In a nutshell, we played the same YMCA team — this time at our field.  The match was a bit closer this time around, and Rylan, who was out-of-town this weekend, was greatly missed. He was key to organizing our defense and helping the younger players during our last match.  But everyone played extra hard, and I very glad to report that the Gladiators won another match:

Green 5 x 2 Blue.

Now, being the very proud father that I am, I must also say that Lorenzo has become “the engine” of the team. He’s immensely helpful during practices by showing the other kids how to execute the different drills; he has been playing well on all positions, including goal keeping; and he is once again the leading scorer for the U10 league. He scored all five goals on game #3, and his team and his family are very proud of him.

What can I say…he IS very good!

We have been rotating the “three captains” among the goal-keeping, mid-field (controls the team’s tempo and team’s offense) and sweeper (organizes the defense) positions. And it seems to be working well and producing a well-balanced team. For this match, while rotating Rylan and Hunter at goal, we kept Lorenzo at mid-field for the entire first half. They didn’t disappoint us, and Lorenzo scored four very nice goals in the first 20 minutes of play. The “Y” did pull one back on a fast counter attack, but Rylan danced around two defenders and scored a fantastic goal just before half time — Green 5 x 1 Blue.

With a big lead secured, we placed Lorenzo at goal, and asked Rylan to go back to the sweeper position (he’s our best defender); thus, taking a more defensive stance for the second half. This gave us the opportunity to move the younger kids around, and a chance to figure out which positions better fit their skills. For instance, the Hunter-Cole-Noel trio up-front generated some extremely fast counter attacks – Hunter had at least four great chances at goal with this combo. On the other hand, Ben, Jack, and James seem to play better at the defensive-end, especially with Rylan close-by to guide them.

In the end, Hunter scored one more goal, and Lorenzo and our defense held their grounds. Final score: Green 6 x 1 Blue.

PS: I forgot to mention the kids have decided to call the team THE GLADIATORS.

Lorenzo actually pushed for “The Fighting Irish”, but references to Notredame didn’t quite fly at “Dawg Nation.” As background, “The Fighting Irish” was Lorenzo’s very first soccer team — all players were from St. Joseph Catholic School. He has been nominating “The Fighting Irish” ever since…

He is doing very well, and he continues to be a very “easy” baby. He still only makes a fuss when he is hungry…no “BUT’s” about it! Most of the time, he will simply give you a SMILE that will burst your-whole-sense-of-being with a pure shot of happiness. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!

“Timing is everything”, right?… Well, I couldn’t agree more.  I’ve been working almost entirely from home since Paolo’s birth. And believe me, I’ve been taking full advantage of it.  Lately,  I’ve been spending the time I used to commute to Atlanta giving my full-attention to the little one. “Thank you” is all I can say!!!

Every morning, after we waive “good-bye” to Ashley and the kids,  Paolo and I walk around our beautiful front-yard and spend the early morning rocking on a rocking-chair and listening to the birds.  He absolutely loves being outside!!! He especially loves when I try to mimic the bird-calls as a whistle to him.  We have quickly learned that whenever he is a bit upset, all you need to to do is to bring him outside for a breather… he will instantly calm down, and he will quite often go to sleep.  We, of course, are always more than glad to please him. And in the process, we have all been spending more time outside enjoying nature.

Today was no different. Being the First Day of Fall, it turned out to be one of those absolutely perfect days: a not-a-cloud-in-the-sky-cool-and-breezy-yet-not-cold-and-drier-than-normal day.  For one who has lived here as long as I have, it should be easy for me to recognize and enjoy days like these.

Yet, it has taken Paolo’s love and morning walks to force me into starting the days in the right foot.

Obrigado, Paolinho!

Only 3 of the 12 players from last season’s undefeated team have returned: Lorenzo, Hunter, and Rylan. The new team is now mostly composed of younger kids who have recently moved up from U8 — the Under 8 league.  Needless to say, we have a very young U10 group this time around.  We do, however, have a very promising group, and all the kids did very well on their first match.

We played the Black team on Game #1– which happens to be the kids from Lorenzo’s school.  Of all the matches, I’ve notice he always seems to work a bit harder against the Black team.  I would suspect there is probably a bit of “bragging rights” at stake.  With so many younger players, it was nice (and fun)  to see the 3 “veterans” to step up and become the captains of the team.  Lorenzo even played as goal-keeper to help with the defense — which is something I unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to do the entire last season.

We started well and finished the first quarter ahead, Green 2 x 0 Black. Hunter scored both goals on a typical “Hunter-faster-counter-attack” followed by two big shots. On the other end, Lorenzo did a great job at goal stopping two strong shots from the Black team’s offense.  And after moving to mid-field, he scored two other goals, giving the Green team a 4 x 0 lead by half-time. The first after taking advantage of a poor punt from the Black team’s keeper, and the second after following up on his own penalty kick shot, which was blocked by the keeper.

The team continued to play well, and they had several other opportunities (and near-misses) during the second half.  Lorenzo added a fifth goal on the fourth quarter after a fast break away and a well placed shot to the right of the goal.  Nice. (He has certainly not lost his touch!)

Final score: Green 5 x 0 Black.

I must add, Coach Matt did a great job getting the team to learn their positions and stay at their zones.

Photos:http://www.flickr.com/photos/calabria/sets/72157607353786005/

We really enjoyed the aquarium, strolling around town, trying out different restaurants, and visiting Rock City…And the Calabria Family would like to thank everyone for coming from so far to visit with us. We love you guys!

BUON COMPLEANNO IDA!

Ringraziamo per la condivisione di questo speciale tempo con noi.

This past Thursday our most wonderful and beautiful Chloe turned 8 years old.  She had her best friend Natalie come spend the night, just as Kaitie did this past weekend.  Instead of big parties, she always prefers to have more intimate and quality time with her closest friends. They had a wonderful time! And even though it was her birthday, I received the best gift. It is so joyful to see how caring and sweet she always is; she makes me so proud.   She can easily fill the whole world with love with just a single smile. Keep smilling, sweet Chloe, keep smilling!

I’m once again very happy to report that Paolo is still doing extremely well. He has broken the 6 lb mark, and he has grown out of the “preemie” outfits and into the “NB” labels — New Born. The funny thing is that he is still not a full term baby. He would have reached the 39th week this coming Tuesday, and he was scheduled to be induced tomorrow 06/30. Obviously, Paolo had other plans…

Outside of the late night feedings, I would say this first month has been pretty easy. So far Paolo has not been fussy at all, and he usually never cries unless it is feeding time or to let’s know it time for a dipper change. Quite nice!

However, I sense things could be a bit different in a few weeks. With both the kids and Ashley off for the summer, he is getting pretty used to being held all the time. (I must add, I’m probably the guiltiest one on this department). But he is just soooo adorable! I noticed, however, that he is getting more and more alert, and more and more aware of his surroundings. He is starting to pick up when he is being brought to his crib, and he is starting to cry just so he is picked up again — can’t blame him though.

All is well during the day…I just hope it doesn’t start to happen during the night.

Ashley and I have celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this year!!!

I watched our wedding video the other night, and I remembered feeling so incredibly happy and radiant that day — nothing like being absolutely sure you are following the right path. Ashley and the kids are still the center of my world and the core of my happiness today. But I’m also very thankful. I’m thankful that we met; I’m thankful that we have shared the past 15 years; I’m thankful for our wonderful family; and I’m thankful that she hasn’t left me, despite all my “imperfections”.

Lorenzo.

As expected, we were all a bit disappointed that we couldn’t bring him home right away. However, it didn’t take long for Ashley and I to realize that a lot of the “premature baby anxiety” was indeed lifted just knowing that he was in the hospital, being monitored, and getting excellent care from the Special Care Nursery. Ashley and I were able to visit him at any time - no restrictions; Ashley was able to breast feed him about 3 to 4 times a day; and, looking at the bright side, Ashley as able to come home and rest, instead of having to stay at a hospital room.

While the first week was mostly about making sure Paolo was stable, the second week was all about feedings and gaining weight. The goal was to keep reducing supplemental feedings until Poalo was able to get all his nourishments through breast feedings. The sooner Paolo could maintain/gain weight without supplemental feedings, the sooner he could come home.

At first, it simply meant Ashley made more frequent trips to the SCN. Not a Problem! By last Wednesday, Paolo was back to his birth weight. And that same afternoon, Ashley checked-in for a “rooming-in”. Paolo was able to leave the SCN and share a room with Ashley; she breast fed him every 3 hours; and the nurses kept monitoring him and weighting him between feedings. It took a few days, but this afternoon (June 7th) , exactly two weeks from his birth, our wonderful baby Paolo finally came home — one week ahead of schedule. Come to think of it, this seems to be his personal mantra: “get it done ahead of schedule.”

Lorenzo and Chloe were ecstatic!!! Paolo couldn’t have asked for a better Big Brother and Big Sister. The kids absolutely love him! I have not yet noticed a single hint of jealousy from either one of them, and they are always anxious for their turn to hold their baby brother. I’m afraid Paolo will be one spoiled, or should I say, loved kid.

Bem Vindo, Bevenuti, and Welcome Home Paolo!!! We love you!!!