Friday Things
1. That was the very first smile I was able to capture on camera! He’s been doing a lot more smiling without being prodded and it makes my heart melt every single time.
Last Sunday we had Dominic’s baptism; since Joseph slept through his entire baptism and the two of them have been polar opposites thus far, we had a feeling Dominic wouldn’t sleep through his. Oh, how right we were *cue screaming baby*. Yikes. But, we made it through the ceremony (he DID eventually fall asleep!) and had some great food and company afterwards.
2. One of my husband’s best friends was Dominic’s godfather, so he and his wife and daughter came in for the weekend and stayed with us. Their daughter is 3.5 years old, so we were excited to see Joseph play with someone closer to his own age since his only sibling is still incredibly tiny and he doesn’t have any cousins. I’m pretty sure Joseph fell in love with an older lady :) They had so much fun playing together, chasing each other around the house, taking turns with toys… it was so adorable to watch. And Joseph couldn’t stop giving her kisses LOL. Two days after they left, he was still walking around the guest bedroom calling, “Dewwa, Dewwa?” (Della). We even managed to go out to eat with four adults, a preschooler, toddler, and a newborn without a single incident. Major win!
3. I had my 6-week checkup this week and I am almost back to normal! All of my restrictions have been lifted except for lifting Joseph – I have to wait two more weeks (the doctor said with a repeat c-section I’m more susceptible to a hernia and wanted me to give it a full 8 weeks). I have a small issue with a part of my incision that they treated in the office and will hopefully be totally healed when they re-check it in two weeks (fingers crossed!).
4. So, after Einstein had his stroke and went to his first (and only) rehab session, he did hydrotherapy (a treadmill in water). Afterwards, he smelled like a mix of chlorine, bromine, and wet dog. It was a smell that, even though we washed him multiple times afterward, never, ever went away. It was a strong, very distinct odor. A couple of weeks ago, I was in the shower before bed when that smell hit me. Like I said, it was so distinct that you really couldn’t mistake it for anything else. I immediately started looking around to see if a cleaning bottle was sitting out somewhere, but there were none. As quickly as it came, it was gone. Then the next night, my husband took Duke for a walk around the neighborhood. He said halfway through his walk, HE SMELLED THE SAME THING. And just like my experience, it only lasted for a few seconds, but that it was absolutely unmistakeable because it was so distinct.
Fast forward to two days ago – my husband was on the couch in the living room, I was in the kitchen, Joseph was napping upstairs, and Dominic was napping in the living room. We both heard whining coming from the front of the house, where we have a lot of windows and Duke frequently whines and barks at people or other dogs. My husband immediately called his name and shushed him before he could bark, so as not to wake up the boys. Except… he then realized Duke was laying right next to him on the floor. He hadn’t made a noise at all. My husband and I BOTH heard the whining, from different spots in the house, coming from the same place. SO… we’re pretty much convinced that Einstein is hanging around with us.
5. And on a lighter note, I kept laughing out loud scrolling through these hilarious dog snapchats – so funny!
6. Oh my gosh, this >> 25 Things Kids Today Won’t Ever Believe Happened
7. Last week, Leonard Cohen passed away, and I kept hearing his iconic song, Hallelujah, everywhere (so many amazing versions out there!) and it’s been stuck in my head ever since. That song is crazy beautiful, but the one thing it always makes me think of is the show The OC (did anyone else watch that like 10+ years ago?! Hallelujah – the Jeff Buckley version – was on its soundtrack). I also adore the Pentatonix version.
8. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Tell me what you’re planning on making!
9. The last couple of years we’ve decorated for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, and I am SO READY to bust out the decorations and crank some Christmas music!
10. TGIF! Since we’ve had Einstein on the brain, I wanted to share one of my favorite photos from not long after Joseph was born…
What a photo…! The most loyal friend napping next to you and the baby…And you with the happiest smile on your face….
Hey, did I miss the baptism photos????
He looks like you! Adorable …absolutely adorable!
Your children are so precious, I juts love the snips you tell us about your life. You seem to have so much love in your family and your pets are treated and loved like family. I am lucky to have my family and my dog, whom I love them all very much. The bonus we get is great recipes and hints that I have used and tried.
Thanks!
Michelleeeee! Um can we talk about how amazing you look in that picture? You just had a baby?! I had my first baby 6 months ago and still look like a wreck haha
I think the SAME thing when I hear hallelujah! I’ve always loved that song….and even though we’ve all heard it many times and through many renditions,every single time I hear it I think of the OC!
So I’m trying a few of your thanksgiving recipes this year. Pecan pie and make ahead gravy. I always make the gravy the day of with the turkey stock simmering all day and waiting for the pan drippings and frantically trying to whisk everything into perfection last minute and it’s honestly the most stressful part of the day. I’m relieved to be doing it a head of time! I might add some of the pan drippings to it before serving.
Hope you have a happy thanksgiving!
Happy weekend to you all! I Love your baptism story!! All my kiddos were crying during their baptisms, too! The priest would look at us like ” Are you pinching them???” But, then afterwards, they slept like lambs:)) ( Why is it that the Baptisms always happen when Mass seems to be the longest that day???)
But, I love the smell of the oil on their little heads…sigh:)
Blessing to you and may you all have a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!
I, too, on occasion feel ‘something’ from the other side. I’m not intuitive to these things so I almost have to be slapped to be keen to them. It can be just a song, but that song started and finished in a time that could not be chalked up to coincidence or happenstance. Something that caused me to immediately think of the person who would have been behind it. They are few and far between, but the few I’ve had are burned into my heart. Cherish the feeling.
Wonderful “Friday Things”. Have a great Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!
Could your little guy look more adorable if he tried?! Thanks for sharing the picture- makes me smile too!
Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving. Your boys are precious and I so enjoy your blog. Last night I was at the deli counter and started talking about Thanksgiving recipes with a stranger. She was buying corn beef for a Reuben appetizer made with triscuits. I didn’t get a chance to google this baked appetizer but I thought you would get a kick knowing I told her about your blog and the amazing cranberry sauce that is now part of our Thanksgiving tradition. She was on her phone “brown eyed bakering” it before her order was complete. She thanked me and said she would look up the apple crisp recipe too. I told her “don’t forget the ice cream!”
Michelle, You make people happy! Thanks for doing all you do.
Oooh, those stories of feeling Einstein with you gave me goosebumps! I believe he is very much visiting all of you. After my cat of 17 years passed away, I felt him walking around my legs for weeks!
Michelle- what a beautiful story about Einstein! It brought tears to my eyes… Happy Thanksgiving
I love hearing stories like yours about Einstein & some of the others in the comments. I def believe we get “signs” from our loved ones who have passed, & I find it so comforting (& cool!).
I got chills reading about Einstein. He is most definitely with you! Your children are just adorable. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you Diane! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Michellle, your Einstein story really stuck me. After my girl, Emma, had to be put down, I could still smell her (she had allergies and we used a distinctive soapless shampoo – that smell, plus wet dog) and even hear her sigh. This happened several times over a period of 6 months or so. I used to tell her goodbye every day as I left for work – and I continued to do it for awhile after she was gone. Then one day, I didn’t hear or smell her anymore. It was a comfort while it lasted.
You are beautiful in that picture with Dominic! And Joseph looks right in his element with Della! Look out world!
Have a great weekend!
Aww thank you Robin!
Einstein is still watching over you. We have heard and smelled our animals who have passed on too. And I LOVE the Pentatonix – goosebumps.
My favorite Friday Things ever…love it when you blog about Einstein <3
and the pics of Joseph and 'Dewwa'…well, priceless <3 <3 <3
I’m sure your sweet Einstein is always around you and your family I lost my sweet little pug of 12years Barney this past June 2016 and I heard him make sounds a few times and can feel him around me and I know my other pug Daisy sees and hears him daily by the way she acts and stares like she’s following him around it’s really cute I talk to him often ❤️❤️
Wow… got goosebumps and tears from reading this. Einstein is letting you know he is with you<3 SO special.. happy holidays to you and your family!
Michelle, been a follower of yours for a year or so. Love your family, love your recipes, thank you. Those 2 boys of yours look so different to me, precious they are. Oh my gosh, Einstein is still around for sure. I miss seeing his face on here but I love seeing Duke. I having 10 of us for Thanksgiving, haven’t done this in several years, so should be fun. Sharing on the food which will help so much. We will be talking politics(we voted Trump so no mud slinging,ha) and watching football(all Cowboy fans). We have all the basics of Thanksgiving, suits me fine since we only have this once a year, can’t wait! Friday I will be online shopping looking for deals, I don’t do Black Friday, I would kill someone, ha!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Thanks for all you do!
Beautiful story about Einstein. I totally believe he’s with you. Beautiful family too! May all the blessings of the season be with you. Happy Thanksgiving.
I am SO ready for Thanksgiving!! I’m the baker, my husband is Mr. Poultry, so I’m making a pecan pie and rolls, he’s making the turkey. My mother is making all the sides (cornbread stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes).
It’s going to be a good one!
Your post about Einstein made me cry this morning. I think mainly because my Golden Retriever -Madison is turning 11 this week.
Aww Happy Birthday to Madison!
I am certain Einstein is still hanging around with you, keeping an eye on his family and the newest member he never got to meet. My husband had been on chemo for more than 6 years before he passed away, and he often had a “chemo smell” that no amount of bathing or washing could get rid of. For a few years after he passed, I would suddenly get that smell in our house, and I realized it was my husband checking up on me. Whenever I would smell him, I started talking to him, telling him what was happening, etc. I got that smell the day before our beloved dachsie Sadie unexpectedly died from an anuerism, and I realized after that he had come for her. I know that many people think all this is nonsense, but it is real. Those that we love and have had very close, special relationships don’t just disappear when they die. The body may be gone, but the love goes on.
Wow, I love your story! And I don’t think it’s nonsense at all.
Hi Sheli, What an amazing story. And I agree – not nonsense at all!
After we lost our boxer a friend gave me the book The Art of Racing in the Rain. Still my all-time favorite book. It’s a quick read, and you will enjoy it!
Thanks for the suggestion Julie, I’ve heard of it but have never checked it out; will do so!
The cheesy corn casserole will grace the table @ my friend’s home! Can’t wait to make it! Wishing your family the BEST of healthy, blessed, and loving holidays ever!
Your story touched me and reminded me of my own experience. I had two cats for many years. A few days after my much loved older cat died at 17, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when I felt a cat affectionately brush up against my ankle. When I looked down for the younger cat, I saw that she was actually in the hallway outside the bathroom, nowhere near my leg. She was looking at me with wide eyes and a spooked expression. It only happened that one time and, to this day, I feel like it was my older cat saying goodbye to me.
I loved your Einstein story, brought tears to my eyes. I had so many pets growing up and it’s nice to know they’re still with us. Congratulations on Dominic’s baptism! I had completely forgotten about Hallelujah in The OC! Is that when Ryan is carrying Marissa’s body? I loved that show so much, even when it got terrible at the end.
Yes, that was the scene! And oh my gosh, it totally jumped the shark at the end!
I love Hallelujah as well. My favorite two covers are by Rufus Wainwright and Sons of Serendip.
Einstein is letting you know he is there. My dog will curl up on her bed and start snoring, loud!! Joseph is adorable! I have been following your page for awhile now also. Love to read it. I am doing the dinner and desserts this year. I will be making a coconut cake my brother in law loves. I have to have it whenever they come for dinner. I am also making Boston Cream Pie tartlets. I have to make my dinner rolls, that usually get eaten before dinner even starts. Homemade cranberry sauce and a roasted vegetable dish I make. Along with all the other Thanksgiving traditional foods. I hope you and your family have a great holiday!
That is such a sweet story about Einstein. I have always believed my granny is watching over me since this gives me new hope at a time when I really needed it. Ah and yes, Hallelujah. It’s one of my favorite songsummer. I fell in love with it from watching the West Wing and typically start to cry after only a couple notes.
Oh my Lord! I had goosebumps and tears rolling down my face … Einstein was a very special ❤️️ doggy and he let you know this in a beautiful way. Thank you for sharing the picture of Einstein, Joseph and you. I truly love your Einstein.
Many blessings to Dominic on his Christening.
I am NOT ready for Thanksgiving. I need to go to the store this weekend – fingers crossed they’re not sold out of my favorite dinner rolls or something!
Regarding Einstein, I absolutely believe you’re right! We would often hear my Grandma’s dog Spunky snoring from the corner where his bed had been well after his passing.
Einstein will always be with you <3 This is so sweet! And Dominic is such a cutie.
Oh, I so believe Einstein is letting you know that he is with you as you welcome Dominic into your family…his family. I know this sounds a bit odd, but I would verbally acknowledge these strange happenings…let him know, out loud, you “feel” him and are grateful he is still protecting all of you. I imagine you will continue to occasionally have these experiences.
I echo your feelings about Leonard Cohen’s iconic song…so beautiful, so moving each and every time I hear it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I luv the Canadian Tenors version of the song Hallelujah I listen to it at Christmas time. That is crazy about the smells and sounds you are hearing and I bet it is Einstein, he wasn’t ready to leave! He will always be there to protect his family :) We are having a very easy menu for Thanksgiving, I’m 6 months pregnant and exhausted! Turkey, Dressing, Potatoes, Mac & Cheese and Green Bean Casserole and some kind of pie. Just listing everything here is making me more exhausted to think about it! LOL
Hi,
I have been a fan of yours for a long time and have made many of your delicious recipes. I was wondering if you’ve ever tried making a copycat version of the Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars? They are out of this world and I would love to know how to make them. I’ve looked online for recipes, but nothing has come close to the actual thing. Any thoughts?
Hi Darla, I’ve actually never had a cranberry bliss bar! I’ll have to stop at a Starbucks and get one, then try to reverse engineer. Thanks for the suggestion!
Einstein will be with you ALWAYS, watching the boys and reminding you that he is there. How sweet. He was a huge part of all of your lives and he remains in the background for you. On a lighter note, I can see why Joseph is captivated by Della, she is beautiful.