He's Baaaack!

After what seemed like an eternity, Russ finally made it back safely from the humanitarian mission to Africa. He came home with a ton of interesting stories, some very ethnic gifts--a necklace and napkin rings (they are pretty amazing-made out of tusks) and of course a sunburn from his white water rafting trip (on the Nile). It is great to have him back...now if he could just stay home more than a few hours at a time that would be even better!!! :)


Lexie was so excited to have her Da-da back home that we couldn't just wait in the car. She (we) wanted to greet him as soon as he stepped off of the escalator!!! She waited so patiently with her sign...it was toooo cute!

Russ was exhausted and a bit jet lagged--he could barely keep his eyes open!

Daddy's HOME!!!!

We were thrilled when the phone rang around 1:00pm Saturday afternoon. Russ had made it home safely...and EARLY from his trip! I rushed to pick him up from the base so he would be home in time to greet Lexie once she woke up from her nap!!! It is great to have him home!!!

"DAAAAADDDDDY!!!" Lexie squeals in elation to have her daddy home!!!

I don't know who was more excited to have Russ/Daddy home!!!

Olivia was excited too...she gave Russ the one handed fist pump--woo-hoo!

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!

Welcome Home!!!

It seemed like Russ had been gone for a year, but he is finally home from his stint overseas!! Lexie and I couldn't be more thrilled! I think he was a bit excited too...he didn't even give us a chance to get out of the car!!!


Who's the guy with the funny hat????



IT'S DA-DA!!!!!!



Welcome home!!!! AND THANKS TO ALL WHO SERVE THIS FINE COUNTRY OF OURS!!!