Carlesimo Happenings

2007-09-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry, no pictures this post. I just thought I would write a bit about the TERRIBLE TWO'S. Enzo seemed to enter this stage about 2 months prior to turning two, and now at 25 months, he is fully classified as a terrible two year old.

Many changes have been taking place very quickly that could be contributing to the drastic change in mood from a sweet little boy to a tyrant! First, I started back to school early September, so now Enzo has someone watching him everyday, vs. 3 times a week. He learned how to crawl out of his crib, so he has moved up into a "big boy" bed. Nighttime has changed from a quickly book read and sleep by 9:30 pm to 10 books, music, and mulitple visits to remind Enzo to lay down and sleep by 11:00 pm! Not fun. Another change is the molars are starting to break through. And lastly, at daycare, he moved into a new room with new kids and a new teacher. He knows the freeway exit off of i-96 that leads to school and starts to through a fit when we exit. Not fun either. The temper tantrums are furious and long lasting. Time outs have been utilized frequently.

But on the plus side of Enzo turning two, he loves to look at books, and now actually allows me to read to him. Currently his favorite book is GOODNIGHT MOON, THE VERY QUIET CRICKET, and a book about zoo animals that Enzo entitles the "Peacock Book". He is an expert memorizer - he knows what cars my friends drive and frequently points them out on the freeway while we are driving. He knows Rachel McMurtrie's Jeep Commander and both grandparents cars especially well. It is amazing. The color of the car doesn't matter, he knows that make! Crazy.

I often wonder what he is going to get into when he gets older. So far he hasn't fixated on anything specifically. He isn't into one kind of toy or drawing, colors, or blocks. He plays with them but fast and infrequently. He more enjoys real life stuff to play with like drills, lawn mowers, screws, and pretending to drive the car (his ultimate favorite). I definitely think that he will play sports, he loves the outdoors more than anything else. But past that - who knows.

2007-08-20T18:51:00.001-07:00

We are up north at Paradise Lake AKA Lake Cuhran. I took the vacation with out Dante. We couldn't afford Dante to not work, so now I am sort of on my own with Enzo. That is lots of work! He is fully immersed in his terrible twos. Lots of temper tantrums. It is amazing that he so badly wants to be doing stuff on his own, but he has no idea what he really wants. Here is is I guess I am not really having a vacation at all. Enzo keeps me running and on my toes at all times. The only time I get a brake is when he sleeps. That is if he sleeps! But we are having a great time nontheless. He has spent most of his time playing on the jungle gym like he is here. The rest of his time, he is getting dirty, like smashing apples like Natalie taught him, digging in the dirt, going in the water with his clothes on, making sand angles, and all other kinds of boy stuff. More to come later on in the trip!

2007-06-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

SUMMER TIME FUN

We kicked off the summer with our annual trip to Virginia Beach. What a fun time we had (excluding the plane ride). This year we booked a straight flight and I thought for sure it would be a better trip than last year. Boy, was I sorely mistaken. Enzo is a very busy, determined, and strong little boy. So, when he wants to go somewhere it is very hard to change his mind or contain him for that matter. So, you can imagine what keeping him in a seat for a 2 hour flight must have been like. Yeah - not fun!!

But the painful flight was worth it in the end, Virginia Beach was loads of fun and the weather was just perfect. We arrived on Tuesday afternoon and checked in to Fort Henry Anne - the bungalows. After quickly unloading the monstrosity that we had to rent to fit all the crap we had to tote for Enzo (blame it all on the kid), we walked to the end of the road to check out the ocean. The dolphins were porpoising and Enzo loved to watch all the boats going by. We were lucky enough in this photo to see the Dwight D. Eisenhower coming into to port. That was a big ta-do with 3 helicopters circling over head.

We went out to eat at some great restaurants, too bad I could barely enjoy myself, because again! Enzo was all over the place.

We went to the Virginia Zoo on Wednesday while Patsy was at her conference and Michael and Dante went Golfing. That was a lot of fun. Enzo's favorite part was playing in the water fountains at the entrance. He could care less about the animals. As for the zoo, it was a nice small zoo just outside of downtown Norfolk.

We took a trip back to the aquarium that day too before. The Virginia Beach Aquarium is very cool! They have ton of stuff to do for little kids along with a lot of hands on things that Enzo really enjoyed.

Enzo loved the ocean. The waves rushing in and then going back out to see was a fun optical illusions that made Enzo squeal with delight. If you didn't hold on to him, the movement of the waves, made him fall forward and in this picture, we had to strip him clean of his clothes and diaper because he fell and got all sandy. I was scared, but I think Enzo was laughing the whole time.

We cannot wait to go back again next year. I think we are going to drive this time!

2007-05-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Enzo has loved music since he could move. He now can operate his own headphones and my iPod. He seems to enjoy anything that has a good beat to it, especially reggea and Michael Jackson from the early 80's. He dances whenever there is music - anywhere anytime (to commercials, Martha Stewart's Theme Song, a cell phone ringing - it doesn't matter)! His most recent display of talent was at Mercy's Freshman Fiesta. He was found dancing to Gwen Stephani at the top of the bleachers for all the incoming Mercy Freshman. He also had fun dancing in the middle of the isle during communion at Christ the King Easter Sunday. Take me to the water really seemed to move him.

Here he is catchin' some rhythm at the Carlesimo's on Easter Sunday. He must not have gotten all his energy out at Church.

He loves other kids. Here is is playing with Emma McMurtrie. They are having a lot of fun together as you can see. Emma copied every move Enzo made. If he fell, so did she. If he coughed, she followed shortly after. Watching them interact was a lot of fun.

A couple of weeks ago we went on a family trip to Carl's Golfland. Dante wanted to look for a driver, so while he looked around, Enzo and I found a little club to play with. Dante didn't find a driver that day, he did spend 30 minutes looking while Enzo got very attached to the kids golf club. When it was time to leave the store, Enzo had a temper tantrum because I took the club away. Dante went to pay for the golfbag he found and shortly after met us outside where I was calming the monster down with his very first club. Carl's Golfland staff gave us the club at no charge - I guess they thought of it as an investment.

So we have been practicing our golf swing. "Good Shot" Enzo says everytime he swings the club. Watch out Tiger!

2006-12-11T09:27:00.000-08:00

Long Awaited Updates!

Sorry for the long delay in updates, but life is crazy - or I am just lazy. I haven't quite figured it out just yet.

Enzo turned one and started walking on his own full time just around his birthday party! Finally! He had a great birthday party decorated with the Cars theme. The weather held out for the most part. We did have a sudden sideways rain blow through for part of the day, but we luckily had a nice tent that I got from Ebay that kept everyone relatively dry.

Not long after the birthday party we seemed to have Halloween knocking on our back door! So I hurried out to Party City to find a costume for the little man. I thought dressing Enzo up as a Devil was fitting. We didn't have a party to go to this year. I think all of our friends were just a bit burnt out. So, Enzo enjoyed a humble Halloween. We got dressed up on the 30th to go grocery shopping and passed out candy to the tricker-treaters of the neighborhood. I have a feeling that the Devil costume will make a reappearance next year.

Next comes Thanksgiving! Enzo's hair is quickly turning into a full fledged mullet about this time. Here he is laughing with Dante at my parents house. We came over Thanksgiving morning to pick him up after he had a sleepover at Grandma snd Grandpa's. We finally got out to an adult party that night.

This year Thanksgiving was spent in the "North Country" at the Carlesimo house. The day flew by very quickly. We had to leave early to get home so that Dante and I could both go to work the next day. YUCK!

Oh- I almost forgot to mention that we almost missed Adam completely! He came home to sleep away the vacation. Luckily I did get a sighting at the Mercy Marketplace! He was nice enough to come visit and get his picture taken on Santa's lap.

As I mentioned earlier, Enzo has been in desparate need of a hair cut for at least the past month. Dante has been weary about letting that happen, but after I threatened to put barrettes in his hair to keep his bangs out of his eyes, Dante finally let me take him to get a trim.

WHAT AN AMAZING TRANSFORMATION.
Enzo walked in a little baby and came out a little boy!

2006-09-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

ENZO IS ONE!! Well in 1 day.

Here are some recent pictures from our vacation up north in August.

So here are the most lastest updates on our fantastic son.

He has a vocabulary of 5 words:
1. Hi
2. Daddy
3. Doggie
4. Kitty
5. Cookie

He also says "What's That?" all the time, and today for the first time, he put two words together, talking into my cell phone on the kitchen floor, "Hi Daddy". You know what is important in life. Can you believe that he is only one and already knows the concept of cell phones. That is scarey.

We just celebrated our friend Abby's first birthday. She had a pool party with a moonwalk that Enzo, as well as most of the other children, enjoyed immensely. He is not walking yet. He very much enjoys crawling and I believes sees walking as a hinderance to his mobility, at least for now.

He also is proficient in stacking a wooden block toy that we bought him up north with the intention that he would just bang the blocks together for a few months and that would make him happy, but much to our surprise, he learned how to put the blocks on the stick. Not in the order of size or anything, but he actually spent over an hour day after day learning how to do this sophisticated task. Yes, my son is a genius. I know all parents believe this, but I am sure of it.

2006-07-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL IS IN TOWN FROM COSTA RICA!!

Michael came to the D to visit the end of June/the first week of July. We snuck in a couple of visits during his busy break back to the US. Enzo got reacquainted with his long, lost uncle during the couple of days playing outside, crawling on the couch, and digging in the dirt.
Here we all are taking advantage of the self-timer on our digital camera to be sure that we get a group shot. I like to call this one . . . The Men In My Life.

Here Enzo is waving hello, and occassionally sneaking in a grab.

2006-05-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

Virginia Beach
Memorial Weekend 2006

The Carlesimo Family boarded Southwest Airlines on Tuesday, May 23 at 4:10 pm headed for Virginia Beach. This was Enzo's first real vacation and first trip in an airplane! Our plane left from Detroit and was headed to Chicago's Midway Airport. There we had to endure a 3 hour layover. Not great planning on my part. But all went well for the first half of the trip. We utilized the time we had in Chicago to eat, change clothes and diapers, and stroll around to check out the scenerey. The second half of the flight was a little bit more difficult. Enzo is not one to cuddle, let alone fall asleep in your arms. Unfortunately this was necessary for the 2 hour flight from Chicago to Norfolk. He struggled for the first hour of the flight, but eventually succumbed to a blissful sleep for the remainder of the flight, the landing, the transfer to the stroller, to the carseat, and finally to the pack-n-play for a good nights sleep until 6:30 am the following morning.

We woke up and went out for an adventure on the beach. Enzo has been in a pool, but never has seen the ocean before. This was a very big deal. For the beginning of the walk, he remained in his carrier - having a grand old time. Then after a while, I thought it would be a good idea to get his feet wet. He quickly let me know that the ocean was a little too big and a little too scarey for a little man like himself.

The rest of the vacation was great. Dante, Enzo and I went exploring to the Virginia Aquarium on our first day while Aunt Patsy was enduring an educators conference. We met up for dinner at Bubba's! Enzo slept while we feasted on crab and more crab!

We spent time playing in the sand, making sure to stay at a safe distance from the waves. Here Enzo is hanging out in a rented cabanna while we wait for Dante to return from a run to the airport where he picked up Tiffany, Miles, and Madeline. Enzo loved playing in the sand, sifting through it looking for fun things like sticks and shells.

We went swimming in the pool. Enzo loves haning on to the edge of the pool and jumping from the side while I sing - Humpty Dumpty.

Fun times were had by all. The vacation ended on Sunday, but before we had to say goodbye, we all met at Rockefellers for a wonderful dinner. All of us had a great time and look forward to visiting Virginia Beach again next Memorial Weekend!

2006-05-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Instead of walking a mile to the park, I went to Target and bought Enzo a swing. He absolutely loves it! I had to take an action shot - his whispy hair flying in the wind is just too funny for words. Too bad I cannot post a video becuase the squeeling, or should I say squawking, that takes place when you push him is incredible. He sounds like a parrot. Specifically a Macaw! So here he is one afternoon swinging in pure delight. He could be in the swing for hours squawking away and the neigbors would proably think that we were playing with a new pet parrot.

Be sure to check back in the next week or so, there will be a swimming class picture. We go on Tuesday's and today at 11 am Dante will be with us in class documenting the whole thing with a digital camera and video camera. I know - we are nerdy parents!

I thought that I should also mention that since my last post about Enzo's crawling, he now, just one week later, is a machine! Fast as can be! Pulling himself up on everything! And now, transferring from one piece of furniture to the next. We now are frantically baby-proofing the house. Having a crawling baby is hard work, but I am loving every minute of it.

2006-05-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well it is official. He is crawling! He took off for the trek across the family room floor the morning of our anniversary - I think Enzo figured he would pick a day that his parents could easily remember. So now the fun really begins. He is going to get into everything! We need to hussel and get this house baby proofed! Dante found him this afternoon playing in the track of the door wall and freaked out because he thought that he was chocking on a pine needle that he found in said door track. Luckily that was not the case! Not only is the little man crawling, but he has two bottom teeth popping through making for unpredicable behaviors. Napping is the most noteable. I have learned very early on that it is essential that your child nap during the day. If they choose to not nap the day will quickly go to hell and fast! There is something crutial to even just 30 quiet minutes by yourself that is so refreshing!

2006-05-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

Well, we have come a long way since he was just a few weeks old. He no longer takes baths calmly in the sink - well that didn't really last that long anyway. Enzo only fit in the sink until he was 5 weeks old, then he quickly graduated to the bathtub. There was only a brief period in which Enzo did not like baths. Currently, you cannot get him out of the bath without too much of a fight.

No longer does Enzo lay down when bathing. He has a handy bath seat that keeps him propped up and ready to play with any toy that floats his way. He loves the battery operated rainbow trout that I bought for Dante (pre Enzo) when he was building his salt water fish tank. There was a long period of time that there was nothing in the tank except for "curing" water, so I bought some fish to put in in temporarily. Needless-to-say they were not Daddy's toys for long. Here Enzo has caught the trout and is getting him in position to eat his flapping tail. So funny to watch! We have it on video, you should see it sometime.

2006-05-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

Enzo recently had a play date with some of his friends. Here he is playing catch with Abigail. Abigail wasn't feelin' catch at all, she was more interested in eating the ball.
After the ball game was over the mom's enjoyed bagels and coffee. Abigail, Stephanie and Patrick's baby, is 3 days older than Enzo. She, as the older woman, spent the morning teaching Enzo a thing or two about crawling. She was showing him the ropes on how you get from a sitting position to the all fours position and then back again. Enzo was taking copious notes! Meanwhile Emma, Rachel and Dave's baby, who is 15 months old, was running all over the house with her squeeky shoes (they sounded like a dog squeeky toy-it was driving my dog abby nuts). Emma was most interested in watching the dogs and cats. Lanston, our black cat, was very intersted in her as well. He jumped on to her lap for pets, but quickly learned that babies are the humans to go to for cuddles.

Life is very interesting these days. All of our friends use to get together and party. Now we get together and stare at our babies playing together. Watching how they are learing to socialize. Trying to predict what their future holds. Will they be friends in 5 years - in 20 years? Like their parents? Only time will be able to answer those questions.

2006-04-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

The end of Easter Vacation is close at hand. Enzo had a wonderful week hanging out with his mommy full time. Today, Saturday, we went to Eastern Market for the second weekend in a row. Enzo enjoyed checking out all the people and strange things you can find downtown. He especially like this weird couple that I met while I was purchasing a clematis vine. I told the couple he was also for sale - only$10 (same as the clematis), but they said $10 was WAY too expsensive. Ha! Ha!

Enzo is still not crawling, but everyday he is making strides to acheive this goal. I cannot decide if I am excited or sad about him getting to the crawling stage yet. I predict that in the next month he will have some teeth - he is eating everything that is in his reach. His current favorite munchy is a rubber, bendable bunny that his Aunt Carina bought for him.

Tonight he spends the night at Grandma & Grandpa Porth's house (hopefully he will behave) while Dante and I go out to celebrate Dave McMurtrie's 31st Birthday. Then tomorrow we take a trip to the Kresge Eye Institute with Grandpa to get his left eye checked. Some sort of scratch/infection is afflicting Grandpa that is making him look like one eyed willy and rendering him unable to drive.

2006-04-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

To all my friends and family that live far away - I have created this blog to keep you up to date on the latest fun stuff that is happening at the Carlesimo Household. Enzo is now 71/2 months old. Here he is enjoying the bubble making machine his Aunt Patsy bought for him this Easter. Enzo had a great Easter and so did we. Look for more information on the milestones that will be occurring in Enzo's life. Soon to be crawling.