There's no place like South Beach, there's no place like South Beach...

WE HAD THE BEST TIME ON VACATION! No cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, no errands, just happy family time is just what the doctor ordered! We were at the Ritz in South Beach and it was perfect for us, the pool and fabulous beach are right there. Emma LOVED the pool and beach, and spent hours playing in the sand. It was a blast! When can we go back???

After spending the entire morning at the beach, I would have room service waiting for us in our room so we could have lunch before an afternoon of napping for the kiddos. It worked out great!


John seemed to adjust just fine to being away from home! The baby bjourn is our friend and he spent a lot of time in it while on vacation. It instantly puts him to sleep! Here he is, pooped out, while sitting under an umbrella at the beach!

Emma playing in the sand...give that girl some cups and sand and she can keep herself busy for hours.

Another day with my lovies!

Just a few days before Easter and Emma is wearing her adorable new hat from Gramma, along with some time her in swing since the nicer weather is getting near!

Last weekend we witnessed my dad and cousin Kevin taking down the big tree in the back of the house...that tree will definitely be missed! Like Emma's sunglasses?!

Couldn't resist a pic of the fam all packed up and ready for the 3 hour drive to VT!

A shot of our smiley boy!

John Meets GG and Papa!

This past weekend my mom and I took a last minute trip up to Dedham and John was finally able to meet his great grandparents!!! He was a very good boy for his GG and Papa!

This picture is just too cute to resist!

Our little fashionista!

Emma has been quite the fashionista lately! She is all about her necklace and bracelet from Nana and Grampa. She wears them pretty much everyday...

...after a nice shower, one must put on their Mommy's Uggs...

...and last but definitely not least, her comfy boots, favorite sweater from Gramma, topped off with her cupcake hat (a favorite from Gramma) that she insisted on wearing! Oh yes, and her chair is upside down and that is not by accident...that is the way she likes to sit in it. This child is beginning to make me wonder...she must get all this from her father! :)

We avoided being sick for so long...

Maybe I can get going again with this blog since I've been so horrible about making updates. I have no idea if there are any readers still out there besides my mom and grandmother?!?!

We avoided being sick for so long but not it has finally gotten the best of us. Emma came down with her first ear infection last week, we were ear infection free for the first 19 months of her life so not too bad. She's been pretty miserable for the last week and now I know what other moms are talking about when they moan about being home with sick babies. She's had a fever, runny nose, cough...the whole deal. I miss her chipper, silly self and I hope she's back soon!

John is just about 7 weeks old and he is such a love of a baby! A smile isn't too hard to get from him and he is super laid back and easy going...at least most of the time. He has a little sniffle and cough too so I'm just trying my best to get them both healthy.

Here are a few pics of the kiddos from the last few weeks...

How I wish I had moved my gross slipper from the table before this picture was taken, oh well! We've been up to our condo at Okemo a lot this Winter which has been a blast, though the fact that I haven't been able to ski this season is starting to really get to me! Maybe I can squeeze in some Spring skiing?

Changing my lovies out of there pj's and getting ready to start the day!

Ah yes, we had Erik (one of our favorite people!!!) here to take pictures of John! We love his pictures in general and he did such a fabulous jobs with Emma's baby shots that we couldn't wait to have him back to get some of baby John. Here is a sneak peak and there will be more to come!!!

Baby John

Welcome John Michael Chapin!

John Michael Chapin - Born Wed. January 27th at 8:58am. 9lbs even, 20 1/4". Big Baby Boy!!

Caitlin and John are both doing very well. We are happy to share these pictures with you.

John and Gramma

John and Nana

John and Grampa

Grampie and John

The whole family!

Dear blog...we have not forgotten about you!!!

Oh my gosh, sometimes we just let this whole 'updating our blog thing' just go way too long! So much going on and Emma of course is changing everyday! She is walking/running around like a maniac, 'talking' like crazy...saying momma, dadda, her own version of Jakey and Lola, pickle, pancake, cookie, truck, car, down, NO, and sticker. She loves her little baby doll, gives it lots of kisses, and she also carries around her little purse in quite a proud fashion.

We just started a fun toddler yoga class and Emma is actually quite good at it! We have also been in a Music Together class for the last few weeks and Emma loves every second of it, except when it is time to put her little favorite instruments away...minor meldown each time but oh well. She is really coming out of her shell quite a bit and not staying glued to her momma at all times. She loves dancing around and singing and we just laugh when she is talking up a storm...if only we knew what she was saying!

Emma loving her swing

Enjoying the last few days of summer with a picnic lunch on our boat! Mmmmm, Emma loves rasberries!!!

Popcorn, hat and all at Charlee's fabulous farm b'day party!!! Emma saw all sorts of farm animals, we had the best time!!!

Just thinking...have we not mentioned on our blog that we are expecting BABY NUMBER 2???!!! Whoops, sorry about that! I know most people are aware since I'm 6 months along now, due February 1st, and expecting a bouncing baby boy but figured we should at least mention it on here!

Going to get a pumpkin at Nana and Grampa's!

We are here, doing great, living life, loving Fall with the crunchy leaves, pumpkin hats from Gramma of course, cooler weather, and fires in the fireplace! Summer we love you but Fall is wonderful too!

A Blast in Hilton Head!!!

We had the best time during our week long vacation in Hilton Head!!! Perfect weather, endless pool and beach time, lots of good eating, tons of laughs with family and friends, complete relaxation in a dream house! It was such a blast from start to finish!!! Emma did okay on the flight down there, just a minor meltdown during our first flight and the flights home she was a gem!


Here's our girl at The Salty Dog, chowing on her new favorite food...dill pickles! So strange!

Just about had it at Paula Deens restaurant, The Lady and Sons...

...and done on the way home from Paula's filling meal! She was one pooped gal after that long day!

Blog Makeover!

So we gave our blog a makeover, hope you like our new look! I have a confession to make that I totally stole the idea from Caroline's blog. I was checking out what was new with the Maziarz family, saw their new look and loved it! Enjoy!!!

Leaving on Saturday for a week in Hilton Head, beach, pool, family, and relaxation here we come!

Happy 1st Birthday Emma!!!

How can it be that a year has past since Emma was born? It is amazing to think back to those hours before she was born, sitting in the hospital just waiting for things to happen, our families waiting patiently to hear any news, Mike and I having no clue what the heck we were in for! They finally decided after 24 hours of labor to go ahead with a c-section, we were both relieved at that point that our baby girl was finally going to be here. I just remember being so emotional, the whole thing was just a lot to handle but then we heard that cry, that loud cry we would become way too familiar with! She was here and she was perfect! Mike held her, not being familiar at all with how to hold a baby. She kept blinking her eyes because the lights were so bright. She was here!

After the mad rush of love from our family and friends who came to visit, the 3 of us were exhausted. I remember falling asleep that night in the hospital, just the three of us, our new little family and it was the happiest I have ever felt in my life. Maybe it was all the drugs I had been pumped with, but life was pretty good. Getting used to our new life and family member at home was not always easy, we had our challenges and moments of Mike and I just looking at one another wondering what to do next. All in all, I think we've done a pretty good job of getting through it all. The early days of late night feedings, endless spit-up, bottle cleaning, nursing, laudry, dirty diapers....oh the diapers, to the first smiles, giggles, and rolling over, the sitting up, eating solid food, our fun travels, bouncy away in her bouncy, to now taking her first steps, dancing, getting so excited when her daddy walks in the door, saying 'sthhhh' which we all know means fish, to pushing her choo choo around, and us stopping by her crib one last time at night to get a touch of her soft hand while she is sleeping. It has all be so amazing and we are so content being together, just the three of us!

Emma, we love you so much! Happy 1st birthday baby girl!

So many updates, so little time!

It's been such a busy summer!!! Let's see if we can bring everyone up to speed! We've been trying to spend as much time as possible out on our boat. Emma loves walking around on the boat and sitting with mommy while daddy drives.

Emma was officially introduced to the 4 on the 4th Road Race in Chester! Daddy pushed her the entire 4 miles and they did such a great job! The whole clan ran, minus Cait and Nana...GO TEAM EMMA!!!

We had a very busy 4th of July but would not miss Caroline's first birthday party, she is Emma's favorite pal after all!!! Aren't they just the cutest together?! Happy birthday Caroline!!! We love you!!!

Emma's 1st Birthday - Video by Uncle Deacon

Hallelujah!

Everyone always says "it goes by so fast..." and I always just politely smiled in agreement. It is so true though! Emma is pulling herself up on everything and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days she starts walking. Everyday she is changing so much!
HALLELUJAH! Emma FINALLY figured out how to hold her own bottle! I tried everything, sippy cups without handles, sippy cups with handles, curved bottles, and then finally this mini bottle she used when she was a newborn seemed to do the trick!

Then I couldn't help posting this video of Emma and my parents "killer" cat Max...seriously, he looks harmless but this cat survived a coyote attack...no joke! Emma loves animals, especially cats...so here you go!

She's on the move!

So much has been going on and Emma is changing so much we can hardly believe it! She officially started crawling on Mother's Day which has totally changed our way of life! You can't take your eyes off her! She has two bottom teeth, she is drinking milk and no more formula. She's also eating finger foods now and not as much baby food...loves cheese, peaches, pancakes, turkey, and yogurt! She says "DADA" all day long and says "MOMMA" when she's tired or hungry. We are having the best time and she is such a silly little thing! How is it possible that in 2 months she is going to turn 1?! We were up at Okemo for Memorial Day weekend with the entire Chapin family. The Ashe family was just a few doors down and here is Emma with Lauren.

She looked so precious while she was sleeping that I couldn't help myself from taking a picture. A few moments after this was taken she woke up, and was not happy that her mommy was in her face taking pics!

We went to NYC again for Cait's b'day...Emma did great! Walked around the park, Emma and Auntie Allison hung out while we went to a fabulous dinner and show. Sarabeth's for breakfast then headed home.

Now that the gorgeous weather is here I'm getting out and walking as much as I can...Emma and I walk into town from our house, it's one of our favorite things to do!

She always looks so cute after a bath! Had to take a pic!

Our little cutie and what has become THE blanket! Thank goodness we have two because we are in big trouble if this cozy thing gets lost!