Rocco update

Day #8
Rocco's eye is still pretty nasty. Even the picture doesn't show just how BLACK it is! As a result he has a new word....boo-boo. He says it, makes a very sad face, and touches his eye.

A couple other new words are cracker and pretty. He uses pretty a lot, but appropriately associates it with things like a hairbrush, a sticker on his shirt, Madison's dress, my necklace. He also has this 'Aww mmaaannn!' thing he does when I say 'no'. Something he picked up from the older kids no doubt. He sounds like he's bummed out, but says it with a smile on his face. He's just the sweetest little guy!

He sat on the toilet once last week. He told me he had to poop and led me to the bathroom, knowing exactly what to do. The knowing and the doing are two different things. But at least he has some interest.

Lisa took this precious picture just before his fall. I am completely in love with this boy. What a gift!

Poor Little Rockstar

On Sunday, the kids were playing in the game room at the rink before C4's game. Rocco was climbing onto an arcade game that had a seat, but slipped and fell catching his brow bone on the edge of the machine. He hardly cried at all but it immediately goose-egged...huge. Crazy huge. Thank God the skin did not split. We would have been in the E.R. instead of watching C's championship game.

He was very brave about it and we iced it til the swelling went down, but as the night wore on he seemed to have more discomfort. Thank goodness for chocolate ice cream!

Ahhh. This is rare for Rocco just to conk out.

Day 2--still swollen. We called him Rocky for the day...which he answered to.

Day 3 (morning)

Day 3 (evening)

Day 5--Wow! What a beautiful rainbow! Looks like Avery got a hold of him!

Madison remembered from her baby book that she had a similar injury just before her first birthday. She dug up the pictures. She had fallen off my desk chair and hit the floor. Poor girl!

These two look very similar. Same big, blue eyes, same round face, same kissable cheeks. She just had lots of dark hair! Man! Is there anything cuter?!

Week 8

Sunday, Feb. 13th

Tradition! Lisa and Shaun hosted a very fancy, very fun murder mystery dinner for Valentine's Day. We had a great time even though the outcome of the game was predictably disappointing. This particular game didn't call for very exciting or creative costumes either. But the food and company were tremendous!

Earlier in the day, I had shot this video of Trevor. Nothing outrageous, but he was so cute singing while he played. He often makes these little beat-box sounds while he plays.

Monday, Feb. 14th

Happy Valentine's Day! Nothing says love like chipping away at ice damns 3 stories off the ground! We ended up with 3 very small leaks on our bedroom ceiling, but compared to some horror stories, it's nothin! Ummm??

Tuesday, Feb. 15th

C4 and Nathanael (the two on their bellies) have been taking a Lego Engineering class on Tuesday mornings...every boys' dream, right? This week was castles and catapults. They were on a team together and their castle was the last standing. They won the battle!

We had a field trip in the afternoon to the Manchester Post Office, which was fascinating!

Since Isaac came, too, we had to double buckle. Shhh! But Trevor looks so happy!

Wednesday, Feb. 16th

Thursday, Feb. 17th

Way too many pictures for Thursday, but we had two big treats! Temps reached nearly 60* and Tim, Elizabeth, and the kids came for dinner!

Madison got all the little guys to happily play gymnastics.

Trey has this yoga pose mastered.

Ahhh...too much yoga.

Friday, Feb. 18th

Another day near 60*. C4 and Isaac played ultimate frisbee in the yard in sneakers an no jackets. See that little blue dot on the left?

That is Nathanael in shorts, a tshirt, and barefoot. The umbrella is to shield himself from the snowballs being thrown at him from the big boys. He LOVES it!

Saturday, Feb. 19th

We saw 2 of C4's state tournament games.

Then I had nursery at church. These 3, Rocco, Aiden, and Aubrey, were patiently waiting for their cups of cheerios. When I told them to sit down, Rocco had to scooch himself so that he was right up against Aubrey.

"And resting in His goodness"

I've had this song dancing through my head. The 2nd stanza has ministered to me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

Click here to listen to listen to the whole song.

Week 7

Sunday, Feb. 6th

Bethany and Chris took the kids for a few hours. How sweet is this?!

Monday, Feb. 7th

For several days, Madison, Nathanael, and Trevor dressed in 'work-out clothes' and ran around the house. They even did my 30 Day Shred video, as well as went for 'runs' to the end of the street in freezing weather.

Tuesday and Wednesday...no picture :-(

Thursday, Feb. 10th

C4 had a big game! They flooded Rentschler Field where UConn plays football. There was a whole weekend of festivities and games, but his team played Thursday night. They lost, but despite the 20 degree weather, they had a great time. C4 scored the only goal for SW. He's #11.

Picture overload:

Friday, Feb. 11th

Trevor: "Mom, take a picture of 'Best Brothers.'"

Rocco helped Daddy fix a handle.

He looks soooo old here!

Saturday, Feb. 12th

Mom and Russ generously took the kids overnight so that Colombo and I could get away. We had a lovely time in Sturbridge. The kids couldn't have been more excited for a night with Gramma and Bobbi.

Week 6

Sunday, Jan. 30th

While I made dinner, they played "Sumo."

Monday, Jan. 31st
We packed up before dropping the kids off at Lisa's for a few days. Trevor came down the stairs lugging this bag. This big, old bag for: 1 pillow and 1 teddy bear.
Tuesday, Feb. 1st
A really, really tough day for Colombo and myself. I was happy to know that the kids were safe at Lisa's having a grand ol' time! It was a snow day for schools, the kids wanted a movie, and when Lisa asked the neighbors to borrow a DVD he just invited them to his home theater to watch one. It was the real deal with theater seating, candy, and popcorn. The older kids watched Swiss Family Robinson with Mr. Cronin while Lisa stayed with the napping babies. Madison was in charge of pictures and I just about died when I saw the condition of my children!

Wednesday, Feb. 2nd
Lisa still had the kids and took a few shots with "Muse" as the theme. Madison was a happy subject. She's so beautiful!

Thursday, Feb. 3rd--no picture, but I was happy to be reunited with the kids again. Can't thank you enough, Lis!

Friday, Feb. 4th

A BIG night for Nathanael. His hockey team got to play on the BIG ice. He played his game at the XL Center and then also stayed for the AHL hockey game afterward. His team also got to stand on the blue line for the National Anthem. They felt like celebrities. Just look at this happy boy!
And look at that hockey hair!

He's #14 (black) in the middle of the picture:

Saturday, Jan. 5th

We prepared a dessert for Superbowl the following night. Colombo helped me, which is definitely picture worthy! The kids couldn't believe Daddy was 'cooking'.