Who't A Nifty Fifty?

My mom turns 1/2 of a century years old today. Happy Birthday Mom! Here is to another 50 more. (Just remember, Teresa said she would change your diapers in exchange for Great Grams hutch) :)

A New Family Member

No, I am not pregnant! We have a new family member who walks on all fours. His name is Bentley and he is our new Saint Bernard. Thanks to Tracey, she gave me the heads up that her brother Craig is relocating and couldn't take his 2 year old Saint Bernard with him. Scott picked him up on Sunday, and Mattie and I got to meet him on Monday. He is a big, gentle boy. His transition has been good, a little barking, well, a lot of barking. He is very nervous about Mattie and all of her noises that she makes. Mattie loves him, thinks its pretty neat when he gets a toy in his mouth and shakes it side to side. She lets out a big belly laugh when he does it. Or when he gets some hair in his nose and snorts like a pig, she laughs at that too! He has bonded with Scott because he is a male, and because he has known him longer. This morning I gave him lots of mommy time, so I am sure he likes me too. He got a clean bill of health from the Vet, just an ear infection and some vaccinations.
I have a feeling that he will love us in time. He, I am sure, misses Craig. I know Craig misses him too. We will be sure to send him lots of pictures and add some of the tons of dog hair that he sheds.

We have a walker!

Just when I thought that I would never see this day come, yesterday, Mattie took her first steps. Just shy of 17 month old, she took about 5 or 6 steps, thought it was pretty fun and funny and then plopped down. She did it a couple of times before she called it quits for the day. Now, a little detail I did forget to mention is why she walked. Well, it was because she saw that mommy had a handful of M&M's. I wouldn't give her one until she stood up by herself, which she hadn't done until yesterday also. Then after she was standing I decided to up the stakes, give her a whole piece if she took steps towards getting them. HEY, WHATEVER WORKS. Don't knock my parenting skills just yet.

I was dreading the holidays around all of Mattie's cousins that were walking. I am so sick of everyone asking...is she walking? Or knowing kids younger than her that have mastered the skill. It really makes you feel like your parenting skills are sub-par at best when you have a late walker. I know have realized it doesn't matter the age, and you really shouldn't put pressure on parents by harping on them all of the time and asking why their children aren't walking. Like everyone says, they will do it in their own time.

So, my Mattie, I hope mommy didn't put too much pressure on you. I love you walking, crawling or just sitting. But I am sure glad you have joined the walkers club. The is a whole new world for you to explore and lots of mischief for you to get into.

Cookie Recipes Anyone?

I am having about 15 people over on Sunday for a big cookie decorating/childrens christmas craft day. Does anyone have any great cookie cut-out recipes? Please pass them along if you do!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Or is it? Like my friend Doddie pointed out, people aren't into the holiday spirit like they should be. With less than 24 days left until Christmas, why aren't people merry? Please, pass along the good cheer to get others in a good Christmas mood.

My accident with the amish

Yes, that's correct. Today, on my way into work, I went around a curve and Bam, there was an Amish Buggy in the middle of my lane. I tried to turn to the left to get around it, but hit the back wheel, and the horse went crazy. I drove forward about a block and watch in horror as the horse went crazy and bucked up and was weaving all over the road. Down in the ditch it went and then these poor little women got out and tried to control him. I didn't know what I was going to do, I tried to help with the horse, but wasn't much help. I called 911 and the little amish lady didn't want me to because she didn't want to go to the hospital. She ended up going because she had a cut on her head that may or may not have required stitched. It happened in between 2 amish houses so before I knew it, there was like 20 amish around me. They all were worried about me and my wet hair and tried to reassure me that it wasn't my fault and that is happens a lot. I felt so bad. The cops came, I got a ticket for an uninspected car (irony was is that I was going to go get it inspected today at 2:30) and he said it wasn't my fault, they should be off to the side of the road. Doesn't matter, I still feel terrible, and my car is wrecked on the right side. I live in Amish country, now I am nervous to drive everyday.

Website for anyone with a heart

While searching for a dog to help fill our house, someone directed me to this site. www.dogsindanger.com is a site that is geared to getting the dogs who are scheduled to be put down in shelters, and posts how many days they have until it is done. It really put a face to all of the unfortunate euthanasia that are done. How sad. I will keep my eye out for an appropriate dog through this website also. Please go here and do a search for dogs in your area. It is an eye opener.

Saint Bernard Wanted

I know I have a couple of loyal readers, so why not give this a shot? Mattie, Scott and I are looking for a Saint Bernard to help fill our new home. If anyone knows of someone with one or where I could find one, please let me know. I know that there is on in Fairport, and am trying to see if he is still available. I would prefer a puppy so we can train him/her but not a requirement. MUST be good with children. Mattie loves dogs so they must love her. :)
Thanks for your help.

Must See Website

I was just watching the Today show and one of the girls out in the crowd made a plea to viewers to go to www.helpfindkyle.com to help find her friend. Please go to the site, and although we might not be able to help find him ourselves, we can offer prayers to his family and friends and hope for his safe return.

Bread and Milk

The thought of eating bread and milk makes my belly turn. My father has always had it as a late night snack. When I was little, I remember him eating it at night, watching tv and slurping away. YUCK. Now, where my daughter gets it from, well... it must be from him. She loves it. Whenever Papa is slurping on it in his chair, she hightails it over, pulls herself up and jibber-jabbers until my dad shares. Her arms and legs get going to fast, she gets so excited. OVER BREAD AND MILK. Here are some photo's I just had to snap of her and dad sharing this odd treat.

Halloween Time

I tried for a month to get Mattie to say "Boo" so she could tell people that when they opened their doors. Well, she didn't quite get the "Boo" out but she would puff up her cheeks and stick out her lips whenever you would ask her what a ghost said. Hey, close enough. She loved trick-or-treating. What is it with kids and their fascination with free candy. Oh wait...what is my fascination with it.

Mattie gave the people in the neighborhood the biggest smile when they showed her their bowls full of candy. She would pick out a piece of candy and then waive bye-bye. She was very polite and very excited to move onto the next house.

Here are some pictures of her and her little friend Chasity. The Geisha girl is Em McAdoo, I thought her costume was so cute. Her cousin Zayne (who was sooooo over trick-or-treating so he only participated in his school's parade) was a crazy butcher.

Falling For My Mattie

Here are some photo's that I got of Mattie enjoying a nice fall day. She loves the leaves and the pumpkins too.

It's been a long time!

I know it's been a long time since I have posted anything. Pictures will be coming soon. Mattie is getting big and getting ready to make her big move over to her "new" house. We should be moving in in a couple of weeks. The bathroom is under construction, along with her room, and we are working on the bathroom and the living room this weekend. Yuck, I hate this stuff. It will be nice when it is all done and we are in and settled, hopefully before the holidays.

Goodbye Nancy, I love you!

part of my "family" has left me, and her suffering has now ended. Nancy, who has been like a grandma to me, passed away yesterday morning with the peace of mind knowing that the people that loved her were with her. I have a hard time putting into words how I am feeling right now. There are so many emotions that are going through my mind. I am angry that she can't be here to watch her young grandchildren grow up and I am angry with myself because I didn't stop to see her more when it mattered. I am sad that she left behind such a wonderful family that now has to try to fill the void that will be left. I am scared that her family will have this rift now. And lastly, I am at peace. I am at peace knowing that she is at peace. She is no longer suffering and she got to say her goodbye's. The last thing that Nancy said to me was "I love you too" and I am not sure if she even realized who I was at that point, but I know that she did love me. She loved all of us "Kids" and we sure are going to miss her. I pray that her family will remember all of the good times that they shared and all that she gave to them. I pray that they take comfort knowing that Nancy was a fighter who just didn't have the energy to fight anymore, but would have if she could.

Nancy wasn't only a babysitter to me while I was growing up, she was like my own grandma. She always watched out for me and my family, and always wanted to know what was new in my life. She was so happy for me when she found out I was pregnant, and loved to see Mattie. Walking into her kitchen will never be the same. I will miss seeing her there at the table with her coffee and her flyswatter in her other hand. I will miss hearing her "Shut the door" or yelling at one of her kids. Oh their house was always so much fun to be in, so busy and so full of life. I hope that it will still stay that way.

I love you Nancy, please watch over all of us.

http://northcountrynow.com/obituaries/view.asp?a=Obituaries&id=1693

Tastefully Simple

I finally got my kit, so I am an official Tastefully Simple Consultant. I am eager to get a few taste testing parties under my belt, so if you want to have one, please let me know. Their dips, breads, soups...well heck, everything that they sell is simply delicious. Love It!!!!!!!!

PT And OT Time Is Finished

I know I shouldn't be sad, but I am. Both Liz and Dana have been coming to the house once a week to help Mattie with her muscular weakness and although Mattie didn't appreciate their little visits, I did. Mattie wasn't cooperative these past couple of months, so that made it a lot tougher on the therapist. I hope that they both will keep in touch because they have become part of our weekly routine and we are going to miss them. It is nice to know that Mattie no longer has a delay that would require either PT or OT, but the company was nice.

Mattie and Mommy Have New Titles

Today, Mattie and I made our way to the Depeyster Days. At 10:00, Mattie was in a baby contest where she won "Little Miss Sunshine". She got a cute stuffed animal, a badge and a blanket. At 12:00 they had the worlds smallest parade, it lasted about 10 minutes and mostly consisted of locals sitting on the back of their cars (yah, we are talking Hickville big time!). Then at 2:00 the rest of the family joined us and we (Shanelle, my father, and I) participated in a nail driving contest (I didn't tell you, oh yes, this is a Hickville game) and guess who was victorious with a time of 2.2 seconds to pound in a nail? Yup, it was me. OMG...it was luck, pure luck that won me the title of Best Womens Nail Driver. There were some butchy women to compete against. Shanelle didn't do too bad herself, she had a time of 7 seconds. Now my dad, thinking he was hot stuff...he sucked, got 11 seconds. The worst one for the men. OMG it was so funny. My prize was a new hammer (will come in good at the new house) and a $25 gift certificate to Walmart. So Mattie and mommy came away victorious and with new titles.

Seaway Festival Parade Photo's

Mattie got to experience her first Seaway Festival Parade. This is a big parade for the North Country and it is part of a tradition that we attend as a family. Now Mattie gets to be part of another tradition and she really had fun. She loved the bands and even did her little dance whenever the bands would go by. She also loved the candy tossing and got to partake in her first grape mini tootsie roll (one of mommy's favorites by the way). Parker and Nellie joined us and little Parker fell asleep and stayed asleep throughout all of the noise.

Happy Birthday (Party #5)

Oh no....who called the cops? That is bad, busted on your very first birthday Mattie!

Last but not least... its party #5. Grammy Sheila got her chance to throw her princess a party. Boy what a party it was. A nice crowd showed up with wish Mattie a Happy Birthday and enjoyed tons of food and lots of pink decor. Aunt Mo made Mattie a special Princess cake just for her to turn into a "Pound" cake. Alex, Charley, Shelby, and Cam got to help Mattie celebrate, and enjoyed some of Mattie's favorite "Grammy Sheila's Sugar Cookies". Mattie mad her grand entrance into her party in style. Grammy got her a princess tutu and crown to wear. She was so cute, and got plenty of ooohss and ahhhs. Oh, and a lot of laughs. Tons and tons of presents to open, not so much patience seemed to be the theme of the party. Mattie was tired and cranky but held out until everyone went home before she crashed. She also got in some "fountain" time with her little friend Cam. They needed to wash some of the cake off from themselves.

Sodus Bay at Sunset

Thank you to the Herrings for my first boat ride on the Bay and Lake Ontario. What a view! Captain Pat got a good chuckle over my white gripping of the "Oh Crap" handle on the boat, but I can tell you honestly, it was a blast. We escaped "Out to Sea" for a couple of minutes while Paula and Josh escaped for more pictures. I have never seen such a pretty sunset, especially with the lighthouse on the horizon.

Paula's Wedding

My dear friend Paula got married on Saturday. The weatherman was threatening rain, and for once, we were glad that he was a liar! What a perfect, perfect, perfect day for the perfect couple. Paula and Josh were wed at a quaint little Marina/Resort on Sodus Bay. Paula looked stunning and so happy. I can't explain how happy I am for her. Josh and Paula have been together for about 12 years, and it was finally her turn! She waited for so long...but I believe it was worth the wait. She grinned ear to ear, it was contagious.

Just to give you a little history on Paula and how I know her.... She was my supervisor when I went to work for my first "Grown up job" at Hudson Hotels. I remember my first day thinking, "Oh my, they have me working with some hoity toity chick" but I couldn't have been further from the truth. Paula is one of most caring people I know, and down to earth. I love her to death and have been so supportive to me. She has let me bend her ear a time or two... and she has trusted me with a big secret, just because she wanted to make me feel left in the group even though I was moving far away. She is one of my best friends from down in Rochester, and I couldn't have asked for a better role model.

I wish Josh and Paula the best of luck (not that they need it) and I can't wait until they start their family so Mattie has another baby around her age to play with. No rushing you and no pressure. ha ha ha

Happy Birthday (Party #4)

Abby wants some cake, but we were told "Don't feed Abby" Poor Abby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think that Mattie is sick of birthday parties by now? HECK NO! She loves the hoopla and the noise along with her cake and presents! Aunt Kathy Lomoglio gave Mattie a birthday dinner and party. We all had a nice dinner out in the in back yard with friends, family and some new faces. Uncle Jim had some friends in town that served with him in Vietnam, along with their wives. Mattie got to spend time with her little cousin Julia, and taught Julia how to scream at the top of her lungs. Julia thought that she was funny. One person that was missing from the party was Grandpa Mike. Poor Grandpa Mike had to have knee surgery again, and that day was transferred to a nursing home for some extra TLC and rehab. Mattie did get a chance to go up to the hospital to see him before hand, so he did get to see the birthday girl for a couple of minutes. Get well soon Grampy!

Grammy's Fountain of Youth

Mattie is a simple girl. She doesn't need the finer things in life. Just give her Grammy's fountain that sits out in her front yard, and she will splash all day. Grammy Sheila had commented no more than an hour before on how she needed to get Mattie a kiddie pool for her house. Well, Mattie proved her wrong, and was mesmerized by her fountain. She first dipped her hands in, then her feet followed, before me knew it, she was soaked. She had so much fun getting the colored stones out of the bottom too. So no more kiddie pools for our Mattie, just Grammy's fountain of youth!