A Tribute

We just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU to so many of you that have shown your support to our family as we have added one more to the team. The thoughts and calls and visits and meals and gifts have all been SOOOO appreciated! We are so very blessed by you all!

Massimo is healthy and growing and I am feeling really well... considering (sleep deprivation is expected). Cute little thing too. Well, 'little' might not be the right word for this guy. He was already a big baby to start with and then he had surpassed his birth weight by day 5 weighing in at 8lbs 10 oz. His 2 week check was today and he now weighs 9 lbs 3 oz. He loves to eat!

Enzo has been such a care taker. I was a bit surprised by it. I shouldn't have been though, he has always been such a sweet and sensitive soul, just like his Daddy. He is the first to notice Massimo's cries and yells out, "Baby Cying!" He hates to hear it and wants to remedy it ASAP! He can hardly wait to hold him, as well. He just loves to give him kisses and feel his soft hair and skin.

Arianna is getting there as well. She was excited from the start, but a little worried about her place in all of this. She seems to have settled into it now and is really becoming the little mother. She has claimed first dibs on burping rights and since she can't do the feeding she grabs her own baby doll and 'nurses' along side us. She keeps reminding me that at some point the baby WILL be big enough to have a bottle too so that she can actually take part in the feeding business.

Then there is this guy. What a stud! Marco, I hope you know how very much I love you! I also hope you know that you are a hero to the four of us here on the home front. I've totally forgiven you for dropping my leg during delivery, and I am sure Dr. Macy will too. ;) Thank you for working your tail off so that mine can stay home to do the same. You make us proud!

This is Massimo and Massimo. We named our second son after his Daddy's Dad because he is such an incredible example to us of what a man ought to be. I will spare you the details of that for fear of embarassing Massimo Senior, but integrity like his is a rare and precious find. Thanks for making the trek up Max and Jane, sorry I lost it, I was just so touched!

If you don't care for mushy, stop reading now (or maybe you should have never started reading in the first place). I know that this is a bit more personal than some of you care to get, but I wanted to include it just the same. I guess if Lisa can include melons, I can include this, right Lis?? :) Just know I have NEVER claimed to be a writer, much less a poet.

The Climb

I had to climb a mountain of the tallest type

I needed some assistance for it all to turn out right.

Before I started climbing an angel came to me

To lift me up and carry me and then to set me free.

The mountain looked so beautiful, exciting and serene

I started out with vigor as I came upon the scene.

My angel didn't warn me of the challenge up ahead

She never would dissuade me from great blessings on my head.

Then when the climb got tiring and my legs they felt so weak

The angel took my load off so the climb I could complete.

I never could have made it were my angel-hero gone

My angel-hero is none else than the one I call my Mom.

Thanks Mom for being out here with us. You cared so well for my little ones and took such good care of me! It is obvious that being a mother IS your passion, just as you once said it was. That wasn't only true for the child bearing years, but continues to be evident as your children grow into adulthood. That is a beautiful heritage to have passed on! You had a way of doing exactly what I knew needing doing but that I was unable to do while you were here, and you have such a graceful way of teaching me without over stepping your bounds. I love you mom and just hope you know how grateful I am to have an angel mother like you! Thanks again!

Love, Your lucky daughter!

And thanks again to family and friends that have made sacrifices that have richly blessed our lives. We love you!!