Today our little Anna is One!

wow, time sure flew. I (mommy) can't believe that Anna is One. Anna is such a happy baby and has brought soo much joy into our family. Today, I thought about Anna's mom, because a year ago today, she was in labor giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, and she made her decision already to place this beautiful baby girl for adoption. I have some pics of Anna that I am going to send to Guatemala, so our lawyer can give them to Anna's Birth mom, so she knows just how loved her daughter is. Because of her, we are truly blessed to have such a wonderful little girl.

So at One year old - Anna talks a lot - as Peter would say, she has a lot of baby talk to say. Anna is very loud, she fits right in with the family. Anna also likes to babble to herself. Anna has 4 teeth now (two front on the top and two front on the bottom), and she looks so adorable when she smiles with those little teeth. Anna is quick in getting around - right now she is a hot rod on all fours. Anna is walking around the house holding onto furniture, and if there is no furniture to hold onto, she'll grab onto your pants leg so you can hold her hands to walk. On occassion, she'll turn and walk away from the furniture - thinking she can walk on her own - but she'll fall onto the floor and just pick herself up again. If you walk by her and she wants to get picked up she'll get your attention (by being loud) and hold out her hands for you to pick her up. It took a little bit for her dad to catch on that Anna wanted to be held, but he got the knick of it after awhile. She claps her hands and has so much fun clapping them, and she clucks her tongue and makes different sounds. She loves watching Max (the dog) and Peter plays, she just giggles and giggles while she watches them play.

One evening, mommy put Anna in the jumperoo, so mommy can get the dinner dishes cleaned up. Daddy was in the bedroom, and then mommy heard Anna. Mommy went into the living room and Anna was on the floor playing with hot wheel cars with her brother Peter. Mommy asked daddy if he took Anna out of the jumperoo and he said no. Then mommy saw a Big smile on Peter's face, so mommy asked Peter if he took Anna out of the jumperoo, and Peter said yes, because he wanted to play with her. It's nice to see that Peter wants to play with his sister, but we'll have to keep an extra eye on Peter to make sure no one gets hurt. Peter loves his baby sister a lot. When people joke about taking Anna home with them, Peter gets upset and tells them that she is his sister and they can't have her. When strangers come up to Anna to talk to her, Peter continues to be the Big Brother protecting her, and will step in between the person and Anna, to keep that person away from Anna. Peter also, has his moments where he tries to do his "power ranger moves" on Anna, so mommy or daddy always has to remind him that Anna is a baby right now. And we tell Peter when Anna is older, he'll be able to play with her a lot more. Personally my bets are on Anna, because she might be short, but she is heavy - she can sit on Peter to put him in his place. LOL

As for Anna's Birthday, this Sunday (7/20) we are having a BBQ (with Carvel ice cream cake for dessert) for Anna. Peter keeps on thinking that the party should be for him and Anna, but slowly (the more we explain it) he understands that he will have his party in a couple of months. Peter went shopping and got his sister birthday presents, and he did pretty good. He got her My 1st Tonka trucks, which are these cute rubber small trucks (5 of them) that Anna loves to play with, when Peter lets her play with them. Peter also got her a toy that attaches to the high chair, so she has something to play with while eating. And of course Peter had to get Anna a dirt bike with a driver on it - Anna hasn't had the chance to play with that, because Peter told Anna that she got enough of gifts, so Peter has been playing with it. It'll be interesting to see how the party goes with Peter and how many of Anna's gifts will become Peter's. Luckily, Peter does share - so Anna will be able to play with all her gifts.

Wonderful News for Barbara and Tom

Barbara and Tom (you remember them, from Rochester - they've been mentioned on this blog a few times) finally got the "pink slip" Tom will be traveling to Guatemala next week to bring their son Ben home! Yippie!

Mommy and Barbara are already planning on when to get together so the kids can meet.

We are soo happy that Ben is coming home!!!

Thanks to all of you, for your continued support and prayers.

We're home and finally back on Eastern Standard Time......

Hi All,
Well, On the night of June 26th, Mommy was up all night getting last minute stuff done, before we headed to the west coast to go on a cruise to Alaska. We packed up the car and the kids at 4am (6/27) and headed to the airport. The flight to Seattle was wonderful on American Airlines - (Yes, we are still boycotting Delta). We arrived on time to Seattle. We checked into the hotel with our tons of luggage - yes, mommy packed the kitchen sink and then some. Daddy got the cruise to Alaska as a Birthday gift, but he didn't know that there was another surprise coming. While in the hotel, mommy's cell phone kept on ringing - but mommy just pretended that it was Uncle Jack (Margaret's brother that lives in Seattle who we were meeting for dinner)- it was really Pam O and her family - coming along on the cruise with us. While in the hotel, someone knocked on the door and daddy answered the door - to see Pam and her family standing in the hall. Daddy was very surprised, he had no idea what they were doing in Seattle. Then Pam yelled - "surprise, we are going with ya's on the cruise". Daddy was soo happily surprised that they were coming too on the cruise. Peter was happy that his pal Emily was coming too. Once everyone got settled into the hotel, Uncle Jack showed up to go out to dinner. We all went to the Space Needle for dinner- the views were breathe taking. After dinner, we said good bye to uncle jack and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep before hopping on the NCL cruise boat. We left Seattle promptly at 4pm and headed on our cruise with Pam O's family. Our suite was nice, and we had a balcony which was nice just to sit and relax and still enjoy the view. Throughout the cruise we stopped at different ports and did different things. We had a great time on vacation with Pam O's family. During the cruise, Anna's top two teeth decided to make their appearance. Everyone on the boat just loved seeing Anna and Peter. Whatever Peter wanted, Peter got. If Peter wanted Strawberries (they were never on the menu) the wait staff would go and find him some - Peter was so excited that they were able to get him what he wanted. After our cruise, we parted ways with Pam's family. We went to spend a few days with Uncle Jack & Aunt Gale, and Pam and her family stayed in Downtown Seattle for two days, before they headed back home.

While at Uncle Jack's & Aunt Gale's, Peter just had so much fun at the house. Anna learned how to climb steps in Uncle Jack's house, and 2 years ago - that is the same place where Peter learned how to climb steps too. We did a little sight seeing while in Seattle. We went to the Flight Museum and we went to go see Mt. St. Helens - we all had fun. Peter didn't want to leave the flight museum, he was having fun being a pilot. We headed home on the red eye on Jet Blue - the kids slept the entire flight. Everyone who was sitting around us was getting a little worried about getting no sleep with two little ones next to them, but they were surprised that the kids didn't disturb them at all. Jet Blue was fantastic. Mommy paid $10 extra dollars for each of us to sit in the front of the plane that had more leg room - and it was definitely worth every penny.

Once home, luckily the kids went back to sleep - so mommy and daddy can try and catch up on their sleep. Mommy has a hard time sleeping on the plane with two little ones in her arms. It took a few days for the kids to get back on New York time. Peter and Anna was sleeping until noon (9am Seattle time) a couple of days, until mommy started to wake them up at 9am to get them back on New York time. Peter missed his Aunt Gale so he asked to call her, so we did and he left a message for her to call him back. Aunt Gale called Peter back and he knew right away who was on the phone.

We took lots of pics, I'll have to post them to share with all of you. That will have to be done at a later time, because I have to download them before I can put them on the blog. So check back soon for pics.

Peter and Mommy having fun at dinner at the Space Needle.

Anyone for a game of Chess?

Who wants to have a water fight?

Peter enjoying a nature walk. He saw a baby bear and Santa's dears too.

Anna hanging out with everyone.

Peter looking for Willy. He had so much fun looking for his pal (willy the whale).

Mommy doing a self portrait of the kiddos with mommy.

Mommy and Anna on a Sea Plane.

The entire family after the Sea Plane ride.

Peter the shuffle board king.

Exhausted after a day of fun! Aren't they the cutest!


Look I can stand and walk while I hold on to things...........



I just love bath time...............even if its in a small sink!

Peter and Anna playing with the Porsche, big brother is making sure Anna doesn't sit on it.

Peter having fun at Mt. St. Helens.

Peter having fun at the Air flight Museum. My future pilot.

Anna showing off her 2 front teeth.

Some good news!

Just a quick note to let you all know that my pal Barbara from Rochester - got out of PGN!!!! - she's been mentioned on this blog a few times. That is great great news. Barbara and Tom are very excited that Ben will be coming home soon!

Thank you for your continued support.

Anna is 11 Months Old.........

Wow, time sure flies when we're having fun. We can't beleive Anna is already 11 months old. Next month she's going to be One! Anna can't wait until she gets bigger so she can keep her big brother in place. I have my bets on Anna, because she definitely has more "muscles" on her bones. Anna gets very mad when Peter takes one of her toys - she starts screaming and if she is really upset she'll fall onto her back onto the floor and continue to scream. She can be very stubborn at times too, but we know mommy does not put up with that at all, so that is something she'll grow out of real soon. As for crawling - Anna is all over the place, but if she had a choice she prefers to stand and try to walk. She stands in her crib all the time, luckily she is short - so we don't have to worry about her climbing out of the crib yet. Anna only has 2 teeth still, we are waiting for more to come in so she can start chewing (instead of gumming) some real food. Anna loves her saltine crackers, cheerios, pasta, and ice cream. Anna eats quite well and also loves her formula. She waves by waving her whole arm and hand, and she is so excited when she clucks, she has the biggest smile on her face. When you ask Anna to clap - she looks at both hands and instead of clapping she'll start slapping the table/tray with both hands instead of clapping & laughs along too. As for toys - her favorite is her Jumperoo and her pink bun bun she loves to cuddle with at nap time and bed time. Margaret has to find more of those pink bun bun - just to make sure we have back ups. Anna also has her favorite soft blankie that she likes to hug too while going to sleep. Anna sleeps throughout the night, unless if she has a poopie - then she wakes up for a changing and she goes right back to sleep. She usually goes to bed about 9-9:30pm and wakes up about 12 hours later, unless her big brother misses her and he decides to wake her up. She has a great personality and is such a happy and easy going baby. Both Peter and Anna are two great kiddos, and we are so lucky that they are part of our family.

Happy Birthday Da Da......

Today Daddy turned 50 years old, yes that big five oh! We took him out for Dinner for his big day. This weekend we are having a small party for him. Daddy really dind't want to have a party, but mommy told him that we were going to have something for the big Five Oh! Daddy got a very nice Birthday gift, since he didn't want a big party - mom spent that mommy on a cruise to Alaska. Daddy always wanted to go to Alaska. So daddy, mommy, and Peter and Anna are all going. It should be a lot of fun.

June 7th, 2007 - we had a party for kerry for his 50th Birthday. Originally it was just suppose to be immediate family and no one else, but since when does mommy listen to daddy. Margaret (mommy) invited a few of daddy's frinds too to the party. Daddy was quite surprised when he saw his friends walking into the backyard.

Unfortunately, the days after Daddy's birthday weren't as fun. Both kids turned out to get sick. But after a week of sleepless nights and both kids being needy - they are both healthy and happy - just in time for our trip to Alaska.