Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Catching up... July

The busier we are, the longer it is between posts, and then the more I have to write about.  If I ever have tons of time on my hands to write, that means I have nothing to write about!  Since I returned back to work on July 16th (Addison's 6 month birthday), it's been a whirlwind of travel, new routines, birthday fun, and visitors! I'll be breaking up everything that's happened over the past month into future posts... but wanted to start by getting a hodge-podge of pictures up from July.  Hope you enjoy!

4th of July!
We went to the local parade (which was pretty lame this year) and then headed to Central Park with our neighbors to enjoy the fountains and a picnic.  We had wanted to go to fireworks, but decided against it... and for the life of me, I can't remember why!  Poor Andrew still asks every now and then when we're going to go see the fireworks.

Andrew with the neighbors - Pyper and Sebastian, aka Bash.


All tuckered out after a hot day!

A Visit from Friends:
Mike's friend Kaagen and his new wife Melody made a visit to San Francisco to see some of her family. They were kind enough to squeeze us into their very busy schedule and brave rush hour traffic to meet us for a few drinks. I cannot even begin to tell you how nice it was to have friends come and visit.  We took them to Bent Creek (because that's where we take everyone), and then to Altamont Brew Works.  The night was not long enough, and the kids were well behaved (turns out Andrew actually was sick and had a fever the next day)... we can't wait for a visit from the Russels in September!



Addison Update:
Mike finally broke her from nursing... Andrew and I disappeared for the day, and by the time we got back, Addison was officially on bottles - both formula and breastmilk.  The whole experience was really awful. From her refusing the bottle to the decision to go cold turkey to quit nursing (which I would never, ever recommend to anyone).  Luckily, it's all a memory now and Addison has been in daycare for over a month and loves it.  She has had no problems adjusting and the teachers say she is an angel.  She is eager to crawl, but just hasn't quite figured it out yet.
Either Mike has big thumbs or she's got itty bitty feet.
Standing!
Finally taking bottles!
Ugh. My heart.
Well, at least now I can do this! :)
My arsenal to ease the pain of quitting cold turkey. Yes, cabbage leaves work!!
I also bough peppermint tea after a couple weeks and that seemed to help too.

6 Month Photo Shoot:
Our daughter has a fascination with paper, so this month's shoot was next to impossible... note to self: 7 month shot must be done with Mike's help!





My Last Day of Maternity Leave:
Sitting on the porch waiting for the garbage trucks to come.
I couldn't have been happier that this was where she napped!

One last mid-morning walk.
We got dressed up and went out to lunch together too!


A Quick Trip to PA for Work:
My team had a Team Building Day planned for a week after I came back to work, so Addison and I made the trip back to PA for free.  Addison was lucky enough to hang out with her Aunt Amanda on Monday and her Grammy on Tuesday and Wednesday.  It was nice quality time, and of course, I tried to fit in as many visits as I could outside of work.  And as usual, outside of the one picture of Karen and Juliet below, I didn't get a single shot from my visits with Kim and her new baby Rome, Jen and her kiddos, or dinner at Grammy's with all the cousins.  Luckily, Grammy got a couple of Addison with her guests.
Girls trip!
Finally reunited!  We miss the Tizers terribly, so this visit with Karen and Juliet was such a great treat!

Painting with a Twist Team Building Day!
My work of Art!

Addison at Grammys

Addison with Marie

Addison and Mom Mom

Amanda's going to kill me for this shot...
but the poor thing got food poisoning while we were visiting and it was such an ordeal,
so this has to be documented.
Below - hanging out waiting for our plane.
 

Sleeping baby on the plane... best thing ever.  

Happy Anniversary to us!
The Friday after our Anniversary just happened to be Parent's Night Out at daycare.  Basically, you bring the kids back and for $50 they entertain both of them from 6:30-9:00.  So, Mike signed them up and surprised me with reservations to Wente.  We had a really nice time celebrating 5 years together.


Saturday, August 2, 2014

On 5 Years Together...

When I think of Michael, the word that pops into my mind most is “lucky”.   No, Mike doesn’t have the winning lottery numbers… the word lucky applies to me.  I am beyond grateful that the boy with the ponytail and intense stare grew to be such an amazing man, and that the amazing man picked me.  He is the yin to my yang, the calm to my storm. My perfect balance.  I cannot imagine my life without him at the center of it.

Our story goes like this:  For 25 years, we grew up 5 minutes down the road from each other.  Our lives crossed paths at high school parties and Doylestown bars, but neither of us were quite ready for the other yet.  Then, finally… we just were.  During the next 5 years we dated, moved into an apartment in Jenkintown, bought a house in Hatboro, adopted two cats and got engaged.  Over the last 5 years we got married, had a baby boy, moved across country and had a baby girl.  We have laughed, cried, argued, made up, worried, rejoiced, dreamed and come through it all, together. 

Mike can pick me up when I’m down, he can feed me when I’m hungry (don’t underestimate the importance of this), and he is all my children could ever want and need in a father. 

Mike, as the pillow on our couch reads, “I feel lucky every day I’m with you.”   Love you Babe.


A walk down memory lane:

 


Punta Cana
The Tizer wedding

Six Flags!


Nova Scotia
Hilton Head

The Russel's Wedding
 

The Collopy's Wedding!

We're Engaged!

Shenandoah... take me home country roads...
Greece!
 
The Villages!
 
Mike gets his PhD!
Baby #1

Baby #2!

 
2014