The New Deck

Andrea got to try out the new deck last night. We put her in her walker and she ate dinner and zoomed around, crashing into the benches, mommy, and daddy. My husband is the best. The deck is so beautiful and now we can have people over because we have room. Andrea is excited to play with Andrew tonight as Mommy and Aunt Amy have a girls' night out and talk about the saintly Mother Theresa.
Last year at this point we were on pins and needles waiting for Andrea to come in a week. This year we are just totally excited about her upcoming first birthday and lots of messy cake!

Yesterday Andrea and I got to see lots of family. Grandma watched her during the day since Aunt Kate was sick. Thanks grandma! You're a life saver! Andrea enjoyed playing bumpy bump and looking at her cousin Emma on the computer, especially the videos. Then Aunt Theresa stopped by so Andrea was so excited. They played peek a boo with the blanket and she was standing by herself without leaning on anything for a couple seconds. Yeah! She wanted Aunt Theresa's sunglasses so it was almost as if she was doing a trick for the treat- standing for a second means you give me the glasses.
Then for dinner we got pizza from Dominoes and went to Uncle Tommy and Aunt Kathy's house. Sean and Andrea were racing back and forth on their hands and knees the whole night. They were both laughing so hard that we thought they were both going to fall over. Then we went outside so Sean could give Andrea a ride in the grave digger, with Daddy chasing after them of course holding her body since there are no air bags. Sean is a decent driver he just likes to give and take on the gas for a bumpy ride. Every time we took Andrea out, she wanted back in for more. This girl loves cars and trucks. We went back inside and Andrea kept climbing on Sean and tackling him to the ground. Poor Sean was just letting her wrestle him to the ground over and over. He is such sweet cousin and Andrea is such a "cutey, cutey kid"(Sean).

Look What I Can Do Now

Last night we gave Andrea her spoon and some rice from dinner. I would scoop the rice up and set it on her tray. She stuck the whole mouthful in at once. Chomp! Chomp! We took pictures. To be posted soon...We are so proud of all the things our big girl is doing.
In regards to the other baby. I am feeling good, except when I don't eat, and I can eat a lot now so I try to keep something close by at all times. Whenever we go out John always directs me towards the kitchen before we head out the door. Everyone is taking care of me, my wonderful husband, my teaching assistant Denise, and now all my little camp helpers. Yesterday one of the girls (a 14 yr. old CIT-Counselor in Training) went and got me a Nutrigrain bar from snacks and brought it to me because she was concerned about the baby having food. As I was eating it, she said, "Yeah! Now the baby is dancing in your belly!" She was so sweet.

Andrea's First Year

I was able to get to the store to develop some pictures that we've had on the camera for ages. It was exciting to see how our daughter has grown and laugh at all the funny things that she's done. One day while John and I were watching T.V. in the front room we looked over and Andrea had a tissue and was running it up and down each shelf. Who knew that dusting can be an innate trait? I was really excited. The shelves really needed it. Who has time to dust when you have piles everywhere? My house is ten times better now that I'm home for the summer. Come by and see! There was also a picture of Andrea standing by the C.D. player at her changing table turning it on with her foot. This may seem strange to you, but to Aunt Theresa, Daddy, and Mommy this made perfect sense. When we bounce her before nap time, we have her in our arms so we push the play button with our toes. She's found out thtat she can do it too. She is a smart one! Everyone will get to enjoy these pics at her first birthday. Mom, Angela, Philip, and Steven pictures are in the mail. Also, I'm sorry that I cannot upload pictures and videos right now, but our cord that goes from the camera to the computer is missing. If everyone could do some serious praying to Saint Anthony that would be great!

Uncle Ortega

Last night warrants a blog. Yesterday we went to Mass at Most Holy Trinity so we could see Chris Ortega. Ortega came over for dinner and then of course we had to take Uncle Ortega disc golfing. Andrea clapped after every throw that each of us made. If it hit a tree she got really excited and clapped even harder. Andrea was a ham while Ortega was there, showing off and laughing at how cute she was. During dinner we let her crawl around because she had been sitting in the stroller for so long at the park. While we were looking at pictures and reminiscing about NET, Andrea crawled over to our stackable shelves pulled down her cookies, a full container, and managed to get the lid off the Tupperware container and was surrounded by yummy vanilla wafers! She knew what she wanted for dinner! We love you lots Ortega! We are so thankful for your vocation!