Rachael's been officially "welcomed"...

Our families hosted some celebrations in honor of Rachael's arrival.
The Concini/Hermance/Coombe crew gathered around Mimi and Papa's deck and pool to greet the little one. It was a very full day....full of love, laughter, food (of course) and of long-awaited hugs and conversations. We are so thankful to Mimi and Papa for hosting us and to Nana and Pops for helping us to celebrate with a Rachael poster and a delicious chocolate "Welcome Rachael" cake.
A few pictures from the day:
Christy holding Rachael while she loves on Cecelia, Mike's cousin's daughter

All of the cousins around
the cake!
















Then, the very next day, we were again surrounded by family at a
"Welcome Diva Rachael" brunch at Allyson's home in Springfield, VA.
It was a great afternoon and evening of chatting and catching up and more
hugs and kisses for Rachael. She loved playing with Alex, and it was the two
of them playing that explains the lack of pictures!

THANK  YOU to our families for celebrating Rachael...she is one lucky girl
to have you!

A Whole Lotta Catchin' Up to Do...

So...if ever there were faithful followers of this blog...I'm sure I've lost you with my ridiculously long, life-filled break from posting! I am in awe of blogs that I read (very sparingly these days) in which the author can post each day, or, at the very least, multiple times a week. I feel like I can't even get to all of the things that I WANT to in one day...just trying to get through the things that HAVE to be done.

Alright...so, enough with the excuses and whining. Here's the scoop with the Concini's:
Father's Day: We had a great day together. We took Rachael to church for the first time and I haven't seen Mike any prouder than when he walked Rachael up to the communion rail. We were all welcomed back to the physical community with the warmth of hugs, special greetings and excited voices to meet Rachael. We were never far from the spiritual community with all of the thoughts, prayers, cards, calls, food and visits from clergy and fellow members during our time away.
Later that afternoon, I surprised Mike with VA Tech onesies for Rachael and so, the two sat together with their VT t-shirts on after a homemade (by me!) dinner: herb-encrusted pork tenderloin, cheesy potatoes, cooked carrots, and escalloped apples. It was scrumptious, if I do say so myself.
Here's a picture of daddy and his little hokie:

A proud daddy and an admiring baby girl! Mike, you are an amazing father (already) and it is my honor and pleasure to watch you in your journey of fatherhood. Rachael is blessed!

Also on Father's Day weekend, our friends, Richard and Margaret came to meet Rachael. It was great to see them and very special to watch them meet the diva.

Don't worry, Rachael, you will (someday) have more hair than Richard! :)

And, then there was the "Gammylympics" and 90th birthday celebration at Holden Beach!
It was a fabulous time to be together (we missed  you Alaska/Arizona crew!) and we celebrated in grand style with Gammy and the overarching theme: ' Let's get on with it' (said by Gammy on her 80th birthday whitewater rafting trip when the river was too slow for her liking!)

The weather was perfect...with a cool breeze in the evenings, hence the blowing hair and Gammy's sweater.

Rachael didn't get to the sand much when the sun was bright overhead, but, we did sneak in a quick picture or two for posterity!










We are so blessed to have family that comes together (from miles and miles) for celebrations and just good times to spend together to create lasting memories! We love you guys!

And, last, but NOT least, Rachael is SIX months old! Where did the time go? Will the next 6 months go by as quickly? I'm afraid they'll go by even faster!

Beautiful blue eyes!










Here are some stats:
weight: 12lbs, 5oz (25th percentile)
height: 25 inches (50-75th percentile!)
What you are doing:
Rolling, rolling, rolling...unable to leave you alone for any length of time on the floor!
Army crawling...using your arms to go forward while getting up on your legs.
Grasping at all kinds of things and putting everything in to your mouth. You have noticed your feet and are trying to figure out how to get them to the mouth.
Sitting up with the help of the Bumbo for 30 secs- 1 minute. "Talking" all the time -- squealing even! Wonder where she gets that ability from? :) You are also "bossing around" the toys on your bouncy seat....no comment as to where that trait derives.

If you're still reading, at this point, you should get yourself a cookie! :)

Until next time...

Another first...(or two)

Little Rachael had her first virus this week!
I got the first phone call from daycare about a
low-grade fever. We had our first "sick" visit
to the pediatrician.
Thankfully, she doesn't have an infection and
never did act very "sick", but, it wasn't
an easy week, as she hasn't been
eating with her usual vigor, but,
she was sleeping an unusual amount.

Meanwhile, the determined (read: stubborn
where does she get that?) diva is
working on her Army crawl.
She inched her way across the room
and is rolling over from front to back
and back to front like it's her job. OK, so
maybe it is her job, for now. :)

Tsk, tsk...I don't have pictures to post
at the moment, but, when I get my act together,
I will be back, with photos!

ttfn!

5 months!

Happy month # 5, Rachael!
Here are some stats:

weight: 11lbs, 3oz

eating: 500-600mls a day

doing: sucking on hands, fingers, 

rolling from back to front (happened today

for the first time!), cooing, giggling,

smiling. following hands and feet

with eyes, watching others move

around. still in love with glowy,

the glow worm, who can bring a

smile to your face at any moment.

In the last two weeks, you have adjusted

to daycare very well...taking good naps

and eating well all the while enjoying the 

"big kids". I am trying to do as well

at adjusting being back to work full-time.

I'm just thankful to have a job that I love

and colleagues who are more like family

than "co-workers". 

Of course, here's a 5 month picture:

Hello Summer...Rachael's first beach trip

Well...it's a hot one out there today and it's not even noon!
We were able to take a few days to join Mike's parents
in Hilton Head, South Carolina before I started back to
work full-time. It was an adventure to travel with a 4 1/2 month
old! Rachael did great on the way down...slept the whole way there!
We woke her up once to eat, since it is a 5 hour ride. While on the
island, we took her to the beach (at 6pm!) and placed her tent poolside,
underneath the umbrella and underneath a lightweight blanket -- no sunburn
on mommy's watch!
Here are some pictures....thanks, Mimi and Papa for letting us crash your trip
and for watching Rachael so we could enjoy some pool & hot tub time
and a long dinner out!

The Cousins...

Cousins & kids...we're multiplying! :)

Mother's Day weekend brought a visit from
the cousins and their families! It was the best
way that I can think to spend my first Mother's
Day! We all enjoyed some play time...both
little kids and big kids. Saturday night we
took Rachael out for her first dinner out
to Mellow Mushroom...Shannon, Phil and Samantha
joined us for the big occasion.
Thanks to the cousins for coming all this way to see us!

Alex & Allyson lovin' on Rachael

Mary giving Rachael some breakfast

Alex checking on Rachael

Shannon, Phil & Sam joined us for R's
first dinner out- Mellow Mushroom!

FOUR months!

Happy 4 month birthday, Rachael!
Where did those months go? At some moments,
I remember January 14th like it was yesterday
and in other moments, I feel like it was a really long
time ago...isn't it funny how time does that?

It is so fun to watch you change and grow, right before our eyes!

So that we will remember, here are some stats about you:
Weight: 9lbs, 11.5oz....just 6 more ounces and you will be
triple your birth weight!
Length: 21.5 inches
Head circumference: 38cm
For your "adjusted" age of 2 months, these numbers are in the 50-75th
percentile. For your "actual" age of 4 months, you're at the bottom of the chart!
Things that you are doing:
tracking - following faces and objects with your eyes
smiling and cooing (these are our favorites and make even the "bad" days good.)
sticking out your tongue
fingers in your mouth...and drooling
bearing weight on your legs when being held upright - doctor says this is a 4 month old thing- yeah!

Rachael....we are so blessed to have you in our hearts and our lives!
The diva...as always! We love you!

Visit with Carrie

Not long after visiting with one of my closest friends from college,

my closest friend from graduate school came all the way from PA to 

see us and love on Rachael!

Carrie and I shared many hours of class...many hours of late night talks...

many hours of papers and projects together in school...and lots of fun, 

including penny-pinching dinners in Manayunk! Thanks, Carrie for your friendship

and love...come back soon!

Here are some pictures from our time together:

Sue & Maddie Come To Town...

OK...this post is so overdue that it's embarrassing, but, better late than never, they say!
Sue Hillman, my college roommate, packed up her precious two year old, Maddie
and they came to visit us for a few days to meet Rachael and so that I could
FINALLY meet Maddie...notice, I said, she's TWO! To my defense,
the last time I saw Sue, she was a week from delivery...and, Orlando isn't
around the corner, last I checked.
I can't even tell you how wonderful our visit was...when Sue and I
get together, it's like not a day has passed since we last spoke!
And, as Mike will attest, the talking never stopped!
Sue and Maddie...please come back and, of course, bring Matt
with you next time...someone has to save Mike. :)
We had a great time....many, many thanks!
We hope to visit you in Orlando sometime soon, too!
Here are a few pictures...as I can assure you, many, many were taken.

Thank you, Rachael...

for being "the one"....for coming in to my life and stealing my heart forever...for making me see the world in bold, brilliant colors like never before....for allowing me to be your Mommy.
On this Mother's Day...my very first...I am overwhelmed by the joy you have brought to our lives and the sheer pleasure that it is to watch you grow...and the honor that it is to have the job of  your Mommy.

Of course, this wouldn't be complete without a thank  you to my own Mommy...who is strong and compassionate and smart and kind and filled with grace and wisdom. Thanks, Mom, for always making me feel loved and special and for teaching me, by your own example, how to be a good woman and a good Mom. (Is it OK that I still don't know if I'm a "real" Mom, yet? Do I have to be thrown up on multiple times before claiming that title? :)

And...two more people to honor on this special day....my sweetheart, Michael, who is thoughtful and caring at every turn and who shares in this journey of parenthood with me as a partner, friend and love. And, thank you to Mom C for sharing your son with me and adding me to the family with love and kindness!

Pictures and stories about recent visitors to come!
xoxox