In memory of Aunt Helen

This morning, I found out that a long time family friend, Helen Peterson, past away. "Aunt" Helen and "Uncle" Deano lived across West Wood Street from the Jacoby family back in 1981. While, the Jacoby family moved a few streets away from West Wood when I was 6 months old, we stayed close to them over the years. They had the best 4th of July parties - parties that will always hold a special place in my childhood memories.

Many years ago, they moved to Stuart, Florida. They loved it there, Dean loves the golf, Helen loved the weather, but most importantly they loved each other. They were able to live independently, while taking care of each other. They were a true representation of what every person wants their marriage to be like. Last year they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Lucy was born on Dean's 89th birthday, and Penelope's due date was one day before Helen's birthday. We chose to give Penelope the middle name "Helen" after Marcus' paternal grandmother - Helen Rapp, but it also holds a very special place in my heart for my "Aunt" Helen.

Back in 2010, the Jacoby family was able to visit them in Stuart. It was such a special time with them.

Birthday Buddies! Lucy and Uncle Deano on their 9 month and 89 3/4 birthday respectively!

Lucy loved Aunt Helen too!

I know I'll have to dig to find some of the notes/cards Helen wrote to me, but this morning I found the one she wrote me for my wedding. Something I will always cherish.



March 13, 2007

Dear Meghan:

Even though we can't be with you and Marcus on your wedding day, we shall be thinking of you two all day. We would love to see you walking down the aisle looking beautiful in your gown and on your Father's arm. You mother will be savoring every moment through teary eyes. And Erin and Steve will be reliving their own day four years ago.

As long as you and Marcus continue laughing together and living for each other, you will have may years (more than our sixty) of a healthy, happy marriage. We wish you both health, happiness and a good long marriage.

Lots of love -
Uncle Deano and Aunt Helen


Rest in Peace Aunt Helen, you are greatly missed.

Penelope is 10 months old!

With vacation at the beginning, and Lucy's head incident towards the middle, this month seemed to fly by! While on vacation on June 30th, Penelope pulled herself up to a standing position, and spent all of July moving and grooving everywhere! She has even gone up all the stairs ("spotted" of course). She's a super fast crawler even though she still army crawls. She's started attempting to "cruise" around the furniture and chairs, but I think (and hope) she's still a little ways away from walking. I can't believe Lucy took her first steps at a few days over 10 months (the SAME AGE Penelope is now!)

Penelope is a great eater and sleeper. (Much better than Lucy was - or for that matter is!) She sleeps from around 7:30am to 5:30am, eats, and goes back to sleep until at least 8am! If only Lucy followed that schedule! She entertains herself so well, but loves it when Lucy plays with her too! She loves blocks and also the play kitchen. She also LOVES the bath, finally! You can even see the disappointment in her face when bath time is over! She, like her sister, has already figured out how to ignore me and the camera when I'm trying to take a picture, so this will make getting a Christmas Card picture this year a little tricky!

I can't believe we are inching our way to 1 year! 2 months to go!

Not again...

Back in April I mentioned that Lucy fell into the tv cabinet at our house and had to get it glued. Thankfully, that scar has pretty much healed and is pretty small and not very noticeable. (They even say it takes 12-18 months in little ones for it to fade all the way).

Well....we are back to square one...it happened again.

Yesterday, we ran into the mall to get a gift for a friend and on our way out, after a "well behaved" visit, we usually stop and Lucy gets to play on the ride-on cars for a few minutes. She was jumping around from car to car and she saw the gumball candy machine "station" - that they have strategically placed next to the cars. She ran over to me asked is she could have a coin for a piece of candy. I told her I'd "look and see if I had a quarter, but that she needed to settle down a little bit" and as I started looking in my purse she ran over toward the station. Next thing I heard was a bonk. She turned around, put her hand down from her forehead and blood just started going everywhere - down her face, in her eyes, in her mouth...everywhere.....Worst.feeling.EVER! Needless so say, it was a little crazy for a few minutes trying to get the bleeding stopped and Lucy calmed down. I don't even think she hit it all that hard, as when we were leaving the mall she kept telling me "I bumped my head a little bit, but I'm okay."

We headed to Marcus's work to pick him up and then went to the ER after talking with our Pediatrician on the phone and him recommending having a Plastic Surgeon take a look at it.

The ER staff, tried to persuade us to just let them do it as they do it all the time, and it would make our visit much shorter, but after getting some advice from family we decided to wait for the surgeon. The surgeon, however, just went into a surgery so we were told at 2pm that he would probably be here at 5. So, 3+ hours later he came in and decided he wanted to glue it. We thought she would have to have stitches for sure, as even he said he usually sutures, but he thought it was shallow enough that glue would work best.

So, in the meantime, we are trying our best to keep Lucy from messing with the bandaid on her head (so far so good) and hoping that it heals well and has minimal scaring. The fact that it is on her forehead, just makes me sick to my stomach, and I know I can't protect her from everything and that accidents happen, but can I make her wear a helmet for the next 10 years of her life?

I should mention, this picture was taken at the hospital, when it was still bleeding a bit - it really isn't as big as it looks in this photo. It is a clean/straight line, so hopefully it heals well.

Hilton Head 2012 and 9 months old!

We've been back for a few weeks now, after having a great vacation in Hilton Head at the beginning of July. It was great weather and great to spend the week with my parents and sister's family. Lucy loved getting to see Maggie and Lucas everyday! Penelope had a great time too! She, unlike Lucy right now, loves the water! She also stood up for the first time on June 30th. Here are a few pics from the week!

Penelope went for her 9 month checkup when we got home and weighed in at 17 lbs 3 oz (29%) - 27.75 inches in height (44%) and 45 cm head (73%)- growing perfectly and right on track developmentally! We love our little peanut! She is getting much more verbal and loves playing with her sister. She just laughs and laughs when Lucy is around. I know Lucy is also enjoying that Penelope is finally big enough for her to play with! She loves to eat almost anything (though he weigh doesn't prove that) and also loves to play with blocks and Lucy's dolls. It is hard to believe she is 3 months from being ONE year old!