Mamoo

This is a post that has been on my mind for weeks. I have been trying to decide if I should even write it. I usually try to post about Wyatt and our family in an effort to keep track of all the wonders of childhood that I have been told are so fleeting and hard to hold on to. But this is a memorial post, which I have decided is just as important, since after a death only memories will keep our loved ones alive. I am hoping that I will find the energy to put up more memorial posts, so I can remember to share these memories with Wyatt, and any other children I might have.

Dancing at my wedding

Mamoo was my father's mother, and I am the sole reason she was stuck with the less-than-flattering name (the same as whale at SeaWorld). You see, as a small child I wanted to be just like my older cousin, Ashley, (older by nine whole months). She could pronouce "Mamooche" (the term I was told is Italian, although I have never really found any information on it) which we were going to call her. I, of course, tried my best, which came out as Mamoo. Somehow that stuck and all eight of us grandchildren called her that, no matter how hard she tried to find a new name to be called.

I will remember her best as an amazing cook and baker. Although I never really took much interst in learning how she cooked (I truly enjoyed eating her dinners!), I did take a real interest in her baking. She always made the best lemon sugar cookies (an Italian cookie I am told, although I don't know what they actually call them) and pizzelles. And at Christmas her kitchen, and basement, would transform into a chocolate factory (at least in my mind). As a kid I would love to help wrap up the chocolate mints and put the perfect peanut butter cups in their paper. The best part was eating the ones that didn't turn out so well. By the time I was a teenager I started to help with the sugar cookies and pizzelles. The sugar cookies are still difficult for me to master, but I guess that happens when there isn't really a recipe, just a technique... We would bake for hours while old, black and white movies played on the TV. Roman Holiday seemed to be one of her favorites, as it stands out the most in my memory.

Ashley, Mamoo and Me at my wedding

There are so many little memories over the years, many are hilarious and just can't be told here for the humor would get lost, but I am sure I will remember them as they have already been told numerous times. One of the best will always been when Ashley and I played tricks on her and Papa one April Fool's Day and messed up her morning coffee, yet she never noticed! She was always there for everyone, she loved like crazy.

I am hoping that I will be able to continue with her passion for baking at least. I would love to be remembered for making amazing cookies and chocolates, especially if they are the same ones I learned from her. So to you Mamoo, Angela DiDomenico (Nov. 16, 1925 - Aug. 5, 2010) I will try my best to make sure your legacy lives on in me and my family.

18 month checkup

I am happy to report that we made it to our 18th month visit without any major concerns! Still no ear infections or any infections that would need medicine!  I am super surprised since I was not the healthiest child ever. I was fully prepared to care for a sick child, especially once Wyatt got here 6 weeks early. But I guess that was not how this was supposed to go.

We got an overall great report. He is still on course at the 20th percentile for weight and head size, of course his height is still around the 50th percentile - I blame Patrick for this height thing. We were told his skills are developing beautifully, and got impressive remarks about how well he sits for story time, or any book reading session. I have to admit I am still impressed at how well he does with the shape toys we have, he can put the right shape in the corresponding hole on the 1st and 2nd time, and he starting to do as well with puzzles, if he can see the matching picture on the open space.

On the flip side, we are going to have to start really working on getting him to say actual, recognizable words. Although he is doing alright, he is not at the same level as his physical skills. So I guess we will try to talk more, which sounds funny to say, since I don't think we are very quiet family! Maybe that is the problem, Patrick and I talk too much and he doesn't even want to try to get a word in!

Blossom Concert

Wyatt went to Blossom for the first time to "get cultured" as Patrick put it. We went with our church small group to hear the Cleveland orchestra. They performed music from the '40s, and some that paid homage to the period. It ended up being a beautiful night, although extremely hot and fairly humid. It ended up being a great experience because many people had kids with them of all ages, which was nice because we didn't feel like we were causing problems with a one and half year-old who does not know how to be still for more than five minutes at a time. We ended up on the left side of the lawn, close to an open area that most of the kids used to play in until the sun completely set. Wyatt realized the open space I think before we even got him out of his stroller. He made a beeline for the space, but the huge hill caused him some problems. He went flying down it, of course I was trying my best to keep up while holding on to the back of his shirt in case he lost his balance and to keep from going to fast. I think overall throughout the whole night the two of us must have gone up and down that hill at least 6 times, who knows how many times he went up and down with Patrick.

Our small group - Thanks Ryan for the picture

In between my times of chasing Wyatt, I really enjoyed sitting with our group and listening to the music. It was great. Two other couples brought their kids, who both sat with their parents pretty much the whole time. I was a little jealous at their ability to sit as a family but then again Wyatt found flowers and picked one for me, so  I was the only mom with a beautiful flower souvenir.

We ended up staying until about 8:45, and only had to miss one song. So I was impressed at Wyatt's ability to stay that long. It was a great experience, we will have to try more next year. I guess it was also an appropriate way to cap off the summer.

First Concert

Mommy and Wyatt at Lock 3

I never thought I would actually take my 18 month old to a concert!  But I did. Of course it was a cover/tribute band, that played only so-so music from like the '50s, at Lock 3 in downtown Akron. And it was with my whole family.  But still it was a concert. And there was loud music. And fanatic fans. And lots of food and drink! So the main feel was there.

Tribute Band - don't remember their name...

We actually ate Wendy's at a picnic table by the canal and trail before the concert started. Wyatt truly enjoyed the freedom of being outside while we ate. It was difficult to eat and keep him away from the water of the canal. I mean there is no way I wanted to follow him into the canal! But anyway, after dinner we took all our chairs and blankets to Lock 3 and picked a great place to hangout for the actual performance.

Wyatt was more focused on exploring the whole area. We must have checked out each food booth twice. Wyatt also made friends with one of the policemen there and got a sticker. He carried that sticker proudly back to Patrick to show it off.

The oudoor stage

Unfortunately Wyatt only made it through the opening group and not the actual main group. He was just too tired and couldn't relax with all the people and noise going on. So we had to leave around 8:30. He was completely out by the time we got home.

Rocking Elephant...

Riding my elephant and barely able to
hold still long enough to get a picture

Sure everyone has a rocking horse right? (Well at least most kids... then again the lovely Bounce and spin Zebra is quite popular right now)  But I had a rocking elephant as a child - it looked like a circus elephant, a lot like Dumbo actually... and my parents actually kept it all these years. Recently my father found it and with the influence of my mother, it is not a new toy for W. He likes the bouncing toys at parks quite a bit but when he first had a chance at a rocking horse at GG Nancy's (great-grandma Nancy) he wasn't really all that into it. So my first thought when I saw my beloved rocking elephant was I hope he likes it enough to at least get a couple cute pictures. To my surprise he absolutely loved it!  He could climb up onto it without much help - most of the time. And he could really get that thing going. He would hope off after a couple of minutes of rocking and clap and clap. He would go find my parents dog and I guess, tell him about this great new toy. Of course the conversation between them was baby-talk and puppy kises, but still, it was great time had by all that is for sure. I guess not we will have to clean up this beloved toy because it appears a new generation has fallen under its spell.

Excitement for Fall and Winter

During spring and summer I was continually dreading the colder months of atuumn and the snowy days of winter, but in the last day or so I have decided that this fall will be a ton of fun.

I can't wait to figure out a halloween costume. I figure I will try to make it myself. Even if it isn't a big deal costume. I mean why spend a fortune on it if I don't have to. The biggest draw is going to a pumpkin patch to get pictures of W in his costume!  I am trying to decide where would be the best place to go, and for that matter when...  Then there is the excitement for Boo at the Zoo!  I remember taking kids years ago when I babysat and thought it was the best time ever. So I really hope it lives up to my expectations with my own son. He does love the zoo so it does look like we should have a great time.

And then yesterday during a trip to Target, I was looking at the winter coats for little boys with W and that changed my mind on the fun we could have in the snow. I mean who doesn't like to play in the snow? Of course I was never really a fan when I was younger - the feeling of your fingers and toes falling off from cold always seemed to keep me from enjoying the time before they froze! But W probably won't mind, since he loves being outside and at least my hate of being cold will keep us from playing too long outside.

So now that school (at least for those who are in school) has started, I guess my plans for the fall and winter are in full swing, and I'm excited!