Playing!!!

Today was a great day! LP slept a total of 11 hours last night...with 1/2 hour of feeding at 5:30am! He woke up this morning at 9am smiling and so happy.. It started snowing early, so daddy got packed and headed to the airport, en route to Houston, TX and mommy dropped LP off at grandma's and went to the gym! Michael took a 4 hour nap, 3-7pm, and he just fell asleep again.. I am a little nervous for tonight, maybe I should wake him....

Anyway, today was the first day he reached out for a toy, grabbed it and brought it to his mouth, it was a yellow ring, he didn't quite know what to make of it, he was cute...

Ralph and I have decided to go to Phoenix, AZ next week. Ralph will be working, so LP and I will relax in the sun (hopefully it will be sunny and warm). We have good friends there, Steve and Nichole, who we have not seen in a while, so we are really looking forward to this little trip...hopefully he will be good on the plane again!

little Michael in his crib with all his stuffed animals, so sweet! He LOVES his musical mobile!

I tried to upload 2 videos...but I couldn't figure it out, they are cute, I am going to keep working on it!

1st Family Vacation- Sunny California!!

Our first family vacation was to Southern California to see all our friends! We moved from So Cal Sept of 2006 and had only been there for a few hours in 2007 when we were driving from Seattle to Florida. As soon as we landed, we remembered why we love it there. It is January, yet the sun was shining and we were able to wear t-shirts and our flip flops. The first day we went to the beach and this was the first time Michael did not have to wear his bundle me! Everyday was filled with seeing friends and lots of relaxing/walking and sightseeing. Ralph and I both said this was one of our best vacations ever!!!

We left for Newport Beach on my birthday, Jan 10th! Michael was such a good little boy on the flights. His first flight was JFK-SLC. He pretty much slept, played and ate. The captain let us sit in the cockpit and take some pics, and Michael received a first flight certificate! It was really exciting.

Daddy buckled me in and gave me his headphones...Maybe I'll be a frequent flyer one day!

Having fun in the cockpit!

The pilots were so cool- explaining all the controls and talking about their families...they both have Michaels...
(As my neighbor said- "Everyone needs a Michael")

Visiting Fashion Island

daddy, Michale and the coy fish!

The chair is too big for me, daddy!

A great day to be outside!

Mommy and LP- loving the warm weather

Ralph and Avrum playing at the fountain

playing hide and go seek around the tree with Avee!

Bath time and the hotel!

oh, bath time under the little waterfall!

all bundled up after my bath...such a little peanut

grabbing onto daddy's shirt while we are on one of our many walks!

Nap time!

more naps!!!

Newport Beach!

Avee running in the sand

First time in the Pacific Ocean!- oh, it was cold!

so sweet!

Our great friend Denise!! We had such a blast together! Denise and Alex threw me a birthday party the day we arrived! All our friends came and it was so nice to see everyone and catch up!

Avee in the sand! One day this will be our little guy!

Alex and Avee walking out to the sunset

Such a warm, beautiful day- so many surfers were out!

Look everyone, I am learning how to hold my bottle!

Walking in Balboa Island

Our little surfer boy!

Beautiful Laguna Beach

Our little guy- napping again!

Another sweet pic!

Huntington Beach- so cold today!

me, Michael, Feather, Keaton, Nolan, Jay and Ralph!

Little Keaton and Michael are about 2 weeks apart!

Andrew and Michael

Already practicing surfing!

Our last day here- Corona del Mar Beach

This is a beach we didn't even know existed- our friend Steve brought us here and we walked for a few hours enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery!

Our little family!!! Lucky us!!!

Thanks to all our friends, we really enjoyed seeing everyone and we hope to see you all soon! Come visit NY!

Ist pics of the new year!

So cozy!

I'm watching you!

I don't know why, but I am so comfortable like this!

Mommy and Michael

Burr, it's cold...

1st snow- Michael's Christmas trees in front of the house! So pretty with the snow!

Daddy and Michael- so sweet!

New Years Eve 2010!!!

We had a great New Years! Ralph and I had dinner with friends and a movie. We were home by 11pm, just in time to ring in the New Year with our little guy!

Happy New Year Sweet Pea!

Catching up!!!

Time goes even faster when you have a little one... quick catch up- Michael now weighs 9 lbs, 15 oz and he is 23 in long. Dr. Desanto is very happy with his growth and says "he is perfect" (we already knew that :) ).

Michael received his first immunizations last week, Ralph and I had many discussions about that. Dr. Desanto answered all our questions. Little pea just cried for about 15 sec, then was fine.

He is becoming such a good sleeper. He falls asleep about midnight or so, and sleeps till 7:30ish almost every morning. A few days ago, he slept till 8:30, I got out of bed to make sure he was still breathing! He takes a long 4-5 hour nap during the day, and little cat naps in between.
I am still nursing and pumping and also supplementing with formula a little each day. It's working for all of us, but it is a lot of work to do all three! I feel like I live at the sink with all the bottle washing!

Ralph has been home from work for 2 weeks now. It has been so nice having the extra hands and they are just so cute together "man time" Ralph calls it. I love knowing I can leave for a few hours and Ralph has everything under control. Life is good.

I started going back to work about 2 weeks ago, 2-3 days/week. I thought I was going to hate it, but, to tell the truth, I am very much enjoying being back at work. I worked only 4-6 hours each day. My plan is to continue 2-3 days a week, about 6 hours. It is nice to get out of the house, I know Michael is in good hands, whether with Ralph or my mom and I feel like I am contributing again.

We had a great New Years! We were all up and watched the ball drop in NYC!
In a few days we are heading to Southern Cali to see friends and enjoy some warm weather! We can't wait! Michael's first vacation!
The New Year is starting off great! Happy 2010!

It's Christmas Time!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

We really had the best Christmas ever. We were able to spend a lot of time with our family, many who had not yet met little Michael. Michael received lots of toys and clothes for Christmas. Every toy makes some sort of noise...I see our future being full of songs and sounds! (Can't wait!)

Our cousin Kamala and her sons, Ern and Aaron came up to stay with us. Kamala made me a beautiful scrapbook of my pregnancy. The book is the best gift ever, she captured all the important milestones and I LOVE it!!!

Kim and Rob came down from VT. Even though it was a short visit, it was the best seeing them for Christmas!
and of course, we got all 3 babies together! the highlight of the day!

Lots of pictures ahead!!!

Michael sleeping Christmas Morning

Cousin Heather had a little onesie made that says Sweet Michael, I love it!!


Cousin Cameron- 1 1/2 yrs old

Cousin Michael- 4 yrs old

mom and little pea

Proud new parents!

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma with James, Michael and Juliana

The Zdral Family!

All of our cousins, Aunts, Uncles, parents, brothers, sisters and babies!!!

James, Michael and Juliana in Christmas boxes.
They really didn't like the boxes, but we just had to get the pictures!

I think they are a little more comfortable here!
They are holding each other up in the chair, so cute!!!!

Juliana, Michael and James

Santa surprised Kim and Rob with The Tree of Life

Santa also brought stained glass for Ralph, a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired piece.
We can't wait to hang it!

Our Newlyweds!!! Kim and Rob!!!!

Little Pea in his 1st box of the day! not a happy camper here!

What a great pic of our little present under the big Smith tree!

ok, maybe it is not so bad in the box...

I will not do this next year...

The Michele Family!

Christmas morning at home with mom, Kamala, Ern and Aaron

Aaron and Michael

The Smith Family!

Yeah, I am having a great Christmas!!!

Kim and I

Michael and Michael! I am so happy big Michael loves little Michael. They are going to be best buds!

Little Pea loved playing with Kamala and Ern and Aaron. He smiled so much. It is so amazing to see the changes in him just after 2 months

Dad and Little Pea, winding down from a very busy few days!

Merry Christmas!!!!