Who's Who?

Emily's Christening

Emily at the beginning of the ceremony with her
Nona and Nono. (godparents) She wasn't in too
bad of a mood yet.


Emily usually likes naked time, however she wasn't
sure what she was in for. She soon found out and
didn't like it one bit. Mommy had to step in a try
and calm her before the "bath".


"Mommy what are they doing to me"? She didn't
care for the full submersion.


Alexis was part of the ceremony and got to carry
a candle. She wanted to make sure no one was
going to be watching her though. That was the only
way she said she would help.


I'm really not so sure about this!!!!!!


Now I really want my mommy!!!!!!!


It really is something. Emily has become so
clingy lately that it's mommy or nobody. Let us
just say that she is ready for this to be over and
she wants her mommy.


See......Now I'm all better. I told you that all I
wanted was my mommy. Doesn't she look so
sweet and innocent?


Dean and I with Emily and her new godparents,
Arthur and Eva.



Last weekend we had Emily baptized. The ceremony was beautiful and went very smoothly.
That is other than having Emily scream the entire 45 minutes. Some people say that it's good to have the baby cry during the baptism because it lets the devil out. I say that is great and all but it's tough to just stand there and watch your kid scream and not be able to do anything about it. I think it would have been funny if we passed out ear plugs at the beginning of the ceremony since I could have bet that Emily was not going to like the ceremony at all. For one thing, someone other than mommy has to hold her the entire time. Secondly, I have to get naked, have oil rubbed all over me, get completely dunked in a big bathtub and then put a big gown on. All this without having my mommy hold me. Lets just say that she made it through the ceremony just fine and seemed pretty relieved to be done. The pictures above are a true showing of just how everything panned out.

Alexis's Birthday and Random Emily Pictures

Emily just learned to blow raspberries. It just so
happened that she learned with carrots in her
mouth. Just glad I wasn't wearing white.


You mean I'm supposed to swallow this and not
spit it out? That's no fun!!!


Emily being little miss smiley. Alexis actually took
this picture. Not too bad for the little one.



Alexis blowing out her candles. I can't believe she's
already 5. Boo Hoo!


Alexis and her MeeMee. This is pre-haircut. She has
since decided that she no longer wants to grow
out her bangs. This was after mommy told her
that she would have to do her hair everyday.


Sisters. Emily has been sitting up for
about a month now and loves watching
her big sister play. She wants so bad to
play with her too.


Aren't I just so cute????


In the past few months, we have been doing well. Looking forward to the weather breaking so the kids can get outside and expel some of this energy. Emily is growing so fast....already 7 months old. She's been doing a little more every week. She's starting to show her personality a little more. She is very clingy lately and I guess you can call her "Mommy's girl". She really won't go to many people other than myself, Dean and the babysitter. I'm not kidding. She screams bloody murder even if her aunts or her yiayia (grandmother)holds her. It's nice and all that she wants me but it really would be nice to have a break once in a while.
Alexis turned 5 a few weeks ago. She has been asking to turn 5 for the past 6 months. When she finally is able to say she is 5, the first thing she asks me is "How much longer till I'm 6 mommy?" I swear this kid wants to be a teenager and driving already. Scary how soon it will come too. She is counting down the days until kindergarten starts and is able to ride the bus to school.

Are you looking at me? I love my new seat.
It moves and everything.


Alexis and her first snowman. Do you actually believe
that this is my first "real" snowman too!!!


It was actually not too cold to be outside so we
enjoyed some time in the snow.


Daddy took Alexis sledding this year. She had
way too much fun and couldn't go fast enough.
I was okay staying at home with Emily in the
warmth of the house.


This is Emily's new favorite place to "hang" out.
She's even beginning to jump around too.


This was New Year's Eve at our house. We had
a pajama party and it was pretty low key. The kids
could have made it longer than the adults.

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.