Twinkle, twinkle little star....

Love how she says, "Oh how I wonder..."

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle David and Aunt Fran's. They have a condo in downtown San Diego on the 25th floor. The view is amazing. From their balcony you can see the city of San Diego, Coronado island and Mexico.

Aunt Fran made A'Reian and Anthony their own french fry appetizer

LEGOLAND

They used over 40 million lego's to build everything in Legoland.

The kids riding the airplanes with "Grand Uncle David"

A'Reian loved this guy.. Ant didn't want his picture taken with him

John Michael, Anthony, A'Reian & Jenson

I think this was their favorite part of the whole day!

Bubba LOVES his Grand Uncle David

Caught on tape..

This is hilarious. My Sleep eater...

Sunday Fun

This is what our weather has been like down here...

Shorts, Sunshine & Swimming

We are still having days in the 80's and 90's and it is toward the END of November. San Diego is a fun place to live. .but. . I am not from here. Snow, mountains and pine trees are just a few of my favorite things. Needless to say, on Sunday, when the temperature dropped down to 62 and it was pouring outside- we were excited!! We decided to stay in our pajama's and make hot chocolate and a tasty pumpkin roll.

Normally I wouldn't post messy bedhead pictures, but it was part of our day!

(You guessed it, she gets that signature pose out every time she sees a camera)

"Am I doing that pose right, sissy?"

A'Reian insisted we get a picture of "Tiny Shawndi" (yep, came up with that all on her own)

They did most all of the work on our pumpkin roll

D.E.LICIOUS.

A hair trim for Sissy was the final part of our day. Much needed.

..Before

AFTER.

Confidence

She knows she is cute...

(as a matter of fact, a lady told her how pretty she was at the playground and she said, "I KNOW!") yeah.. a little embarrassing.

once again, the signature pose

Birthday Part II

Grandma sent me a package.. It's a doggy with a carrier, cute pink slippers and a princess sash that says "Spoiled and Lovin' It"

She did an amazing job decorating "Pepper's" shirt and carrier with felt stickers.

Thanks Grandma!

Can't leave this guy out...

Mobigo = highly recommended

So tired, she can barely keep her eyes open.

Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday A'Reian!!

A look back..

Five years ago today... Our beautiful baby girl was born. It was 11/11 in room 11. A'Reian was born at 3:54 pm. The cord was wrapped tightly around her neck several times. She wasn't crying or moving- we were scared. To. Death. The nurses whisked her away and started her Apgar test. I over heard her telling my husband and sister the score was slightly low, but not to worry, it's typical. "Typical!? For what?" I thought to myself, assuming she was talking about the cord around her neck. I had a million thoughts running through my mind, but somehow managed to still listen to the conversation going on across the room. I heard my husband ask her what she meant by typical. She didn't slow her pace, didn't even make eye contact and said, "she's Down's, you didn't know?" It was silent for a minute. Everything was in slow motion. What is this lady talking about?? She just gave us life changing news like she was giving the diagnosis of a common cold. We were confused. She could see this, so she continued, "Trust me. I have been doing this for so many years I can tell right away." My doctor was furious, along with one of the other sweet nurses who quickly came over to comfort me. I looked down through tears at this tiny little body. I was so afraid of the unknown. Afraid of how many complications that could be in this tiny person. Never once did I ask "why me?" I knew the answer to that. God chose us for a reason.

Yes! One test down...several more to go

A'Reian with Aunt Darci

6weeks

8months

1 year

2 years

With the exception of a couple minor digestive issues and three small heart defects- She was perfectly healthy. We were told to make an appointment around the age of 5 to determine whether or not she would need surgery to close the hole in her heart. Over the summer, that time came.. she went in May for her check up and heart x-ray's. The results were inconclusive. What her cardiologist saw and what he heard were two different things. On the x-ray, the hole was huge from every angle and would definitely need repair. To listen to it was completely different, he could barely hear a murmur at all. On July 19, 2010, A'Reian went back in for her echo. All of those worries of the unknown came back to me that day as we waited in the room for the results. Finally the doctor came in and said, "It was really nice meeting you all, but you don't ever have to see me again!" Whew, I had tears of relief. He said he wasn't quite sure how, but the hole that had been there for 4 1/2 years had suddenly closed up within the past two months. WHAT?? A. Blessing.

3 years

4 years (signature pose)

And here she is today

Happy Birthday RayRay! We are So proud of you!

What She's Doing Now.....

A'Reian can say and sign all twenty six letters in the alphabet in order. She also recognizes them out of order on flash cards. A'Reian can count to 14. Starting this school year she is able to come home and tell us at least three things that happened at school.. what she ate..who she played with..etc. She is able to put her brother in time out. She'll give him a choice too, "Anthony, either sit on the couch or go to your bed...NOW!!" (You don't even want to see the look on her face when she is giving orders-I'd listen, she's Vicious with it!) I love how my little Ant respects her, knowing he can speak better than she can, he will still do everything she says. So adorable.

*Remember fam.. birthday is being celebrated Friday when KJ is off.. those pictures will be posted later! :)