Winter Wonderland

Last Thursday we got a really wicked ice storm that left us without power until yesterday. We are one of lucky ones, as most people we know are still without power. We had no heat, water, or electric which was pretty scary at first as our house began to get colder and colder. Nicholas and I spent the night at our friend Kim's house on Friday night because she had a wood burning stove that pumped heat while Chris tried to keep the house warm enough to keep the pipes from freezing with a fire in our fire place. Luckily, we got our hands on a kerosene heater which kept our downstairs at a cozy 66 degrees. So we had a slumber party in our living room for a few days. Once we knew that we could keep warm, it was actually fun! As exciting as it was, we were very happy to get power back! I hope everyone else gets power back soon too!


Of course my camera only had enough charge in it to get one picture, but it was honestly the prettiest site we have ever seen. (Except for the downed tree and power lines that looked like a scene from WWIII!) Now I know where they came up with the silver tinsel for the trees. We were truly walking in a winter wonderland...

Baba

Nicholas' days of nursing have sadly come to an end :-( He is such a big eater, he kind of weaned himself. My goal was to make it to one year, but we got close enough. I can hardly get him to drink any milk either. He has SUCH personality and shows so much expression! He is so happy and has so much love, but he's not afraid to show his attitude either, guess he is like his momma in some ways :-) He is emulating so much of what we do, he makes doggie noises and says a few words like car, picture, what's that, hi, bye, and baby. (At least those are the words Mom and Dad hear!) He loves being read to and cries when the book ends. Ahhhhhhhhh....we love him so....pure joy!!

Here is video Chris took of Nicholas drinking his baba, he is so funny! Enjoy...

Stroller Brigade

Or so I refer to this group! A group of mom's, through our 6 degress of seperation in this small town, began to go on stroller walks during the summer. There are actually 8 mom's and children ranging from 7-14 months. It started out very casual, usually one day a week. But we have gotten much more organized, we even have a calendar! We walk twice a week and gather at rotating houses one day a week. We play, chat, and the hostess even cooks lunch for all of us on the day that we meet at her house.
Needless to say, it has actually been a great network and stress reliever. It is truly a nice way to break up our day and I think both Nicholas and I look forward to spending time with our friends. Yesterday, we met at Anna's house and I actually remembered to bring my camera. Only two moms/children were missing. Maybe one time we'll get a picture of all of them. Sometimes, I actually feel like Nicholas and I have too much going on between meeting with these guys three days a week, swim class on Mondays and our Waldorf play group on Thursdays (many of the children in the stroller brigade also do this one too!). Wednesday is usually the only day we have nothing planned. Of course there is never any pressure on any of our parts to show every time we meet and we're all pretty much in the same boat as far as that goes, show when we can. I'm not complaining though, I love every day! Will we always be so fortunate? I am hopefull...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I am a little late, but we were too busy enjoying time with family and friends to update sooner. We truly have so much to be thankful for, including having such great people in our lives!

Nicholas enjoyed his first Thanksgiving meal very much; not suprisingly, he liked the sweet potatoes the most! As usual, Nicholas was spoiled with love. We are especially grateful that Nicholas got to spend time with his great-grandparents this past week. Here are some pictures from our trip back to PA, AGAIN!

Yummy, our first Thanksgiving meal with Nicholas. Thanks Grandmom and Pop-pop everything was delicious!

Nicholas and Dad, doesn't Nicholas look cute in the Thanksgiving bib Aunt Jeanne got for him?

Nicholas and Mommy...

Nicholas and Pop-pop...Nicholas already has his fake smile down pat.

Nicholas with Chris' Aunt Marie (Nicholas' Great-Aunt)...

"I'm having so much fun on the car Aunt Re gave to me. Boy, I am lucky!"


My dad with Nicholas and I...

Nicholas and Grandpop Bob...

Nicholas and his Great-Grandfather...

With his Great-Grandmom and Great-Grandpop...

The family with GG (Great-Grandmother, a name that her first Great-Grandson, Lucas started for her.) GG actually has four great-grandsons!

with GG and Uncle Christian...

"Friends Thanksgiving" at Dana's, a tradition I hope we continue!



I am missing the Black Friday dinner pictures at Aunt Jeanne's, but as soon as I get them I will share.

At the Playground...

Yesterday my mom, Chris, Nicholas and I went to the playground and I wanted to post some of these pictures because I thought Nicholas looked so cute in them. Nicholas is at such a fun age and I know it only gets better, but he just has such a personality already. His smile and laugh are contagious and somehow he makes everything else in life seem unimportant. We are so lucky!

Happy Birthday Grammy!!!

Nicholas was able to give Grammy birthday hugs and kisses in person, as she spent the weekend with us in NH. I was sad to drop her off at the airport today. I am truly blessed to have such a great mom and hope that I can be half the mom to Nicholas as she is to me. Happy Birthday Grammy!

Big Boy Bath

Nicholas has out grown his infant tub. Last night he took a bath in the regular tub like a big boy and he had so much fun! He probably would have stayed in all night but I took him out when he got pruney. Another exciting moment at the Ranalli house!