4.29.2011

Their Royal Highnesses Prince William & Princess Catherine, Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, are MARRIED!

The wedding of the century took place this morning and I was "there" watching it in real time thanks to the magic of television. Wow, was it awesome! I made tea sandwiches to celebrate last night and my Queen Mum (Mom) came over at 4 am to watch with me. I couldn't imagine watching such an event with anyone but her!

We were talking last night and I explained to Lola how Daddy was the King, Mommy is the Queen, she is the Princess and Johnny is the little Prince...so that's what she's calling me now. I think it's perfect.

I made Smoked Salmon & Cucumber on Pumpernickel and Egg Salad on White bread. Here's the ingredients, all ready to assemble.
The Queen Mum and the Little Prince.The Kiss! x2. Glad the Brits made them do it again! See her dress...I didn't want to ruin the surprise, but Catherine consulted me and I advised her fittingly. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I've heard :)
Did you watch? Wasn't the service so beautiful and romantic? Ah, love. It's grand. So glad I snagged my prince before any other princess got a chance!

4.26.2011

{johnny-5 months}

Johnny is 5 months old today! He is such an amazing little guy.

I don’t have any height/weight updates since we don’t go to the pedi again for another month, but what I can tell you is this boy likes his milk! He is growing like a weed--just as he should. We did a trial run with some cereal the other day and he did great. I’m excited to start feeding him cereal once daily and then start the really good stuff (homemade by Mommy, of course) when he turns 6 months.

For the last month and a half, Johnny has been in physical and occupational therapy. He attends each therapy once a week. His birth was a rather traumatic one--he suffered oxygen deprivation at birth because my placenta ruptured during labor and they didn’t know until they opened me up for the c-section. His legs started twitching at 2 months old and I immediately brought it up to his pediatrician, because I knew it was not normal. One thing led to another and before we knew it, we were being told by a pediatric neurologist that he needed an MRI because they suspected brain damage from his birth. I’ll never forget that day for the rest of my life--my Dad came to the hospital and sat with Johnny and I through the whole procedure, including recovery. When the neurologist came in the next day with the results, I knew what they suspected was true, that he did suffer some damage. I’ll never forget his words, though:

“The good thing is, it’s not overwhelming or extensive. And while it will be a challenge for him to do some of the things he would naturally do had the damage not been there, the mind at this age is incredible and very plastic.”

Wow. “What just happened to our life?” I thought to myself. It changed in an instant.

The condition he specifically is suffering from is called “muscle spasity”--basically, he has higher than normal muscle tone in his limbs and sometimes becomes overly tense or stiff.

We have no idea what the future holds, but we are incredibly hopeful. The best way I can describe our beautiful, happy, bubbly, PERFECT baby boy is that he’s about a month delayed at this point (he was also born a month premature, so that may account for some of the delay). In just a little over a month since we’ve started therapy, we’ve seen AMAZING things happen. His therapists (who I love!) point out what he needs to be working on and show me ways to help him achieve these goals. We do the exercises at home and in just the past week, he has started to do the things he’s supposed to be doing. They are encouraged by how he is developing.

IT IS SOOOOO EXCITING!

John and I know that he is going to be just fine. While none of the medical professionals we’ve seen in the past 3 months have a “crystal ball” and can tell us what exactly the future holds, I can say that all have been calm with us and are relatively optimistic that any disability he might have would be mild.

We are not focused on the future. We have no control over it. We leave that part up to God. He has magnificent plans for all our lives--why would Johnny’s be any different? We are, however, savoring every day at the present and celebrating with much joy anytime our Buck does something new...and incredibly amazing.


4.24.2011

Happy Easter!

We hope everyone had a very blessed Easter! We had a very full, but very wonderful day with family. We woke up to sunshine this morning and headed to Mass--both kids were angels during the entire service. We came back home and the Nashville Zics joined us for brunch. Mommy helped herself to a big Mimosa (thanks Uncle John and Aunt Mary!) and a big Bloody Mary (thanks Ronnie!). Lola helped herself to LOTS of chocolate while we weren't looking. Hey, what's Easter for! We feasted on Deviled Eggs (first time making, came out awesome. Had to make them after I tasted Shelby's a few months ago!), smoked Polish sausage, rye bread, horseradish (for our sins) and delicious quiches Johnny and his girlfriend brought with them from South Bend. As if we didn't eat enough...

We then went over to Uncle Dave and Auntie Karen's house for an equally delicious dinner. Think Honey Baked Ham, all Auntie Karen's delicious, famous sides and Dad's sauerkraut.

Johnny & Lola were showered with many special Easter gifts from our family--they are so blessed to have such wonderful Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles! Mommy and Daddy got her some special things for Easter, too--an Aurora nightgown, Ariel nightgown and Tangled figurine set with all her favorite characters. Darn that Disney store!

Of course I took a ton of pictures--and I'll post an album soon. Just wanted to share a few of my favorites from the day--I couldn't resist.

How sweet are they?! Lola is SO loving towards her Johnny.
Cutest. Bunny. Ever.
Hello cheeks.
Springtime bubbles.

4.22.2011

{mama's boy}

Have I mentioned how much I L-O-V-E this boy?!


4.18.2011

preston + lola

Preston came over for a very fun playdate this afternoon. We had a yummy lunch (Thanks Tiff!) and the kids played and danced--and did a big puzzle, too. Together. Took turns SO well. You've got to be proud of those moments in any 2.5 year old's life! :)

4.17.2011

{color wonder}


Seemingly overnight, Lola has taken a serious interest in coloring. She is extremely focused and methodical now when she puts color to paper and the amount of time she will sit for a stretch and do this activity amazes us. Someone is going to have a very fun time in arts & crafts come nursery school this fall!

click on the album...

{johnny sweet face}

4.14.2011

Visiting an old friend...

and all she wanted to do was play Peek-a-boo with her!

Princess Dinner

I took my girl on a date to Ed n Joe's for their annual Princess Dinner. They were featuring Belle and Cinderella, two of Lola's favorites. Perfect, I thought. Not so much. While we enjoyed a lovely dinner just the two of us and she was incredibly well behaved (give her a resturant booth and it's not long before she's trying to jump out of it!), she totally clamed up when it was time to meet the Princesses. She wouldn't let go of me and refused to sit on their laps. I'm not sure why, perhaps it was because they didn't look EXACTLY like they do on the movies. Oh well. It was still fun and I enjoy any moment I can spend with just me and my Princess Lola Rose.
Princess Dinner

4.11.2011

{sweet morning conversation}

Lola: Good morning, Mommy. I love you.
Me: I love you, too!
Lola: Guess what?
Me: What?
Lola: Ti-Ti makes cupcakes.
Me: Yes she does!
Lola: Nonna, too.
Me: Yep, Nonna does too.
Lola: No...Nonna makes coffee.
Me: Yes, Nonna makes coffee.
Lola: For Papa.

:)

Park Fun! (It's Spring afterall...)

Yesterday was nothing short of stunning! The temp quickly reached 80 degrees, so we headed out to a new park I just discovered--a 2 minute drive, and about a 15 minute walk away, which I'm looking forward to once our side-by-side double stroller arrives next week!

The park is in a newer neighborhood so the equipment is updated--so many cool things! And, this was the first time I shot outside in manual mode. While the pics aren't perfect, there's an improvement in lots of them, had I just shot in auto mode. John and I were getting so excited about them while we were shooting. I love that he'll grab the camera too and try to get some fun angles.

(the ones on the swing are my favorites!)
Fun at the Park-April 2011

4.08.2011

Shooting Manual

I just started taking a course with a photographer I very much respect and one we had the joy to work with for Lola's One Year pictures--Rachel Williams of Brisham Photography. At the end of this 4 part course, I will "know" how to shoot in Manual mode on my Nikon D40. It's really sad that I've had the camera for 3 years and haven't come close to using it to its fullest capabilities. Taking a photography course has been on my "to do" list--got to love scratching things off that list.

Right now, I'm just learning how to manipulate shutter speed and let more natural light into the lens. I can get some great light in the nursery and am simply IN LOVE with the shots I can get of our sweet, sweet boy's face. Have you ever seen anything more perfect than him?

I've got alot to learn still, but I can already see my images getting MUCH better. Can't wait to be outside all summer in the natural light!

{manual mode}

Happy 1st Anniversary!



John and I renewed our wedding vows in Ireland a year ago today. It's something we'll never forget and are so glad we did it. The meaning of our vows grows stronger with each passing year. There is no doubt I am the most blessed girl on Earth to spend my life with this man.

4.02.2011

Super cool!

My mom has told me several times that I need to print out my blog posts. She fears the Internet and Google are going to shut down one day and all my journaling will be lost along with it. While I highly doubt that will ever happen, she has quite a valid point. What on Earth would I do if something happened to this blog?? This has been the record of our life together since almost the beginning and I hope one day Lola and Johnny will sit down and read it. I thought about printing all the posts and putting them in a scrapbook with the pictures, but then i found THIS!

My only question now to my mom is, WHY DIDN'T WE THINK OF THIS?!

4.01.2011

Jigsaw Puzzler

Lola, March 2010, smiling with her accomplisment.

Auntie Karen & Uncle Dave got this awesome jigsaw puzzle set for Lola at Christmas--and I'm crazy impressed with how well she can do it on her own! We've been playing puzzles with her since just before her first birthday and she's always done so well with them. It's cool to watch their fine motor skills grow with them--and watch how she tries to figure which piece fits with which. Neat!