What are you doing January 17, 2009?

I don't know about you but I will be welcoming Baby Sheftel into the world! Yes it's long awaited and true. Rob and Kara are pregnant. Props to my daughter for keeping this secret since right after Mother's Day! Hell...props to me...I KEPT A SECRET! With my cousin talking about her pregnancy it was sooooooo hard. But this isn't about me. It's about my niece or nephew, our little bundle of joy. I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait! I am so happy for them but also for my daughter who has been longing to have a baby brother or sister. She is already making plans to bring her/him to see Hannah Montana, to Rita's for custard...


So here is the first view of the little bugger.

Look at that little pudge pudge. Isn't it the cutest thing? And yes that is a virgin daiquiri the mother to be is drinking.

You know what I just thought of? We might have a new fellow blogger in our future!

Love you little sis!!! Oh and the big bald bro too.

I'm so bad....

I know...I know. I haven't posted in forever. Rest assured however I will be posting some pictures up tomorrow night. I do have to work until 8 then come home and spend time with Joe and Julia. So to be safe I'll say by Tuesday. Well definitely Wednesday because I have the day off. Whatever...I have a lot going on. Just keep checking.

Just a quickie

My big girl on her last day of school. Excited there was a 1/2 day and no gym. Grammie picked her up and took her to Bushnell Park for a picnic. Then they rode the carousel.

OMG I just looked at this picture for the first time. Look how wrinkled her dress is!!! How embarrassing!!! Can you tell I was tired this morning?

1 year down, 17 to go....

Today was the Pre-K picnic at Elizabeth Park. The weather was perfect and all I kept thinking was thank you mother nature for not having the heatwave later in the week. Julia was excited to play with all her friends. Joe surprised us and stopped by during his lunch break.Here are some of the kids that we could get to stay in one stop long enough to take the picture. Poor Kitana (in the front) has a cast on her arm for the summer. She fell on the stairs a few weeks ago at school, broke her elbow and just had surgery to put pins in.

Julia and Kitana laughing some silly inside joke. Guess you had to be there. Julia, Alexandra, and Kailey
Julia and Jada. I love love love Jada. Isn't she the cutest? Julia's boy Jamair. I told them to pose and this is what I got. Whenever Julia is upset Jamair goes to her and she laughes immediately. Avery and her mom Bridgette. Isn't that a nice name? Though she should learn how to spell.

Julia, Tessa, and Mrs. Carreiro.

Julia, Lara, and William Tracie, Noah, Zoe, and Jacob.

Jacob and Julia

We also got Julia's report card and we are so proud of her. She has really come a long way from the shy 4 year old that first walked into Pre-K. She has really blossomed and everyday she surprises me with what she is capable of. So summer vacation here we come. We're all yours until August 25!

It's my birthday, I can cry if I want to...

ok humor me for a minute while I bitch and complain...

It is freakin HOT!!! Our central air broke and yesterday we got a quote of $3500 to fix. Seems with the building and wiring being so old we need some electrical upgrades. So today being my birthday my husband took sympathy on me and purchased a portable AC unit. This was our temporary fix for the summer and we'll replace the central air in the fall when the prices drop. Not a bad compromise considering the portable AC cools about 700 sq. feet and the condo is just over 1000. So with some fans to circulate we figured we'd be sitting pretty. I came home from work today and SURPRISE the air in the condo was nice and cold. (joe had hooked everything up on his lunch hour without me knowing) We went out to celebrate my birthday and we came home and the damn thing was blowing warm air. UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!! Can we get a break please?? I know, I know there are people in this world that live without AC but I assure you I am not one of them. So here I am sitting here in my living room blogging and cursing at the AC in the corner of the room.

I give props to my neighbor Cindy though. She took sympathy on us and offered her condo and her bed to us. She keeps calling to make sure we are staying cool and taking care of ourselves.

Ok enough of that. Thanks for listening. So my birthday celebration started a few days ago when I went to the Tim McGraw concert with my BFF Bonnie. Bonnie is such a great friend that I have grown up with. We've been through it all together. You know you have a certain sisterhood when you can go months without talking because of your busy schedules and pick up right where you left off.

This is Bonnie with the yummy margaritas we got.

This is us after the yummy margaritas!The concert was awesome as it always is. I love love love my Timmy!

So tonight we went to Doogies for dinner. It's a little greasy hot dog place that I love. Joe first suggested that we go to J. Gilberts. Normally I would jump at the chance to go there but I wanted to be with Julia on my birthday. J. Gilberts is a "date" place for us and I didn't want to change my perspective on the place by having memories of the kid there. It would definitely take away the romance. "oh Brigid, I love you (while holding my hand and gazing into my eyes) you're so special to...JULIA STOP STICKING SALAD UP YOUR NOSE!!! Yup I can see it now. My memory of that place will be tainted forever.

So we all met at Doogies. My mom, dad, Kara, and Rob. Rob originally couldn't come because he had plans with his friends. When he found out it was my birthday he canceled everything and met us for dinner. So that was a nice surprise. Kara and Rob got my a BEAUTIFUL pink and white sapphire ring and necklace. I love love love it! Here is a picture...

Then after dinner we went over to Mikey's Place in Wethersfield. Can I just tell you that this on the playscape at the park is a bad sign. (see below)

Now how the hell is that gonna stop a kid from falling down?

So heat aside my birthday was pretty great. I'll leave you with one last picture. With all the babies being born in the family Julia has been asking me every day when I'm going to give her a brother or sister. It looks like she took matters into her own hands.

No it's just a balloon. Stop freaking out. But her attempt was cute.

P.S. I must be in good with the big guy because the heavens have opened as I end this and it's raining and cooling down fast.

Happy Anniversary!!

Mr. and Mrs. Laurito celebrate 35 years of wedded bliss on June 9. Today we had a little get together in their honor. I hope Joe and I are as in love in 35 years.
The happy coupleAunt Pat and Uncle Glenn

Auntie May and Uncle Irish

Auntie May, Grandma, and Julia
4 generations of Lauritos front and center

all the siblings

Grandpa and Joan

The happy couple's spawn

Dad and his best man (who I might add got them both drunk for the wedding day) The bride was less than pleased as you can imagine.

And here he is with the M.I.L. Still likes the in-laws after all these years.

Mema and her best girl!

Julia took my camera and took the next few pictures. A photographer in the making. Well except for the next one.
Took Grandpa by surprise

And we end with the Happy couple. Here's to 35 more!

June Fair

Yesterday was the June fair at Noah Webster. Here are some pictures that I took. Julia had a good time with her cousins and her friends. It was sooooo hot.

This is a picture of Julia and her friend Jamair.
Peter and Uncle Joe deciding who was stronger.

My daughter and goddaughter

Annie keeping cool.

I asked to her smile again and this is what I got. The little bugger stuck her tongue out at me!

Julia and her teacher Mrs. Carreiro. Mrs. Carreiro has helped Julia tremendously this year with coming out of her shell. I look at her with the other kids and I can't believe how much she has grown.

And here are Ari, Molly, and Julia enjoying the bounce house.

Just a little blurb...

My daughter discovered tonight that there is a place in every book that she can write her name. That's what she is doing here. Very annoyed that I ruined her concentration.

This is her reading in her swing.

And here is what will appear in every book in the house soon. I had to explain that library, school, and grown up books were off limits.