Heading Home

I am sitting in the car on our way back to the airport in Tampa, Gerard is driving, the grand parents and Anna are watching the movie Cars so I decided that blogging is more important then homework. (For now at least).

When I get home I will upload some pictures from the trip so for now I will just give you the blow by blow report of our trip. Tuesday morning we planned on going to the Magic Kingdom, I had made reservations for dinner with Cinderella. When I made the reservations I worried that I had made them for too early in the day but actually the timing was perfect. Hands down this was one of the best experiences of the trip. I am sad I did not get any of it on video but I will remember it for ever.

I knew we would see Cinderella but I had know idea we would see, Snow White, Belle, Ariel but by far Anna was moat excited when she saw Sleeping Beauty. Anna knows all the story lines for each of these movies. I love how she complemented each princess and asked where their prince was. She was so excited. This was by far the perfect age to bring Anna. Gerard has even commented that maybe we should come back sooner then he thought.

I plan on buying the photopass again this year and I got a quick preview and love a few of the photos already. The dinning plan was wonderful and I would recommend this to anyone considering a trip to Disney.

We had breakfast with the Donald, Mickey and a bunch of the other characters. Each day only got better but like all good vacations we are all ready to be home.

What a magical place

What a wonderful trip so far. I have so much to share but we have a very early day planned for tomorrow. If you go to YouTube and search Mickey Mouse and Anna you will see her reaction to seeing Mickey for the first time this trip. Everyone has gone above and beyond to make this trip special.

We're HERE!

Sometimes I have the best laid plans and then most of the time they are dashed by real life. The week leading up to our vacations was filled with a work, school and planning a baby shower. Thank goodness La-La and Me-Me are home finishing up the last minute details for the baby shower.

I had this dream of taking our picture with our luggage in front of the house up loading it and blogging a touch before we left...sigh no chance. Because of my work schedule and school I put off packing until the night before we left which stresses me out. I love having things packed a certain way which they are not packed in that manner currently so I am having a little bit of a challenge.

We spent our first night in St Pete. Today we made our way to the beach early for a swim. Anna spent close to two hours swimming in the most beautiful water. This is my second time on the west coast and I LOVE the beach there. This afternoon we traveled in a minivan which I have loving termed Gerard's bus. You have to understand Gerard drive a four wheel drive pick up mostly so no one can drive with him except Anna and I. Now he has this beautiful bus along with 5additional drivers. Anna repeats what ever the GPS says but from the back seat. Gerard has decided that we are all getting Nintendo DXs so that we all take our eyes off the road.

I hope to be able to upload some pictures tomorrow morning before we head out to the Magic Kingdom. Off to sleep now.

Amazed by our big news

There have been so many things that have amazed me in past years. Seeing Anna's sweet little face I believe has touched many within out family. Anna is more then a blessing, she is hope for the future and proof that miracles happen everyday.

About two weeks ago I hinted at some special news. No Gerard and I are not having another baby but we have become an Aunt and an Uncle again. We treasure our nieces and nephews. Spending time with them is never a chore. We love them all. The addition of new family members makes my heart skip a beat.

Eddie and AM (we pronounce it just like am as in I am) have become the proud parents of a beautiful, sweet little baby girl. Her skin is like cream and her hair is a strawberry blond color. This child is a miracle. The smile on Eddie's face has not broken once in the past week. Hearing his funny stories about their time in the hospital makes me think about the things I say to parents and that makes me chuckle too.

Last week we went to drop off the bassinet at AM's house. I have been prepping Anna with only, Mommy, Daddy, Papa and Grammy can hold the baby. No neither Gerard or I have held her yet. Once we were finished setting up the bassinet Papa came in to look at the progress, Anna told him in a stern voice, "Please, no touch for baby."

The family of three came home from the hospital on Wednesday. Gerard and I decided to wait until Friday to go see the baby. When we got in the baby was trying her best to not fall asleep while laying in her bassinet. AM picked her up for Anna to check out closer and she promptly fell sound asleep.

What I loved the most was as AM was holding the baby Anna crawled up into my lap, looked me square in the face and told me "I a baby." I corrected her and told her she was MY baby, then she corrected me and said "I Mamma and Daddy's baby."

We have experienced a little bit of regression with wetting herself but I am not sure if this is the presence of the new baby or school. My gut is that it is school. Gerard and I have talked about what we need to do in order to keep Anna going in the positive direction that she is heading. Anna has informed us that she likes the baby.

We stayed for dinner. Gerard's Aunt Barbara and cousin Michelle came to see the baby. Michelle was holding the after about an hour Anna asked her to bring the baby into the other room. Michelle got up, walked in to the front room near the bassinet. Anna asked her politely to please put the baby down. Michelle did. They were watching her and Anna kept telling her "baby wonderful, baby sleeping, baby beautiful." Michelle asked "Can I hold her now?" Anna firmly replied "No! Only Mommy and Daddy hold baby, let her sleep!" I could not help but the chuckle at this too.

The other day we were talking to Eddie over the car speakers and the second thing out of her mouth was "Uncle Eddie, You holding mine baby? You take her to Disney!" No worries Anna the baby will have her passport soon I am sure if I know your Aunt and Uncle.


Without further blabbing here are pictures of the beautiful baby
JoanMarie Ann C.

First Day of Pre-School

Tuesday marked her first day back to what Anna likes to call "Other one school." Anna attended a few weeks of summer preschool but she did not like it at much as her regular preschool so we only sent her a couple of times. When she realized that we were taking her to see her regular teacher and school she was very happy and full of questions. I am still not sure where the summer went this year.

When we got to the door Anna was an old pro, she remembered the lady from last year and they remembered her. This made me more comfortable sending her through the door alone. We could see her walk the entire way to the multi-purpose room where they were all lining up to walk to the class room. Not a single tear was shed, at least by Anna.

This morning was a little bit different. I think she gets a little sad when I work two days in a row therefore taking her to school becomes a little more emotional. Things have been a little crazy in our house the past couple of days (which I will explain tomorrow) with so really wonderful news and some really sad news. Nope we are not adopting again if that is what you were wondering. We could use some prayers for our family for strength and peace. Before I share our news I need to clear it with our family members first.

Anna is talking up a storm these days. She told me all about hugging her teacher and how that made her happy. The she told me about how her teacher told her to "lay down, nap time." Anna also told me that in Mrs. Maloney's class you have to sit like a pretzel which I think is funny because she demonstrated this for me when she got home. I asked does everyone have to sit like that and she told me no just Anna. Hmmm does that mean she was not sitting when asked on the first day. My guess is yes but I know Mrs. Maloney will be consistent and Anna will fall in line with the class rules.

She is getting so grown up. If I could freeze this age for a little bit longer I would because she is so much fun. The count down to Disney is well under way. We have more stickers to place on the calendar and I suppose I should gets some pictures of her doing just that before it is too close and I forget.

Now that we are starting our school time routine I am hoping things are going to feel a little less crazy. The next 2 1/2 weeks are packed with so much I want to make sure that I stop and take time to enjoy them as well.

So here are my pictures of the first day of school 2011. What a difference from last year.

Where did August go?

I have been so busy this summer with school that I feel like I missed most of the summer. The morning and evening are now cool here in New Jersey. I just know that the Fall will be upon us sooner then I like. Once again I feel behind in making arrangements for Anna's birthday so I hope to get that squared away this week.

We have had so much excitement and good news in our family but for now I must keep this private. I will say over the next couple of months things are going to be a little different. All the changes are good ones in my opinion so we are very happy.

I did manage to get Anna over to the one room school house where my Mother went to school to take her picture in the garden as well as at the beach. If you do something more then twice does it become a tradition?

Here are some pictures I wanted to share.
August 2009

August 2010

August 2011


Wow my baby has grown. Don't get me wrong I love this stage very much. I love how she interacts with us and has things that she loves but I miss her being such a little baby too...sigh I guess it is all a part of growing up.

PS Janet to answer your question no the man in the picture from the previous post was Jim Dear (La-La's boy friend). He does look very similar to Gerard. Anna loves him very much. Since Gerard has been off from work La-La and Jim Dear hve not been around as much because Gerard has Anna when I work. So when they are over she loves to snuggle up to both of them.