Christmas Morning {2011}

We figured Lola would be up bright and early, so we all made sure we were up before her. Well, our little Princess is sleeping a little too well here at Casa Nonna & Papa, so she didn't grace us with her presence until 8:30 am! But it was worth the wait--we had such a wonderful morning opening gifts and just being together...

Front Door Fun

We are having so much fun down here in Sunny Florida. We survived the marathon road trip and are looking forward to the week to come. I won't be posting any pics for awhile, though. No worries, I'm snapping away, just going to wait to get home and edit them all on my fun new iMac. Until then, I wanted to share some adorable video of our boy. We borrowed Bella's Front Door play set from Uncle Rich & Aunt Jan yesterday and Johnny was having a blast with it tonight.

By the looks of him in the video, you would have no idea that from yesterday afternoon til this morning, he was very, very sick. High fever, chills and several throw-ups (all over Mommy!). We're pushing fluids and Advil/Tylenol and he seems to have turned a corner, thank goodness!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!!!

(There are 5 videos--I'm having too much fun with this YouTube playlist feature!)

Nowinski Gingerbread {2011}

Last weekend, we attended the Nowinski's 1st Annual Gingerbread Party! It was so much fun--the kids got to create works of art out of several different forms of sugar. It was great just to hang out, relax, eat some yummy apps, drink and chat.

Nowinski Gingerbread {2011}

Christmas Show Pictures

Here are just a few pictures from this morning's performance :)

Nursery School Christmas {2011}

Lola's Nursery School Christmas Show

This morning, we watched our little star perform on stage for the first time during her Nursery School Christmas Show. The little children sang some sweet Christmas songs for all their Moms, Dads, Siblings and Grandparents to enjoy. It was so special.

The video quality is not the best, but here is a playlist of the songs they performed. Our little star is in the front row, to the far left. She didn't do any of the hand movements she was supposed to, but she sure did sing the songs! We're so proud :)

{Just press "play" and when the last song is over, a new one will start! So cool, YouTube!}

Johnny's AFOs

Johnny has been sporting his new AFOs around the house the last few days. The first day was a disaster--to sum it up, he was pissed off. He couldn't move around with the fluidity and ease he's so used to and he knew it--and let us know his objection. I also chalked alot of it up to him just being flat out tired from the appointments and shoe shopping, etc. of the day. Yesterday he tollerated them much better and today, he's already adjusted his movements and returned to his near lighting-fast speed.

We're looking forward to increasing Physical Therapy to 2x/week starting in January--and of course, those first steps :) His first goal to achieve before that, though, will be learning to bear his weight through his legs and stand independently. His PT is amazing and has been at this for 20+ years so I know we are in great hands! Once we start PT with the AFOs, we will be able to learn and implement new activities throughout the day that will help him achieve these new goals. It's so awesome to have new goals, isn't it?! It means you've accomplished the old ones!

Tea at The Drake

Today, Lola and Mommy started what I hope will be a tradition for years and years to come...We had tea at Chicago's iconic Drake hotel. We arrived almost an hour before our reservation, so we could enjoy all it's beauty beforehand. We marveled at the beautifully decorated tree and Gingerbread Village in the main lobby, before heading up one level to explore. I showed her the room where Preston's Mommy & Daddy had their gorgeous reception. We then spotted a baby grand and of course I let her indulge in tickling the ivories. We went to explore some more and stumbled upon an open, smaller ballroom. We headed right for the window to soak up the natural light and a great view of Lake Shore Drive. She enjoyed the Labyrinth-like carpet and made a game out of it. It was almost time for our reservation, so we made a quick stop into the Powder Room to primp like the proper ladies that we are.

We were seated promptly at 11 and the special Christmas carolers began singing some lovely tunes. Lola was captivated by their voices and the familiar songs. They even stopped by our table to play a special request (Rudolph, of course.) She took her eyes off them only to sip her "tea", which she did so perfectly and proper. We enjoyed our tea sandwiches and I marveled at what a sweet little lady she is--and had to pinch myself to make sure she was, in fact, mine. She was an angel for a half-hour straight. But then she announced, "Ok, I'm done now." and started to get antsy. So instead of waiting for the waiter to come by and repeat a dozen times "Lola, please sit down. Lola, please turn around.", we got up and stopped at the hostess stand to pay our tab. But not before the Ladies That Lunch at the next table over and several of the staff commented on what a sweet, well-behaved girl she was. We did have a conversation before hand about how important it was to be polite and use our manners--"Ok Mommy, I undestand.", she responded. But it was only a matter of time before that wore off and Bull-in-a-china-shop Lola showed up :) Our tea ended at the perfect time and I'm happy to say we'll be welcomed back next year!

Enjoy the pictures!

Tea at The Drake {2011}

Papa's 85th

We celebrated Papa's 85th (!!!) Birthday last weekend with a great pizza party and a VERY bright cake (85 candles, oh my.) It was a fun night. John and I are so lucky to still have our grandparents around--and to get to see our children with them. What a joy.

Papa's 85th Birthday

Tim + Nikki {engaged}

The phone rang a few weeks ago--it was Nikki (my cousin Tim's fiancé) calling. Would I take their engagement pictures? Of course! I said. I was flattered to have been asked. I haven't even sat down to count how many sessions I've done in the last 4 months--20, at least. All have been special as I have loved meeting new families--but there is something extra special about capturing those you love most--your family and very close friends.

We started in downtown Tinley...

..and then headed to downtown Frankfort, where we were able to capture some perfectly wintery pics (just what they were hoping for.) We had a blast, but this is all I can share for now, as "Save The Dates" need to go out first! They are planning a winter wedding next December, on our Grandmother's birthday. A great way for her to still be apart of the celebration...

If Mary and Joseph Used Facebook

I'm a little bit addicted to Facebook, I'll admit it. However, it's been an awesome way to re-connect with old and new friends, keep up with what's going on and market my little business. A friend shared this with me and it is just beautiful. How would the story of all stories be shared today?

Just like this...

O Christmas Tree

Behold, the Hernandez Christmas tree, 2011. We've seriously had to change trees every year we've lived here for one reason or another.

2007--Nana & Papa's tree. Big, beautiful. Took up quite a bit of space, but ok, since it was just us two.

2008--Lola's first Christmas--had to go special with that one and get a REAL tree (Daddy's favorite kind!)

2009--Broke the tree rules and skipped it since we celebrated in Florida!

2010--Mom surprised us with a new, but smaller tree--perfect for our space.

2011--If you've seen Johnny in action, you know there was NO way we could put up a traditional tree this year--he would have toppled the thing over on himself and/or eaten every ornament!

I couldn't get over the guilt of Lola not having a tree of her own this year, though--so while Lola was at school last Monday, Johnny and I headed over to Target to pick out a special one for her. And as soon as Johnny went down for his nap, we opened the big box of ornaments and Lola decorated it beautifully--and then placed the Angel ever-so-lovingly atop the tree. When Johnny woke up, we brought it into their room and put it on their dresser. It's so perfect and will be in their room each and every year to come

I can't tell you how much I love sneaking into their room to watch our sweet angels sleep by Christmas tree light--the glow is magical.

Alsip Nursery

There is a huge store in Frankfort filled with tons of Christmas decorations, among other things. They have everything you could think of to decorate the inside AND outside of your home. They've been in business forever and it's a fun place to just go and hang out. Like I said previously, Lola is REALLY loving all things Christmas this year. We walked around for an hour looking at all kinds of goodies and found a special ornament to bring over to the Nowinski's for their Gingerbread House Party this afternoon.

(Cell phone pics!)

Can't get enough of her cuteness!

Mommy's kind of decoration!

Lola with the "Elf" tree--they had tons of trees, all decked out with "themes".

Buddies :)

we LOVE saturdays.

We love our Saturday mornings together--they usually go a little something like this. John gets up with Johnny (he's the best) and let's Mommy & Lola sleep in. Before long, the smell of coffee and the jams of Foo Fighters call us into the kitchen. We dance and sing and rock--together. And that is the best. Nowhere to rush to, just time to be together and enjoy life as four. And it's quite alright if some of us are STILL in our jammies at Noon :)

Happy 96th Birthday, G.G.--WE LOVE YOU!

12 Month Stats

We headed down to U of C for Johnny's 12 month well visit on Thursday. No shocker--big boy weighed in at 25 lbs. 7 oz. and measured 29.5 inches long. Yes, our arms ACHE from carrying him, ha!

He is really starting to babble. "Da-da" is the big one and John's pretty sure he's trying to say "Good" as well--whenever he feeds him, he'll ask Johnny: "Is that good?" and we can hear him making the hard "G" sound in response.

He got casted for his braces on Wednesday and we'll get them in just two more weeks. This boy of ours is something else. When I took him, the Orthosist asked if he could see him stand. I told him he couldn't really on his own (because every time I place him to stand without holding on to something, he just plops down on his bottom.) Well I'll be damned if he didn't STAND there, on flat feet, for 10 straight seconds. He does things like that--he'll show us a peek of something and then make us wait weeks until he does it again or on a consistent basis. We LOVE him for that--it's always been his little way of saying "Don't worry--I'm going to get there--I'm just going to take my time." Whatever works, buddy!

Johnny Favorites @ 12 Months:

-KISSES! He gives the sweetest kisses when you ask him for one.

-BATHTIME! Can't wait for the Florida crew to see him splash :)

-PERCUSSION! Give him a Maraca, he'll show you how to shake it

-BOOKS! How many can I take off the shelf in a minute. Time me, Mommy!

-DOORS! Fascinated by opening and closing them.

-BALLS! We're pretty sure he's got an arm on him like his Daddy did, as he's already whipping them across the room.

-BEDTIME/NAPTIME! Bless his little heart for never really putting up a fight when it's time for nigh-nighs. Maybe he could teach his sister this skill...

Johnny Not-So-Favorites @ 12 Months:

-DIAPER/DRESSING TIME! Trying to change our son is what we imagine wrestling a baby alligator might be like. Wow.

What a difference a year makes--this time 12 months ago, we were residents of U of C's NICU and couldn't wait to bring our boy home. We are so blessed to have such a happy boy, full of life and love one year later.

{the JOY of the season}

Our celebration of the Christmas season offically began on Friday evening with the annual lighting of Tinley's tree on Oak Park Avenue. Isn't she a beauty?!

The season is so magical--especially this year. Lola really knows what’s going on and to be able to experience the joy of Christmas through your child is like nothing else. She can’t get enough of Christmas carols and the classic Christmas cartoons and LOVES driving around in the evening, looking at all the beautiful, twinkling lights (something my Dad and I would always do together). Last night, we were out running errands together (love shopping dates with my girl!) and we drove through our neighborhood before we hit the stores. One of the houses had a beautiful Nativity display, so we got out and walked up their lawn for a closer look.

Speaking of the Nativity, Lola is busy preparing for not one, but two Christmas performances. She has her Nursery and Sunday School performances in two weeks and listening to her sing the Advent song “Jesus is coming...” around the house (and in the bathtub!) has to be one of the sweetest sounds ever. We have been talking about Mary and the Angel Gabriel this week and how special it was that Mary said “Yes” to Gabriel. She loves playing with her Nativity set Mom got her a few years ago and our Elf on a Shelf is working like a charm. She wakes up every morning to see where he has landed--and is always glad

he returned from the North Pole. The other day, I walked into her room to find her sitting on her dresser. Her explanation: "Look, Mommy! I'm on a self." Oh, the preschool imagination is awesome.

Speaking of the North Pole, no Christmas season would be complete without a visit to the big guy. We hit up Bass Pro Shop after hearing rave reviews from friends. They had an awesome workshop set up and offered free pictures (and allowed me to snap my own!). The Santa was totally legit, too. We enjoyed a yummy meal in their restaurant before putting in our requests with the jolly ol’ fella. When we were getting ready to go visit him, we asked Lola what she was going to ask him for. Her response: “A vanity. And something for Johnny.” She loves her brother so. The have really begun forming a true bond these past few months.

Here’s a cell phone pic of the picture they gave us. I’ll have to post my own soon, as Johnny was actually laughing at Santa in some. I can’t get enough of our boy in overalls and I’m a sucker for dressing Lola up like a present!

And one more special moment--This is a house in the neighborhood I grew up in--just a few blocks from Mom’s. This family has decorated it to the nines, in this exact way, since I was a little girl. We took the kids to see it tonight and it was just so special. Lola loved it and to see her enjoy it just as I did as a little girl is the definition of JOY.