Christmas Day

Christmas Morning, we were here at our house... here is our tree with gifts under it for Alli and Mario!

Here is the forced "coming down the steps photo that my parents MADE us do when my brother and I were little.. we were allowed to come down until we did the picture.. now Alli is beyond the "questioning" state, so she just comes down, and we "re-create" :-)

Alli got a BIG shock when she got her orange ENV cell phone... she never thought in a million years she was getting this.. she could NOT understand why her texting was not working on her old phone and kept trying to call the Verison store... thank goodness it was Christmas break! Isn't THIS the reaction that all Moms want?
This was taken at my mom and dad's... we open presents with them for brunch. My mom got the WOW reaction from Alli, too with a Dooney and Burke purse and wristlet! Way to go Nanny!
This pic is hilarious... my dad would say that the baby has the appropriate reaction since it is a Notre Dame hat! I just thought that they both looked so weird, and funny!
My dad giving Mo a Lump of Coal... that has been in our family for YEARS... I got it in my stocking as a joke... although with my smart mouth, I certainly deserved it! lol!

Our first attempt at a family photo...I know that Cameo will love this since she loves those crying baby shots as much as I do... so funny!

Christmas Eve!

This little one went from not seeing ANYONE to seeing everyone in a few short days. We were so happy to share his with everyone, but BOY he voiced his displeasure for our choice loudly. It was a month of being at home, seeing only us and really crying for 5 minutes here and there. People would ask us how he was, and we would tell them he was doing well, not crying much at all and sleeping well. I then would follow up that I hate to even say that since it was not a true environment he was in... most families leave the house WITH their babies on occasion!

Christmas in our family is busy. Isn't everyone's? I really want to enjoy Christmas, but always feel like I need an extra day to just slow down and take it all in. Jeff's parents came down a few days before Christmas to see the baby for the first time. He did great that day!

He got his stitches removed that Friday, and did really well. My dad's birthday is the 22nd, so we visited him at my parents (a 1/2 mile from here) with the baby! He was good that night.

The next night, my Grandma (called Gummie by the grandkids), Aunt Sandy (Mom's sister) and Uncle Dan come in from Maryland to stay with my parents for a few days. They have done this for as long as I can remember. It is so nice to see them, and for us all to get together! The 23rd, my brother, sister-in-law, their 3 kids, Jeff, Alli and I all went for supper to visit. The baby was fussy, not too bad, but more than normal.

Christmas Eve, we have dinner with everyone and open gifts with my brother and his family.
Christmas Morning, we open gifts here, then head to my mom's again to open gifts with them.

This all proved to be too much for the baby. We realize now that this was because he (and Jeff and I) were getting colds with sore throats and aches. We are all still sick and very unhappy campers. I started with it Christmas Day in the evening. The day after Christmas Jeff's parents were down, and I was pretty sick. The baby got it the day after, then Jeff today. Yuck. Really, this baby's head is pretty small, where does all of that snot come from? I know, gross. He STILL has the rash, a drippy nose cold that makes him sound like a Hoover when eating a bottle, and BOTH bottom teeth poked through - poor kid! We go back to see the derm on the 2nd... where do they send us from here...voo doo? :-) I swear if I thought that it would clear up the rash, I would be sewing the doll right now! :-) Not wanting to sound like Debbie Downer -Christmas WAS wonderful. How could it not be? We got the greatest gift we could have every dreamed of, and for that, we are thankful!

*Jeff did meet with the attorney yesterday, and the court date for the readoption should be sometime in February! Mario will finally be a US citizen - right now he is a legal alien which makes Alli laugh that her brother is an alien! :-) Enjoy our Christmas pics! I hope yours was as joyous as ours!

Jeff and my attempt at a self portrait... don't you just love seeing up my nose?

My SUPER Aunt Sandy! She is FANTASTIC!

My sister-in-law, Vicki with her little "twin" daughter, Riley

My brother, Jack, whose expression is funny here... so Jack!
Riley LOVED the baby... I mean REALLY LOVED the baby!
My so talented mother who hosts all of us EVERY year... I could not do it... she has a flair for decorating... look at that ironing board Santa behind her that she hand-painted... she is amazing!
My father, who loves his funny shirts... we get his one every year... the baby should have one that says "everyone thinks I am cute till I Poop!"Kids love my dad... he is like Benadryl for babies... we think he soaks his clothes in the stuff (him being a pharmacist and all)

Gummie Gesko and her first great granddaughter, Alli!
Jeff and his goofy son!
Alli and Riley
You know that I HAVE to have the extreme close up!
My grandmother surrounded by all of her great grandkids!

Day after Christmas with the Leskos

Alli and Murry
Jeff with the Browns sweatshirt for the baby! He was so excited!
Yes, we got Jeff's dad fish for Christmas... he loves smoked fish fro Wholey's in Pittsburgh... strange gift, but he loved it!
Mo helping Grandma Lesko open her gift

I love this photo of Jeff's dad and Mo... so sweet him holding on

The Grandparents and their grandkids!

Of course, EVERYONE gave us too much... everyone was SO generous with our kids as always... THANK YOU for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here wishing you MANY MANY MANY Banana Pancake mornings for us all over break!!!! (listen to the song lyrics)

Get this party started...

A few days before Christmas folks, are you ready? We are finished, I think. The only thing that we did not do on purpose was send out Christmas cards... we will do that once this rash clears up. Yes, they will be New Year's cards, but aren't we all let down after the cards, and people, and gifts stop coming... see, I planned it all this way, so everyone will be excited to see my 2 beauties after Christmas *snicker snicker*

Alli is at a friends house today since they had an early dismissal from school. Jeff is at the work Christmas party. Mo and I are holding down the fort!

The doctor told us that all of the tests came back great for Mario. His blood work, etc, was all fine. The biopsy is a mystery. They THINK that it was a reaction to a bug bite that he somehow brought with him to the US. They need to investigate with the Guat doctors before any final diagnosis is done. They are trying several medications to clear it up, and we are to see the derm again on the 2nd. He gets the stitches out on Monday. He is really not getting better. Sometimes it looks a bit lighter, but then he scratches, and it gets red again.

She told us that as long as no one is here or holding him, he should not pass it to anyone. She is convinced that if he was really contagious, we would have had it by now, but she does not want to tell us to go ahead and let everyone hold him and such and be wrong. Everyone these days is so "sue happy" that I am sure that has something to do with it. Jeff, Alli and I are being treated with Mario, so we should not get anything either. She said that we could go out, but thought that anyone coming into our house may be risky.

So, basically, we still know nothing *sigh, shake head*

I can say that there are a lot of things that I had to RE-learn this time around with Mo. A lot has stayed the same, a lot has changed, but there is a lot that I forgot since having Alli. This time it is easier in some ways, and harder in others.

It is easier because I have Jeff. My parents were wonderful with Alli, but having a husband is nice. Really nice. It would be hard to do this alone. I so give those of you doing that a LOT of credit. I sort of did it alone last time, but really, my parent were a HUUUUUUUGE help. I always felt so guilty relying on them, although they never made me feel that way. There is no guilt relying on Jeff.

It is harder because I am not 20 years old this time (I know that you all are saying, "WHAT, she is NOT 20 years old??!??? Sorry to disappoint you, folks, I am NOT 20.. I am 25. Just kiddin!). Wow, what a difference those years make. I am slower to climb those steps and am thinking that a ranch house would have been a better option when building!

It is easier because I am not 20 years old this time. I don't feel like I am missing anything. I have no need to "go out" with friends. I am too pooped to think of running around too much! I am more patient and calm - more centered. I am also not as fussy with the little things regarding child-rearing.. like which bottles to get, etc. I just feed him. I swear the first time, I read every book, but this time, I am just going with the flow a bit more. I know that some close relatives are reading this thinking, thank goodness :-)

I do not remember Alli being so "spazzy" when she ate. This little one constantly has his hands and legs going. He lays on the floor and his hands are constantly looking like he is screwing in light bulbs! What is that?

Oh, and how does TWICE the amount of food come OUT of his mouth when only a small amount went IN? What a mess. He thinks that it is hilarious to blow raspberries while eating the disgusting baby food, rice cereal, formula mixture... me, not so much.

Why is it that baby food does not really SMELL like what the real product does? Those bananas, which he loves by the way, SMELL nothing like an actual banana. I am not a banana fan, but I seriously GAG when feeding him that stuff.

Why is it so hysterical to me when this child is going to the bathroom? I KNOW that I have to change it, but when his face is all red while in the excersaucer, and he is 'holding on" to brace himself, I am laughing out loud!

Why is it that there are a million toys in this house, and my child will crawl over and LICK the couch, play with cords and torture the dog?

He is a funny little guy, and we are SO enjoying him! He makes us laugh all day. I am happy that we are able to be out and about a little bit now. Watch out world, Mo is coming!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 9 months & 32 years!

Mario turned 9 months yesterday!!!! We cannot believe that he has been home for since the 29th of November! I guess it because people are probably starting to think that he is IMAGINARY since we can't go anywhere! :-)

We spoke with the doctor's office yesterday where the nurse was not rude, but she was terse on the phone. She said, "Biopsies take anywhere from 7-14 days to come back." I told her that I realize that but was hoping to leave the house soon (before the kid goes to kindergarten, I was thinking). She told me that they would call as soon as they got something back. I will have a melt down if through Christmas, we can do nothing. Of course, the goal here is to treat whatever this is and move on. We just want to enjoy him WITH everyone. This is a bit frustrating, although we are VERY thankful to have him home.

Jeff is 32 today! He has been SO WONDERFUL through this. Not that I thought he would be anything BUT wonderful, but it is just nice to see him with his son. He is really enjoying him. He is the best husband - I could not have dreamt him better. Happy Birthday, j.

Lazy Sunday

We are just waiting for the huge snowfall to come and hanging out... ordered pizza.... watching football... doing homework (not that Alli is pleased about that in any way!)... Jeff eating Popsicles and reading me the lame jokes from the sticks (slow down, ladies, he is ALL mine, lol!)....just relaxing!

Here are some shots of Mo just hanging. Thanks for the PITT outfit, Miss Carol! My dad will be sooooo pleased!!!!!

(He is still just so happy even with the itchy itchy itchy rash... we feel so sorry for him, and so hope for answers tomorrow! It is just not clearing in any way!)

This one just cracked me up... extreme close up!

The reason why I am drooling today is... drum roll please....

MY TOOTH - see it on top? Cool!

Snowflake

Alli's first dance with a date was last night. She went with Collin. Nice kid! I hope no one is offended by the song choice, but it is Alli's favorite and is her ringtone! They all went to a friend's house before to get photos - there were like 25 kids there (brave mom!)! After, a group of them went to a local restaurant for ice cream. She had a great time with her friends!

Alli's nails after we got them done!

I took her to get her hair done before, also! She looks so grown up! Jeff is SO not ready for this yet... he keeps saying that HE is not old enough for this! lol! (taken at our house since we STILL can't take that baby out!)

Still rashy, but cute! :-)

We went to see Nan and Pap as they were leaving Pap's work! That is why there is produce in the background since Pap is a pharmacist at a grocery store!

Collin got her a wrist corsage to match her dress! That was so sweet!

The Cute Couple! (taken at Collin's) He is such a nice boy! They matched their outfits - cute! He is a head taller than her even in her little heels!!! Alli just won't grow! lol!

Alli and her best buddy, Lauren! Taken at another friends house.

Boy, they had fun!

On the Mario front... well, good news and bad news... good news is that the blood work came back all GREAT! Bad news is, we will not find out until MONDAY or TUESDAY what in the world this is. They said that the biopsy showed it was nothing malignant, but we did not suspect it was. We will get the remainder of the results *fingers crossed* next week.

In the meantime, he is still fine, happy, crawling now! He has a tooth that poked through on the top, and we have been feeding him baby food, finally. The doctor wanted us to wait to make sure that this was not food related, but they ruled that out.

Other than being tired of being cooped up, all is great here! I would love to say, come visit, but still not allowed yet! Ahhhh!

Nursery Before and After:

BEFORE:AFTER: