HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. BLUE!!!

Eleven years ago, I woke David in the middle of the night in pain like I had never felt before. It was time to go to the hospital. After a couple of false alarms, my mother was a little leary when he called her. Was I sure? "Well, she's got her hands digging into my juggular vein because the contractions hurt so bad, I think this is it." The same would be repeated when calling my best friend Lisa. The passenger door of our minivan had been hit a couple of days before and was jammed so I was quite a sight trying to hoist my huge tummy through the van. LOL When they got me to a room, I was only 3cm, but they weren't sending me home (things were different then). As a nurse explained pain med options, I hit transition and couldn't speak. Lisa & David told her to give me the epidural and I just nodded enthusiastically. After that, I was in La La Land! We are big fans of the PBS Auction and I bored them to tears as I watched every minute from 12noon until I delivered. And yes, I even tried getting them to bid on an auction item while I was pushing! And no I didn't win it. I asked my MW how I'd know when it was time to push (I'd previously had a c/s) and she said, "Don't worry, you'll know." Yeah right. When the time came, L & D noticed I was acting funny and couldn't get comfy. They asked a couple of questions and yelled "THAT'S the urge to push!" and they were out of the room like a shot getting the MW. Quite funny to see. I pushed for 45mins and Quinn got stuck at his ears (which ironically, are not big at all) and when he came out, he spun like a football they all told me. There were two midwives and a labor nurse standing there and it took the three of them to keep him from hitting the floor becuas he came out so fast! He also tore me in half in the process I'm told. YOWCH!! I asked how many stitches I was getting and the MW looked right at me and said, "You don't want to know" Lovely...not! Recovery left much to be desired believe me.
Ok so he was a beautiful baby and the apple of our eyes. The girls were excited to have a baby brother. He turned out to have a birth defect that was not detected in my Level 2 u/s and it wasn't found until he was nearly a year old. We spent the first year going through several tests and seeing different drs until a wonderful, amazing doctor named, Stuart Bauer at Children's Hospital discovered the problem, did surgery and made our little boy well!! God bless you Dr Bauer! Thanks to you, we now have a healthy, wonderful son who will be 11yrs old tomorrow.

I love you Bear! To infinity and beyond plus 2!!!

Age 10
Age 5

Age 6

Age 7

Age 8

Age 9

From the Mouths of Babes :-)

The following conversation took place this morning between Eli and I and I thought it was too sweet not to share. Sometimes I think this 5yr old is wiser than his years.

Eli: Mom, do some people live to 99?

Me: Yes Honey. In fact, some people live to be over 100!

Eli (looking surprised): Wooow. They must be really special.

:::::::::::thoughtful pause::::::::::::

Eli: Do they work for God?



On that note, may we all be so blessed!

PANAMA !!!

My dad and his wife recently visited Panama. And Dad didn't miss a chance to send souveniers to his grandkids. They of course were quite happy to receive his package. Here are a few of the goodies he sent; not all of us were photographed,but we too enjoyed our trinkets.

Cool tshirts and brochures for the boys

the princess showing us her new dress

and she found this pretty leather thing that holds jingly silver things

Mr Blue showing off his hat/shirt/bracelet

Murphy's Law

Falling asleep during a movie that you've waited a week for and endlessly asked, "Mom, how many more days until Friday?" "What time is 8:00?" Sorry E.T. we'll have to catch you another time.

Feelin' the love....
Eli & Nikolas were drawing on the blackboards and made these for me yesterday. I love how Eli worked to write "love Eli" in there whereever it would fit. Nikolas clearly needed my help to write his name,but he did help and it appears btw that he's a lefty according to how he typically writes and draws. Ok by us, bring on the big league contracts, this boy can throw!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
I've had 14 Mother's Days and I think this was one of the best! Naturally, my first was very special and there have been a couple of others when I was pregnant,but for some reason this one was just really, really nice.
On my first Mother's Day, David and I brought 13mos old Gabriella into Boston for the day. We took a ride on the Swan Boats,fed the geese & ducks, saw the Make Way For Ducklings statues and the annual Mother's Day MWFD parade. We had lunch in Quincy Market and walked through Fanuiel Hall. It was a very nice day. I had wanted to repeat it this year with all of my kids,but the weather wasn't cooperative; I didn't know what we'd do if anything.
In the morning, David and the three little ones and I went to church as usual. One of our friends gave me a lovely calla lily plant, a plaque to hang, a bracelet, a corsage and a lovely card; all so thoughtful! We went out for coffee while the boys were in Sunday school after the service. When we went back to pick them up, Eli & Nikolas had each made a picture frame and coffee mug for me. The teacher had taken pictures of each child a few weeks ago and put them into the frames. Very sweet. Typically, we stop for donuts on the way home for all the kids. Oddly, we went to two Dunkin Donuts that only had muffins and bagels! When we got home, Gabbie & Quinn had belgian waffles, fruit and cake waiting for us! I guess that's what my friend Moe calls "not a coincidence". We had a nice leisurely brunch and the kids & David gave me a Red Sox hoodie, a candle and chocolates along with some very nice cards. On Friday afternoon, Gabbie had bought me a new purse and wallet with her own money that she earned babysitting. She said that I shouldn't have to carry the diaper bag ALL the time. So nice. And she's glad to have Mom looking a little cooler LOL
David grilled dinner and I was able to get a few pix with some of the kids; a couple were uncooperative. I took Nikolas for a walk and bought him a ring pop. He was so sad about Eli going to play at their cousin's house. I told him that things aren't always even; Eli got to go out,but he (Nikol) got a pop. He smiled quite confidently and said, "Yep, because I'm SPECIAL!" LOL
Overall, a nice, leisurely day and full of happy surprises around each corner.
We had to wait on the cake because the little boys were up past bedtime so we had it last night instead and Gabbie started a tradition. She made the cake and put candles on it. I had to make a wish for each child before blowing them all out. Isn't that a neat idea? She only had 5 candles,but I made wishes for all of them.
I hope all of you had a very Happy Mother's Day as well. We are all abundantly blessed.

Random Shots....Random Thoughts.... George Burns LIVES
Firetruck Fun!
For Girls TOO!
Playing with cousins...9mos 13mos who's bigger?

Sisters sharing bday cheesecake
Ready for the garden!
Dad & Boys after a long cold ball game
Birthday Party Craziness!
Smiling even with the MEASELS!