La Vita E Bella

In Need of an Update!

My blog is in desperate need of an update, unfortunately, it's entirely too late to do so. I am writing to tell you that I will update sometime tomorrow. Today, Trei, Lucas and I met up with my dad, my brother Michael and Melissa in Long Beach for a day o' fun. We ate at Yardhouse, walked to the aquarium, and then walked some more, only to end up at King's Fish House for dinner and dessert. Such a great time was had by all. Feel free to view pictures on my Flickr account (link to the right). Also, a video of Lucas in the bird exhibit was posted on my youtube account (link to the left as well!).

Until tomorrow,

Me

My Growing Boy

Things have been relaxing and busy here in the Vossler household. I know, that's an oxymoron, but it's the truth. There are moments where we have time to sit and breathe, and there are moments when it doesn't seem we have time to breathe. Both Trei and I seem to like it that way, so I won't complain too much. Lucas has just discovered the ability to roll over. And when I say "just", I mean like 3 days ago. And he hasn't stopped doing it since!! Oh the ground, on the bed, in his crib - any chance he has to roll from his back to his tummy he'll do it. He has recognized that he has this new ability - and ability that HE can control, so suddenly it's as though the sun rises solely because he can now flip his body over. On top of that, he squeals with delight once he's on his tummy, and looks for us - because he knows we'll shower him with praise and kisses - and what kid doesn't love that?? I love watching him learn new things, and then get excited over them. Today we were on a walk at the park, and a little boy, about 3 or 4 ran over to us with a fish in his hands and continued to tell us how he caught it, and what the fins were for, and what would happen if he threw the fish on the ground. He was so thrilled to be able to show us the prize he had "caught all on his own!". I turned to Trei and said, "I can't wait for Lucas to be old enough to share with us is newest discovery". But it quickly hit me....he already is.  In  other news, Lucas has his first tooth. Well, his first tooth bud! It was discovered at the Keyes this evening while Diana was digging her finger around in his mouth looking. To Lucas's dismay, she opened up his mouth to check out his gums, and right there for all of us to see was his little teeny tooth just barely skimming the top of his gums. To say I was a proud mommy at that moment would be an understatement. In mommy fashion I would have started crying - but the Keyes had guests over, and I had to maintain some kind of composure. Had he not been so fussy I would have grabbed my camera right away and started snapping away. Don't worry though. The moment he wakes up from his nap and has eaten his dinner I'll be showering him with, not just praise and kisses, but the flash of my camera. As long as I get a good picture, I'll be sure and post it tomorrow!

Weight Watching Mama

Today marks Day1 of my journey to lose weight. I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting today and will continue attending once a week until I meet my goal of losing 40 pounds. The meeting took place at an Assemblies of God church in San Juan Capstrano. I arrived early to register, weight in and spent the 15 minutes until the meeting reading the material. The first meeting was about weight management, but I learned a lot of other things as well. After the meeting was over, they helped me determine my daily points and walked me through the various programs. I left feeling encouraged about reaching my goal weight, and doing it quickly and effectively. I've already started the day with my food journal, and have already consumed 11 points of the 35 I'm allowed for the day. I would normally have 24 points, but they added an extra 10 points in because I'm still breastfeeding Lucas. I also have an extra 35 points for the week - so I should be able to eat healthy and still enjoy the occasional sweet. I know I will have to use some serious self-control, but I really want to get rid of this extra weight. In fact, I haven't been my goal weight since I was in highschool!!! Well, off to grocery shop. Thanks for reading, and I'll keep you all updated on my progress!

"sisters think brothers are even better than superhero's"

  I've been super sentimental lately. Lucas is getting older, and I'm watching him change so much - but I don't think that's driving this emotion as much as the fact that my brother Michael is getting married. GETTING MARRIED! It still blows my mind. Not because I can't picture it, or because I don't want him to - but because he's my younger brother, and getting married is such an old thing to do - and I can still remember running around the house on a Saturday in our PJ's chasing our dad and wrestling with him. Heck, sometimes I can't believe I've been married for over 2 years and have a baby boy. I mean, seriously, life is on cruise control....and we're cruising at 80 miles per hour! And to make this whole situation even more crazy, Michael is marrying Melissa. Good ole' Melissa Malatesta. The girl who I met when I was barely 16 years old. The girl that I spent hours with talking about boys, and shopping, and sorting out drama with. The girl who I've known for 9 years now - and will now know for the rest of my life. She'll be taking on my former name, and will one day, produce children who will call me "AUNT". I get teary eyed (or just plain sobby) every time I hear of wedding plans, see a picture, or think about witnessing them become husband and wife! Like I wrote in a previous post, I've been going back in my archives and reading old posts, and came across a post I wrote about Michael. Reading it caused me to.....yep, cry. Those words stand true even to this day. They were from my heart then, and continue to ring true to this day (To read the post click here). I began thinking about his upcoming wedding day, and remembered something special he wrote to me just days before I became a bride. It was about a week before I was going to become Mrs. Vossler. I had written a post about family. A small excerpt dedicated to each family member. Let me share what I wrote about Michael.

Ah Ha Ha Ha...

I was reading some old posts of mine, and came across a post I created back on December 16, 2003. Almost 3 years before (to the day) that Lucas was born. I laughed so hard. Who knew I'd be imitating the very child I'd be pushing out 3 years later!!! Check it out for yourself :)

Boy, we are dorks! Click here!

Grandma's Little Prince

Time spent at Grandma and Grandpa's if full of attention and hugs, and endless hours of being held and loved on. Only problem?? Going home to reality (for everyone involved) is quite a difficult thing. That picture of Lucas sleeping peacefully didn't come without much time and energy involved. The little prince has become quite used to being "the little prince", and found it very difficult to be set down, or fall asleep, or do much of anything without dear mommy close to his side. That was a few hours ago. Now he is laying in his crib, screaming. This will be the first time I just let him "cry it out". He's been going at it for 15 minutes now, and it has take EVERYTHING inside of me not to run and rock him to sleep - but the time has come to let him settle himself to sleep, and get used to laying down without getting picked up when he wants. He can be spoiled all he wants at Grandma's - but back at home, he has to put down the crown and live amongst the peasants :)

Letters to Lucas: Month Four

Lucas,

Today you are 4 months old. I had planned on writing monthly letters to you from the day you were born, but time got away from me, and I'm starting a little later than planned. You came into the world 52 minutes before your estimated due date. Talk about waiting until the last minute - it's what daddy and I do best! It was 11:02pm on December 18th that I became your mommy. You were the most beautiful (and ripe) little baby I had ever seen. The doctor pulled you out, lifted you up, and I raised my hands to take you. It was instinctual. In fact, if you watch the video, I'm holding my hands up for quite a while before they actually put you on my chest. I was ready for you. I cried so hard at that moment, because I couldn't believe you were here!! I had the easiest pregnancy, in the beginning! In the last 6 weeks I was pretty miserable. You were growing like a weed, and attempting to move in the little space you had left. It was agony. For me, and you as well I'm sure. People everywhere would stop me and say, "Boy!! You must be due any minute!!". These comments started when I still had weeks left - the looks on their faces when I'd say, "Oh no, I have a few weeks left!" was priceless. The night before you came into the world, I cried and cried because I was so ready to meet you. A few hours later, I was having contractions. God Bless you Lucas, you must have had sympathy on your poor mother. I hope you continue the trend into your adulthood!  Having you in my arms after 9 whole months of growing you in all of your slendor was the most intense moment of my existence.

Your first month of life was exciting - and challenging at the same time. I was so elated to hold you in my arms, and watching you with your daddy filled me with pride. I was so grateful for our family. You were so good, and I hardly felt the "sleep deprivation" everyone spoke about. I would stare at you for hours as you moved your hands, kicked your feet, and made precious little facial expressions. Although the challenges pale in comparison, they were present. Our lives were turned upside down. Trust me, going from a married couple into a family requires some adjusting. Suddenly little tasks like going to the store were time consuming. I was nursing you every 3 to 4 hours and trying to get used to you and your moods. You were worth every moment of it though, there is no doubt about that!

Sleepless in Laguna....

I know, I know...an update is long overdue!! In fact, I don't even remember where I left off! Oh, that's right, I had given Lucas cereal for the first time, and can I just say that he has been sleeping through the night!! He has his last bottle around 7:30 or 8pm, is asleep 30-45 minutes later, and is crashed until 6 or 7am!! It's been the best feeling in the world.  Well, next to the sleep I had before Lucas was born, You know those Nyquil commercials, where they say "sleep like before you had kids??", I can fully relate to that now, sadly. He had been eating the cereal in his last bottle every night up until last night, when Grandma was over, and we gave him cereal with some applesauce mixed in....we would give it to him off the spoon, and then hand him the bottle so he'd understand he needs to swallow it...not spit it out! He did fabulously, and slept even better last night. Tonight was the second time, and he crashed within 20 minutes of eating, and will be out like a light until the morning. As a gift to Lucas for his hard work, I'm giving him a break from mommy and daddy. We're dropping him off at Grandma and Grandpa's house Sunday afternoon to stay the night while we head off to spend an evening at the Marriott in Burbank. Isn't he so lucky?? A whole night away from ma and pa! We're going to have to spend our first full night away by eating some amazing Italian, and sleeping in as late as we possibly can! I love Lucas enough to make that sacrifice for him! :) But in all seriousness, I am SO excited for our little get away. I know that Burbank is not very far away, but I don't care. My biggest concern is having a comfy bed, and the ability to sleep without a single interruption! The thought of this night away is what gets me out of bed at 6 or 7am when I'm running on just a few hours of sleep. Even though our budget doesn't necessarily include a category for "frivolous get-away", we're going to make it work because we deserve this time away together. To re-connect and remember what our life was like when it was just the two of us. Not nearly as fun, but definitely more rested!

Just "Hanging" Around.....

How in the world did Trei and I produce such a beautiful baby?!? I could eat him up!!!

His Birth...

I didn't realize that you couldn't even see an icon for his birth video on youtube! If you are interested in viewing Lucas and his grand entrance (it's about a minute long), just e-mail me using the link to the left and include your e-mail addres, I'll send it on over!