Wow.... is it really 2012 already?

It is hard to believe that it is 2012 already. When we began our journey with Miss Siena in 2009 she was 2 lbs 5 oz and just being able to dress her was like winning the lottery to us. Milestone after milestone passed, and here we are with our little angel girl, 3 years old already! She is in preschool and now talking and singing up a storm. To see her you would never know that she entered the world in such dramatic fashion. Siena is such a blessing and we thank God everyday that she is ours. :-)

I finally added some new photos (she has hair now!)



Siena all grown up, this was taken April 2012, age 3


Getting some kisses from dad at Inniswood Gardens


Visiting the Statue of Liberty with NYC behind her, July 2011


Flowergirl in Uncle Tristan's wedding, July 2011

Long time, no blog

So it has been forever since I last updated. I tried updating with a video of little miss walking but for some reason it just didn't load correctly. That frustrated me a ton so I have been avoiding coming back here since.

Some updates:
Siena is now walking all over the place. In fact she is quite fast and it is a little hard to keep up with her. She is still in her car seat carrier altho her legs stick out and she is really due to be in a regular car seat. She is still only about 18 pounds so for awhile she will still be backwards facing.

She woke up this morning deciding to talk. I took her in the boys room and she started jabbering what sure sounded like a name for Braydon and the same with Brody. She of course started talking about Daisy too. I will upload photos soon. Been taking a ton cause she really likes saying "cheeeeese" everytime she sees what she thinks is a camera. I love that girl.

Snapshots Into Fathering Future

I read an article about fatherhood transitions by Dr. Ken Canfield from the National Center for Fathering today. Although the reality seems far away, I know it will be here in a blink as I watch events like Siena start actively marching around the house, Brody writing his name, and Braydon starting kindergarten . . .


Snapshot number one: You're wrestling two suitcases up the final flight of stairs to your daughter's new dorm room. She's already claimed the bottom bunk. Green Day blares from someone's stereo. Out on the lawn, you almost got beaned by an errant Frisbee. This will be home - at least until Thanksgiving - for the girl who used to sleep under your roof and eat around your dinette table.

Snapshot number two: You're under the sink in your son's new apartment. It's old, but the rent is cheap; and besides, it goes with his collection of garage-sale couches and end tables. The sink's been backing up since the day he moved in, but the landlord's out of town. He gives you a call and, of course, you stop by with your monkey wrench. (I'm not very handy, so it is likely that I'll be paying a plumber in this scenario. But I'll come over to supervise and make sure the plumber does the job correctly. And then shake down the landlord for prorated rent!)

Snapshot number three: You're decked out in a tuxedo for only the third-and-last time in your life. In the crook of your arm rests the hand of the sweetest girl that God ever created. You wish her hand could stay there forever. But then you hear, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" You breathe deep and swallow hard. "Her mother and I." (~!Gulp!~)

And so you launch your children out into their own lives. Daughters marry and take new names. Sons move to new addresses. One day, they climb in the car, roll down the window, and you watch them back out of the driveway, toss a wave, and then turn a corner and disappear. Oh, they'll be back. But for now, you wrap one arm around your wife's waist and walk back into a house that is suddenly quieter than you ever wanted it to be.


( . . . sniff . . . sniff . . . )


That day will come. In the words of Johnny Cash, "I don't like it, but I guess things happen that way." (Take it away, Brody . . . he really likes singing Johnny Cash songs.) But tonight we can treasure our children still living at home.

Big Girl

Miss Siena weighed in at the Dr's today at 18 lbs 3 oz. This was not an official weigh in, I just sat her on the scale while Bray was getting officially weighed.

Siena is not totally walking yet but it shouldn't be long now. Last night at Mike & Molly's she took about 4 steps in the hallway. It was very exciting and I was so happy that her Godmother was able to see it!

Inniswood

These are from our day at Inniswood today. Beautiful weekend. I will update with more pictures soon.

Spring Pictures

Sweet girl


Excited about the T-birds finally winning state!!


LCC...LCC....LCC....LCC...


The gang hyped up about the T-bird game.


Grandma's girl


Grandma brought some girly clothes!


Ready for our first bike ride of the year!


Here we go!!!


Our Good Friday zoo day with the Monahan kids


Fun day!


These were the lines when we were leaving. We beat the crowd. Whew!


Our little explorers entertained by the zoo maps... all the way to our place then for most of the drive to Lima :-)


For some reason this is the only photo I have from our camp out at Uncle Matt's place.


Our spring flowers





Bray & Brody hunting for eggs at Grandma & Grandpa Boyd's. They had a lot of land to cover!


Kodiak helped them out a little.




The whole gang with their Easter loot


Molly, Jacob, Eddie, Zachary & Mike


Pretty little miss


Brody not happy that I made him stand still long enough to take this picture.


Jeez mom, enough pictures!


Developmental assessment. The follow up we have gotten from Riverside/Children's Hospital & Help Me Grow has been fantastic.


Giving daddy kisses


Every night at dinner Braydon exclaims....."vitamins!!!" and raises his hands at the same time to remind me to give them their vitamins. Siena now joins in. Love it.


Huge day for Siena. Tonight she figured out how to use a sippy cup! We have been working very hard on this. Yea!!!


We celebrated with our first Dairy Queen trip of the year.


Our angel. Thank you Aunt Molly for the wings, and crown & Grandma Boyd for the adorable sun dress.


Getting so big!

Happy Easter!

We had a terrific Easter!

Siena is getting a thick head of hair & a full mouth of teeth. Well.... actually she has 3 1/2 teeth right now but it looks like a lot in her tiny little mouth. She is not walking on her own yet but will walk with you if you let her hold onto your fingers. Her eating has gotten much better and she has conquered bread, mandarin oranges, pears, hard boiled eggs, graham crackers, goldfish, chicken noodle soup, etc. Our little girl is growing up!

I have been taking pictures like crazy and will try to update with some new ones soon.