~*Reflecting on 2008!*~

Welp, it's officially the last day of 2008! Thinking back to last year on this day...I was running errands, getting ready to have friends over to ring in the New Year--complete with a new outfit, fancy appetizers, and drinks. Fast forward to today, as I write this I'm sitting in mis-matched clothes (my last tank top without baby puke on it!), my fuzzy black slippers, & #1 necessity..coffee--with my almost 7 week old son sleeping on my lap. So much has changed in a mere 365 days--and I would relive every single day of this year to end up where we are today!

Look at that smile!!

Lou & I have also decided to share with you our list of "five things we are proud of/accomplished in 2008". Instead of failed resolutions--it's more important to reflect back and realize what you succeeded at!!

Brooke's Top 5

1. Carried & Delivered a BEAUTIFUL baby boy with no complications and not too much complaining!

2. Made a goal & stuck with it--Walked 2.5 miles EVERY SINGLE DAY I was pregnant..which was over 620 miles!

3. Went back to school, worked hard, and got a 4.0 for two consecutive semesters!!

4. Celebrated our first year of marriage!! This was the easiest thing I accomplished--I'm sure this will be an easy goal to achieve for the next 70+ years!! We really are a great team!

5. "Became a Mommy", I've been able to feed, dress, bathe, soothe, & play with my son-and it really did come naturally!

Lou's Top 5

1. Became a Dad--feeding, changing diapers, putting him to bed every night

2. Lost 50 pounds!! Thanks to my wife who ate healthy during her pregnancy & worked out..I don't think Subway counts as a "sympathy craving"

3. Had another, even more successful tax season this year!

4. Worked up to running 5 miles in 38 minutes! In 2009 I may set a goal to run a 5K or more!

5. Most of all, I am proud that I have a beautiful & healthy family. I am excited for a new year full of new adventures!

~*~*Happy New Year from our FAMILY to yours!! *~*~

One Month Photos

Here are some of the proofs from Dominic's one month photo session. What a cutie!!

December in Ohio??

On December 27th, it was 67 degrees here...yes you read that right...67 degrees, in late December, in OHIO!! I was so excited I decided that it was a perfect day for Dominic's first walk outside. We have both been cooped up in the house for so long, it would do us good!! I took Dom, with my sister, Anna, on a walk around Grandpa Daly's neighborhood. It was bit bumpy, but it felt GREAT to be outside again.

Already sleeping

Getting ready to head out

Documented proof-67 degrees!

Baptism

Today we had Dominic's baptism at St.Peter's church. Father Ken performed the baptism, which was nice because he also married Lou & I last year. Lou's sister Anna, and my brother, Brett served as Godparents. Dominic slept through the entire baptism--even Father Ken said he was a "good boy"! I loved his little "suit" that his Aunt Anna made him--he looked so cute & like a little man!!

Dominic's 1st Christmas

Here are a few of the pictures from DT's first Christmas!

Caught ya!!

I caught a few smiles this morning..let's hope this is the pre-cursor to his 1 month photo session tonight!

Cookies, cookies everywhere...

We stayed in the nice, warm house this weekend and made our cookies for the Grasso Christmas Sweets Exchange. The last two years have been catastrophic....if you can recall the Stained Glass Cookies (sticky, rock hard mess) and the Spitz cookies last year that looked like blobs and had to become frosted chocolate chip cookies. This year we chose gingerbread cookies--something different, with the possibility of disaster.

1. They taste GREAT!!! Neither of us would opt for gingerbread when given the choice of cookie, but these are really good!
2. Our family frosting experience was a blast! It was a nice way to spend a verrry chilly Saturday afternoon/evening! Dominic "hung out" in the baby carrier attached to Louie while we baked & decorated. Louie really enjoyed the "mess up" cookies and served as quality control.

Our finished product after frosting

A close up view

Dominic Gingerbread Babies complete with diapers!

All packaged up and ready to give away!

Spreading the Holiday Cheer...

Dominic's birth announcement & our Christmas card this year

Fun with Picnik!

Trying to catch some smiles..

Dominic has started to smile, laugh, coo and squeal! Here are few of the pictures I took today. It's a little tough to get the pictures with a delayed flash on my camera.

Talking to his toys

His gummy little squeal


Sweet, little smiles