Go Wings!

"These nice ladies from my mom's work gave me this really sweet shirt for Christmas! I was so excited to wear it for the first time. I haven't been to a game yet, but soon I'll be old enough to go with daddy when he works the games. Thanks Auntie Theresa and Auntie Teresa...GO WINGS!" We have been in Valpo for the past few days continuing our Christmas festivities with my side of the family. Believe it or not, we still have another family Christmas to attend tomorrow. So stay posted...more details and pictures will follow!

Jingle Bells

In the spirit of Christmas, Randy and I thought we'd share Helaina's love of music with you all. She loves to "rock" back and forth when her favorite songs are played, and if she's standing she'll shake her bootie to the beat.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Our family has spent the last two days enjoying every minute of the Christmas season. We have been blessed with a beautiful daughter in 2009 so this Christmas was extra special for Randy and myself. We celebrated Christmas Eve at Amo Jack and Auntie Georgette's home. Helaina received so many wonderful gifts from her uncles, aunts, and cousins. The caption should read: "Really mom, you are seriously taking ANOTHER picture of me tonight?!"

Last year we started a tradition of having Christmas Day brunch at our home. Randy's parents and brother share the morning meal with us, and then we exchange gifts with each other. Randy and I decided this would be a great opportunity for us to finally use our fine china that we received for our wedding 2.5 years ago. It's never too late, right?!

It is becoming increasing difficult to get Helaina to pose for a picture. She used to do so well, but she obviously has better things to do. Our family, Christmas Day morning.

Opening gifts with Sitty and Sedo

Wow...we really wore her out! This was her worst case of bed head yet. She's so animated these days...just look at that face :)!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope your day was filled with family, friends, and love!

Christmas Festivities

Let the Christmas festivities begin! On Saturday, Helaina met baby Alina Khoury for the first time. Our family enjoyed a great evening at the Khoury home for a holiday play date. Isabella was a wonderful playmate for Helaina. We are so excited that the girls are close in age and will grow up together just like their daddies. Hugs for all :)

Christina and her beautiful girls; Isabella and Alina

Helaina is getting into everything...today was no exception. She climbed into the fridge and discovered her mother's favorite condiment, KETCHUP!

Today was girls day out (thanks to the daddies for watching the kiddos)! We gathered for our annual Christmas shopping weekend. This is the third year the gals have met in Fort Wayne for some much needed girl time! I am very thankful for these ladies whose friendship feels more like a sisterhood.

Sedo's Birthday

Today our family helped celebrate Randy's father's birthday! Helaina helped sing Happy Birthday and was more than happy to stick her fingers in the carrot cake frosting. She's just practicing for her first birthday cake that is soon to come! Helping Sedo blow out his candle

Helaina is pointing at everything...food she wants to eat, things she wants to touch, and she is learning so much everyday!

Helaina Visits Santa

So we didn't get a smile from Helaina while with Santa, but she also didn't have a meltdown. As far as mom and dad are concerned, Helaina's first photo with Santa was a success.Our family is in the midst of the Christmas season, and we are loving it! Helaina definitely knows that something "different" is happening. She enjoys looking at the Christmas decorations and is happy to tag along with us on our numerous trips to the mall. When we play Christmas songs, she shakes her little behind and "dances" to the music. What a wonderful time of year!!!

Helaina also helps dad with his office work

Family Christmas Photo

Our family Christmas photo 2009

We haven't had a chance to get Helaina's picture with Santa...stay tuned though. Hopefully this weekend we'll have the opportunity.

9 months

This past Wednesday Helaina turned 9 months old. People often tell new parents that there are many changes that happen in the first year of a baby's life. We couldn't agree more. Each day brings something new and especially this past month, we've seen Helaina grow and develop right before our eyes.
She is still quite the crawler, exploring each nook n' crannie of our house, but now she enjoys "playing" with Randy and myself. We're her special playmates. We chase her around the house and up the stairs. She laughs hysterically when she generously feeds us her cheerios instead of putting them in her own mouth. And Helaina couldn't be happier when she gets to eat "real" food off mom and dad's plate. (And boy did she ever enjoy her first Thanksgiving dinner!) She's pulling herself up onto everything! Occasionally she'll stand by herself or walk slowly holding onto the table or couch.

She's waving bye-bye. She understands the world "NO," and usually obeys it. She understands when we sign to her "bottle" and crawls right up into our lap for the next feeding. And she finally has given up the 30 minute cat nap in the early evening.

We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with Helaina and our families!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours....we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for all the blessings in our lives!

Welcome Grace Leigh

We've been anxiously awaiting her arrival, and now we're happy to announce that she's here!! Grace Leigh Anderson-Schultz was born late last night to her proud parents Jon & Erin. She weighed in at 8lb 12 oz and was 21 inches long. What's up with the baby girls taking their sweet time entering this world. Grace was born 5 days after her due date as Helaina was also a full week overdue. I spoke to Jon today and all are doing well. Our family is hoping to meet Grace over the Christmas holiday. If all goes as planned Jon, Erin, Grace and their dog will be driving from Maryland to Valpo for the holiday.

From Motown to Naptown

Our first weekend getaway as a family of three was wonderful! We had been planning this trip for quite sometime. As you can see from the photos below, we celebrated several special events with our friends in Indianapolis.

Nolan Cobb was born on October 2, and we finally had the chance to meet him! The beautiful new family...Travis, Erin and Nolan Cobb. Auntie Angie loves to by these hats for all the newborn boys. She has great shopping style and always has a little something for Helaina to take home with her. Thanks Angie!!!

I can't believe we were actually able to get this picture and none of kiddos were crying...a success! However, Helaina is missing a sock, Nolan (on the right 6 weeks old) fell behind Helaina on the couch shortly after the photo was captured, and Aiden (on the left 2 1/2 months old) is obviously afraid of what wild Helaina might do to him.

Our friend Megan turned 28 this weekend as well! Happy Birthday Megan...glad we could celebrate the day with you!

Our family at Kelly and Tony's wedding. (not sure what happened to the color of the photo)

Helaina and her Daddy...obviously a Daddy's girl :)

The original reason for traveling to Indy...to celebrate the wedding of Kelly Nicholson to Tony Martin. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Martin! Kelly is a childhood friend of mine..dating all the way back to Kindergarten. Kelly and I also lived together the year before Randy and I were married. It was a joy to witness her special day.

Photos from Daddy

Just look at all the fun Helaina and Dad have while mom is away. "Now I can play with all my toys at the same time. Daddy, thank you for letting me sit in my toy box!"

"You can take all my toys away and I will STILL find something to put in my mouth!"

She is just too cute in the hat she wears home from swim class!

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

Helaina took her first trip to Frankenmuth, MI. It is about an hour north of our house. If you've never had the pleasure of visiting...you should go! It is a historic German town whose original purpose was to serve as a mission post for the spread of Christianity. www.frankenmuth.org
Located within the city of Frankenmuth is Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. All year round Christmas is celebrated at the world's largest Christmas store. We were able to get Helaina her first Christmas ornament hand painted with her name. She was so excited to see all the displays, lights, attractions, and people. What a wonderful way to start the holiday season (especially on such a warm November day)! We also had the pleasure of enjoying my parents' company since last Wednesday. They are in town for a few days helping us watch Helaina during the work week, while Randy's parents traveled to Florida for a long weekend.

It's almost a miracle that we escaped Bronner's without Helaina pulling down a display or breaking all of the beautiful ornaments. She just has to get her hands on EVERYTHING!

Helaina's Room

A few months ago, we posted some pictures of Helaina's room. We are proud to announce that after 9 months of awaiting her arrival and 8 additional months since her birth...we've finally completed decorating her room. Before children, this process would have taken only a couple weeks...I'm extremely amused that it took us almost 18 months. The letters are an early Christmas gift from my mom and dad (Grandma and Grandpa McGinley).

Our hope is that she enjoys her room as much as we've enjoyed putting it together!

Week 2 of Swim Lessons

With our hectic schedules, Randy and I are extremely happy to have a family activity together that we can all look forward to. This was Helaina's second week of swim lessons. She takes them on Wednesday evenings each week. The class involves water safety, learning to float, play with water toys, and songs to keep them entertained. At this point, Helaina has shown to really love the water. We'll continue to keep her enrolled as long as the Michigan winter doesn't freeze us out of the pool!

Daddy and his little princess in the pool.