Oh boy...our baby is growing up...way too fast already!!
For the past four days we have been enjoying Alysia, DJ, April, Zach, and Maya's company! Everyone arrived in Buffalo a-okay and just in time before the 'storm' we received up here - the part of winter that I love. Take away the cold rain and brown snow and I would take snowstorms the entire winter!!
We've been keeping our visitors' days filled with visits with Poppy and Moppy (my dad and Heather), meatballs (a Sunday morning tradition that dates back to my mom's grandmother), and even stringing popcorn and cranberries while watching a Christmas movie - this year it was Elf with Will Farrell. Ella, Maya, and Zachary have been enjoying each other's company...learning to share toys and not pull hair! Zachary is inchworming circles are the girls, but the girls have become professional sitters and players-on-their-own-ers.
The holiday shopping is done and the gifts are wrapped as we prepare (mentally) for the next few days of craziness. I love it as that's what I'm used to growing up, but Todd is still learning to 'go with the flow' of chaos!
We'll start Christmas Eve at Brian, Barb, & Braiden's house (my step-brother) where we'll have four babies under the age of 9 months together! We will then make our way to my mom's house for the Montante Christmas Eve. Which will work out well because we will be able to put the babies to sleep for the night. We will then spend the night at my mom's so we can all wake up on Christmas morning like the good ol' days. That way we will all be together for Christmas brunch since next year DJ, April, and the twins will be in St. Louis (April's hometown) for Christmas morning. We'll then move back into our house to host Christmas dinner for the Rassmans. Usually we celebrate Christmas with my dad here at our house on the 26th but this year, because Heather is working Friday and Saturday, it will have to wait until the 28th. And then, sadly, DJ, April, and the babies leave on Monday the 29th. But the positive part is that Todd will be on vacation from Christmas Day to January 4th.
Okie dokie - it's morning nap time and someone is definitely letting me know it! I think that's all I have to report on. Merry Christmas to all!! Thank you for being a part of our lives!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thirty-Three Weeks Old
Awww...16 more days 'til baby's first Christmas!!! But better yet 8 days until Alysia gets home (next Wednesday) and 10 days until DJ, April, and the twins arrive (next Friday)! I am SO excited to snuggle and smooch those babies and see how they all interact with each other this time.
Been keeping busy with Christmas internet shopping. Until this Friday when my mom and I are going to make a trip up to the Outlet Mall. I can't remember the last time I was up there. Although all three sets of families have decided to scale back a little bit on the gifts. Our goal is to focus more on the time we spend with family and friends rather than the "Ugh, I still have to get ____ a gift." Did I mention that I can't wait to see Alysia, DJ, April, Maya, and Zachary?!?!?
This past weekend Ella and I attended Uniland's Children's Christmas party where Ella had her second encounter with Santa...still not a big fan. Not a fan of the elf with the funny looking ears either. Then that night Todd and I went to Sodexo's Holiday Party at Samuel's Grand Manor while Mom and John stayed home with Ella.
In the meantime, Ella is pivoting much more on her tummy as well as holding herself up quite high on her hands. She is also scooting backwards, but definitely not as fast as Zach is doing the worm. Ella seems to be enjoying her food more and more each day. In fact there are some times we can't seem to 'shovel' the food fast enough into her mouth!
Finally, Todd, Ella, and I went to visit my grandfather in the Williamsville Suburban rehab center yesterday. He was just moved there after being at the Veteran's Hospital since before Thanksgiving with a severe infection that started in his leg but then spread into his bloodstream. He has made a very good recovery so far and is getting stronger and stronger each day. We think he will be up there for at least a couple weeks as the infection really did a toll on his body. Fortunately, he is in good spirits and is quite motivated to get better and get home!
I think that's it for now. I have posted a link to Thanksgiving pictures thanks to my Aunt Gigi. Funny how there's not one picture of Todd or me holding our own daughter the entire stay...ha ha ha!!
Hope you're able to take the time to enjoy this Christmas season!!!
Been keeping busy with Christmas internet shopping. Until this Friday when my mom and I are going to make a trip up to the Outlet Mall. I can't remember the last time I was up there. Although all three sets of families have decided to scale back a little bit on the gifts. Our goal is to focus more on the time we spend with family and friends rather than the "Ugh, I still have to get ____ a gift." Did I mention that I can't wait to see Alysia, DJ, April, Maya, and Zachary?!?!?
This past weekend Ella and I attended Uniland's Children's Christmas party where Ella had her second encounter with Santa...still not a big fan. Not a fan of the elf with the funny looking ears either. Then that night Todd and I went to Sodexo's Holiday Party at Samuel's Grand Manor while Mom and John stayed home with Ella.
In the meantime, Ella is pivoting much more on her tummy as well as holding herself up quite high on her hands. She is also scooting backwards, but definitely not as fast as Zach is doing the worm. Ella seems to be enjoying her food more and more each day. In fact there are some times we can't seem to 'shovel' the food fast enough into her mouth!
Finally, Todd, Ella, and I went to visit my grandfather in the Williamsville Suburban rehab center yesterday. He was just moved there after being at the Veteran's Hospital since before Thanksgiving with a severe infection that started in his leg but then spread into his bloodstream. He has made a very good recovery so far and is getting stronger and stronger each day. We think he will be up there for at least a couple weeks as the infection really did a toll on his body. Fortunately, he is in good spirits and is quite motivated to get better and get home!
I think that's it for now. I have posted a link to Thanksgiving pictures thanks to my Aunt Gigi. Funny how there's not one picture of Todd or me holding our own daughter the entire stay...ha ha ha!!
Hope you're able to take the time to enjoy this Christmas season!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thirty-Two Weeks Old
Oi vey...I apologize for such a stretch between our last blog and this one and so much has gone on!!!! Since November 11th we've celebrated Mom Rassman's birthday, Ella and I had lunch with two girls from high school and their babies, I helped my mom decorate 9 trees (including two 12 footers), 5 stairways, and 6 landings in 5 different buildings, and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family.
As my dad's birthday is 6 days before Todd's dad's birthday, my mom's birthday is 6 days before Todd's mom's birthday - crazy, huh?!? Anyway, my mom spent her birthday cruising down the Danube from Germany into Austria while we celebrated Todd's mom's birthday at their house. Which means Mom Rassman is less than a year away from retirement!!!!
On Wednesday, November 19, Ella and I got together with Sarah and her 5-month-old son, Cole, as well as Shannon and her 6-month-old daughter, Ellie. Although I graduated from Nardin with Sarah and Shannon I have not talked with them since 1995 until along came Facebook. We had a good time watching the kiddos interact with each other while we chowed down on a great chicken souvlaki lunch! It was great to 'reconnect' especially since they have babies right around Ella's age too.
Most of my last few weeks have been spent helping my mom decorate the Uniland Christmas trees. Mom has been decorating these trees for about the past 18 years and I did help in the early to middle years (but that was when there were only 3 trees and a stairway). But after taking about a 10 year break, I signed up to help out again!! With Mom being the mastermind behind all the decore, I merely helped by 'dressing' the trees, stairway garland, and garland on the landing.
Ella came along with me on the days Todd wasn't home or my dad wasn't watching her. She did a fantastic job playing on her own while we worked. Although I think just about every woman (and a few men) working in whatever building we were decorating came out to say 'hi' to Ella. And Ella had a great big smile for each one of them!
And now after 10 days and close to 100 people hours, the trees are now done! If you ever get a chance I encourage you to check them out (100, 300, & 500 Corporate Pkwy; 6400 Sheridan Dr; 285 Delaware Ave) - each tree is different varying from traditional to very funky! I have to say my mom is one talented decorating cookie!!!
We had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with my side of the family this year down at my Uncle Carl & Aunt Carol's chalet at Kissing Bridge. Aunt Gigi and Uncle Bill came in from Williamsburg, VA; Natalie flew in from Durham, NC; and Michael Sean visited from Redbank, NJ. My other cousin, Michael Paul, came home from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh too.
The holiday started with a lasagna dinner Wednesday night at my cousins' Carl & Wendy's house. We then packed up and headed down to Colden early Thursday. Since there was close to 2 feet of snow on the ground, our traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl football game was traded in for some good ol' sledding. Ella's feet managed to never hit the ground as she was successfully passed around to every family member! We then stayed overnight to help Ella's schedule and also give us more time to visit with the out of towners.
The weekend ended with a private tour of the Darwin Martin House on Jewett Pkwy in Buffalo. My cousin, Michael John, was recently elected to the Board and, therefore, invited us all on a tour of the magnificent Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. If you haven't taken a tour, I highly recommend it!! For more info see http://www.darwinmartinhouse.org/
Finally, Ella has been doing wonderful. She just received 3 more shots and is now all caught up (until her 1 year visit). She weighed in at about 16.5 pounds and approximately 26 inches long. Ella is getting close to growing out of her 6 month clothing and working into 6-9 month as well as 9 month clothes.
She sits up very well on her own (although she will need pillows behind her for a few more months) and officially sleeps on her tummy. Although Ella has mastered rolling onto her tummy, she is still learning to roll from her tummy to her back, pivoting while on her tummy, and propping herself up higher on her hands.
Ella has finished the box of rice cereal and is moving on to oatmeal cereal. She has tried carrots, acorn squash, and sweet potatoes. We'll continue introducing veggies and then move onto fruit. Right now she is still primarily nursing but eating about a tablespoon of cereal in the morning and a tablespoon of veggies in the afternoon and evening.
Oh!! And Ella's second tooth just came in today too!!!! She continues to be very smiley and quite a talker cracking us up all day long with her sounds!
And now the countdown begins to when Alysia, DJ, April, and the twins arrive...just 15 days!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!
As my dad's birthday is 6 days before Todd's dad's birthday, my mom's birthday is 6 days before Todd's mom's birthday - crazy, huh?!? Anyway, my mom spent her birthday cruising down the Danube from Germany into Austria while we celebrated Todd's mom's birthday at their house. Which means Mom Rassman is less than a year away from retirement!!!!
On Wednesday, November 19, Ella and I got together with Sarah and her 5-month-old son, Cole, as well as Shannon and her 6-month-old daughter, Ellie. Although I graduated from Nardin with Sarah and Shannon I have not talked with them since 1995 until along came Facebook. We had a good time watching the kiddos interact with each other while we chowed down on a great chicken souvlaki lunch! It was great to 'reconnect' especially since they have babies right around Ella's age too.Most of my last few weeks have been spent helping my mom decorate the Uniland Christmas trees. Mom has been decorating these trees for about the past 18 years and I did help in the early to middle years (but that was when there were only 3 trees and a stairway). But after taking about a 10 year break, I signed up to help out again!! With Mom being the mastermind behind all the decore, I merely helped by 'dressing' the trees, stairway garland, and garland on the landing.
Ella came along with me on the days Todd wasn't home or my dad wasn't watching her. She did a fantastic job playing on her own while we worked. Although I think just about every woman (and a few men) working in whatever building we were decorating came out to say 'hi' to Ella. And Ella had a great big smile for each one of them!
And now after 10 days and close to 100 people hours, the trees are now done! If you ever get a chance I encourage you to check them out (100, 300, & 500 Corporate Pkwy; 6400 Sheridan Dr; 285 Delaware Ave) - each tree is different varying from traditional to very funky! I have to say my mom is one talented decorating cookie!!!
We had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with my side of the family this year down at my Uncle Carl & Aunt Carol's chalet at Kissing Bridge. Aunt Gigi and Uncle Bill came in from Williamsburg, VA; Natalie flew in from Durham, NC; and Michael Sean visited from Redbank, NJ. My other cousin, Michael Paul, came home from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh too.
The holiday started with a lasagna dinner Wednesday night at my cousins' Carl & Wendy's house. We then packed up and headed down to Colden early Thursday. Since there was close to 2 feet of snow on the ground, our traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl football game was traded in for some good ol' sledding. Ella's feet managed to never hit the ground as she was successfully passed around to every family member! We then stayed overnight to help Ella's schedule and also give us more time to visit with the out of towners.
The weekend ended with a private tour of the Darwin Martin House on Jewett Pkwy in Buffalo. My cousin, Michael John, was recently elected to the Board and, therefore, invited us all on a tour of the magnificent Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. If you haven't taken a tour, I highly recommend it!! For more info see http://www.darwinmartinhouse.org/Finally, Ella has been doing wonderful. She just received 3 more shots and is now all caught up (until her 1 year visit). She weighed in at about 16.5 pounds and approximately 26 inches long. Ella is getting close to growing out of her 6 month clothing and working into 6-9 month as well as 9 month clothes.
She sits up very well on her own (although she will need pillows behind her for a few more months) and officially sleeps on her tummy. Although Ella has mastered rolling onto her tummy, she is still learning to roll from her tummy to her back, pivoting while on her tummy, and propping herself up higher on her hands.
Ella has finished the box of rice cereal and is moving on to oatmeal cereal. She has tried carrots, acorn squash, and sweet potatoes. We'll continue introducing veggies and then move onto fruit. Right now she is still primarily nursing but eating about a tablespoon of cereal in the morning and a tablespoon of veggies in the afternoon and evening.
Oh!! And Ella's second tooth just came in today too!!!! She continues to be very smiley and quite a talker cracking us up all day long with her sounds!
And now the countdown begins to when Alysia, DJ, April, and the twins arrive...just 15 days!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)