The park, a haircut, and some giggles

A little bit random, yes...but important none-the-less.

How do you keep a baby occupied at a house that's not so baby-friendly?!?! Take him outside! How do you let a baby be mobile who still cannot walk...let him crawl on the cement, of course!

And a walk in the stroller to the park is always a good idea too!

What are Aunts for...sliding down the slide!

How do you get rid of hair growing over the ears and a not-so-cute curly mullet...put some scissors in Papa's hand!
And of course, add cereal bar.
How do you keep Lane entertained for hours....invite Max over!

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Packing and Unpacking

It's really the worst part of traveling, but I have become quite the expert, since living here in SC has required us to travel a lot more than we ever have. Our trip home was great and as usual, we packed in a ton (and that's an understatement) of things to do and people to see. Lane added 4 more flights to his list of flights since this time we had a layover each way in Atlanta. His list now tops out at 7 flights in his short little life of 13 months. And Matt and I figured out that we were in 6 states in 6 days. Wonderful!

It all started in Charlotte, NC where Daddy saw us on our way.

We opted for a "red-eye" well in Lane's world it was because we didn't arrive in Atlanta, GA until after 9 where we connected with the plane that would get us to Bloomington, IL at around 11 pm where Granny and Papa welcomed us with open arms.
Lane did a lot of this, the following day:
Thursday, we had lunch with Loretta and her sisters Patty, Paula, and Susan, as well as Doug and Theresa. Shame on me for not taking pictures, but I was busy chasing Lane around Loretta's house hoping he didn't destroy anything!

On Friday, we showed him Howard Fellows Stadium and Cavalier football.

And remebered "10 year royalty!" Then Lane went to the Mattioda's so Mommy and Daddy could catch up with old friends!

On Saturday it was off to the McConville's for Lane, and Michigan for Mommy and Daddy so we could help Uncle Ryan celebrate a milestone

We stayed at a cottage on Lake Michigan and had a bonfire on the beach until 2am! I haven't seen those early morning hours since Lane was a tiny baby!

Back to IL on Sunday where we reunited with our sweet baby...we missed him a ton. I couldn't kiss him enough and he layed on my shoulder for quite sometime after getting up from his nap. I think he missed us too!

Cousin Maddie brought over this cool toy that Lane would.not.let.go.

Which didn't work out so well for our family pictures.

Better luck next time because it's onto Garzanelli's where we celebrated another milestone. Nonie turned 80!

Lane and Luca shared some noodles, "Lady and the Tramp" style.

We all sang to Nonie and I'm pretty sure at this point the nice people at Garzanell's wanted to cry like Lane did during our pictures. With 23 people in the dining room plus 2 babies and a 6 year old, you can imagine the comotion that was happening!

Lane coaxed Papa to take him outside numerous times and practiced his new favorite word, "bye-bye," everytime he brought him back inside....(I think he was having flashbacks here of his 1st b-day party and the candles and the singing!)

But he still remained as cheesy as ever. (P.S. this is my mom and not me!)

Then we managed to get an-almost-whole-family picture of the Mattiodas before Garzanellis started chucking bread and ravs out the window at us. "Will you LEAVE already!"

The next morning it was time to say good-bye, except not before a fashion lesson from Uncle Luke.

Back on the plane, but this time we had Daddy.

Enjoying some Sesame Street and pretzels.

Using some energy before making the last trek home. That's our trip in a nutshell. I will go into detail with more, yes more pictures and info. later. But right now I have laundry to do, groceries to check off my list, and meals to plan for the week.

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10 years later and still best friends!

4 years of college later, numerous years of a long distance friendship, 2 husbands later, and 2 babies later here we are! Caitlin is one of those friends that no matter where we are in our lives we always remain friends.

Since Kindergarten we've gone to the same school. Throughout junior high and high school we were in different activities and had different groups of friends, but always remained close. And then after her move back and forth to California for nursing and my move to SC, seeing each other in person was few and far between. But we always keep in touch through the phone and even though it is sometimes months before we see each other in person, we always pick back up from where we left off! A true friend she is and I am so happy I have her!

Yesterday we spent some time with her and her new baby, Jack! He was born just a short 10 weeks ago and WOW how time flies. At this time last year Lane was just about 10 weeks and I've somehow forgotten how tiny he really was. I enjoyed holding Jack because as soon as he found his comfy spot in my arms he looked up at me and smiled until his eyes started getting heavy and he fell asleep. So sweet! Meanwhile, Lane was being chased around by his Aunt Cece and Papa! LOL!

We met my Aunt Melissa and Maddie and Max at their house and walked up to see the homecoming parade.

Jack at the parade...he slept through everything!

Lane not so sure of the sirens.

Lane and his buddy Max.

Still sleeping.

Little do these two know they are going to be buds someday!

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Fun with Daddy

Daddy is the 'toy' in our house. He plays with Lane and Harley in that 'Daddy' way.

And Mommy is the go-to for comfort when your tired or scared and always handing out (or stealing) lots of hugs and kisses....but mommy can sometimes play like Daddy too!

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Happy Fall

But that's NOT all......................

Lane would like to wish someone a very Happy 30th Birthday!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Well, he was speechless and contemplating life after 29. But if you notice he was 'signing' "ALL-DONE" which I think he's referring to your foot-loose and fancy free times you had in your 20s because now you are 30. Lane also pointed out that when he is 30 your life will parallel his life as a toddler....purees for meals, diapers, and a limited amount of hair. Well, Happy Birthday Uncle Ryan....wah wah....

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13 months

I use this blog to write my thoughts, feelings, and to document for Lane. I often write posts that I don't ever post on-line, I just save them as drafts in my archives. That way they are still viewable to Lane.

This post was written on 9/2/09, but I just never posted it:

Wow! I think I officially have a toddler. This past month has FLOWN by. I blinked and 30 days have passed. Not much has changed since 12 months. You still can do all that stuff and you surprise me everyday with what you pick up. You're like a little sponge. You mimic motions and sounds. And we went from working on a 'sign' for a week to you picking it up in a day. You 'talk' a lot and you look at me when you do and use your hands too (that must be the Italian blood in you!) And it sounds like what you are saying is very important and you know exactly what you mean...I think it's cute, but have no idea what you are talking about!

I do respond at different points of your sometimes looong story (you def. get that from me!) with 'Oh really!' or 'WOW!' Because you know, I like a response to what I am saying sometimes too. And even though you will grow to be a 'typical' man and probably won't always respond to your wife, uh-um, like some people very close to us, you can't blame a girl for trying!

You absolutely LOVE music. You love to dance. You dance at commercial jingles, at my humming, songs on the radio, songs on TV, etc. And when I sing, you wait for me to stop and then you mimic my 'tune.' (Ha! I'm pretty sure my tune, is not a tune anyone else could recognize, but you sure do enjoy it!) You also love to sing. You have a sweet little voice.

You've loved music since you were in the womb. Daddy would play music and put headphones on my stomach and it felt as though you were dancing in there. And when I would sit in church, as soon as the organ started, it felt as though you were flip-flopping in there. You still like to sing on occasion at church and everyone around us really enjoys it! You also really loved it when Daddy played the guitar (and you still do).

You are very responsive and in-tune with everything around. We get comment after comment on how "observant" you are. You love to take everything in. You also like to shake your head 'yes' these days. If you remeber this time, 'no' was a big deal and we thought it was funny. But now you say yes and no. You especially respond to yes/no questions during meal time. Example....Me: Lane would you like some blueberries? You: :shake your head and body forward and backward: or sign 'all done' while shaking your head no. But honestly you never turn down blueberries no matter how full you are!

Lane, I feel as though you may never walk...LOL! You are a pro at standing without support. You would stand stationary all day I bet. You stand up for me while I put your pants and shirt on with no support, but as soon as we are done....to the knees you go! Many, many moms tell me not to wish your crawling days away, but I think I may be ready, how 'bout you?!



This is an example of what you do when I want to practice walking and standing with you.




You even have a sense of humor...very funny!

That's all right....in your own time, in your own way ;-) But I think Aunt Cece really needs you to walk at her wedding, I'm just saying...and plus, how will you dance? I know we make a good dance team, but I think Daddy may want to dance with me for some of the songs. You'll have to lead Luca, so you best get walking!

Happy 13 months little one. We love you!

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Car show...

First one for the Chevelle in it's 'new' state. We had fun and were probably the youngest people there by 50 years with a car actually in the show.

It's been Matt's project since we drove it down in July of '07. The outside and under the hood are complete, for the most part. Now all we have left to do is the interior which we will leave to a professional. Matt has restored all of it up to this point. I like how I say 'we' when in actuality the only thing I did was help him bleed the brakes which required me to pump the petal a few hundred times! But, I was pregnant, almost 9 months, and it was H-O-T!

And don't be jealous...this particular show was in the parking lot of Ryan's...which if you didn't know, is a steakhouse...a buffet steakhouse...mmmm...mmmm. Needless to say we didn't eat.

Lane enjoying some dinner that I packed for him.

Lane enjoying the ride. He LOVES to ride in the Chevelle.

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Mud Run

Matt participated in a USMC Mud Run yesterday. Here's the run down:

Yes, this was his first one. Yes, Lane is carrying a book under his arms...book nerd worm!

No, I would NEVER do one.

Maybe, it's because there is entirely too much dirt to get crammed in all your 2000 parts AND there was a 12 foot deep mud pool that you had to jump into from a 10ft. platform and then swim across, in which I would probably sink to the bottom and die.

(pre-game jitters???)

Yes, I wore this outfit.
No, I didn't look out of place AT ALL!
Maybe, it's because I worked at The Shop before we left, or maybe that's just an excuse and I really would have worn this cute outfit anyway.What's that, you want to see a close-up of the shoes, ok:

Yes, it was a little muddy for these shoes.

No, I did not bring a pair of spare shoes to change into.

Maybe, I did, but forgot socks, and the spare shoes would have ruined the outfit anyway!


Yes, Lane and I were both in jeans (and me, in a turtle-neck).
No, not that many people looked at us!
Maybe, it was because I checked the CHARLOTTE forecast (70s and rainy) instead of the COLUMBIA forecast (90 billion degrees, HOT HOT HOT and humid)

Yes, Lane's jeans are rolled.

No, he did not mind.

Maybe, I rolled them for fashion-sake instead of trying to cool him off.

(At least Danny is smiling before the chaos!)
And they're off!

Yes, Lane sat content in his stoller clapping and yelling for all the contestants.

No, I did not have to do anything to keep him so content.

Maybe, I bribed him with Cheerios.

Yes, they were very, very muddy.

No, noone (on our team broke anything).

Maybe, I was secretly hoping the red, "vintage" Yamaha T-shirt from the St. Bede rummage sale of '98, would have drown in the muddy 12 foot pool of sludge never to return again.

Yes, the run got over way later than we expected.

No, we didn't go straight home.

Maybe we stopped at Copper River Grill to grab some supper and maybe it was 8:30.

Yes, Lane scarfed down 3 chicken tenders, some fries, half of a blueberry bagel, and a dinner roll.

No, he did not have an ounce of fruit or veggies for dinner.

Maybe, all of the food he ate at Copper River was organic....LOL!

Yes, this is a cute picture of mommy and baby.

No, we did not have to take 12 shots just to get this one.

Maybe, I made Matt stand in the parking lot at 9:30 at night and take 12 shots of us.

And this video is really dark, but Lane had us laughing the entire dinner. He was talking and doing this "preacher" thing with his arms to the people walking by and sitting around us and I had to start taping. It was too funny not to, at least you can kind of hear him.

And Lane, YES you are the absolute best baby when we are out. It was a long day and another 11pm bedtime, but everyone commented how content and happy and easy-going you were and I'll have to agree...now if we can only get that behavior at home! LOL!

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