101 things to do in 1001 days!

Ringing in the New Year always makes time for reflection on the past year and questions about what 2009 will have in store for us. It also makes you think about New Years Resolutions and the things we would like to accomplish in the coming year. I recalled last year I came across a photographer friend of mine starting the 101 things to do in 1001 days challenge. This is where you write down 101 goals that you would like to accomplish in 1001 days and it is by definition "a unique meme that challenges and inspires us to set and complete realistic goals in life." I started my list at that time, but I never did come up with 101 things. I found my list in a drawer and at the time I came up with 27 things. The number 1 thing on the list: Calagna baby #2. Well, I accomplished that and surprisingly without knowing it a few other things: potty train Bella Rose, take Isabella to ride Aunt Diane's horses, find a Mommy Group, and organize photos in cabinet to boxes. Since I have no choice but to sit here on New Years Eve (I'm sick!) I decided that tonight I would try to come up with 101 things and I will post them on the blog when I finish in the next few days. Here is the website if anyone is interested in looking into it further...

Who would like to join me?!

http://triplux.com/dayzero/

Christmas Day 2008

We also had a wonderful Christmas day. Christmas morning we slept until 9am!! Then we went downstairs to see if Santa left any presents. Of course he did!!! Isabella was so excited to see S'mores the horse and the Princess Baby that she asked for. She said, "He really did it!! Santa really brought me this. Just what I asked for!"...It is so much fun to see the wonder on children's faces. After the morning, both our families came over for Christmas dinner and we opened more presents from the Calagnas!! We had such a wonderful day. Isabella is still playing with all of her toys. She said they have to stay downstairs and Mommy can't take them upstairs...So they are still taking over our living room! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve at my Mom and Dad's house! Well first the kids and I started out the day by taking a visit to Pop at work! Vincent got to meet Julie (who we work with) and Bella drew on Papa's big white board. Then we went to be "big helpers" to Grammy and get ready for the evening festivities. It is always such a wonderful time when we get together with our family...we gather around the kitchen and laugh and visit, we eat a ton, we read the story of Christmas and sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus, then we open presents! The kids got SO SO much stuff this year. I got to open Vincent's presents since he couldn't do it himself. Chris and I also asked Uncle David and Aunt Julie to be Vincent's Godparents! They gladly excepted and we are so thrilled...we couldn't think of two better people, Christians and parents to guide our son! Christmas photos to follow :) xoxo

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas full of love, laughter and joy! We love you all and are so blessed to have you in our lives. Let's all remember this year to "Keep Christ in Christmas!"

Happenings in our house!

Bubba-boy (as mommy calls him) is getting big! 8lbs and 2o inches at his 2 week check. I also took Daddy to the doctor because he had the flu right after getting 2 wisdom teeth pulled. So Sad for him! He got medicine and I ended up with some too so I wouldn't get the flu! I am hanging in there but feeling not great.

On Saturday Caitlin and the kids came for a visit. Cait crocheted this adorable hat for my Bella-girl. Isn't it SOOOO Cute!!



On Sunday we went to Grammy's house to bake with the Aunties and Cousins. Vincent wore this shirt especially for Papa! He is our Lil' Guy. We figure we need a shirt for Papa that says Big Guy.

Grammy and Bella baking

Pouring Chips

Me and "the Kids"! I love saying that :)

After she helped Pop in the garage, he brought in this "Special Delivery!"

Auntie Amy getting her Bake-on!

Bella washing her car with Papa!

Melanie came for a visit to meet Vincent! He opened his eyes to flirt with the pretty girl! haha.

Jenny and the Girls...at the end of the day they were very tired!

Last night Daddy took his department to Maggianos for dinner. So Bella asked if we could go to the book store or as she also calls it sometimes, the Library. She loves the little stage they have and was dancing around and singing.

Watch out Britney Spears! Haha

Mommy and Vin

The other day Isabella and Vince also went to sit on Santa's lap! Isabella told him she wanted something that "Santa" hadn't got....so I guess "Santa" is hitting the store today!

Vince's First Bath!

Yesterday, Big Sister and Mother gave Vincent his first bath! Surprisingly he loved it! He barely cried and liked when we washed him with the wash cloth. We wrapped him up in his towel afterward (my favorite part) and played with him on the floor. He even "talked" to Isabella after his bath...It was so sweet!

Our First Recital!

Last night Isabella and Beau had their first Ballet/Tap recital. We couldn't take pictures during the show, but here are some that I took backstage and afterward. We were SOOOO proud of Isabella. She just loves the stage and the audience. The girls weren't perfect (they are only three) but were so adorable. While it was dark waiting for their second performance, Isabella started clapping. She clapped once and the audience didn't do anything...then she kept clapping until everyone started clapping. It was so funny! At the end of the Ballet dance she took her bows even that wasn't part of the routine. Haha! Heck, I was really worried that Bella wasn't even going to dance because she told me the day before at practice that she just didn't want to do Ballet anymore. Thankfully somehow that changed in her mind! Beauy was just awesome too...we were so proud of her as well! Caitlin and I are so happy we (and the girls) shared this experience together. It was fun being "backstage moms" together!!!

Silly Bella Rose

The other day Isabella was having a great time being a "Model" on our stairs. Mother had bought her new boots and she got a scarf, hat and gloves from Grammy. She kept wanting to take more pictures and saying, "How about like this?" when she wanted to pose different ways. So funny!! I just love her little face.

Update!

Here are a few pictures from the last week and few days. The day we got home from the hospital, Isabella and Mother made cookies and Isabella decorated her little tree that she shares with Brother this year. Auntie B also came over and brought us a wonderful homemade dinner of soup and bread (she's an awesome cook!). The next day Auntie T came over and brought Isabella some books and Vincent some adorable socks that look like shoes! Then we also had Grammy, Papa, Aunt Jenny, Taylor and Camryn come over to visit! We've had our Mother/Baby Wellness check, family pictures, two Christmas parties, a ballet recital and we got our Big (although MUCH smaller this year) Christmas Tree! So, needless to say Mother is beat!! But although we are on the go, we are still enjoying the time with the baby and family. I can't believe Christmas is so close, and the baby is two weeks old tomorrow!!

Big Sissy

Isabella has been such a great Big Sissy. I saw her right before surgery, crying of course...she got worried about me as you can tell by her serious face in some of the pictures below and above. But she held on to Daddy for a while and was so excited to meet her Brother when he was born. She has been a big help to Mother so far...She loves to hold him, feed him and give him kisses on the forehead and cheeks. It is so adorable to watch the two interact together and I know it will only get better with time.

Welcome To The World!

VINCENT...

What can we say about our second child except that we are so in love and can't get enough of him!! So far, he has been such a wonderful baby for us. Eats well (he gained 8.2 ounces in a week) and sleeps well. He loves for Daddy to hold him and Bella to give him kisses! Thank God for my husband and the two amazing blessings he has bestowed upon us!

VISITORS...

We were lucky enough to have all of these wonderful people come hold Vincent at the hospital! Thank you everyone for your love, support and time. We appreciate and love you all!

We Did It!

Vincent Guy Calagna was born on December 2nd at 7:58 am. He weighed 7lbs and was 19.5 inches long. He is the most precious lil' guy and we adore him so much. God has blessed us again with a very good baby! He also saw me through a surgery I was scared of...so thank you everyone for the safe delivery prayers. We were in the hospital until Friday morning and we are now home, recuperating and getting use to our new "life". I will post many, many more pictures as soon as I gather them up from everyone and make a slide show. Thank you to all our hospital visitors and the beautiful flowers and gifts. It really warms me heart to know what wonderful friends we have. This will be an amazing holiday season for us.

The Calagna Family of 4!
Dad, Mother, Isabella Rose and Vincent Guy!

Brother's Room!

By many requests, here are a few pictures of Brother's room! It is finished for the most part...there are still a couple things I would like to do. I just LOVE his room so much!! My Dad painted the dresser and changing table that were Chris' when he was little and added baseball knobs; I hung one of Chris' old Little League jerseys; the two pictures above the crib are Chris playing soccer when he was little; the bedding is a gift from Grammy Nancy; I made the small memo board above his dresser with sports buttons; the curtain rods have baseball ends; I found the sports saying, "Sports do not build character...they reveal it" while I was looking for room decor and loved it too; and the baseball ceiling fan/light is on its way - a gift from Grammy Alice and Papa Joe. I hope you love it as much as I do...Isabella says, "Brother's room is Perfect!"

A Few More Days!

Isabella is such a lucky girl! Today Daddy wanted to spend some time with his girl, so he and Bella had a "Daddy Date" to see Bolt...two trips to the movie theater in two days! Wow! While they were at the movies, Mommy found some more last minute things to do (of course!).

Daddy and Bella after their movie date.

Putting on Makeup. "Like my cheekies Mother?"

Grammy and Aunt Diane putting together the travel swing.

Isabella took this picture tonight. Ready to go :)

Hanging Out!

Since most of our errands are done, the house is clean and we are just waiting around for Brother, Isabella and Mommy had a date to the movies this morning - we saw Madagascar 2 and had a great time! After we got home from the movies, Sara brought the kids over to say "goodbye to my pregnant belly"! The kids enjoyed playing for a while and of course were so cute. When they left, Papa and Grammy came over and brought Brother's dresser that Papa painted and some leftovers for Daddy (who is on vacation for 3 weeks!). We put together the baby's bassinet...now everything seems to be done and we have just a few more days until we become a family of four!

Bella and Mother waiting for the movies to open!

It was early, but she got a kids pack!

Drew and Bella playing!

Papa and Bella get in so much trouble together...when Mommy was putting together the bassinet, Papa cut holes for Bella in the box and put her inside. Silly!