Tis the season...

Tis' the season to be JOLLY!

Now, if only my sore throat would go away I would feel so jolly that I would sip on a glass of wine!
I feel like a kid again. Lyla brings out the inner child in me. I absolutely cannot wait for Christmas morning. I am so excited to see her eyes when she has a stocking full of goodies and presents to open. Yes, I know that she will most likely focus on the tissue paper and the boxes, but hey, it's going to be fun fun fun!
I think I'm almost ready for the big events. Christmas Eve will be spent with Jason's family via an Italian style dinner. My yummy homemade lasagna! We will play games, relax and open presents for Lyla. Christmas morning will be family time with only Jason, Lyla and myself (let the fun continue!) then later that day my family will come over for a traditional dinner of ham and potatoes.
Every night before I put Lyla to bed I tell her that Santa is coming and he is going to fly over the moon. He will bring her fun times and lots of presents. I let her know that she will have the best day ever! I rub her head, her belly and kiss her. She excitedly smooches me back and says "ANTA... MOOOOON".
Oh yes, Anta and the Moon are good.
She also loves opening up her advent calendar on a nightly basis. We sit collectively as a family and she opens the little cardboard door to a magical world of chocolate. She is then engrossed in the ability to take out the chocolate and eat it. She usually kisses both of us with gratitude for the mouthwatering sugar goodness. Oh, what fun.... I am definitely NOT a Grinch!
I hope your holiday season is just as delightful and magical as mine. I couldn't ask for more.

Happy Holidays!
Time to start baking!!!
Cheers!
P.S. Need wine? We have some! www.northwestwinesource.com 
Another new years resolution is to promote my side business more, have wine, will travel!

The story of SANTA begins

Our neighbors put up a 1980's plastic Santa in their yard. He made his appearance the day after Thanksgiving. Lyla fell in love the day after Thanksgiving. This begins the love story of Lyla and Santa.

Every night Lyla points to the windowsill and wants to be propped up to see Santa. She waves and says "HI". She kisses the window, blows him kisses and then proceeds to tell him "BYE". When we leave to run errands she says "HI" from her car seat and waves at him and sadly says "BYE" when he is out of sight. When I open the front door she points outside and if she's bundled up I let her walk across the street to give Santa his love. She hugs him, kisses him and stands to stare at him. We did end up knocking on the neighbors door and letting them know about the joy their plastic Santa brings to our daughter. We also wanted to let them know that we are not trespassing into their yard on a daily basis for no apparent reason.

With the above love story playing in my head I was fully prepared and excited for Lyla's date with Santa for her annual photo. After 40mins waiting patiently in line we were ushered in by two teenage boys dressed as elf's and no apology for the wait. Lyla was mesmerized by the workshop and said "HI" to Santa. I promptly put her on his lap hoping for an ecstatic reaction but the return was nothing but cries and screams for mommy. With my parents by my side we all waited with no avail. Lyla would not sit on his lap, next to his lap, or near him. Hence our beautiful Santa photo this year is the three of us (Me, Lyla, and Santa). After leaving, she turned her head back to say "BYEEEEEE" with a beautiful charismatic smile. To think about, I was worried she wouldn't keep her cute red bow in her hair (she hates hair accessories), that was the least of her worries.

HO HO HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

It's about survival in our house.

Times Square with the wind blowing our hair in NYC... so FUN!

The other day Jason came home and I was a bit frazzled. The house was sort of messy and I hadn't prepared dinner or gotten anything organized. I told him I was sorry that it was messy and he replied...."At least you survived, it's all about survival". This made me giggle because its' so true.

Each day it's about survival.

Her first sights of NYC

FAO Schwartz Heaven!!!

We made it to New York and back and we survived! I always stress out before I travel because I start thinking about how much stuff I need to bring, the diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, clothes, stroller, car seat, pack-n-play, money, wallet, etc. etc. (Phew, I just re-lived the anxiety surrounded with traveling) I have come to terms with the fact that time does not stop. So, on the plane we have to just hope that time flies by a bit faster because it definitely can't stop, even if at times it feels like it.

We had a great trip! There were a few rough patches in the road when Lyla got up super early or wouldn't go to bed, but that's okay. The highlight of our trip was the Bronx Zoo. We thouroughly enjoyed seeing each exhibit and Lyla did too!
We spent the trip at Jason's grandfather's condo, which is now his mom's/aunt's.

It was bittersweet.

I kept waiting for him to walk around the corner, it's almost as if I could feel his presence. We were able to visit his gravesite and leave his favorite flowers, dasies. I miss him so much and am glad we got to visit our memorable spots again. He is the person that made NY so memorable, he enabled us to travel there and to see the world. Going back made me feel that he was with us again and would be proud of us. I miss his everlasting, unconditional encouragement for Jason and I. He made us stronger as a couple and individuals. What an amazing man he was.

I think that so far we have survived without him here as a person but he is still in our souls. We LOVE you pops!

Outside of Popa's condo

Our favorite restraunt, Chef Antonios!

Times Square

 

Navigating the ZOO