TJ...you just never know

Tonight after Trevor was excused from the table, he came up to me and I asked him if I could have a kiss.  Of the kids, he's the least affectionate.  If I receive any, it's usually because I've asked for it or prompted it.

Tonight, though, he came up to where I was still seated, kissed me on one cheek, then the lips, then the other cheek.  It made me smile.

But then he said, "Mommy, you are the cutest, bestest, nicest, loviest, prettiest, pregnantest Mom in the whole wide world."

It made me giggle, but especially coming from him it warmed my heart.

Week 8

Tuesday, Feb. 21st
I finished hospital tshirts.  I got some ideas off Etsy, but made them myself.  I decided to keep them all similar, while still each being unique.  Total cost: $3.50 per shirt.  When finished I said, "Ok.  Now the baby can come anytime."  C3 shot me a look and said, "What about the family room that you're still painting?" --Oh, right.  Details.

Tuesdays are our busiest run-around day of the week.  Rocker grabbed a snooze when he could.

Wednesday, Feb. 22nd
With a forecast of 57* we formulated a plan to meet cousins at the park for a picnic lunch.

No surprise, Madison had every child on the playground doing whatever she said to do.  She's the pied piper.

C4 vacillated between playing like a kid, and wanting to be a part of the adult conversation happening on the bench.  Pop bought this truck for C4 when he was 11 months old for his 1st Christmas.  It's been a loyal, family favorite.  Miles and miles and miles have been pushed and ridden on this bad boy.

Avery and Amanda ended up coming home with us to spend the night.  Madison got everyone dolled up for church.  Trevor wanted to pose, too.

Thursday, Feb. 23rd

Friday, Feb. 24th
C3 and C4 left for their ski getaway and Passport2Purity weekend as part of C4's 13th birthday.

Saturday, Feb. 25th

C4 took right to the sport and they had an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. weekend together of talking, sharing, learning, growing.  C is an amazing kid!  God has been faithful to be what we, as his parents, are not.

Quotes...

Trevor: Upon walking into a store and seeing butts all over the place...  "Wow, Mom, everybody's droppin all their smokers!"
* * *
C4, You wanna play Lady Gaga? (meaning Gaga, a popular church game)
* * *
Fan Man getting out of the shower...
Me: Wow, you smell clean and handsome.
Trevor: Let me smell.  "Wow Fan your hair smells good.  Better than your breath!"
* * *
On school nights the kids have to sleep in their own beds.  On weekends they get to swap around rooms/ beds.  Every night at bedtime Trevor asks if it's a school night because every night he wants to sleep in Maddy's room.  On one school night...
Trev: Is it a school night?
Me: Yup!
Trev:  Ahhh!  [pause]  Can I just get lucky tonight and you say 'Yes, you can sleep in Maddy's room'?
Me: [After laughing at his cuteness and cleverness] Sure, Bud...just for tonight.
* * *
Getting into the van in the rain one day, I said something like, 'Rain, rain, go away..'
Trevor said, "Mom! You like the rain.  It makes your flowers growwww.  It waters the grasssss." (so thoughtful and sweet)
* * *
Me: Nathanael, how'd you like to earn 5 bucks?
Nathanael: Keep talkin'.
* * *
I was putting Nathanael to bed, rubbing his long hockey hair across his forehead.
Me: You know, Nathanael, when this baby comes I'm gonna love you just as much.
Nathanael:  How can that be?  Won't you have to share the love with the new baby?
Me: Well that's the miracle of love.  There's is always enough.  And I'll just have more love in my heart to give to this baby.
Nathanael: So I guess babies come with love.
* * *
Rocco:
We went Outback!!
Can I pay iPod?
I pay Daddy's iPhone?
I miss you.
Ooopie! --(Oopsies)
* * *
The following are some of Rocco's that I never thought I'd hear my 2-year-old say.  Words like heck, kill, and die were not spoken from C4's lips until he was like 10 years old.  But having older siblings in the house using certain words and expressions has fast-tracked Rocco's vocab:

Oh my gosh!

Oh. My. Goodness!!!

What the heck?

[irritated at Trevor] Really, Teh-Teh??

[thinking about his answer] Hmmmmm.....

[while wrestling or playing swords] Take that!  And that!

That's it!

No way!!!

* * *

Rocco: My ear hear hurts.

Me: Oh, no!  Why?

Rocco: Because I said so.

* * *

For reasons unknown, Rocco always uses the number series 9-4-2 instead of 1-2-3.  He can count correctly past 20, but in play, it's always 9-4-2 Blastoff! Or 9-4-2 Go!

* * *

Me: [cough, cough, cough]

Rocco: You oh-tay, Mommy?

Me: I'm fine.

Rocco: I fine, too.

* * *

C4:

On our fall trip to Virginia, C4 rode down with my sister.  He roomed with other male cast members, one being a 20 year old who pretty much fends for himself.  On the last day of the weekend, 'T' said I'm a great money manager.  I came here with here with $20 and I'm leaving with $5.  C4 replied, "Oh, yeah?  I came here with nothin', I'm leaving with nothin'.  I didn't spend a dime!"

The Name Game

Most recent baby name vetoes coming from our dinner conversation tonight...
Frank Bob DiSalvatore (Trevor)
Dave Ming Chang DiSalvatore
Johnny Dazzle DiSalvatore

#2 and 3 are from the Eddie Murphy movie, "Meet Dave", a family favorite.

Countdown to Baby #6

The lack of posts about Baby #6 should be no reflection on our growing excitement and anticipation.  As we are just days away now from meeting this little one, we are just overjoyed at the thought of a new baby in the house!

Aug. 4, 2011 ~ 8 weeks

confirmation of pregnancy and a beating heart

Sept. 27, 2011 ~ 17 weeks

everyone came to the ultrasound to see the baby

laying face down, a good look at the spine

Oct. 25, 2011 ~ 21 weeks

beautiful profile

the belly ~ 22 weeks

25 weeks

26 weeks

30 weeks

35 weeks

Feb. 15, 2012 ~ 37 weeks

Lisa blessed me with a photo shoot

Madison took the following three

38 weeks

I feel amazing!  Believe it or not this has been my easiest pregnancy.  Why?  I'm not sure.  They've all been 'easy' but I haven't even had any sciatica issues or trouble sleeping.  Occasional heartburn I suppose would be the only complaint.  

I've gained 24 pounds so far.  On certain days when I'm tired in the afternoon, I'll snuggle with Rocco at his naptime and snooze for a bit.  I love snuggling with that dude.

We are not completely 'ready' for Baby yet.  I still need to wash up the car seat as well as some onsies and blankets.  There's not a whole lot we can do until we know the gender.  That will determine where he or she sleeps, etc.

The kids are excited about the new addition, although Trevor's excitement is more that he will get to stay  at Ninny's for a couple nights and watch t.v.  Rocco loves to kiss my belly, but like most 2-year-olds, has no clue how his little world is about to be rocked.

I'm nervous about the birth.  Having been to this rodeo once or twice before, I can't say I'm looking forward to labor.  Maybe this will be my one that is less than 12 hours.  I am, however, very much looking forward to holding this precious gift in my arms.  Count the the toes, wrap little fingers around mine.  I'm grateful for another chance at motherhood.  Thankful for this unique miracle.  Welcome, Baby.

Every Letter in the Alphabet

C4 had a quick assignment to type something and use every letter in the alphabet.  This is what he came up with and he asked me if I would put it on my blog.


One day I went skiing. The mountain I went skiing on was quite big. I was getting my coat on and my zipper got stuck. I was so fat that there were no more coats that fit me. I decided to go without a coat …. BAD IDEA.  When I went off a jump I landed on my back and it was sooooooo cold. I was in pain for about three days.  When I got home I found out that I damaged my vascular system. So that is how I got out of my xylophone recital! 


C4, grade 7

Week 7

Monday, Feb. 13th
Bethany came over to help me paint the family room.  She's a whiz with a brush!

Tuesday, Feb.14th
Happy Valentine's Day!  No big fanfare.  I tried to make it a little extra special for the kids with heart-shaped pancakes and cookies.  They were unimpressed.  Rocco had a special friend, Manny, stop by and deliver a little goodie bag of treats.  So sweet.

Wednesday, Feb. 15th
It's so nice having a sister who is also a photographer and above all else my friend.  She came and did a maternity shoot for me.  Here's a mini sampling...

Thursday, Feb. 16th
My budding photographer, Maddy, was inspired to try her hand at it.  She also took some good shots.

Friday, Feb. 17th
Rocco was on a baby doll kick for a few days.  Madison was using her little stroller and car seat for her baby, so she improvised for Rocco.  His own 'stroller' and baby carrier.

Saturday, Feb. 18th
Our Valentine's tradition- Murder Mystery dinner party at Lisa's.  For years we've gotten together with the same 5 or 6 couples.  Lisa puts together an amazing dinner and Shaun puts his energy into the game logistics.  This year I was an assistant golf pro and Colombo was a Judge.  I stole all these pictures from Lisa.

Sunday, Feb. 19th
Sunday was a crazy day!  We spent the weekend back and forth to the rink for Nathanael's State Tournament.  They entered in last place, 8th out 8 teams.  At Sunday's early game, they won in the semi-finals to put them into the championship.  Madison made sure the house had a banner and streamers when Nathanael got home.

And she had Rocco dressed for church.

We saw Nick and Katie very briefly in between hockey games.  She look great.  She's 25 weeks, I'm 38.

We scooted to the Passion of the King meeting where it was officially announced that I would not be helping this year.  Made me a little teary.

Then back to the rink for the Championship game!  They ended up losing by 1 goal, which was scored with 55 seconds left in the game.  Heartbreaker!   He was bummed, but truthfully I think they did way better than what was expected.  And since they're 8 year old boys, the disappointed dissipated in about 20 minutes, or certainly by the time their sodas arrived at their little post-game pizza party.

Thanks to all our family who came out to cheer him on!