Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Dear Daddy,
Rachael here. Mommy let me take over the blog, just for this special occaison. She says it's YOUR BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday! When you and Mommy sing that song, I always look and stare...it's got to be for me, right? Well, today, Daddy, it's for you. You're the best Daddy a girl could have.
You know just how to make me smile, just how to cuddle me and just how to twirl me around so that I giggle, but don't get too dizzy. You can do many things while I'm in one of your strong arms....make a pot of coffee, stir your yummy spaghetti sauce, and even put the dog outside.

Thanks for teaching me about the Hokies and about the computer and lots of other gadgets...I can't wait to get my hands on all of those things. I'm also looking forward to doing many more fun things with you, like playing ball outside, riding a bike and going to Hershey Park, when I'm bigger.

Mommy says your the best and I couldn't agree more. We're two lucky girls!
xoxoxoxoxo
Rachael

Fall...

So, before it's WINTER, I suppose I'd better tell you (or at least record) the things I want to remember about our fall season.
In October, we had a divide and conquer weekend. Mike went to PA to spend a weekend with his college buddies and reminisce and catch up with each other. He had a great time and enjoyed some solo nights as well as a visit with Mimi and Papa. Meanwhile, Rachael and I stayed behind in DC with Allyson, Nick and Alex so that we could pay a special visit to Mary and Darren and 5 day old BABY DEVON! Welcome Devon Earl Smith! You are a cutie-pie and have captured all of our hearts. Alex and Rachael had a great time playing even though, we drove to the petting zoo, both kiddos were passed out in the car by the time we got there. Oh well, next time, I guess! Here's our best attempt at a photo of the 3 newest in the generation:

Later in the month, we went to the Pumpkin Patch with Shannon, Phil and Samantha. We had a gloriously sunny day and a great time on a hay ride, visiting some goats and hanging out in the corn crib. That day produced some fabulous pictures, see the last post for my best example. Here's a good one of the 3 of us:

And here's the best one of the girls:

It was quite the task getting a good picture of those two...this is probably one of the best.

We capped off October with Rachael's first Halloween and trick-or-treat. We met up with Ryan, Nate and Evan and took two giraffes out for the fun! The costumes were not planned....I thought Evan was going to be a monkey when I picked out the giraffe for Rachael. It ended up being a cute coincidence!

On my mind...

So, it's been on my mind for a while....does blogging and "facebooking" (is that a verb?), make our lives look picture perfect? Status updates and blog posts about pregnancies, births, promotions, good grades, and other accomplishments (including the number of loads of laundry completed in a day) make life look easy, fabulous and always happy. Don't get me wrong...those are great moments of celebration and it's fun to comment on others' success and happiness and it's with great joy that I get to share our family's milestones. But, are we missing out on real life? Like the fact that Rachael was up (for no reason) last night from 1:30-3:00am. She just couldn't (ok, read, wouldn't) settle. She wanted to be held...or to play, which is normally a big no-no in our night time routine. Or, how about the idea that sometimes I'm relieved to drop her off at daycare? Or that when Mike takes her for a bath, sometimes I just want to sit in the glider - BY MYSELF. 
I know that 95% of the time, I am deliriously thrilled to be a mom...but it's hard work. And, I think after struggling like we did to have a baby, I feel even more guilt about it being hard work....I'm supposed to love it all the time, right? I'm supposed to be thankful every minute of every day for the chance to do what I spent so many years working for. I am THANKFUL...more than I can ever explain...to anyone. I am HONORED to be able to do this job. But, that doesn't mean that there aren't moments where I wish for a break. And, just when I do that....Mike comes in and says, "I'll take the night shift" or my Mom calls and says, "while we're visiting, why don't I babysit one night?" And, I get that moment...to breathe and refresh and come at it with a renewed spirit.
Thanks for letting me share what's on my heart...and for respecting my thoughts, even if your own are different. I have to leave you with a picture that makes my heart melt...into total mush...

Another Complex Miracle...

is on HIS way to the Concini family!
We are shocked and thrilled to tell you that we will be having another baby...a little boy, due at the end of March, 2011!

Rachael is adjusting to this idea...OK, not really. She has NO idea what's about to happen in her world and hopefully, by the time she realizes this is a permanent thing, she'll no longer care. The two will be 14 1/2 months apart, if this little one comes on time.

So, to answer your question -- YES...this is a SPONTANEOUSLY occuring pregnancy. Shocking, I know. After spending thousands of dollars, injecting myself with more medication than I care to think about, waiting through countless hours in a doctor's office (with my girly parts exposed to everyone in Wake county!), we are thrilled and stunned to find out that this can happen!

I'm feeling great...now that the first trimester is a not-so-distant memory. (I do NOT recommend morning sickness and a teething 7 month old....not a good combination!) I am feeling kicks on the inside and felt them from the outside for the first time at 2am on Sunday!

We are in awe of the blessing and miracle this baby is and will be to our family. Life will surely get crazy...but we'll put our faith in God and our hands in the hands of our family and friends and we'll get through this, and hopefully, enjoy the ride!

How about one while it's actually happening?

A post while we're living through Rachael's 9th month! Rather than reflecting on how the month was, I thought it would be nice to talk about how the month IS! 

So....month 9 has brought with it lots of new things, like:

• 3 new teeth -- yes THREE! The two on the bottom popped through on her 7th month birthday, but, literally, 2 days after her 9 month birthday, THREE on the top popped through. My baby has five teeth...what???? Where did my 'baby' go?
• Pulling up to standing! The teacher at school called me on Tuesday, October 19th to tell me: "We're so excited! Rachael is pulling up!" It warms my heart to know the folks who care for her each day while we work take so much pride in her growth and development. 
• Because of the previous item, I went directly to the store to get a play table...she LOVES it! I found it at a consignment shop for $20...I would have paid double for it to see the kind of happiness and pride it brings her. 
• Eating....well, she has moved on to a new point....eating with her fingers! She'd much rather do it herself then take things by spoon or bottle. Here are some of her favorites: yogurt (the one thing that's OK by spoon), puffs, crunchy cheese puffs (the Gerber kind), biter biscuits, pears, peas. Of the baby food varieties, she seems to like almost everything we've presented. We're going to move on to more table food in the coming weeks...she'll be starting to get these things at school too -- just like the big kids.
• Separation anxiety just started at 9 months, 2 weeks. (pretty much right on schedule!). When I drop her in the mornings at school, she will play when I put her down and then, when I head for the door, she crawls after me and cries with the pouty lip. It's the most pathetic thing I've ever seen and it's heartbreaking! Miss Nicole is helpful in distracting her and when I re-check through the window, she's playing happily. Phew.

Overall, Rachael is a happy baby who loves to play and explore and be around people her own size -- and bigger. She studies a crowd or person when she first meets them, but, as soon as she warms up, she's a friend for life. Rachael has brought so much joy to our lives and we are so thankful for her.  It's really a lot to absorb when I think back to a year ago and I was at home..wondering how much longer my pregnancy would last. Can't believe this is where we are now! 
And, of course, I'll leave you with a few pictures:

9 months wearing 

the outfit from Cousins Deb & Dee and Aunt Kathy & Uncle Harold

Month 8 - in review

Well, I kinda like these month-in-review things. It's easier to think back to what's happened then to just tell you what the markers are on the day of the "month-iversary".
Month 8 was really exciting around here!
I heard "ma, ma" for the first time on Monday, September 20th. She worked hard at the weekend leading up to that, while Nana visited, by saying "mmmmm", "mmmmmm" all weekend. It was amazing to hear it come out on Monday as ma, ma, ma.
Rachael started CRAWLING on October 1st (happy 5th anniversary to Mommy and Daddy!)
She moved on to stage 2 baby foods and began eating finger foods like Puffs and pieces of banana.
As for fun times with friends, we had a play date with Owen, Mommy's friend Shari's little boy. We enjoyed swinging at the park and sitting in the grass together. We had a long weekend visit with Nana where Rachael was spoiled with lots of love, cuddles and singing. Sadly, we said goodbye to BJ, Jo and Amelia as BJ accepted the call to being Rector at St. Andrew's in Greensboro. (Man, do we miss them around St. Paul's!). We had dinner with Joe, Nicol & Kate...and Rachael was chewing on just about everything -- making more teeth!
The end of September marked Gammy's 90th birthday -- Happy Birthday, Gammy! We love and miss you!
Phew...it was a busy month, but, lots of fun!

Trip to the Mountains

So, a MONTH ago today, we were returning from a wonderful weekend in the mountains of North Carolina. We went to Boone, NC with our "old" neighbors and wonderful friends, Shannon, Phil & Samantha Helm. We have enjoyed several weekends away as a four-some and now it was fun to bring the girls' and watch them spend time together.
For Mike and I, it was our first time to Boone and our first chance to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The mountain air was clean and crisp and the 70 degree days and 40 degree nights were a welcome change from the 95 degree weather we left behind in Raleigh.
Rachael enjoyed having time with another "little person" and learned a lot by watching Samantha.
We enjoyed a short walk in the Linville Viaduct, hit up several parks -- the coolest one was in Blowing Rock and bought candy and other goodies at the General Store.
Overall, it was just great to getaway and spend quality time with our friends!
Here are some pictures:

Month 7 -- in review

Well, now that Rachael has been 8 months for 11 days -- it's time to review her 7th month! Yes, slacker mom-blogger of the YEAR! :)
In my defense...here are some excuses reasons for the void on the blog: 

1) our camera was in the repair shop after a run-in with one of our favorite two year olds. The camera lost. 

2) the fall semester started for me at work and that means absolute craziness of the college-student type.

3) Rachael got two teeth and this momma lost countless hours of sleep and therefore brain cells fell out of my head at the time.

Alright, enough of that -- just get on with it!

We celebrated her 7th month birthday with a fun evening at the Helm's. Rachael and Samantha enjoyed a wonderful ride in Samantha's two person wagon. The adults enjoyed grilled pizzas and fun conversation. (Pictures of this experience are on Phil's cell phone -- see camera war above)

Other fun times -- we played with Sue, Shane and baby Claire who was showing Rachael what a big girl she is -- pulling up at 6 1/2 months.

I traveled by myself for the first time since R arrived to host cousin Mary's baby shower. It was a great day to celebrate Mary and the pending arrival of baby boy Smith. As of my typing, we're still waiting for baby boy to arrive, but, it will be any day now. While I was gone, Mike and Rachael enjoyed several long walks and she slept pretty well overnight for a tired daddy. I arrived home to a happy baby, a clean house and the laundry washed and folded -- what more could a girl want?????? I'm the luckiest-- I swear!

Also, Mike installed an infant/toddler swing on the playset just for the diva -- she loves it. 

As for developmental milestones -- there were many this month! 

Weight: 13lbs, 2oz.

Her two first teeth appeared on the bottom gum on August 15th.

Began eating stage 2 foods this month. She just adores anything that is delivered via spoon. Pictures below!

On Sept 5th, Rachael was sitting up for the first time on her own for a long period of time. 

She began rocking on all fours...really wanting to crawl and in the meantime, perfecting her army crawl -- it's pretty quick! 

Enough talk -- here are photos:

Up next...the 8th month post, a post about our Labor Day trip to the NC mountains and other fun things!

Hope you are doing well -- thanks for checking in on us!
Lots of love,
Sara 

Six Years Ago Today...

Mike made me one very lucky and happy woman....he asked me to marry him!
The day is almost a blur, now, but, I do recall him getting on one knee in the middle of
the academic quad at West Chester University...the place from which we both received our degrees.
He knew all too well that WCU was a very special place for me and that it was the place that our
friendship deepened and that, ultimately, set the groundwork for our relationship today.

These years have gone by at lightening speed...but, one thing's for sure: I love  you more today than I did on that day! And, trust me, I didn't think that was possible!

Sealed...

by the cross of Christ forever.
On Sunday, August 8th, 2010, Rachael Lenore was baptized. We started the weekend with our families coming to town, including her Godparents, uncle Doug as Godfather and my cousin Allyson, as Godmother. Thank you to you both for playing this important role in Rachael's religious life. We spent Saturday making preparations for Sunday's brunch...I couldn't have done it without all of the help from everyone! Saturday evening, we had shared dinner together and then ushered Rachael off to a bath in preparation for the big event. The next day was a very special day for our family! Rachael was such a trooper....she didn't cry when George (the head Rector/Priest) took her in his arms, nor did she cry when he poured the water on her head. She was quiet during the rest of church and even fell asleep during communion! This is one of my favorite pictures from the day:

Rachael reaching her hand up to touch Rev. George's face...precious!

After the ceremony, we enjoyed a brunch at our house with family and friends.
The whole weekend was a great celebration of Rachael's big day...her first "white dress"
celebration! I have a feeling this one was cheaper than the BIG one in the white dress.
Another special memory -- Rachael was the fifth girl to wear the baptismal dress.
Here's the list of those who have worn it:
Barbara Louise (Eavis) Garman - 1946
Kathie Elizabeth (Eavis) Craft - 1948 (Rachael's grandmother - Nana)
Micki Leanne (Garman) Marquardt- 1968
Sara Louise (Craft) Concini - 3/6/77 (Rachael's mother!)
Rachael Lenore Concini- 8/8/10

Gammy (Rachael's great-grandmother) remarked that this was the fifth baby she'd held in this dress:

And, here are the four generations:

And, finally, Rachael with her parents and Godparents: