Thunderstorms with a chance of sprinkles...

We had a series of very loud thunderstorms over the course of the week and Sinatra and Babyhawk figured out their mutual fear of the noise. They spent several nights cuddle up on the couch hiding from the rumbling:

The girls getting ready for school/work one morning. It's hard to have a bad day when it starts with these snuggles:

We got out in the sprinklers again! Her favorite summer activity:

Tinyhawk looked great in the scan we had this week. They estimate she is about two and a half pounds already... Can't believe it is just about two months away... Have a great week!

Summer Slow-down...

We have been trying to slow down around here and relax a little since all of our traveling is done for the summer. Mamahawk has had a rough week, but with some sleep hopefully it gets better... we have about 11 weeks to go before Tinyhawk is here!

We got a great deal on a new camera that is faster than our point and shoot and Papahawk has had fun shooting some photos: And we dressed up for an event, so I thought I would share a bump picture with you all. As you can see, Tinyhawk isn't so tiny anymore! (6 1/2 months):

Babyhawk had her first ear infection on Monday when we returned from Kansas. The poor thing was pitiful for about a day. But she was very good for the doctor and after he told her what was wrong she said "Thank you, you are a very good doctor."

Then Babyhawk had to have an eye exam in order to go to school in August. It was interesting seeing the doctor try to do an exam on a three year old....

This has created and interest in healthcare for Ms. Babyhawk. She loves to play doctor and took care of Mamahawk this weekend when she was feeling rough:

Babyhawk has been begging to get her haircut so I took her this weekend:

She was very serious about her 'do:

So what else is going on? She loves dancing and prefers to have her hair down and clothes off when doing so... She only wants to wear dresses to school and enjoys bossing us around as the "teacher." Her latest saying is "actually." For example: "Babyhawk, what do you want for dinner?" "Actually, I want a sandwich." Not sure where she got that one...

We have another ultrasound for Tinyhawk tomorrow just to check things out. We can't wait to meet little girl and it is just around the corner when you think about it! Have a great week!

Beth and Jay got married!

We ended up in Kansas for Babyhawk's birthday (see post below) because of the celebration of the marriage of two of our best friends - Beth and Jay! Jay and Papahawk were roommates and good friends in college (people often mistake them for brothers) and although we didn't make it to the Dominican for the wedding we were sure to get back for the reception. The happy couple:

Guys from Papahawk's faternity days:

Mamahawk and our good friend Doug:
Papahawk and Jay:
Eric and Papahawk:

The guys getting a little crazy:

Congrats again Jay and Beth! I hope we can all get back together soon - it is always a good time!

Happy Birthday Babyhawk!

Babyhawk's third birthday was quite an event! We traveled to Kansas and met up with ALL of her cousins for a great weekend! We started the festivities at the T-Rex restaurant. Babyhawk and B sat by each other EVERY meal we were together:

Babyhawk and her oldest cousin A:

Then we went to see Despicable Me at the theater. With popcorn, skittles and some licorice - everyone had a good time! Babyhawk is sitting by her cousin K and then B of course:

The girls! A, K, J and babyhawk:

These girls are about six months apart and have a blast when they are together:

The next day we went to the Science museum for the dinosaur exhibit. We were joined by the final cousin E!:
Optical illusion at the science museum:

B, K, A and J flying a helicopter:
Babyhawk holding the spike of a stegosaurus:

Mamahawk and Cousin E watching the kiddos swim:

They got wild in the pool!:






Babyhawk was worn out and ready to sleep every night!:

Babyhawk had a fantastic time! Thanks to Geema Papa and all the cousins for traveling all that way to spend some time with us - it really means alot to Babyhawk and to me.

Babyhawk got a little slappy on the way home:

The Fourth and Birthday prep...

We had a great long holiday weekend, recovering from our CHASA trip (see post below) and preparing for the birthday celebrations! Babyhawk is all about demanding photos of herself. This was one of her posed shots:

Babyhawk and Papahawk dancing to her favorite song - "bulletproof":

And her birthday/good behavior present. Her very own firetruck with fully functioning water hose!:

Another posed shot with her dog "Ty":

Our little fourth of July celebration - complete with a firework show by Papahawk!

We started out with some classic snakes. Listen carefully to what Babyhawk things they look like:

The big finale was a couple of fountains... She thought it was pretty cool:

We finished the night with some fast running and watching the fireworks in the sky from other neighborhoods:

You know Babyhawk loves to cook, so we made cupcakes for her class at daycare for her birthday. Pink cupcake papers with pink strawberry cake, pink icing and some star sprinkles!:

We conveniently had two extras for these sweeties:

The finished product:

Have a great week and Happy Birthday to the love of our life on the tenth - Babyhawk will be THREE!!!

CHASA 2010 Retreat!

We traveled to Alabama for the 9th annual Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) retreat. There were over 200 people there representing the families of children with Hemiplegia - just like Babyhawk. We were one of the younger families there, but we learned a lot and met so many amazing people. We have a fight ahead of us - which was evident from the older kids and their families - but we have a great support system in our family - which includes CHASA - to get there.... I'm ready to go back next year!!

Our family photo:

Babyhawk and I took a break from setting up for a cute photo:


The evening before the retreat started we had many things to do as a board member. Babyhawk made quick friends and cuddled up when it got too late:


Ready to go to the pool!:



The pool was fabulous!:

Babyhawk and her "girls." She loved these two so much! The mom of S - in the green shirt - serves on the CHASA board with me and L - in the pink - is from Singapore!:

Our group by age. We visited with these parents for about an hour and learned so much. It was also nice to see folks with the same questions we have on a daily basis about treatment and care:

More pool time!:

Too much fun! We missed the final night karaoke party b/c she just couldn't keep those eyes open!:

The ice cream social. There were clowns - which she steered clear of!:

She loved the fountains at the park right next to the hotel:

She was a little reserved at first:


But got into it before long! Papahawk had to carry her like a baby all the way back to the hotel she was so tired:


The girls doing some coloring:

This toy was a big hit with all the kiddos:


A final fairwell to S!:

There is so much to say about this experience, but I won't bore you here. I think Papahawk learned a ton, discovered some new and alternative therapies he is taking the lead on and found a new passion for CHASA - which is so great! I had mixed emotions, but have to say that joy, acceptance and a sense of community were some of the strongest.

We will be going back next year!!

"I love my daddy because....

...he watches TV with me and takes me bowling..."