A week off

 Jay enjoyed his second week off this past week.  We enjoyed a visit from Grandma and Poppy over the weekend.  We checked out the Buffalo Science Museum, which the boys love.  Of course my camera was acting up, so the pictures are sparse and not the greatest.

 Raphael loves wearing baseball hats.  Poppy left his hat at our house and he walks around wearing it and saying "Poppy's hat." 

 One of Raphael's favorite things to do at the museum, play with the ball.

 Wrestling!

 On Tuesday we loaded up the car and drove the over 6 hours to Philadelphia to visit Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Jim and Coco, the dog.  We left a day early so that we could avoid the impending snow storm.  The boys did not sleep much in the car but did relatively well!

 We checked out the Please Touch Childrens' Museum, which took us a while to get to, due to traffic issues, but it was well worth it.  The exhibits were perfect for the kids and they had a cool Alice in Wonderland exhibit.  When we came back home, we watched the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland and Jacob was fascinated with looking at the illustrations in my childhood "Alice in Wonderland" book.

Future postman Raphael (just kidding Poppa).

 Jacob loved driving this giant dump truck.  They had an entire mini town complete with a grocery store, McDonald's, doctor's office and construction site! Too fun!

Raphael sweeping the porch of a house that was just his size. Too cute...

Jacob and Aunt Rebecca.

 Our very own statue of Liberty.

 Outside the museum, the building used to be one of the main sites for the Philadelphia Centennial.

 Sorry Uncle Jim, this is the only picture I got of you! You were great playing with the kids on the swings and reading many books to Jacob!

We also played the wii with the boys!  In the evenings we had a heated game of Scrabble and watched American Idol together.  Thanks for being such great hostesses, Rebecca and Jim.  We enjoyed good food, playing with Coco and going to the museum! Jacob can't wait to come and visit again (he was convinced that their apartment was Philadelphia.  When we went to the museum, he said he wanted to get back to Philadelphia).
p.s. Does my belly look huge for almost 29 weeks? Opinions?

We are VERY lucky!

This year I have really been enjoying celebrating all of the holidays with the boys.  Jacob has been learning what the different holidays celebrate and he was very excited for St. Patrick's Day. Even though their last name is Albanese I think the boys might have more Irish in them then Italian (sorry to all the Albaneses reading this post).  When talking on the phone with Omi and Opa the other week Jacob asked if you receive gifts for St. Patrick's Day (even though I had already told him that you do not).  Omi and Opa said to Jacob of course you do and a week later the boys received a very fun St. Patrick's day package complete with hats, candy, socks, pencils and a card. It was very thoughtful!  I was the room mom in Jacob's classroom yesterday and had a great time! The kids all wore green (Jacob also wore his hat from Omi and Opa), enjoyed a visit with Lucky the leprechaun, watched some live Irish dancers and enjoyed some Irish soda bread that I brought in. 

 This morning the boys were greeted with a note from Lucky the leprechaun.  They also had green milk and yogurt, which thrilled them beyond belief!  Jacob was hoping that everything in our home would be green!

 Jacob, wearing his leprechaun mask that he made in school.

 Here's the note from Lucky, in the background is a special Irish rabbit dish that I received from my Great Aunt Kathleen years ago, I take it out every year around this time.

 Our St. Patrick's Day shamrocks that we made once again out of melted green crayons.

 This is why we are so very lucky. I love these fun little boys!

Tonight we're enjoying beef brisket (uncorned beef), Irish soda bread, potatoes and apples and of course carrots and cabbage.  I'm proud of the Irish heritage that is on both sides of our family.  I know our ancestors sacrificed and toiled to make a better life for the next generation.  For this I feel very blest.

"May the rains sweep gentle across your fields,

May the sun warm the land,

May every good seed you have planted bear fruit,

And late summer find you standing in fields of plenty.

-traditional Irish blessing

The February Happenings

February, like January seemed to fly by! Although we are all itching to get outside more (I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt), we've managed to stay busy.  We have a museum pass so we've been enjoying the playroom at the Buffalo Science museum, library story times and much more.

This is the boys at WNED KidFest. We had a blast.

Raphael allowed someone to paint Elmo ("elm") on his face! He did a great job sitting still.

They were ecstatic to see Elmo! We thought Raphael might be scared but he ran right up to him and gave him a hug.

Curious George, another favorite! Jacob's only concern was that none of the characters spoke.

We went up to Ithaca for Aunt Laura's shower. Cheese!

Here's Laura and moi (23 weeks) at her shower. She had her baby girl, Gianna Rose, two days later! Doesn't she look great!

Watching Poppa shovel.

My parents also came up to Buffalo for a snowy weekend. We went to the mall (after I took a 25 minute detour to get there), ate Thai food, shoveled oh and did I mention shoveled?

This little boy is getting too big!

First carousel ride!

Jacob on his white horse.

We're ready for another month. Jacob is already talking about St. Patrick's Day and we have a trip to Philadelphia planned. Oh and of course we're going to see baby Gianna one of these weekends.

Aunt Laura and Gianna Rose. We're all excited to have a little girl join the family.

February crafts

 Lately I've been bitten by the craft bug. It's freezing outside and it has been fun to take out all my craft supplies and whip up a few cards and Valentine's Day decorations.

 Okay, I didn't make these flowers, they just make me smile!

 I stole the idea for this card from Martha Stewart.

 More cards and Valentines.

 I put up some new frames and pictures in the living room. 

Valentine's Day hearts on our window. Look at all of our snow!

 My ALL time favorite valentines.

Peas in a pod.

XY

So it's about time we talked about baby #3! We waited until I was three months along before we told everyone at Thanksgiving. People were surprised and my mom could not believe I kept it from her for so long. We had Jacob tell everyone so it was super cute!

The baby is due around June 17th! This is right after Raphael's 2nd birthday and Jacob will be 3 1/2.  The time is just flying by.  We had our 18 week ultrasound this week and decided to find out the baby's gender.  This time I wanted to prepare myself (since we didn't find out for the first two). We're having another BOY! I had a feeling this was the case since I had a 10 week ultrasound and the technician at this time was convinced it was a boy. 

He was extremely cooperative throughout the entire ultrasound (a sign for the future perhaps?).  He was completely stretched out at one point which was hilarious (usually the baby is all curled in the fetal position).  He is taking advantage of the space while he still has it! He's already 9 oz and perfectly healthy. We are so very blest. 

The boys are excited and Jacob has already asked if the baby is going to be crazy like Raphael. When he said this I only sighed and said I hope not! Ironically, many of my friends have boys (and lots of them) so I will have many wonderful families to turn to for advice.  I also have two aunts who have three boys apiece!

I already have a vision of my future including lots of sports, video games, wrestling, eating, burping and testosterone.  It's a bit overwhelming for me, only having sisters, but I'm grateful for the wonderful women in my life and know that God is calling me to be the mother to some awesome little men.  Maybe we can get a priest out of one of them!

Christmas

 Our two, of the three wise men. A few days before Christmas the boys acted out their own living nativity, complete with Mr. Potato Head, Buzz Lightyear and friends.

 Aunt Maria was given assistance opening her gifts!

 Jacob looking cool in his Santa Claus hat, at Grandma and Poppy's house.

 Raphael in his new Christmas outfit.

 Jacob left out cookies and a carrot for Santa Clause and his reindeer.

Opening presents!

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends. Rejoice, in the Savior's birth!

p.s. As you could tell our pictues from this Christmas were rather limited. Poppy, Aunt Rebecca or anyone else if you have some good pictures please email them to me!