Birthday post

Dave bonds with Rose in a...special way. There are so many scary things about this picture.

Tea party to take off the chill. 

Rose tries out her new rocking horse, lovingly inscribed "Rosie" by Grandmommy.

Happy 30th birthday to my sweet husband. Wish I took pictures of the party we had yesterday at the Pop-pops' house. Suffice it to say it was marked by lots of eating, drinking, and merry-making. Kudos to Grandmommy for providing the  sole nutrients via delicious broccoli salad.

Now watch this. It's hilarious.

Holiday recap

We spent Christmas with Lolo and Lola in Cleveland. After the initial (expected) busyness of the days surrounding Christmas proper, we were able to settle in and relax over coffee, puzzles, delicious Christmas sweets and many good meals. Thanks for hosting us dear Lolos!

They stayed like this, David lying in her lap playing with his train, for about five minutes. So.cute.

Lola's Christmas craft: flower arrangements. I got to make one too. 

Cinnamon is good for you, right? Good, because we're made out of these cinnamon rolls.

Lamb for dinner, plum pudding for dessert. Full disclosure: stomach ache for bedtime.

Leaving for Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland. Thanks Jeff and Kate!!

Then on to Grandmommy and Pop pop for a delightful New Years' Eve soiree. Late night Scrabble and popcorn after the little ones (myself included :)) went to bed made for a fun evening. To be surrounded by family was comforting and stress-relieving after struggling through a week of insomnia. I think I speak for all mommies when I say to be taken care of by one's own mommy and daddy takes on indescribable value after one becomes a mommy oneself. :)

Frankie has been itching to use the new cupcake baking set Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kate sent her. We got busy today:

Pink just seemed appropriate.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Christmas cookies

Chef Frankie with Sous Chef Teresa, not licking fingers of course! Giving it the old college try at least...

Sharing a moment

"Yeah, haha, Rose, the water's perfect. Come in!"

"Mommy? He's teasing me. And also, I'm stuck."

Lord, hear our prayer

Console those families, dear Jesus.

Happy Feast Day

There is so much to unpack from the historical record of this miracle. I keep finding out things I didn't know! I wish I could attach audio file of our family friend Fr. Hudgins' homily today. He talks about the huge bump in conversions (we're talking millions of people) right after this apparition took place, when previous efforts to convert the Aztecs had been fairly fruitless. All the Aztec imagery that is part of Mary's appearance apparently made quite an impact. And you could say there was a certain urgency in obtaining Aztec converts, given their systematic, grisly and frequent use of human sacrifice. Anyway, fascinating. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Poor Rose

This is Rose's impression of Mommy over the past few months... hard to get a good nap around these parts!