Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Blinky Bill

We recently received a very exciting package in the mail, aaaaaaaall the way from Australia!  My sister-in-law, Miriam, sent Zenith some birthday goodies, including my absolute favorite cookies, Tim Tams, an Australian specialty.  (I admit, I dove into them helped Zenith with them.)  

In the package was also a very cute, Aussie story book for William called Blinky Bill, which according to Zenith is a pretty popular series of kids books down under.  It's just adorable with all the characters being Aussie animals and William was quite pleased with Aunty Miriam's gift.

Very happy boy

Attentively listening to Daddy read to him

"Ooo, look Dad, it's Blinky Bill!"

"I love this part!"



"Let me help you turn the pages, Dad"

"Mom!  There's a Kangaroo in here!"

"This book is my favorite."



"It's better if you read standing up"

Yes, he actually kept pulling himself up by grabbing onto the book

"I think I'm done now"

"Um, Dad, I'm stuck"

"Mom, can you pass me a Tim Tam?"

Whoops!

"A little help here, guys!"

Thank you Miriam!

~Lindsay


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Happy Birthday Zenith!

Yesterday, being Zenith's 31st birthday, was definitely cause for celebration.  This guy has worked so hard putting in long hours at work through the summer (he's an HVAC apprentice), and now going to class two nights a week until 9pm to get his license as a technician.  I don't generally like to gush, but since he's the birthday boy, I'll "gush" this one time. ;)  

Seriously, this guy is amazing.  He works all week and then many Saturdays while still managing to fix whatever needs fixing on the car or in the house. He listens to all my random (and sometimes endless) chatter.  He puts boxers on his head and dances around like a crazy person just to make William and I laugh.  He can be goofy and silly, knows a good wine and is very particular about his food. ;)  

Having gone through the final months of pregnancy (you know, feeling like a whale, uncomfortable in any position, just begging the baby to come out :P), then postpartum recovery, then morning sickness again soon after, and then the effects of a miscarriage all within this past year, we've both been through a lot. And he's been by my side through everything.  He picked up all my slack; vacuuming, scrubbing the shower, tidying the house...he's done it all and without me having to say a word.  He walked two stories down to our basement to put in or bring up the laundry when I couldn't and still will.  

He's the type of guy who does the dishes every night after dinner because I cooked.  He's the shoulder I cried on when life took some crazy turns and I didn't know if I could do it anymore.  He puts me in my place when I need it and encourages me to be a better person.  And I never thought it would happen, but I have met my match when it comes to stubbornness. :P 

As he kneels down to lead the family rosary, I look at him and know he can lead our family to Heaven.  I praise God and thank Him every day for having blessed me with him as my companion through life and my soulmate.  

Having said all that, I think the guy deserved a good birthday. ;)  Tess came over to help us celebrate and we had a small party. Here's what was on the menu:
-Green salad
-Freshly baked bread with Garlic Balsamic Olive Oil for dipping
-Lasagna
-Bottle of Shiraz wine (Australian of course)

And to finish up:
-Pumpkin Crumble with freshly whipped cream





Zenith's big birthday present was his espresso machine but he got that a while ago, so since I wanted to give him something on his birthday, I gave him something else he's been wanting...a decanter, glasses and a bottle of port :)


Since the little guy can wiggle and roll everywhere, I keep my pack n' play set up to "contain" him and he entertains himself with his toys in here.


"When are we having cake?"


"Happy Birthday Daddy!"






And the Goofball himself

Give these guys a bottle of wine and some port and you never know what will happen. :P  Balloon fight, anyone?  (Zenith thought some head protection would be a good idea)

Instead of birthday cake, I decided to give Pumpkin Crumble, one of Zenith's favorite desserts, another try.  I used fresh pumpkin instead of canned and it came out much better.

That about wraps it up.  So happy birthday to the best hubby ever!  I love you, Zenith!

~Lindsay



Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Because I know you all can't get enough of the little guy...

I haven't been feeling particularly wordy lately, thus the reason I haven't been updating lately.  But here are some pictures of the little guy in case anyone was going through withdrawals. ;)

Daddy showing William the pictures in our Rosary Book

No need for light here...Zenith's glowing shirt should do the trick :P

"Look, Daddy, it's Jesus!"

Just chilling on the couch with his favorite toy.  Everything goes in the mouth these days, especially since his top two teeth are coming in now!

"Hmmm...wonder how I could convince Mommy to let me test out these chompers on some steak..."

"Oooo, or maybe some apple pie??"

"Nobody feeds me around here"


We decided to go out and takes some pictures of William in the leaves.  It reminded me of the days when my sisters and I would go outside to rake up the leaves and jump in the piles.  Mom and Dad would hide candy in the piles which we would all dig through to find.  When the sun had set, we would troop back inside with rosy cheeks and noses to warm up with cocoa.

Playing in the leaves



"I hope there's candy in here"

"What do you mean there isn't any???"

"I guess I'll just take a nap then"


Family shot

I meant to post this awhile ago, but kept forgetting to load the picture on my camera.  For the Feast of the Holy Rosary, I made Apple Date Bread (a bit like Apple Fritters), gluten-free of course.  They came out really good!  I just used regular butter and milk and did 3 cups of Erika's all purpose gluten-free flour blend instead of the flour they suggested.  I didn't have any dates so I used raisins instead, as well as maple syrup instead of stevia.  I also added a bit of brown sugar to the apple mixture since the bread itself isn't sweet and it's the apple mixture that sweetens it as well as the glaze.


I think that's all the news around here.  I have a shopping trip planned with Tess for this evening since Zenith has school until 9pm.  So Willy and I will go pick up Tess after his afternoon nap and then do some shopping.



Happy Tuesday!

~Lindsay

Monday, October 13, 2014

Autumn in New England at its peak

Just sharing some pictures of Autumn with some of Little Mister thrown in, of course. :)


Family walk one evening



Our backyard

Happy guy

Isn't this face just so cute??

Nappies (diapers) hanging on the line...not too much longer of this as soon it'll be too cold!



View from the kitchen window











This big guy is sitting on his own now!



...and trying to crawl

Come on, buddy, you can get it!

"Ya wanna play, Dad?"

Photos courtesy of Zenith :)

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