Potty Training and The Poop Strike

Well, it has finally happened…Charlie is potty trained. I really should not use the term “finally” because it makes it sounds as though we were working on it for ages, which we were not. It all just kind of happened over this past weekend. We even got through the nights and nap times without any accidents. Yay for Charlie!

I think the fear of peeing on “Tow Mater” or “Lightening McQueen” was the key – we do not want to upset them. Plus, the constant “we are so proud of you” helped out as well. In fact, on Sunday Charlie said to me, “Mommy, I am just so proud of myself!” As you should be, little man!

Ryan, on the other hand, is on a poop strike and has not pooped in seven days! Yes, SEVEN DAYS!!! Yet, he is still happy and smiling. I would not be happy after two days of that. All I have to say is that when it happens, everyone better move out of the way…and fast!

Happy three months to you, Ryan…our Little Bear Cub. I miss spending each day with you, but it makes it that much better when I get to see my two handsome boys each afternoon. Your two beautiful smiles make my day.

An example for us all...

Cancer...it is a horrible word. One that no one wants to ever hear in reference to their own body, or someone that they love so much. We recently found out that my sweet Grandma Fratto has cancer. It is lung cancer - not the kind from smoking, as she has never smoked a day in her life-but another kind and it has spread to her bones. It breaks my heart, as cancer is a horrific beast.

But enough about the beast, I want to talk about her. I want to talk about her because sometimes we wait too long to let people know how we feel about them. And after hearing the news of the cancer, I have thought a lot of my grandma and all of the people in my life who I love and care about, but this post is for her alone.

She is an amazing, strong woman. She has lived a wonderful life, and she has also endured a lot of heartache over the years - from losing her parents, her siblings, her husband, her son (my incredible dad), my cousins Ryan and Joe. With Grandma Fratto, the saying holds true, "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." She is living proof of that.

Over the past weeks/months, she has been in so much pain and has had to have so many tests run. And yet every time we would talk on the phone, she would never focus on how badly she felt but always wanted to know how I was, how the boys were doing and how Peter was. That is exactly the type of person she is. She makes you feel good being around her, and we would all like to think that we are her "favorite" because she makes you feel that way...always.

I have so many memories that I could never write them all down. She is the best cook...the best red sauce, zucchini patties, meatballs, etc. that you could ever have. And she loves to feed you. She is the most welcoming and gracious host, no matter who steps foot in her house. I remember when I was little how it was such a treat to go stay at Grandma Fratto's house. We always knew we would have the best time and be well fed, even if "there wasn't much food in the house," as she has been known to say. What true Italian doesn't have at least some sausage, cheese and bread in the house at all times!

I have posted pictures of both boys first visit with Grandma Fratto (Ryan is the top picture, and Charlie is below). She just adores them. She has always wants a grandbaby to look like a Fratto, and I think she is getting that with Ryan.

Grandma, I know you will not be online reading this, but I hope you know how much you are loved and respected. I always say that you are the one person that Dominic would drop everything for to help, and that is definitely saying a lot, as we know how he can be at times (sorry, Dom!). Your strength, faith and love are admirable. Thank you for loving us all unconditionally...and thank you for loving me the most :)

Happy Two Months, Baby Ryan!

I cannot believe that it has been nine weeks since Ryan was born. The time is going by all too quickly, but I have enjoyed every moment of being home with him and getting to know him. He is a good baby. He loves to stare into your eyes and just smile at you. He also likes to "talk" to me a lot more these days. I am going to miss that when I go back to work in three weeks. It will definitely be a bittersweet moment, as I will hate to leave him, but I also know it will be good to get back to the office and have conversations with adults. I have missed the crew and our silly chatter :)

Ryan had his two month appointment today, and "holy guac," as Charlie would say...he is HUGE!!! Dr. Rachel said that he was about the size of a four month old. He is 13 pounds (78%) and 24.5 Inches (93%). I about fell over! Charlie was always tall and skinny, so I had to laugh when I heard the percentiles. No wonder he is already fitting into his 3-6 month clothes. I just love my chubby baby with his chunky little thighs.

And thanks to Alethia, we now have some great pictures of Ryan. Finally! The second child never has things done as quickly as the first. Now I know what it was like for Dominic :)

Ryan keep on staying healthy, happy and strong! You are an amazing little guy with so much personality already. I promise to enjoy these last few weeks home with you to the fullest.

I ate some steak

Every night since Charlie was a baby I have sung "You are my Sunshine" to him. It is a song that I remember my parents singing to me all the time. In fact, when I first started singing it to Charlie, I could never get through the whole song because I would think of my dad singing it, and I would cry, especially during the second verse.

So, the other night, Charlie told me he wanted to sing it to me, and he did not want me to sing with him. If you heard my voice, you would not blame him for making this request. He began the song, and it was so good that my heart melted. Then he got to the second verse, and this is how it went (minus a few words)..."The other night, dear, while I lay sleeping. I dreamt I held you in mine arms. When I woke up, I ate some steak. Then I hung my head and cried." It took everything in me to not burst out laughing because he was so serious singing to me. So, he heard "I was mistaken" as "I ate some steak." And why not? And I guess that steak was not very good because it made him cry :) Once again, my heart melts when I think of him singing. Grandpa Charlie would have loved that version as well!

"I am still a Big Brother, Mommy"

This phrase comes out of Charlie's mouth any time he does something he is not supposed to do and gets in trouble. It makes me laugh. I mean, how do you respond to that? "Yes, you are still a big brother, but you are also still in trouble!" All in all he has been great with Ryan. He loves to hold him and kiss him, but he also likes to try to take Ryan's hand and have Ryan "hit himself."

Peter was in Montana recently, so it was me, the boys and my mom. We had a great time. I am so thankful that my mom was here to help, or else I might be insane. Charlie is constantly on the go, and Ryan is constantly wanting to eat. He is a little chunk! Charlie said, "Grandma, Ryan is chubby like an elephant." I like to say that I have super milk. At least he is only getting up once during the night.

I am doing well. It is nice to be able to get out and walk several times a week. Yesterday we went to Park City. I thought it would be MUCH cooler up there. Silly me...it was 80 degrees at 10 a.m. I guess I will just have to leave the house earlier :)

Happy five weeks, Ryan! You are a joy to have and to get to know. I love that you are now smiling and cooing. And Charlie, you will always be a wonderful big brother. It will be so great to see you two interact when Ryan gets a bit older.

Welcome to the World Baby Boy...We're so Happy You're Here!

Ryan Patrick Bland was born on June 22, 2010 at 2:35 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. What an amazing day! Just to re-cap the wonderful event...

Peter and I went into the hospital at 7 a.m. on the 22nd. At 8:30 a.m. I was given petocin to start the contractions (this was after starting a does of antibiotics for Group B Strep). At about 10:30 a.m. I received my epidural. at this point my blood pressure dropped significantly, which caused the fetal heart rate to drop. So then I was administered ephedrine. Yes, this is all very similar to what happened when Charlie was born. All seemed to be going pretty well. We got to the "it is time to push part" and push I did. Thank goodness for strong ab muscles! We had some complications, as Ryan's head came out but his shoulders seemed to be stuck. Not to mention that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his head and chest. At 2:35 p.m. he arrived, but the poor little guy was not breathing. The NICU staff was called in to resuscitate him. I was an emotional wreck...in fact, I tear up when I think about it. My heart felt like it might just break. Thank goodness for the NICU team. They were amazing and had him breathing in no time. Both of my boys liked to give me a big scare after being born.

Ryan is absolutely perfect! He has lots of dark brown hair and these big, beautiful eyes. I am not quite sure who he looks like at this point. All I know is that he is truly perfect. I always wondered if I could love another child as much as I love Charlie. It almost seemed like an impossible feat, but as my friend Heather said, "Your heart expands to this huge capacity." I know mine certainly has. One night in the hospital, Peter came by with Charlie. I was sitting there with all of my boys, and I thought to myself that I was the luckiest person on the face of the earth. I really do feel blessed.

One week left to go, and I am ready (sort of)!

I am 39 weeks today, and I am definitely ready on a mental, physical and emotional level. The little guy, however, seems to be quite cozy where he is, and how can you blame him? I went to Dr. Y this morning only to be told that I am still 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced…no changes from last week. Then I find out that Dr. Y is going to be out of town from June 16 until June 20. Really? He did not clear his vacation schedule with me! So, my hope is that the little guy makes his appearance this weekend, or he waits until my mom is home.

Charlie is certainly feeling the changes, but at least now he does not keep saying, “I am going to shove Baby Brother and push him down.” Now he tells me that he is going to teach Baby Brother how to play basketball and baseball, and he hopes that Baby Brother will not try to bite him. Once again…the mind of a two-year-old!

Think good thoughts for me. June 12 would be a great day for a birthday, right?