5 Years Ago

With all the baby business we've been up to lately, we almost forgot that Friday marked our 5th anniversary. So we now interrupt this baby blog with a quick flashback to July 30, 2005.

For our wedding, Syracuse graced our guests with great weather and scenery --along with a heavy dose of college nostalgia, a mountain of Dinosaur BBQ, and a beautiful reception at Belhurst Castle on Seneca Lake.

More important, our wedding set in motion a chain of events that, over the last five years, has brought us new jobs, a new city, a new home and -- best of all -- two new little people to share our lives with. (Not a bad start for 5 years, eh?)

Home Sweet Home

Ariella and Gwen made it home for Ariella's birthday on Wednesday. Morgan and Andy went to the hospital to help Mom and Gwen gather up their things, and pose for a few pictures.

We've been telling Morgan for weeks that the baby was going to ride in the car seat next to her. Can you tell Morgan's excited to have a travel buddy?

When we got home, Morgan treated Gwen to her first official tea party (with special guests Daddy, Nanna and Aunt Lindsay).

After Ariella's birthday dinner, Morgan helped Mom open her birthday presents: a new coffee maker and two bottles of wine. Just what a new mom needs to get back on... err... off the wagon.

Baby Baby (The Gwen Song)

Day two of the Gwen Era went very smoothly. She's getting the hang of drinking from a bottle. She's filling her diapers like a champ. And she got to enjoy some quality time with Aunt Lindsay, Nanna (Sheila) and P-Pa (Joe).

But, best of all, big sister Morgan serenaded her with this little bit of video goodness. The melody is pretty solid, but the lyrics are... umm... a bit limited.

Here are a few more photos from today...

Ariella and Gwen will be coming home from the hospital Wednesday -- which just so happens to be Ariella's birthday. So if you're one of the 7-8 people who read this blog who aren't already staying at our house, don't forget to say "Happy Birthday, Ariella".

Say Hello to Gwen

Gwendolyn Riley Saucier (a.k.a. "Gwen") joined the family at 2:46 this afternoon. Gwen weighed in a 8lbs 4oz, and was an even 20 inches long.

Mom and baby are both doing great. And, as you'll see below, Morgan is thrilled to finally be a big sister.

It's been a long day for all of us (especially Mom and Gwen). We'll post more photos later. Stay tuned.

"Daddy, I wrote my name!"

With nothing new to report on the baby front, we figured we should post something on our blog so that the demonic Cabbage Patch Kid image isn't the last thing you see before our birth announcement.

The other day, Morgan was drawing with her markers. All of the sudden, she proudly declared "Daddy, I wrote my name!" When Andy looked at the page, this is what he saw:

There's clearly an "M" there, followed by what looks like an "o" and a "g". After that, it kind of goes down hill. But, hey, she's 2. Cut her some slack.

Is it just coincidence? Or is Morgan a writing prodigy? You be the judge.

Cabbage Patch Prophecy

As of 9 p.m. on July 6, there's no sign that our baby is anywhere close to being born. So it's safe to say that the Cabbage Patch Prophecy won't come to pass.

Suck it, Ayla Carissa! :-)

Fourth (5th) of July Parade

We capped off our Independence Day weekend with a trip to nearby Haddonfield, NJ for the annual 4th of July Parade -- this year, held on the 5th so that the locals could wear their "4th of July, 2010" shirts twice, I guess.

Before the parade, Morgan flashed her cheesiest grin for a photo. Nicely done.

While we waited for the parade to arrive, Morgan blew bubbles. Meanwhile, the baby living in Ariella's belly was thinking to herself, "Aw, man! Why couldn't my delivery date have been sooner? I'm missing all this fun stuff!"

Morgan's favorite parts of the parade were the Mummers, the String Bands, and the firetrucks. Her least favorites were the creepy guy who was taunting kids with his hand puppets, and the equally creepy person dressed up as a Gelatti who was handing out coupons to Rita's Water Ice.

Andy's favorite was the neighborhood association that dressed up like Magnum P.I. (Hawaiian shirts, baseball hats, and cheesy mustaches -- even on the kids). Only in America, folks. Only in America.

Escaping from the Heat

For the past two weeks, South Jersey has been bombarded with temperatures in the 90's. Even a nasty thunderstorm couldn't break the humidity -- although it did knock our power out for 13 hours last Thursday. Yuck.

On Sunday, Morgan finally escaped from the heat in her wading pool, along with cousin Alex. Ariella gave the weekend cool-down an extra jolt with yummy ice cream sandwiches.

Of course, Morgan isn't the only one who's looking to escape from the heat. Our little baby-to-be has been making moves to get out of her 98.6-degree hideaway. She's in her 37th week now, has her head down, and could push her way to the outside world any day now.

Remember our post in March about Morgan's future-telling Cabbage Patch Kid? Well, the doll's birthday -- July 6th -- is this coming Tuesday. Will that be the day?!?