{pretty, happy, funny, real}

{pretty}

This was taken on the George Bailey bridge. That building on the right once was the Seneca Knitting Mill. We had a very mild (read: warm) day in the beginning of December, so Katrina and I took Tony for a walk around town. It was a grand day, ending at the church where we sang hymns for an hour.

Our town claims to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls in Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life!" The story goes that Capra was visiting someone in Rochester or Syracuse, and drove through Seneca Falls, stopping for a haircut. As you can see from the memorial on the bridge, they were very proud of Antonio Varacalli's sacrifice, and whether the theory is true or not, it's a lovely one. Every December they have a festival, and this year the actresses who played Janie and Zuzu came. We didn't get out to it because of prior commitments, but hopefully next year we can make it out.

{happy}

Tony ready for the wedding. He had a blast at the reception.

 Last weekend we had the pleasure of attending the wedding of one of Zach's oldest friends, who was the best man at our wedding. The three of us paid our first visit to Dallas for the occasion. I had been worried about how Tony would do on the flight, but he was great, thank God! The return flight left at 7am, and we all slept. I definitely think that is the way to go. It's a pain to get up so early, but the peacefulness of it is totally worth it.

This was sometime during the flight to Dallas. He was being such a sweetie. I can never get enough of his blue eyes. 

We brought my sister to my parents before flying to Texas. Tony was super excited to see all of the kids. This might make me a bad mommy, but I couldn't get him to settle down until midnight. He didn't want to nurse, eat, or be with me at all. He just wanted to run around. He had spent quite a long time in the car, and missed bedtime, which didn't help.

{funny}

Zach took another picture, with Tony's hand coming up like a zombie or something, but it was blurry. This one is almost as funny, though. He loves being pulled around in boxes, baskets, or on a blanket. He will try tapping his foot at you to make you go if you stop. 

{real}

For the past month I have been trying to get Tony involved in what I'm doing. Sometimes it's more aggravating (when he pulls the sweet potatoes out of the pot), but he is learning to help, and understands all kinds of things now - close the door, put it in the pot, and put it in the trash are the most helpful ones. I asked Auntie Leila for some tips on training a little one his age (17 months) to sit in church. One thing that stuck out to me was to make him sit for 10-20 minutes a day while I make dinner, reading books, or going for a walk. If he doesn't have to sit any other time, why would he understand sitting at Mass? Finals is a crazy time in our house, but I already have some goals for January: potty training and spending more time reading to Tony being at the top of the list.

If those things weren't important, they definitely would be since we found out that we will be having Baby #2! 

Before I was pregnant I went back and forth on when to tell people. In the end, we decided to share the news right away. The joy of a new life should not be less celebrated because there is more potential to lose it in the beginning. 

God never ceases to amaze me. His timing is always impeccable. I am due August 18th, which is right at the end of finals. If things go the way they did with Tony, we could have a baby closer to the beginning of August. Either way, we're so, so thrilled. (Zach is incredibly grateful for the timing - had I been due during the next trimester, it would have been very difficult for him beginning the acupuncture program, taking part I boards, and taking one of the hardest trimesters of chiropractic.)

Right now my greatest concern is finding a midwife who does deliveries during August. It's kind of funny to me that two of the nearest homebirth midwives take July and August off! Babies don't know that, and what are mamas to do if they are due then? One of Zach's professors is trying to help us out by calling one of them to see if she will take us...I'm praying!