Happy New Year!

2008 was such a blessed year for us! We are looking forward to the new year more than ever because it means many more "firsts" for Vanessa...don't worry, I'm sure we won't be shy with making sure we share every last one of them via this blog!

Hoping 2008 was good to you and wishing you many happy blessings in 2009!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Is there anything better than celebrating a FIRST Christmas??!! We've had a couple of long days with lots of family and couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the holidays. If we were worried about Vanessa being in too much of a "shell" by being with mommy & daddy too much, well the last two days certainly broke the shell. Our little munchkin did very well flashing her gummy smile and babbling to anyone and everyone who'd pay attention. We can only imagine how much more fun the holidays will be as she gets older. Hoping everyone had a very merry Christmas!!

wrapping paper is fun!

playing with Aunt Toria's doll....hey, wait a minute that's a KEN doll. No boys till your 30!

Shhh....LISTEN!

...if you listen, you'll hear the sweetest words ever spoken ;-)

a week with Oma

Last week Vanessa (and us of course) got to spend a great week with Juan's mom, or "Oma" as referred to around here (Dutch for "grandma"). Vanessa was full of smiles and we think she made Oma fall in love with her the instant she showed her first gummy smile! We can't wait to see her again - we're hoping next time will be in Orlando so we can also finally meet Tio Peter, Tia Marjorie and of course Samuel and Joshua!!

Waiting for Oma to come

Lot's to be thankful for!

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We personally have lots to be thankful for this year and loved having Vanessa spend time with the whole family. 6 months already - wow! You parents weren't kidding when you said it goes by fast...yesterday she was swaddled in her bassinet, today she's sitting like a big girl and lunging for toys, tomorrow....riding a bike???