Up and running...

Well, we have finally figured out how to use this site...and we are so excited to be able to share it with our friends and family. Once we get it established it will be quite easy for us to access and update, and for you all to enjoy!





Sheniah is growing like crazy...really enjoying middle school this year and loves playing soccer, basketball and karate.







Here she is with David at her first soccer game this season...they lost, but she had fun all the same!














And of course, on September 3, 2007 we added to our family with the birth of our little man, Michael. He is so adorable (I am not biased at all!) and already growing like crazy. We go to the Dr. again on Tuesday for his 2 month check-up (and shots...YIKES) so I will let everyone know how big he has gotten.

Here is his story...

We found out we were pregnant in January, two days after the birth of his cousin, Wesley. It was a very exciting time for all of us. Sheniah was extremely excited to have a baby brother or sister that lives with her.



In April of 2007 we were able to get a "level 2" ultrasound...the pictures were amazing as you see!





He was already trying to suck his thumb!








After a long and exhausting labor that he will never live down (haha), we welcomed him into the world. It was September 3, 2007 (Labor Day!). He was born at 2:07 pm, weighed 6lbs 2oz and was 19" long. He was so small and so adorable - absolutely worth the work and the wait!









Proud papa!













Excited sister!











Tired momma!!









"Oooooh...he's soooo cute!!"

I am so thrilled my mom was here for his birth. As most of you know, the end of my pregnancy presented several complications that eventually required my being on strict bed rest. Sheniah had just gotten home from spending the summer with her daddy, so mom whisked across the country to take care of her (running to soccer practice, school, karate, etc) and me (foot massages, meal preparations, house stuff, comic relief, etc)! I don't know how we could have gotten by without her. Fortunately she was still here when the little man made his appearance! She was such a blessing in the delivery room...helping to keep me focused and calm David, and was able to spend the first few days of his life here with him (and at our house cleaning the couch!!! haha)


Here is his first meeting with a pediatrician, Dr. Mah. I am told that Dr. Mah spent a lot of time with Michael...talking to him, cooing him and trying to soothe him as he did his thorough exam. He, and all of Michael's Dr.'s have been incredible throughout his extended stay in the hospital and afterwards. I feel fortunate to have such a competent and caring team on his side.






As mentioned above, Michael had an extended stay in the hospital due to a large hematoma that formed on the back of his head from the vaccuum used to help deliver him. This is him "tanning" in the bilirubin lights used to help bring down his jaundice.






Although we were suppose to leave him in the lights as much as possible, it was difficult not to hold him whenever we wanted to. Here he is taking a tanning break on daddy's chest. This is one of our favorite pictures of him!








Here is Michael again, probably praying he gets to go home soon! I know I was...












Getting ready to go home...the first time...








After five loooong days in the hospital, we finally got his bilirubin levels low enough to take him home. This is his first time in the carseat! The passie covers half his little face!








Here's daddy and the little man coming into the house for the first time!










Here he is getting some natural sunlight in our backyard...I can Hardly remember now when he would sleep that well!










Sleeping like a champ again in the most beautiful cradle. This was a gift from my cousin Kerry that her husband, Mike, made for us. It is sure to become a family heirloom.

The tube you see is the blanket bilirubin lights we had to keep him on at home.

And then we got the bad news...his levels had increased again, so...

Back to the hospital we went!


Here is daddy giving Michael a bottle.

Still hangin' out at the hospital.

Finally, after 5 more days in the hospital, we got to take our little man home for good. It was long overdue, as was...

His 1st bath!

He really loves bath time - the only time he gets upset is when it is time to get out!

But bathtime sure can be tiring!

Since coming home we've done lot's of fun things like going to Yaya's (Greek for grandma - David's mom), visiting Aunt Alison, Uncle Brandon, Cousins Maria and Wesley, meeting daddy for lunch, watching Sheniah at soccer practice and karate and...

even going to his first ever soccer game!

But we still spend most of our time at home.

Michael's favorite time is when he gets to play with his very cool "Little Einstein" floor gym that was a gift from Yaya.

And of course, swinging!

And chatting with his big sister!

Sheniah has been wonderful with him. She really loves him and is truly excited to spend time with him. She has also been very helpful around the house, even making dinner and doing laundry every now and then!

So, that is the beginning! I am sure the posts will get shorter with time, but we had a lot of catching up to do! Thanks for visiting our blog and check back for more updates!