Group Picture 1987

Here's Vito with his Uncle and Cousins.  The girl's Mom took them all for the photo shoot and then gave us pictures.  Very nice.  

Vito at Virginia Beach, Spring, 1987

Vito's first encounter with the ocean.  He loved the waves, running at them and running away from them.

Monkey see, monkey do

Now that there's some extra money I'm desperate to go on a trip and show Vito some of the world. Virginia Beach is my choice and Mom agrees to come and pay half of the expenses. Vito's dad doesn't want to go. We drive down in the Firebird with Michael and Vito in the back seat. There's only room for luggage in the trunk so the spare tire is out. It's a little cramped but the boys are reasonably behaved and sleep a lot.

It's late when we arrive and by the time we find a motel Mom and I are very tired. We lay down to sleep but the boys are wide awake because they've slept most of the trip. They begin jumping from my bed to hers, back and forth. Despite our protests they refuse to stop. This seems to go on for hours but we are too exhausted to care. Finally they tire themselves out and go to sleep. In the morning the motel management calls and says we've been kicked out because of the noise. The room is already paid for and I decide we just won't leave. The boys are better the next night and nothing more is said.

The weather is a little cool but we all have fun enjoying the ocean waves and sandy beach. On the day we have to go back it's in the high 80s. We don't want to leave but sadly we must. We get to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and in the middle of nowhere my car gets a flat (remember we have no spare). It's dark and no one is around. After sitting awhile I think it might be a good idea to drive slowly to the next exit in hopes of finding a garage. The boys start laughing hysterically at the fhwap fhwop sound of the flat tire slapping the road as we creep along. Mom and I start laughing too. Suddenly I see a flash of light in my side view mirror. The friction has heated up the rubber and the tire is on fire! I grab Mom's Pepsi, jump out of the car and douse the flames with it. Thankfully the fire goes out. We resign ourselves to waiting on the side of the road. Eventually a turnpike patrol car sees us and sends someone to help. The tire gets replaced and soon we're on our way home. Thank goodness.

No clowning around

I loved this shirt. It made Vito look so grown up. His energy is boundless and he loves to play. Trucks and cars are favorites. Anything that makes noise is a plus. We get a hand-me-down swing set with heavy wooden seats. While playing with a neighbor boy a seat hits Vito and he ends up with a permanent scar over his right eye. Because he has curly red hair I get the idea to dress him up as a clown for Halloween. He cries the whole time and trick or treating is cut short. He develops a strong dislike of clowns. Slowly I learn that there is no point in pushing Vito to do what he doesn't want to do. I get a job at a local factory that pays well. My husband and I work opposite shifts so we don't need a sitter.

Scary Bunny

Vito and the Easter Bunny. I was amazed that this went so well, he's actually smiling. Past attempts at pictures with Santa meant tears and possibly screams. The terrible twos are stretching into the threes. There are daily power struggles between Vito and I. I'm terribly frustrated at my inability to control my young son. I try time outs, sending him to his room, spanking but nothing seems to work. I get Bell's Palsy and feel very ill. The doctor recommends reducing stress. I stop babysitting my friends daughter and try to relax but money is so tight. I take the exam for a postal job and put in an application at a local factory.  In six weeks I've recovered from the Bell's Palsy but my husband loses his job. My Dad and Stepmom help by paying me to clean their house. My husband gets another job but all the financial stress is tough on our marriage.