The next several days are busy as Betty and Matt continue to work on their magazine's debut issue, discuss possible topics for the second issue, and prepare for Easter.
Betty and Matt have agreed to host Easter dinner, with Ignacio doing the cooking even though help will be hired to do the serving. In addition to Betty's family, Matt's parents, along with their respective significant others, Daniel, Jennifer, Tyler, Amanda, and Marc are all expected to be in attendance.
Early on Wednesday evening, as Betty and Matt try to escape from magazine and holiday duties for a few moments by playing with Rosalina, Matt glances at the phone and announces, "It's Christina, we need to thank her for the gorgeous holiday dresses she sent for both Rosalina and Rosemarie."
"How are things in Scotland?" asks Betty as she walks into the other room, as it will be hard to hear over Rosalina's playing and "talking," with her babbling sounding very much like she is describing her day with Kristin to her parents.
Approximately 10 minutes later, Betty comes back into the family room and states, "Christina, Stuart, and William will be coming to NYC related to her promoting her baby/child fashion line. They could arrive as early as Saturday, and join us for Easter, if you don't think our families will mind."
"Whether they mind or not is not the issue since we are the ones holding the gathering, we get to decide and I, for one, would love to have them share Easter with us. Since William is almost 3, it will be even more of a reason to make my Dad put on that horrible bunny suit he made Daniel wear at the fundraiser two years ago," responds Matt.
Laughing, Betty replies, "That was pretty nasty of your Dad, but it did help save MODE and Meade. I'll just have to let Papi know there will be 3 extra people to feed."
Kristin tells them, "Your mother had something delivered for Rosalina today. It is in the kitchen."
"What did she get her now, the Princess seems to have more than enough toys to occupy her," wonders Matt aloud as he goes into the kitchen.
Matt says, "A highchair, I should have known, a not so subtle way to hint to us about starting Rosalina on some food."
"While I agree that your mother likely has that as an ulterior motive, Rosalina will probably like to sit in it and then she can be more involved in meals as opposed to when she is in her playpen or exersaucer," remarks Betty.
"It will also be much quieter than the exersaucer, which can be distracting when we are eating," adds Matt as he calls Victoria.
"Mother, we just saw the highchair, thanks for having them assemble it," says Matt.
Victoria replies, "I hope you like it, as I expect Rosalina will be trying food soon and sitting in someone's lap to do that would likely become very messy."
With Kristin, Betty, and Matt rolling their eyes about the food remark, Betty answers, "Rosalina is testing the highchair right now and is certainly enjoying pounding on the tray."
"I'm glad she likes it and I will hopefully get to see her use it for dinner on Sunday, if not before then," says Victoria.
"How about on Saturday morning?" asks Matt.
Matt continues, "With Dad requesting that we attend his annual Easter egg hunt and fundraiser at the Museum of Natural History on Saturday, especially since he has chosen the International Pediatric AIDS Foundation as the charity to receive the proceeds due to our recent work in Botswana, we could use extra help occupying Rosalina while we get ready."
Victoria responds, "I'll see you at 10 and I'll bring along some organic baby food that I heard at the club is among the healthiest and also tastiest of choices out there for little ones."
After checking that the call has ended, Betty announces, "It would seem like Rosalina will be trying some food on Saturday morning, at just over 7 months of age, if your mother gets her way."
Giving Betty a sultry kiss that makes her blush and Rosalina giggle, Matt replies, "Only if you want Rosalina to try the food. I'm fine with her sitting in the highchair and playing with her toys."
"I never expected to be able to give her breastmilk exclusively for this long, so I'm OK with slowly introducing food if you are," answers Betty.
"How about we put her in the chair when my Mom is here and see how it goes, with one of us, not her, giving her the first few spoonfuls of cereal," suggests Matt.
"Good plan, especially the part about us feeding her, with you having the camera ready too," says a smiling Betty, with Rosalina, who is looking a bit sleepy, comfortably resting in her arms.
Saturday morning is soon upon them, with Matt escorting Victoria to the kitchen and informing her that they are going to try to give Rosalina some cereal before they go to the fundraiser, with Cal requesting that Rosalina be in attendance as well because he likes to show her off.
"Here is the food I mentioned on the phone," states Victoria as she hands Matt a large bag containing more than two dozen baby food jars.
Matt informs his mother, "I'm going to put these in the cabinet for another day, as we are following the baby book instructions and starting with cereal mixed with breastmilk."
Betty and Rosalina enter the room, with Rosalina's smile and chuckle at seeing Victoria leading all of them to smile too.
Betty places Rosalina in the highchair and tells her, as she rubs the spoon against her lips, "Open up, sweetie, this will add some variety to your diet."
After a few moments, Rosalina allows Betty to insert the spoon, with the puzzled look on the baby's face resulting in all of the adults laughing. Rosalina eats a bit of the cereal seeming neither happy nor upset about the experience. Matt manages to get several pictures of Rosalina's reaction to eating food for the first time.
Matt says, "Mother, I am not sure how much more the Princess will eat, with Betty nursing her first as that will still be her primary source of nutrients for a while, but please take over here as we need to get dressed."
"Glad to help, we'll be fine while you two get ready," responds Victoria.
When Betty and Matt return to the kitchen, they are unable to keep the smirks off their faces as they find Rosalina happily banging a spoon on the tray while Victoria stands at the sink cleaning cereal from her blouse and hair.
Unable to stop himself, Matt asks, "Did she get any food in her or just on you?"
"Matthew, that is not very funny," retorts an irritated Victoria, "She did eat a little before she decided she would prefer to throw it. Luckily, I can't resist her smile."
Trying to keep a straight face, Betty asks, "Would you help Matt give her a bath after he's changed into something else? Rosalina would not make the best impression at the fundraiser smelling of and wearing cereal."
"Yes, I would like to assist with that even if I will likely end up wet," answers Victoria as she follows them upstairs.
Approximately 20 minutes later a freshly cleaned and prettily dressed Rosalina comes downstairs in Matt's arms, attempting to grab at his tie. Victoria does the honors of putting her in the car seat before she leaves for a luncheon date.
When they arrive at the fundraiser, the party is in full swing, with Cal proudly showing the three of them around and introducing them to various donors. He makes a point of holding Rosalina as much as possible. Betty and Matt graciously accept congratulations regarding their wedding and magazine. Rosalina watches everything, with the bright colors of particular interest to her. Betty and Matt excuse themselves before the end of the festivities as they need to finalize the menu for Easter dinner with Ignacio.
Arriving at church just before 9 on 4/24/11, Betty and Matt do their best to socialize before the service starts. They decide to sit near the back in case they have to leave early.
While Rosalina likes the motion of getting up and down at Father Miguel's instructions, her loud babbling is eventually replaced by crying, as she is getting hungry.
Betty whispers to Matt, "I believe it is time to leave, I don't like some of the looks we, and others with young children, are getting from other parishioners."
Glancing at his watch after he closes the sanctuary door, Matt gives Betty a passionate kiss as he replies, "Forty minutes was Rosalina's limit for today. We will all hopefully get a good rest in before your father and the help arrives around 3."
Just after 3pm, Ignacio and Elena arrive, followed shortly thereafter by Christina, Stuart, and William. William enjoys playing with Rosalina, at times surprised by how strongly she holds onto her toys. Ignacio busily works in the kitchen, with the serving staff arriving at 4pm to set up the dining room.
At 4:15, Betty answers her cell phone with, "Hello Marc, we hope you will be here by 5, as that is when everyone else is saying they will arrive."
"You will all have to survive without my presence, Willie just called me and she has come down with the flu so I have been nominated to replace her at the fashion charity dinner," says Marc.
"Sorry to hear that, Ignacio is really cooking up a storm and our varied guest list will probably mean some interesting conversation," responds Matt.
Marc replies, "I would prefer to be at your party, and likely get better gossip there too, but I'll have to get all the details over lunch one day this week. Happy Easter."
The remainder of the guests get to the Suarez-Hartley residence by 5:10, with those allowed to drink alcohol doing so while the others, particularly Claire and Tyler, sticking with carbonated beverages. Claire and Cal formally introduce Tyler to Victoria while her date, Nathaniel, is in the bathroom.
Victoria says, "I can see both Claire and Cal in you, they are both strong willed individuals and you would be lucky to inherit that, in moderation, from either of them."
"Thank you," responds Tyler, "I am pretty determined, which can be both an advantage and disadvantage."
Giving Tyler an intense kiss that makes him blush, Amanda announces, "My stubbornness and style complement you well."
"Quite true," says Daniel, with Jennifer at his side, as he joins in the conversation, "We all need to find where and who we best fit and that is not always the easiest for others, or even ourselves, to admit to," with the last part aimed at Cal, with him nodding in agreement.
"Since I've been told I am wearing the lucky bunny suit, my words of wisdom are be careful what you do to others because it may truly be done back onto you," comments Cal, with others laughing at his ability to poke fun at himself.
Hilda asks Betty, "Where do you want Bobby to attach Rosemarie's chair?"
Betty responds, "I think this end is best. We'll put Rosalina's highchair here too so we can try to limit the amount of floor cleanup."
Bobby says, "Everything smells really good, I hope Ignacio is done very soon."
Betty calls, "Papi, time frame please, everyone is getting very hungry."
"Less than 5 minutes, if everyone will be seated please," responds Ignacio.
As the men look at each other, Victoria states, "Matthew, since it is your home, you get to say grace."
"Yes, mother," answers Matt.
He then continues, "Thank you all for joining us as we have our first Easter as a married couple and the first Easter for two lovely, beautifully dressed baby girls too. We wish that we have many more celebrations together."
Raising his glass, Nathaniel remarks, "Well said and thank you for welcoming all of us, in particular me, into your home."
"You are welcome, we all deserve to find happiness and if you have found that with my mother than so be it," says Matt.
"Ignacio, I believe you have outdone yourself again," comments Bobby as he eagerly eyes the meal that is set before them, which consists of deviled eggs, ham with tangerine glaze, roasted lamb, fresh carrots and green beans, scalloped potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and parmesan-thyme rolls.
The meal is enjoyed by all, with sufficient leftovers for several to leave with another meal. The carrot cake, oreo pie, and flan with caramel sauce are sampled by most present, with only a little of each left, disappointing several guests.
"I'll try to remember what a sweet tooth all of you have for the next time that I am asked to cook," comments Ignacio.
"Good," jokes Amanda, "You would think having been in a house dominated by women you would know that dessert is the most important part of the meal."
"Well, luckily, as the Easter Bunny, I have chocolate for all of you to take with you," announces Cal as he enters the room in a freshly cleaned pink bunny suit.
William briefly hides behind Stuart before coming out and sitting on Cal's lap. The babies each snuggle against their respective fathers, uncertain of the situation. The adults try, but are unable to stifle their laughter at the sight of Cal's outfit. The gathering ends approximately 45 minutes later with promises to get together again soon.