?

Luca and I ventured into the Family Play Zoo while Nico (and daddy?) napped in the shade. Didn't we surprise them when out came mommy and a kitty? Now if I can only get this kitty to stop licking me!
What a beautiful and fun family day it was!

Simply the BEST

Our family just got the devestating news that Gus has bone cancer, and won't be with us much longer. That being said, this blog's a tribute to him. There will never be another like him!
Both boys have spent much time closely examining their dog. I think Nico's comparing who has bigger jowls!

He's the most patient, calm, gentle animal and is the best around babies (besides the fact that one false step of his can squish them!) But he doesn't blink when the boys crawl all over him, even in a sneak attack like Nico is planning on doing in this picture.

An attempt at a classic photo of Gus and his boys...Too bad Gus is the only one looking :)

Luca says it perfectly in this video (he's never spoken greater truth)...just watch.

Here's to the best Gus...

Gustaford George Hanson DiCosola, GG, George, Gigi Luigi, G, G-man, Gustav, Goose...

better than all the rest

Legs...Yummy!

We've had the strangest weather lately...80 degrees one day, and 40's the next. But one thing that the warmer weather has allowed us to do is wear less clothing. I don't know about you, but a baby in a onesie with bare legs and toes is one of the most delicious things ever! I couldn't kiss his chunky piggies and thighs enough!

Togetherness

Side by side...always and forever! The brothers love being next to each other in the stroller. Lately, Nico takes the opportunity to claw, grab, pull and love on Luca. One of these days Luca will get paid back in full! (On this day we took advantage of the beautiful weather and our daddy home and hit the zoo!)
A sandbox built for 2! Nico loved his 1st experience in the sand and did a pretty good job of not eating it too! and Luca...he will forever be a beach baby, and this is as close as we will get for now.

I spent a good amount of time just watching before I grabbed my camera. They were playing side by side for awhile...and 2 things touched me~ how kind they were being with each other, and how in awe Nico looks at Luca. It melts me!

and it doesn't get much more together than this!!!

We've just transitioned into the double bath time, which they both love. But man...that may be the busiest 15 minutes of my day!!!

The Many Looks of Nico...

I can't believe how big he is getting, and it makes me sad to think how fast the past 10 months have gone...but Nico continues to be a joy and keeps us laughing at all times!
All puckered up! It's is newest look...but the picture doesn't capture how he simultaneously huffs and puffs through his nose while he makes this face!
Peek-a-boo!
These days Nico uses anything to hoist himself into a standing position...this time a chair. Kind of looks like he's chewing on it too, come to think of it!

Ah-ha! I found the remote! It's amazing how many toys we have, and the remote and telephone remain the most coveted!

This picture doesn't capture the extent of the mohawk he woke up with on this particular morning. I swear...I spend more time taming my boys' hair than I do my own!

Always the goofball!

happy. There's no other way to put it!

Just relaxing...

So after 3 fabulous birthday parties, Luca felt a little - well, for lack of a better term- "hungover" from all of the fun (not literally of course!!! That would be totally bad parenting and very illegal!) It took a day or 2 for him to recover and he just felt like vegging out with a good movie.
Well...anyone who lays on the floor is fair game to Nico crawling all over them!
Nico loves giving Luca one of his famous open mouth kisses.

It's only a matter of time until this playful climbing and rolling becomes more dangerous rough-housing...who will you put your money on?

3 parties for this 3 year old

Being 3 comes with privelages...like having your own can of soda for the very first time! He thought he was so cool to have his own can...just like his cousins!
Luca's 3rd celebration for his 3rd birthday was our family one.
Lots of food, lots of presents, and lots of fun!

Luca loves being the center of attention, so when my side of the family sang our traditional 4 (different) birthday songs to him, he thought he died and went to heaven!

...a picture of the 4 of us hasn't happened since the day Nico was born, so even though this isn't the best shot in the world, we'll take what we can get! And I'll take moments like this any day!

Happy Birthday big boy!