Santa's Helpers

Ho Ho Ho! Would you look who caught up with Santa's Elves non other then Ol' Good Times himself! They were standing in front a cute shop on 5th Ave and 6th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn. We were walking home and stumbled upon them...you were very curious about the Christmas tree!

Also, it was on the same walk that we found our first Christmas tree as Keating Sima's. I just love it! Aunt Charlie and Aunt Ruby did NOT want us to get it but dad and I just love it and think it is perfect for our humble abode. In three days we are hosting a "Tree Trimming" event with your Uncles, Cousin and Aunt Ruby and Charlie. Egg nog, cookies, hot cocoa ....some treats and a tradition I hope to continue with you as you grow!

PS" Today is your 11 month year old birthday. Just one more month to 1years!

Yes Virginia There is A Santa Claus....

On Saturday December 3rd, 2011 you met Hipster Santa Claus at De Kalb Market in Brooklyn!

Splish Splash

After your bath "Dada" (as you so affectionaly say) brushed your hair like an old man! Hilarious! Look how much you loved the results! We kept saying "handsome, handsome, handsome!" while brushing and clearly you loved the results

There's a First for Everything....

And so it goes!

On Sunday, November 20th, 2011 you experienced a few firsts

1. You took your first steps (appx 3) when chasing Sami. It was very impressive and Aunt Terri and I both looked at each other, surprise that my non crawling son...is now my walking son?!?! I meaaannnn! Always keeping us on our toes. Also, you walked with Gramsy, Mita, Pop Pop, Rita, and Grandma all there to bear witness. You are 10 months old :).

2. You woke up in the middle of the night with labored breathing. Dad and I worried, called 911 as we were afraid you may be having an asthma attack. Thank goodness it was only the croup (a barking seal sound) that made you cry because the sound coming out of your mouth was frightening to you and foriegn. True to form you were smiles and chats in the ambulance and at the hospital. They had to give you a shot in your tush too. They said you would scream, kick and they (the doctors) asked dad to hold your legs. Then in went the shot and for a moment you didn't cry...and the doctors were shocked, high fiving one another at how brave you were....and dad commented to the doctors "He took it like a man" (jajajaja) But after a minute when it sunk in that you had in deed gotten a shot a loud whale came over you....but only for 2 minutes...the rest of the night we were home monitoring your breathing and making sure you're ok. Dad and I were wiped the next day...Today is Wednesday and we are still exhausted from this past Sunday...dad hitting the hay earlier then usual.

We love you and are so glad yyou ae well...attached is a picture of our poor little sickie boy.

Cart Wheels

Ikea shopping trip 10 months, a photo by nicole_keating on Flickr.

This was your first time in a shopping cart. You didn't know what to do with all the "freedom"(a la your arms are free and not confined to your stroller straps). You were out in the open.

We were shopping with Aunt Ruby and Auntie Chuck for their new apartment! It was a fun day. Just you and the ladies!

3's company 9.5 months

3's company 9.5 months, a photo by nicole_keating on Flickr.

Sleepy mornings in the Keating Sima household. And Ollie loves cuddling up next to you. Although, at times, dad and I try and move Oliver to the end of the bed as to not disturb you while sleeping...he does make you so very happy (and is pretty darn cute too!)

Your First Birthday Party

Winter Babies start celebrating their 1st birthdays! What an exciting time for you guys (and the mama's and dads)! Out of your many friends, Desmond is the first to celebrate and kick of the number 1 for you kiddies.

Here's your very first birthday invite:

Hi Friends,

Desmond will be turning 1 at the end of the month, and we'd love to celebrate this affair by opening our home to you and yours on sunday the 27th from 12:00 onward. Yes it is last minute, and yes it is a holiday weekend, and yes sean and I have organizational problems when it comes to solidifying dates BUT for those of you who can drop in, we promise not to disappoint. Sean's mom will be in from London, so who knows? You may be served homemade pastries on premium lace doilies. My mom will be here, and she will most definitely be wearing fuchsia hot pants. There will be drinks for sure, and perhaps some nutty kids trying cake for the first time and displaying the full spectrum of emotions within the interval of a second. If you've never experienced this, you probably should.

You're all very special.

Our Address:

526 44th Street #3

(Between 5th and 6th Avenues)

N/D to 36th street and walk to 44th...or take the R Local across the platform to 45th Street.

Love,

Halley and Sean

A Good Laugh

9.5 months old laughing with a Lady Friend... a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

Lot's of laughs and joy! You love OLDER kids And by older I mean 2 years old compared to your mere 9 month old status (jajaja)

On this particular afternoon to your delight an adorable 2 year old ran right up to your stroller. Look what ensued....and clearly you two are having a blast. Dad ad I loved it for you!

La la la laaa tee daaa....

9 months old and singing his first song a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

Big boy singing a song for dad and

Baby Twin-Daddy Twin

Having some good ol fashion fun together.

VR first snow fall Oct. 2011 9 months

VR first snow fall Oct. 2011 9 months a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

On October 29th, 2011 it snowed! And you got to enjoy it. This was a video of you walking in from the storm. So cute!

Par.Tay!!! (before hitting the hay of course)

VR 9 months Evening Fun with his mama before bed time a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

Some night time fun you and I had before putting you to bed (you can see you are sporing your favorite jammies)

Good Timez!

The Monster Mash

We were the Monster Mash...The Monster Mash...it was a Park Slope Smash...


You, Dad and I were all monsters for Halloween (please don't mistake my whiskers for cat whiskers either. They are monster whiskers, scary, gnarly type of whiskers.)

You and your cousin Rosa celebrating your first Halloween together! (cute cousins!)


Having some fun with Ben and Desmond in the playground.

Going trick-r-treating with Mr. Isaac (aka Yoda)...Yum for the parents!



Hanging with Auntie Meg at the parade!

Hanging out with pretty Silvia at the Park Slope parade!

Fall Fun

On Saturday Aunt Ruby and I took you to your first Fall Festival. It was at the school right up the street. Even though I got "bamboozled" into getting a giant $10 pumpkin we still had a blast. You got your face painted (a pumpkin and a spider...errrrrr, sort of), we had hot apple cider (Aunt Ruby and I) and sweets and you also got your first balloon puppy. You were a bit sleepy before our arrival but revved right up once we were inside the festivities. You also loved the giant puppets that were roaming about the park. It was a fun introduction to the festival fun ahead :) Love this time of year with you!

My inspiration can be yours

For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

Benjamin Button

One of my favorite quotes and something to live by. It's never too late! Love you son!

Fast Asleep

I love this shot of you. When I was pregnant for you you used to have your hand over your face just like this. I would worry wondering why you were covering your face, hoping you were okay. It turns out to be a very comfy position for you. To see it in the flesh is wonderful and peaceful!



I was recently cleaning out my emails only to find some great sleeping shots of you. I had to share as your sleeping shots are always some of my favorite things. I truly cherish them. You are so sweet and peaceful and we are so grateful to have you as a son! "Nigh Nigh" (what you currently say when tired and want a nap or you see others sleeping-so funny!)

Peek-a-Boo

I see you!

Yesterday, Uncle Lao and I were taking you for a walk in Williamsburg, BK. I had covered your stroller so you could nap. People were walking by smiling and I thought nothing of it...that is until I check on you to make sure you are napping. Instead I find a smiley boy lifting up the covers peeking at everyone. It was the most hilarious thing! And I can only imagine how funny it was for people passing by while I was walking you. Makes me laugh out loud even now. You are truly a hilarious individual.

Love you so!

Halloween Run Through

Cute 9 month old boy trying on your very first Halloween costume. Love it!

Pop Groman

On October 11, 2011, Pop Groman, the best man that ever lived ad the man that inspired your name "Rocco" had passed away. He was one of the greatest individuals I had ever met-kind, brilliant, funny, handsome, loving, giving, fun, full of life! He truly was the mos full of life and forever grateful individuals. He took pride in being the Captain of Fireman for Jersey City and for his family. My grandparents LOVED the idea that I would one day name my son Rocco. They thought it was the best and that Rocco Gioffi would be so honored.

Heres to you Pop and Thank you for inspiring me every day!

Pumpkin Pickers

This past Saturday (October 8th) we took you down to NJ to visit with Gramsy and pick your first pumpkin! Your cousin Madison joined in on the fun and the two of you had apple juice, went on a hayride and had some fun! We would love to make this a yearly thing for you and hopefully Ms. Rosa can join too! Cute cousins day!

Why Hellooo

For about a week now I've been trying to teach you to wave. You would watch, and I would help you do it, and you would watch some more but wouldn't do it on your own...until...we met this gal. On Friday, September 3oth, 2011 you did your first wave. It was to the pretty girl sitting behind us at lunch. Of course dad and I saw you smiling and looking away when you saw the young lady. We turn to see who it was and were not surprised to find the beauty behind us. On our way out she was chatting with you and I said "Say bye bye Bubba." And voila, like magic, your arm starts flapping and you have a huge handsome grin on your mug. You waved by yourself for the first time. Needless to say we were all impressed. Since then you wave quite a bit...to yourself in the mirror, your toys, Oliver, your friends and our neighbors, Cookie and Mary. You are such a happy fellow! Love you!!!!!

Ol' Vic Rocco on a Farm EEE IIII EEE IIII Ohhhh

On Saturday, October 1st we took you and Isaac to Stone Farms Harvest Fest. It is a beautiful farm with rolling hills, sheep, chickens, turkey, hay rides (which we missed but you still got on the tractor) and food (which was crowded soooo we sort of missed that too) . You and Isaac had a little picnic and there was music and games. The dad's had beer and Ally and I scoured the market for food. It was a lot of fun hanging with the Reubens on a weekend. We hope to do it with you boys each year to start off the Fall season. Your favorite part were the chickens. You wanted to play with each one squealing with delight at the sight of every one you saw. Some how one of the chickens managed to get out of the coop and run about on the open field. It was heaven for you :)

Our Morning Fun

Love our mornings together! Always a favorite!

A Happy Nappy Boy

This is you when waking up from your second morning nap. Dad came and got you and he, Ollie and I gave you some snuggles before getting you ready for some morning fun! You are 8.5 months old.

A Mover and Shaker

Caught!

While making your lunch today you were playing with the Zany Zoo. I peek my head in the living to check on you. Only to find you in this position with the BIG GRIN :):):) You go boy!~

My Little Sickie

(Dad and his boy watching football and resting up)


(Taken care of his little guy! You and dad hanging out and getting you better-Best Pals)

Aww, our poor boy! You recently got your first cold! We are not sure if you are teething or just caught something from the change in the weather. Sniffling, stuffy, sneezey! You and I were up for most of the night (Mr. Good Times back in the HOUSE). You just didn't understand why you felt so bad. Dad and I gave you some meds, used eucalyptus oil in the humidifier and rubbed some Baby Vics on your chest to help clear your sinuses. We got you all snuggled up. You rested at home, watched the game with Dad and had a little brunch with Uncle Joshua. Thankfully you are getting better. Im still keeping an eye out for a little toofers to pop (blame it on the teeth) to finalize the verdict-teething or just plain ill!

Gulp! Sip! Ahhh!

8 months old First time holding his own cup a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

At 8 months old you've taken the sippy cup in hand and showed Dad and I that you are BIG enough to feed yourself...well, maybe not quite yet. But you are getting there!

Dance to the Music

8 months old dancing with Isaac a video by nicole_keating on Flickr.

Getting your groove on with your BFF Isaac! We found the "Story Song and Shimmy" class. SO MUCH FUNNNNN!

We danced to Lady Gaga, read Clifford and boy can you dance! BEST little DANCER ! You watch my feet and then groove. So many people are impressed with your dance Skillz! Kudos Baby Boy!