February Photos

It's been a great month! Dean is on the move now...scooting, spinning, rolling, and yes, CRAWLING. Welcome to the world of mobility. Fun. (That was intended to sound sarcastic.) Drew has been painting and coloring a lot. He finally knows his colors...and all this time I thought he was colorblind! He is a really big help and reminds me of a little Mommy sometimes.

He taught me how to make grilled cheese!

Sometimes when I think about my childhood I feel like I can't remember much. Then, all of a sudden, I'll be buttering my bread for grilled cheese and be reminded of how my DAD taught me this trick. You don't just throw butter into the pan; you spread it on the bread. It cooks so evenly and nicely. I learned this because when my mother wasn't home for dinner, my father would prepare one of the following: grilled cheese, french toast, or hot dogs. Seriously. God bless him. If I was married to Janice I wouldn't need to cook anything else either! So today I was reminded of this...which leads to me a few other memories.

When my dad, aka POP, came home from work I'd step on his shoes and have him walk around with me atop his black, shiny shoes.

We often had family meetings and family hugs - both of which helped us to communicate our feelings and show our love for one another.

My dad, who is both impatient and calm (oxymoron?), used to get frustrated if/when he had to pick me up from work. I was 15, without a licence, and working at The Lodge in the Emerald Square Mall. My shift was 6pm-9pm and if I got out at 9:10pm he would be pulling out of the parking lot...as if I was inside having a drink with friends. It makes me laugh to think of him sitting in the car enraged while I was inside hustling to fold clothes and vacuum...so I'd have a ride home! Yet, on the other hand, when you thought you failed and really let him down - if you did poorly on a quiz or crashed the car - he was supportive and caring. He would always remind me that his grades weren't all As and that I was smart....and he'd remind me after an accident that cars are replaceable, people are not. As long as I was ok things would be fine. These lessons will always be with me. I may not drive off when the boys keep me waiting :) but I will forgive them their faults and teach them how to make grilled cheese.

Thanks Pop!

To my baby...

I watch you

Breathing in and out

My thoughts drift

All about

Your chest rises

and falls again

These feelings

I can't explain

Your heart beats

Through my fingers

It's so amazing

My hand lingers

I smell

Your breath so sweet

I count your toes

And caress your feet

I listen

To each exhale

While soaking in

Every detail

Your long eyelashes

Your pale skin

Your soft lips

And sleepy grin

A little vein

On your eye lid

A small detail

Often hid

I study your face

Your hands, your eyes

I fear too quickly

Time passes by

I breath in

Bits of you

Feel you breathing

In me too

We have a good family!

Said by Drew. We have a good family. How sweet is that?!?

Today was/is Daddy's birthday. We've been celebrating for a few days. Friday night we went out to Tazza Caffe and enjoyed some good food, good company, and great music. The band reminded me of NYC - jammin' to live music and dancing with friends. Good times. Saturday I begged Chris to open my presents. (I wanted to be able to say we did something that day!) He complied and was thrilled with my gifts! Sunday we had brunch at my mother's house - more good food, good company, and gifts. And tonight the four of us went out for dinner and enjoyed some birthday desserts. Quite the celebration...but he is quite the man.

Drew has been amazing us with his cute & quirky comments. We're enjoying him so much.
Dean is scooting around - not yet crawling, but getting there. He moves backwards and spins around...all in efforts to reach toys and demonstrate his incredible strength :) Both are beautiful, loving, sensitive, happy, and fill us with such joy.

We have a good family!

Brotherly Love

My brother Alan and I have been having monthly dinners together - just the two of us - since last summer. It's allowed us to reconnect on a deep and meaningful level. I really look forward to our nights out. I love that it's just Alan and me...and we share such open, real thoughts with one another. He's such a mature, reflective man. I am proud of him for his professional accomplishments, his depth of character, his love of family, and his commitment to his wife and himself. Alan just started his own business! (Check it out!)

I also enjoy exploring the local restaurants! Each month we go someplace new. We started with the Bay Voyage in Jamestown...and other favorites have been Seven Moons, Celestial Cafe,...and last night's Liliana's. We often devour three courses and enjoy delicious wines. But still, it's the bonding time with my brother that I most appreciate. It's such a joy to have him as my friend!!