Florida

We took a short trip to Florida so my aunt could meet Bella. It was a great trip, so happy we made it! Next time we'll stay longer... I promise :)




Bella & Aunt Lorraine


Bella's first time in the Gulf...she loved it!!


Buried in the sand..


..eating Sand :)

My First Mothers Day!!

Mothers day this year was so awesome! Last year we had recently lost the baby and had no idea when we would finally become parents..it was very hard. The difference of one year is so unbelievable :) We went to the lake with my parents, Jamies parents usually come as well but his grandfather is not doing very well so they wanted to stay with him. Bella went on her first boat ride...totally unphased until we put the life jacket on..not a fan :) She looked at the waves for a couple of minutes, cried a little and then passed out for the rest of the ride. The rest of the weekend was pretty low key. For my first mothers day I got PJ's, a bath robe and adirondack chairs!! It was so great.

Adoption Finalized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE got the best news in the world yesterday...Bella's adoption was finalized!!!!!! With Ashley, her birthmother, that part was final 7 days after Bella's birth but the states NC & NY wanted part of the action too and they're part took forever!!! But it's over now!!! NO one can take our daughter away, she's been our in our hearts since she was born but now she's ours in every way. So awesome that it's all over..I can't even explain. We weren't worried but to have a child has been a long process and so many people have been in our "business" from Dr's to Lawyers for years now. So, to know no one is poking, proding or investigating us is just SUCH an amazing feeling! It was all worth it but glad it's done. LOVE YOU BELLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bella's 2nd Time at the Lake

This weekend we went to the lake, it was an awesome weekend! We stayed at Stantons, Stoeckers stayed as well. Kristin, Dan, Heather and Jim all came over for dinner on Saturday night. Mima, Poppy and uncle Pat were around too!! Bella had a great time with her new friends!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

This weekend was Jamie's birthday, his grandfathers birthday and Bella's 7 month birthday!! We spent the weekend in Rochester and had a great time. Bella started saying dadadadadada...it was so cute!!!

Swimming!!! Videos

Swimming!!!! Photos

We took Bella to the pool at the gym today..she absolutely loved it!

A Year Ago

Today is tough..one year ago we found out we lost our baby boy. There probably has not been a single day i have not thought about that. One year ago today was also the day we decided to adopt and we have spent every single day of the last 6 months smiling because of our little girl. All that can happen in one year can make your head spin.
I really thought I would have a harder time today than I have had, actually the days leading up have been even tougher, like a count down to D day was going through my head... just remembering those words "i'm sorry there is no longer a heartbeat..." Now that it is here I am trying to focus all that we have gained since. If we hadn't made the decision to adopt that day then we would not have Bella. She makes us smile and laugh and thank God every day. We are so lucky to have her as our daughter :)

Dylans birthday party

On Sunday we went to Jamies friend from colleges sons birthday..(got that?? :)





The party was in Merrick so we drove over to see the house that Grandpa grew up in. Does it look the same Dad???

Happy 6 Months!!!

I can't believe how quickly time flies by! Bella got to spend the day with both grandparents today..mine left this morning for Florida and Jamies came this afternoon. We picked up Bubbi and Papa at the train station and then went to the park.
We just got an email from Ashley, I was so happy to get it! I truly want to stay in contact with her. I don't think anyone will ever understand how I feel about her....she gave me something I could not create on my own, she gave us and our family the most precious gift ever. She is amazing.
She mentioned today Bella was 6 months and asked how she was doing and what she was doing...crawling, etc....she even sent some pictures, she looks great!! She went to her first concert...yay for her!!!! She's getting to be a teenager. I am so happy to know she is doing well :)