dear santa

Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is a plastic bubble to put my children in so they can stay germ free.

Christmas came and went faster than expected this year. While enjoyable, it did not live up to the hype in dad's head. Intentions were good, follow through was difficult. We started with a visit to Church on Christmas Eve. Knowing fair well the kids would never make midnight service, we decided on the family friendly 7pm service. Here is a minute by minute breakdown of the service:
7:00pm Service Starts
7:10pm Maeve had pooped in her diaper, and naturally we forgoot to bring a change for her.
7:15pm the smell perpetuated through the church.
7:20pm Charlotte began squirming in her seat.
7:22pm Charlotte leaves the pew and runs around misbehaving like a typical 3 year old.
7:25pm Charlotte has to leave service due to crying and screaming.
7:30pm Maeve starts crying and screaming.
7:35pm Dad leaves service with stinky Maeve.
7:45pm Mom, Dad, Charlotte, and Maeve are at home.

So that was our experience with church service on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately it didnt get too much better from there. At 2am Charlotte awoke screaming and coughing. Coughing so hard that her stomach got upset and then began to vomit. We checked her temperature and it was 103.5. Great.

Christmas morning Charlotte woke up with a fever, and frankly, a little out of it. Dad expected her to wake up clapping and anxious to run downstairs to see what Santa left her. Unfortunately it took a little poking and prodding. However once she saw all of the gifts Santa left under the tree it took no effort to get her to rip open the remaining presents.

Then it was time to pack up, shower and head to Vermont to spend a few days visiting the extended family.

Then the power went out. Mid shower for Shelby with soap in her hair. Luckily it was only a few hours later the power returned and we headed out.

At Nanny and Grampa's house Charlotte progressivly got worse. Now really feeling miserable she didn't want to play or even be around anyone. All she wanted to do was go upstairs and lay in the crib watching television. However, she was able to muster up enough energy to make it downstairs the day after Christmas to see what Santa brought her yet again.

Maeve on the other hand had a blast playing on the floor, watching the boys play, and just taking everything in. She got so close to crawling, but still hasn't been able to figure it out.

After two more days of Charlotte having a 103 -104 fever and just acting miserable, we called her doctor and they suggested we take her to the local emergency room. Which we did. We were seen virtually immediately, a chest xray was done and a strep test. Soon after we were released to go home on the guise Charlotte just had a bad virus. Then came Saturday morning. Charlotte usually wakes up at 6am. It was now 7am and she was still sleeping. Then 8am. then 9am, then 10am, then 11am. She would wake up here and there, but dad was getting frantic with how she was acting. He began packign the car to leave Vermont and head home to see her own doctor. Unfortunately Maeve had her Christening scheduled for Sunday morning. I guess it would just have to wait.

Then he woke Charlotte up at noon. She meandered downstairs and started perking up. As the day went on she seemed better and better. He called off the emergency departure from Vermont and decided to move foward with Maev's Christening.

Sunday morning we hit the church. Mave looked as cute as could be in her white Christening gown that Grammy got for her (Thank You). She did great until Father Rene dumped the water in her eye (and her head). Of course she cried. (I would too). It was now official, she was blessed. And we headed home.

Monday we took the girls to their Doctor. Maeve started getting sick. Coughing and hacking like an old lady, not a 7 month old. Charlotte looked better but we figured we would get them checked out. Diagnoses. Maeve fine. Charlotte ear infections and pnuemonia. Fun Fun.

Needless to say tomorrow is New Years Eve. We will be celebrating at home. The girls are banned from being around all public places until they heal. Santa, please send a plastic bubble.

Maeve and dad opening gifts


Maeve and Oliver.


Maeve with Santa's stash


The girls in their Christmas bests


Charlotte, Liam, and Chase opening round 2 of gifts.


Charlotte posing with her new shirt


Maeve getting close to crawling


Dad and Maeve before the Christening


Dad, mom, and Maeve before the Christening

The countdown is on

The shopping is winding down. Just last minute gifts here and there. The typical stocking stuffer stuff that everyone waits until the last minute to purchase. The wrapping is completed. The tree has slowed down its water intake. The Christmas cookies are baked. Sure signs that Christmas is right around the corner. It come on so quickly, and every year we say, "wow I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve". And like that it is gone in the blink of an eye. A wake of boxes and torn wrapping paper strewn about. It happens year after year. All we can do is to try and enjoy every minute that we can.

In our house that comes from our nightly singing to Christmas carols. Seems Charlotte is a huge fan of Jingle Bell Rock. So after dinner, we crank up the iPod and all belt out Jingle Bell Rock and a few other classics. Maeve has even begun joining in the fun, sitting in her high chair banging her spoon on her tray in rhythm to the beat. What are we going to do when Christmas is over? Surely we will end up being the eccentric family on the street, singing Christmas carols in mid July, windows wide open. Then again, maybe we can find some other season appropriate songs to sing. For some reason the idea of belting out Yankee Doodle Dandy over and over just doesn't seem as fun. Oh and did we mention the baking of Christmas cookies? As you can see young Charlotte has a knack for baking and using the mixer. Thank you Charlotte for your help. You have been such a big helper. As you can see by the picture you love helping in every way, including feeding your sister. Thank you for your help.


Today was a big day for Charlotte. Opening day of the Chestnut Hill Preschool Christmas Paegant. Seeing her perform was a special treat that words alone can not describe. Luckily we have it on video and will be submitting portions of it to America's Funniest Videos. We are so thankful that Charlotte has such amazing teachers. So nice that they are being taught the true meaning of Christmas at such an early age.






And so the countdown to Christmas is on. T minus 28 hours until it is official here. We are going to do our best to sit back, watch the kids, and enjoy the special moments that our family brings us. We truly are thankful and blessed to have everything that we have and look forward to many more years of Christmas bliss.

Pictures of the ice storm

These are pictures from THREE days after the storm!

In case you missed it...

NH is in a state of emergency due to a huge ice storm that hit last Thurday. More than half of the state lost power, us being one of those lucky ones that were without power from Thursday until Tuesday night. Believe it or not, we really are lucky that we got power back. There are some towns that still dont have power and who are not expected to get power back for "several more days" according to our utility company PSNH.

Needless to say, we still do not have internet and phone. We really dont have any idea when that will be back and frankly, we really dont care. We are just happy to have heat, water, and electricity. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends who still dont have power. Hopefully it will be back on in the "next few days". We will be uploading some pictures shortly to show how bad it was really and still is. Literally there are roads that are still impassible. Not little side road, but main roads that connect town to town.

Needless to say, Im ready to now live off the grid.

A day that will live in infamy

Charlotte's Birthday is easy to remember. Thanks to the help of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his famous speech delivered on December 8th 1941 after the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor the day earlier. Thus the birth of Pearl Harbor Day. While it's a sad day in history, we hope that Charlotte's Birthday makes it a little happier.

Charlotte you are now officially 3 years old. You have turned into a little girl and you love everything girlie. Pink, glitter, princesses, cats, flowers, you name it. If you think something is "girlie" you love it. This point was reinforced over the past few months as random ladybugs were found in your room. Most kids would welcome the chance to play with a harmless insect. Not you dear Charlotte. You would scream and yell to come get rid of it. Yes, bugs are not very girlie and no you do not like them. Point made.

You have however completely stolen our hearts with your cuteness. The excitement in your eyes when you see a princess, the way you use the word "beautiful" to decribe virtually everything, the nights in bed when you ask to snuggle and the proceed to whisper to us how much you love us, just washes away all the negative three year old things that you do.

We celebrated your birthday with a little party. Nothing huge, just an intimate gathering of friends and family. Nanny came along with Aunt Pam from New York and Aunt Renee from Vermont. You were so excited to see them along with the Belle cake that Renee made for you. For weeks you have been talking about your Belle party.

On top of that your friends Colin, Brendan, Mason, Brodie, Adrie, Sammy, and Marin joined in the festivities. You had a beautiful time and loved all your gifts. Thank you.

"Colin, Mason, Brodie, Charlotte"


"Watching Pete's Dragon"


"Marin and Sammy"



And so another Birthday passes. Another year. Another great year. You have grown so much this year and have taught us that patience truly is a virtue. You have also taught us how fulfilling life can be and have truly made our lives happier than we ever could have imagined. Today you get to start a new tradition of seeing the Nutcracker with mom. Just you and her, having some quality time together. We hope you enjoy it.


We love you.

Mom and Dad (and baby Maeve)

Growing Up

Today Maeve turned another month old. We are now on month 7 of having her and every month she continues to amaze us with her little smile and her crazy hairstyles. This kid has style. And her personality is starting to shine through. Laid back but determined. She loves her sister and smiles and laughs every time Charlotte is near. Last week she said her first word! DADDA!!!! Music to dad's ears.
She knows what she wants when she wants it and there is no "if's and's or but's" about it. Her temper...well...we will just say she inherited it from someone in the family. She also has a love of food. We have yet to find something she doesn't like to eat. Unfortunately we found out she also has an allergy to something. Not sure what, but dad thinks it was the turkey dinner baby food we fed her last week.

Like her sister, Maeve also loves her baths. She splashes and laughs, and when its time to come out of the water she cries. We love her and we are so proud she is part of our family.

Fiasco

Thanksgiving is just a whirlwind. We cant even begin to tell you all of the adventures of Marvelous Maeve and the Web. Here is a brief synopsis of the adventures.

Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) - Grammy and Pappa leave from their visit. We drive to VT to see Nanny and Grampa.


Thursday (Thanksgiving) - Dad ate too much turkey. Three plates is two plates too many. And the pie and icecream afterwords? Not necessary. Glutten is a sin isnt it?
Friday (day after Thanksgiving) - Liam and Chase arrive in Vermont. Grampa and dad get Christmas tree for the house. Kids play. Turkey dinner number two is cooked. Dad only has 1 plate this time.


Saturday (day after the day after Thanksgiving) - Mom and dad cut down ginormous Christmas tree that they will eventually realize is almost two feet too big for the house. Kids create a cookie Christmas tree. More playing. Charlotte celebrates her birthday
.






Sunday (Sunday needs no explanation) - Pack up from Vermont. Drive home. Unpack. Set up tree and then decorate. Build snowman outside in first snow of the season.

The day of doing nothing

If you have to work the day before Thanksgiving, chances are you are doing a lot of nothing. So as a treat we figured we would update the blog for you. So happy holiday's early and have a great Thanksgiving.



Over a week without a post is very very unlike us, but hey, sometimes life is crazy and is virtually impossible to find the time to update.

Grammy and Pappa came for a visit from South Carolina on Saturday. The girls were very excited to see them and have had a ball with the extra attention that only grandparents know how to give. Of course bribery with gifts work wonders as well. Maeve LOVED her sock monkey. Thank you Aunt Colleen and Aunt Sharon for the beautiful blankets, sock monkey, and Belle Doll.





Grammy enjoying her time with the girls.



Its been a busy week and dad is dreaming of Thanksgiving. Stuffing himself on turkey then falling asleep in front of the tv watching football. But he knows it is only a dream as the chances of him getting away with that are slim to none. But he can still dream and is going to do everything in his power to pull it off. Have a great Thanksgiving!