La Vita E Bella

Happy Halloween!

It's 10:30am, and my son woke up 30 minutes ago. You read that right.....he went down to sleep last night at 7pm and didn't "wake" me this morning until 10am. And even then, he was playing happily in his crib when I walked in. No crying or anything - however, when he realized I didn't have his bottle with me he lost it. Usually in the morning, I make his bottle before I go grab him - but since he slept in so long this morning, I just walked right in. Big mistake, but in true Lucas fashion, he saw his bottle, drank it down, and is now playing in the living room.

I'm watching him right now as he practices walking. He is standing against the couch, and every time I give him a bite of banana, he turns around, puts his arms out and take a couple of steps. Eventually sitting down and crawling back to me for some banana. Eat, walk, crawl, repeat. It's way too much fun. Mornings are my favorite part of the day with him. I'm not sure if it's just the newness of the day, but he is exceptionally happy, talkative and playful. In the mornings he'll carry on conversations with me for minutes at a time and wrestle with me for kisses and cuddles. On the mornings Trei is home, we usually fight over who gets to wake up with him - because the fun is too great to pass up on!

It's been SO nice since we relocated back to the Newport area. Our new apartment is huge, and spacious, and BABYPROOFED - so Lucas can basically go anywhere he wants. I have a gate to separate the front of the apartment  from the back - and he's on whichever side I am. Which makes it easy to find him if he's outside a room I'm in.  He has his own room now. Before, he shared with our guest bed - but since we have a third room now, he's able to have full reign of his space. His crib, changing table, dresser and toys are perfectly arranged for his enjoyment. When he's in there he manages to pull out everything on the changing table, but it's all safe - and I just can't be picky about that kind of stuff. He recently figured out he could pull everything off the bottom shelf of the changing table and use it as a fort or hideout. He thinks he is so cool in there and will spent quite a lot of time in there just sitting. Ha ha. I'll try and sneak a picture one of these days.

Letters to Lucas: Month 10

Dear Lucas,

I'm a week late this month - but with good reason. Your 10 month birthday fell on the day of Uncle Michael and Aunt Melissa's wedding rehearsal and dinner. We were quite busy in the weeks leading up to that day - so I didn't have much of a chance to prepare this letter for you. Luckily for you, I have a little down time to get my thoughts regarding your 10 months on earth written down. I say "Lucky you" because one day (years and years and years from now) you will appreciate these letter - and if  you don't appreciate them, I know your future wife will. Women just love this kind of stuff.

This month was quite a blur. We were so consumed with the planning and preparation of Uncle Michael and Melissa's wedding. We drove to your grandparents house and stayed the night 3 times this month and even made a MOVE. Yep. You are currently living in your third place since birth. It's kind of funny actually, because this new place is directly across the street from the apartment we brought you home to. Familiar territory to mom and dad. We decided to move because we were just too far from everything. Now we are in the center of where we live our life which is a huge help. Plus this new place is so much bigger and gives us plenty of space to breathe. You even have your own room now. No sharing with the guest bed. Just you, your crib, changing table, dresser and toys. It's like a kiddie paradise. (although you would disagree when I lock you in there behind your baby gate. You scream as though I'm about to inflict the worst kind of pain on you.) You just hate being alone.

Calm after the Storm (a good storm though!)

Ohmygosh. It's over. The wedding excitement and commotion is over. It's so strange to think that months worth of time, money, energy and emotion is poured into a day that lasts just a couple of hours. Michael and Melissa are on their honeymoon in Tahiti after a gorgeous wedding day. It was BY FAR the best wedding I've been to - and the first I've actually been a part of (aside from being a flowergirl many years ago!). It was perfectly orchestrated and just exceptionally beautiful. Melissa made a stunning bride (as most assumed), Michael made a handsome groom, and I have to say she had a very good looking bridal party. The day was all consuming, tiring, and very draining (all in good ways), that I literally crashed yesterday from the physical exhaustion of pulling off such a large event. I seriously think that being the bride (from my own experience) is EASY. I do not remember being exhausted on my own wedding day. I remember it being such an easy and relaxing day. It's much different when your role is Matron of Honor and your job is to assist where needed. Let me tell you...that is a big role to fill. However, it was worth it all as I watched my amazing brother marry my closest friend. What a fabulous day! I would love to talk more about the day - but I have many boxes to unpack and some grocery shopping to do. I've included some photos from the big day and will be back with a more detailed update - and maybe even get my 10 month letter to Lucas written. Love to you all! By the way, today I'm 20 weeks along. Half way through. Man, this pregnancy is coming along VERY quickly!

The bridal party taking some photos.

The bride and grooms family - Malatestas/Terrano/Vossler

Our happy little family - plus a baby girl in the oven.

Welcoming Mrs. Melissa Terrano to the family.

Mom and Dad with their girls....

My dad and I :)

The bride and her girls.

It's Wedding Time!!!

Well, the big wedding is less than 24 hours away, and everyone is SO excited for the day to begin. The rehearsal and dinner was last night and a total blast. It was so fun to socialize with everyone and prepare for the wedding celebration. I included a few photos from the evening, and will be back Sunday with a full re-cap and pictures to satisfy everyones interest :) Enjoy!

Packing Fools...

I don't have a ton of time to write, but I figured with the 10 or so minutes I have free, I'd post a little update. Trei and I are in the middle of packing our apartment up for a move to a new place. We have been on the search for an apartment back in our old neighborhood for some time now. We are currently located just too far from the central hub of our life - and we didn't think that one through too much when we moved down to Laguna back in February. Trei's school and work are located in Costa Mesa. My doctor and delivering  hospital are in Newport Beach. Lucas's doctor is in Newport Beach. All our friends are in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa - so we kept wondering why we were 20 miles south of everything that we consider part of life. During the two months of searching, nothing really caught our eye. We found this incredible 3 bedroom, 2 bath place right across from where we used to live, but it was in the high end of our budget, so we wanted to see if there was anything else out there. Well, last week, that same complex called me to say that the apartment had gone on special and was $200 less than before. Trei and I couldn't pass up on it...only condition was we had to move by this Wednesday. So here we are.....just 2 days before we have to be in the valley and 5 days before my brothers big wedding - PACKING. Ha ha, it's really no big deal though. Diana picked up Lucas last night around 9pm, and is keeping him until tomorrow night. I spent all of today packing. I'll spend all of tomorrow packing, and then tomorrow night, Trei, Katy, Kayli, Swade and I will load up the Uhaul and move into our new apartment. Wednesday I'll spend the day unpacking, and that night Katy, Trei, Lucas and I will hit the road for the valley - where we will spend 4 whole days in wedding celebration. Seriously, talk about crazy. However, most of you know that I'm always up for a little challenge. This seems so be by biggest yet. But I'm really excited - first, to be closer to all my friends and family and second, to have a much bigger place in which we can spread out and live. It's a great apartment community and just 30 seconds from everything we love. If I never have to make the 30 minute drive to my old apartment ever again, I'd be a happy woman!

Well, I must go. Boxes are calling to be filled with stuff. Please pray for us these next couple of days. Although I'm feeling optimistic and ready to go, I want to make sure that I don't over-exhaust myself these next few days. Especially while I grow my little girl. Yep, my little girl - it's still so weird to say. :) Hopefully I'll get back for one more update before the wedding, but if not - look for an update and pictures the beginning of next week.

Love, Me

It's a GIRL!!!

Yes, we are in disbelief!!! It's a Girl. Although both Trei and I had believed it was a girl, hearing it from the ultrasound technicians mouth (and seeing those 3 beautiful lines) was proof. Lucas will be the proud older brother to (what I can only imagine will be) a gorgeous little girl. We are so thrilled!!! I'll update more later....for now? Clothes shopping!!

Love,

The Proud Mommy (and Daddy and Big Brother too!!!)

Holding down the fort.

Lucas is down for his afternoon nap. My house is clean. Laundry is done. I still haven't gotten dressed, but I have no plans to leave the house - so pj's are okay :) I was sitting here on the couch reminiscing about when Lucas was born. As he gets closer to the one year mark, I find myself very nostalgic about his life. I remember very well the day he was born, and it's unbelievable how quickly the time goes by. I watch as he grows daily and I'm astounded at how much he learns....just from watching Trei or I. His vocabulary is growing rapidly. He now says "What" all the time. He has also extended his baby talk by many new non-existent words and will happily talk to us for hours about Lord knows what. It's hilarious! When he's mad, he just starts jibbering.....as though he's telling us off. I can't help but whisk him into my arms and kiss the daylights out of his cheeks. He's been sick the past 2 weeks. I wasn't sure exactly what was wrong, but I was feeling around in his mouth yesterday and found a giant molar had already cut through his gums. POOR BABY! No wonder he's been a little off. I'd continue on into all of his newest milestones, but it would leave little to talk about in his 10 month letter next week.

I have plans to get out soon and photograph my adorable son. This photo was taken on my moms point and shoot (please excuse his squash mustache!). We were at my parents this weekend and out to dinner with my folks. I guess my biggest drawback when photographing Lucas is he never sits still! It is so frustrating to go home after a photo session and have ever single photo blurry. I guess that's what the practice is for - but I think the hormones are making me super sensitive to failure. Speaking of hormones, I'm READY for this baby to be born. Ofcourse I'm ready to meet him or her, but I'm really ready to gain control of my emotions. I've been extremely sensitive lately, and easily irritated which is driving me nuts. I feel like my days go by, and I get absolutely nothing accomplished. I clean the house and 30 minutes later, it's a mess again. I do loads of laundry and the next day there is a full hamper. I clean up Lucas and an hour later he is a mess again. Repeat. Such is life, but I wish I could just feel caught up for a few minutes during the day. My tummy is growing bigger by the day. I plan on taking tummy shots tonight or tomorrow. I'm 18 weeks now and due (I started doing them every 4 weeks at 14 weeks with Lucas, and had planned on continuing the tradition at 18 weeks with Baby #2....although I have to say.....my tummy now is not NEARLY as cute as it was with Lucas. Oh....the good old days. Now it just looks like a stretchmark scarred blubber belly :) All of that aside though, we have about 36 hours until our BIG ultrasound on Thursday. I am definitely excited...even more so than I was with Lucas. I guess because now I know what the gift is that I'm growing. I've been feeling girl, however, I will be thrilled whether I see a penis or vagina. Having a boy would be incredible. I have TONS of clothes and I can picture Lucas having a brother to wrestle and be adventurous with. On the other hand, I think a girl would be new and exciting and I find girl clothes to be ridiculously cute. Plus, I think Lucas would make a great big brother to a little sister. However, I can't seem to imagine myself the mommy of a girl. I guess we will know soon enough (pray our baby is feeling immodest). Whichever direction it goes, my greatest prayer is for a healthy baby. 10 fingers, 10 toes, a healthy heart and fully formed, perfect organs. That is THE most important thing.

The days are dwindling down until my brother Michael's wedding. It's been pretty crazy between wedding events, dress fittings, airbrush tanning (yes, I'm bronzed now!), last minute details (shoes, makeup, hair) and driving into the valley. This weekend Trei, Lucas and I will be in the valley from Friday to Sunday for hair cuts, Michael's bachelor party, last minute shopping and other related stuff. Next Thursday morning we drive BACK into the valley until Sunday for the rehearsal dinner, BIG DAY and hanging out with our out-of-town relatives. It's going to be a beautiful day, and I cannot wait to be a part of it. Which reminds me...I better get my toast written. I mean, the matron of honor can't toast her brother and best friend without the proper words. Yay.

Well, I think I shall close for now. Keep checking back for news on the sex of Baby Vossler.

Love, Me

Taking a Vacation from Mommyland

Exhaustion set in about 2 hours ago, but the guilt of not blogging has been killing me, so I'm taking some time to update everyone on our life in the past few weeks. Lucas is getting so big. It's amazing how much he learns on a daily basis. He is close to walking, imitates almost EVERYTHING that is said and done and is blooming into the most charming, adventurous, endearing, and loving little boy I've ever met. I just love spending every waking moment with him in all of his glory. I've taken lots of pictures lately, and plan on uploading them later on, so check out our photo website for more pictures (link is to the right). I had to retire most of his "infant" sized clothes to make room for his new 18 month size toddler clothes. It's all a little big on him, but I knew it was time to buy some things he'll grow into. My baby is hardly a baby anymore! He is standing more and more on his own lately. It's not often, but becoming a daily occurance - which is so exciting. He is more than capable of walking, but really prefers crawling over everything else. We've been very busy lately....as a family. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we were in Reno for a few days. We had a fabulous time with Trei's parents and I was sad to come back home. Trei worked ridiculously hard landscaping our home in Reno, and it looked beautiful when we left. I'm so proud of him and the drive he possesses. It's admireable. Lucas enjoyed time spent with Grandma and Grandpa Vossler and rarely napped while we were there, but it was so good for him to have time with them. Since we've been back from Reno our days have been busy. Karissa and Trei's cousin Keegan from Florida came in Friday afternoon and spent two days with us. We roamed around town, ate out a lot, and just spent some fun times together. Saturday we even spent a few hours on their aunt's duffy in Newport harbor. Lucas enjoyed the boat....except for the lifejacket he was forced to wear when he saw police boats around. Sunday morning, Trei, Karissa and Keegan left for Palm Springs where they had plans to surprise their Grandma Jean for her birthday - but Lucas and I had to head into the valley for Melissa's bridal shower! Monday we had a playdate with Janea and Lily, and spent the rest of the day with my mom. That evening, I took Melissa out for dinner....kinda a last hoorah before the big day in just 17 days!!!!