Last night we made Nino's day. We took the train (two stops and 11 minutes) to dinner in Ipswich. Wonderful greek food, took the train back home. He was telling our waiter, the host, the water girl, everyone about the train. I love doing things for him that he loves.

This weekend, we saw the seals at the beach. It's sort of an "around Christmas" tradition. They winter in the (relatively) warm water nearby. Maybe not the best time to see them is the morning after you watch "March of the Penguins", but we still saw them as cute. Very fun and frolicking. It was raining, but Nino still wanted to be in the sand with his trucks.

And the little girl is so happy. I love that now she can be awake and fun and not just wanting boob or diaper or rocking. Although she still wants that a lot.

New babies are the best, aren't they? Her first and my older son are just a week apart, and she just had a daughter last night. I'm over the moon for them. Welcome to the world, Anna Jane!

I can't believe it's been three years!

The girl is up to 11.5 lb on momma milk alone. So happy. She got four shots yesterday though, poor bub. She was mad or sleeping all day. I'm not ready for her to get whooping cough though so there we go.

Tomorrow we have two birthday parties for the big boy. Hard to believe he'll be three Saturday. We've got our playgroup with cupcakes in the morning, and dinner and orange cake in the evening with family. It's not too late to be deciding on a menu tomorrow right?

I'm loving this. I think Massi will get it since she'll hardly get any new toys of her own.

Pretty sure I'm done shopping. I bought some stuff online, but one of them says I'll have it by the 3rd of January. I sure hope it's like a week sooner. More than that. Sigh.

Nino has an imaginary friend, JoJo. I love it. We do lots of things for JoJo. The hardest is opening the door to let him in in a blizzard, but I'd want to be let in too.

And the downstairs is done. Every room now just has one single purpose. We can now watch movies at night and not wake the boy. I'm beyond excited.

New favorite mall. This from not a mall person. Said mall has a) fewer stores b) good santa (too late for us this year) with no line c) indoor toddler play area that rules, is clean, and free and d) torrid. I didn't get to enjoy that last as children were melting down before my eyes, but I had no idea. And close. If we move, it will certainly be the closest mall.

I'm so in denial about christmas. I've bought like 30% of my gifts, if that. I'm hoping I can do a lot more online. What does one get for a fifteen year old boy anyway?

I'm dying here. So Nino has the fisher price little people nativity.

And he is playing with baby Jesus, Married, and all of his other little people (the tow truck driver, the construction worker) as well as them. Apparently the wise men need help getting their gifts to the baby Jesus, and the animals don't feel like walking, etc. It's hysterical.

I'm also totally bummed since I ordered some stuff on November 28 that's not here yet, and probably won't be before Ethan's birthday on Saturday. Darn super saver shipping.

At least I'm still really excited about the photo session with the 3 cousins. Cute sweaters, coupon, good frames. Can't go wrong.

Today we saw Santa. Overall it was good, although Santa was feeding his reindeer when we arrived, so we had to blow some time. Lunch, a carousel ride, and jcrew later, we saw him. Girl wasn't at all fazed by being held by strange bearded man. Thank you, daddy, for getting her used to facial hair.

On the way home I call my mom and say "now I've started shopping". She says "started?!" A. It's the FOURTH not the TWENTY FOURTH and B. I have an infant and toddler. She's lucky I didn't do online with overnight delivery.

Good weekend. We went to the Santa parade, went to the local toy store where Nino found the yellow truck that he has repeatedly asked Santa for (thank god it's close and cheap), and saw the UNH ladies beat UMass's. Super fun, going with Ethan and his Momma to see his Mommy coach. G still calls her Ethan's daddy.

Anyway, here we are.

Just look at her. Sigh.

I'm a bit cabin feverish. I mean I get out every day, but oftentimes the only adult I talk to is my husband, or my mom on the phone. And now that it's getting too cold for the park, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do. I guess I have to start showing up to the NS and Nino meetups. Or start eating lunch at places like Brujitos.

Also, because it's just as easy to have it here and edit it, I'm going to make my christmas lists here.

G-man:
March of the Penguins
Hess Truck

Massi:
Play gym

Myself:
A big bag that is more a purse than a diaper bag, with shoulder straps
Neil Diamond's 12 songs. :uh

Family:
Target chairs. On sale this week. Must buy 2.

Today I got something awesome to be thankful for. The little girl gave the cutest little chuckle. Yes, she was asleep, but in my arms, she gave a big grin and then . . "huh heh huh". Oh man. :adore

Tomorrow I have to go shopping for some fleece, so I might hit a store or two also. Depending on how I feel about it all.

It was a lovely turkey day, with the beautiful, well behaved children, and me getting some quality free lap and arm time, what with all the relatives. We made the call not to trek to Auntie's house, as it was snowing, and wouldn't you know that it stopped just before we sat down. I have leftovers galore.

We're trying to stay up to watch Nemo, but I'd like to be in bed before it even begins (8:30). I hope Nino falls asleep early. Massi is already asleep on me right now. And now my husband of all people is shopping. He and his brothers (all of them) went to Freeport. 24/7/365. Good for them. Last time I got a new vest out of the deal. :D

My son cracks me up. We're working on letters, he's really curious about how one reads. So he wrote a G on his turkey as seen here:



Then he says "G P S dot com - that's me!" I don't know what this means, but he knows he starts with G, and somehow this phrase flows. I crack up every time.

Anyway, happy turkey day.

So big!



Thanksgiving has been moved to nearby. It's supposed to snow up to 4". I'm not packing my babies and driving 90 miles. Sorry Auntie.

Possibly hosting here, which I'm kind of happy about. I can make a turkey and set out plates, if everyone brings a side or dessert. It could be fun. And having the kids in their own home is priceless.

A teething five week old sucks. That left tooth is a white straight line and I can imagine it just kills. It is starting to have that sandpapery feel, so I'm hoping the anguish for the girl is nearly over. She's so little she doesn't even know why she's miserable. And up till this week she was such a happy girl all the time that's the only thing I can think of. Sigh.

I can't believe it's thanksgiving already. I'm becoming a bit worried about the 3 hours of travel on the big day with the new girl, but she's so mellow (when not teething) that I don't see a huge issue. Fingers crossed.

This article had me in tears this morning.

And the girl rolled tummy to back for my dad today. Hooray - witnesses!

So it seems that Nino has outgrown his carseat. I'm kind of a nut about these things and research the heck out of them. But really, this time, I've decided that regulations wouldn't allow an unsafe seat on the market, and I'll get a brand that I know, and have him test-sit them. Especially since I need two or more of them. At least now I know that the seats he's currently in will be available when little girl needs them. Additionally, we're about to get the double stroller. Very excited. Can't wait to go for a long walk where Nino isn't on his own power.

Not sure why, but I've been craving hot dogs lately. Like I can't crave something that's actually found in nature. Ah well, of to nuke one. At least if I'm having something artificial, I can artificially prepare it as well.

Isn't it amazing how we're pregnant, and we say "it doesn't matter, so long as s/he's healthy" but then even if they aren't, it doesn't matter. The second they are born we'd do anything for them. Heck even before that.

Happy one year post surgery Dillon!

Let's see. Lunch with B Friday was fun. Boy was a ball of fire, but it was okay - it was TGIFridays. Anything goes. And cousin and auntie were in town for the weekend. That was super fun. To see Fia a toddler and Massi the baby, and Nino the big boy . . .

Today she is a month old. I can't believe it, but looking at the hospital photos, she sure is bigger. Chubbier and all. Up to 9 lb 4 oz. Just one shot today. Next time will be the big bad appointment with lots of shots. And she's getting such hair. I hope it all hangs around.

Today I also made mini-shannon, who with her sling will head out tomorrow. And at some point, soon, I'm going to the new Ikea. Maybe thursday. I want to get the little gym for the girl.

Here she is snoozing in brother's bed today:

Today is a very exciting day. First and foremost, Amanda meets her daughter. She's in China as I type. Actually, with time differences, she has her in arms by now. *sniff*

Secondly, it's election day. While it would be nice for Tom to win, no matter what, campaigning is over. I get my husband back. If Tom doesn't win, though, it might start the great house hunt to leave town. I really don't want that.

I just put away my maternity clothes. I will use them again, so no ebay for us, but I did manage to pare out about a dozen things for salvation army. There are only so many pair of black stretchy pants a pregnant woman needs. And really, if I didn't wear that melon colored shirt this entire pregnancy, the odds I'll wear it next time are super slim.

We've discovered the wrap love. Best $5 and 20 minutes spent.