Peak A Boo with Gymbo

We discovered Daniella's first belly laughs last night as I was imitating her coughing while she was in my arms. DJ and I both melted...it was so cute. I wish I would have had my flip to record it. I was simply enjoying the moment.
Today, we were trying again to get those belly laughs and although we came close...not quite the same as Saturday night. Here is her getting a kick out of peak a boo with Gymbo the clown.

A Beautiful Friendship

Daniella at 15 weeks...taking a break from tummy time....

Daniella three favorite activites are, in this order...1. Rainforest Bouncer 2. Jumperoo 3. Exersaucer ...we have been doing a solid rotation between those three and of course, the Gymnini. She is grabbing at toys and using her knees in the bouncer to make music, using her legs to bounce and spin in the bouncer, and making music and tugging at links in the exersaucer. Thank goodness now we have some more options to occupy her activity time!

This has been winter break for Marianna and she has been home all week...sick. It has not been easy for Me, DJ or our babysitter, Laura. After a 2 1/2 hour wait at the Pediatricians office yesterday (no food, no drink, no toys...no joke!) because Marianna was a coughing, hacking, runny nosed hot mess, I learned that she had a viral infection...Thanks, Dr. Dave. Saturday, DJ and I were forced to medicate her (whole other story there...) and thankfully, today, she is more comfortable!
A day later, on the mend...
Here is big sis, Marianna, finally able to hold sister without dropping her...

and introducing her to Dora the Explorer during tummy time....(check out her bald spot! Thanks "back to sleep" campaign.)

Some hugs....so happy to have a friend to watch her favorite show with! (I have a feeling Daniella will be one of those kids watching Hannah Montana at an early age...thanks to having an older sister!)

"Sister, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"

Cousins: Jack and Shannon

I can't believe that I never posted these pictures of Jack and Shannons visit from over the Christmas holidays!! There is a ton of pictures here, as there were to sort through, but it brought back a lot of memories of the great time we (especially Marianna!) had...

We got a great snowfall and the kids were really excited to test out our little sledding hill and make snow angels...

Ms. Rosy Red Cheeks...

We had a trip over to see Great Grandpa Joe and here is my aunt Jan meeting baby Daniella for the first time...

Grandpa Joe, Grace and the kids...

Marianna had to sneak in another picture with her cousins and Grandpa...

The first night they came to Michigan, we went to a party over at the Hatchers (my parents good friends) and all the kids that I grew up with, are now grown up, and all over our kids played so great together....Wino Generation #3:

The girls and L.L. Cool J (Ladies Love Jack)

My sister meeting Daniella for the first time...

Over to our house the next day to open more presents...

Marianna loved the Zhu Zhu pet!

A picture is worth a thousand words!

More pictures from sledding...

Down our hill in the backyard...

What a great time they had!

We loved our visit from Jack and Shannon and cannot wait until April to see them in a warmer climate!!

Cousins: Paul, Con, and Diana

I was going through old pictures and wanted to post some pictures that I took over the holidays of Marianna and Daniella's cousins...Marianna especially loves looking at these pictures when we are on the computer...so I thought I would add them to my blog :)

Happy Valentines Day....Elmo

Twas the day before Valentines Day.....
Marianna has rediscovered her Thomas the train set and I have been soooo happy to oblige by creating awesome tracks in the basement....(I seriously LOVE creating these!!!)
Marianna the OCD child...has set up all the trains in a row on the track....

Valentines day morning, Marianna was up and at 'em early because she knew she had "special presents" waiting for her downstairs...

Of course, Pez was the big hit!

Marianna got a little stuffed elephant (aka: little pinky) and gave Daniella the crocodile...

which she loved....and into her mouth to try it out....

My girls on the big heart pillow that I knew would be a big hit!

And in the morning we headed out to the Fox to see the latest Sesame Street Live...Elmo's Green Thumb!

Marianna was all about it this year!

They put on a great show and Marianna referred to them as her "Sesame Street Friends" greeting them all by name when they came on stage...

This is how she was for the first half...and a little popcorn, was a BIG treat!

Daniella was really into the show...HA! (she actually was awake until intermission and never made one peep!)

After intermission, the family sitting next to us took off and left the row open for Marianna to dance and she had quite an audience!

The show ended with a BANG!

I thought we were going to get without having to buy the $10 Elmo balloon...but no such luck!

Daniella is starting to fit into Marianna's old 3-6 month clothes...her she is in Marianna's 2007 Christmas day outfit...super cute!

There is no better way to celebrate Valentines day other than with everyone you love. What a wonderful day!