The JOY of Christmas...

The joy of Christmas is... all of these things and more!

Mikey breaking bread for himself...

The first taste of oplatek (Christ's Holy bread)...

My mother-in-law teaching me how to make pierogi's...

Family gatherings in the kitchen...

Napping on Grandma Ania's chest after playing all day with Grandpa...

Sharing your teether with Mommy...

The first of many family Christmas photo's...

Trying to open the Christmas presents before it's time... and getting caught! (Mommy will teach you how to do this when you are a little older, I was the best at this!)...

Eating Christmas dinner with your family...

Santa Claus making a surprise visit on Christmas Eve!!!

Having you photo taking with Santa...

Knowing your Mommy is right there for you when it gets too scary... always...

Taking that first smell of the new perfume your Daddy bought for Mommy...

Opening that very first Christmas present...

Eating all your favorite desserts and not feeling the slightest bit guilty... at least not until the morning...

Playing with all your new toys on Christmas morning...

When the box your present came in is more fun to play with than the present...

Finding someone waiting for you on the other side...

Crawling through the box only to find you Mommy turns you around so you can go back through...

Relaxing after all the presents have been opened and the baby is fast asleep...

We hope you have just as much joy this Christmas as we did and for the next year to come! Thank you all for checking the blog regularly and sharing in some of the most special moments of our lives.

Merry Christmas!!!

Mikey's first Christmas!

Mikey's very first time meeting Santa Claus!

and he didn't even cry...

We even had little Chloe in the picture... she's Santa's little helper. ;-)


Thank you so much Grandpa Mike and Grammy Nancy for watching Mikey while Mommy and Daddy went to the wedding. We really appreciated it and I think it's safe to say Mikey loved his time with his Jacksonville Grandparents. Plus, Mike and I really needed some time to catch up.


Mikey practicing opening presents for the big day...

Thanks Evelyn for the beautiful Christmas bib.

Mike and I had a great time catching up with our old pals in Jacksonville. (That is one of the reasons I haven't posted for soooo long) We went to Jax for the weekend to see the grandparents and to go to a friends wedding. It was a fantastic time! I think Mike and I miss it there a little... I mean it's only 17 degress here today for Pete's sake!

Mike and the UF general surgery crew... reunited at last!

Now lets get back on track... back to the baby!

So, we can't always have a smiling baby... but who really minds when he is so darn cute when he is upset? Just look at that face... Mommy loves you baby boy!

Daddy and Grandpa Diesel helping Mikey try on Daddy's boots. I think it will be a few years until you can fill those shoes little man.

Mikey and Grandma Ania... so happy!

Speaking of happy... just look at that face!

My Christmas present... my boys. They are all I could ever need. I don't need any material gifts or objects (and yes smoochie you can quote me on that). There is nothing in this world that makes me happier than when my hubby gives me a big kiss when he walks through the door at the end of a long day and when my son simply lays his head on my shoulder. I know it may sound overly simple or trite but that couldn't be further from the truth. I couldn't imagine this world without them in it and I thank God everyday for them. So thank you smooch for being the man I've dreamed of my entire life (even though you are an ox and I am a horse, screw the Chinese horoscope!) and thank you Mikey for just being you and always making Mommy smile. XOXO~

Let it snow... let it snow

Well, anyone who knows me knows that I've been counting the days until it snowed here. I grew up in Florida and have only truly experienced one winter (while in Montreal). That is another story for another day. Anyhow, I have been wishing for snow... and wishing.... and maybe a wishing some more for snow. Well folks we got it! It isn't even winter yet and we have more than we know what to do with. Yesterday most of the area schools were closed for their first snow day. The worst part is this past weekend my husbands work Christmas party was cancelled due to the weather. That was a big bummer! I was looking forward to getting out of the house and having an evening with my husband (sans bebe). I had a babysitter hired that I felt comfortable with, which was HUGE for me. I had a new dress that made me feel oh so pretty... unfortunately it still sits in the closet with the tags intact. And me... well I sit here in front of the computer in my jammie's (and new crocs) putting off ironing my hubby's work shirts. To top it all off... the dog will NOT go potty outside because why? The snow is too deep for her. My husband said it best this weekend when he looked at me and said, "Why couldn't you have wished to win the lotto instead of wishing for snow"?

Well... bring it on then. Let. it. snow. When life gives you lemons you make lemonade. (I'm personally not a big fan of this saying though as I don't particularly like lemonade) You get the point though. ;-)

This is great Mommy!

Just don't eat the yellow snow son...


How about when life gives you snow,

you make snow angels.


Now that is fun!

And go sledding with Daddy of course

Until Daddy flips you out of the sled by running into an ice block.
The baby is okay and only cried for a moment.



see... happy beautiful baby


Oops... sorry to cut you out Daddy. Let's try again.

there... much better!

The Polish Christmas tradition

On the 5th of December Santa comes by for a visit while all the good little kiddies are sleeping and leaves a present. So on the morning of the 6th all the children wake to find a present or two from good old St. Nick. Isn't this wonderful? Santa comes twice! Mikey wants to thank Santa for his new drums and slippers... he LOVES them both (and can't wait until the 25th to see what else he will get for being such a good little boy)!

Let me tell you how much noise this thing makes... I think Santa should have left Mommy some Tylenol too. ;-) Oh well... that smile is worth a million headaches.

Thanks for visiting

We had the pleasure and good fortune of having Auntie Yvonne visit us for Thanksgiving weekend. These are just a few of the many pictures we took this weekend.

Mikey playing in his crib while we get ready to pick her up from the airport

Thanks Uncle Kevin & Aunt Mary for the aquarium... it is his favorite

The night she flew in it snowed about 3 inches...

Isn't is beautiful?

Daddy and baby...

Hey guys!!!

We took her to my favorite pasta restaurant for some yummy alfredo... ummm

Poor little Chloe... she was spayed this day and so needless to say the poor little girl needed some extra lovin'. (Chloe is feeling much better now).

Isn't this great? They both have the same expression here... so funny! Maybe Mommy is just funny looking... (I hope that isn't the case) ;-)

We went and had some Mexican and a pitcher (or two) of strawberry margaritas.

It's always nice when you can have such a happy little guy at a restaurant. Fortunately for us he is like this 9 times out of 10.

I think the margaritas are working well for us here... too bad I don't have any pictures from about 30 minutes later. We were all passed out. Party animals... ;-)

Her last night with us... :-(

We went to a yummy steak house and sent her out with style. As usually we used the evening for another photo opp.

Lucky little guy.

I'm such a lucky girl...

Thanks Yvonne for everything! We loved having you visit and are counting the days until you come again. Please don't make it too long.