QUE ALLEGRA!

Happy Birthday little girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Martha and Chad! Martha, a battle well fought. WOW. Chad a terrific coach I heard.

Now, little one, if your parents could only get on the ball and name you.

I mean, didn't you guys have about 9 months to come up with a girl name? Golly.

Foto! Foto! Foto!

Happy Birthday boys!!!!!

Luca...You're 5? Wow.....Such a big boy and such a good older brother!

Andrew,really possible I have a 15 yr old?

Really? We're so,so proud of you.

It makes me cry to see all you kids getting so big....And you're so loved

4 Months Old

I'm 3 Months Old!

And 10 lbs...



...2 of which are in my cheeks.


Treasure.

Blue Jean Baby

My little boyfriend...

... who's doing better after surgery than before. 10 days post-op, he still has some apnea spells, but consistently much fewer. The vote is out on whether he comes home on the vent full time, or just at night.


Weird picture, but it's the one and only time I've seen him without tape all over his face, so I snapped it quick before my battery died. What a punum! Luca in the eyes, Leo in the mouth and chin. And all sugar.


Confession: we DO call him Paulie... Best intentions, but well, when it fits, what can you do? He's just a little baby.

Novena for Paul

One of Paul's feast days is in 9 days, on December 28, the feast of St. Francis de Sales. Would you join us in saying a novena between now and then?

The newest news is that Paul's apnea has worsened this weekend, after a week of improvement. Taken all together, a "realist" might well look at the evidence and say that Paul very likely has a systemic brain issue, causing problems with swallowing, breathing and perhaps speaking and seizures (he may have had one this weekend).

But I think I'm not alone in saying that as often as possible, I like to screw the "realists." Paul's a premie, who's been fighting one infection or another since birth. Even if an elephant does sleep in the crib next to Paul, we're not out of other potential culprits. And we're certainly not without God's grace.

I will be asking St. Francis for his intercessions, but leave it up to you to ask whomever you wish, and with whatever prayers you wish to say, to intercede on Paul's behalf. And to pray on all of our behalf that we accept God's will, whatever it is.

Incidentally, December 28 is also the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the day we found out Luca had spina bifida, and the day we found out Leo did not. May it be a day of grace this year as well. Love to you all.

Sickness is a great grace of God; it teaches us what we are; in it we recognize the patient, humble, and mortified man. When sickness weakens and mortifies the body, the soul is better disposed to raise herself up to God. - St. Paul of the Cross

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise,

God, whose very own you are,

will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same understanding Father who cares for

you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

-St. Francis de Sales

p.s. One of my favorite things about having kids is meeting new friends in their patron saints! xo

correction: St. Francis' Feast Day is January 24th - he died on Dec. 28th.

Our Sweet Pea

6 hours old. We met him briefly before heading out to surgery. He was baptized before this.

4 days old (yesterday).
I think his hair might end up blonde. His skin is surely sensitive enough to be pale, as you can see below and in the video. He was born with a strange rash that's healing and peeling. No harm Paul, you're pretty enough.

Tiny legs and ankles, with oh so sensitive little toes.

Poppy and the littlest one.

2 minutes of a baby sleeping? Yup. : )

Paul, we love you so much, all of us.

Christmas Goals

November first, for me at least, starts the Christmas Season. That doesn't mean decorations go up, but it means I get to mentally prepare for Thanksgiving (which I love more and more) and Christmas (which I love the most), and all the excitement and coziness that goes with both.

This year, however, November 1st sort of popped up, as I'm sure it did with the rest of you, and it has now dawned on me that I haven't been relishing in the first Christmas commercials and decorations in Stop&Shop. I think this isn't just due to how crazy things have been lately, but because of the significance of them all. Whilst sipping tea and talking with Clare last night about her going back to Brooklyn and St. Agnes, and all that entails, and the planning I need to do for Kenya, I finally FINALLY realized just how much is going on in our family right now. I mean not just the obvious things. Clare was in the hospital and I am going to Kenya but also, Annie and Frank moved in and then are moving out and are having their third baby, Martha is itching for a baby of her own (hear that, Chad?), Catherine is getting MARRIED, lest we forget, Aloise is graduating college, Mary and Cyrus' families both just had their third babies, and the Captain has finally retired and is home with Ma for good.

Of course with the size of our family it is expected to have so much activity, but not really. I don't think anyone has begun to fully process what happened last month or why it happened or what we're supposed to be taking from it, but I do think there is some significance to it all happening during this season. What a wonderful time to reflect and be surrounded with family. While I still plan on diving right into Burl Ives and sugar cookies as soon as Thanksgiving passes, I'm also so looking forward to a peaceful December to pray and meditate over all that is happening and all that is good. And also to thank God, so so much, for what He has given us.

My goals for the next month and a half are to do the above, way more often than I do now, and to really celebrate the season. Which means good meals and discussions, and gratitude upon gratitude for the Lord and all of our family and friends who prayed so hard for us. How humbled and lucky are we.

How about everyone else?

Bienvenue Mlle. Adela!

All is well, the pretties are home. We love you all.

Roll Call

Andrew
William
Anthony
Luke
Cyrus
Luca
Patrick
Charles
Magdalene
Leo
Catherine Simone
Alexander
Adela

What a list of names! Isn't it exciting to find out what the next one will be?

Little lady, I can't wait to snuggle you.

OMG!

Annie sent me some new updated pictures towards my xmas project for the chillens (thank you Nora and Ann...hello to Cathy and Mary?) Just wanted to brag that this is my desktop for awhile....

Caption Contest: Baby Buri Needs a Name

Well, I guess it's not really a caption contest with no picture...

But seriously, our new little lady needs naming.

Let the suggestions begin! The parents will be SOOO thrilled for the input, I'm sure!!

Just Hanging Around, Waiting for Our Godcousin...

We can't WAIT to meet you Burito #2!

Evil Eye

Leave it to me...

To go to an adult party and only take baby pictures! Mom, I'm emailing more to you so as not to have a ridiculous amount on this post.