While Anna sleeps...

Mama packs away newborn clothes (*tear*)

Sydney chews on her toys...

And Daddy takes an outside shower in the rain water coming from the gutter during a thunderstorm.

New York

We originally had a 7:15 pm flight from NC to NY, but decided to go on standby for the 6:23 am flight...that's why we look so out of sorts. We all had to get up at 5 and eat, pack the car, and make it through the airport. Luckily we got on the early flight and had a whole extra day to spend with the family.

Things to note for next flight: Anna needs a boarding pass.

We got to see all sorts of family while in NY. We stayed at Greg's parents house each evening and then drove all over the island each day. Thursday and Friday we just hung out in St.James and had some much needed relaxing time. On Friday evening we had a delicious BBQ at Aunt Anny & Uncle Bobby's house where we got to spend time with the whole Bishop family and Grandpa. Cousin Bryan came all the way from Florida to visit with Anna, what a treat!

On Saturday we headed out east for my cousins graduation party from HS. In the am we visited with the Both family and even got to see cousin Casey. Aunt Lynne and Uncle Jim also came down from Buffalo to see Anna and visit with family. At the graduation party Anna got to meet the Lemmen family and see her GGma and GGpop again.

Sunday was super busy! We headed out eat again for church and met more friends and family. She was a hit! Sunday evening we had another bash at Nanny and Nonny's house where Anna met Nonny's family for the first time. What an eventful day, and she still made it to bed on time!

Monday and Tuesday we did some more relaxing and visited with some of Daddy's friends.

Here are some family photos from the trip....

Nanny giving Anna her night-night bottle

Pop, Aunt Lynne & Uncle Kev trying to pose for a pic

Anna & Grandpa (her Great-grandpa)


Anna & Auntie--Kay

Not pictured: Anna getting her night-night books read by Nonny, Auntie-Kay & Matt, bathed by Aunt Anny, Nanny & Auntie-Kay, & many other events (Mama just couldn't keep up!)

Overall, it was a great first plane trip to NY. We're happy to be back at home and start enjoying our summer vacation together.

Part 2 & 3

Anna with Daddy on beach day - matching bathing suits!
(Anna's suit, $1 from dollar tree, yeah!)

Monday's bag: Skittles, McD's card for lunch while cleaning pools, coupon for one day of weeding, family activity: new DVD to watch (not really for Anna, but quiet time for Mama and Daddy), new picture of Anna to hang on rear view mirror

Tuesday's bag: Reese's cups, Chick-Fil-A card for lunch (trying to fatten Greg up?), coupon for a batch of cookies, family activity: out for ice cream after dinner, new picture of Anna to hang on rear view mirror

Father's Day - Part 1

Anna woke up early this morning because she knew it was Daddy's Day! We gave Daddy's his card and then lined up all his happy bags. He opened today's bag and....

It's beach day! Daddy is spending the day at the beach with Mama, Anna, Gram, Pop & maybe Sydney. While driving to the beach he has a picture to hang on the rear view mirror. At the beach Daddy has a surfing magazine to relax with and a yummy candy bar to enjoy. There's also a coupon from Mommy good for a complete car wash, inside and out. Tonight we will all sit down to a delicious steak dinner on the grill complete with grilled vegetables, baked potatoes and a homemade lemon ice box cake for dessert. Stay tuned for Monday's bag...

Happy 1st Father's Day!

Dancing with Daddy

Shhh....

I know Greg doesn't check the blog so I'm going to divulge our fathers day plan...shhhhh. Anna and I are making Daddy happy bags for the next 5 days. We are going to stuff each bag with treats and notes for him while he's at work and a special family activity for each evening when he gets home. Stay tuned to find out what each day brings....

First Barnes and Noble Trip

These are the books Anna picked out at Barnes and Noble last night. She's got some good taste. Last night we read Hands hands, Fingers Thumbs, we thought that was appropriate for her newest craze. We'll see what one she picks tonight....

I'm SO Big

Sorry it's been so long since we've blogged. Mama broke the camera and though I know we can still blog sans pictures but it just not as fun. So here is what's new with Miss Anna (Banana who lives in a Cabana...anyone have a word that starts with "D" and rhymes with Anna?) Anna had her first time with sitters for the past 2 weeks. She was able to spend some quality time with Gram for 5 days and then Pop for 2. They had so much fun! Then Anna went to Miss Torrey's house for 4 days and played with her two little boys. So much fun!

What a big bugger she is now, growing like a weed. About 2 weeks ago she began consistently sleeping through the night. She goes to bed between 8 - 8:30 and wakes sometime around 6. When I went back to work we needed to wake her at 5:30 to feed and leave the house by 6:15 and it was just so hard to wake that little princess from a deep sleep. I think she's forgiven us now. She's holding her chest and head up pretty well during tummy time. We're still waiting for the roll-over to come though.

The newest craze is...HER HANDS! She's not too interested in looking at them but more so EATING them. Both hands are consistently shoved in her mouth. The other morning Greg and I stayed in bed and listened to her ferociously suck on her hands while we just laughed. She was content for a long time until we decided that it was time to actually feed her. She has also been more consistent with finding her thumb to soothe herself during nap time. I'm a little concerned about the whole thumb sucking business but will ask the pediatrician about it next time we go.

We went to the beach the other day and Anna had such a fun time kicking her feet in the water. We watched Daddy swim while the waves crashed on our feet. She also liked getting her feat buried in the sand after the water washed away. After all that fun she took a nice nap on Mama while we had dinner with the sunset.

Bath time is her favorite part of the day. Daddy started dripping water over her face...here's what she thinks of that.....

And today is our official first day of summer vacation together! The classrooms are all cleaned and locked up and we're not stepping foot into them until Aug 18th! Not too sure about what we're going to do during the days since we're already in the high 90's with the heat index extending well into the 100's. Not the best weather for a little baby and black bomber. Daddy is working this summer but Mama and Anna will spend our days together and then spend family time at night when Daddy gets home.

Once I can capture a hand-in-mouth picture I'll post it.

Who do I look like?

Do I look like Daddy or Mommy?

10 Weeks Old

Well my 10 weeks of maternity leave were up today, just as my little baby turned 10 weeks old! What a morning it was. Luckily Grandma is watching Anna all week as I go back to work. I didn't know I had that many tears in me. Cried the whole drive up to Mom's, all at mom's, all the way to school and then at school....stopped myself just as the kids were about to enter the room. A MESS! Mom texted me often.... "Smiling and happy"....."xoxoxoxox full, dry & sleeping". As soon as that bell rang it was out the door for me! Raced to Mom's to get my little darling. And now....as I write this, I have to gear up to do it all again tomorrow. UGH!

On a lighter note, we had a GREAT Memorial Day weekend. Aunt Aimee came down to visit. We went to the beach, hung out with family and ate great food. Here's Anna at the beach...

Getting ready to end a great weekend and looking forward to an even bigger family get together in June when we venture to LI

My First Birthday Party

Over the weekend Anna attended her first birthday party for her friend Maly. Maly turned 2! Maly's mom and I teacher across the hall from each other. Turns out, Misty (Maly's mom) and I were pregnant at the same time, me with my first and her with her second, and the babies were born within 2 days of each other. Now Anna has a little newborn friend, Elli.

Here's Maly with her super yummy birthday cake.

And here's the party pooper....slept through the whole party! Oh well! Mama enjoyed the cake for her...yum!