A Birthday Miracle

An action shot of opening gifts.
That's me holding up a ""Birthday Girl" shirt my folks got her.
Nestor is helping Amelia stand, Sarah is to my left, my sister,
Jackie is next to her and Ezra, my nephew is sitting in front of her.
On the right is Donna with daughter, Darmia.
This is after most of our guests had left -- it was crazy!!!!

Well, we did it. We had 30 people in our little apt and it wasn't so bad. As a matter of fact, I'd say everyone had a pretty terrific time. The kids stayed to the black rubber playmat aka "the mosh pit", where all the toys were strewn, which was perfect. Kids played, kids napped...at one point we had 3 kids napping in the bedroom during the party (Amelia in her crib, cousin Andrew and g-dsister, Darmia on the bed -- hidden in the coats) -- what a crew. My parents, Nestor's sis w/ family, Aunt Andi (my Dad's sis), sister and nephew, cousins w/ kids and our friends & kids came to feast on tons of pizza and ice cream cake.

Amelia got lots of beautiful gifts. Lots to wear when she begins school (we're shooting for March 2nd), including a Tinkerbell backpack to match her new Tinkerbell AFO's (leg braces). So cute! How well coordinated. She also recieved a gorgeous enamel bracelet from her Titi Terry and Uncle Artie -- which is the perfect compliment to her pearl and crystal necklace. What a Princess!

Nestor left for LA on Monday, so it's just me and the girl for awhile. He goes out every year at this time for pilot season (Networks greenlight their shows for next year and actors flock to Hollywood to audition for them) so keep your fingers and toes crossed for us.

Yesterday was fun. My Aunt Andi and cousins came up to NYC to go clothing shopping for my little cousin's Bat Mitzvah in May. I met them for lunch and we spent the rest of the day together. It was really nice afternoon. I haven't done a girl afternoon in so long -- it felt like a real break, especially after running around all last week trying to get everything in order for the party and school, etc. I had two glasses of Chardonnay at lunch! When's the last time I drank like that -- let alone at lunch???

Last night was Amelia's Speech Pathologist's last session with her. We're soooo lucky because his supervisor, Keisha, is going to be sliding into 3 out of 5 of his weekly sessions for us until we transition her into school. Thank you to the therapy gods!