What is this? OMG!!!!!

I know, I know, I know. And, I can probably keep saying that for a long time. So long that people that use to follow my blog will probably never see this post. But, oh well. At least I have updated it.

Here are some photos from the past YEAR! I am trying to get back into the routine now that Catherine is napping more regularly and I find that I might just have the time. Enjoy the pics.

My and the kids on Mother's Day snuggling in the bed. The best present ever.

My sweetest, cutest little girl. This was taken about a week ago. She is just too precious.

William got braces last week. He has what is called a crossbite. This is where is upper jaw is smaller then his lower jaw. Early braces is supposed to help with crowding issues and more braces down the road. We'll see about that because the pretty penny is flying to the orthodontist's office these days....and fast. But, William is VERY proud of his braces.

The boys wanted a photo of them snuggling with Scooby, aka Wonderdog.

And this was taken this morning when I decided to let Catherine feed herself her yogurt. I don't know what was more fun - feeding herself or putting it on like cold cream. She will have super soft skin though.

We welcome Catherine Kay Capozzoli

On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, Kevin and I welcomed our daughter, Catherine Kay Capozzoli, into our family. She was born at 3:05PM and weighed 8.0 lbs even and was 20 1/2 inches tall. Her middle name is in namesake for me and my mother, Tracy Kay and Tamara Kay.

From birth she had a strong cry, but did not cry alot. She has continued with this pattern and is the most calm and gentle baby. She only cries when getting her bottom changed or when having a bath. The boys are in love with their baby sister and can't get enough of her. They both want to hold her, kiss her and help out Mommy and Daddy with whatever Catherine needs. It is wonderful to see the pure love for her in their eyes.

We are all trying to settle into a routine at home knowing that this routine is driven strictly by Catherine. And we are very happy to oblige all of her needs. Here are some photos of Catherine from the past few days. Enjoy looking at her because she just gets cuter and cuter everyday.

The proud big brother....so excited to hold his baby sister.

Paulie...the little, big brother....holding Catherine. Sometimes he gets so excited holding her we have to have him take a break. He is too cute!

Gaga holding Catherine. She resembles William in the face and Paul in the profile.

Mommy with her daughter.

Paulie holding Catherine...again. This time he was a little bit more calm.

William with Catherine. He is expression of pure love is priceless.

So excited to be with his sister.

Catherine looking beautiful and girly in her pink outfit. Too precious.

Her going home outfit.

Driving home.

My three sweet and precious babies. Our clan is now complete!!!

Some beautiful flowers for Mommy, Daddy and Catherine from Gaga, Papa and the boys. The colors are so vivid I had to take a picture of them.

A sweet moment between brother and sister that I was so lucky to catch. A precious moment.

Catherine modeling her yellow bow that William picked out for her to wear today.

William's broken elbow, an update

We went to see the orthopedic surgeon today for William's check-up. He had another x-ray and the doctor felt that the humorous bone was healing so well it was safe/stable enough to move into a hard cast. I must say I was thrilled with this news. This past weekend was difficult keeping trying to keep William from being too active and reinjurying his elbow. Sometimes he seems to get the seriousness of it and other times I wonder if he was ever born with a brain. The doctor asked what color he wanted and he said blue. Then when the nurse went to get the supplies he said he really wanted yellow, but that he would save that color for next time. What?!?!??!? I quickly told him that there would be no next time and that we needed to focus on getting through THIS time. Here are some pictures of William and his shiny new, blue cast and a video he wanted to do for Dad. He is thrilled with it and can't wait to show it off tomorrow at school, especially to Monica. She fell and broke her wrist right after William broke his elbow. They now sit next to each other, spend recess together, and pretty much just go were the other one goes because of their boo boos. At least William is not alone in this experience.

William the terrible and Paul the new scoccer king

These photos of William say it all......I don't think I need to add a caption or description.

And Paul during his most recent scoccer practice session. I think he had more fun hanging out on the sidelines rather than playing from what Gaga and Papa said. One day he'll get out there...one day.

William's broken elbow, an update

We were finally able to get into the orthopedic surgeon's office last week. Since William's break is in his Humorous bone, the doctor was not ready to put titanium rods in because they would go through the growth plates. The other two bones that make up the forearm are a bit off angle. They are supposed to be at a 15 degree angle and William's got pushed back to a 10 degree or so angle. So the doctor was not ready to move him from the temporary splint into a hard cast because it might cause the bones to move more. Course of treatment was determined to be weekly x-rays to monitor the healing progress and if he needs to move to a hard cast in a few weeks his bones will be more stable. The doctor is trying to avoid surgery.....and I agree. So far, William has adjusted really well to life with one arm. It is amazing to see him still try to do all the boy things he use to do. He has slowed down a bit.....but not very much. Typical six-year old boy.

A rite of passage.....

Our house has experienced its first rite of passage in raising boys.....our first broken bone. William fell yesterday afternoon and broke his left elbow. We had a great morning and then things just went down hill after the fall. Yesterday was our VTC with Daddy and the boys and I loved every minute of our special conference time with Dad. Little did Dad know that the day would take its turn. When we got home, Gaga was busy working on the front yard plantings. I decided to set up this new kiddie pool I purchased for the boys. Instead of inflatable sides it has a plastic side that stands upright when filled with water. Simple, right. Well, William jumps in the pool and goes to jump out and gets his feet tangled in the siding and happens to land just right on his elbow that it breaks. After assessing it and a call to the on-call doctor, we are off to the ER. Sometime later we are home with some pain meds and a new clothing accessory for William. Monday we visit the orthopedic surgeon to determine if a cast is sufficient to heal the break or if he will need surgery. William spent the rest of the afternoon lounging and trying to avoid the brute named as Paul. Paul just doesn't understand why his brother can't run and play with him and often tries to get William going, but instead ends up hitting him in his broken elbow. You have to love sibling love....it is the greatest!

Daddy did call last night before bedtime and William was so excited and happy to talk to Dad about his broken bone. They shared broken bone stories and William felt much better. Sometimes a call from Dad is the right medicine and just what is needed.

Now William is adjusting to the idea of life without soccer, wrestling, baseball, THE Wii!!!!!, swimming, bike riding, etc. It is starting to settle in and he seems to be okay. We'll see how it goes. Good thing is, if he does a cast it will come off right when his sister is due to make her appearance and summer begins. Great timing!!!!!

Recipe blog

I think I have posted about how my friend, Mandy, and I are doing a recipe blog. You can find a link for it on the left side of the blog....it is A Taste Of My Home To Yours. So anyway, I just updated it with a childhood family favorite and the story behind my need for this recipe. Success has occurred once again and I am thankful for it....and more for the silence at the dinner table!!

Look who is a big boy!!!!!

Today is Paul's first day of preschool. He will be attending Sandhills Classical Christian Preschool two days a week. This morning went so smooth even I was surprised. Both boys got up and get ready. Only Paul ate breakfast, but that is typical of William some days. They talked about Paul going to school and then it was time to leave. Paul was so excited to wear his new backpack from Aunt Kelly and Uncle Tye.

Mom took pictures of the big boy before we got to the classroom. He was excited to meet his teacher and see Ms. Leah, his speech therapist. When we got inside, he became a bit shy but quickly overcame that once Ms. Leah arrived and went inside the classroom to play with him. I am so proud of my littlest man. Off to school....and I am off to quiet mornings two days a week....until baby number 3 arrives.

Playing with the kitchen at school.

My morning conversation

William and I often talk while I drive him to Kindergarten. The topics vary....it really depends on what is going on in his mind. Here is today's conversation:

William: Mom, did you know that Ms. McCrimmon drives on this road.

Me: No, William I did not know that. She drives this road on the bus.

William: Yeah. Ms. McCrimmon was not there on Friday. She got married. We had a different bus driver. He pulled the bus over because everyone was too loud.

Me: Oh, Ms. McCrimmon got married? Is she going to change her name?

William: No, she is just Ms. McCrimmon, Mom!

Me: Oh, I didn't know that. So she is just going to be Ms. McCrimmon.

William: Mom, did you know that when you get married you get a baby.

Me: No, I did not realize that. So, when you get married you get a baby.

William: Yeah, you get a baby.

Me: So, is Ms. McCrimmon going to have a baby?

William: I don't know, maybe. If her tummy gets bigger and bigger and bigger than maybe a baby will come out.

Me: Oh, I see. That is how it works.

William: Yeah.

Interesting......he is getting the concept of marriage equals children. What about the concept of children before/without marriage? I guess that conversation will come later.

This is serious business....raising boys

My best friend, Adrienne, has two boys - Aidan, 3 years, and Keegan, 14 months (almost). Her boys are like mine....active, energetic, full of life, strong-willed, lovable and sweet. We have had great fun getting the boys together.....and she has served as my life-line in all areas of my life for close to 20 years. The other day she called and told me about an article she read in the Chicago Magazine, Boy Trouble and the conversation has been replaying in my mind over and over and over. We talked about the educational, societal and emotional crisis that boys may be experiencing. I have been familiar with these thoughts/theories and some of the movements/studies/books that are addressing these concerns. Through my readings of The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism Is Harming Our Young Men by Christina Hoff Sommers and Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boys by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson, as well as the Raising Cain PBS special, I am aware of the concerns and do worry about my own boys as they grow to become men. These books do address valid concerns and may be resources that could provide assistance to parents, and myself, in raising our boys. I plan on purchasing the most current book, The Trouble With Boys by Peg Tyre, which is due out in September and will be rereading my other two. Hopefully these books will help me become a more aware parent for both my boys. I always remember my good friend, Tamara Smiley, telling me when I found out that William was going to be a boy that I needed to buy Raising Cain. She wished she had read it sooner because it would have helped her tremendously in raising her son, Miles....he was five at the time and a great kid. That comment has always stuck with me...and I did go out and immediately purchase the book...William was not even born.

Oh and if you want....if any of you have boys.....you can rent the Raising Cain special through Netflix....it was great!

It is worth the read!

Ever since my pregnancy with William I have read books on various topics to gain a better perspective and to self-educate. Most of my friends have done the same. If you were to scan the bookshelf, the books range from pregnancy to birthing methods to sleeping concerns and finally, to discipline methods. The last topic has been of interest in our household since William turned 3 and became more strong-willed as he matured into a boy. I have several books on the topic and have read and re-read them. One book gave me some good insight, but it did not really teach principles or techniques.....it just discussed the difficulties and rewards in raising strong-willed children. And, it normalized my feelings especially regarding parents who don't have strong-willed children and their difficulties in relating to our struggles. A friend of mine here has a strong-willed and energetic 6 year old boy. He is very sweet, extremely intelligent, curious and lots of fun. As a strong-willed child, he, like William tests boundaries, questions and needs to be refocused on a regular basis. His mother noticed a pattern in him when her husband would deploy (which has been VERY regular) and decided to see the staff psychologist.....one of the perks of this unit.....we can see a psychologist, social worker, counselor at any moment for any concern we may be experiencing. It is nice to know support is immediately granted and easily accessible. But enough of that aside.....back to my story. The psychologist recommended the following book:

This book is excellent! I highly recommend it to anyone raising a strong-willed child. It is very enlightening and provides great techniques and methods for how to provide positive discipline, guidance and motivation for parents. It took my back to my graduate school days of family counseling, child counseling, community counseling and social work courses. I realized that I have always had the knowledge and have been doing several of the techniques....I just needed to tweak some things and revisit some other topics. My game plan has always been solid....but improvement is something that we can all work on and strive for better results. Kevin agrees and has skimmed the book (work does keep him quite busy). I have noticed HUGE.....I MEAN TREMENDOUS....results in William. And, I see him beginning to change for me but still push hard with Daddy, which is normal. So if you are struggling with your kids and wondering if there is a better way, please consider this book (a review of the book). It is the best thing I have found and I have read several books. You can also find the book on the left side of my blog, in the section "On my nightstand. What I am currently trying to reading".

Please let me know your thoughts and comments if you have read this book or plan on reading it.

It just wouldn't be the first day of school if SOMETHING did not go wrong......

And it did. William's bus driver got lost dropping him off. I am assuming that he will be the last student dropped off everyday because he was today. School gets out at 2:45PM and I was expecting him home around 3:20-3:30PM, give or take 10 to 15 minutes because Ms. McCrimmon is new to this route and it is the first day back. There are always kinks to work out. Well, at 4:00PM and no bus in sight I called the school. They assured me all was fine and that they were just running late....about 30 minutes late. At 4:15PM the bus arrived and Ms. McCrimmon felt really bad....they had gotten lost. William seemed a bit shell-shocked but said bye. Since we don't live in a neighborhood, the bus stop is our driveway. Oh, and the funny part is that Ms. McCrimmon is also one of William's teachers (he has two in Kindergarten). She felt really bad because he is also her student. Here is our conversation walking to the front door:


Me: Hey buddy! How was school? It is so great to have you home.

William: A bit sullen and with a shocked look on his face....School was OK. The bus ride was terrible. Just terrible.

Me: Why was the bus ride terrible? Did you not like it?

William: Ms. McCrimmon was really lost. We were really far away from my house....like a hundred hour miles. I kept telling her my address...I live at 1969 Airport Road. She just got lost.

Me: Oh, I see. I am glad you are home, buddy. I am sure Ms. McCrimmon knows our house now.

William: Yeah, but the bus ride was terrible.

Oh, and he did have a GREAT first day. He made several friends and I do think he does like Ms. McCrimmon. So it ended on a good note.

Today is the BIG day!

Amazing how four years have gone by. I knew this day would come....every parent knows this day will arrive. I am just AMAZED at how fast it came! My first born has started Kindergarten! It was a big morning in our household! Daddy had a late work call, so he was able to enjoy in this momentous event.

William, surprisingly, awoke quickly and in good spirits. He nibbled at breakfast, but had no problems getting into gear and getting ready for school. We left for school on schedule. On the way into school (Mommy walked William to his room while Daddy stayed with Paulie in the van), William told me he was scared. I reassured him that it was OK to be scared and that was normal. I then told him he was going to have so much fun that when he came home to tell me all about school he would forget about being scared. He seemed OK and we walked on. We arrived at his classroom and a few classmates were there. William went and played with some blocks while I waited to speak with Ms. Reilly. I then went to say goodbye and gave him a big hug to which he replied "By Mom!" Happy and content to stay at school. Daddy met us outside the classroom, peered in and stole one last look at William. He was already making friends and looking at books on the play rug. A perfect send off! We documented the first day....as all parents do. Enjoy the pictures.

With Daddy.....Paulie smiling in the background.

Mommy and her big boy!

William in his classroom....posing no less....amazing what a year brings.

I captured the moment - and the great attitude - and stole a second picture.

Big changes in just one year. This is William's first day last year....he did not want his picture taken. He is growing up!

They're back......and I don't mean poltergist

I mean the Capozzoli House Rules.



Yup, they have made their way back onto the wall. We had them hanging in the kitchen at our home in Florida and I thought maybe we would not need to put them up in North Carolina. Well, it just makes sense to see them....helps with the consistency for EVERYONE. The rules have changed a bit to reflect the growing and maturation that has occurred....forward progress. And then there are some new rules to reflect the new stages that come along with that forward progress. Always changing, always fun. And everyone can work on improving something (even Mommy and Daddy).



Here are our new rules:



The Capozzoli House Rules:

1. Be respectful of others


2. Do as you are told - complete your chores


3. No back talking


4. No yelling or screaming

5. No naughty words

6. No hitting, pushing, shoving, throwing

7. Be a good listener - follow directions and house rules

8. Do not dawdle

9. No whining

10. Control your emotions


I posted the rules at nighttime and when William awoke the next morning, he instantly noticed them. We decided to wait till after breakfast to review them......most know that William is "not a morning guy" (and I quote from him). I wanted him to be refreshed and awake when we discussed the rules. He said he understood them and also that if he broke them he would be going into timeout. He then felt we needed to add the following rules to the list:

1. No rough house in the bathtub or Paulie could get hurt or drown. (That is true)

2. No coloring on objects. You can color on the color table, paper or the easel.

Good to see he gets the concept and is adding his own....feels like he is contributing to the greater good and the family. Or, this is just what I am telling myself. We'll see.

I can't believe it....already

Tonight is Back to School Night. William is going to see his Kindergarten classroom and meet his teacher, Mrs. Reilly. I can't believe that five years have passed and it is time for him to begin school!?!? I do wonder where the time went and how we have all grown and changed as a family. During the past five years we have moved three times and added baby brother Paul. I am ready for William to start school. Meeting other boys his age and building friendships will help him tremendously. But here is a quick look at the past five years of my first born, my first baby boy love, my first baby.

William at three months of age....December 2003.....big boy.

William at one year of age.....September 2004. Looks the same, still chunky.

William at two years of age...December 2005....still chunky, but getting taller.

William at three years of age....October 2006....just getting taller.

William at four years of age.....finally loosing the baby boy looks.

William today....still four....almost five....still have chubby cheeks, but that is it!