Hello,

Just a few pictures to add - they looked adorable when I was taking them but not so great when I saw them later - oh well - Lizzie is a cutie pie so I'm adding them anyways!

I did a little Christmas Shopping tonight - wow - are people seriously lacking in the Christmas spirit department? There were some wicked (in honor of my husband from Webster, Mass) grumpy people at Kohls!

Molly and my mom and I went to the Nutcracker today - I took one picture and can't get it to upload but, needless to say, my daughter was a blast to spend time with and I will definitely post more on the subject tomorrow.

Lizzie Mack acting adorable for Mommy - she has some major baby acne - the only time it isn't so bad to have acne right?
KK loved this picture - what a special baby!

Is it me or does she look like she's been drinking?

Full baby body pictures - love those lanky arms and legs!

She looks so big in this one - she really is still a little peanut!

Lizzie up close!

Teeny Tiny toes!

Not a great picture but Aunt Randi and Uncle Chris got Lizzie this outfit and it looked adorable on her!

Peter is amazingly comfortable with the baby - he switches her into different positions and can even get her to burp and calm down when I need him to help with her. I love watching him with her - as you can see!

He was singing to her in this picture - what a joy to watch them together!

Hanging with Lizzie - she was staring into his face most of the time!

Kissing on Lizzie!

I'm always so proud of the big kids and how attentive and warm they are with the babies. Peter and Molly love to be with Lizzie and Annie and when Lizzie starts getting too much attention they are the first ones to run to Annie and shower her in attention - sometimes more than she wants but always with good intentions.

Peter started basketball today and seemed to have a wonderful time - he has some "mad skills" according to him - Papa's time out in the driveway is paying off because he seems to be pretty good - even the coach said it!

Tomorrow is Christmas decorating day - yeah - I was seriously concerned that Christmas Eve might get here and we would still be trying to plan a time to put the tree up. I'm going to a shower (my cousin Kara's baby shower - so much better to see someone open cute little baby booties than pyrex bowls - not that wedding showers aren't entertaining in their own right!) and leaving Bob with a nursing newborn and the other three kids so I'm not sure the tree will be put together when I get home but we are determined that the house will be ready for santa by bedtime! Wish us luck!

BTW - "the screamer" is newly nicknamed "the angel" after sleeping for 6 hours straight over the last two nights - best Christmas present ever! She's also awake a bit more lately and charming us all with her cooing and loving looks at all the right times!

GNM - ILY!

A few pictures!

Hi Everyone,

Its been a chaotic few days - Lizzie is not sleeping and is still dropping weight. Yesterday she was down to 9 pounds 1 ounce and the pediatrician decided that she simply was not getting enough food so we supplemented a bottle of formula to see what happened. She was definitely happier and seemed more content ..................oh yeah, and she slept for 5 1/2 hours! I'm still nursing so she gets the good milk but she is also getting some formula to supplement her. I've nicknamed her "the screamer" since she is really a pretty fussy baby but what a sweetie she can be at times. Uncle B came over to visit tonight and took offense to our nickname for his goddaughter - I told him to give her a pep talk then.

Daddy giving Lizzie her very first bottle the other night. She looked lovingly up at him the entire time - she was just happy to finally be getting enough food.
Sweet naked girl - I love how newborns still curl their feet up even after 3 weeks.

Papa came over and gave Lizzie a tubby in the sink - she loved it for a while.

Lizzie loving Papa while she gets a tubby.

Grammy and Annie looked so cute in their pink - they watched Lizzie's tubby.

Our little Irish girl in her shamrock outfit - I knew that Uncle B was coming over and wanted her to be dressed to impress. Plus she looked adorable!

Uncle B hanging with Lizzie.

My little cutie pie!

Pete getting in on the action.

And we can't leave Molly out!

Awwwww - so cute!

Love that beautiful baby face!

Molly loving Lizzie before bed.

Annie and uncle B playing with uncle B's cell phone - he will do ANYTHING for Annie!

Annie - thrilled to play with Uncle B's cell phone. She even figured out how to play the music.


So it has been a long week - I'm sleep deprived and grumpy but Lizzie is worth it and as a mother of 4 I keep in mind everyday that this stage doesn't last long so we can handle anything! We got to hang out with Uncle Ig for a while last night - wow, do we have alot of kids in our family now - the kids took over the place! Uncle Ig looks wonderful and is amazing - he came from Mexico City and is staying for a few days and than heading back there before flying back to Bolivia. It was great to see him but unfortunately I forgot my camera so I can't share any pictures with you!

Molly went to bed very excited because, in true grandmother fashion, my Mom stopped over with a special dress for Molly to wear this weekend when we go see the Nutcraker together. My Mom and I took Molly to see the Nutcracker last year and she has talked about it consistently ever since - she reads the book and keeps her nutcracker dolls out all year long - she is telling everyone that she is going again. I can't wait and am just hoping that I can pump enough milk for Lizzie!

I'm off to get some sleep before our little angel wakes up for more milk!

GNM - ILY!

Craft night with Auntie Ann!

Auntie Ann held one of her craft nights for the older cousins last night. We all met a SES for 4:30 mass and than came back to our house to make crafts and have dinner while the parents went and got some time for themselves. Karla ended up taking Ann for us so she didn't get a break at all and apparently Annie was NOT on her best behavior for her godmother. I guess she has to show her defiant side sometimes!

Church is getting a bit embarrassing for our large brood as people sit farther and farther away from us when they see us. The big kids just hit their stride at church and began understanding that the quieter they are the better their chances of not going to bed as soon as we get home and Annie has just learned how to get Bob and I to break out in a sweat during the mass. She is constantly chattering and wanting to get down no matter how much we encourage the binky and blankie! This week was particularly difficult because Grammy and Papa were not there to whip the unruly children into shape. The great part about our church is that the music is loud and there's even some dancing and clapping occasionally so no one really notices our particular brand of chaos if they are sitting far enough away - eventually I feel as though there will be several rows between us and the next breathing person in church but we keep trying!

Our little angel!

The girls painting their snowmen! They were very industrious!


Auntie Ann helping Abby with her painting - Auntie Ann has the patience of a saint.

The boys working hard on their snowmen.

My beautiful goddaughter never looked up until she was done!

The kids took a break for ice cream and a show while their snowmen dried!

Julia and her snowman! Auntie Ann and i marveled at how differently the kids went about their projects.

Abby and her snowman!

Molly girl and her snowman!

Tyler Patrick and his snowman!

My little ham, Peter, and his snowman!


The kids had a great time and played really well together! Auntie Ann was wondeful and had all the snacks and crafts prepared for them so the night went very smoothly! Auntie Ann even pretended not to notice my disaster of a house and I felt very privledged to be included in the night and get to see all the kids together. I know I've said it before but many of my best friends are my cousins and craft nights and other nights of bonding like them are a major reason why - it is amazing to me that Auntie Ann still has the time, energy and patience to take on the great nieces and nephews but I am very happy that she does!

BTW - Papa took Lizzie for a few hours last night and brought her home happy but hungry - I fed her for an hour at 11 p.m. and put her in the bassinet - fully expecting that she would be up within an hour - I was happily awakened by her gurgling noises at 5:45 a.m. I proceeded to call my dad to find out what time he is coming to get Lizzie tonight because he clearly has the magic touch!

Molly and I went for pedicures and then grocery shopping where we met about 20 people we knew - Molly proceeded to tell everyone that "we had a little sister on November 11th and Mommy needed to spend some girl time with me." She also told one friend that I'm not pregnant anymore and you can tell because my tummy shrunk a little bit." She was a chatty little thing today and I had a blast with her - hearing her thoughts on the world - including how many children we should have, how John McCain must feel after losing to Obama and what she is going to do if they have a snow day tomorrow - it sounded so good and we had so much fun that I almost wish they would have a snow day tomorrow..........I said, almost!

I'm off to console my husband while we watch the Patriots get creamed by the Steelers! At least we have some good snacks to go with the bad loss!

Another happy note - Uncle Ig is coming home for a few days on Tuesday (his birthday) - he will get to meet Lizzie - yeah!

I'm not going to steal anymore pictures from Todd and Michelle but little Cassidy is adorable so go to their blog and see the updated pictures!

GNM - ILY!