[[ Dear Dominick ]]

 

 

Dear Dominick,

 

I cannot even begin to wrap my head around the fact that you are a big THREE year old now. Time is flying and I wish I could slow it right down. I thought that the transformation from ONE to TWO was big but TWO to THREE was more than I expected.

 

You had had to do a lot of growing in the last year. It was your first real year as a big brother to Aidan. You've had to learn nice touches, sharing, quite voice, rest time & so much more. Of course you would have learned these lessons anyway but we go to practice these lessons with a little brother.

 

 

You are becoming so independent! You've recently become potty trained, you feed yourself, you dress yourself & you even help mommy change laundry. You like to do things on your own and it amazes me everyday how much you really have learned from watching.

 

You are so very smart, you made mommy cry at the dinner table one night as you counted to 10 all by yourself completely unprompted. If only you would practice your alphabets ;) I love our conversations, especially in the car when your telling me about your day or why the sky is blue. The world through your eyes is truly a wonderful place.

 

You started hockey this year, daddy & I thought you needed a winter activity for all your energy and we made the right decision :) at first you were a little hesitant and only wanted to sit on the ice or be out there for 15 of the 55 minute practice. Recently you have started skating all by yourself which I find so impressive every time you do.  You really do enjoy it and ask me everyday if we are going to hockey.

 

 

You are a great big brother and are very in tune to what Aidan is feeling. I melt into a puddle when Aidan cries and you run right over to him and give him a big hug and tell him "your okay hunny" But that's not to say you aren't mean to him sometimes when you think no one is looking. Not to worry though, Aidan is a big boy & stands his own very well.

 

You are caring, kind, compassionate, adventurous & all boy. You test limits I didn't know I had and constantly have me at a loss. We are learning together sweet boy & I think we are doing okay! You make me so happy & I am so proud of you everyday. I couldn't be more blessed that God picked me to be your mommy. You made me a momma sweet boy & I will forever be thankful for you <3

 

Here's to another year of growing & learning!

 

I love you forever & ever!

xoxo Mommy

 

 



[ Thanksgiving && Black Friday ]

 

 

Happy Friday friends!

 

Hope ya'll had a great Thanksgiving with your families! I sure did!

 

Hard to believe that it has come and gone already, the end of the year is quickly approaching!

 

We had a low key morning & watched the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. Dominick LOVED it this year!

 

 

 

Later on in the day we headed over to my families house for dinner. It was great, wish Stephanie could have been there but she actually called on her lunch break during dinner so it was the next best thing.

 

This time last year was a pretty scary time for my family. My Nana had another heart attack and was not home for Thanksgiving. First the time in my entire life I didn't celebrate the holiday with her. She had a triple bypass and due to some complications post-op remained in the cardiac ICU until January. Aidan was still a new baby so I hadn't been able to get to the hospital to see her as often as I wanted to either. So glad that a year later she is in much better health and was able to be there with us this Thanksgiving. Something I will forever be thankful for.

 

After dinner we watched a movie, took naps & played a little yahtzee. Then it was time for pie, turkey sandwiches and more chicken soup!

 

 

Before I knew it the day was done & we were popping the little's in bed for the night. My sisters had agreed to come over & hang out while the boys slept so Gio and I could get some "Black Friday" shopping done.

 

3 store & 2 hours later...we were done!!

 

Santa did good this year! There was only one thing on the list we didn't get because they were out. I can gladly say with the exception of stocking stuffers Dominick is done and Aidan is half way there. The older they get the more fun it is to pick toys!

 

Today we took the boys to get our first REAL Christmas tree! (since they have been alive anyways) It was a chilly 23 degrees and breezy so we made it quick but we got the perfect tree!

 

 

 

I couldn't help but laugh when we got there because there was this little cozy coupe with a baby tree waiting outside the barn. Dominick thought it was all for him as he told us the WHOLE way there he was getting a baby tree!

 



 

 

The tree is lit and once the branches continue to drop tonight it will be all set for the boys to decorate tomorrow! Dominick was so happy to help daddy pick the tree, trim it & put the lights up. He really is turning into such a little man! :)

 

 

Now its off to finish prepping for Dominick's 3rd birthday tomorrow!! SERIOUSLY HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??!!!

 

Until next time friends!

xo Jessica 



Not enough hours in the day....

 

 

Is exactly how I find myself feeling lately! I feel like every moment of every day there is something that needs to be done.

 

I very much miss "lazy summer days" where we spent all day in the back yard hanging out enjoying the weather.

 

Dominick just finished learn to skate so that frees about an hour on Saturdays, haha.

 

No matter what time we get up in the morning I ALWAYS feel we are running a marathon to get out the door and frankly we never do in a timely fashion.

 

Then when the work day is over, same thing running a marathon to squeeze everything in! I know this is such a blessed time in our lives and our babies will only be this young once but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them.

 

So with that being said I am choosing today to see the glass half fun & am going to watch the rest of Frozen and cuddle up with my almost 3 year old since his brother is sleeping.

 

Until next time friends!

xo Jessica  

Hockey game, kidz club & a birthday!

 

 

Happy Monday everyone!

 

Can ya'll believe we are at Thanksgiving week already?! November has come and almost gone! I feel like the last few months always fly right on by!

 

Its been a busy last few days but lots of time spent with my babies so my heart is happy :)

 

Friday night we went to Dinner to celebrate my dad's birthday on Saturday

 

 

Any chance I get to spend time with family, especially my sisters together is GREAT in my book.

 

 

Saturday Dominick & I went grocery shopping and picked up breakfast from our favorite spot on the way home...Dunkin Donuts :)

 

We had a low key afternoon & then Saturday night we took Dominick to his FIRST ever crunch game. They turned the dome into a hockey rink and 30,000+ of our friends joined us! We had GREAT seats, 10th row behind the goal. Unfortunately, Dominick didn't last long and we left after the first period. Had the game been earlier in the day I am certain he would have done better :)

 

 

Sunday was my birthday :)

 

It was the perfect day! I spent the day with my little loves, we had lots of smiles & laughs...even some cuddles! I couldn't have asked for a better day!

 

We met up with some friends and ventured out to Kidz Club, it was so much fun & worth every cent! We were there from approx. 1030-2 and totally could have stayed longer if they weren't closing for a private party. We plan on making it a monthly trip & I think we are all pretty excited. If your local, I highly recommend it!

 

 



Sunday night, my sweet husband cooked me dinner & cleaned up while I got to do a little reading. All in all, it was the perfect day!

 

To top it off, today was day 1 of 3 of the work week :) I love holiday weeks where we get extra time with our families!

 

Can we all just take a moment to look at how big my sweet boy has gotten?! I cannot believe he will be THREE this week!!

 

 

Until next time friends!

xo Jessica

 



*Life lately...

 

 

Has been so busy! I feel like we are in an eternal "go, go, go" mode. If I'm being honest I am more tired now than I think I have ever been in my entire life!

 

 

Giovanni has been so busy with work (which is such a great thing) & his fire house responsibilities that a lot of things fall on me. Which is totally fine, I LOVE taking care of everyone. And quite frankly if he wasn't this busy I would be doing it anyways because that's what I like :)

 

I like to cook, I like to clean & I LOVE being his wife and their momma.

 

Right now our boys are in such needy points in their lives.

 

Dominick is testing his boundaries in every way, shape & form. He is in a "no momma I do it stage" and is ready to go to school. We are registering him for nursery school in January and as ready as he is...I am far from it. He is so smart & witty, I love having conversations with him and hearing his thoughts on the world. Its amazing the way the world looks through his eyes. Its such a safe & innocent place, oh how I wish it was true! I try to make time for him & I one on one each week. I really enjoy the time we have together just us & I know its important for him too.

 

 

Aidan has begun to walk, he is repeating everything already and has such a bigger vocabulary at this age than Dominick did. He's very stubborn and knows exactly what he wants and what he doesn't. He makes every need known, he refuses to be out "yelled" by his brother and has quite the little temper. He's such a cuddle bug lately & I am taking full advantage of it. I know its the one year molars he has poking in & the ear infection he's getting over that's causing his strong need for his momma but I am loving it. He's recently started yelling "momma" and crying when he's upset about something. He loves to be where I am and my arms are his favorite place.

 

November is a busy month in the Primerano house. Aidan turned ONE on November 5th, My first hero and one of my best friends celebrates his birthday on Saturday...my daddy. The best birthday present ever blows our her candles on Sunday...me obviously ;) and the little spitfire who made me a momma turns THREE on the 29th! Seriously where is the time going?!

 

For some reason my babies turning ONE & THREE have been really difficult for me. I find myself very emotional about it. Right now we are up in the air about having another baby. I think the idea that these may be the last baby milestones we go through is taking a toll on my heart strings.

 

As busy, hectic, overwhelming & down right frustrating as this time in our lives can be some days, I know I will look back on these days with fond memories & a happy heart. These truly are the best days of my life.

 

Stay tuned, I plan to post "A day in the life" post here soon. I love reading them in other blogs and want to document the crazy so I have it to look back on some day.

 

Happy Wednesday friends! xo

My favorite Mac & Cheese!

 

 

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

 

Today I am posting my FAVORITE mac & cheese recipe. This recipe has been used by everyone in my family for quite sometime going all the way back to my Great Aunt Marge!

 

Prep time: 20mins

cook time: 25mins

Oven temp: 350 degrees

 

Here's what ya need:

 



 

 

3c elbow macaroni

1 average size brick of cheese

2c of milk

4tbs of butter

4tbs of cornstarch

 

On top of being super easy, this recipe is also rather inexpensive, and when feeding boys that's a big PLUS!  

 

 

First your going to boil your macaroni according to the box directions. I usually make sure to cut the brick of cheese into small cubes during this time so I'm ready to make the rue when the noodles are done!

 

 

In a sauce pan on medium heat melt your butter, while that's melting whisk together your milk & cornstarch until smooth. Once your butter is melted slowly pour in your milk mixture. Whisk constantly on medium heat until you can feel the liquid thicken. Careful not to let it burn to the pan. Once the rue has thickened slowly start adding the cut up cheese and continue to stir until all of the cheese is melted. 

 

 

 



Next, your going to mix your macaroni & cheese sauce together and put in an oven safe dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. My mom bakes it for about 45 minutes but I do less as I think it makes it cheesier!

 

Let cool & Enjoy!

 

 

How do you make your mac & cheese?

Have you ever tried this recipe? What do you think? :)

 

 

 

Here's a little daily dose of cuteness for ya! :) Someone was clearly feeling better today & happy to get back to playing with his friends while Mommy & Daddy are working! :)

 

.our weekend in review.

 

 

Happy Monday Friends!

 

Our weekend like always was pretty eventful & did not go as planned ;)

 

But lets get to it, shall we?

 

I had EVERY intention on going to the grocery store by myself on Saturday morning, because well frankly with a 1 year old & ALMOST 3 year old (how did this happen?!) its SO MUCH EASIER. But when this cute little face said "mommy can we go on a date?" I melted. And he went grocery shopping! Mommy is such a sucker! :)

 

 

That's right folks, my BABY is walking.

 

We were supposed to go to the casino & spend the night for our anniversary. Yes, our anniversary was 09/18 but we rescheduled for 11/15 because Aidan was sick....And then at about 3pm on Saturday Dominick threw up. He was laying in my bed saying he didn't feel well and had cold like symptoms. It was very strange. So, I didn't want to risk it. And we called once again to reschedule until January...wish us luck!!

 

So, this guy & I took advantage of having a babysitter and went to dinner local.

 

 

Sitting having some drinks & an uninterrupted meal with this handsome man makes my heart so happy! It doesn't happen often but I love when it does. He truly is my best friend and I cherish the time I get one on one with him.

 

Sunday, consisted of a lot of this. We meant to go to church but I really wasn't read to risk Dominick getting sick there.. so we had a family day at home :)

 

 

THEN at about mid afternoon Aidan spiked a fever out of no where. I thought maybe it was because he had just had his MMR shot last week and they warned me of a possible fever 7-10 days later...but this was a 102 degree fever :(

 

 

It lasted through the night so Daddy stayed home with Aidan today. After a trip to the pediatrician this morning it was confirmed he has an ear infection & an acute respiratory infection. He was given some antibiotics and hopefully we are on the mend!

 

Our weekend wasn't planned to go this way, but I am learning such is life with kiddos. I wouldn't have changed any bit of it given the chance...we had a great amount of family time and despite the sickness, lots of cuddles <3