Tutus

This week's theme involves a good dose of tulle.  Namely, tutus.

Take her birthday party outfit for one, Alessandra took one look in the mirror that day and said "Mama, I look pretty today!"  Enough said.  And agreed.

Yes, her name is embroidered across the cupcake.  Adorable.

The party was a success!  Lots of friends and family old and new showed up and even tolerated us long enough to stay for awhile!!

Sawyer

Cousin Lexi and Isabella, the guest of honor and next door neighbor Ethan

The Triforce and their progenies were in the house: Elena, Angie, Liza, and Sawyer's curls

Old neighbor and forever friend (and Minnesota grandma) Lavonne, (or Nonnie depending on who you are).

Uncle Valentin and Nikki

"Minnesota Grandpa" Gene (or Poppa)

Scott and Kat

New neighbors and friends Brad and Beth

The grill master and weiner king!  He's oh, so proud

Ethan and my daily confidante at work, Jen

The Anderson boys

We finally inaugurated the bonfire pit in the backyard.  Turns out that it's quite nice and we'll likely use it again.  Feel free to come on over, but your entrance fee is S'Mores!

Cousins lovin' up on each other

Ali's friends Sean and Ethan

Her tutuness ran like a wild woman for hours on end and finally crashed following her Mickey Mouse cupcake sugar rush.  I would say she was officially asleep oh, about ten minutes after her head hit the Pillow Pet.  We had a tremendous time and are so thankful for all the great company, love and gifts that we received!

The next chapter of the Tutu Tales tells of a beautiful ballerina princess who enjoyed her first-ever dance class amongst a sea of Pepto Bismal pink.

We did get some practice in at home to get amped up for the actual class itself.  Please note:  This was not parentally-mandated, but kid-originated, which is always the most fun to watch.

At last, our little Pink Swan felt ready for class.

Eagerly awaiting the instructor to come out and collect the future prima ballerinas in the lobby

But then, performance time came and the betutued love of ours froze up.  She refused to go into class with all the others.  The only condition that would ultimately persuade her to go into the studio was if daddy walked her in to join the circle.

From there, it was ON.

Afterward, Alessandra kept talking about how much fun she had at "the show" and how she was "so happy".  No idea where she got "the show" from, but from here on out, ballet class will be referred to as such.  And I am happy that my baby is happy.

I also owe you guys an update from back home. Not so much tutu-related, but long overdue nevertheless.

Germa's funeral was bittersweet.  Bitter for obvious reasons, but sweet because it was a family reunion of sorts, the kind that will likely never happen again I'd imagine.  I used the opportunity to get as many pictures of the Filipiak side of the family as possible.  In case you were wondering how everybody is doing:

Mom is great.

Ali and Marley still love each other

Cousins Jeremiah and Annie are great

The Joe Filipiaks are fine

And cousins Bill and Matt

Cousins Lydia and Adrienne doing great too

Most of Germa Filly's grandkids together

The obligatory brudda/seestah get-together shot

And speaking of bruddas and seestahs, here are most of my mom's

Our little family sans Alessandra (naptime prevails)

Aunt Susie's Family

So there you have it.  Good times were had by all and it was wonderful to see everyone.

The next day, the Torres Clan had a birthday party for Ali, Saginaw style.

Surprise!!!

Cousin Gianna was there

And so was her brother Gabriel

Grandma Torres was festive

Even Daddy and Grandpa Torres weren't party poopers

Aunt Yole making us laugh as usual.  Please note the Superman ice cream that we CANNOT get in MN.

Family pic with our long-lost great uncle, Blue Moustache

Daddy/Uncle Cardo with the two Littles

 The whole time during and after the party, Ali kept exclaiming in dramatic fashion "A party for ME?!?" It was hilarious while she was feigning surprise, but if an adult kept saying that over and over I would have walked out of the room and told them to shut their gob.  Good thing I have a fondness for blue moustaches.

Afterward, I even got to enjoy two of my faves:  Bennigan's (another Minnesota can't-get), Aunt "Cake" and Megan.  We had our own little special celebration!

So, in summary, the trip to Saginaw was a success.

In pregnancy news, Baby Torres is getting strong.  It will be any moment now that Cardo and Ali will be able to feel him from the outside.  I sort of like the hours he keeps too. He seems to be up during the day and asleep at night.  Now if there were only a way I could morse code the information that he is awesome and to keep it up thoughout his entire infancy through my belly button somehow, that would be great.

Here is me at 20 weeks, however I feel a ton bigger than this today at 21 weeks.  I'll take a photo tonight and update this post with my 21 week picture.*

I can't remember if I mentioned earlier that I got the "must eat more" lecture from my doctor, which is the same one I received last go-around.  I did lose some weight post-surgery and had some catching up to do, but I can now confidently assure you that my pregnant lady appetite is back.  With a vengeance.  Toward the end of my pregnancy with Ali, doc was asking me to start walking a little to slow down the weight gain.  Rate I'm going, I think we'll be having the same conversation again in a few weeks.  Until then, the mere fact that I'm pregnant combined with doctor's orders to eat liberally means I have full license to eat the crap out of anything and everything guilt-free.  So I will.

*Here's that 21 week photo I was talking about...

...I guess it doesn't look that much bigger, but boy does it feel that way!

Toodles!