2014 in review. . . .

January - had fun playing with our cousins in hutch.

February - epic snow storm!

March - Spring break trip to Lawrence

April - Fel played a concert in Bella's class @ creche

May - had fun exploring the fountains and we found out Baby #2 was on the way!

June - got our family pics back

July - Auntie Jill came to visit

August - enjoyed some live music and great weather

September - our first international family vacay

October - Little B turned 2 and had a weekend birthday blowout with friends and fam

November - put up the christmas tree

December - had an amazing (and elsa filled) christmas

Looks like the new year will bring a new addition to the Rosso house (and hopefully a new house as well!)

More Christmas fun

Christmas was absolutely amazing this  year.  To our delight Bella was old enough enjoy passing out and opening presents.  She's such a little princess.

Fel and I's Christmas miracle came a day lot - potty training!  Over a 3 hour period she used the potty successfully 4 times!  

2014 - A Year in Photos

What a magical year - can't wait to see what 2015 will bring.

(or maybe there's still a few suprises left in 2014?)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Monkey baby

Bella's finally getting into this pregnancy thing:)

If only childbirth was this easy. . . . . . .

8 months

Can't believe we are 8 months along already!  Feeling good and into the home stretch.  We've got diapers, a crib, and I pulled out all of Bella's old clothes and have them washed and folded.  Still need to choose some names, install car seats, and pack my hospital bag.  Bella doesn't want anything to do with with Little Rosso.  She no longers wants to hear the heartbeat, and changes the subject when we bring it up.  Hopefully this will all change when she meets the little guy/gal face to face.

Fel & Bel have had an amazing weekend (I was on call which is never amazing, but has been tolerable.)  Abuela and Abuelo came up yesterday for a super fun visit, where we got to play music and sing lots of songs.  I got to try out a new Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Apple cake that was super tart and yummy.  

Today between multiple trips to the hospital I did manage to simmer up a fantastic Crema de Alcachofas (creamy artichoke soup) that was divine.

Feeling better

Hives are gone and I'm feeling good.  I'm hoping that since it has been such a dramatic pregnancy, the delivery will be smooth sailing (opposite of how it was with little B).  

We had a great visit with GG and gpa.  We put the tree up, Fel and I went to our first football game, and we got to try some new recipes as well as old faves (creamed corn, pasta e fagioli, blueberry muffins, and pumpkin scones).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today got off to a very rough start - mastitis, a very itch case of  pregnancy hives, B smearing her poopies on the wall, Fel on call. . . . . . .but it quickly got better.  We opened our new waffle iron and munched on some very delicious belgian waffles.  Roasted some juicy cornish hens for dinner, along with some garlic mashed potatoes and a pumpkin smoothie for dessert.  I'm ready to crawl in bed. . . .

Arepas

First ever arepas night @ the Rosso house was a success.  But man, those yummy little things take forever to make.

Happy Saturday

Our weekend is off to a great start.  Fel and I made it out of the house for a quick date-night with friends, and B let us sleep in until 730.  She requested muffins, and helped me make up a batch of banana date ones.  Her faves were the ones I baked in our donut pan (thanks for the gift GG!)

We made it to the library for storytime where it was absolutely packed.  I think the crowd was a little too much for B and I, but after everyone left she bloomed and had a great time jumping on the stuffed dragon.

She's currently napping while Fel and I eat some Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie - one of the ultimate comfort foods.  

7.5 months

Took me 2 weeks to get a bump picture snapped, but here it is (finally had my nurse at work do it).

I'm feeling good, Baby Rosso is moving lots, and little B has decided it is a baby brother.

Happy Weekend

We're having a pretty sweet snowy-cold weekend despite Fel being on call (and Bella waking up before the crack of dawn.)  Only bright side about being up early is you have extra time to sip on the coffee and can take the time to leisurely make some scones.  Which, when you have a toddler helping really isn't that leisurely.  But, Bella had a blast measuring and mashing raspberries and patting out the scones so overall it was a success with lots of clean-up afterwards.

One of my friends from fellowship came down to Manhattan yesterday with her family.  I got to try a recipe for cola braised short-ribs that I've been dying to try and we got to catch up on each other's lives.  We hit up Bourbon & Baker for some small plates  and cupcakes which were a hit all around.  Super fun way to spend the day.

Today, Bella and I hit up Target to get her a new winter hat.  This was one of the times that I love her opinionated-nature as she knew exactly what hat and mittens she wanted.  I intended to buy her some warmer pj's, but she convinced me into getting her an overpriced Elsa shirt instead. . . .

Yesterday evening Fel and I had the realization that we have something going on every single weekend, except one, until the baby comes.  Makes it seem like it is going to be any day now.

25 months

Growing up fast!

Current faves - monkeys, old mcdonald, popcorn, elmo tv

Current unfaves - sitting still @ dinner

Happy weekend!

Despite being on call, it's been a rather nice weekend.  I've gotten lots of sleep and rest.  Even better, the in-laws came to visit.  Bella had a lot of fun and now I've got a nice full frig.  Can you believe our family is going to be expanding in only 8 weeks?  Crazy!  Just finished up a baby sweater for the little.

Health update

Most likely had influenza all last week.  Since I'm still running a low-grade fever today (100.3) got checked out by my PCP.  Now I've got a probable pneumonia on top it.  Just picked up some antibiotics and am curled up in my spot on the couch for another few days.  Sigh. . . . .. .

Halloween

We had a very cute little monkey this Halloween!

A big weekend!

We had a fun weekend full of adventures!

Friday.

I had the day off, so little B played hooky from daycare and we went to storytime at the zoo.  She got to pet a HUGE python.  No fear in this little lady.  Friday evening we went trick or treating in aggieville, she wasn't really into the treats but loved the firetruck!

Saturday.

Saturday I tried out a new recipe for breakfast - Indian pudding.  Per the recipe it serves 6, more like 2 it was so delicious.  We had some roasted chicken and homemade lemon meringue pie for lunch and then headed over the the pumpkin patch.  I'm not sure which activity was B's favorite - the bouncy house, chasing the chickens and goats, laying in the corn, going down the slide, or the tractor ride.  

Sunday.

Today was a lot more laid back.  Lots of lounging and Fel and I put the crib together. GG and Gpa had to head home and we are all worn out.

Cheese!

This little lady is going to be such a good big sister!

Adventures @ the Lake

Had a lovely time with our friend's @ the Council Grove lake this weekend.  Good fun, good company.  The only thing that wasn't good was the sleep. . . . . .so tired today!

6 months + 24 months

Fel snapped these the other day after Bella's 2 year well child visit.  She's going to be such a good big sister.  She is 35" tall and 28 pounds.  Baby Rosso is also growing fast!

Bella's Birthday - 2 years old

For Bella's actual birthday we took monkey cupcakes to school to share with her friends.  By this point she is a thoroughly spoiled princess (but of course we wouldn't have it any other way).  

Current faves - chocolate milk, "my turn", popcorn, papa's car, bubble baths
Current dislikes - dinner, ouchy poopies