Happy 2010!!!

We are off to a cheer filled get together at the home of our dear friends. Planning to celebrate New Years In London at 7:00pm so the kids can celebrate - adults can raise a glass - and everyone be home and in bed by 9:00pm.... This is my kind of party.

In all seriousness - all the best for 2010 - so much to look forward to -

XOXO

DL

Merry Chrismtas - Open This Daddy -

We had a great Merry Christmas with the boys - they did sleep into the morning until about 8:00am which we figured will be about the last year for that. When they came down the tree was covered with goodies, stockings were full and the toys they had been asking for were all there. It was very exciting. An editors note - we did get a new camera that does have video capability (thanks Deb it was a very kind birthday gift) so we are going to try and show you some of all the excitement (note I do need some practice and the first feeds are pretty rough).

The boys got so many toys that it is hard to process it all - it is also still hard to walk in out living room even though some of the "loot" has been taken down to the basement already. There was a hot wheels garage, alpha ball, transfer truck, baby karaoke walker, new Jets outfits, basketball hoop, view master (who knew they still made these?), new soccer outfits, art for the walls, photos, trains, videos, a first computer, reader and pretty much everything you can think of. The boys were very into Christmas and all the excitement but were patient and took a break for breakfast, lunch and for poor Nino to nap. Between all the loot (everyone was way too generous) and the family calls we did not get done with opening everything until 1:30pm, which is pretty good if you see the photo of the tree.

One funny story - when you are 2 1/2 I bet it seems very exciting to get all these things at once. Alessandro was so excited that we had to stop and open and play with everything along the way. This is cute but there was some delay with Daddy having to get up and get the scissors to open each item - could they make it any more hard to get into some of these toys???? So by the time we were half way done - ADL would open something and immediately say - "Daddy please open - you need the scissors." This was hilarious to us and of course as fate would have it one of the last things we opened was the "open it" that David's cousin Michelle sent us to deal with all these things - experiences Moms seem to know it all.

Even with all the excitement we did manage to keep the meaning in the season as they say - we celebrated with the Advent wreath every day at dinner, read Christmas Nativity stories, moved around Donna's family manger scene and read the "Littlest Angel" as it is the practice with David's family - perhaps the boys will be able to pay more attention to this story next year.

We have a lovely Christmas - are working on our thank yous still - and can not wait to show you all the loot if you are nearby - but be warned it is still a Santa worthy mess -

Merry Christmas!

XOXO

Christmas Eve -

The Laterzas had a quiet Christmas Eve and celebrated just the four of us. We went to Christmas Eve church and came home to get ready for Santa. At church we laughed because we do not usually have both boys with us and they were a hand full. Even though it was the children's service it made us glad for Sunday school for regular services. One funny story - Alessandro has been saying a little simple blessing at the table before each meal - it is the one he learned in pre-school where they say Amen.... Let's Eat (really loud). So at church after saying the Lord's prayer and Amen - Alessandro said "Amen - Let's Eat!" Luckily I think only the people right around us heard and because everyone had small children and likely most were glad it was not them - everyone laughed.

Now we have cookies and milk out - with what needs to be finished in the work shop - it should be scotch and diet coke....

Merry Christmas!

XOXO

DL

Give me us a "Silent Night" Please!

For those of you that have not heard much from us - it is because the littlest Prince Nino is sick. He just has a chest cold and the doctor assures us that he will kick it in the next days to a week (deep sigh). He is pretty good in the day just congested and draining (sorry for the graphic detail) but at night it is a hysterical scene much like the exorcist. Poor thing can not breath and is not happy about it - throw in that he is still really teething up a storm and there is not a lot of sleep going on at this house for anyone.

Today at the doctor we did get the go ahead to give him a little baby benadryl - and although we like to give him nothing - we might give old BIG pharma a try for the sake of every one's sanity. We are all well other then this and just a little more cranky then necessary at the holidays. Hopefully he will feel much better by Christmas Eve...

Thanks for all the well wishes -

XOXOXO

Snow Days 2009 -

Yes the snow is here and lovely - We had almost a foot which is nothing to what DC got (reminds me of my first winter there when we had almost three feet in January) but quite exciting for December. We were lucky enough to contract "Sal" for our snow removal - as the drive is quite long and poor David would of spent three days digging us out when they did it in just thirty minutes including the sidewalk and putting salt down - Plus ADL was so excited about the snowplow truck and jeep that it was quite a bit of entertainment for him as well.

Nino has been a little under the weather so we stayed inside and watched Daddy and Alessandro playing in the snow. We did not take him to the local sledding hill because traditionally ADL has not been a snow lover, however he did pretty well this year.

Alex was of course bundled in the style of "A Christmas Story" but he did not complain and enjoyed wearing his new boots and snow suit (see photo). They played for almost an hour outside and then came in for milk (ADL has not discovered hot chocolate yet) and cookies. How nice that we were warm and cozy and could enjoy the snow - it is also great that David is off all this week and not dealing with the residuals on the commute. Not to mention we are feeling for all the folks at the airports and glad for once that we are staying put.

Sending lots of love and snow...

XOXO

Christmas Cheer -

Yes Casa Laterza is prepared for Christmas Cheer - which is exciting! There are lights outside which are tame and conservative by New Jersey standards which look beautiful in the snow. The tree is a little larger around then we had planned (had to move it three times poor David) but that has only added to the joy of how great it looks now. We have the stockings hung by the chimney with care - thankfully Antonio's was returned from the embroidered since it was just tbd last year and looking great. As an aside be careful with the stocking holders - we have recently heard of someone who's little angel (she is that) got hurt pulling hers down - which has made me re-think the entire "scene" for next year. We have also set up a card display this year since the cards with all the photos are so beautiful and they make me/us so very happy (also like making David guess who the babies are and he is better then I had thought...). This needs to be perfected but thank Tressa for the great idea of spray painting the clothes pins metallic red (have already called OPI and they do not suggest using this beautiful color on your toes although it is perfect).

Lastly we are lucky to be done with the post office, ups, baking 15 dozen cookies (yes you heard that right) and even Santa wrapping so we are just enjoying sitting by the fire, reading Christmas books (ADL loves them all) and watching specials on TV (warning Rudolph has a lot of scary parts that we did not remember so we have hidden it from additional viewings for this year). Hope you are sharing in our Christmas Cheer and we send love from NJ -

XOXO

Nino Officially 9 Months -

Yes we have now officially made it over the 3/4 of a year mark and we can not believe it. Time seems to be flying by with Nino which is likely because we are so busy - at what I have completely no idea. Here are the vital stats for all your number watchers: Height 30 1/4" (90%) Weight 20.12 (60%) and Head Circum 19" (97%) why we track this I have no idea but am sure it is very important.

The consensus - Nino is a big healthy and happy baby - which is good news. While at the doctors we did have two vaccinations and the follow up booster for the seasonal flu - we cried for a moment but were so quickly okay that the doctor seemed as shocked as he always is for Alex who no longer ever cries.

Nino is pulling up on everything and now moves up and down the furniture even with one hand which sometimes leads to spills - therefore we have moves some of our numbers mats upstairs near the couch until someone learns to fall on his bumm instead of the back of his little noggin. the doctor thinks that because of this movement and the crawling backwards that we might not spend much time crawling and get on to really moving. Although this is exciting Nino has proven to have no fear and to be quite the little bull so am somewhat scared as well as proud.

Until then we will just enjoy watching him reach for everything - most especially a remote or phone - well he is a man after all.

XOXO

Alessandro Christmas Crafts -

Alessandro had a BIG Christmas Party at school on Friday. We had lots of good cheer and treats - the Mom hosting it made the most beautiful gingerbread men and no one was interested but me (which was fine with me if they choose goldfish over such a treat). After the treats we had a great story time including the Christmas Story and then a good old fashioned play time on the bike room (it was pretty cold outside to play). I enjoyed seeing his class and also the other friends we have made in Sunday School who are in the other classes. Also Nino enjoyed a trip to school and all the attention he gets from the other kids - who either have babies at home or are ready to start playing with dolls so they think he is just perfect. Of course he laps up all the excitement and just smiles at everyone trying to crawl around and join the reindeer games.

When we got home there was quite a bag to unpack of his school Christmas crafts - there were ornaments for the tree painted and sparkled and a Christmas tree that was made of clay that looks just like the one Deb and I made one year that is still in the ornament box (guess art at this level does not really evolve?). Also there was a painted Christmas Tree that is so beautiful but when posted on the fridge gives a light dusting of silver sparkle every time it is opened so we are looking for an alternative gallery spot. Enjoy the photos of the masterpieces -

XOXO

Santa on a Firetruck!

Yes Santa arrived here at out home Saturday on a firetruck!!!! I am not sure there could be a more exciting combination for the entire household and all were in good cheer. We were baking cookies (teacher and neighbor gifts not to mention a tasting from us) and waiting for Santa as you have to leave quite a window for him to get to everyone in town who participates. At about 11:30pm a fireman knocked on the door and asked me if we had children in the house, after getting over the shock that this is not at all what you want to hear as a mother, I quickly rounded everyone up for the thrill. We were quickly told that we had to walk down the driveway and be calm (yeah right) since "Santa" had just had a hip replacement and could not hold and jump with the kids as in years past. This also explains the very large pillow that Santa was sitting on the front of the firetruck with. Santa greeted the boys and handed each of them their well labeled gifts (thank goodness Santa is so organized) we then visited for a moment and took some photos and then he was off to visit his next family. For those of you local we tried to give a donation to the guys but they would not accept it so please let me know if you hear of a fundraiser coming up - as this was fantastic!

Santa brought Alex a firetruck of his own - which is only moderately loud thank goodness and Antonio a school bus with little animals on board that sings the song wheels on the bus which is catching after the 1001st time. They were both thrilled and it was great that Daddy was home for this event since he has been missing some of the other Seasonal Events - so much fun and of course opening these two small gifts reminded me of what an exciting free for all the 25th will be.

XOXOXO

Visit to the Firehouse -

Today the boys went on a "toddler adventure" sponsored by our local club to the firehouse. There were about 25 tots between the ages of 1 1/2 to four and they were mesmerized about everything. When we walked up there was a firetruck going out on a call with lights and sirens blaring and ADL said "see firetruck and meet firemen" but held him back to just wave in case this was a real emergency. There was two "firemen Mikes" and a "firemen Steve" that showed them around and took questions from the group about fire safety and the fire house. Yes they live there when they are on duty and no there is not a pet dalmatian on premises. After that we got to see all the gear that the firemen use and of course crawl into and take photos in their "pumper truck." After that was the grand finale when Firemen Mike slid down the pole - you could literally hear the collective gasp from all the little boys who have dreamed of being a firemen including ADL. What a fun outing - we can not wait to tell you all about it.

For those of you from DC - I am sure you are laughing at me taking my toddler and baby to the firehouse when it was my dream once upon a time. Yes I did blow out my hair to look like one of the cute moms but no there were no George Clooney look alikes there that I saw - but a girl can still dream right.

For anyone around here - the local department is also doing a program tomorrow where the firetruck is coming to the house with a special delivery from Santa..... Am sure the boys are going to be over the moon when they see the firetruck in the driveway with Santa - it just might be too much to take - Look for more updates soon -

XOXO

DL