On Christmas Day in the Morning (WITH PICS)

The title is from a song from the Fatima Christmas Play. It's called, "I saw three ships." I heard it once on the radio and it was awful. It was great during the play though.

Joey's First Christmas was so special. He was such a good boy that Santa visited our house and left him some really great presents. He doesn't know how to play with his toys yet but he was still very excited.

When you really think about it, the Grinch was right. Not the bad Grinch, but the good Grinch at the end of the story. " 'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!' " I've had some really, really great Christmas' but this entire holiday season with Joey was the absolute best. I look forward to many great holidays with Joey and all of you in the future.

Here are a few of of favorite pics. Unfortunately, we only took a few because we used our video camera on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Hap-py Birth-day (Say it like Frosty) (From December)

Again, not really a birthday here, but this is our sixth go at this.

Does anybody know why Frosty said Hap-py Birth-day anyway?

Joey turned 6 months old on Dec 14th. And just like Uncle John, we celebrated his half birthday. Mom Mom and Grand Pop bought Joey 6 balloons. We had a pizza party during the day. You'll see below. These are pictures from Dec 14th. Look how much fun he had.

Little Saint Nick

Saint Nicholas cruised by our pad at Wyncliffe Heights on Dec 6th and left some great surprises in our shoes. Well, he had to put Joey's present under his sneaker. Take a look.

Yes, Virginia...

He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist...

I listen to the broadcast on KYW every Christmas Eve while getting ready for our visit to Fatima. You should check it out. It's great.

Below is Joey's first trip to see Santa. The memorable encounter went something like this:

Joey - No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!

Santa - You'll shoot your eye out kid. Merry Christmas. HO! HO! HO!

Me and Mommy

Is that proper grammar? Aunt Bet and Lucas, I need you to check this out. I think it is when used after the verb. Boy, the sisters at Fatima would be proud.

Most of the pictures of Joey are by himself and in action (or lack of action). However, I've taken a couple very nice pictures of Joey with Nicole. Here are some pictures of Joey and his mommy, or "Here are pictures of me and my mommy."

He Likes It! Hey Joey!

It might not be Life, but we finally started Joey on the Gerber Rice Cereal. It looks like Mashed Potatoes but smells like Uncle Stephen's lair. Here's a few pics of Joey enjoying his new cereal:

November Rain

Yeah, Chinese Democracy came out, but this has nothing to do with Guns n Roses. Uncle John does like the album though. I got a lot of catching up to do from November, so let's make it rain.

Joey turned 5 months on Nov 14th. Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday Buddy. Here's a pic from the exciting day:

Grandpop had a birthday too. We went to Pica's and it was a good time. While I do not have a picture of the party, here is an old favorite:

Joey celebrated his first Thanksgiving at Aunt Betty and Uncle Frank's house. Unfortunately, our camera did not make it over to the big group picture, but here is a good pic with Mommy and cousin Lucas. THANKSGIVING!

Is Thanksgiving this tough?

We went to see cousin Michael Louis again and he is getting big. Joey still has him beat in the head category, but who wouldn't have guessed that.

Smile!

Last, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is a great picture that did not make the blog yet:

Look at them cheeks

Alright, let's break it down. As some of you may know, I had surgery on Oct 16th. For the record, it goes something like this: Arthroscopic Posterior Capsulorrhaphy Shoulder Surgery.

I was home and out of work for 3 weeks and 1 day and needed to stay away from the computer as much as possible. Thank God for Joey and wrestling DVDs. Actually it was very eventful with watching Joey get big, watching the Phillies win the World Series, Halloween, and the election. The time at home with Joey was absolutely amazing. His smile is so awesome.

So let's catch up!

One thing is for sure, our little guy isn't little (Feel free to leave short jokes in the remarks). I showed people at work pictures in my phone and the consistent response is, "Wow, look at them cheeks."

Here's a few pics of our not so little guy. Lucas, make sure that you check out the second picture.

Please, no cheek comments (This is an open invitation for cousin Michael Peditto to say something sarcastic).

World Series Closure

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to the Philadelphia Phillies, and the fans of this great team. In a very interesting year, they won when it mattered most and brought this town its first title in 25 years. Thank you to all of the ballplayers on the team. As a member of the fans, we are beyond grateful.

NOW...

As you all know, my son Joey was born on June 14th. Right around his birthday, the Phillies decided to cool off big time. On several occasions, Nicole's Uncle Julian reminded me of this and made slight indications that Joey brought this team bad luck (there stats are bad from June 14th to Sept - google it). Well, when the dust settled and the smoke cleared, he did not bring them bad luck at all. My son, that's right, my son did not bring them bad luck. My son brought this town a World Series Title. My son brought World Series Closure to this city.

I hope you all enjoy this championship. Here are some pictures that I will show Joey when he gets older. The last is a picture of Father and Son late after the celebration.

4 months already! (Belated)

I'm about 13 days late here, but we can't believe our son is 4 months old already. Do I say the same thing each month? He had a great doctors check up and they are predicting Joey to be 6'2". Well, he did have a great check up, but we will not know how tall until he is 3 years old. As fast as these months are going, 3 years will be here before we know it. Let's not rush anything though. We are enjoying these times so much. In fact, the roll-over or belly laugh should be next. We'll keep you updated. In the meantime, here are 2 pics from Joey's 4 month old birthday enjoying his present from his Daddy:

Goosebumps

Joey and I know that it was the slogan for last year, but if you do not have goosebumps right now, you are probably still worried about not getting Tony Gonzalez.

We had so much fun the night of the clincher. Just check out how excited Joey was. We tried to keep Joey up with us to bang some pots and pans, but he went upstairs with 1 out in the 9th. Rookie mistake, I know. But let's face it, Mom was calling the shots. I'm just the Jimy Williams of the team. Here are 2 pictures from that night and another from the previous rally towel party.

Lets go Phils!

Got Malk?

We had a very busy weekend jam packed with Phillies Games, 3oth birthday parties (Happy Birthday Aunt Jen), and a visit to see Michael Louis home from the hospital. Throughout the weekend, we ate some pretty good food... except for Joey. You know as well as I do that Joey is not missing a meal. However, I often feel bad about that awful stuff that he drinks. Here are 2 pics of Joey enjoying his food.

For those wondering, it is not a typo. When we are out of it, Nicole tells me to go to the store and buy some "Malk."

One Game at a Time

Joey agrees. It may be cliche, but the Phils need to take this one game at a time. We hope you all enjoy watching the games. Here is a picture of Joey getting ready with his rally towel:

My New Cousin Michael Louis

Joey has a new cousin. Michael Louis Federico was born on Oct 2nd at 5:33 pm. He was 8 lbs and 21 inches long. Cousin Michael, Aunt Kim, and Uncle Mike are going great.

We took Joey to visit his new cousin Michael Friday night. Here are some awesome pictures of Michael Louis and the 2 cousins together. The picture of them together was taken seconds after a vicious headbutt from Joey. Already fighting...

Better Pics

It may seem as though I am bothering poor Joey in many of the pics. Well, maybe I am...

Here are some better pics to bring everybody up to speed:







And here is another one of me bothering him and dressing him up for the big series.

My New Old Sneaks

I'm sure the Aunts will love this...

After years of making fun of my Dad (Big Joe), I bought a pair of Chuck Taylors. I guess they are semi cool but they are by far the most uncomfortable sneakers that I have ever worn. When it came time to buy Joey his first pair of sneakers, I decided to go with the Chucks. I would have preferred to buy him a pair of Jordans but they are more expensive and usually come with a dumb hat.

Here is a picture of Joey with me lovin' his new old sneaks.

Lets Go Phils!

Obviously, I haven't been on much. Thanks for hanging in there. Let's look at some new pics. Should have a couple new posts up tonight.

The Phils made the playoffs again and Joey is thrilled because he has plenty of Phillies outfits to wear. Even if you live in Kentucky or California, please help Joey root for the home team. Lets Go Phils!

The first pic is my favorite with the hat and shirt, but check out the difference in the next 2. I think he has been going to the Bungalow.