Pics, Plain and Simple

I'm making an attempt at playing catch-up for the past 6 weeks... Wow. I can't believe Ellie is 6 weeks old. Where does the time go?? We're already able to coax smiles out of her, which I managed to catch on video and will post once I download.

Ellie's Arrival

Well, needless to say, we've had a busy last month. I was scolded by my husband last week for not having any news of Miss Ellie on the blog. Do you know how hard it is to find more than 5 minutes at a time to sit on the computer with a 3 year old and a newborn?? Not to mention that when I do have a 'quiet moment', I should usually use it to sleep myself... But I figured I better make an honest attempt to get something up here prior to posting Ellie's stats following her one-month check-up next week. (Note this post was started on November 12th, but was not completed until December 1st).

The events leading up to Ellie's birth were quite exciting, and it's a rather long story (we don't do anything short and sweet in this household) but I will give the abbreviated version since the majority of you are already aware of what went down (pun intended). Sunday afternoon, October 17th, a large, overdue, pregnant woman drug a sleepy toddler to the grocery store. Upon leaving the grocery store, the toddler thought it would be a good idea to put a quarter in his mouth. Somehow, the quarter then managed to find it's way into said toddler's esophagus. The large pregnant woman and quarter-swallowing toddler proceeded in an expedient manner to the emergency room. Gabe was admitted and scheduled to have the quarter removed the following morning. Meanwhile, I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for the following morning as well. Jessie came to the rescue, high-tailing it up from WV in the middle of the night, just in case I were to go into labor while Eser was slightly preoccupied with Gabe in the hospital. Jessie took me to my doctor's appointment Monday morning, and sure enough, I was leaking fluid and admitted. So Gabe and Eser were sitting in Lancaster General Hospital waiting for the doctor to show up to remove his quarter, and Jessie and I were sitting just outside of town at Women and Babies Hospital waiting for Ellie to arrive (and hoping like crazy that she waited for her daddy to get there).

Gabe went into surgery at noon (the doctor decided he would take patients at his office that morning prior to removing poor Gabe's quarter - infuriating both Eser and me...). The nurses at both hospitals were kind enough to set things up so that I could talk to Gabe from Labor and Delivery via webcam. I was able to virtually be there when he woke up and came out of surgery around 2:00. Gabe was released shortly after 3:00, than Eser and he came straight to Women and Babies. The boys arrived, they officially broke my water, and I went from 4 cm to 10 cm in under an hour. I chose to once again have an epidural, but it didn't really matter since it didn't work. 28 minutes of pushing and out came a beautiful, perfect little girl. Ellie Elizabeth Colón, born Monday, October 18th at 5:43 pm, 7 lbs. 13 oz.

How Many 3-Year Olds...

can you fit in one sandbox??

T-minus 2 Weeks and Counting!

Well, today I am 38 weeks pregnant; 2 weeks until my due date. I had a check-up this morning and the doctor said that I am dilated 1 cm (which doesn't really mean a thing at this point). She also estimates that Ellie weighs about 7 1/2 lbs. right now, which is already half a pound more than what Gabe weighed at birth. If she waits until her due date to join us, she will probably be about 8 lbs. It's amazing what that little extra pound does to a person, mentally, when you have to think about where/how it comes out...

1st Day of Preschool

After attending a one day a week two-year old preschool class last year, preschool this year is a walk in the park. Gabe is attending The Lancaster Cooperative School (we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!!) Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00-12:00. His new teacher is, coincidentally, named Ms. Megan. Several friends from last year are once again in his class, along with numerous new friends yet to be made. Ms. Thode, his teacher from last year, is the teacher's assistant for the three-year old class, so he has another friendly face in the classroom as well. Last year was touch and go as far as the drop-off was concerned; some days he was fine, some days he wanted me to stay and play a little, and some days he clung to me, begging me not to leave him. Today, he ran to the door of the school, then ran to his classroom. He puckered up for a big kiss, and then he was off to play.

Sunny Saturday in WV

Some shots from our trip to visit Jessie and Jason in WV on Saturday...

Gabe telling Uncle Jason a secret

Gabe hugging his baby sister

Belly smooches

Silly faces at the Blue Moon Cafe

Grandma and Gabe

Black bean nachos! Check out the concentration! Seriously though, he just likes trying to use a knife. He didn't eat a bite.

Following Uncle Jason through the raspberries at Orr's Orchards

Picking Raspberries, after taste-testing of course

Catch me if you can!

Zinnias, zinnias everywhere!!

Mommy's boy

Bodily Functions

Today, Gabe, mom and I drove out to WV to visit Jessie and Jason for the day (pics and more to come on that later...). Cruising down Route 83 in Maryland at about 75 mph, I hear from the back seat, "Mom! I gotta poop!" Of course, there was not an exit to be seen. Anywhere. "Mom! I gotta poop!!"

Me: "Can you hold it?"
Gabe: "I'm squeezing my legs together..."
Me: "We'll find a place soon. Squeeze a little tighter."
Gabe: "I gotta go!"
Me: "Do you want to pull over and go in the grass?"
Gabe: "No, mom!! I'm not an animal!"
Me: "Ok. I'm sorry. I'm hurrying!"

About 1/2 a mile later...

Gabe: "Mom, I gotta poop! I wanna poop in the grass like a dog!!"

We pull over. I get Gabe out of the car, pull his shorts down, and support him while he squats.

We wait.

Me: "Gabe, are you done?"
Gabe: "Yeah. It's ok, momma. It was just a fart."

For those of you Counting Down with me...

Baby Ellie is due in a mere 6 weeks!!! So now we wait and see if she is as kind and considerate as her older brother and graces us with her presence a few days early, or will she be a drama queen and decide to keep us all (not so) patiently waiting??? I need to find one of those websites for setting up a poll so all of you can make a guess at when she might arrive...

Splish Splash!

A couple of weeks ago (yes, yet another belated blog post) the first of many Lancaster City Park improvements (designed by TCA) opened to the public. A former wading pool at Sixth Ward Memorial Park in the northeast portion of the City was demolished, making way for the design and installation of the City's first 'Spray-ground'. Gabe was on hand to 'test the waters'. He approves.

Catching up on Misc. Summer Fun

I am well aware that I've been neglecting my blogging duties. My apologies to the dedicated followers. Where in the world has this summer gone?!?! Despite every day seeming like the longest day ever thanks to record temperatures and scorching humidity (where are all of you who were doubting global warming when there was snow on the ground...???? All I have to say to you is HA!), summer is seriously almost over. This weekend, we will be half way through August!! Our little baby Ellie is due in 9 weeks!! I swear, this has been the shortest summer EVER!

Below are some random pics from various summer adventures left un-blogged to date. Enjoy!

My little muscle man at the beach on the Chesapeake at Elk Neck State Park, MD.

Daddy and Gabe on the water slide at Dutch Wonderland. Wheeee!

Chillin' after too much water park fun. Is there really such a thing??

Splashing in the fountain at Lancaster's own Binns Park.

The true measure of how much fun a child has is how dirty they get. I think he had a little bit of fun...

Hanging with Cylo at a Barnstormers' game.

Getting his groove on at the Long's Park summer concert series.

The Summer Social

For those of you that don't know, my mom works at Herr's (yes, think potato chips). Every summer the company shuts down production for a day and throws a huge party for all of its employees and their families. Food, pony rides, snow cones, bouncy castles, carnival games, homemade ice cream... essentially heaven for a toddler. Below are a few pics from the festivities.

Better Late than Never...

Well, it's been more than 3 weeks since Gabe's 3rd birthday, so I suppose it's about time that I share the details and some pictures, right? The party went rather smoothly, considering the last minute venue change. Originally, we had planned to have his party at Long's Park, a local park that has a free summer concert series every Sunday evening June-August. I didn't bother reserving a pavilion because the only one available seated 400, and if you get there relatively early, it's easy to grab a few picnic tables for free. Well, the forecast didn't exactly cooperate. The evening actually turned out to be quite nice, but while watching the weather channel all day, I got scared. Tornado and storm watches (not that they developed into anything) led us to play it safe and move the party indoors. At the last minute, Eser talked to his boss at the Chameleon Club and we were able to use the Lizard Lounge. Yes, Gabe had his 3rd birthday party at a nightclub. Our good friends, the Lopezs, brought their blow-up bouncy castle, which fit nicely inside the main entrance. The kids bounced, the adults played pool, we all had pizza and cupcakes and a good time.

(L-R) Cole, Gabe, Lillian and Ayden getting their sugr-rush on.

Claire, the bouncing queen!

Mr. Personality showing off the goods!

Checking out his new 'Super Hero Starter Kit'.

Best. Dog. Ever.

Yesterday ended up being the day that I have feared for the past year or so. After her 3rd fall down our steps in a little over a month, it became evident that it was time to say goodbye to my most loyal friend, dear Cheyenne. She was 17 years old, and she has been with me since the tender age of 6 weeks. She was the absolute best dog ever. She was the sweetest, the most loyal and well-mannered dog that ever walked this earth. I will never find another dog as devoted as she was. She was the only thing that has been a constant in my everyday life for the past 17 years. Cheyenne, I love you dearly and miss you terribly.

Where, Oh Where, Has My Baby Boy Gone???

How in the world is it possible that Gabriel just turned 3 years old?!?!? Time to reflect...A recap of the birthday shindig will follow in a later post.

It Just Keeps Coming!!!

Holy cow!! I came home yesterday to literally find the trunk of Eser's car filled with baby clothes! The nurse at Eser's school has a daughter, and is expecting her second child, a son, in 4 weeks. She's already given me several bags of maternity clothes, and now, since she's having a boy and we're having a girl, we decided to trade baby clothes. Well, let's just say that I won't have to purchase an article of clothing for the lil' miss until her second birthday...

Not only did Stephanie (the nurse) give us a ton of clothes, but she knit this beautiful blanket for our new babe as well. Again, our friends are amazing.