It's about time!

It NEVER seems to fail. Another 4 months has gone by and I am just now writing a blog update, but with good reason! I have been busy, busy with school and taking care of my little ones. Just as I expected, this first semester of Nursing School was extremely challenging and I am happy to announce that I PASSED both Pharmacology and Adult Health I! The amount of relief I felt when I figured out that I could actually do this was immense, to say the least and the challenges of chasing around a two year old and keeping up with the needs of a baby all while studying all day EVERYDAY was overwhelming. But to those who looked at me sideways when I told them that I would be battling Nursing School with my two kiddos; IN YOUR FACE! I know, I know...I shouldn't get ahead of myself, after all I still have 3 more semesters. Next semester will be psych and OR and I am extremely excited about both! Although I spent most of my time out of the classroom or hospital studying, we did manage to find time to do some fun things like go to this amazing corn maze out by the green swamp, go trick-or-treating and spend some time with family and friends!



We had an amazing Thanksgiving with the family and we have an awful lot to be thankful for. I feel extremely blessed to have two healthy children and I thank God for that everyday. I cannot believe that it is already Christmas time! Elle has shown such excitement this year about Santa Claus and we have watched the movie The Santa Clause just about everyday for the past month. We took her and John to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop and both of them loved it! I think I am more excited about Christmas morning because I know how much Elle is going to enjoy it!

Although I am extremely grateful for a little rest from school I am actually ready to jump back in. The faster we get stared the faster we'll be done and I love being at the hospital taking care of patients! As for the kids, they have both been doing great. Elle has been talking more and more everyday and John is doing something new all the time! He is crawling up a storm now and pulling to stand on anything he can get his little hands on. He tries his very best to keep up with big sister! Who knows when I'll write again, probably sometime in May when next semester is over!

Nursing School

As many of you know, I have been trying to get into Nursing school at PSC for quite some time now. Finally in June I received my acceptance packet! Third time must be the charm because that's how many times I applied! Sal and I decided it would be best if I retired from Publix where I worked since I was 15 to focus on school and our kids. I am about a week away now from starting and I gotta tell ya, I'M TERRIFIED! I know I can do anything that I put my mind to but I am anxious to get my feet wet. I am over the moon that I'll be a nurse in two short years and I cannot wait to tell Elle and John about my experience and let them know that they can do anything their hearts desire as long as they try their best! I'm sure I'll be posting lots of things about my increasing stress level as the semester goes by...that is if I have time!!

Elle, John, and Sophia's Baptism: July 10, 2011

We are proud to announce that the babies were baptized at St. Joesph's Catholic Church on July 10, 2011 by Monsignor John P. Caufield. It was such a special day for everyone and I'm so glad that all the babies were able to be baptized together as I am Sophia's God Mother and Jeff and Casey are Elle and John's God parents as well! We had a private baptism after mass that Sunday morning with family and friends. We only wish everyone could have been there to share that special day!

Elle turns 2!

Our little girl is TWO!! Holy cow, where does the time go? We are so happy with the little person that Elle is becoming! She is such a good big sister to her brother John and we can't wait to see the person she blossoms into as the years go by! It's hard to wrap our minds around the fact that it has been two years since we became parents! She continues to be such a blessing in our lives and the lives of the people around her! On her actual birthday (June 16) we took her to Chuck E. Cheese's and had some pizza and cake! She loved it! Her birthday party was Minnie Mouse themed because Minnie (or MIMI as Elle would say) is her absolute favorite! Next year will be even better because she will actually be aware of the fact that it's her special day! Slow down kid! I want to savor these years when you're still little!!

Easter 2011

We were lucky this year to have Elle's Grandma and Grandpa Gulizia here with us for Elle to hunt Easter eggs!! She wasn't quite interested or coordinated enough to be able to color them, but she sure liked to hunt them! It was soo cute and we can't wait until next year!

Baby Boy Gulizia

This picture is quite the opposite of what my labor experience was like with my John Boy. I was admitted to the hospital at 6AM on the 9th of March for elective induction. We got to the hospital right on time and I got changed into my gown and got my IV started. We had to wait until about 8:30AM until any action would happen- I was already 3-4 cm and 90% effaced so Dr. Mancini wanted to just break my water rather than start me on pitocin. 30 minutes after my water broke I was ready for my epidural and I was 5cm dilated. When I had Elle my epidural pretty much completely numbed me and I couldn't feel anything, a much different tale from my epidural with John. It was AMAZING! I couldn't feel pain but I did feel pressure and was able to tell when it was "time". I started pushing at about 10:50AM and had to wait about 5 minutes for the doc to come to the hospital from the office. Dr. Mancini got there just in time as John decided that he was gonna head out (no pun intended) on his own! Dr. Mancini literally got there at 11:01AM and John was born at 11:02AM! He was the most handsome little guy I had ever laid my eyes on! He weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 20in long! He looked just like his sister...and his daddy! He has been nothing but a joy ever since he entered our lives. The sweetest most loving little one I have ever been around! Big sister Elle got to come see him shortly after and has been smitten with her little brother ever since! He is the most perfect addition to our family and we are completely satisfied...for now!