A "Then & Now" Post...One year Ago Today...May 18, 2008

The "Then"...

One year ago today Rachel turned 2 months old. It was a special day for several reasons...we were visiting Ohio, "home", with her for the very first time, she was meeting lots of new people...Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Cousins, Friends etc...and she was being Christened at the church where Daddy and Mommy got married. It is the same church where I was baptized...quite a few years ago:).

Rachel at the church with Father Mancini, Daddy, Mommy & GodparentsRachel with Daddy, Mommy, Grandparents, Godparents & Great-GrandpaReady for our guests.Rachel & Great-Grandma Millie

~ Mommy's Grandma ~

Rachel with Great-Grandma Helen

~ Daddy's Grandma ~

Rachel with Great-Grandpa John

~ Mommy's Grandpa ~

Rachel's Formal Christening picture.

~gown from Godmother Aunt Dana~

~rosary and shawl from Grandpa & Grandma~One of Mommy's favorite pictures."Rachel, Daddy & Mommy love you so very much!"

We arrived in Ohio several days before the Christening. It was Rachel's very first airplane ride. We chose an overnight flight, but we soon discovered that was not a good idea for the sleep-deprived Mommy who can't sleep on airplanes! Rachel did very well. She slept, swaddled on all planes and woke in the airports for changing, eating and a little bit of playing:).

It was a very busy week! Rachel was incredibly flexible for a two month old and just the sweetest baby while meeting so many new people. It was also the weekend of our third Baby Shower. My mom and sister had one for us on May 17th...the day before the Christening . It was a very special event for me, one I used to dream about but never thought I'd actually get to attend. Attending it with Rachel...our little "Guest of Honor" made it all the more meaningful. It was a beautiful day and it meant a lot to me that my mom, sister and even brother worked so hard to make it special and memorable. It still amazes me that so many people were able to attend. It was so wonderful to see everyone and have them meet our darling daughter. She received lots of attention and was held by everyone. She was a good girl only crying once that I remember causing me to excuse myself to swaddle her tightly and comfort her for just a moment. The gifts we received were beyond anything I ever imagined. Rachel still has clothing in bins up in her closet for "someday"...we received such a nice variety of sizes. She just wore one of the little cotton Summer dresses the other day as she can still wear a size 6 months in some things. We received several more handmade afghans made especially for Rachel by her Grandma Sherry and also her Great-Aunt Dee. Beautiful keepsakes. Truly a weekend to remember. I only hope everyone knows just how thankful, grateful and blessed they made us feel...thank you...

Daddy, Mommy & Rachel at the Baby Shower

Proud Daddy & Mommy

Rachel & Mommy

Rachel & Grandma Sherry at the Baby Shower A moment with Uncle Jamie & Aunt Dana

Rachel with Grandma Fran & Great-Grandma HelenRachel with her soon-to-be Aunt AmyGreat-Grandma Millie & Great Aunt Dee

The "Now"...

Wow...amazing how many changes happen in just one year! Our little "peanut" is still pretty petite. She's long but slim. She was almost 11 lbs. at two months and just weighed in last week at almost 20 lbs. She is still as active and curious as ever. She is a little "smarty pants" and knows just what buttons to push to operate all her toys. She sits and looks through her books everyday and loves to be read to...especially if she's in the mood to just lounge on your lap. She sings along to everything musical. She is just starting to show a little interest in television...just a little.

Trying on a new sunhat the other day...

Heading out for a walk...

She has a delightful sense of humor. She laughs at us, her doggy and even herself quite often. Her laughs and giggles are some of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. She "talks" a lot, unfortunately I'm not exactly sure what she is saying...yet. She has a great appetite and eats so many different kinds of foods...practically everything we eat as long as it's not too salty, sweet or spicy:). She even tried the salmon we made the other day. I think she liked my honey-balsamic marinade...yummo! :) She shares her meals with Sheena whenever she can! It was so cute today...I gave Sheena a doggy biscuit and she took it into the family room and set it down on the floor. Rachel was sitting right here and immediately picked it up. I held my breath while ready to say a commanding "Sheena, niiiiice!" and also to remind Rachel that it is "for doggy" not "for Rachel":). Well, no words from Mommy were necessary...Rachel held it out to Sheena and Sheena gently took it from her and proceeded to eat it. That got lots of giggles from Rachel, of course:). A little bummed that I did not have my digital camera or video camera ready, but I sure enjoyed the moment in person.

Rachel loves Da-Da's Blackberry!She gives the sweetest little kisses to Mommy and Daddy. She is learning and doing new things every day and it is so much fun to see. I love watching her become the smart, beautiful, funny little toddler she is fast becoming, but I must admit it is hard to see my "baby" disappearing...

Our Sweet Girl...

"Thank you, Rachel, for making every day extraordinary."!