Christmas in Michigan

This was our year to go to Michigan for Christmas.  We had such a wonderful time!  My dad, Bruno and I took Grace to her first MSU basketball game while my mom stayed home and played with Abby.  Grace had so much fun - and so did we!  Unfortunately they lost the game but we ate lots of junk food to make up for it!

We also took a trip to Bruno's favorite place - Frankenmuth, Michigan aka Christmas town USA.  There is a HUGE store there, Bronners, that he just loves - there are thousands of ornaments, decorations everywhere and Christmas music.  My dad just loves it there too - it brings out the calm in him.  (For those of you who know my dad, yes, I'm kidding.) 

We finished off our visit with a meal at Zenders... a classic restaurant!

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be a holiday without some illness - Erin had a bad sinus infection and stayed home to rest and get better on Christmas Eve and my dad had another case of broncochitis for most of our trip.  But they both rallied for the presents, the food and the energized atmosphere that comes with 4 kids under the age of 6!  Kerri, Mark, Nora and Len also joined us for all the festivities!  It was a really wonderful visit.

Jamma and Poppy with all most loved grandkids!

Erin's family sent a gorgeous tree from their tree farm!

A trip to Peacock Farms to see real reindeer!

We loved being home for almost a week.  It was relaxing and fun and we cherished every minute of being able to spend time with our family.

Happy  New Year to all!

Early Christmas

Because we always travel for Christmas, we decided seveal years ago to have our own Christmas before we leave for the holidays.  Sunday was our Christmas.  Luckily, we were able to pull some strings and arrange for Santa to make an early appearance. 

We started out making cookies for Santa and our friends early in the week.  Grace and I finally got the hang of decorating them. My mom found a great sugar cookie recipe on-line that she sent to me.  The trick for me is to cut them very thick so they stay soft and moist - delicious!  Then I found a cookie decorating icing at the grocery store that worked perfect.

Abby preferred to serve in a supervisory capacity as Grace and I worked hard.  Abby was the quality control taste tester.

 

We also squeezed in a visit to see Santa (a couple of weeks ago) at Grace's school.  I just love her smile in this picture! She was very excited that Santa knew her name!

Then this past weekend, we decided to take in the sights and sounds of the city we leave 10 minutes from - Washington, DC! 

There is a gorgeous tree at the Capitol that doesn't attract as many visitors since most people visit the White House tree.  I love the Capitol tree since the Capitol is my favorite building in DC.  It was so gorgeous this year.

Then it was off to find a parking spot by the White House.  We couldn't find one and were going to head home when Grace's tears started flowing - she really wanted to see the tree up close.  So, we drove around and found a spot that was, well, quite far.  And we didn't bring Abby's stroller and she really wasn't dressed warm enough.  But, we put all that aside so that we could see the tree.  It really was worth it!

The White House also has a separate tree from every state and territory.  They had a singer singing Christmas carols.  They had Santa's village and huge train sets.  The line was way too long to see Santa so we took a peak inside one of the doors and saw Santa!  Grace and I decided it was definitely the "real" Santa.  We have been having a lot of discussions about how Santas look different but this one was real.  And since he had to come to our house early anyway, he decided to help out the President and talk to the children visiting the White House.  At least that's what I think happened.

And then.... Christmas morning!  Santa came!!

This was not a new gift but she loves her baby doll!

Mumma - Mimi - Mama - the Great One

My mom doesn't know this (she will soon) but she is my first guest blogger.  She didn't write this for the blog but I am copying her email that she sent to our family this morning and posting it here.  I wrote a post last year about my Mimi and this year I think my mom said it best.  My mom always has an incredible way with words and today is no exception.
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It's that day again. The anniversary of the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, mother in law.

I am so glad that over the years I am able to feel more of the joy of her life and less of my own sorrow. She was an amazing woman who could laugh, cry, and love with the best of them. I recall John telling me she was the first person he ever felt loved him unconditionally. She held true always to her values but accepted us. That is surely a goal we all strive for.

I remember you all coming in and the mass the day she was buried. The harp and the bag pipes, the songs - "Gentle Woman," the greens filled with holy water that was held in her crystal bowl showering all of us with her blessing.

Her life wasn't an easy one that is for sure. Most people who lose a spouse in their 50s and lose a son have many things to complain about. Not mumma. She loved us until the day she died and for all of us, I know she continues to pray for us and we are given strength to get through the difficult times.

I don't know why God loved me so much to give me a mother like this, but as my tears flow now, I am so glad He/She did.
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Thanks mom - for your guest post!  And here's to Mimi as we celebrate her life today!

The Ability to Comfort

Sometimes I come up with ideas for blog posts while I am driving to work, or when I recall something funny or sweet that the girls said or did or when I can't sleep and I'm thinking of everything I need to do the next day.  On Friday night (or I should say on Saturday morning), I came up with the idea for this post. 

It was about 1:45 a.m. on Saturday morning and Abby started crying "I want my mama".  She has been sick with an ear infection so I went in and she felt warm.  I gave her some tylenol, picked her up and rocked her.  She cuddled into me and was calm.  I sat there, tired as can be, rocking and cuddling and thinking what an wonderful thing it is to be able to comfort a child - when they are sick or sad or just want to be hugged.  The ability to comfort is not something that you learn in school.  It's something you learn by example - you see how your parents comfort you, how your other loved ones comfort you and how your friends comfort you.  I rocked and rocked and thought how proud I was that I could comfort little Abby and what a special bonding moment this was.

So, that is what I drafted in my head at 1:45 a.m.  And then... Abby wouldn't go back to sleep.  I'm sure she was uncomfortable from the ear infection and the fever but she just kept crying out every few minutes.  I would go in, pick her up, rock her, put her back down and then crawl into my own bed. Then she would start crying.  I finally woke up Bruno and said it was his turn to comfort her.  Well, she is going through a "mommy-only" stage so she did not want anything to do with him (even though he cared for her all day Friday while I went to work).  So, I kept trying to get her calmed down until she finally fell asleep at about 4:00 a.m.

Needless to say, all the confidence and pride I had about my ability to comfort went out the window!  It is clear that the ability to comfort someone else is something we all must constantly work on - just preferably not at 2:00 in the morning!

Santa's video

There is a Web site that Ryan and Erin told us about last year which is truly amazing. It's called "The Portable North Pole" and you can request that Santa send your child a personalized video.  This week, Santa sent a video for Grace and Bruno and I sat down as she and Abby watched the video.  I honestly wished I would have videotaped her watching the video.  Her eyes just lit up when Santa said her name several times, when he knew where she lived, when she saw pictures of herself and pictures of what she wanted.  She was just giddy and so excited.  It was so adorable and we had so much fun watching her!  She is a sweet big sister and asked if Santa would send one for Abby.  Sure enough, the next day, Santa sent Abby a video too.  Abby also loved hearing Santa say her name.  I highly recommend this Web site!

And another cute line - Abby has been trying to fight a cold for a couple of weeks now.  Unfortunately, she had a fever yesterday.  She told me that her "ears weren't working".  If I was a first-time mom, I probably would have paniced.  But, I guessed that she probably had an ear infection and after a trip to the doctor confirmed that indeed she had one.  But it does make me realize how blessed we are that she, and Grace, are both such healthy kids.

Tennis, Anyone?

Every once in awhile we get to attend fun events.  This was Bruno's turn.  He ended up getting to meet Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Anna Kournikova (not pictured and he claims she is not as cute in person - ha) and Martina Navratilova!  He said it was such a fun event and was able to get his picture taken with them and then watch a match.

I thought everyone might enjoy seeing Bruno hob nob with the big wigs! 

Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a great time in Massachusetts! 

But before we left, Grace and I had a little project.  We made our first gingerbread house.  We had a lot of fun and I think it turned out pretty good.  In fact, it's still standing!

Grace had a Thanksgiving Feast at her school which was really fun.  The kids dressed up as pilgrims and native americans.  I found this great costume on-line after Halloween!

And then it was off to Massachusetts.  We had a very easy time traveling during such a busy time.  Our flights left early and arrived early.  Unfortunately we brought a not-so-nice gift to Bruno's family - Abby's cold and we all ended up getting it.  But, despite the coughs, scratchy throats and runny noses... we had a wonderful time.  Bruno's family is so hospitable - his mom is such a huge help to me.  And Maurilia and Victor are so generous with Grace and Abby.  We are so blessed and thankful that we have such a wonderful family that gets along so well. 

We went to the Providence Children's Museum one day which was so much fun!

And we were able to celebrate a monumental ocassion for Bruno's parents - their 40th wedding anniversary!  We went out to a fabulous Portuguese restaurant - Sagres in Fall River.  Everyone enjoyed their meals and the time together!

My meal - a filet with a fried egg, fried potatoes and a fabulous sauce.  I couldn't believe it was only 100 calories and fat-free!  Just kidding... it was delicious!

Then we went back to Maurilia and Victor's for a fabulous cake and champagne.  Maurilia and Victor bought this cake - I wish I could have bottled the vanilla smell from this cake - it was devine and delicious too!

The girls all had so much fun together!

 Abby wore this hat from Auntie almost the whole day!

What a wonderful vacation!

Whatyadoin' Abby?

I learned a lesson tonight.  Never give a two-year old the goodie bag from a party before you have had a chance to look through it.  Especially never give it to her to hold while you are driving home. And it's dark out. And you can't see what she is doing. And it gets really quiet.  And you ask her "whatyadoin' Abby" and she responds rather slyly "nothing, mama".  Because when you get home, you may see this!

Election Day and Halloween Pictures

Wow - Has it really been over a month since I last posted!?  The older I get, the faster time flies!  It's been a very busy month - a very busy couple of months.  Bruno has been very busy with work. (Do you think I can say "very busy" any more?!? - you get the picture...)

Today is election day.  Bruno works for a member of Congress and every two years, his boss is up for election.  I have known Bruno for 14 years and his boss has never had to worry about his elections.  He has always won by more than 60-70 percent and some years, he hasn't even had an opponent.  But this year he does and the race could be very close.  When the media talks about a "wave" of losses, it means the sitting members of Congress lose. But what they never talk about are the staffers who work for those members, whose careers are tied to those members and they also lose their jobs because their boss lost an election.  So we are all on pins and needles waiting for the outcome of the election results tonight.  I'm very hopeful that we will have good news tonight!  UPDATE: Bruno's boss won - whew!

On to more positive thoughts - Halloween, candy, chocolate, costumes, trick-or-treating, relatives visiting, delicious meals, weight-gain (oh, that is NOT a positive thought)!

Nora and Len decided to visit us for Halloween this year which was really special.  We decided to not tell Grace and make it a surprise.  We were standing outside and they came walking down the sidewalk.  She said to me "Here comes Noni and Lenny!"  It was kind of a funny reaction, as if she expected them.  I think she was so surprised that she didn't even know how to react - it was funny!  We had one of Bruno's famously wonderful meals - braised, Asian-style beef short ribs - DELISH!  And then the trick-or-treating started.  The girls had so much fun and got a lot of candy.  Abby didn't hesitate at all asking for "chocoly" and loved getting the candy!  Here are some pictures!

Hard to tell but I am wearing an name badge that says "Hi my name is Christine O'Donnell. I am not a witch. I am you." (DE Senate candidate)  Bruno was Guy Fieri (Food Network, Minute to Win It).

The Dorothy Sisters

Little sister Dorothy

Older sister Dorothy

Nora, Len and Kerri.  Poor Mark was doing the dishes. Bruno was watching the Patriots.

Our Baby Turns Two

On Saturday, Abby turned 2 years old!  In many ways, it's hard to believe and in other ways, it seems just right.  Of course, as any mother does, I recall the day she was born with the clarity as if it were yesterday.  There is nothing in the world like the moment after a baby is born, holding her and looking into her gorgeous eyes.  Welcoming a baby into this world is such a miracle and a blessing! 

Abby has been such a sparkle in our lives.  While I may be just slightly biased, I honestly think she is the most smiley baby I have seen.  She is always smiling and laughing.  She is so happy and gets excited about the littlest things!  She is kind and says the sweetest things like "thank you, mama" and "oh my goodness" and "I sorry mama" (even when she didn't do anything wrong).  She likes to sing and spin around and dance.  She likes to be funny and make jokes.  She loves to play with her sister - and Grace is really so sweet with Abby.  She is such a joy!

We had her two-year check up yesterday.  She is 26 lbs, 6 oz (50th percentile) and 34.5 inches long (75th percentile).  She is meeting all the milestones (not quite jumping with two feet off the ground but we are practicing - ha)! It is actually quite funny to watch her try and jump.  I had made a comment to Grace earlier yesterday morning that Abigail may now be entering the "terrible twos".  (Abigail wanted to pick out her outfit and wanted no part of what I chose - so she had a little meltdown.) Grace later told the doctor that Abby is now in the "terrific twos".  The doctor really liked that description.  She is a healthy and happy two-year old and we couldn't be more blessed. 

This past weekend my parents joined us for the festivities.  We are so happy they could be here to join in the occasion.  On Saturday, when we heard Abby start waking up, my mom said she wanted to bring her a cupcake and sing happy birthday.  I just happen to have one so we all went in to her room with a cupcake and candle and sang happy birthday.  She couldn't have been happier!  She then indulged in a cupcake for breakfast!

Cupcakes for breakfast!!

Thanks Poppy!  (Even though it was Jamma's idea!)

I was going to make a round chocolate cake with sprinkles but Jamma wanted to try her hand at Mickey Mouse!  Go Jamma - so adorable!

Nora and Len bought this adorable dress for Abby.  As soon as she woke up (after the cupcake) she pointed right to the dress and said "birthday dress".  She loved wearing it all day and telling everyone "it's Abby's birthday!"  She was not happy when we wouldn't let her wear it on Sunday even though it was covered in chocolate!

 On Sunday we went to Cox Farm and had a fantastic time!

 It was such a great weekend.  I love that our families makes a big deal of birthday - they are such a special day!  Happy birthday to our dear, sweet Abigail!