Hang-Over-Day-Off

Yesterday on 'hang-over-day-off' we went to get a tree. It was bitter cold as Claire's face will tell you, but we picked what we believe to be the best tree on the lot. ('Big as Daddy and fat as Mommy' just like Claire wanted)

We got it home, stood it up and opened our much awaited train! Claire and daddy tried to figure it out, and when they did we were all smiles :) Thank you GB and Pappi!

Then of course after about an hour of messing around with the train (I forgot how much time you spend lining up little wheels as opposed to actually running the thing) We had to decorate it, the tree of course.

And take our picture in front of it.

It was a good day.

Holiday Cheer

This past weekend, the kids and I hit the road. We went to Aunt Ami's!
While there we did lots of fun stuff, like going to see a three story house shaped like a shoe and baking cookies... none of which I have pictures of. Those are on Ami's camera.
I do have pictures of our Sunday. We went to see Aunt Laurie! We helped her put up her Christmas tree.

She was THRILLED to have us...

once we figured out that she is always so jazzed we were no longer scared by her overt enthusiasm

We helped with everything, the nativity

the ornaments (ok, we let Annie put on her own)

We even made some handmade crafts to decorate our own homes with.

It was a great day of family and fun, exactly what we needed to get us in the holiday spirit.

Thanksgiving

thankful for sisters, all sorts
thankful for cookies
thankful for aunts and uncles
thankful for christmas trees
thankful for no traffic in NYC
thankful for family :)

Just an Update

We are doing well here in cold, rainy New York. Planing a trip to warmer climates? next weekend at Ami's spa and resort. (we expect warm moist towelettes after dinner) Getting in the Christmas spirit with our advent wreath, ok so we haven't actually dug it out yet, maybe tomorrow after we can get to the back of the closet. But we did advent today at lunch and it just reminded me of family, singing carols after dinner and baking cookies. It made me kind of homesick. I wonder if my mom felt that way about any of her christmas traditions, do they still make her miss her mom? The tree will come soon enough and then the surprise christmas train from GB and Pappy! Lights already sit on my floor waiting to find a place in the windows, maybe they will race... a nod to my mom. and 'Santa Baby' is in my kitchen ready to sing and dance whenever the mood strikes.
Until Christmas, we will continue to attend play group on Tues. and reading hour at the library Wed. and Thur. Nick will continue to become more mobile as the days progress, first rolling and now scooting on his face, just like his sister. :) Jim will work and work, awaiting the Christmas break when he gets to see his in-laws and perhaps sleep in past 8am. I will work feverishly to get the house in order and eagarly await the Christmas day when I get to hug my mom and dad and tell them thank you for the best christmas present ever.
What are your plans for the month?

The Last for Now

92. hole-y stromboli
93. hugs
94. my parents who are still together setting the ultimate example of love unconditional
95. my daddy
96. the ability to enjoy my kids every moment of every day
97. getting away from the kids I enjoy
98. my bathroom
99. a place all my own
100. family who are thankful for me always just the way I am thankful for them

Grazi

82. Washable carseats
83. car dealerships in Harlem
84. library books
85. water bottles
86. moms and dads (what a great idea that was God!)
87. plastic food
88. real desserts
89. family of all kinds
90. Cousin Sarah
91. Better things to do than my 'to do' list

Say That Again

Nick is thankful for dancing feet

If he could just figure out whose feet they are :)

I've Got Plenty to be Thankful For

72. tiny little braids
73. bright blue eyes in the morning
74. lips to kiss with
75. Bing Crosby
76. hide and seek
77. phone calls to say I love you
78. country music
79. my daddy who could come home for lunch
80. my mommy who taught me that cooking is not the most important thing in the day; laughing is
81. legs to dance with

A Little Happy

All of Claire's toys are suddenly, spontaneously and rather surprisingly in need of quesadillas.

Just A Little Thanks

68. looking better than at least 60% of the other moms at play group
69. husbands who love me
70. showers
71. pigtails

Over the Hump

53. sisters who visit
54. sisters who don't visit
55. terminal 8!
56. getting lost the same place twice so you know how to get un-lost the second time
57. vodka sauce
58. Mark
59. Grandpa Bill
60. zoo memberships
61. moms at the park to talk to
62. kids to have adventures with
63. parents who adventured with me (do you have a plan?)
64. dry sheets
65. chubby cheeks
66. fuzzy boots
67. pants that fit two weeks before they have to :)

Under the Hood

Upon request I have review ALL of the few pictures from this past weekend. I have posted every picture in which Ami appears. If you could tell me which ones exactly are the 'nice ones' you are referring to... I am at a loss. Apparently your face does silly thing when it sees a camera without you even knowing. I would look into that if I were you, could be disastrous come wedding day.

OK there was this ONE where your teeth came together and your eyes weren't bugged out of your head. Unfortunately it seems to be a family trait as Claire can't seem to get it together at the same time as you.

(I think she is saying BOOGER!!)

Aunt ummm... comes to visit

Ami came this weekend with Mark to visit. Plans shuffled but we had a good time, well I did. All others may speak for themselves. We went to the aquarium and saw jellyfish and seals and a walrus that ami was not very fond of.

We also went out to eat, just the adults :) such a treat, twice in one week. I am spoiled.
It was good...It was great... It was fabulous to see ami and get to know Mark. I like him from what I have seen so far. I'm not sure if he's cleared for permanence yet but he's in the running. Claire likes him. The entire time we were at the aquarium she kept saying "come on Mark". She didn't want him to miss a thing. :) Well now I must go clean up from my amazing weekend. Which also ended with the fridge from my dining room being evicted! :D
Good times.

You Don't Get What You Give

I received a call from someone the other day, they were freaking out about Christmas. That it snuck up on them this year and that they were not financially ready for the burden of gift giving this year. As I sat down to make sure we were not headed for the same freak out I realized that we were and our Christmas was also in jeopardy. Not financially, although our Christmas tree will not be knocked over by the piles of gifts, we will make it work. I am not worried so much about that (ok that's a lie, but I'm telling myself that for now). I am worried that with all the focus and stress over gift giving this year we will forget what this holiday is all about. It's not about giving it's about getting and not even about getting material things it's about getting salvation, love and time together as family. I know it's early for Christmas posts but I feel like now is the time I need to be reminded of the basics. In this case giving was not better than getting. So none of you will be getting a present. :P But feel free to give us all your gifts :P
Just kidding, but in all seriousness, I am resolving to remember this year that although it is nice to give and get that it is not about that. I am resolving to enjoy and savor the time I have with family and friends this holiday season. I am resolving to not allow the stress of the holiday's to overshadow the joy that should go with them.
Here are crossed fingers and prayers that this season is stressfree and every day ends with a smile.

A Lot to Give Thanks For

44. that my car was in the parking lot when I arrived
45. nice policemen
46. insurance agent from the South
47. husbands who worry
48. sister-in-laws
49. cute old couples
50. popcorn and a movie night with Claire
51. nephews
52. laughter among family

Alex's Thanksgiving List

... for His Love Endures Forever

33. delicious dinners
34. mother-in-laws
35. sleeping in (especially when it's everyone!)
36. TV
37. a clean house
38. anticipation of something good
39. presents
40. beautiful flowers
41. hair
42. sister-in-laws
43. time away from my babies to recharge

1 Chronicles 16:41

... with a greatful heart

21. anniversaries
22. kisses
23. hugs
24. snuggles from babies in the morning
25. doctors (so I don't have to waste time worrying about health stuff as much)
26. giving gifts
27. little girl attitude
28. smiles
29. pretty wallets
30. baby toes
31. honesty
32. a God who loves me even more than this

In Everything...

11. babies laughter
12. husbands who clean
13. friends who visit
14. cookies
15. new days, new beginnings
16. sleeping in (even if it's only one of my kids)
17. good health
18. fish
19. a place to live
20. photoshop that works :)

Things I'm Thankful For...

This month Claire and I are starting to get thankful, we are memorizing 1 Thess. 5:18 in kiddie language 'in everything give thanks' right now we work it more like a 'God is good' response thing. She reminds me many times a day. So here I go...
1. grocery stores with chocolate milk close by
2. my handsome dude
3. my beauty queen
4. my lovely husband
5. bible verses about being thankful (1 Thess. 5:18)
6. moms that taught me many useful lessons
7. Italian lessons
8. Time to take said Italian lessons
9. telephones to call family
10. Chats with wonderful aunts

Makin' Bannana Pancakes

When I was a kid my mom made pink banana pancakes, I dont know why or really when. We really just used to tease my sister who really didn't like them and ask my mom to make pink banana pancakes.
Come to think of it can any of you remember actually eating the pink banana pancakes?
I made some for Claire, she ate them, I took a bite but was not impressed,perhaps I should have called for the actual recipe, and I used raspberry jello instead of strawberry.
Fond memories that shall not be repeated. I'm thinking that's how it was in our house as kids.

Not Her Mother's Daughter

Mobile

Yesterday was a milestone day in the Iovino household. Claire learned/mastered getting out of her crib by herself and Nick mastered rolling over by himself. So now they are both a new kind of mobile. I am still surprised when I find Nick screaming because he rolled over and can't get back to his back. And it threw me when Claire showed up at our bedside this morning at 6:30am. I guess it's like my husband said, I'm just not ready for them to grow up. But here they come, I wonder what today will hold?

Trick or Treat

Coupon Play

Buy one get one on shaving cream.

Ready for some Eats

Check out those toes :)

Welcome

We want to welcome to our little family, Chuck and Lola.

Chuck is the fish that is bigger and has fewer markings while Lola struts her stuff with more markings and a slimmer build.

Lola is the fish on the right and Chuck is obviously on the left.

Just a Little Happy

And who doesn't love bacon?

My Sad Little Day

Before we were married, Jimmy used to bring me flowers an awful lot, for occasions and sometimes just to remind me that he loved me. My roommate loved it too because there were always fresh flowers in our dorm room. :) As a newly wed my husband still brought me flowers on all occasions and sometimes just for fun, not as often but that's to be expected with a baby and wife to support. But now with the economy the way it is, no flowers :( I am not blaming him or saying that he loves me less. Really he loves me more and is saving our monies to do things like fly me to WY to see my parents and I love him for it. :) But I did miss getting flowers so I decided to grow my own on my window sill so that I would always have fresh flowers and feel loved :) They were growing well, no flowers yet but there was some green and when I got overwhelmed with the kids or life in general I could look at them and be reminded that someone loves me :)
But today, Claire, the love of my life did this :

*Sigh

It is a sad day for my little love flowers

Good thing my husband also gave me these two to make up for the sad days in life:

Another Calvin Moment