Ella's Baptism

We had a wonderful weekend here at the Guarino homestead. Yesterday Ella was Christened and it was a perfect day. Her godparents, dear friends Anne and Tim Malyszko, arrived on Friday afternoon and didn't have to head back to St. Louis until this afternoon. We had such fun playing in the yard, celebrating at Mass and the Baptism ceremony, partying at home after, and just relaxing all together. We miss them already, but are so thankful for the time we had together. It was a wonderful day surrounded by family and friends. Thank you to all who were with us in body and spirit. We are so grateful. There are too many great pictures to post, but here are some of the joyful and blessed occasion.
Tim and Will building a tower, well, mostly Tim...

Anne and Ella strolling around the neighborhood.

Anne getting Ella dressed in my christening dress.



Ella exercising her lungs!


The big moment! She didn't even cry!


Party! There aren't many pictures of Ella at the party because she spent the first 3 hours screaming. Poor little thing was really fussed from all the activity. The rest of us had a nice time though.




Will spent the afternoon in the pool and "playing" Baggo. He went through a pair of swim trunks and two pairs of shorts... His lifeguard was Anne!




Ella and her Godfather totally beat after all the activity!


In other news, Ella had her 2 month check up and is doing really well. She is 11 lbs. 4 oz. (50th percentile) and 24 inches (95th percentile). She took her shots like a champ! She is rolling over from front to back, cooing like crazy, and smiling adorably although we've found it hard to capture on film. Here's one shot of the elusive Ella grin...

All's well!

I've been a bit of a delinquent blogger as of late, sorry! Finding a spare minute if both the munchkins are sleeping is difficult to say the least. And finding a minute when I don't need a shower, want to eat something, or do something around the house is even more difficult! We are all doing well though, and enjoying a bit of nicer weather.

Will had his 15 month check up last week and he's the picture of health! He's 24 pounds (50th percentile) and 33 1/2 inches tall (95th percentile).

We got a little baby pool for the two of them last weekend and Will enjoyed splashing around. It was a bit too cold for Ella yet, so she watched intently. Here are a few pics of the fun!

What is my brother doing?!?!

Woo hoo!!! Water!!

Distracted by an airplane...

So much fun!

Happy Mother's Day

So I don't know if this is really as hilarious as I think it is, or if it is just because I'm his mom and I think he's about the cutest thing ever. This is a short video of Will dancing. He loves to "break it down." The Hokey Pokey is playing in the background (Will likes to listen to his CD's when he gets up from his nap), but he will occasionally dance even when there isn't music. He LOVES to dance- in church, in his room, while he's eating, just about anywhere and anytime. He does a "stomp-stomp dance", "breaks it down" and his go-to head bob. Cracks us up...


We had a lovely Mother's Day. My family spoiled me with love and attention! Here are some pictures of our day together! I'm so blessed.
Brunch at our house with my parents and grandmothers.

Update

We had a beautiful weekend here in PGH! The boys took the opportunity of nearly 90 degree weather to wash cars. Will was THRILLED to splash in the bubbles and help Joe scrub. I'm so proud of his cleaning skills. He loves to scrub-a-dub-dub! He wasn't even phased when he fell face first into the car. Just kept on cleaning! It is really cute! Here is a short video and some pictures of the funny afternoon!


Action shot!


Ella is doing really well. While she doesn't sleep as much during the night as we'd like, she's healthy and always pleasant. She got her first real tub bath last week also! Check out that belly!


Eating is such hard work, must sleep...

Snuggling...

Easter Blessings

We have a lot to be grateful for this Easter season. Ella had a bit of a rough start to life. About 2 days after we got home from the hospital, she developed jaundice (she and I have incompatible blood types and she was Coomb's positive at birth). We spent the week trekking between the pediatrician's office and the hospital for tests and check-ups. Thankfully, as of Friday, her levels were going down and we are in the clear. Her coloring gets better every day and she's eating and sleeping like a champ!

Here are some pictures of our first holiday as a family of four!
Coloring Easter eggs.




After he took them out of the dye (with his hands of course) Will squeezed each egg until it smashed and cracked. He thought this was hilarious!



Easter morning! Bunny ears and Easter grass! Ella slept through all the fun!



Hunting for eggs at Nan and Pap's house!


Smelling the magnolia...


Our babies... Easter blessings.


My boys...

How cute are these kids?!?!?!

Happy Easter!

Little love...

We welcome into our home and hearts...

Ella Sophia Guarino
March 31, 2009
5:53 Pm
8 pounds 2 ounces
21 inches long


We are home and settling in well. She's quite the little doll. Thank you so much for all of your calls, emails, cards, and good wishes. Know that we hold them close to our hearts at this special time.

Will is loving his little sister. Although he still struggles to say Mom (he can say Dad, duck, and a number of other things, I have a feeling I forever will be "BA") he picked up "Ella" which comes out "Lella" in one short car ride with his Nan. He loves to give her kisses and wave at her when she is in the swing. It is very cute...

Here is Will giving Ella a kiss when he visited her at the hospital.

Checking each other out.

What we expect for the next 10 years or so... WILL be careful around your sister!!!!