Football Crazy!

Yes it is time for Football craziness at Chez Laterza - we are currently pulling for Maryland, Michigan State (Go Spartans - see outfit photo from Alex's beloved Godparents) and Carolina at the same time. Also poor David continues to hold out hope for the poor Mets, but at least their viewing gives me time to do little projects like keeping up the blog. Here is hoping whoever your team is that they are winning. All our love! XOXOXO

Baby Moore (Ava) has arrived!

Baby Moore, aka Ava Faye, aka the future Mrs. Alessandro Laterza (should the prior waiver to Sam Woods not be favorably received) has arrived. For those of you who were at the recent brunch, Ava's parents are Matt and Victoria Moore our dear friends from church. Ava is beautiful and actually outweighed our own little peanut at 9.3 lbs (Victoria is an angel and deserves mother of the year already). All are happy and healthy and are a blessing in Alessandro's young life. Here is to future dates - after the age of say 21 right???

P.S. The person is yellow is not Victoria, but Alessandro's "Auntie Chrissy" our other very dear friend and constant companion of Alex and Oliver.

Monkey Business -

Alessandro is continuing to learn and grow everyday. Attached are some recent photos of all the "Monkey Business" going on here. He has yet to roll over, although he is 90% there with some coaching from Daddy. Soon he will be crawling and we will wonder what we were hoping for after so long. However we are not in a rush and are enjoying every moment of this precious time. As the last photo shows - he now loves to feel our faces and for daddy to make "funny noises" guess comedy is relative while he is exploring. Anything to entertain a five month old I guess?

Alessandro is Visited from the Farkas Clan -

Alessandro was very lucky to show his beloved family around New York City during a recent visit. Aunt Joan, Uncle Vic, Ron, Michelle and the fantastic kids came from Tennessee and Alabama respectively to spend some time in the city. We had a ball going around to sites and outings in the city. Also that same weekend another Farkas visited as well - what are the odds? Jill was here celebrating her birthday and Alessandro got to meet all the ladies before a BIG night out. Alessandro loves showing off the city and loves visitors especially those he holds so near and dear as the beloved Farkas Clan.

First Work of Art -

Alessandro's First Work of Art - Our friends who are actual art collectors tell me it is rather good - well spaced, good texture and composition. For those of you who are wondering his teachers (including Mrs. Christine pictured here) are teaching them about color and small motor skills so they do "foot painting." Of course we think it is fantastic and admire it on the wall every morning in his classroom. We are excited to say he is taking orders for holiday delivery.

New Discovories -

Alessandro has had a very big week - Baptism, First Day of School, but he also has reached some important goals. He can now sit up almost un-assisted and loves his fancy new chair (thanks Kat) and he also is enamored with his toes and loves to play with them. Our boy now weighs 16.7 pounds (which is 90th percentile) and is 27 1/2 inches tall (which is off the charts). Although we are excited about how big he is getting, he is quite a lot to carry around which is what he likes to do all the time. Look forward to passing along more of the excitement around here soon -
XOXOXO

First Day of School -

Tuesday was Alessandro's first day of school. He started "school" at Trinity and everything was great. He has three great teachers - and they are so great with him. Each day Mommy drops him off and Daddy picks him up. Alessandro has his own crib and is right at home with all the exciting decor and learning toys. In the morning the babes have music, motor skills and "jump time" after their nap they have more learning activities and story time. Alessandro has been totally exhausted when he gets home and has been sleeping in his new nursery like a rock. So far there are all boys and one girl for his classmates. However they are getting two "new girls" in October when they are old enough. Can't wait to tell you all about school -

Alessandro's Baptism -

Alessandro was welcomed into the Church family on September 2, 2007. It was a fabulous day and we were joined by many family and friends as well as many far away in our hearts. Alessandro was baptized by Mother Garcia at the 9:00 am (our usual service) at Trinity. The Little Peanut was very good during the church service and he wore the very special "outfit" that his Nonna got for him (personalized with his initials by our friend Judy) as well as the silver cross that his Nonna wore when she was baptized (after we polished it).

The service was beautiful and was perfomed using the special water that our friends the Moran's brought back from the Holy Land from the river Jordan (WOW). After he was sealed our family paraded up and down the church to be welcomed by the entire church family. Mama only teared up once.

After the service we had a lovely brunch at Steamers Landing where we took turns admiring the baby, the gorgeous view of the water and the great weather.

A special thanks Alessandro's Godparents who came from Washington DC to be with us and made the day even more special. What a lucky and blessed baby he is -

The only hitch to the perfect day was the "hot mamma" shoes that were purchased for the ocassion (thanks to the urging of Aunt Tressa) were not made for walking. They made it to the brunch where they were replaced by the ever stylish flip flops.

All and all it was a perfect day and we are so touched by all of your generosity and love.

Pops and Me -

Alessandro spend the end of the summer with Pops who stayed with him for the month of August. Pops stayed with Alessandro for the month between Mommy going back to work and him starting school. Everyday was an adventure, they took walks in the park and had a new and exciting adventure. It was also a bonus that Pops keeps a pretty tight ship around the house and also is an excellent cook. We will miss him, but are excited he is back in Florida to enjoy the pool and Elizabeth who missed him so.

Thanks Pops - what a great summer!