New pics

Just a stream of some new pictures.

Laughing with Mommy

Two cuties...

Hanging with Grampy...

Can your neck do that?

Do you smell something?

Life's a Beach

Elliana made her first trip (of many more to come) to the beach on Saturday. The weather was beautiful, and she looked cute in her beach clothes (of course)! We went to Good Harbor, our favorite, and spent a nice day there. We also realized that between the jog stroller, beach chairs, beach bag, etc. etc. we probably need a bigger car. Oh, I also figured out how to post the pictures so you can click on it and get a bigger version, since the ones on the blog are pretty small!

Perfect day as the tide rolled in during the afternoon...

Elliana even got her first feel of the COLD New England ocean waters in Gloucester. But she liked the feel of the sand on her feet as she squeezed it between her little toes.

I just like this picture, ready for bed!

Mullet or bad haircut?

Ok, I know this is really Elliana's page, but I am going to get off track a little here. Kristen and I were at a Redsox game last week with our neighbors Guy and Jane. There was a woman sitting in front of us with a certain style haircut. I say it's a glorious mullet, Kristen claims that it's not.


I apologize for the grainy pictures but there were a few issues. I was using my camera phone, and I had to crop the photos to zoom in on her hair. She was only 1 row in front of me, so I was trying to not look too obvious about being a total prick and taking her picture. Also, I was quietly laughing and trying to hold the camera still, which was not easy. The first picture is the best, the others are a bit blurry.


I am going to post a Poll on the right side of the blog, and I hope you will take a second to give an answer. Before you answer, note that the top of her hair is short and feathered. The sides are short as well, with cropped sideburns. Kristen may point out the ponytail to you as evidence against the mullet, but imagine if you can, the elastic removed and the full glory of the rear plumage flowing down her back, contrasting nicely with the business-like nature of the front. I apologize for trying to influence you, just let your heart be your guide.

Update...

Elliana is getting bigger and bigger (and cuter!). We had her doctor's appointment on Monday, and she is up 2 pounds from a month ago, weighing in at 11 pounds 6 ounces, and a length of 24". Now she will pretty much hold her head up herself if you sit her up, and she seems to prefer looking outward so she can see what is going on (instead of having her face to your chest or shoulder.) She looked cute today at lunchtime in her leggings from Auntie Hayley, and had some a nice big smile for me! It is definitely nice to be able to get home for lunch to see her.

First Father's Day

My first Father's Day was a great one. We had a small cookout, and it was a great time. My little princess was all dressed up and pretty, and was cute as a button as usual.

A (wet!) goodnight kiss from my little love to end a great Father's Day...

This pic is not from father's day, but I love her in this hat.

The carseat has been officially de-winterized. No more fuzzy cover and headrest, it has been too hot for that!

Well, it has been 2 months, and I finally got around to hanging up Elliana's name on her bedroom wall. I think it looks great with the butterfly mirror, and I am glad, since the letters took about 25 coats of paint before they looked good. It is my own fault though, being the cheapo that I am, I suggested we buy wood letters instead of the prepainted ones from Potterbarn Kids (which were ridiculously expensive.)

Slacking off...

My neighbor Jane says I have been slacking off on the blog, and I wanted to apologize. We've been busy though, and as soon as I can get some pictures from the camera to the computer I will post some new ones. We went to cousin Jessica and Marissa's dance recital today, last night we had the Relay for Life walk, and we were at the Red Sox game on Tuesday. Not a ton of extra time for posting, but I will get some stuff up in the not too distant future.

Elliana's Christening

We had Elliana's Christening this weekend at Our Lady of Good Voyage. She was really good the entire time, enjoyed the cool water on her head during such a hot day, and managed to fall asleep in my arms as the ceremony ended. She got a little gold bracelet from Grandma and Grampie, a necklace from Godfather Ryan, and her dress from Godmother Nadine. Lots of friends came, and she got all sorts of gifts from them, and Elliana thanks all of you.

We had a wonderful lunch at Sugar Magnolias after the ceremony, finished off with a pretty cake. Sugar Mags food was terrific, as usual, and it was great to see everyone there.

Back home...

Well, after a lovely 27 hours either in airports, or on planes, I finally got back home to my girls in Gloucester. I must say, I felt a bit like a zombie during my travel and upon my return, but things are looking up today after a good night's sleep. I got this picture in an email while I was away, enough to brighten my day on such a long trip away from home.

Taiwan Update

I am happy to hear that my beautiful little girl has been good to Mommy while I have been gone. She is sleeping a lot, and I have got pictures and messages and some phone time with her while I am half way around the world. I can't wait to get home and give her all sorts of hugs and kisses.

Here are some pictures of the hotel. The place is amazing both outside and in. I wish my girls were here with me though...

Front Entrance

The gate to the hotel.

View of the hotel from the pool

Very cool golden dragon fountain in the lobby

Taiwan Update

I am in Taipei, Taiwan, and at The Grand Hotel Taipei. I wanted to keep my two loves updated on what I am up to here, so I thought I would post a couple pictures for them. Also, the comment function did not seem to work on my last post, maybe because I posted from my iPhone? Not sure, we'll see if this one works from my computer.

The hotel is a HUGE Chinese palace style building, and is really pretty amazing. Here is a pic of the front lobby, which is even bigger than it looks here. I will try to take some pictures of the outside sometime today and put those up as well.

Here is a picture from the window of the restaurant I ate in last night, overlooking the Keelung River and downtown Taipei. Had some awesome noodles with beef, and diced chicken with chili sauce (spicy!), and some great Oolong tea. The picture doesn't quite do the view justice, and as the sun set and the lights in the city came on, it was really nice. Notice Taipei 101, the world's tallest building, on the right side of the picture.

first time away

I am on a business trip to Taipei, Taiwan and it is the first time I will be away from Kristen and the baby. I am sitting in JFK airport right now waiting for my flight, typing on my iPhone and missing both of them already. Luckily I won't be gone too long and will be back at the end of the week. I have a 7 hour flight to Alaska and 11 more hours to Taipei, arriving Tuesday morning at 6 am. Leave me a message to say hi (maybe kris will help elliana write to me). Sorry no pictures! I will try to post again once I get there.