Bella's Baptism

One of the very exciting things we got to do while visiting Florida was attend the baptism of Bella Grace--Joe & Traci's adorable little girl. As you can see from the picture below, they had a wonderful gathering of family present for the special occasion. We're so glad we could be there to help celebrate Bella!
She was baptized at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Oviedo--we love this church--it's beautiful and the masses are great. We *hope* to have #2 baptized there sometime in the early part of 2011! Brittany & Mike are up to bat this go around as God Parents!
Lola played ring-around-the-rosie with the Holy Family before the service started.
"Hi Joseph" she's saying.
The very pround Grandmas.
John with the adorable Dexter.
Me and baby girl.
I love this one--all three kiddos with their sippys.
Great shot of Traci's Grandmother (Bella) and Aunt Janis.
Clark & Lola getting in on the action.
Beautiful smiles from Mommy & Godmommy. Traci's sister Tiffany was positively beaming all day long. She was so proud to be the Godmother, you could just tell by her expression.
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The DiTore's, The Deacon and the proud Godparents, Tiffany & Rich.
Us & #2!
The Dynamic DiTore Duo.
Ah, and finally, Lola with her love...Uncle Mikey.

Cousin Caiden

My second-cousin Sue came over yesterday with her adorable boy Caiden. Caiden was born 8 weeks early and very fittingly, his name means "little fighter" in Gaelic. He's such a happy boy--I don't think I heard him fuss once in the few hours they were here! And talk about cute...oh my! Lola had fun playing with him and Sue and I definitely enjoyed catching up. Hopefully we'll get to hit the pool together in a few weeks. Summer is great!

Lola giving sweet hugs.
Caiden has Mommy's big, beautiful brown eyes :)

14.5 weeks

Quick update on Baby #2--I went to the doc for a check-up today and heard the beautiful heartbeat. I have another ultrasound scheduled in two weeks--and we may know the sex by then. I had an ultrasound at 16 weeks with Lola and they were able to tell me then that they were 95% certain it was a girl (and confirmed it at the BIG ultrasound a few weeks later). So who knows, we may have some really big news to share in just two more weeks! I'm really thinking BOY. We'll see...

"Fireworks!"

We spent a great day up at the lake on the 3rd. They always do the fireworks on the 3rd--I haven't seen them from the water in years, so it was exciting to be able to do it this year. Fireworks were going off in the neighborhood as we were relaxing on the lawn--so we told Lola what they were. Well, it didn't take us telling her more than once--everytime she heard one, she'd say "Fireworks!"--so we knew she'd be very excited about the real show later that night. Oh, did she LOVE it! She would alternate between "Fireworks!" and "Big One!" after each explosion.

After spending the day under the sun on the boat, we came in for an awesome BBQ dinner of filets, potatoes and corn, compliments of my grillmaster brother. Then we all piled into the boat and headed out at sunset towards the end of the lake where the show was set off from. The lake provides a really neat canyon effect and each boom was accompanied by a cool echo. Now that we know she loves it, we'll be making it an annual tradition.
Neading a little shade after alot of sun.


Dinnertime.
Lola made a MESS with her corn and Papa was sweet enough to clean it all up so I could finish my dinner :)

Our trio. John said I have to come up with a new name now since we're adding a fourth to our group!

Student & Teacher.


Love.

FLW masterpiece, just a few doors down.
Awesome hair-do.
Patriotic pride.

The colors of the sunset were beautiful. The sky blended into several different shades.

My best attempt at capture a firework in action. All the lights on the water are the boats.

Big Girl Bed

Huge thanks to Grammy for Lola's Big Girl Bed--an early birthday present! Mom knew I've had my eye on this bed for sometime, so we went out to Ikea to get it for her today. John did the hardwork and put it all together--and I put the finishing touches on. The bedding was a last minute find as we were headed to the check-out, but I just love how it all looks. I was a little worried that the finish would clash with her antique white dresser but it looks great!

Lola couldn't wait to get in her bed after watching Daddy put it together!



Hopefully the little monkey won't be doing too much of this!

Happy 4th of July, Baby!

Mommy & Baby, 14 weeks!

Team Reading

"Llama Llama Mad at Mama" is by far Lola's favorite book! It's a cute, rhyming story about a toddler who doesn't want to go shopping with his Mama at Shop-o-Rama on a sunny Saturday morning. We were reading it on the plane ride home yesterday and Lola finished each sentence with the correct word--I know alot of kids memorize their favorite stories, but I was still shocked! She was even able to "read" some of the sight words we've been working on. I can't wait for the day when she can pick a book off the shelf and read it to herself--and discover the adventure!