Oh, by the way...

I've missed my sisters!

I was going to go over to Rachael's house before I left today, but she's working, so I decided to come over to Lori's house and chill out with her and Anthony.

I also got a present from my mom, Thanks mom! I love the sweater! And Bob, thanks for fixing my entertainment door that was broken!

I also got to hang out with baby Anthony, he is so much bigger! I think he gained weight at Mom's house, which I'm not surprised!

Now, I think I'll fix something to eat for lunch!



Baby Anthony is so adorable!

A brief summary of 2007 events...

You may all know, from reading my blog, about what happened this year, but I'll do a quick summary, for fun. (Not in order)

-Natalie got married
-Katya came home for the first time
-Lori had baby Anthony

Yup, most of the major events happened to my family this year vs. me personally...

Actually, I can think of a few more things that have to do with me:
I turned 27!
Jason and I celebrated our 1st anniversary!

If I think of more, I'll add them.
But you know... I think that sometimes, no new news is better than news sometimes, right???

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas is over and the new year is just about here!

I think I mentioned this before, but it didn't really feel like Christmas this year, as much as I'm used to... so the day after, I took down my tree and all the decorations. I felt pretty good about having my house back and not watching the cats claw the trunk of my fake Christmas tree (which made it look a little more real) but annoying...
I'm sure, by now, now that it's almost 11 p.m. and they left around 10 a.m., that Lori and Rachael are home now. I had the fun job of taking care of Rachael's bunny and kitty, feeding, watering, and giving them a little love. Not too hard.
But I sure did miss them! I had to con Jason into hanging out with me most of the time, because my whole family was gone and I didn't have anyone to hang out with!
Today, we had intentions of watching a movie, but ended up going to the store to buy something to wear for New Year's Eve in Chicago!
Yup, we're going to Chicago for New Year's Rockin' Eve with my friend Betsy and her husband, Steve. Tonight I've been looking online for information for the train, because I've never taken the train (that I can remember) in the U.S. (I took the train a lot in London). And I'm really excited! I've had to build the case with Jason...
1. We won't have to deal with traffic.
2. We won't have to pay for parking.
3. I won't have to have a sore foot when driving stick shift in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
4. We won't have to worry about stupid drunk drivers!!!
I think we're also planning on going to Navy Pier for the count-down which should be pretty fun. I heard they were having fireworks too!

I'm pretty excited. I think the only other fun thing I've done on a New Year's Eve was go to Portland, Oregon... fun, except for the fact that there was a small riot! Now, THAT was scary and got scarier, when me and my friend were trying to get out of there, she's trying to video tape the whole thing and then she couldn't remember where she parked!!!

Hopefully, this year will be WAY better!
I'll fill you all in later.
Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve Eve

Yesterday, among many things that I got done, like making over 100 Chocolate Peanut butter no-bake cookies for my neighbors and the maintenance staff, Rachael wanted me to take Jack and Katie to my house and have them help me make the desserts that I had to make for Christmas. So, I picked them up, and brought them to my house to help!
Well, the only they really helped me with, was bringing in the groceries! Then got busy harassing the cats, rummaging through all my Christmas presents (that somehow mysteriously got a little ripped open, here and there... mmmm...) and finding left over yarn that they wanted to keep.
While they were busy doing that, I was making the Peanut Butter Pie that Jason absolutely loves and I made it with a chocolate crust and a layer of hot fudge... I think it may be the best one yet!
Then the kids got hungry, so I made pasta noodles with spaghetti sauce and added onions, mushrooms, and peppers to it. We all sat down and ate it at the table while watching "Home Alone" one of my favorite Christmas movies. Jack had seconds and Katie actually ate her whole bowl full!
Well, I still had to make the Chocolate Layer Cheesecake so I went back into the kitchen while the kids got back to their kitty catching expedition.
Until Katie came and asked me if she could take a bath... I remembered earlier that day, that she asked Rachael if she could take a bath and Rachael told her that if she did, then she'd have to put on her pajamas and go to bed, but this was later in the day, and at my house, and if they wanted to take a bath, instead of driving my cats mad... then why not?
So, they took a bubble bath and I taught them how to lather the soap in their hands in order to wash, then had them wash their hair (if they're going to take a bath, why not wash their hair and get it out of the way?)
They had a good time and I finished the second dessert, so it worked out good.
Then, when they got out, I made sure I blow-dried their hair so they didn't get sick with the windchill outside of 6 degrees or so...
It was kind of fun! I got done what I needed to get done, and helped Rachael get done what she needed to get done, and let the kids have a little fun, all at the same time!
A little before 8 p.m. I decided that we should head home, so we got in the car and instead of the 5 to 7 minute ride home, I took about 40 minutes and drove around for the kids to see all the super-cool Christmas lit houses and decorations, while jammin' to Christmas songs on the radio!
We finally made it home, and I thought I had done a great job of Auntie/babysitter until Katie asked Rachael, "Mom? Can I have a bath?"

Scarfed out!

I'm currently making my brother, Ryan, a scarf for Christmas and let me tell you... my hands are so sore and cramped!
I think I have made almost everyone under the sun, a scarf or blanket for Christmas!
One for each of Rachael's kids, two for my mom, one each for my co-workers, and a ton more that I have to keep quiet until after Christmas!
I'm at work right now, I only have to work until 12 p.m. which is good because I have to make German Casserole for Christmas Day at Jason's mom's house, one vegetarian and one with real meat. It's actually kind of cool because his mom and aunt and uncle are trying vegetarian meals and I think this is a really good one and easy one too! So, I'm looking forward to them trying it out.
Oh, I'm feeling a bit better! I still have a cough and stuffy nose, but I'm feeling better. I can taste food and smell stuff now which is good (except for the whole kitty litter box I have to clean out...)!
Back to the scarf topic... I have a major problem with presents. Most of the time, when I get someone something, I have to get one for myself too! So, with all the scarves that I've made, I think I may have kept over half of them! I love them so much! I even made one with a pretty green yarn, it was kind of plain, but I really liked it! Then I noticed that Natalie had the same color of coat, so I gave it to her the weekend that Lori had Anthony. She accidentally left it at Rachael's and I saw Rachael wearing it (I first thought that Nat didn't like it and left it for Rachael, but found out that it wasn't on purpose) but Rachael wore it every day! Then Natalie came back this weekend and got it back. Then she left it in my car on Saturday, and left on Sunday without it!
I called her and told her that she left it in there, and that I should just let Rachael borrow it until she comes back, but Natalie told me not to, or else she won't ever get it back! So, Rachael wants one exactly like it!
I'm having a lot of fun this year, not having to deal with too much Christmas traffic because I've made so many of my presents this year and/or bought them ahead of time! I'm so stress-free that it doesn't really feel like Christmas, even though it's tomorrow!!!
Either way, Merry Christmas to all and for those of you who'd like a scarf, let me know and I'll see what I can do!

Let's spread the holiday cheer!

I have the holiday cold... and it sucks! (I mean, it 'BLOWS'!)
I was going to make home-made cookies for friends and neighbors and co-workers, although I'm sick and can't make them until I'm better or I'll spread more than Christmas cheer!
It started Friday night and got worse on Sunday.
Yesterday, I took the last half of the day off work because I was blowing my nose every 4 or 5 minutes and then sanitizing my hands, and then putting lotion on my nose (it's raw from the blowing).
So, I had to run errands, like get some breath right strips for my nose, and some cold medicine, and was going to buy cologne for Jason for Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I couldn't smell a thing until I got there and asked to smell the Hugo. Didn't work. So, she sent me home with a sample and about 5 other scents sprayed on paper... which means, I probably smelled like MAN all day long and didn't know it, because they were all in my purse!
Then I remembered back in the day when I was sick in Academy, we used to suck on the Taco Bell Salsa packets and it opened our sinuses, so I stopped and got some. Didn't work. In fact, I couldn't even taste the food! I could tell the size and texture of what was in the 7-layer burrito, but could not even sense a delicious taste. It could have been rotten, for all I know! Or, they could have messed up and put meat inside and then wiped it out and I wouldn't have even known! So, no more Taco Bell when I'm sick and I can't taste anything.
I went home and took one of each cold medicines that I had and was in the holiday mood, so I decided that I would make my house smell like Christmas! So, I got a couple cinnamon sticks and placed them in a pot of water and turned the burner on high so it would smell good in my apartment and add to the mood...
I'm not sure how long it was later, that I heard this rumbling sound in the kitchen, so I went to investigate the noise and remembered that I had put cinnamon and water on the stove for holiday scents... WOW! THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD!!! I didn't smell it and totally forgot because I wasn't in the kitchen! So, I turned off the burner.
I kept forgetting that I couldn't taste or smell anything!
How annoying!
I even went to make a sandwich for dinner and was picking on the cheese, but what a waste! I couldn't even taste the cheese! Much less the sandwich or the small chocolate chips I tossed in my mouth as I was looking for something to eat! So much for eating! I just wasted perfectly good food!
I then felt like taking a bubble bath and couldn't smell the soap or the shampoo, so I had to keep scrubbing and double washing my hair, just in case, you know!
What a day! I couldn't taste or smell anything and kept forgetting. I really take those things for granted! Today, I'm still sick, but I was able to taste the cough drop I took this morning. Who knows? Maybe, I'm on my way of recovery!

Tooth time

Is the tooth fairy real, if there's no parent around?
Well, I'm not quite sure how to answer this question, but my baby kitty, Rocco lost a tooth two nights ago...
I don't think cats are supposed to lose teeth. Do you?
Either way, I was laying on my bed, watching TV and looked over at baby kitty curled up sleeping on his side of the bed, and I saw something little on the bed...
Previously, I had broken a glass bowl in the kitchen and he was playing with the pieces until I could get them all, so I thought that he had brought glass into the bed, but with a closer inspection, I noticed it was a tooth!
I wonder if I took my cat over to Rachael and Derrick's place and put it under a pillow, if they'd buy my cat something special! Ya think?
I then started to pry open little baby's mouth and noticed that he lost his bottom pointy tooth! Nothing was bleeding (thank goodness!) and he wasn't acting weird, so my first thought was, "well, at least it won't hurt when he bites me!"
Unfortunately, he must have heard my internal thoughts and started biting my hands...
Well, it still hurts.
Now, as long as nothing major is wrong with my cat... is there any way to get the rest of those teeth to just fall out?
Ha-Ha!

Natalie's pottery creations

Every time Natalie comes over for the weekend, you know she's going to bring pottery for us to paint... Here's a few of her master-pieces! I love the detail! Even the cute beads on the bottom of the tree are so adorable!
This is one of my favorites... hopefully, she'll make me one! (Hint, hint, not-so-subtle-hint!)
Oh, and Nat, I need one of these REALLY BAD! It's so cute!
And this would go perfect with candy that I have at home, or cookies I could make, or just for looks in my kitchen, you know?

Anthony Russell: Day 5 (Tuesday)

Little Angel: Anthony

I went over to Lori's on Tuesday and made dinner... and enjoyed more time with baby Anthony. Here he is, in Auntie Rachael's arms, just snoozin'!

Isn't he so sweet??? Mommy, Lori, and Auntie Rachael were playing dress-up... here he is in another outfit (the same night!)

I think we should all ask Lori, just how many times she changes his outfit everyday!

More baby pics!

One of my favorite pictures of Lori and Anthony...
(So far!)

Auntie Nay-nay with baby Anthony!Anthony in the hand-made blanket grandma Cece made!
Me, Auntie Francie, holding baby Anthony after a few minutes...
What a little cutie! Yup, I got the cutest gift for the baby, ever! ND Booties!
My all-time favorite picture of Anthony Russell! What a miracle!

Just a few pictures...

Lori, ready for the new baby! Anthony Russel
Cute little toes!
The proud parents!

Labor day

I didn't have to work today, which turned out good, because Lori told me that she was going to be induced today...
I decided to be here as much as possible and be here as supportive as possible. The first visit went well. Not much action. The doctor came in and gave her an epidural, then another doctor came in and broke her water. I, of course, left the room both times, although Lori told me to go anyway. I don't know how she expects me to be here when the baby comes, if I have to leave the room when other things happen! I've got to get used to this stuff soon!
Also, I realized that with all the pain Lori will be going through, I don't think I'll have any kids...
Well, that's the decision for now.
The second time I came over and Rachael answered the door and told me that Lori was in a lot of pain and they had to get a second epidural, so I waited outside the door for about 30 minutes, then got impatient and went to the waiting room. After another 15-20 minutes I called Rachael and she told me that she'd meet me down there.
At that time, I realized that Lori really was in a lot of pain... so, while I was a bit irritated about waiting 45 minutes after finding a terrible parking spot and then making my way all the way to the room and then having to do it all over again... but Rachael told me she'd call me when things cooled off.
This is now my third time here at the hospital and I brought some really cute Notre Dame baby booties and some candy to suck on (because Lori can't eat anything). And now, things are a lot better. She hasn't progressed much in the baby pushing plan, but at least there's no pain, now.
More later and believe me, I'll be taking a ton of pictures!

No baby, yet

I've been stressing out on this whole baby thing. What if Lori has the baby and I'm at work? Or far away, shopping for Christmas presents, and can't get there in time?
Well, as of 2:49 p.m. today, no baby.
I have a Karaoke contest tonight and almost don't want to go, just in case, you know? But she assured me that she didn't know when he'd be coming out and that she had dinner plans, so hopefully there won't be a special something-something!
Also, the weather is supposed to be cold, snowy, and really icy tonight, which really worries me! So, I officially don't want the baby to come today, maybe he could wait at least until tomorrow, right?

Christmas on the way

I have been shopping, but it hasn't quite felt like Christmas until last night when Jason and I finally put up the decorations and the tree!
I love it!
With a bit of Christmas music and Chinese food, we got all the decorations out and set up the tree with almost all my ornaments, including my favorite snowman ornaments (they're so cute!) I had forgotten just how adorable my stuff was! I also have decorations that just go around the house and Jason was in charge of that part.
I had apparently wrapped my Bear Figurines with the Christmas stuff, because when I was done with perfecting the tree, Jason had all the little bears out on my shelves!
While I thought I'd put them away, he said that I should leave them out instead of keeping them in a box.
Either way, the apartment is decked out and adorable!
The only problem is Little Baby Rocco. Apparently, cats love playing in trees, scratching trees, and love playing with things that jingle and hang (i.e. Christmas tree ornaments!) Who knew???
So, we'll see how long it lasts.
So far, so good. The tree was still standing this morning!
I'll add pictures next time I steal Jason's camera!