My sister, Kim, was just 27 weeks pregnant with her second baby when complications landed her in the hospital last week. Initially, it was up in the air about how long she would be there, but after a couple of days, doctors said she would have to stay for the duration. We all had hoped, with heavy hearts, that she would be there for 8-10 weeks to give the baby a bit more time to develop, but that little lovebug in her belly wasn’t having it. At 1:28 early Friday morning, little Sadie Abigail made her way into the world….feet first! It was immediately evident that like her momma, this girl is going to have some serious spunk.

Weighing just 2 pounds 8 ounces, she was a far cry from her big brother’s weigh in weight of 9 pounds 15 and a half ounces. She is in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the country’s leading neonatal center, so she couldn’t be in better hands. It’s definitely been a scary few days, but yesterday doctor’s removed her breathing tube and Saturday night mommy was able to hold her on her chest for the first time. Doctors can’t yet say what her prognosis is and we won’t know anything for some time. So, everyone is on pins and needles as we wait and see just how strong little miss Sadie really is.

Fortunately, I had already planned to go up to help out on Thursday and was there when my brother-in-law, Eric got the call none of us expected….”The baby is coming.” He immediately rushed off to the hospital to be with Kim. Cal & I didn’t sleep well. It was crazy, but I swear at just 2 1/2 yrs old he knew what was happening and that mommy & baby sis were in trouble.

Yesterday was the hardest day in Kim’s life as she had to leave the hospital and baby Sadie. I expect there will be lots of driving back and forth to Boston over the coming weeks. Cal & I visited with them in the hospital on Saturday and here are a few photos of our new little, and I mean LITTLE, lovebug:

Here Sadie gets a loving touch from mommy. It just kills me how tiny she looks in comparison to my sister’s hand. She could easily fit in the palm of my brother-in-law’s hand.

She was swimming in her diapers and had lots of bruising on her feet from coming out breach. But, like her mommy, she’s a fighter and will no doubt be dancing on those long graceful toes before we know it!

Cal checks out his new little sister with his dad, Eric. He definitely seemed worried about all of the tubes in her.

Cal plays with some window stickers at the hospital. Normally a rambunctious, sweet little boy, he seemed a little lost in his thoughts after visiting with Sadie. So much for a little guy to take in all at once. I think it was hard enough for him to have mommy taken away for a week, but then to have a sick little sister on top of it. It just makes you wonder what’s going through that sweet little head of his. I LOVE this little man!!!

Here’s Cal at home during breakfast. I know I’m biased, but seriously, does it get much cuter than that? It was definitely a different kind of event when Cal was born. Andy & I were both there at the hospital for his arrival and I was in the room when he came out. It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed and it gave me such a new sense of respect and awe for my sister. She is an incredible mom and all of the hard work that she & Eric have put in really shines through in this fun, gentle little soul!

Well, we hope to have some more images with Sadie looking a little less dependent on machines in the very near future! And to all of you moms and dads out there, our hats are off to you. It is the hardest, most scary job in the world, but the rewards are incalculable! And when all of the hard work and sacrifice produce beautiful little people like my nephew and niece, well, the world is just a better place for it! So thank you!!!

Inspired by the joy these and other little lovebugs in our lives have brought us we plan to add family lifestyle portraiture to our Bello offerings this summer…stay tuned for more info.

Usually around mid February, Chris and I like to get away somewhere warm for a bit to escape the seemingly endless New England winter. Last year, we explored the gorgeous country Nicaragua. However, this year brought about a change. A childhood friend of mine from home (that’s England, in case you didn’t know) Steve, is expecting twin boys in a couple of months – well his wife Sam is, but you know what I mean!

Living so far apart now, we don’t get to see each other nearly as much as we’d like, and with the little ones on their way we decided we needed to see each other before his life became consumed with dirty diapers and round-the-clock feedings!! So, we decided an action packed ski trip in the Alps was in order. It was a quick trip, just 5 days in St. Anton, a quaint ski town nestled in the Arlberg region of the Austrian Alps.

The big difference between skiing in the Alps and skiing in the US is that in the US you are typically confined to one mountain, whereas when you are in the Alps you have a whole mountain range to explore. For example, you can ski to a different town in the next valley for a mid morning coffee, zip over few peaks to another town for lunch, head to another town further up the valley for a afternoon hot chocolate, then make your way back to camp before the lifts close and leave you stranded somewhere in the middle of nowhere!! It really is an amazing experience. Because of the vastness of it all you never really have to ski any run twice in one day! And with our friend Owes in charge of the trail map we didn’t!

I started off my trip by flying into Zurich, Switzerland where I had the pleasure of spending the day before my friends showed up later in the evening.

Called the “little big city,” Zurich is a beautiful and very walkable city, which was great since I only had one day to spend there. After picking up a very helpful walking map from the tourist office, I headed to the popular and beautiful Bahnhofstrasse, or Old Town. My walk took me through picturesque alleyways, past beautiful churches, impressive 16th and 17th century houses, quiet courtyards and of course, the infamous shopping district, where some of the world’s finest watches are made.

Next, I headed to the Lindenhof, a peaceful square that provides a great view of the whole city and the very distinctive Grossmunster church:

The Lindenhof is a haven for serious chess players. These guys found it quite amusing when I lay on the floor for this one, although you’d never tell from their faces. Deep in thought!

Here’s a cool view of the Old Town. I just love the rickety bikes everyone cycles around on.

After Steve and Owes turned up we jumped in our car rental an drove over the border into Austria to St. Anton in the Arlberg region. And the next morning we hit the slopes bright and early!

I am the lonesome snowboarder on the lift!

Everywhere you look are mountains. It is so peaceful. These red arrows can be seen on several of the peaks. From what i gather they are to warn aircraft that there are lift lines crossing the valley. Now that would be frightening seeing a plane heading for you as you dangle from 500ft!!

One of the many cool little restaurants dotted around the mountains:

Morning coffee for Steve as he plans where we will be heading to next. Lech, Stuben, Zurs?

Taking a breather and soaking in the sights

If you are an extreme skier or boarder, which we are not, you can take a small cable car that holds about 4-6 people to the top of Valluga (9400 ft). If you feel like trying this crazy venture you must be accompanied by a guide. Fortunately you can head up to the top unaccompanied to chill out and take in the views and watch these daredevils! Thats what i did!

Steve and Owes ripping it up!

By the end of the first day, I was beat. There was more snow than I knew what to do with and trying to adjust my riding to off piste runs was exhausting. By the end of the day, it was hard to stay vertical…..

Ahh, thats more like it! The apres ski was worth the wait! And the Weis beer … lovely! Steve thinks he’s getting all three! Think again mate!

For those of you interested in seeing the trail map, check the Arlberg trail map here.