Somebody had a birthday this week!

We celebrated Andy's 31 years of life and are 

thankful for each day with him. 

Happy Birthday to an a wonderful husband and father.

Wisconsin - Part 3

OK, it's time to get the rest of these photos up.

After a week in Kenosha with the Benetti fam, is was on to Verona for some time with the Kilpses.

Graydon had another wonderful birthday celebration.

With a little help, he blew out his two candles.

My dear friend Jenn and her family live about a half hour from Andy's parents. I'm so happy for any opportunity I get to hang out with her. Our daughters also had a good time together.

Here are the snapshots from our week in Verona:

Popcorn each night is a given. 

Jacob read the bedtime story that night.

The whole family.

Some randoms from our time together. . . 

Jacob and Tyler got new snowboards for Christmas and they shared with Bella.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but there is a slight hill that they played on.  These kids all rocked the snowboards!  Pretty cool to watch.

Fun in the snow!

By the end of our trip, Curtis was sleeping like a newborn again.  It's always hard to say goodbye to family, but I was definitely ready to get him back to a normal routine and get some sleep again for myself.

We arrived back in New Jersey just in time for another snow fall.  Kind of like we brought a little bit of Wisconsin with us.

Wisconsin Visit - Part 2

December 31, 2010:  Graydon's turns two!!!

We had a traditional Benetti-style birthday celebration at my parents' house. Pizza and ice cream cake.

I hung up some decorations from birthdays past.

And made some new ones.

Cheers!

Graydon is usually allowed only sips of soda here and there; so having his own bottle of rootbeer was pretty special.

Our birthday boy!

Bella loves cake.

Even Curtis celebrated.

Presents!

Graydon acted every bit his age that day. By that, I mean there were lots of fits, whining, and some screaming. In his defense, we later located a new molar that is growing in. Maybe that had something to do with it.

I have a feeling that this little two-year-old is going to be keeping me pretty busy this year.

Happy Birthday Graydon!

Dear Graydon,

I saw your sweet face for the first time two years ago today.  When I close my eyes, I can still see you.  Brand new.  All wrapped up.  Here.  In my arms.  One of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.  Our early days were a little rough.  You cried.  A LOT!  But I couldn't help but love you so much.  You taught me such a great lesson in unconditional love. 

As the months went on, things got easier.  You smiled more.  Laughed more.  Learned more.  Soon you were scooting around and exploring things on your own.  That's when things really started to get fun for you.  Before we knew it, your first birthday was here.  You took your first steps and you've been on the go ever since.

Over this past year, you have really transformed from a baby to a little boy.  You became a big brother!  Your vocabulary is growing everyday.  You are playing (and fighting) with your sister.  You have the best laugh (and loudest scream) that I have ever heard!  When it's time for nap or bed, you won't let us put you down without reading some of your favorite books (The Foot Book, Off to the Park, The Lullabible).  You like to watch Baby Einstein and Praise Baby videos.  Some of your favorite foods are cheese, goldfish crackers, apples, and chocolate milk.  You love to play with cars, balls, blocks, and puzzles and (often at the same time, creating quite the mess).

Some of my favorite times with you are still snuggling just before putting you to bed.  You often fall asleep in my arms while I sing to you.  I don't know how long this will last, but I will savor it while it does.

You are two today!  Hip hip hooray!  You are growing into such a sweet little boy.  I pray that you catch even a glimpse of how loved you are by so many.

Happy Birthday Graydon!

Love,
Mommy

Connecticut

We've never been to Connecticut before.  This made choosing a location for our mini family vacation pretty easy.

We left on Tuesday morning, Bella's birthday.  It just worked out that our trip could fall on that day.  One our way, we stopped in Hoboken. NJ.  This was planned.  We wanted to surprise Bella with a cupcake from Carlo's Bakery on her birthday.  If you are awake of Cake Boss, on TLC, then this bakery will be familiar to you.  This is the one show that Bella and I can actually watch together.  She loves to see what creations they come up with. 

We got a great parking spot on the road right in front of the bakery.  Bella jumped out of the van as fast as she could and then just stood in front of the bakery.  She seemed in awe.  Then she said with such enthusiasm, "It's just like on TV!"     

We waited in line for about a half hour.  This apparently wasn't even a crowded day.  Usually the line is out the door.  Bella chose a rose cupcake. 

While waiting in line, we saw Mauro (the bigger, bald guy) and the younger delivery guy.  All in all, a pretty cool experience. 

Except for the $30 parking tip we ended up getting.  Apparently that 2-hour parking wasn't free.

After leaving Hoboken, we officially headed to Connecticut.  The trip was about 2 hrs. total.  It was after lunchtime by the time we got there, so we headed to a diner on the main street in Stamford.  It was a tiny little place located on a river.  The huge windows overlooked the beautiful scenery.  I didn't get any photos of it because I was consumed by this view right here:

Can you blame me?

Next stop:  our hotel!  Next activity:  Swimming!  This is always a highlight of our mini trips. 


This was Curtis's first time in a pool. His reaction was very neutral - the same way that Bella and Graydon were.

After we all dried off, it was time for Bella's birthday dinner.  We went to Friendly's.

Bella was serenaded by the wait staff.  So were two other boys. 

And here is the birthday girl standing our our hotel lobby at 6:52 pm. 

Exactly five years after she was born.

We brought some of her birthday gifts to open.  She sure loved being the birthday girl!

The following day was spent swimming again and then on to the Discovery Museum. 

We even got to see a show in the planetarium.

Summary:  I loved this little getaway.  I have so many happy memories.  Snuggling up in our king bed and watching the new TinkerBell movie.  A super huge Kit-Kat bar.  Free doughnuts from the diner.  Bella officially turning five.  Kids taking a bath in their swimsuits.

Family time is so precious to me.

This next photo isn't from our trip, but I like it.     

Now it's back to the real world.  We got a big dose of reality last night.  Graydon woke up around 10pm crying intensely and struggling to catch his breath.  It was a no-brainer.  Off to the ER we went.  As we loaded Graydon into the car, I felt very grateful that we have health insurance and access to good health care.  We didn't have to think twice about taking him to the ER out of fear that we couldn't afford it.  We are very fortunate as this is not the case for everyone.  

The ER was not busy and we were seen right away.  The nurse and doctor easily identified Graydon's problem:  Croup.  His airways were inflammed which made breathing difficult which freaked him out which made him cry which made it even harder to breathe.  They treated him with a steroid and kept us there for three hours for observation.  By 2:30 am, we were given a prescription for Prednisone and free to leave.  He is on the mend, but we're definitely taking it easy.     

Happy Birthday Bella!

I'm feeling pretty sentimental about Bella turning five.  It seems like such a big age.  My mind keeps jumping back to five years ago at this time as we prepared to welcome our first baby into the world.  There was so much excitement and anxiety and love and fear and awe at the wonder of this new life.  And here she is, turning five. 

I feel like this past year has been a preparation in letting go.  It seems so silly to think this way as she is still so young.  But really, from the moment babies are born, their lives seem to be a series of letting go.  The first one is just cutting the cord.  But it moves on from there to crawling and then walking.  Going to preschool.  Going to the the movies with another family - without us!  All of these are little things, and yet big at the same time.  Bella will be starting kindergarten next fall.  That's a huge step in my mind.  I feel like time is really gonna start to fly once it is measured in school years.

So I'm a little emotional today.  Sometimes I wish I could make time stand still.  But the fact that it doesn't is probably what makes this time in life so special.  Bella is healthy and happy and growing up into such a sweet girl.  Everything is as it should be and I am so thankful for it.

Bella is so excited about turning five and I am excited for her!  We have a fun birthday planned complete with a little family getaway to Connecticut.  It's time to celebrate!

Photos from Bella's Party!

The theme:  RAINBOWS!  I was inspired by Bella's artwork.  Give her some paper and crayons/markers/paint and you'll get a beautiful rainbow picture.  I saved some of her rainbow artwork from the past couple of months and displayed that at the party. 

About twenty of Bella's friends (plus some younger siblings) filled our church basement to celebrate Bella's fifth birthday (a couple of weeks early).  It was loud and crazy, but so much fun!  We had rainbow bingo, pin the cloud on the rainbow, and topped it all off with a pinata - something Bella has wanted at a party since she saw it on Dora. 

Bella loved her party and the icing on our cake was when she whispered to Andy just before blowing out her birthday candles, "I love you and Mommy." 
 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! 

There's still more celebrating to come when the actual birthday arrives in two weeks!