Yes indeed, it's been an eventful and happy year for all of us. As you can see, Dee and Amir have added a daughter/granddaughter/niece to our family, Brendan has given us a lovely daughter-in-law, and Maura was able to break free to join the Christmas and wedding festivities in January. Having the family all together is rare, so it topped off our already wonderful year.

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Dee and John--with faithful friend Toby in the foreground--chatting just hours before she went into labor.

Amir puts on his scrubs to accompany Dee into the delivery room.

He really enjoyed the Dr. look.

Amir and Dee are getting ready to go in the op room for the delivery of Nora Fitzpatrick Farahat.

Elation and anticipation fill the air as John and I wait. Two go to the delivery room, and three people will return.

Ta Daaaaahhhhhhh!!!

A careful inspection of Miss Nora confirms that she has her mother's (and nanna's) mouth,
her father's coloring, and certainly, nanna's voice. Get ready world!!

 

She's soooo tiny!!! At just over 5 pounds, she has a lot of growing to do.

How wonderful is this? Not every baby gets a Papa like John.
He's already eagerly awaiting the day he can buy her an ice cream cone!

Wha'd I tell ya about the mouth....

....

You have to admit, at only t3 days old, this baby defines beauty!

In the hospital, father and daughter bond...forever.

Uncle Brendan and Aunt Crissy hurry to Washington to welcome Nora.

And best friend Donna, daughter Emily and brand new son Victor
join us to celebrate Nora and Victor.

Andy and Victor....is he a chip off the block, or what?
Take care Andy, and hurry back from the war.

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John and i stayed for 6 weeks to help Dee and Amir settle in to parenthood, then we had to do the hardest part....we left to go back to Venezuela and our life on the boat. With an upcoming wedding, we knew it wouldn't be long before we could return to Nora, and in the meanwhile, we made do with pictures. Aren't digital cameras the best thing since white sugar?

I rest my case.

 

Nora, between October and Christmas...

Oh my.....this baby loves the camera, no?

 

Mama and Daddy hold the baby....

Christmas has arrived, and here we are again.

How excited we were to see how much she had grown. We are also looking forward to Maura's visit, to meeting Amir's cousin Thea, and to Brendan and Crissy's wedding in January.

It doesn't get any better than this....

Nora in hats....little ears.....and the wedding hat, a purple velvet affair that suits her fine too.

Nora and Nanna....

 

Dee and Nanna gearing up for Christmas festivities......

What's up there?

Of course.....Scotch eggs, mimosas, and fruit, one of our many brunch traditions, must be served
when Maura arrives.

Speaking of Maura....here she is....Auntie Mina....

 

Brendan and Crissy arrive for Christmas.

Then....
In January, we all piled into a van and drove to Bear Mountain Inn just north of the city (New York) for the coldest day of the year, which just happened to coincide with Brendan's and Crissy's wedding. No problem, we had their love to keep us warm....

Maura, Dee, Crissy, Judy and Brendan....rehearsing.

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Oh, how we danced....

I swear, my eyes were usually open....

Mina in the rafters....taking pictures and posing for one of herself.

Aunt Claire Fitzpatrick and Uncle Larry have a dance.

Crissy's family....

That's my boy....

Radiant smiles...a beautiful wedding...we wish you bliss!