Ella!

I thought that since the last post was dedicated totally to Gabe and the one before to Will, Ella deserved her own post.

We call Ella, Ella Bella, for obvious reasons.  She is so beautiful, sometimes it catches me off guard. She is NOT however, interested in having her hair washed, brushed, tied back, or generally touched.  She does, though,  love to have her finger and toe nails painted, which she calls "toe nailish" (nail polish was one of her prizes when she was potty training) and wear dresses that she can spin around in and "swish!"  She is also our resident class clown- ever the goof ball, showing off her singing, dancing, acrobatics or joke telling.  Her favorite things are her teddy bear, Baby Stella, scooter, M&Ms, money (she ALWAYS has change in her pockets) and her little brother.  She is a little book worm still, and I'll often find her sitting on the floor "reading" to herself.  Just turning the pages and saying what she thinks are the words.  A video of her reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is definitely in order.  It is hilarious!  She loves to play games- Memory, Zingo, Lucky Ducks, Shopping Cart Dash, and Candy Land. She really is so smart.  

She is also incredibly strong willed and I'm finding this to be the most challenging thing about parenting so far.  I would never want to break her will, and I'm not sure I even could :-).  I love that she knows what she wants and can be vocal about it.  But hope I can teach her a little more patience and better coping skills for when she can't immediately get what she wants.  We're working on it!

Showing off her pool cover up.

 At the park- a hot mess...

 Running away on the swing.  Funny trick, Ella.

 She's a fish!  Loves swimming lessons with Miss Melanie and swimming in Nan and Pap's pool.

Gabe's grins!

Gabe was being particularly smiley the other morning and we were able to capture some of his grins.  He is a really good baby so far. Loves to nap and eat and watch whatever Will and Ella are up to. He had his one month check up last week and is doing well.  There are no after effects from his rough entry into the world (the cord was around his neck and he didn't start breathing right away) and he's gained 2 pounds and grown 2 inches already! We love our little guy!

 Sleeping as I type! Yes, he has some crazy hair!

Sports Fanatic!

Will is most certainly his father's son.  He is a true athlete and is very, very coordinated for his age. He loves sports and would spend every waking minute hitting golf balls, playing baseball, kicking soccer balls or swimming, if we let him.  Pap recently treated him to a junior set of golf clubs (he was previously using a single plastic driver).  If you've ever been in my parent's back yard, he can drive the ball from just behind the pool over the shed (approximately 40 yards).  It is pretty amazing. 

One of the funniest things I've ever witnessed occurred this summer when Will went to soccer camp with 20 other 3, 4, and 5 year olds.  At times there was more crying than kicking, and their little 4 on 4 games were a herd of kids all chasing the ball around the gym in a pack of flailing limbs.  He had a blast though and I was so proud and impressed at his ability to follow the coach's directions even when the other kids weren't cooperating.  When they did "drills" across the gym, it often turned into a race between the other kids to get to the other side first without completing the activity.  Will, however, finished each activity with amazing  concentration and focus.  He is a real perfectionist, and talented to boot!  The coach couldn't believe he was only 3, both his skills and his attention to detail.  He really is a remarkable kid.

With Madeline, one of Will's best buds, and my goddaughter.

 Learning how to throw it in. 

 Trapping.

 Dunno what's going on here :-)

 Cooling off :-)

Welcome to our newest addition!

We welcome our newest addition, Gabriel Charles Guarino, to the family!  He is a wonderfully perfect 7 lb 12 ounce baby boy who joined us at 1:53 a.m. on June 9.  Gabe and mom are doing well. 

And of course his first big test was a visit from his brother and sister.  He appears to have passed with flying colors, or maybe it was the m&m's that he bought for them? (Thanks Nan!)

In the Yankee Spirit!

Birthday Pictures!

Better late than never, the kids got their pictures taken for their birthdays.  Ella was very unsure, but eventually warmed up.  Will was quite the ham, calling the photographer a turkey most of the time.  They came out super cute!

Tutus, Rain Boots and Hard Hats

Some random silliness and a few pics from Easter.  Enjoy!


Nan bought Will and Ella new rain boots recently.  Why they thought they looked best with ballerina costumes, I'll never know.  We certainly had a good laugh!

 I have no idea...

 Helping Dad take down the swing set before we moved.  He won't answer to anything but Construction Worker Will when he's in this get-up.  And, he insists that Dad (or Pap or whomever is working with him) is his assistant.  It is hilarious.

 Easter spiffy clothes!

 Ella is getting her 2 year molars, which is why she is often soaked and sad... Poor kiddo.