Christmas Pictures

Alexis and Emily in front of the tree. Don't worry,
I didn't make Emily wear the hat in public.


Alexis finally sitting on Santa's lap.



All of the cousins singing Christmas carols waiting
for Santa to come.


Wow look at those big eyes!!! Are you looking at me?


This was by far Alexis's favorite present....from Nana.
She sits on her horse "Chocolate" daily and can even
feed it. The best part is is that it doesn't poop!!!


Mommy and Alexis waiting to open the goods.

Emily was even getting into the fun of opening presents.

Merry Christmas to all!!! We had a wonderful Christmas and hope that you all did too. It's amazing how quickly this day comes and goes especially after a whole month or two of planning.
We didn't have a white Christmas but the snow did end up coming, only a few days later. Alexis was so much fun to watch this year with opening her gifts to actually sitting on Santa's lap this year. Oh how kids change so much in just a year. Last year she enjoyed Santa from afar but this year "no fear". Here are a few pictures of our Christmas celebration.

Better Late Than Never

This is Emily with my sister-in-law to be Debbie.
She's not as cooperative with taking pictures lately.


Emily chillin while Alexis rides all the rides at Disney.
We all had such a blast.


Getting ready to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.
Alexis was a champ riding all of the rides in the park
except for Space Mountain.


Daddy and Alexis in front of the castle at the Magic Kingdom.


This is the only picture we took with any of the characters.
They are nearly impossible to track down around the
park and the lines for pictures are longer than the lines for
the rides.


We made our way down to Naples the Saturday after Thanksgiving for a nice long visit with Nana and Papa. While down south, we spent a day at Disney.......Alexis's first. She had such a blast. She was a real trooper wanting to go on all the "fast" rides. We were able to take Emily too which was nice and she was even able to ride on most of the rides too. The other days in Naples were spent relaxing and doing Christmas shopping. It was a nice relaxing week, one that went way too quickly.
Uncle Todd and soon to be Aunt Debbie came over for quite a few visits so the kids got to play with them. It's hard to believe that my little brother is going to be getting married next April. It still doesn't seem like he's old enough. It was great visiting with the two of them like always and we look forward to April and the wedding.
The flights down and back were uneventful. The kids really were champs on the plane. They slept both ways so we really couldn't ask for anything more. Once back in Cleveland, we had to get back to reality and work too. Why is it that the work weeks seem to go by so slowly and vacations are over before they even begin.?

Happy HIalloween a little late!

We had a great weekend this past weekend. Alexis really enjoyed trick or treating. She spends every afternoon dumping out all of her candy, organizing it and then picking out the one piece I allow her to have. I know I'm mean with only allowing one piece but she would eat the entire bag if I didn't stop her. This kid loves candy.
Emily is doing well. She had another check up and has finally gained some weight. She's finally up to 10lbs. 10oz. We've been taking her every two weeks for the past 6 weeks for weigh ins. She was only gaining a few ounces at a time and the doctor was a little worried. She really wasn't eating there for a while. I had to give up nursing completely and switch to all formula so she could bulk up. At least she's gaining and a little more pleasant too. She's starting to really sleep well at night. She goes down around 8-8:30 and usually will only get up to eat once around 4-5. She will usually go back down after eating. I must say that Dean has been such a big help with late night feedings. We have been pretty lucky to have two kids that love to sleep and love their beds. Emily is really becoming more animated too. She is typically smiling whenever you talk to her. She loves her play mat and is starting to play with her rattles too. She still hates her baths though and screams bloody murder throughout the entire two minutes. I try and get her in and out as quickly as possible because that's all my ears can take. Once she's out, she calms right down and is back to smiling again.
Anyway, here are a few of the more recent pictures of the kids. As you can see, Emily is starting to get a little "chunk" in her face and she even has a double chin. Finally:)


Alexis loves her little sister. She's such a little "mom".




We only had to take about 20 pictures to try and get
both looking at the camera and both smiling.




Emily starting to hold her head up a little better.

Running is EVIL!!!

Ok so I thought I would take a nice leisurely jog this past Monday evening before I had to take Alexis to gymnastics. I had done this same jog several times in the past. Unfortunately this jog will likely be my last forever because running is EVIL!!! While running thinking about what I was going to have for dinner, I guess I stepped off the uneven sidewalk and rolled my ankle rather severely. I was barely able to make the walk home. By the time I did get home, I had a baseball size ankle and really was in some severe pain. I was afraid to take my shoe off because I didn't really know to what extent I had injured my foot. It's now been 3 days and I'm walking a little better now. I didn't go to the doctor but was planning on going if it didn't start to feel better after a couple of days. Today I'm doing much better and even able to walk around without much of a limp. The worst thing about the ankle now is what it looks like. I had to take a few pictures just so I could remember how ugly my foot really was.


Just a little swollen....the left one if you can't see
the difference. (Sausages vs. fingers)


Now this is the beautiful swollen foot. All I have
to say is "Ouch"!

Cape Cod

This past week we had a family trip to Cape Cod. Dean's cousin was getting married so we had a Titas family destination wedding. We decided to drive since it wasn't that far away. (10 hours) Both of the girls were troopers. Emily had a pretty good trip, with only a few crying episodes. I guess for a 2 month old that's not too bad. Alexis was going to be the flower girl in the wedding. She was prepared for the past 2 months. (At least we thought she was) When the time actually came for her to walk down the aisle, she bowed out and decided she was too shy to actually make it down. At least she looked the part though. She did make it out on the dance floor and was a dancing fool the whole night. Here are a couple pictures of our trip and Alexis in her dress.


Alexis did decide to walk into the reception with her
ring bearer by her side.


Alexis and second cousin Zac cheesin it up for
the camera.


Alexis being brave around some rather large
geese in Boston.


Alexis and Zac practicing at the rehearsal.


Emily is getting a little smiley with the camera.

Some more recent pictures of the girls!!!

Alexis all ready to head for gymnastics. I'm surprised
she let me do her hair!!!!


Tummy Time....I HATE TUMMY TIME!!!!!


This is my favorite place to be when I'm not being
held.


See....I told you my favorite place.


I guess tummy time isn't so bad sometimes!

P90X

I have decided to get back on the work out horse after taking a long reprieve for pregnancy. I have been anxious to get started. I know I'm crazy. I should enjoy the time off and relax. Has any one heard of this work out...P 9oX. If not it's awesome. It's a 90 day everyday workout routine that is supposed to help tone and strengthen. You should see some of these before and after pictures of people that have completed the work out. All I have to say is "WoW". I just hope I can continue be consistent with completing the exercises. I know it's going to be much more difficult once I get back to work full time and then come home to take care of two kids. I am going to try and do the best that I can. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Maybe I'll be on the web site some day with a ripped body. HA HA. I just hope I can get back into shape.

Recent Pictures

Hey are you looking at me???

Hi Daddy!

I'm not afraid of big teeth. Are you?

This so happens to be a T-Rex...Alexis's favorite.

1st Shot Today

Well Emily had another doctor appointment today....her 1 month check up. She is doing well and growing like a weed. She's grown a whole inch in length and is up to 9lbs already. I guess she's an eating champ. It's hard to believe that a month ago she was wearing preemie diapers and not able to keep a pair of 0-3 month pants above her waist...They usually were dropping below her knees. I guess that is the way kids are wearing them these days.

We're starting to get a little more of a routine down lately. These past few days, we've been transitioning Emily into her crib at night. She's been sleeping about 4-5 hours at times. I'm really only having to get up once around 3 or 4 to feed her and then we try to get her back to sleep. We have a few crying spells but usually that only lasts about 10 minutes or so. I don't mind the whole getting up as long as we can get her back to sleep. There were times when we were spending 3 hours at a time in the middle of the night with her eyes wide open looking around saying hello world. Hopefully we're past that.

I've been trying to take some more pictures lately but she isn't really doing a whole lot at this stage. Hopefully soon we'll be able to catch some smiles. Here are a few of the pictures I have taken lately.

Trying to get a little "tummy time"

My first bath in a big bath tub....I can do without!!!

I love my Nana and I sure love to cuddle.

My Meemee came to visit me too.

I love my big sister. I sure hope she shares all of

her toys with me!

Starting to get the hang of it....I think!

Ok well it's been almost three weeks since Emily was born and I think I'm starting to get the hang of this baby thing again. We're not quite on a consistent routine by any means but we seem to be getting used to each other more and more each day. My parents have gone home so we are on our own this week. It was so nice having them here to help out with everything. It's tough to try and make lunch or dinner or other things done around the house while trying to hold an infant. I know I'm supposed to put her down and let her cry sometimes but when she turns blue after crying so hard, I don't have the heart to leave her there crying. I guess the house work will have to wait. Alexis has been so helpful too. She'll run and get me a diaper or a burp cloth. She'll try and keep Emily entertained for me. She hasn't gotten too jealous yet either telling me to send the baby back. So far so good.

It's amazing how quickly the days go by now that there are two kids. There are days when I look at the clock and it's already 3pm and I still haven't had a shower or gotten dressed. I know it will all get easier. Everyone said that with two kids, it's not double the work but ten times the work. I now see what they mean. It is all worth it though, especially when I look at their smiling faces....even though it may be gas.

The nights haven't been too bad. Dean has been great and taking the first shift. I will try and give Emily her last feeding....around 10-11 or so. He'll take her downstairs and try to get her to fall asleep with him. He'll bring her back upstairs around 3-3:30 or so for another feeding. For the past couple of nights, Emily will eat and then just lay back down next to me and fall back to sleep. I know I'm not supposed to keep her in our bed but it's just so much easier. With some luck, she'll fall back to sleep and then want to eat again around 7-7:30 or so. I really can't complain because I know it could be worse.

Anyway, I'm working on getting some more pictures uploaded so I'll try and get some up soon.

More Pictures of Emily

Emily just seems to be slightly larger than Alexis's

doll. Hard to believe how small she really is.

A first smile??? No just a full belly!!!

She really crossed her legs all by herself. Check

out those big feet and long toes!

This was our ride home from the hospital. She

wasn't a happy camper for most of the trip.

Baby Emily Has Arrived!!!

The Titas family was graced with the arrival of Emily Grace Titas on Thursday, July 30th. Yes that so happens to be mommy's birthday too. She weighed in at a whopping 5lbs. 14oz. and was 19.5 inches long. Just a week early too. Labor and delivery were smooth as can be. I woke up Thursday morning around 4am to my water breaking and headed off to the hospital a little later. My contractions started once I got to the hospital and my epideral couldn't have come fast enough. I did have to wait until around 8 or so though. I think I felt enough of the contractions in those two hours to last me a lifetime. Anyway, once my epidural was started, I was all smiles again. Labor moved on very quickly at that time. I was already 10cm by 10:30 so we had to get the doctor quickly. I had to push a whole 3 times before she entered the world. After the first push, the doctor told me to stop so she could put her catching equipment on. Once she was ready, two more pushes and out she popped. Boy if every birth could only be that easy. I know there are many women out there cursing me but I really can't complain. Anyway, we are all doing well. Here are a few pictures of the first days.

Last Day of Work!!!!

Well today I started my maternity leave early. It's a great feeling knowing that I can take a week or two to relax and get some things done. I don't know why but with this second child, I'm not quite as nervous about getting things done. Don't get me wrong, I am still nagging Dean about things that he has to do before she arrives like everyday but I guess I'm a little more relaxed this time. I'm still feeling pretty good. I'm just ready to be able to walk without a waddle and bend down to pick something up without the feeling of falling over. I will be sure to keep everyone posted on her arrival. I'm hoping the weather will cooperate over the next few days with some sun so I can spend some time at the pool. I know that soon enough doing that will be much more difficult. (Countdown is 14 days)

Back Together Again

It was so nice to get together again this past weekend with Cheryl and Natalie and awesome to finally get the kids together. We went up to Cheryl's husband Tim's parents place and spent the evening together while the kids played. We all had such a great time. I love how that after all this time, we can pick up where we left off like no time has passed. All the kids really hit it off too. Sophie, Naomi and Alexis became quick friends. I can only hope that we can get together again soon. I think Alexis's favorite part was riding in the back of the gator with Sophie's goppie. She still talks about it and asks why we don't have one. The inflatable jumping house was a big hit. The great thing is is that it is portable and you can take it anywhere. I may need to look into getting one. Anyway, here are a couple pictures of the evening.

Alexis and Sophie enjoying some smores

Who doesn't love firecrackers????

The 3 girls enjoying their ride in the gator. Noah

is in the background. Too many girls around.

Cheryl and Megs catching up together. It was great

to be able to spend some time together.

Sophie, Alexis, Noami and Noah posing for a picture.

Alexis really took a liking to Sophie right away.

Maybe they'll be roommates in college too.