Our new life with Mrs. Morris

It's September, so it is the start of new beginnings and adventures.

Although this time of year is bittersweet for me (especially this year), it is a very exciting time for Natalie. Last Thursday, Natalie got to go meet her new teacher, MRS. MORRIS!

We will be hearing that name all the time for the next 9 months!

Here is Natalie at her new desk! Now that she is a 1st grader, she has a desk instead of a table. This is a big news according to Natalie.
This is Mrs. Morris showing Natalie all the stickers that she will be giving out to her students. Of course, Natalie had to ask what was in the treasure box!
We couldn't be prouder of our little girl as she starts into the 1st grade. We are so pleased that she is excited and proud to be going back to school.

Mrs. Morris seemed like such a great teacher. Full of energy and excitement.

After meeting Mrs. Morris, Nick and I got some alone time with our 1st grader and took her out to lunch. It was special to both her and us to be out just the 3 of us.

We will share more pictures and fun when she officially starts on September 4th.

Oh, What a week!

Sadly, Summer is almost over and it feels like we have been so busy over the last week... making it go by faster than it already seems to. I guess we are just trying to fit in all the fun. Last Thursday, we met up with some friends at the Saratoga Race Track for a picnic breakfast. As we were walking in around 7:30 in the morning, the skies were blue and the air had that wonderful Adirondack cool feel and I thought to myself about how lucky we were to be live in such a great place and be able to do such fun things together. Sadly, within about 20 minutes... Natalie was telling me that she was bored and Sadie was more interested in how the tractor cleaned the track than the actual horses. Oh well, maybe another year...
This past weekend, Uncle Chris and his friend, Amanda came up for a visit. Chris loves to go to a place on Lake George called Shelving Rock. It is a gorgeous location that you hike into and swim in beautiful water and there is lots of fun jumping off rocks. My parents took the girls and met up with Chris and Amanda who were there for the day. They had a wonderful time.
Look at my 62 year old mom in the lake swimming with her grand-daughter. What an awesome Nannie!
Then today... Summer fun was made complete, when our friends, the Reynolds, took us out on Lake George for me to water ski. I have only water skied 3 or 4 times, but I absolutely LOVE it. It is such an amazing feeling to get up on those skis and fly through the water. Today was a bit windy and a little chilly, but it was just incredible.
Check me out!

What fun.

Four Months

Colin is now 4 months old! It is hard to believe that he is 1/3 of a year old now... time just goes by fast. I already have a hard time remembering what he looked like when he was a newbie! Colin now weighs in at 13lbs 14oz and is 25 inches long. He is full of smiles and is giggling. He is sleeping like my daughters never did... usually 11-12 hours at night! He enjoys watching people and checking out his hands. It is funny to watch him play with his hands... it is as if he has discovered the coolest toy around!
On Monday, Colin had an appt with a Developmental Pediatrician as follow up from his NICU stay. Although I knew Colin was doing well and didn't really have any concerns, in the back of my mind I had worries about the impact of low oxygen levels during the first part of his little life. It was a relief to hear that Colin is just doing perfect. He was a superstar with all the tests that they put him through. It was actually very interesting to watch them "test" him and how all the movements and things that he appears to do by random, actually have a purpose and meaning in his development! We were proudly dismissed from their office with no further follow up needed! yeah!
Within the next few weeks, Colin's life is going to change big time. I am back to work on September 2nd. My heart physically aches over the idea of not being with him, but I am grateful that we have been able to be together full time for this long. Here's to another month full of fun, health and happiness!

Uncle Chris visits

Uncle Chris was up for a visit over the past couple of days and the kids were so happy to see him. Sadie talked her way into a sleepover at my parents house with Uncle Chris and they had some special one on one time. Here they are reading some bedtime stories.

Yesterday we all did a hike up Gage Mountain. Gage is a small mountain by my parents house that overlooks their lake. Like everyday this summer (or so it feels), the forecast was for possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. When we left, skies were blue, so we felt like we were in the clear as far as weather goes. We all made it to the top of the mountain! It was the girls first hike on their own (Sadie did get a short ride from her Uncle Chris). Here is a picture of us on the top!
About 2 minutes after this picture was taken, the skies got very dark and then it started thundering and then pouring rain! I was nervous that my kids were going to freak out and that I would have traumatized them for life, but thanks to Uncle Chris... he just started make a joke of it all and laughing about it all. He kept the mood light and funny, the girls loved it and we made it back to the car safely. I guess things don't always turn out as you hoped or visioned, but that's just all part of what makes life fun!

Giumarra Weekend of Fun

This past weekend was full of Giumarra Fun!

The annual Giumarra Picnic on Saturday and then Nick's mom's DAY on Sunday. Saturday's picnic was at Nick's Aunt and Uncle's house out near Stephentown and there were at least 50 Giumarras there. Unfortunately, we don't get to see Nick's extended family much throughout the year, so we look forward to this day to catch up with everyone, show off our family and visit with all the Giumarras. Thanks to Becky and Frank for all thier work in making this day happen.

This is Nick, his younger brother, Tony, and their Dad (a.k.a. - Grandpa Jake!).
Colin spent most on Saturday getting lots of attention and love from his big cousin, Jenise. It was such a help for me and I am sure he loved the cuddles. He was honored at the picnic for being one of the newest Giumarras!
This is Natalie, her cousin, Jenise, and Nick's cousin, Lauren. Natalie thinks Jenise is the coolest thing ever and LOVES spending time with her.
These are the Sadie Giumarras. Our Sadie b-day is 2/4/05 and the other Sadie's b-day is 2/5/05. Isn't that the coolest!
Here is the clan from Audrey's Day. Along the back is Nick's mom and friend, Jai. Then me and Colin Nicholas. Nick's sister, Lisa. Jenise and her mom, Nadia.

On the couch is Nick and his brother Tony with Natalie. Then Sadie and her Uncle Randy.

Up front, is Nick's nephews... Ryan Nicholas and Anthony Nicholas.

Getting SO big...

Colin is looking and acting more like a baby rather than an infant. Here are some pictures of his newest milestones. Below is a picture of him trying out the "bumbo." We didn't have one of these for the girls, but got to borrow one for Colin. The bumbo is a foam like seat that he can sit independently in. He seems to like it and it is always nice to be in a position off his head! I think he looks like my dad in this picture. Maybe it is the inquisitive look on his face!Here Sadie is helping Colin get ready for daycare by giving him a bottle. He is doing well with bottles (despite the fact that I haven't given them to him as often as I said I would). He tried formula for the 1st time this week and he is NOT a fan. This boy likes his mama's milk.
Another first for Colin... a bath in the big tub. He loved it!
I love this picture! The girls were just being silly with one another.
And here is the progress out back. It is looking good and Nick is working hard. Unfortunately, there has been so much rain lately that it has been frustrating for Nick and is complicating the project. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so he can make the most of the final weeks of summer before this becomes a "weekend project!"
We are off to the Giumarra Family Reunion this weekend, so I am sure more pictures and a fun post will be to come. Happy Weekend everyone!

Race the Train

Today was my 1st adventure back into the running world since baby #3 and it was a success. The run was called, "Race the Train," and it started up in North Creek, NY. All the runners and spectators took a train ride to the starting point at which the runners got off and ran 8.4 miles back to the finish line... while the spectators took the train back to the finish line. I did NOT beat the train, but I did reach my goal of running the entire time. It felt great!

Above is a picture of me and the girls on the train ride to the start of the race.
Here we all are right before the race started.
This is me running and waving to the girls!
Here is me 1hr, 24min and 30 seconds later!

Thanks to my parents and girls for being my cheerleaders today

and thanks to Nick for keeping Colin company while I was tackling this challenge!