Happy New Year!

We planned this Christmas to be a very relaxed, low-key Christmas
(there has been quite a bit of excitement during the last few months) and
it turned out to be quite wonderful. After checking at the door for weeks,
Carlo was thrilled to see that Santa had come with some gifts for him. He walked
into the living room and issued a soft "wow" under his breath as he surveyed the gifts
under the tree and the stocking that Santa hung on the door.

In attempt to avoid making the day all about gifts we celebrated the season over
a few days with gift opening in the morning and special meals during the evening.

And for New Year's Eve we went to celebrate Times Square's countdown - 9pm our time-
at the house of one of Enrico's senior colleagues. Carlo entertained himself with
ticker tape and balloons. Eva decided that she still was not quite over her colic and
so she entertained her parents in a upstairs bedroom. However, we did toast
the new year with champagne and made our resolutions.

Then illness stuck. Carlo, who has had two colds in his life, became very feverish.
His love of kissing his sister likely contributed to her becoming ill as well.
Carlo recovered after a few days and now only has an occassional cough, but
Eva is under watch. So far the pediatrician says that the congestion has not entered her
lungs and we are really hoping that it does not. Yet even though she is ill, Eva continues to
smile more and more every day.

Giving us a smile

A little bit of tummy time

Sleeping on Grandma's lap

Dressed up for Christmas day

Life as a doll

What Santa brought

Another nap with Grandma

With Yagee-Yagee (Grandpa)

Brother and sister recovering from Christmas

See you next month...