Seven Year Old Saturday

When I realized it's been almost a month since I last posted any pictures, I figured I better put some on here so I don't get too far behind. It's seems January just flew on by for my family. I've taken hundreds of pics of the kids, birthday parties, and my newest nephew's baptism but have yet to share!

I thought we'd get back in the swing of things with pics of my beautiful seven year old! She really is such a joy to her daddy and I! She just got her report card last week and we couldn't be prouder of her all O's(outstandings) which is not an easy feat in her advanced/enrichment first grade class! She has been working so hard and is doing so well! She is still going to Daisy Scouts, ballet, and Religious Ed. She's keeping this Mom's taxi very busy! She absolutely loves all of her cousins and loves holding and loving on her newest baby Lucas! She loves to play with her barbies, play her guitar, ride her scooter and bike, and even plays ninja with her little brother. She loves to wear dangly earring, lip gloss, and have her nails painted. She is starting to care about what she wears and picking out her outfits...oh my! I don't think Damian and I are ready for that yet! She actually wanted to try on a shirt in a dressing room last week to make sure it fit! We just went a couple of weeks ago to get pedicures and that girl loves getting her nails and toes done! She is definitely my girly girl!! She still loves to read and is reading chapter books and asking all kinds of questions! Although our hour commute in the morning isn't always fun and the drive can be a pain, I enjoy that time I get to spend with Emma. It's so nice to talk with her, make up silly games, sing songs, and just be together. While I miss the days where she relied on me for everything, I am enjoying this independent seven year old so much!!

We're looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend. We're heading out to Target and to run a few other errands, then to Chuck E. Cheese with some friends. I'm hoping to sneak in a date with Damian since tomorrow is the 13th anniversary of our first date & the 11th anniversary of our engagement! Where have the years gone?!!

Happy Saturday!!

a day at the park

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned Damian, the kids, and I spent the day at Hillsborough River State Park. We had the best day enjoying the great outdoors! The park has two playgrounds, a suspension bridge, nature trails that run along the river, canoeing, and picnic areas. We can't wait to go back and have a picnic lunch soon.

It started off pretty chilly in the morning and ended up being a beautiful day!

The kids had to start off with some fun on the playground...

Then we headed to the bridge!
What a view...

After going on a trail, we stopped at the other playground and the kids rode their bikes!

Damian set the camera on some rocks and we managed to get one pic of the four of us!

The kids (and Damian) loved this big tree trunk!

newest addition

Thursday, January 12th was a very eventful day for my family!! My little sis Brooke and her husband Sean welcomed their third child Lucas Albert into the world.

It was a very long day!! I spent most of the morning and afternoon with Emma and Max just waiting. Emma wasn't feeling very well and I took care of her little stomach bug and was on pins and needles throughout the rest of the day. After my dad got home from work we headed to dinner and then to the hospital. We figured we had a little time but didn't waste too much because my sister has a history of very fast deliveries! She progressed very well throughout the evening and after a very good epidural her water was broken around 8:30 p.m. or so. She really wanted to have him on the 12th and not Friday the 13th. She also liked the idea of 1-12-12 as his birthday. His big sister's birthday is 3-8-08!!

I was so honored that Brooke and Sean asked me if I would like to be present for Lucas' birth. Let me tell you...it was the most amazing thing ever! I cannot even describe the excitement and energy in the room. It is something I will never forget. Having my own children were two of the best days of my life and watching my sister give birth simply took my breath away! It is so neat to truly witness a miracle!

Like I mentioned before, my sister was bound and determined to have that baby boy on January 12th. At around 11:30 p.m. we kind of figured it wasn't going to happen. But then, at 11:55 p.m. she called her awesome nurse, Joan to her room and told her she felt a lot of pressure. She checked her and called Dr. Hartman to come to the room. It was like a covert operation. I have never seen people move so fast in my life. At 11:57 p.m. Dr. Hartman said she was ready to push and at 11:59 p.m. Lucas Albert entered the world weighing in at 7 lbs. 1 oz and measuring 19.5 in. long. He had a full head of black hair and looked a lot like his daddy and big sister Allie! I got some amazing pics of right after he was born. (which I won't be sharing on here!!)

While the nurse was checking him out she noticed he was grunting. They decided to take him to the nursery for observation. Big brother Noah had to spend some time in the NICU because of his fast breathing and it looks like Lucas was following in his brother's footsteps. They did a chest x-ray and found that he also had a collapsed lung. I talked to my sis a few times yesterday and after last night's report Lucas is doing well. His lung is healed after receiving oxygen. He is still breathing fast but had some medication and is doing pretty well. It seems he is a fiesty little guy. We're all hoping he will be home in the next couple of days. He has a big sister and big brother who can't wait to love on him...not to mention his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins too!!

Here are just a few of my pics from the hospital:

I'm so excited sweet Lucas is part of our family! I just love being an aunt!!