Preparing for Elisa's Arrival

Oct 26th

I had to call Visa today because they had inactivated my card due to suspiciously high activity.  They did not know that the Elisa shopping spree had begun.

Vicki discovers Pottery Barn for Kids.

Julian helps get the essentials at Kmart.

New clothes in a newly renovated closet.  Note the kid-size clothes bars that can be converted to adult size later.

When we were living in San Francisco, Vicki did some pastel paintings during her class on illustrating children's books.  These have been framed and will decorate Elisa's room.  (But I thought Vicki did not like mice...)

Meanwhile, in Des Plaines, Grammy has put up a shrine on the fridge.  The other grandchildren were reassured that the arrangement was only temporary, and their own status on the fridge would soon be restored.

Meghan and Bridget celebrating the referral of Elisa...

Setting up the crib.  This is the same crib that Mario, Luca and Julian all used.

Butterfly theme beginning to take shape.  Also notice the picture of Julian that Vicki painted when we lived in San Francisco.

More butterflies.  We constructed a mobile out of butterflies that were used to decorate Sommerset Mall for the holiday season this year.  The rocking chair is from Ga-Ga and Pop-Pop's house.  Rick refinished the wood and we had it re-covered about 6 years ago.

New chest of drawers in closet of baby's room.

Grammy sends a nice card intended to apply to all the grandchildren.

Vicki's mom is eagerly awaiting Elisa's arrival.  She tells the picture that she is to be called "Nonna".

Vicki's sister, Teresa, made some excellent curtains for the baby's room.

Close-up of curtains showing Teresa's craftsmanship.