Mother's Helper

Marianna was so excited to help me give Daniella a bath today. I was actually quite surprised at how smoothly it went and how good she was at it...

I didn't even have to tell her to get under baby sisters arms...she knew to do that herself!

A clean and content baby Daniella...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I spent Saturday getting the tree together with all the base ornaments and all the ones out on the couch that Marianna could hang (all the fun ones!)

When she woke up from her nap, she was so excited to run downstairs and check them all out!

This is her running like Sparty and examining all the ornaments...

Decorating the playroom!! Every year, putting jellies (Marianna calls them jellyfish) and stickers on the window is always good for a lot of entertainment!

After a bath, it was time to start hanging the ornaments. Marianna must have told DJ and I twenty times how much fun this was. She was running back and forth getting ornaments, putting them on, changing them around and just being very silly!

Our Christmas tree is ready and Marianna is giving it a hug goodnight!

I Love You, Baby Sister!

I am starting to notice how the second child gets the short end of the stick when it comes to picture taking. I have thousands of pictures of Marianna from her early days and a couple of Daniella... Not wanting to forget what she looks like at 3 weeks, here are some (ok, one) of her and some of her and her big sister...But again, mainly of big sister, Marianna. Sorry, Daniella :)


Marianna is constantly asking..."can I give baby sister a hug??" I have to monitor so she doesn't crack Daniella's ribs with all her lovin'...

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year....

Thanksgiving at Demi's was, as usual, wonderful! The baby got passed around (awesome for me :) and Marianna (who is AGAIN...sick with a cold) had so much fun with her cousins and playing with Cooper...

Why do kids love Blue Moon ice cream??

Our future babysitter, Paul...and Marianna's cousins,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Life of the Party

We celebrated Thanksgiving morning with Mimosa's and watching the parade. Daniella spent 3 hours on the diaper changing table amidst all the chaos that our mornings usually entail...perfectly still. She is a very peaceful sleeper as you can see and takes long power naps...(thankfully!)


I threw in this solo bathtime picture from the morning that probably got her ready for her power nap...In looking at it, I am sure that I have an identical picture of Marianna somewhere..they look so much alike!

Our Godson, Will

The Rikers came over last sunday to see Daniella and we got to see Will...Boy, has he grown! How cute is he??

DJ and I aren't the only ones in love with Will...as you can see...I have several pictures of Marianna snuggling up to Will, playing with him, handing him toys and giving hugs and kisses.
(I think this is what she expected her baby sister to come out like and be a lot more fun than she is....)

Having fun or a little crush??

Daniella Diane Becharas...Happy Birthday!!

If you knew how many pictures I have of Daniella's first few days, you would understand while it has taken so long to get them up on the computer.
Today, is Daniella's one week birthday and things are going great at the Becharas home. We think she looks a lot like her big sister, Marianna, but that is where the similarity stops. Daniella is a very quiet baby, she loves to sleep...so much so we usually have to wake her up for feedings during the night. She is a great nurser...and loves a paci! She doesn't cry much...yet... that might change but hopefully this is just the chill baby we have been waiting for :)
Marianna is doing great as a big sister. She has a lot of interest in "baby sister"...runs to her first thing in the morning, loves to give kisses and hold her. She is learning to be gentle with her and is a great helper! I couldn't have asked for a better transition home actually. We are a little surprised as we expected some regression with her.
Here she is...


Daniella's stats: 7lbs and 20 inches, born at 38 weeks and 2 days on November 5 at 7:38 in the evening. (mom had a great, short labor and an easy delivery, thankfully!!)

This is how Daniella loves to sleep, even a week later. No swaddle...She loves her hands too much and gets upset if they are hidden in her clothes.

Grandpa Stanczyk...

Proud Dad...

So peaceful...she had to wear the hat because she had a hard time regulating her body temp after delivery.

A visit from YiaYia and Papou...

The best OBGYN ever...Dr. Matoian! We love her!

Daniella's most alert time is early in the morning...

A visit from Uncle Nick and Thea Stephanie at the hospital..

Thea Demi, Thea Demi and Diana...

Here is Marianna's first visit with her baby sister...She was so excited and loved to tickle her.

Opening a present from baby sister to Marianna...A zoo!

Thank you baby sister!

A little unsure about holding her yet...Marianna is also confused as to why Daniella doesn't talk back to her because of the long conversations she would have with my belly! ;)

When we came home, Marianna was outside and couldn't wait to give her a kiss! Grandma and Grandpa stayed with her while I was in the hospital and were a huge help as usual!

Some pictures from home...

Thea Michele, Nicky, Maria and Alec came to visit on Sunday...

And that is it from our first days! I am sure there will be more to come if we could get her to stop sleeping!