Christmas Tree 2009

Christmas in Massachussets

12-31-09
On New Years Eve we headed into Boston once again to visit my cousin Matt, his wife Melanie, and their two year old son Jake. The city was lit up for the First Night celebration and it looked like a postcard with the fresh snow, lights, and the throngs of people walking all over town.

One of the ice sculptures from First Night

It was a treat meeting Jake for the first time, very tall, blonde, handsome and full of energy, wanting to play and wrestle with his dad. The adults got caught up with each other and the goings on with the family as well as sharing tales of pregnancies and births.

Melanie and Jake

Matt holding Lola

We really enjoyed the visit and hope to see Matt's parents, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ivan on our next trip north.

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12-29-09
A much anticipated trip to Boston to meet up with Tom, Mindy and their son Jackson, who was born seven months before Lola. It had to be one of the coldest, windiest days of the entire trip but we all stayed warm within the lovely, temperature controlled environs of Copley Place and the Prudential Center.

Jackson Blossom

After hugs and getting babies fed, we all promptly got into mutual child admiration mode. Jackson is very handsome and was full of smiles and walking with assistance from the nearby furniture. Mindy and Maggie swapped babies and we passed some time comparing and catching up.

We then ventured into the Prudential Center for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Lola napped on Maggie and I got to play with Jack and his cheerios - what a bundle of personality! We ate, talked and laughed and then it was time to brave the cold again. Maggie was thrilled to have been able to spend time with Mindy and wasted no time in talking up our next visit out West.

Maggie, Tom, and Mindy waiting for lunch

Lola in her baby bjorn

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12-25-09
Christmas Greetings from Massachusetts! We've had a busy time visiting family and friends and dodging the cold. Our first stop was with the Aunties, Bea and Leo, on Christmas Day. We got to see cousins Mikaela and Jaedin briefly, but Jaedin was too quick for our camera.

The girl cousins chillin' in the car seats

We had a nice visit - Lola was wearing her winter dress, and then tried on her special Santa dress from her aunties.

Maggie and Lola in front of the tree

Lola modeling her new Christmas outfit

Left to right: Bea, Leo and Lola

Lola Chats

Here is Lola chatting it up with mommy - she's just started vocalizing and we engage her every chance we get.

On Daddy's Belly

Lola's favorite hangout after a nice bottle!

Straightening out Lola's PLUMbing

Lola has been having a bit of gastric distress for a couple of days, not finishing her bottle and just out of sorts. So we looked for some ideas to give her a bit of relief, most suggestions included giving her some additional water mixed with some prune juice. This is the first thing Lola has tasted other than formula or breast milk so we were interested in seeing how she'd respond.



Thankfully the prune juice did the trick and she was right as rain the next day!

You + Me = Lola

Click the photo for a larger version

As Lola grows Maggie and I try to see who's features she's inherited, at times I see hints of myself but mostly I think Lola takes after Maggie. We put together a couple of baby pictures to see what everyone else thinks. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Princess Party!!!

Our little princess

My niece Alissa was thoughtful enough to extend an invitation to Lola to attend her princess themed sixth birthday party this past Saturday. Guests were encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess and they did just that - Alissa was stunning in her Ariel costume with her flowing red wig and mermaid dress; in addition, there was a Cinderella, a Snow White, two other Ariels and a Belle. In keeping with the theme, Maggie got Lola a costume for the party from The Tutu Shack, a pretty princess tutu in fall colors that fit Lola's small size.

We arrived in White Plains around noon and were greeted by the birthday girl and her parents - my brother Brett, his wife Sue. Sue's brother Frankie, his wife Mary and their daughters were also there. The house was filling fast and the party getting ramped up.

Mommy and Lola

In short order, there were twenty excited six year old girls tearing around the house on sugar highs when the big surprise came - a visit from THE ONE AND ONLY "Ariel" herself! She led the girls in several songs and dances, passed out party favors, and helped wish Alissa a happy birthday when she blew out the candles on her cake. Our hosts provided a super party spread of chips, soda, punch, pizza and cake - there was even a delicious fruit plate.

Ariel watching Alissa get ready to blow out the candle on her cake

Lola looked beautiful in her tutu and stared in amazement at all the activity. She got to look at lots of new faces and we were so happy to see her do well in the midst of the party chaos and being passed to many hands.

Uncle Brett

Aunt Sue and Lola

Frankie and Lola

Mary getting ready to run off with the baby!

Daddy and Lola wearing their Elton John glasses

So, we all ate our annual allowance of sugar [Maggie ate fruit, can you believe it?!?], had lots of fun, and look forward to next week for the big Thanksgiving gathering back at Brett and Sue's place with more friends and family.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE PARTY.