The Story of Suzanne & Frank

Francesca and Julianna are growing fast and really starting to develop little personalities. Frankie is our social butterfly - full of smiles and giggles for anyone and everyone who will show her a little attention. Jules is also a very happy baby, but a little more reserved and sometimes makes you work for the smiles. Nicholas loves putting on a show for the girls and can get them both belly-laughing. Julianna has the temper to match her red-headed Irish roots, but she is a little better at shutting out the world and napping on the go. Francesca is way too nosey and social to nap much outside her darkened room and white noise machine.

Baptism: September 14, 2014

The girls were baptized on September 14th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. We are happy to share that Julianna's godparents are my brother, Mike Smith and our beloved daycare provider Christine Gabriel. Francesca's godparents are my sister, Colleen Smith and our wonderful neighbor and family friend, John Piacentino. The girls were very well-behaved during the mass and ceremony and all the celebrating afterwards. Their gorgeous baptismal gowns were custom-made from their Great Grandmother's (Frank's mom's mom) wedding dress, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Busso. We really can't thank them enough - the gowns turned out beautiful and will live on as a family heirloom. Thank you! We were so happy to have lots of local and out-of-town family visiting for the big event - check out the pics below!

Francesca takes her religious vows seriously!

Julianna loves the soft satin and lace

Christine and big brother Nicholas

John, Colleen, Suzanne & Francesca, Frank & Julianna, Christine, Michael

Uncle Doug Smith & Julianna

Hosanna & Francesca

Grandma & Francesca

Cousin Jackie and Francesca

Aunt Trish, Jackie and Francesca

Jackie, Francesca & Aunt Christina

Cousin lovin' - Caroline and Nicholas

The Busso Bunch

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All dolled up!

Christine bought each of the girls these gorgeous cross necklaces - thank you TiTi!!

Nicholas' First Trip to the Dentist:

Nicholas was a champ at his first visit to the dentist. He opened up wide and was inducted into the "No Cavities Club". Yay!

Here are some additional great shots from the girls 3rd month of life:

Francesca's cutie toes!

Julianna's tootsies!

Cousin Traci was in town for business - we loved seeing her!

Auntie Coll-Coll got a few extra days with the girls!

Uncle Mike got his fill of baby time too!

Nico loves his baby sisters!

Two-Months Old: August 11, 2014

The girls are doing great! Both are eating a ton and gaining weight ahead of the curve. They are pretty good sleepers - great at naps and learning to accomplish some longer stretches at night. They usually will sleep about 4-5 hours during the first stretch of the night. Second stretch is somewhat shorter around 3 hours. Daddy is in charge of Julianna at night (she is better about taking a bottle) and Mommy is on Francesca patrol (she is a champ nurser and great at going right back to sleep afterwards). I wouldn't call us "well-rested", but it's definitely more comfortable than the 1-2 stretches they were sleeping in their first month. We'll get there! Nicholas is still in love with his sisters - sometimes a little too much and we have to remind him to be gentle. They are growing more alert everyday and therefore, more fun for Nico to squeeze heads and squish cheeks. Both girls have given us a few grins (thank god!) and that makes everything worthwhile. Somehow they know to flash those gummy grins in the middle of the night, right when you're about to lose it! And then out of nowhere, patience returns.

We've had lots of visitors in the first two months - Nonnie & Natalia made two trips! Pa came down for over a week, Uncle Doug, Aunt Cynthia and cousin Amasa came up for a weekend and Grandma and Grandpa Busso were down a few times. All the company and help has been fabulous - we really appreciate it! We managed to get out of the house several times, with some crying, but nothing serious. So all in all, a successful summer!

Here are some highlights: