Rockin' the piggy-tails!

Houston, we have pig-tails

Preschool! Preschool!

Today marked a milestone. The first day of preschool! Starting today Vanessa will be going to a 2-year old preschool program (two days a week, for two hours...doesn't seem long enough for her energy). After being told by many to get out the tissues and wished good luck, I wasn't sure how the morning would go. I knew she'd love it but I didn't think it would be as easy as it really turned out to be. Tears-shmears...I mean, let's be honest, once she RAN into the room it was pretty apparent that Juan and I were clearly an afterthought. We had to practically corner her in order to get a kiss good bye. As soon as she got out of the car she started telling anyone and everyone she saw (all the other parents outside) "I'm going to preschool today!". Once the teacher said it was OK to go into the room Vanessa ran in and said "Good morning Mrs. Sue! I'm here!" The two hours seemed to fly by (for me at least) and I was thankful to have at least gotten a very big hug and a huge smile from her when she saw me there to pick her up! Once we got into the car she said..."can I go back to preschool". Now the question is: how do we bottle up this enthusiasm for going to school so we can use it if need be once she realizes just how much more school she really has??

Blah, blah, blah

looks like we may have another chatter box

Celebrating 8 years

This year marked our 8th year wedding anniversry! With two kids and busy work schedules (yes..I consider being a SAHM "work") we were in much need of a little time alone. Thanks to Grandma (Thanks again mom!) Juan and I grabbed the car and headed up to a great Inn resort in Manchester, VT and spent an amazing day/night. Seriously, is there anything better than finishing a great meal by sitting outside at a stone fire pit while downing a yummy bottle of wine and indulging in gourmet chocolates???? I didn't think so. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, it just keeps getting better! Here's a pic of "our" fire pit:

Summer fun and..... bikini's???

Wow it's been awhile, I think I've been Blog slacking this summer! Can you believe it's already August! We've kept busy this year with weekend visits with friends and lots of playdates. Our favorite pastime has become picnics at the park, these days this mom is always prepared with snacks in the cooler bag in the car just in case the spontaneous little two year old says "mommy, doesn't a picnic sound fun for right now". This little two year old is probably the only spontaneous thing in this over planned, over prepared mom's life....and it's actually pretty fun ;-) We got to spend a great weekend with Tia Susy and take her on a picnic too. She repaid us by giving Vanessa a bikini. Yes...I said bikini. Wait, make that a string bikini. For those of you who don't know, I am a bikini Nazi and spent two weeks looking for the perfect ONE PIECE that didn't show too much skin. For now the extremely cute "bathing suit" is one that we only see inside our own four walls but I had to include a photo because it is pretty stinkin cute (and hand made right from a friend in Venezuela).

A few little "words"

Roman is trying to get a word or two in between all his big sister's talking

Dr. Nikki

Last week little Miss Vanessa took her first trip to the dentist, Dr. Nikki. I braced myself for what I imagined would be a scary experience for her. Open wide, let this stranger stick these tools in your mouth, etc. To my surprise, I mean JOY, Vanessa climbed into the chair herself, sat back and opened wider than I've ever seen that little mouth go. She was perfect for it all and was showing me her teeth all day long. Too funny that little peanut! I admit I felt a bit silly sitting there cheering her on and snapping photos during the whole visit. Crazy mom or completely normal fist trip to the dentist?

Feeding Giraffes

A few months ago Vanessa asked me "what does a giraffe say Mommy?" I of course said, "Let's go ask Daddy" (code for: hmmmm...I don't have the slighted idea). The end result was of course a Google search. As a follow up to that challenge Vanessa and I headed to a nearby park - Adirondack Animal Land to find out first hand. Not only did we get to see the giraffe but also got to feed them, something Vanessa was more than thrilled to do. The park also has a pretty cool deer park area where you are free to walk amongst the deer. There had to be over 30 baby deer in there and at one point at least 6 of them were surrounding my little girl. Cute..yet also a bit nerve wracking for this over protective mom. You can tell from the pics that Vanessa found the day very cool.

Siblings

a little cuddle time anyone?

Summer means sprinklers and pool!

We love summer, we love the sprinkler and the pool! Yeah baby (as Vanessa now says). Just a few fun pics of our attempt at making the best of this nasty heat wave while spending time at Grandma & Grandpa's.

Father's Day

We think Roman didn't like hearing that he was too little to go play golf with Daddy on Father's Day (check out picture #1). Later he settled for watching it on TV.

Boston friends

This past weekend we headed out to Boston for a little time with great friends. The trip was centered around a Sunday race that I ran with Lisa, Zido and (drum roll please) Donna ;-) Donna got into running this year and I love it (I think I love to tease her about it more). Actually if it weren't for Donna I think I may have walked over the finish line this year due to a nasty case of plantar fasciitis. On Saturday we had a great day taking the kids to the Children's Museum, lunch, dinner, play time at the newly "decked" Harding house....it was time well spent for the kids and us adults! I'd like to post a pic of all the kiddies together, but just realized I never took one! Talk about mom brain.

The Zoo

While in Syracuse for Ryan's graduation we decided to take Vanessa to the zoo -- her first time at a zoo. Clearly mom was way more excited about the venture than she needed to be. Too excited to think that on an extremely hot (88 degree) and sunny day the animals might all be "hiding". Vanessa seemed bored and the lions and penquins were the only fun thing going on that day. Can't decide if it was the weather or the fact that the Syracuse zoo just might not be all that. Oh well, at least mom tried.

Graduation...OMG

so...my "little" brother graduated from high school last weekend(considering he's over 6' he's hardly very little anymore). Wow. Juan and I spent the drive to Syracuse talking and reminiscing about the first time Juan met Ryan - when Ryan was FIVE. LOL! Talk about feeling old! I'm proud to say that my little bro not only graduated but is off to college as well. I am excited for him and for what the next few years hold for him. I can't talk enough about how thankful I am for my college years, not just for all the life lessons and experiences but for the friendships made there that are still strong today. I hope he makes the most of this time in his life and that life makes the most of him. Congratulations Ryan!

Big Girl panties!

We've been talkin' up the whole notion of wearing big girl panties and getting ready to embark on the journey to toilet training. We recently set a "goal" with Vanessa. When she starts telling mommy when she has to do peeps and using the potty everyday, mommy & daddy will buy her a big girl bike. She talks about it at least twice a day -- even tells the ladies at the check out when we visit the store. Today we were doing a bit of shopping when she spotted a pair of "big girl panties". She was so excited that they were her size and proceeded to tell the sales clerk about her "goal". Of course I had to buy them. So....here they are. Consider this the only pic anyone will ever see of my daughter in her undies ;-)

Big Girl Beds and Birthday's

It's official...we have a two year old. A TWO year old! OMG, she's two already. She talks like she's 12, but yes she's two. Vanessa's birthday celebration started a bit early with the arrival of her big girl bed on Thursday. She was so excited just watching "the men" bring in and set up her bed. When we opened the door to let in the delivery guys she says to them with the biggest of smiles "is that my big girl bed?" The delivery guy was clearly not expecting this little munchkin to be babbling to him because it took him a few minutes to realize she was looking directly at him and expected an answer. "Um..why I believe it is" he said and she immediately started to giggle and jump. She slept in the bed for the first time that night and minus one moment of getting out of bed to see if mom really went downstairs, she slept perfectly. She even took a FOUR hour nap in her bed the next day (magic bed??). She's been sleeping in her bed ever since it came and I have to admit it is a bit bitter-sweet for this mom and dad to see their baby "all grown up". Boy, if something as simple as a bed gets us all emotional I can't imagine the milestones ahead of us. We celebrated her birthday on Sunday with a family BBQ. All week long Vanessa had been asking about her party -- mommy going to get balloons, Vanessa will blow out candles on a cake, etc. We had it all. She even gave us all a mini fashion show as she insisted on trying on every item of clothing she received (you mean she's going to love to shop for clothes???) I tried to get rid of the wilted balloons lingering on the playroom floor, but nope...she's not done with her birthday balloons yet. Hmmm I think maybe there will be a scissor accident tonight while she's sleeping. Happy Birthday Vanessa

The Roman express

It's smile time!! We've been waiting to see Roman's smile and he was sure to not disappoint with how stinkin' cute it is...little dimple and all. He's getting a bit more vocal (the good kind of vocal) as you can hear from the little video I attached. I think he's saying "mom you're the best" but it's still not very clear yet ;-)

ahhhh...summer weekends

ahhhh..summer is here. Such a great weekend we had, spent some time with great friends (Amy & Chris) and ended our Sunday with a family picnic at the park. The last photo is of what we call "Blanco head"...the sweaty evidence of a day full of running and playing! Hope everyone is lovin' the nice days as much as we are!

8wks big

Mr. Roman has reached the 2month mark! He's growing just as he should and is doing great. Up to 9lb 11oz now, although he feels much more solid than that, and getting stronger and stronger every day. He holds his head up and is on the verge of rolling over. We're still waiting for those first smiles but the "baby talk" cooing is just around the corner!

Babies everywhere

So little miss Vanessa has been a great big sister and continues to "help" mommy when it comes to taking care of Roman. What I find the funniest is the fact that she has taken such an interest in the idea of "babies". Every animal that she owns now has to have their diaper changed, wear pj's, be burped, be wrapped in a blanket. It's too funny. I walk around the house and randomly will see her bunny with Roman's sleep sack on or her dolly with one of Roman's diapers. She even wears mommys Moby baby carrier around the house.