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.

Meeting the Aunties and cousin Mikaela

Mikaela and Lola

This past weekend we once again made the trip up to Westborough, where the family was gathering to meet its newest members, Lola and Mikaela. Mikaela was born October 9th and is the daughter of Maggie's brother Santi and his wife Bobbie Jo. We'd been looking forward to meeting their new baby and introducing Lola to the extended family.

Our Friday trip north was easier than last time. Lessons learned included: have a pacifier and plenty of clean onsies handy at all times, it's possible to change a diaper just about anywhere, and any food establishment will give you warm water for formula at no charge.

Saturday was spent resting with Lola enjoying time being held by her grandma and grandpa. We have also sorted out our versions of grandma and grandpa - this visit Doug voiced his preference for the French Canadian version of grandfather, Pepe. So like I was saying, grandma and pepe enjoyed holding Lola as much as she reveled in the close contact. Later, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and so took out the Baby Bjorn, and bundled Lola up for a walk around the neighborhood. Lola took to the baby carrier very well, shortly after we began walking the motion and fresh air had her snoring on my chest. We ended the day by going out for Chinese at the Shanghai-Tokyo Restaurant in Natick. The food was very good and Lola snoozed through the entire meal.

Lola and Pepe enjoying each others' company

The family began arriving Sunday around noon and after the greetings, everyone got down to the business of cuddling babies. Both Lola and Mikaela seemed to enjoy being held by everyone, they didn't demonstrate any fear of strangers and both were all eyes, trying to absorb each new face as it came into view.

Bea holding Mikaela, Leo holding Lola

Maggie holding Mikaela

Santi with Lola

Meaghan holding Lola, Chris telling a joke

Left to right: Bea holding Lola, Leo, Mama holding Topaz, Pepe,
Meaghan holding Clementine, Maggie and Scott

Mama had cooked several dishes for us all: chicken, calzones, fresh biscuits, sweet potatoes, salad and many others I can't recall. Everything was delicious, I know I indulged in quite a bit of it! It was a very fun afternoon and another great visit overall. CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO ALBUM.