Homage to Hannah; We Love You! (8/11/95-1/11/08)

Homage to Hannah - We Love You!

Well this entry was very hard for me to do, that's why it took me so long. I've had Hannah since she was 5 wks old and she was around before Carl and the kids. She used to sleep with me and was literally my baby. Her ears were the softest ears ever (Carl used to joke about making something from her ears when she left us!), I swore she could smile, and she had "Dorito" feet (I know that sounds crazy and gross!) She was a purebred AKC chocolate lab (the runt of her litter) and her registered AKC name was "Chocolate Lady Hannah".

We had to make a decision about Hannah's quality of life the first week of January when we found out she had cancer. It was a type of skin cancer that would spread to her organs and needed surgery. She had surgery for a non-cancerous tumor (it weighed 16.5 lbs!) back in June 07' so her quality of life/ mobility was better. She recovered great and did very well for her age. We did not want to put her through another surgery that may not even help her. Carl and I decided that we did not want her to suffer, ever. I had to make one of the hardest decisions ever to allow her to die with dignity. We wanted to remember her as a smiling puppy wagging her tail. Both Carl and I were with her and held her. I cried like a baby. Hannah left us on 1/11/08 with dignity and quality of life, she was almost 13 years old.

While I knew we had done the right thing I questioned myself everyday. But as cheesy as it sounds, time does heal. The hardest times were when Carlo would want to pray to her. Now we are not a very religious family but of course many questions arose in the mind of a very curious and now sad little boy. He would ask in tears, " What does heaven look like?, How will Hannah get to heaven?, Who will take Hannah to the bathroom?, Will Jesus walk Hannah and give her treats?, Can Hannah come back home from heaven?" Yeah, pretty gut wrenching questions for the very sad Mommy who could not stop crying. Carl and I approached it from what we knew from growing up Catholic and did our best. He wanted to pray 2-3 times a day, but that is much less often now. Sophia does not even say Hannah, so I hope she has not noticed her not being there. And for me I'm getting there. Carl was the best husband ever and was there for me every minute of everyday that I mourned. He would just hug me and say "It will get easier" And it has. I know that he is sad too, but he was always there for me. We also have wonderful friends that have helped us so much through this tough time watching the kids and just reaching out to us. We really appreciate them for that. I have included some pictures over the years of Hannah prior to kids and with the kids.

Hannah living in
West Chester, PA













Princess Hannah
(Foofarella!)













So spoiled!















It's always a great
time for a nap.













Living in Newark, DE
with a new small being
they call Carlo














I love you Hannah!


























Posing for a Christmas
picture!













I just thought this was
funny and Hannah
was in it!













Hannah helping
at our annual
Easter egg hunt












Another small person!
Sophia and Hannah













Sophia giving Hannah
some love












Just checking you're
still there















What you mean she's
not a horse?
















The kids chillin'
with Hannah














Oh this floor
is sooo cool!













Carlo and his
buddy Hannah
(Hannah's last
days with us)












Sophia with
"Nanna"













Hannah just
relaxing













Not another picture
please!












The kids enjoying
Hannah the last few days
she was with us

1/6/08

McKayla's Birthday Party

(at My Gym)

Carlo and Sophia's friend McKayla turned 3 and invited them to her party at "My Gym". They had a great time playing in the ball pit, swinging and climbing. It's always fun for the kids to have an excuse to eat cake and icecream! Sophia always wants to do what Carlo is doing so "My Gym" was the perfect place for all the kids since there was an age range from 20 months to 5 years old.

Sophia in the ball
pit!















Carlo being the monkey
he is and climbing the
wall!















Sophia swinging.
















All the kids from
the party.

The Warm Weather

The second week of January has been very warm, the mid 40's. Funny enough I had to go outside and only had a t-shirt and jeans on and did not feel cold. I guess you get used to the cold weather and appreciate the so-called warm weather. So the mounds of snow started to melt and it was kind of nice to go outside without all the layers of protection. It was short lived and the forecasts for snow followed soon after. We really have enjoyed the snow so far. I think it's because it is well managed by the city and the kids love it. We do look forward to the warm weather though so we can enjoy the trails and being outside.

1/4/08

Our First Sleepover

Carlo had his first sleepover with Hannah and Allie (Becca was there too to ensure the girls wouldn't freak out). The kids camped out on the sofa and the floor with their sleeping bags. They watched a movie and fell asleep before it was over. Allie is a bit of a night owl so she was up way past Carlo and Hannah. Becca and I made chocolate chip cookies and just hung out. The next morning everyone was sleepy and hung in there until about 9:30 and the meltdowns started. Overall, it was great and the kids had a great time.

Winding down watching
a movie.
(Allie, Hannah and Carlo
on the floor)













Sleepy kids!













The next morning,
everyone waking up.
(Carlo, Allie, Sophia
and Hannah)

Employees of EMMC

Carl Mazzarelli:Laundry Porter

The final day of 2007 was my first day as an employee of the Eastern Maine Medical Center.
I made it to orientation on this day despite 12 inches of snow, 40 mph winds and the flu.
I received a flu shot on the previous Friday and ended up flu-ish sometime Sunday afternoon...so it goes!

But no sour grapes here, the job could not be better for me personally and for the benefit of our family. My schedule could not be more perfect for Emily and I. And there are so many great benefits including tuition reimbursement, a really sweet employee gym that costs only $5 a month and of course the health insurance for our family is effected in such a positive way now that two of us are employed for the company. The Hospital is five minutes away and sits right on the banks of the Penobscot River. The view of that river frozen over from the eighth floor is just beautiful (picture coming soon).

Bathtime Fun!

Inevitably an arguement occurs in our small tub when space is limited for 2 kids who love to play in the tub. The tub is a small clawfoot tub that is not very practical but serves it's purpose.

Well to alleviate the chance of fighting over space, the little artists get to color with Crayola tub crayons. Great idea Crayola! The kids get to draw and then to clean up with the washcloth.

My little artists!













Hard at work!
(Oh, and it's quiet!)
















Just about done!

1/1 - 1/2/08

The Next Snow Storm

Well imagine that, more snow! Ha Ha. The snow storm came on the evening of the new year's day and persisted through the second. I don't know the exact accumulation but it was over 10 inches, and it was more than expected. The city of Bangor always clears the roads so it never ends up being as bad as it sounds. Carlo and Carl had a great time with all the snow and went sledding. No one was injured severly, but Carl did have a run in with one of the neiborhood kids knee! Ouch! He ended up being OK, but it put a damper on my desire to go next time!

1/1/08

The first part of the storm

1/2/08
Mounds and mounds of snow!