All I want for Christmas

I used to wonder what type of person asks Santa for two front teeth. But now I'm sleep deprived. Beyond sleep deprived. Because I live with a baby who is cutting his two front teeth. So Santa? Can you please bring me two front teeth? Soon, DAMMIT!

Drawing the line

Gabriella got herself into a whole lot of trouble today with her father. The crime: bouncing up and down on her brother. LIKE A KANGAROO she later told me. Dominic usually puts up with his sister's rough ways, I think because he finds her so damn entertaining. But the other night Dominic was rolling around the living room minding his own business when Gabriella lassoed his head with a pink headband. I grabbed the camera and he looked up as if to say, seriously Mom, you too? Where's Dad?

Dear Santa

Today Gabriella turns twenty-nine months and the world turns the corner toward the most wonderful time of year.

Santa is a daily topic of conversation in our house. Gabriella gets the presents, the milk and cookies, the carrots for the reindeer. But the letter to Santa confuses her. She keeps listing toys she has instead of toys she wants. Until today.

Today in the grocery store checkout line Gabriella thought of something Santa could bring her: ice cream. And oh, she didn't want to go home to take a nap. She wanted to go to the North Pole.

Not So Newlywed Game

In honor of our fifth wedding anniversary, I forced asked Michael to play the Not So Newlywed Game.

How do I take my coffee?

Tara: Soy milk and two Splenda
Michael: As a latte

If I could be married to a movie star who would I choose?

Tara: Mark Wahlberg
Michael: John Travolta

What would I eat every day if you could?

Tara: Pizza
Michael: Snyder's honey-mustard pretzels

What is Michael's dream job?

Tara: NFL coach
Michael: Lottery winner

What is one food Michael doesn't like?

Tara: Pot Roast
Michael: Pot Roast

What would Michael never wear?

Tara: A Halloween costume
Michael: Slacks

When I leave the house, is it party time, time to clean, or nap time for Michael?

Tara: Nap time
Michael: Nap time

BONUS QUESTION: Where was our first date?

Tara: Armani Cafe
Michael: Franklin Cafe

Happy anniversary, baby! I look forward to many more years so we can get to know each other.

Michael on our wedding day.

Boy Crazy

The other night Gabriella spotted a little boy eating dinner at the next table and said, “I love him.” Michael almost had a heart attack. “I love him. He’s cool.”

Recently she’s been developing crushes on older boys. She calls Michael from Barney and Friends on the phone. She cooks him dinner, cries when he misses an episode (which I suppose is the toddler equivalent of being ignored after a first date.) I know. THE HEARTACHE.

I think Gabriella reacts so positively to boys because she just loves her three boy cousins, especially Jonathan who is the oldest and spends a lot of time entertaining her.

Curse of the Bambino

The year we got married the Boston Red Sox won the World Series after an 86-year drought. When Gabriella was born, the Red Sox won the World Series again. Now that it’s Dominic’s turn the Yankees win the World Series. The NEW YORK FUCKING YANKEES.

We’re stunned. Domi’s pissed.

Attitude

Michael is feeding Dominic dinner when Gabriella shows up wearing his t-shirt and demanding a photo shoot. She has also started calling us by our first names and rolling her eyes dramatically when we order a time out. This weekend, we’re going prom dress shopping.

A Wrinkle in Time

21 years since I met his mother.

13 years since his mother introduced me to my husband.

5 years since his mother stood as the matron of honor at my wedding.

2 years since his mother co-hosted my baby shower.

1 year since his mother became a mother.

Happy birthday, baby Max! Love always, Gabriella and Dominic

An Interview with Domi

1. What is your favorite food? Apples and Sweet Potatoes
2. What is your least favorite food? Peas and Green Beans
3. What makes you happy? Drooling, Banging, Jumping
4. What makes you mad? Socks
5. What is your favorite song? Gabriella's cover of MJ's "Thriller"
6. What tickles you? Llama Llama Red Pajama
7. What fascinates you? My hands
8. What is your favorite way to start the day? Lounging around in bed with Mama
9. What is your favorite way to end the day? Splashing in the tub
10. If you had to give all your toys away except one, which one would you keep? My Zebra Clacker

Seasons

Speaking of Sock Monkeys

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to live with a toddler, this photo is for you.

Your child will suddenly wake up in the middle of the night, barking orders for a glass of water and a back rub, as if she just went fifteen rounds with Apollo Creed and you're the Mick to her Rocky. Then she'll refuse to go back to sleep unless you stay in her room. FOREVER. The next day, when you finally pass out from exhaustion, she'll stage a compromising photo op with the help of a Sock Monkey jack-in-the-box.

Two Divas and a Sock Monkey

For Halloween Gabriella dressed up as her favorite storybook diva, Fancy Nancy, and I dressed up as my favorite pop diva, Madonna. Obviously neither one of us subscribes to Coco Chanel’s advice on accessories: always take one thing off before leaving the house. And Domi? We dressed him up as an old-fashioned sock monkey. Because we can.