Nicholas Maravillas’ Blog

We decided to paint our pumpkin this year rather than carve it.  Maybe next year when Nicholas can participate more with the carving… we don’t trust him with sharp objects yet!   He seemed to have a good time and got into it.  Unlike last year when he really didn’t care.  He spent about 15 minutes on it, spun it around a bit, threw his brush down and declared it “done”!  I think it’s pretty awesome!

And as a follow up to a previous post, our new dining room set came today!  It is just gorgeous and I am in love.  I’m afraid to actually eat on it, it is so pretty!

From part-time stay at home mom/part-time social worker to full-time stay at home mom!  I was blessed to have had the perfect position for the past 15 months.  I worked for a very small non-profit organization that relies on donations and grants to survive.  And thanks to the fabulous economy, both of those income sources are lower this fiscal year so cuts had to be made.  I knew it was coming but it still hurts.  And if it means The Center can stay in operation to continue serving older adults in need, then so be it.

Mostly I am frustrated because I didn’t do anything wrong.  It is in no way a reflection on my job performance.  I was good.  I am a good social worker.  It’s not like on those doctor shows where they miss a step, someone dies then they get fired.  I didn’t miss a step.  So that part is hard to swallow.  And I think the part that makes me most sad is that Nicholas won’t get to go to Ms. Irene’s house each week.  He loves it there and I can tell she loves him.  It has been exactly a year since he started going there and it has been just wonderful.  Of course we will still see them all the time for playdates, but I fear it won’t be the same.  And of course I’ll miss my grown-up, professional time away too! My co-workers were wonderful people and I will miss seeing them regularly.  I am not sure if I’ll look for another position just yet.  This one fell into my lap and was perfect for me in so many ways.  I doubt I will find another one like it.  I may just wait until the first of the year.  Its easier to plan and enjoy the holidays without starting a new job and needing time off.  There are pros and cons to this, just as with any curve ball life throws at you and we are focusing on the pros.  In the meantime, at least I get to spend more time with a super cute little man who loves to give hugs and calls me “mama”!

Nicholas’ Grandma, Grandpa and Oma came down yesterday to hang out with him while Matthew and I went furniture shopping and out on a date.  Thanks guys for letting us have a nice day and evening out!!   We went to several different stores but found what we liked at the 2nd store we visited.  We knew we’d probably end up back there but we kept looking just in case.  Here is a picture of what we ordered.  We got the table, chairs and server.  And also the hutch as an early Christmas present from Grandma, Grandpa and Oma- thank you!!  We can’t wait for it to arrive this week and to have a big family dinner with everyone around the table for a change!

Then Matthew and I got all dressed up and went to dinner at The Melting Pot!  Yum!  We had gotten a gift card from Matthew’s parents for our anniversary back in July but we saved it for when we really needed a night out.  Nicholas had pizza and ice cream with his grandparents and Oma while we went out.  It was a really nice evening with delicious food!  I mean, what can beat a pot of warm chocolate and goodies to dip?  Here we are before we left.  Please excuse the pizza all over Nicholas’ face…

Maybe I am having a sentimental day or something, but all I could think about while eating lunch today with Nicholas was how much he looked like a little boy.  There really is nothing baby about him anymore.  He was picking up his sandwich and eating it like you’re supposed to (as opposed to taking it apart like he did previously).  We went to Marbles this morning so he was in jeans and a t-shirt, which always makes him look grown up.  Then he was sitting so nicely at his table, he didn’t throw even one piece of food and ate in normal sized bites like a gentleman.  I don’t know.  Again, maybe I am just being a mushy mom but I just couldn’t help but smile all during lunch watching my little man!

It as a perfect fall day today- partly sunny, cool and breezy.  So we ventured out to Ken’ Korny Corn Maze today.  We didn’t brave the 2.5 mile maze, but instead played on the wooden tractors, took a hayride, said hello to some goats and ate fried oreos.  Nicholas wasn’t in the best of moods but we tried to have fun nonetheless.  Here are some of the best pictures.  Happy Fall everyone!!

For giggles, here is last year’s family picture and one of our little man.  Actually taken exactly one year ago!  My what a year can do…

It was rainy and cold today so of course you need rainboots.  At least one anyways.  He walked like he had a peg leg!  He didn’t walk too much better once he got both on, but he was able to move enough to chase Zoë!

Zoë also had a good weekend hiding amongst Nicholas’ toys.

Nicholas also had some Lego fun!  Just like daddy he meticulously builds his creations piece by piece.  You can’t tell here but he is starting to stick his tongue out when he thinks about things… just like his mommy.  I am so proud.

After all that construction, he took a break to watch cartoons with Mommy.  And yes, he wore his hardhat to watch TV but not for the building!

JUMP!

well, just one boy.