Best Book In The House

Nobody appreciates the new 2010 Bala family calendar more than Luca!

He looks through the pictures over and over again and analyzes each one. Kiki, your hard work definitely passes this boy's test!

Big Boy = Big Boy Food!

We are just beginning to experiment with "real" food. Some things Nico likes, and some he doesn't. Gnawing on a bagel is top of his favorites list. Bananas make him gag :)

Washing it down with a little pear juice (hiding under the high chair).

I just want to package this age up!

Laps

Luca has ample space for running around in our new house.

Here he was "exercising" in his warm-up pants by running laps through the dining room, butlers pantry, kitchen. It makes a nice loop and kept him entertained for...well, minutes at least.
Kept them entertained too.
Where did that boy go?

Who Is That (Pink) Masked Man?

Whoever he is, he hijacked my hat and gloves!

Ringing In 2010

Yes, a belated post, I know...but better late than never, right???

We celebrated New Year's in our old 'hood at the Knudsen's. Mike and I wished health for our boys in this new year, but not 2 weeks into the new year, Nico was diagnosed with both asthma and pneumonia :( Well, our moment of health was fun while it lasted!

Luca was glad to be reunited with Ellie and all of his friends from Cumnor Road...

and as you can see, he arises to just about any reason for celebration!

"Happy New Year"...well, somewhere in the world, considering this countdown took place at about 6pm!

Speaking of ringing in...I think Mike's ears were ringing after this blow-off with Luca and Will (Mike was in on it too...never too old for childish games!)

Dance Baby!

Nico was so taken with Taylor Swift on Oprah, he felt inclined to start dancing right along with her!

More Family, More Presents, More Christmas...Oh My!

A Bala family gathering isn't complete without singing...or caroling to be more specific! (I'll spare you the sound bytes!)

I admit it...I strive to give the best gifts EVER.

This one seemed to be it. It had all eyes and ears at attention for most of the day AND it turned it's recipient, Cade, from non-reader to bookworm. What was it, you ask? "Oh Yuck, The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty". This gift, however, did backfire slightly. You may notice my boy, listening VERY intently to all things nasty. I'm just surprised he's still not rattling off the odd facts he learned, like how much poop you make in a year...(and don't ask me for the answer. I was making an effort NOT to listen). Oh well. That's what I should expect with boys, right?

Nico enjoying some TLC with cousin/babysitter extraordinaire Kaileigh

Aunt Kiki knows Nico well...a gift to play with AND gnaw on!

You can't understand what Luca is saying (he hasn't mastered talking away from the microphone), but whatever he is saying, he sure found hilarious...and so did the rest of us! Why do I have visions of Luca on the stage of Second City 20 years from now??? Thanks Auntie Lynn for the gift that takes the cake!!! She obviously knows my ham bone well!

All He Wanted For Christmas...Truly...

...was a nutcracker (and nuts to crack).

Ask dear Santa, and you shall receive!
It made his Christmas and each day after it.
Mr. Nutcracker still stands tall and proud on our fireplace even after the Christmas tree has been taken down.
(But seriously. What 2 1/2 year old wants a nutcracker and nothing else for Christmas???)

Even though he didn't ask for them, there were a few more gifts that he was crazy about...Including this firehouse and firetruck from mom and dad. (The gift was a great idea on our part...where we put it, maybe not so much. We often find Luca playing with it in his room instead of napping!)

And how did Santa know he needed new slippers?

That guy.

A new George shirt? Cool!

(That's Curious George for those of you who are not on a first name basis.)

Santa, you rock.

A Christmas of Firsts!

There isn't anything more delicious than a smiling baby on his first Christmas morning.
His first Christmas...and ours too in our new house! Who would've imagined that we'd be in, decorated, and a tree up when we started the whole building process. I think we were all smiling this big that morning!

Nico didn't know if he should eat the wrapping paper or rip it...so he ended up doing a little bit of both.

Gifts,paper, smiles and love were all around. This truly was a very special Christmas morning that I wish I could've frozen in time.

Were there any toys left in the stores for the other kids???

Was the exact question on our minds when we walked into Nonno and Nonna's house on Christmas Eve! The evening has definatley taken the focus off the adults and was spent indulging in every child's fantasy...endless presents!!! Luca seemed so unbelievably big to me this Christmas and fully enjoyed EVERY part of it!
2 bambinos on their first Christmas Eve! Even though they are still little, their gifts were plentiful too!

Nico taking Vinny's hat for a spin...not bad!