Story Telling

When Russ heard on the radio that Nickelodeon was putting 4 of their cartoons on the big stage, he thought it would be a fun thing to check out. Even though Lexie really only watches two of the cartoons, she knows about the other two from commercials and what not.

After going back and forth on the idea, we got tickets and invited my mom to come out for the weekend to join us. We decided we would keep it a surprise for Lexie since the last time Russ and I took her to see Elmo....it was the only thing she talked about...and she doesn't even watch Elmo! (Did I forget to mention that 2 of the 4 live cartoons were the Wonder Pets & DORA??)

After we bought the tickets, Russ found out that Pitt was hosting Villanova (basketball) and since one of Russ's friends from college is a coach for Nova, he really wanted to go to the game. Worked out perfectly because Aunt Allie really wanted to come out to see Lexie (and Dora)!

We had a great time...even though poor Lexie had a rough week with 5 days of fevers and intestinal issues followed immediately by bronchitis!!! She still managed to enjoy the show, but she didn't get nearly as in to it as she did for Elmo. She stood for almost the entire show and danced as much as she could, but by the end of the production she was pooped! (Though that didn't prevent her from telling us all about Swiper the Sneaky Fox!!!)

Thanks Mom (Nini) and Aunt Allie for making the trip and helping us take care of our little patient! We had a great time...and PRAY you guys don't get sick!



Olivia was soooo excited to see Nini and Aunt Allie! (and Oscar too!)
Lexie laid on the couch while Aunt Allie read her stories


The day of the show...poor thing is looking a little rough..and a little green!
Aunt Allie and Olivia (looks like Aunt Allie is signing her a song...I'm not sure though)
Lexie was just beside herself when she found out what her "surprise" was...don't let the face and her fever fool you!!!!
The Wonder Pets!
I finally got her to sit down once Dora was on...she had been standing for a good 70 minutes or so! Not much energy left in the tank!
Olivia watches the show comfortably from the confines of Aunt Allie's lap...she had a cat nap (Olivia that is) a bit earlier during the first two acts...Ni Hao Kai-lan and The Backyardigans!



Quite possibly Lexie's favorite part...as we are STILL hearing about it!

Simply aDORAble!!!

It is so hard to grasp the fact that we now have a TWO year old! Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday we were welcoming our first born into the world with such excitement and joy!! We are certainly blessed to have such a healthy, active, imaginative daughter! We couldn't love you more if we tried!!!

Thanks so much to all of our family and friends that were able to join us...it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without you! A special thanks to Granny...I wouldn't have been able to pull it off if it weren't for all of your help! Thanks a million!!! Next year...I am making reservations for 4 instead of 40 : )

Enjoy the pictures...and thanks again for those of you that traveled from near and far to help make this party a HUGE success...and for those of you that weren't able to make it..thanks for "celebrating" from afar and thinking of us!! We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives! :)


Lexie anxiously awaiting her visitors!!!

All decked out with Dora decorations!!!

AND MORE Dora...

Fun filled gift bags for all the little ones (yes Debbie...I caved!)

Lexie "accidentally" found her first big birthday present while outside in the garage...


...with a little bit of help from daddy...she is off for her first bike ride! Thanks Aunt Allie and Uncle Marcus!!!


Lexie rides in on her new trike...time for more presents!
I don't know who is having more fun with this...Russ or Lexie!?!?!?!?
ohhhh....ahhhhh....
Russ showcasing Lexie's new fall/winter wardrobe! Thanks Nini!
The birthday girl trying to make her get-away from Zack.
Molly trying to reach way up for a balloon!!!

Lexie saying THANK YOU to all of her friends and family for being WAY TOO GENEROUS!

Lexie's special birthday cake featuring yellow, chocolate, and swirl cake with cream cheese frosting...topped with fondant (my third attempt with fondant...getting better)!
Russ gives Lexie a lift so she can blow out her candles...MAKE A WISH!


ONE LAST PRESENT...for the day...quite possibly Lexie's favorite gift, the big green monster...
...do you think she likes her new slide?
Cole's having fun on the slide!
Everyone is enjoying the slide!

Now....let the clean up begin! :)

Silly and Serious!

Lexie has a new Dora visor, thanks to our wonderful neighbors the Egans! They brought it for her since she now has her own golf clubs! She is officially "a part of the club"! Thanks a bunch guys!!!

Visor...shades...smile...PRICELESS!!!

Lexie decides to share her daddy's sunglasses with Buster--her trusty sidekick!

I had to include this picture! Lexie has been putting her shoes on herself now for a little over a month. She doesn't always get them on the right feet, but it just amazes me every time she tries! She has a little trouble with these shoes...but just look at the concentration in that gorgeous little face of hers!

Homeward Bound!!!

Thursday morning arrived and I was ITCHING to get home! I was anxious to get back to Lexie, (even though I knew she was in good hands with Nini, GG and Gpa) welcome Olivia home, and sleep in my own bed!! Discharge for patients wasn't until 11, but since we filled out all the necessary paperwork the day before...we were just waiting for the pediatrician to give his final consent and for Daddy and Gpa to finish up 9 holes of golf.

Olivia had dropped to 7 lbs 1 oz...was a bit jaundice (to be expected with breast fed babies) and was given the green light to go HOME!!! I was sooooo excited!


Keeping with tradition...Daddy gets to dress Olivia for the first time to go home!
So tiny...
and SOOOO cute!
FINALLY HOME and sleeping like a baby!!!
We hadn't been home very long before the doorbell rang with even more visitors to welcome us home! Our WONDERFUL neighbors brought over balloons to welcome home Olivia! Two big bouquets of balloons filled the family room! NOT TO MENTION...they brought a special treat for Lexie to make sure she didn't feel left out...LIFE SIZE DORA AND BOOTS BALLOONS!!! She nearly jumped out of her high chair when Cole and Al brought them in!!!

One of the two bouquets...

Soooo many balloons....so much fun!!!
Alan helps Lexie untangle the balloons!!!
Then it was on to the LIFE SIZE DORA AND BOOTS!!!
She was sooo soo so excited!!!


Olivia wakes up from all the excitement (not really...but it sounded good)


Just as cute as her big sister!!!


Olivia and Nini having a heart to heart...I think she was thanking her for taking such good care of her big sister!!!

Special thanks again to Nini, GG, and Gpa for all of your help with Lexie while we were in the hospital--we couldn't have done it without you! And thanks to the Egans for being such great friends and neighbors!!!

More pics to come!

Last Day as an ONLY Child

As excited as I was for this pregnancy to be over and to meet the newest member of our family...I was a bit uneasy in anticipation about having to divide my time between two little ones. For the last 20 months, I have had the pleasure of staying home and being a mommy to the best little girl on earth! I wasn't sure how she was going to react to having a sibling, and how I we were all going to make the transition...but instead of dwelling on it, I decided that the day was going to be about Lexie. I spent most of the day catering to her and taking in as much Lexie/Mommy time as I could (after a few last minute "to-dos" that is)! I didn't answer the phone, (sorry to all of those that called to wish us well) I let her stay up past her bed time, and even tried to help Nini give her a bath (since I couldn't crawl in the tub or reach over from the side). It was such wonderful day...one that I will never ever forget!


Special thanks to GG for the Dora bath mat! Lexie loved the bath tub before...now we have to drag her out of there!!! She just love love loves it!

Our little water baby enjoying her bath...thanks Nini for the help!!!

Lexie's new "cheese" face...let's hope she doesn't pass this along to her sibling!!!!

Time to Pack It Up...

Russ's conference was coming to a close and so was our Florida vacation. While I was able to relax and enjoy some down town with family, it was time to pack it up and head back home. As I started to think about all the things "we" wanted and needed to get done before Russ's friends come to visit and before Lexie's sibling arrives...all I wanted to do was bury my head in the sand like a flamingo!!! Why does it seem like vacations are over the day after they started? In any event, we had a wonderful time visiting with family and Russ visiting with friends/colleagues, but now it was back to reality!!! Here are the last few photos from our trip! Thanks again for such a wonderful time...we can't wait to come back (all four of us by then)!


Russ and Lexie all cleaned up from the beach and enjoying a bedtime story on the side porch at Granny's
Lexie listens intently while Russ reads an adventure about Dora (who else?)

All smiles....even though we are packing up and heading home! I just love this picture!
Lexie playing in Granny's room...she is supposed to be helping me pack!!!

Lunch break with Daddy!

During the conference, Russ was able to break away for lunch one day to spend some time with Lexie. She was SO EXCITED! She gave him BIG kisses when he got to Granny's. She wanted to show him her new Dora Bubble Blower. It didn't work as well as we thought, but that didn't stop her from having fun! After playing with the bubbles, she tried to "slide" down Granny's chair, then it was off for a ride through the neighborhood with Granny and Daddy of the golf cart. I think Lexie could get used to this!!!


Lexie had BIG kisses for her daddy!
Trying to slide down the chair.
Using her Dora wand to blow bubbles...
...and she even got some help from her Daddy!
Waving bye-bye...it was Lexie's turn to drive around and show her Daddy how it is done!