Little drummer boy

I know Christmas was over a month ago, but check out this new type of little drummer boy.

Niko's 9 month well visit

Today we had Nikolai's 9 month well visit. Let's just ignore that fact that he is 4 days away from being 10 months old.

Here are his stats:
Height: 30.5 inches (77.47 cm) -  94th%
Weight: 23 pounds 10 ounces (10.716 kg) -  83rd %
Coconut (aka head circumference): 18.5 inches (47cm) -   86th%

Niko's newest trick - flushing the toilet! Now he hadn't used the toilet. In fact no one had. He just saw that shiny silver lever and had to get his hands on it. He is also reaching for things on the desks, counters, and tables. He isn't quite tall enough to see what is on them, so he just searches with his hands until he finds something and then clings to it until he can figure out how to pull it down. Yesterday, the keyboard put up a good fight until I intervened!

Backpack

We had a wonderful weekend!

Friday night we started out date night doubling with Mom and Dad at Esparza's in Grapevine.  Mom spilled her water, and Niko put his hand on the hot plate. What an adventurous night!

On Saturday we hit up Costco and took Niko in the BabyHawk Oh Snap! backpack style. He loved it! Niko was so happy all throughout our shopping and even while we were eating our lunch! After we got home and put away our groceries we went for a lovely long walk to the Park. Again I carried Niko backpack style. Again he loved it! And I loved it! Sometimes we make Niko earn his keep on the walks by carrying Buster's poop bag. Just kidding!!! Stas just thought it would make for a funny photo op!

Sunday we were able to go listen to Jenn and Shayne speak in sacrament meeting in their ward. They did an awesome job on two very difficult subjects. Jenn spoke on judging; Shayne on hypocrisy. They were excellent and I learned some new things. It was fun to sit with their kiddos. Nolan kept Pops busy, Ava was busy entertaining Niko, and Coco was spreading her love between all of us.

Our life right now

Here we have Niko playing with the shutters and chewing on Buster's bone. Both activities are not allowed. But that doesn't really seem to be stopping him.

It could be a full time job keeping dog toys away from Niko and baby toys away from Buster. Right now Buster is more obedient on the matter than Niko. I just think Niko is big on sharing. Sharing in caring, right?

I would think that Buster would be better about guarding his toys. But the truth is that he is more scared of Niko. We are still working on teaching Niko how to "be soft" when touching certain things/people/animals such as my face, Buster, other children. :) But he sure is sweet! I love this boy!!!!

Stockpile

 

The bakery down the street will be closed for two days. This is our stockpile of delicious goodies to last us (just Stas and me) until Jan 3 when they open again. Not pictured: the bar of bread we already finished at lunch and the bag of fresh croissants.

Cherry delicousness!

One layer of apricot pastries on top of a row of cherries yummies!

Cutest coworker

Why, hello there!

 I was up late working last night 12/30/2010. Or early depending on which time zone you are in. Or depending on if you are talking about when I started (10 pm local time) and when I finished (8 am local time). Luckily I did get a 2 hour nap in the middle of it. Anyway, Niko decided to join me during his middle of the night playtime. He's definitely the cutest coworker I've ever had!

 

Niko's new best friend

Niko loves mirrors!

Other top favorites include gift bags, spoons, remote controls, water bottles, and anything he can bite, chew, or put in his mouth.

Taken 12/29/2010 while mama is working not only from "home" but also from Moscow! And yes, that is the Christmas tree on the table. We have seriously Niko-proofed this place!

Jet lag

Six days later and Niko is still struggling with the jet lag. He thinks going to bed at 1 AM and waking up at 11 AM is perfectly acceptable. This also includes a 3 AM waking when he thinks it is time to play.

We spent nearly nine months getting this guy on a decent schedule, then throw him this nine hour curve ball. I guess it serves us right!

Evening stroll

Thursday December 23, 2010

Tonight Stas and I went for an evening stroll around the pond across the street. How do you dress for -4 C (24 F) weather?? Like this:

Natasha let me borrow her mink coat!

Beautiful Novodevichy Convent across the street from apartment

 

And while we were out Nikolai learned how to clap!


[video of Niko clapping his hands coming soon...or after we get home and get a hold of that camera cable!]

International Traveler

Sunday December 19, 2010 - Monday December 20, 2010  
While this wasn't the first time that Nikolai has crossed the border (Canada in May was the first) this was the first time he needed a passport!

Pops dropped us off at the airport and we were fully loaded - two suitcases, three carry-ons, a car seat, about a million jackets and cold weather accessories, and one super cute baby! 

The first flight to Atlanta was a breeze. Only about 2-2.5 hours. Barely long enough for Niko to get hungry again after take off to eat during the landing. I am very strict about nursing during take off and landing, and so far we've never had a problem with airpressure. We had two seats by ourselves and it worked out lovely.

After we landed, we had just enough time to haul it over to the International Terminal, check in and get our seats together, potty run, and then board for our 10.5 hour flight! We were so blessed to have front-row-Joe seats with a little extra leg-room. We also had the only open seat on the whole flight next to us. We were in the center section of three seats. No window, but an extra seat---we'll take it!! Nikolai did fantastic!! Just cycled through eat-sleep-play cycles until we landed!

When we walked into the immigration area a sweet employee saw me and Nikolai (he goes in the BabyHawk at the airports) carrying two carry-ons and let us (and Stas!!) skip to the front of the line. Pretty sure this was unprecedented. And awesome.

Natasha met us at the airport and it was fabulous to see her and most importantly for Nikolai to get to see her again!


Photos from the DFW-ATL flight:

Congratulations Stas!

Best news here.

Stas, I am so proud of you! Not that I wouldn't still be proud otherwise. You have put forth so much effort and time towards your studies and your career, and I am glad to see you rewarded for it. I am always impressed with your dedication to your studies and your enthusiasm in learning something new (whether it be varying sections of the Tax Code or a new game). I love you!

Walk with Mimi

Our boys were lucky enough to have Mimi offer to take them out for a walk this morning. Actually, Mom offered to take Nik out. Then after seeing how desperately our poor dog needed to get some exercise figured she might as well take him, too. It takes a brave woman to manage a stroller and a leash!

 

Loyalty

Buster will sit by the door and wait for hours, literally hours, for Stas to come home from school. Now that is what I call loyalty.

Face off

Buster is frustrated because he wants to play with Nikolai but knows he's not allowed.

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Shades

Niko borrowed Nolan's sunglasses for a bit last night.

Six month well visit

I was going to title this post "My Mammoth Baby" but had a change of heart. Nikolai had his six month well visit yesterday, and just as we expected, he is quite the big boy!

Height: 27 3/4 inches (7.485 cm)  83%

Weight: 21 lbs 2 ounces (9.5821 kg) 92%

Head: 18 inches (45.72 cm) 92 %

 Niko LOVES these keys!! Thank you Svetlana!!

Out for a walk

Niko, Buster, and I were going a little crazy in the house this afternoon, and we decided to go out for a walk. The weather  wasn't too bad; just in the low 80s with lots of sun. That is so much better than when we moved here, although I am looking forward to wearing something besides shorts and t-shirts all of the time. Anyway, back to the walk--

Niko in the BabyHawk Oh Snap!. This baby carrier deserves a post of it's own. Or maybe five posts of its own. When it came in the mail, I literally was jumping up and down. Alot. I think my dad was a little worried. But more on that later. Or not if I never get around to it.

Buster!

cool old barn

pretty view in front of the barn

Photo session

impromptu photo session with the new phone. why are camera phones just so much more fun to use?

Things of note:
-two big bottom teeth (the newest top one is still hiding)
-his romper is size 18 months; his socks are 12-24 months; this kid's a tank!
-he has the most adorable smile that could make me cry if I think about it too much.
-i love his chunky legs!

testing

Practice post from my phone.

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Babywearing

This is awesome.

When images of Licia Ronzulli cradling her baby daughter while attending a voting at the European parliament showed up online, you could almost hear a collective sigh (and "Aww!") from working moms worldwide.

Fittingly, the European parliament was debating proposals to improve women's employment rights and opportunities as 35-year-old Ronzulli of Italy snuggled her 7-week-old baby Vittoria, who slept peacefully throughout the proceedings, in a sling close to her heart.

Ronzulli's colleagues gave her a round of applause as she got up to speak on behalf of women.

"I am here symbolically with my daughter Vittoria to think of all those women who cannot reconcile serenely pregnancy and jobs, professional life and family life," she said.

"It was not a political gesture. It was first of all a maternal gesture -- that I wanted to stay with my daughter as much as possible, and to remind people that there are women who do not have this opportunity (to bring their children to work), that we should do something to talk about this," she told the Guardian.

Ronzulli says does not plan on bringing her baby to work on a regular basis, though. "It's an official meeting, it's not a creche. You can't have everybody coming in with children who might cry or who might want to play ... I'll come when it's possible. If I can bring her, I will. If it's not appropriate, then I won't."