My little man...

Since Easter is early this year, I went out shopping for outfits for the kids. I have found Geno's dress clothes, but have had trouble finding shoes that will fit his wide, fat feet. Hopefully we will find a pair soon. Here is a couple of pictures of him in his Sunday best! Doesn't he look handsome?

Geno's Clapping!

Geno clapped for the first time two days ago. He was looking at his hands, and the next thing I noticed is that he was smiling and clapping. The whole family turned to him and started clapping saying, "Yeah!" which prodded him to then do it again! Charlie wasn't sure what to make of it and started barking continuously as if he needed to protect us from something. It was the cutest thing ever!

He loves to open and shut the cupboards in the kitchen and pull anything down from a shelf. Next thing we need to work on is putting those things back. He is also standing up every chance he can and walking with minimal support. Here are some pictures of Geno standing on his own.

Geno's first haircut

Today Dad took Geno up to Kids Hair to get Geno's first haircut. He surprisingly sat very well in the chair and seemed to enjoy the experience. They even gave us an envelope to put Geno's baby hair in for his baby book. Dad can finally relax about his son's hair being too long, and Mom can mourn the loss of his curls!
Coretta too decided that she needed a change and got her hair cut as well.

Geno is definitely looking and becoming more little boy than baby now. He can crawl up the stairs, but doesn't know how to get down yet. He can stand without support for a couple of seconds and pulls himself up on everything. My floor, however, is never clean enough. He always finds something to go into his mouth and I scrub them daily! He is also much more open to showing love. He likes to give hugs and open mouthed kisses (even to Charlie which is something we are working on). He loves to eat beans, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly, yogurt, and corn. I have noticed that most times when he refuses to eat, it means he is thirsty. He is very close to saying the word milk when he wants it. He can say Etta, Mama, Daddy right now, but not routinely enough.

Coretta just had her conferences with her second grade teacher. They went very well. The teacher stated that she couldn't do any better in school and that she was a natural born leader. She is enjoying school, figure skating, first holy communion preparation, and Destination Imagination. Her big competition is on March 1st! She is enrolling in piano lessons at the Saint Joseph's School of Music in March as well as floor hockey. She stated that she has been called a tomboy at school because of her deep love of sports. Guess she is following in her mother's footsteps.

Here are some photos of my beloved kids after their haircuts!

Switzerland Bound...

As many of you know, our family might have the opportunity to live abroad in Zurich, Switzerland for three years. Not only do we think that this will be a great opportunity for ourselves and the kids to experience culture and art, but a way for us to take our children to their ancestors.

Since this idea came up, I have been asking my mother and father specific questions about Italy. My mother and father contacted my Grandma Lucca and stated that our ancestors came from the northern town in Italy called Vincentia. This city is very close to Milan, Italy. We do know that many of our relatives are still living in this region today. Before my ancestors came to America they were sheep herders in this region. My mother has given me my Great Uncle Livio Lucca's phone number (Grandpa Geno's brother) to find out more. My hope is to travel this region and hopefully meet these relatives. It is very exciting! The picture to the right is a panoramic view of the city of my ancestors! Below are some links to websites I have found that give information about this town:

Welcome to Vincentia
Photos of Vincentia
History of Vincentia

Geno's silly faces...

Here are some photos taken of Geno right before he was going to take a nap.



You can tell that he is tired because he keeps pulling on his ear. I then capture a picture of him in mid yawn.

He definitely knows how to entertain himself. From reading his books, playing with his puzzles, or playing music, he definitely marches to his own drummer.

Take a look at the silly faces of Geno.

Geno's World

Geno is loving his freedom of crawling around and pulling himself up on everything. He seems to be much happier now that he can pull himself up and reach for things. Now if I could keep the dog food out of his mouth I would have it made! Here is a short video of Geno standing up!

Coretta and Geno

Here are some pictures taken of Coretta and Geno this past summer. I believe Geno is about 6 months old here. They absolutely love spending time at Grandma and Grandpa Earnest's house and enjoy the swings in the backyard that overlook the river. Coretta loves making a fire in the backyard stripping the birch bark from the tree to get it started, roasting marshmallows, and of course swimming in their pool. She is counting the days until summer comes again.

Who's that boy?

As I was scrapbooking some old photos of Nick when he was younger, I came across these. Nick was really sporting the 1970's fashion don't you think? What a happy and sweet boy! I bet he could get away with anything around Marilyn. Just look at how adorable he was (and still is). Do you see the resemblance in Geno and Coretta?

Grandpa tom turns 66!!

Grandpa Tom turns 66 years old today! It is hard to imagine that he was born in 1941. Even harder for the grandkids to comprehend what it was like to live in pre-historic times! (hee hee) here is a link to what was popular in the 1940s for those of you who are curious: Life in the 1940s.

Grandpa is coming over tonight for lasagna and cake and then he and Nick are going to see the movie There will be Blood. In case your interested in what it is about, here is the trailer:



Happy Birthday Tom and may you live a long and happy life!! We love you!

Sleeping sitting up...

Today while I was trying to put Geno down for a nap, I heard a loud CRASH! I quickly went into his room to see what happened. It looked like he must have stood up and pulled this angel picture (that is twice the size of him) off the wall and into his crib. I guess the saying is boys will be boys right?

Lately it is a rare occasion for Geno to take a nap. I guess he rather live life to the fullest! I guess that got the best of him today because when I went into his room to check on him, he feel asleep sitting up!

Vintage Photo

When this specific picture was taken, I believe Coretta may have been less than a year and Imania must have been around five years old. It is hard to imagine that they are 8 and 13 now! It's crazy how fast they grow up!

Who's that girl?

As I was sifting through some of my old photos, I came across this photo of me. I believe I am around three years old. How innocent I look! Can anyone see a resemblance of me in either of my children?

Holy Communion Preparation

As part of Coretta's first holy communion preparation, she and I must complete coursework together. Tonight we completed chapter one that spoke about the sacraments and the holy spirit.

In this book, she must also put pictures from her baptism and family. Here are a few pictures of our first class together! The picture on the left Coretta with her Mom and Dad, her godparents Brian and Bridgette, and Father Carroll. The one in the middle is of me reading the assignment. The last one is a picture of John, Bridgette, Nick and I at Saint Andrews where Coretta was baptized.

While we were sifting through the photographs figuring out which ones she wanted to put into this scrapbook, Coretta turns to me and says, "Who is the woman with the long hair holding me?" I laughed and said that is Auntie Bridge! Look at how long her hair was!

I love my dog...

Coretta has had a great basketball season. In fact, at her last game she scored two baskets for her team! She is definitely growing up. Although I know that this is a part of life, I wish sometimes she could stay this age forever! She is doing well at school and has made a lot of great friends this year. She will soon be starting piano at Saint Joseph's School of Music as well as starting swimming lessons again at the YMCA. Here is a picture of Coretta in her early Valentine's gift (pajamas) from Mom. If you look closely, you can see her brother in the background!

First Holy Communion Dress

As many of you know, Coretta will be celebrating her first holy communion on April 6th. We have been busy taking classes in preparation of this big event. Which got me thinking...AHHHHH....we need to get a dress. Online Coretta and I went looking at several shops in the twin cities, and couldn't find anything we liked. Then, I thought of Norby's, a small department store in Detroit lakes that specializes in this type of thing. I called my Mom and sure enough, we found exactly what we were looking for. My Mom purchased one, sent it to Coretta and to our satisfaction, it fit perfectly. Here is a picture in her dress. Thanks Grandma Earnest, it is absolutely beautiful!!

Want to play airplane?

On Mondays, while I am coaching Coretta's Destination Imagination team, Grandpa Tom comes to babysit. Being a man of ritual and routine, he has incorporated cookie time into their special time together. What this consists of is Grandpa Tom gathering the dogs, Jack and Charlie, as well as Geno and giving each of them a bite of the cookie airplane style. Here's a photo of this ritualistic event!

Geno and his many looks...

Geno is really becoming more of a little boy with such personality and laughter! Some of his favorite things to do are to play with puzzles, take a bath, and play with his sister. He is also very into music, more specifically, the drums so we might just have a rocker on our hands.

He is still on the road to receiving the Most Picky Eater Award, but I guess he is just an independent thinker! Independent thinker or not, it has been quite the challenge for Mom.

He is most happy when he has the freedom to roam the house looking for mischief to get into such as eating paper from the floor, pulling the heating vents off the wall, or shutting and opening doors. I can't wait until he can walk and talk. Things will be much easier for Geno and me. I keep thinking how frustrating it must be for him.

He and Charlie are usually always together. Even when Geno is taking a bath, Charlie is in protector mode as seen in the picture above. Either protector mode or wanting a bath too! Take a look!