Let's Catch Up

As it happens, we celebrated the arrival of our second son, Noah Grayson, on June 19th, 2013 at 3:47pm. He weighed in at 8lbs 6.4oz (over a pound larger than his big brother Elijah). The labor lasted 8hrs (compared to 28hrs with Elijah) and he is a super happy little man!

Noah at 1 day old

Elijah came to visit us in the hospital and although he was somewhat standoffish at first, he quickly warmed up once we came home. He calls Noah "Bebe" and loves to greet him with "Hey Bebe". It sounds almost like a pickup line, but it's just so cute. Elijah also loves giving brother kisses and helping. He'll come up to Noah and say, "POOOOP, I help". I do love my big helper and I feel like the age difference is perfect. 

After a day or so, Nonna flew down for a very helpful visit. She made taking care of two children look like a vacation! I was overwhelmingly grateful for her assistance while I was beginning my recovery. 

The day Nonna departed, we celebrated the arrival of Uncle Juju!!!! Elijah was so excited and he definitely enjoyed the special attention. 

Playing with stickers together. Elijah insisted on wearing his Boogie Monster leggings much of the time. 

A game we're not terribly fond of, but Elijah had a blast! They took turns getting stuck under the car yelling, "OUCH"

Uncle Juju in a very small box

Finally a picture of the two of them sitting...harder to capture than you think

Pool time!!!!!!

The day Uncle Juju flew out, Bill and Donna arrived. It was awesome to have a consistent flow of family visiting for the first two weeks. I am so grateful everyone was able to make it and help so much with the boys. 

My beautiful Mother-in-law enjoying snuggle time with Noah

Elijah was feeling extra needy, with two pacifiers in his mouth

In the middle of family visiting, we managed to squeeze in a newborn family photo session. Enjoy. 

We all enjoyed some reading in Noah's nursery

My sweet little sleepy man

My boys...I love saying that

So sweet together

Noah deep in thought

A sweet, beautiful face

Family of Three

Prior to the arrival of baby #2, we decided it would be nice to have some family photos taken. We found a wonderful photographer in Florence names Tracy Wright and she turned utter chaos into something we will cherish for years to come.

Happy 2nd Birthday Elijah!

Elijah is 2 years old!!!! Despite us nearing the end of this pregnancy, we managed to pull together a little get together with some of his friends. The weather was so beautiful, so we had outside water fun and ice cream cake! It was a wonderful time and Elijah loved playing with friends and playing with all the balloons (for days after the party too).

Elijah with his friends, Kate and Richard Genoble

Elijah's Aunt Carol was so sweet to stop by to say Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you :)

Opening his present from Mommy and Daddy. A Thomas the Train Lights and Sound big wheels! Choo choo!!!!!

Elijah doing a Boogie Monster dance in his Boogie Monster legs, a gift from the Hanners Family

It's PETE THE CAT and his shoes! Thank you Aunt Carol!

Balloon fun. Matt got these all tangled up for Elijah so he could attack them and roll around with them on the floor. Then, we realized to could throw a soft blanket over them and bounce even more while attacking them! So much fun and they've lasted a week now!

Thank you to everyone who came by and made this day really special for our beautiful 2 year old boy. 

Sara Elise Graduates!

Sara Elise Spinazzola has been Elijah's first and favorite babysitter this past year. We met her very shortly after we moved to Florence. She started out as our babysitter, but quickly became part of the family as she and her mother helped to keep Elijah after I returned to work this past fall.

Today, Sara Elise graduated high school and we're thrilled for her and a little sad too. We were invited to the party and were so excited to be able to attend. It was extra exciting for Elijah, since he was going into Carol and Sara Elise withdrawal.

Elijah quickly familiarized himself with the guests, many of which were high school girls that he has met over the last year with Sara Elise and he became the adorable little guy of the party. It was so sweet seeing all the girls gush over him....he is pretty handsome. He loves being at the Spinazzola house so much, what with his favorite ladies, Lucy the dog, their cat, a fish and fun stuff to do!

Sara Elise, Elijah and Aunt Carol (Elijah's stand-in-mom). Aunt Carol was also Elijah's teacher at All Saint PMO this past year. He's really going to miss her so much next year as he moves into the next class.  

Our little photographer

"Cheese"

Mommy, 37.5 weeks prego

Elijah flirting with everyone

It was wonderful getting to congratulate Sara Elise and give her our best wishes for this new chapter in her life. Although we'll see her throughout the summer, we're so sad to know that we won't be able to see her everyday. 

Ms. Kim's Horses

This weekend, we had a wonderful opportunity to visit a friend at her home. Kim Gregg, one of the wonderful women I get to work with at Carolinas Hospital, owns several horses on her family property and had given us an open invitation. I decided to call her and we scheduled a visit. It was AWESOME!!!!!!! Little did I know, it would turn into a full afternoon of horses, riding Gator 4-wheelers, food and fun! Kim was a wonderful hostess, as well as her very kind and welcoming family.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the entire family and extended family as well. They all live in close proximity and get together most every weekend for "Sunday Funday". They're just those kind of wonderful people. Since I'm big and pregnant, Matt was kind enough to do the demonstration of riding a horse, to encourage Elijah a bit.

A real live horse! :)

Cowboy Matt

Matt rode off into the woods and since it seemed he would be gone for a bit, Kim's daughter (she has twin 15yr old girls) Carolyn, took us on a Gator ride. Elijah and I sat in the front seat together with Carolyn and we rode off for a fun tour of the trails. Elijah LOVED it. He even took some time to drive himself afterwards.

Elijah driving the gator and loving it!

After awhile, Elijah agreed to get on a horse for a ride. See, Elijah has a stick horse, which actually used to by mine when I was a child. One of his favorite things to do is to ride the stick horse while carrying Daddy's phone listening to the Lone Ranger theme song. It's hilarious! Anyhow, we knew he would love to see a real horse and maybe even go for a big horse ride. He did!

The video is on Matt's phone, so I'll have to try to add it later, but Elijah really enjoyed his time with the horses and we greatly appreciate the entire Gregg Family for making us feel so welcome in their home and farm. 

Just a few random shots

Summer is in full swing here and we've been having so much fun. Elijah has also been growing by leaps and bounds. At his last doctors appointment, they noted he had grown 2 inches in the past 6 months! Still approximately 30lbs, but growing like a weed and running everywhere he goes! It's difficult to snap great photos, but here a few great shots. Enjoy.

Elijah going super high in his awesome swing from the Palka Family, on his new swing set!!!

Vacuuming his truck on a random morning. 

Elijah and Mommy, 36 weeks pregnant. 

Oh, you know, just your usual Saturday morning, trying to use the potty with coaching from Daddy and an iPad for entertainment. 

Our big happy boy.  

One word, handsome. 

Nucor Lunch Date with Daddy and Friends

Today, our amazing Nucor family threw a Baby Shower Luncheon for us! We feel absolutely blessed and honestly humbled to be a part of such a closely knit family.

So, I picked Elijah up from school a bit early and we headed over to Nucor to "see Daddy". We were greeted at the gate by Matt and he escorted us right up to the front door, since at this point, with my sciatic pain, I'm not walking well. Elijah was scooped out of the car and despite his initial shyness, he warmed up to people quickly.

Elijah making friends over the radio with Joe Fronzoglio

Nucor's next summer intern, in charge of communication, with a side in safety

Elijah opening a very special gift, just for him, from Kathy Palmer. She is over the HR department and has been a cornerstone in our overall extremely positive experience with Nucor. 

Who doesn't love BALLOONS!!!!!

A rare picture of Elijah and Daddy (in one of his work uniforms) :)

Georgetown, SC Vacation

It seems that I somehow missed the entire month of April, but maybe Matt has pictures to recap the fun. In May, we went on a family vacation to Georgetown, SC, about 2hrs from our home. My mom flew in a day early to help with packing the car and entertaining Elijah on the ride down. The next day, Uncle Juju, Trink, my dad, his eldest sister, Karen, and Matt all joined at various times. It was a really wonderful and enjoyable week at the "Debi-doo".

Baby brother being utilized as an armrest. We're 34 weeks and counting down. 

My modest baby-bump-suit. My Aunt Karen and I were deep in discussion about the woes of pregnancy. She carried twins!

Aunt Karen and my Daddy. She helped raise and mold my father into the man he is today, though her stories were quite enlightening :) She was an absolute joy to be around and we all wished she could have stayed longer than 2 days. 

Our handsome little wild man

Dinner date

Fun in historic Georgetown

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Uncle Juju digging a very deep hole on the beach. 

And....Elijah. In the 3 foot deep hole!

Aunt Trinka stuck in the hole. At least that was more entertaining for Elijah. 

Hmmm....the similarities are uncanny.