TheCalabrias.com

The kids and I just got a call that Ashley is starting her contractions. She has taken some medications to slow things down a bit. The plan is to have her cerclage removed around noon and let her go in to labor naturally.

We are heading to the hospital….love, us!!!

Hello Everyone!

It appears we are not the only ones eager to meet “Baby Junior”. He seems to
be even more anxious than us. Yesterday morning Ashley broke her water, and
she was admitted to the Athens Regional hospital in case she also went into
labor, and to prevent any infections. We are currently at Labor & Delivery,
room 3101. (We have our cell phone with us).

Both Ashley and Baby Jr. are doing well, and contractions have not yet
started. She took some steroids yesterday to help the baby lungs develop
faster, and we need at least 48 hours for it to start taking effect. So, we
are hoping to be able to “keep the oven cooking” for at least a few more
days. The goal is to have her induced this coming Wednesday (05/28), if
possible. But “planning” doesn’t seem to be part of Baby Jr’s vocabulary
yet — or should I say ours?

We have one possible concern: Ashley had a bit more bleeding than usual this
morning, which could, and I stress could, be signs of placental abruption.
Ashley and Baby Jr are constantly being monitored for any signs of stress.
If anything happens, we will quickly forgo induction and natural delivery,
and immediately go for a C-Section. But I must say once more that they are
both doing quite well at the moment.

Thank you in advance for all the positive thoughts and support.

Much Love, The Calabria’s.

(I will keep everyone posted as much as I can.)

This was the last match of the season, and everyone was excited about the possibility of finishing it undefeated. Now, I don’t understand why the AUSA would do this, but we had to face the Gold team for the third time for our final match.

During all the previous matches, in addition to coach Matt and I, we also had either coaches Kip or Frank at the game. So instead of “over-coaching” the kids, I usually took the opportunity to take pictures and record the matches. Unfortunately, neither Kip or Frank could make to the final match, and given how tough the last game against the Gold team was, I decided to forgo the pictures and help coach Matt instead. I’m glad I did it, for it was a very hard match.

As I mentioned on my last post, the Gold team had some very big and aggressive players. And since we won our last two encounters, they were very eager to have another shot at us. Both teams played a good first quarter. But in my opinion, we still created more changes, and played better as a team. We scored first, after Owen beat the Gold Team’s keeper on a fast counter attack. Green 1 x 0 Gold. Unfortunately, our advantage was very short lived. The Gold team kicked the ball directly toward our goal during kick-off (mid-field) . Thinking a kick-off was an indirect kick, meaning someone else must touch the ball before it becomes “live”, our players moved away from the ball and let it go in to our net. The Gold team’s coach argued a kick-off is actually a direct-kick, which meat it was a valid goal. Since I wasn’t sure, and I couldn’t remember the rule, I had to let it go. But as you can imagine, I was NOT very happy about the call — even if it is indeed a direct kick, it is just a cheap shot. So we finished the first quarter leveled: Green 1 x 1 Gold.

The second quarter was the toughest. Since we must give all the players a chance to play — a very good rule I must add — we, coaches, must always have to be conscious of playing a well balanced team in each quarter. However, since some of the Gold Team players didn’t show up, their best (and largest) players remained on the field. I knew we were a bit out-matched, and certainly under-sized, but I must say our players never hesitated. We created a few changes and did a great job defending, but in the end, they got a good bound from one of their keeper’s punt, and, on a fast counter attack, they scored a second goal. Green 1 x 2 Gold. Lorenzo has been asking me all season to kick the ball from kick-off; my answer has always been “absolutely not”. However, since I was still mad about their first goal, and since I know Lorenzo could actually score from mid-field, I told him to go ahead and rip one off during the kick-off. It was a beautiful goal. The ball never hit the ground and flew to the top right corner of the goal, way past the keeper’s reach. K-A-B-O-O-M!!!! Gold team gets a bit of its own medicine, and we tie the match. Green 2 x 2 Gold. (And just like that the kick-off non-sense stops!)

We should have put the game way on the third quarter. We completely dominated the mid-field; we defended well, and we created a slew of chances at goal. We did everything right, but put the ball on the net. So we finished the third still tied: Green 2 x 2 Gold.

The fourth quarter was a bit more even, but once again, we still maintained an upper hand. To make sure they didn’t score, we played Lorenzo and Benjamin on the defense, and they completely shot the Gold team’s offense down. They only had one good chance at goal, and Fear stopped them cold. With our defense and mid-field secured, we kept attacking and counter-attacking and pressing on. And, with seconds to go, Hunter scored our winning goal with another boomer from an almost impossible tight angle.

FINAL SCORE: GREEN 3 x 2 GOLD.

Congratulations GREEN Team for an I-N-V-I-C-T-U-S Spring 2008 Season!!!!

PS: Sorry! No photos for the last match! The photographer had to wear the coach hat instead!

We replayed the AUSA Gold Team — a rematch of our first match of the season. It was certainly not as easy this time around. As expected, we are not the only team that has improved, and they are way more organize now. However, it was not technical skills or speed that made it so difficult. It is simply the sheer size of the Gold team players. These kids are HUGE. It seems their parents have confused supplemental vitamins with growth hormone steroids. I have no doubt some of the Gold team players must be at least twice as large as Ben or Owen or Ryan, and still quite a bit bigger than our largest player, Luke.

As you can imagine, being lager, the Gold team players were also very aggressive. And since our team didn’t back down, they usually got the worst end of things when fighting for possession. It was especially difficult to watch some of our kids to be mowed down and then watch the referee to be so complacent about it. In fact, for a game as passionate as soccer, I don’t understand how the referee could have been so lethargic about it.

OK enough of that. We started well, and we had some great shots at goal, but the Gold team was first to score. However, before the the first quarter was over, Ben tied the match with a beautiful shot from just inside the keeper’s area. Green 1 x 1 Gold.

The Gold team got a lucky break on the very beginning of the second quarter, and they were able to strike again. Green 1 x 2 Gold. However, we really took control of mid-field, controlled the tempo, and Lorenzo scored two great goals — one from a fast counter attack, and another from a beautiful volley from a throw-in. Green 3 x 2 Gold.

The third quarter was once again a battle. Neither team scored; both teams played hard; but some of their big players started to fatigue. It remained Green 3 x 2 Gold.

The final quarter was very much like the second. We had a bit of an advantage, and we did create some great changes. We kept pushing, and Ben showed, once again, how quick and technically sound he is, and scored a much deserved fourth goal for our team.

Final score: Green 4 x 2 Gold; with one match to go towards an undefeated record for the season.

(Here are some photos of the match. You will quickly find there is a inverse relationship between the number of shots taken and how tough the match has been. When the going gets touch the photographers turns coach! )

Since we were hosting the YMCA-Blue team at our field, I certainly expected this match to have been much easier. It was our hardest test yet. We had to come from behind three times; our team was a bit off; but our players never did give up.

The Y team scored first within a few minutes from start. However, Daniel, playing as our goal keeper, tied the match by punting the ball all the way to their goal. The ball bounce in front of the Y team’s keeper, who wasn’t prepared for it, and in the net it went. No one was as surprised as Daniel — the best play of the match. But the Y team scored another goal, and we finished the first quarter behind: Green 1 x 2 YMCA-Blue.

The second quarter was just as touch, although we did played little better than the first. Lorenzo and Daniel traded some great passes, and Daniel got within inches of closing the gap a few times. We kept the pressure during their goal-kicks, and Fear tied the match when their keeper fail to kick the ball over our offense, and Fear kicked it right back into goal. Green 2 x 2 YMCA-Blue. Unfortunately, about 5 minutes from half-time, the Y team scored another goal and got ahead for the third time in the match. We actually had a great change to tie the match just a few minutes later, but we missed a penalty kick opportunity. We finished the half still behind: Green 2 x YMCA-Blue 3.

The third quarter was quite pivotal, and Ben and Victor were key to our turn around. Ben played an incredible quarter, both on offense and defense. He held the mid-field, he broke several counter-attacks, and he scored a beautiful goal to tie the match once again: Green 3 X 3 YMCA-Blue . A few minutes later, Victor put us ahead for the first time in the match, with a nice right-foot shot that saw his right-boot fly. Green 4 x 3 YMCA. I must also say that since Victor was playing offense, Rylan did a fantastic job on defense keeping the Y team scoreless on the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a bit easier. Seeing the Green team ahead seems to have taken some of the Y team’s fighting spirit. Lorenzo did pickup this game and took control of the mid-field. But it was Owen who was the star for the forth quarter. He ran harder than anyone else and scored two great goals — making us all breath a littler easier.

Final score: Green 6 x YMCA-Blue 3. And yes…The Green team is still undefeated!

The Green team remains undefeated!!! WOW! And they simply keep getting better and better…

We were back at the YMCA playing a team that beat us last year. But this time around, we were clearly much better. Our team really played as team; we controlled most of the possession; and we did a fantastic job passing the ball around and finding the open spaces. (The days where everyone just followed the ball and played what I call “amoeba soccer” seem a very distant past now). We were very much in control of the game.

As usual, we started well, and we were up 3 x 0 by the end of the first quarter — Hunter scored a beautiful goal from just inside the goal area, followed by a nice goal from Fear, and a boomer of a shot from Lorenzo from a really tight angle. Unfortunately I was once again watching and cheering the kids, and I failed to capture Fear and Lorenzo goals. (Sorry!)

We kept the same pressure on the second quarter, and we finish the half ahead, Green 5 x 1 YMCA. Ben scored both of our goals: once with a very well taken penalty kick, and another with a very well placed cross shot. Way to go, Ben!!

The Y team did pull one back, but in the end, it wasn’t even close. The final score…

Green 9 x 1 YMCA.

Here is the LINK for the Game #5 Photos

[Since Lorenzo wanted to participate in the Twilight Criterium Kid's Bike event, we had to leave at half-time.]

We had an extremely busy and FUN weekend. It started Thursday night and didn’t slow down until late Sunday afternoon.

Let’s see…The NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship was help here in Athens; there was the 2008 Twilight Criterium; Lorenzo’s soccer match and Kid’s Bike event; and to top it all off, Chloe’s First Communion Mass.

Last year Chloe mentioned that she would like to go to the UGA gymnastics meetings. Why not? So we jumped in with both feet and got season tickets for all the local Gym Dogs meetings. We were hooked! In fact, we all had such a good time, we were full supporters again year. In case you don’t know, the UGA Women’s Gymnastic team has been ranked #1 for the past three consecutive years. And when we found out the NCAA championship was being held here in Athens, we were more than glad to extend our support.

All day Thursday, teams competed to qualify for the Team Championship event. That evening we watched UGA’s Gym Dogs win their qualifying heat with ease and solidify everyone’s expectation of a fourth consecutive NCAA Title.

Friday night, Chloe had to attend her First Communion rehearsal. So, while she practiced, Lorenzo and I went downtown to register him into a Kid’s Bike event being held next morning. We hung around downtown; we took some pictures; and we listened to some live Jazz. As soon as the rehearsal was over, we picked up Ashley and Chloe and rushed to the Coliseum. Unfortunately, the Team Championship event was pretty much over by the time we got there. The kids were crushed. But at least they were happy the UGA did indeed win the NCAA Championship.

Saturday was just as busy. First we brought Lorenzo to his soccer match. The Green team was firing on all cylinders, and the score was Green 5 x 1 YMCA-1 at half-time. However, because Lorenzo wanted to participate in the Twilight Criterium’s Kids Bike Event, we had to leave at the half and head downtown. (All the details on the match on a later post)

The Athens Twilight Criterium and Musical festival is an annual weekend event filled with Sports activities and Musical shows, culminating with a professional cycling race. I must say I was a bit surprised when Lorenzo mentioned that he wanted to participate on the kids event, but we, of course, were all for it, and we gave him full support. He didn’t finish in the front group, but he did truly enjoy it. After the race and some lunch, we all went home and took a much needed nap. That evening we were back at the Coliseum for the individual NCAA titles. Again, the Gym Dogs shined! They won two of the four individual NCAA titles: Grace Taylor won the Beam exercise title, while Courtney McCool won the Floor exercise title. Given they are both Sophomores, and the caliber of the team, a consecutive PENTA is very much in sight.

Sunday morning we all got ready for Chloe’s First Communion Mass and headed to St. Joseph’s School for pictures. Chloe was so excited and radiant! She looked absolutely stunning on her white dress and rose tiara. We got there pretty early and had plenty of time to see the kids interacting, and it was very nice to see how well she is doing, and how well-liked she is. Then it was time for Mass. As a way to support his sister, Lorenzo volunteered to be the Alter Boy. He also made sure to join Huguette, Ashley, and I, as we presented Chloe to Father David for her first communion.

With not much time left before “B-day”, we have been spending a lot of our free time getting everything ready. Last weekend the kids and I primed the baby room. This weekend we painted the walls with the base color — an off-white, linen color. After we were done, Ashley put some “Do not Enter” signs up, told us not to peek, and, armed with loads of stencils, different paint colors, and lots of creativity, she barricaded herself in it to paint the Baby Room design details.

Twenty four hours later, working between Lorenzo’s soccer matches and Chloe’s First Communion’s preparations, our Ashley emerges from the baby room covered in paint, but as radiant as any proud mother-to-be. PRONTO! The Baby Room is ready. And, as with anything Ashley touches, it is quite beautiful.

Here, check it for yourself…What do you think?

– Since this set is not public, you will have to login to be able to see the photos. Let me know if you need help getting to them.

It was a tough match, but the Green Team won another match, and remains undefeated.

Green 4 x 2 YMCA-2 (Blue)

It is always hard playing at the “Y”. They usually have very competitive teams, and their fields are larger then the ones used by the AUSA league; which means the team has to play a different formation then they are used to, and work extra hard to cover a bigger field.

As usual, we started well, and Daniel scored our first goal on a penalty kick. I must say that I was very impressed with how well the kids were connecting , passing the ball from side to side and creating opportunities at goal. The Y team also had thier chances, but we did play better, and we were able to finish the first half ahead: Green 1 x 0 YMCA-2.

The second half was no different. Both teams played well, and both teams had great changes at goal. Nonetheles, Luke and Hunter were able to give us a 3 x 1 lead by the end of the 3rd quarter. The Y team got right back into the game on the beginning of 4th, cutting down our lead to 3 x 2, and making for a pretty tense final 15 minutes. We didn’t really breath a sigh of relieve until the last couple of minutes when Daniel scored our 4th and final goal of the match.

Go Green!!

(Here is the LINK for the Game #4 Photos)

Another great game!

Lorenzo scored the first two goals — two beautiful shots from just outside the goalkeeper’s box. Daniel extended our lead with another goal, and the Green finished the first quarter up 3 x 0.

The second quarter was a bit more even, the score remained the same at half.

Luke had some excellent chances in the 3rd quarter, but Julia, the Blue Team’s goalkeeper, stopped all but one shot. Green 4 x 0 Blue.

Same story on the 4th. The Green team had several other shots at goal, but Julia stopped them all but one from Rylan.

Final score: Green 5 x 0 Blue.

(Here is the LINK for the Game #3 Photos)