Marriage

Alex: Mom, how does this whole marriage thing work?

Me: What do you mean?

Alex: Who picks who? Does the girl pick the boy or the boy pick the girl?

Me: It works best when they pick each other?

Alex: What if I pick a girl and she doesn't pick me back.

Me: Well...

Alex: Never mind, I am just going to let the girl pick me - it will just be easier that way.

Smart, smart boy!

Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma John

Dear Grandma.

Can it really be 5 years ago that we celebrated your 75th birthday? Your kids took you to Charlestown - remember my dad won all that money? And a bunch of your grandkids and three great-grandkids went to the mall and got a portrait taken for you. We could barely stop laughing long enough to get the perfect shot.

I miss you so much. You may be out of sight, but never out of mind. Actually, you are not out of sight either. I keep a picture of you on the visor of my car. I talk to the kids about you all the time. I tell them stories of how I used to have sleepovers with you and how one of my favorite places of all times was your house on Deer Park Road. I remember your kitchen most of all - I used to love washing dishes with you. (I still have the phone number memorized - 922-9118). I tell Alex how when Pop and his brothers were bad you were known to pull an ear or two to get them to behave...he thinks that is hysterical. I tell them that I wish you were here to come to all of our parties because you loved to be around people. And I know you would get so into helping me plan. Remember the little cheesecakes that looked like black-eyed Susans we made for Nicki's wedding shower? And then there was my wedding. You helped me make the details so perfect - the ribbons on the favor boxes, the chocolate truffles, my bouquet. There are so many times I say, "I wish grandma was here to help." (You would be so proud of your daughters - you should see the capes they made for Alex and his friends for his 4th birthday). I tell Alex that you were the one who bought his baby book and found the undershirts with the snaps for him to wear until his belly button healed. I remember the night before I had him, I was talking to you the phone and I was complaining about being so big and pregnant, and you said to me, "Love. Babies come when they come." And I tell him that you called him Prince Alexander and that you named Luke (Cool Hand Luke). I wonder everyday what your nickname for Isabella would be? I can only imagine what you would think of my little wild woman...

I tell them that you are our angel and that you can see us from heaven. This morning we were talking about how today is your birthday and Alex said, "I am glad you have that picture of Grandma John because when I get to heaven I will know what she looks like. I am going to heaven when I get old and wear glasses, because old people wear glasses. Except for Gabrielle, she wears glasses but she is a teenager." And last night when we were saying our prayers he said his usual prayer and then at the end he added, "Hey, Grandma John. Mom loves you and she talks about you A LOT." Then he said, "Are you sure she can hear me?"

Yes. I. Am. Sure.

Happy Birthday!

I love you,
Jamie

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna walk with my grandma,
and she'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell her how I missed her,
every minute since she left.
Then I'll hug her neck.

Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

-Brad Paisley

Two and a Half...

Dear Isabella -

Today is March 1st. You are two and a half. I can't believe it - where did the last 6 months go? I feel like I say that a lot, but it is so true. Time is going by too quickly.

You talk from morning to night. Each morning, your voice is the first thing I hear. You call your daddy or me to come and get you out of your crib. The first thing you say is, "I go downstairs." And you talk, sing, laugh and boss us around all day long. At night, I put you in your crib and cover you up with four blankets because your feet are "told" (cold), turn on your music, and fill up your water cup. Then I say, "May God bless you." And you say, "Goodnight Mommy. Turn off the light."

You and Alex play together so well. Your love to build forts and play Power Rangers. You are always the Pink Ranger. You always want to be where ever he is...

You love to dress up and you walk around with your crown and wand saying, "I am a fairy princess." You are learning all about the Disney Princesses too - just in time to go to Disney World in a few weeks. Your favorite movies are "Beauty and the Beast"and "Toy Story."

You are getting so tall. But I still can't call you a big girl. And whenever we talk about potty training or giving up your nippy, you say, "I am not a big girl yet. I am your baby." Of course, it is another story when you want a piece of gum or are resisting nap time. Then all of a sudden you a big girl...at least until I give into you.

You call yourself a baby, but you seriously could run the world (or at the very least your preschool). You are always on a mission. You are the most stubborn child I have ever seen. You know what you want and you never give up. You don't back down...ever. And you don't listen worth a darn. If it is possible for a two (and a half) year old to possess self confidence, you do...in fact I think you have enough for the whole state. I am so excited (and a little nervous) to see what you do with that strong personality of yours as you get older!

You have started calling yourself Izzy. You are learning to spell your name (Isabella). You love to jump on the trampoline at My Gym. You call Alex "Brother Ally." You want to paint all the time. You drink at least three yogurt drinks a day. You have tons of friends already. You still love Gigi most of all. You don't like Daddy's whiskers, and you tell him to take them off. You can pout like a teenager. You think splashing in puddles is so much fun. You went for your first pedicure with your big cousin Sophie. You are like a celebrity with the big girls in the neighborhood. You have the gift to make people smile everywhere you go....People stop me all the time and ask, "Don't you just crack up at her all day long?" I usually respond, "Uh, no." But I am joking, because you bring me so much joy and laughter everyday. I would be lost without you.

Love you (with all my heart),
Mommy