Emily-1st Gotcha Day Get-Together 2010

Gotcha Day Get Together 2010

This past weekend we traveled to Cincinnati (Home of the Bearcats) to meet with Emily’s travel group. We drove down Friday afternoon and after checking into the Holiday Inn Express in Sharonville and taking a short break (30 minutes) we met a lot of the group at the Blue Goose Sports bar for dinner, after a short wait we were all seated in the same area and had a great dinner. (Thanks Eric for going early to arrange this). After dinner we went back to the hotel and our Hannah and Hannah Gross just had to swim. On Saturday we met (with an even bigger group) at Larossa’s Pizza for lunch and a few cupcakes (thanks Felicia & Matt). After lunch we headed to Sharon Woods and the kids (and adults) visited and played all day, we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for March. All the families are doing great, it’s amazing what real American food will do. After some family’s left we decided to go to I-Hop for dinner, us and three of the other family’s had a great dinner and then the sad part came, it was time to part ways. A little teary eyed we went back to the hotel and once again Hannah & Hannah had to swim. Sunday morning we had breakfast at the hotel with the Gross’s and then headed north towards home. We had a great weekend but it seemed way to short. It was great to see everyone again. Even Hannah had a great time with Emily’s “China Cousins” as she calls them and their siblings. The bond we share with both of our (very wonderful) travel groups is hard for some to imagine but as Kevin (Snuffy) says it’s like we have four sides to our family, we have his side, my side, Hannah’s group and Emily’s group. We also have some very wonderful neighbors, I guess that makes five sides. We are very blessed!!! We hope we can continue to keep these groups together and meet for a long time to come. Also I would like to say thank you for the hospitality of our Cincinnati families and thank you for all those who helped in the planning of the weekend and researching the hotels for us, everything was perfect !!!! We look forward to seeing everyone in July at the FTIA reunion. Maybe there will be three boys from Cincinnati (Bearcat Fans) sporting their new “NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH” tee shirts.( We love you Shannon, Eric and boys as well as everyone in our groups) God bless everyone and have a great Easter.

Hannah and Hannah playing with Emily while waiting for spaghetti and pizza

Sadie "teaching" Emily

Emily sliding into Hannah, the monster of the playground

Hannah helping Jack on the bridge (Buddies)

1 YEAR FOR EMILY

It will be one year this Tuesday since we had Emily placed in our arms for the first time. In one way it seems like a dream, but in another, it seems like just a few months ago. She has changed so much. When we brought her home at 2 1/2 yrs old she was just wearing size 9 months pants. Now 1 year later, she is just growing out of size 18 month pants and wearing big 24 month pants. IT has been amazing to watch her change in such a short time. She is talking and playing ALL the time. This weekend we are traveling to see our travel group for the first time since last summer. I am sure all the kids have changed so much. We are so excited and it will be very nice to see them all.

Ever since Hannah met Emily, she has been the big sister to her. This includes being the bully of the two. We kept telling Hannah that one day EMily was going to grow up and was going to "get her back" for all the "things" her sister has done to her. I was taking a picture of the two in the bathtub and Hannah was doing her usual pose when Emily finally got her. Well, it looks like she got the best of Hannah this time!!! SISTERLY LOVE!!!

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY!!!

We are pleased to announce our newest member to the Chlebowski family. THis is "SAM K". I do not know how Hannah came up with the name but she was determined to give him this name. He is a 2 month old guinnea pig. We figured it was this or a dog and since we are not home all day, the guinnea pig won out. (Plus he is nocturnal so he sleeps all day when we are at work/school) In a couple weeks he will be getting a "companion" so he is not lonely in the cage. Wonder what his name will be. Yes-it will be a "he" as we do not want a bunch of lil' baby Sam Ks running around.

Just a quick update on Emily'. We had her tongue follow-up appointment and all seems to be doing well. She continues to develop the muscles in her tongue. The surgeon feels this may take up to a year. For example, she is able to stick her tongue out more but does not seem to be able to lick her lips. Her language is getting better. We often have difficulties understanding her but I think this is just being "3". We signed her up for preschool so she can be around children her own age. We did keep her back one year so she will be starting kindergarten at an older age. From the kids we saw going into her class, she still is the smallest of the kids. And she appears to be the most out-going of the bunch.

And a quick update on Hannah. She received her report card and was on the A/B honor roll again. She seems to be counting the days until summer break. She has her first musical this week. She is singing 5 songs and playing a home-made drum to a recycle song. She continues to be doing her gymnastics. She is almost able to do her back handspring on her own. Her coach feels she can do it on her own but she seems to be afraid of falling on her head. hmmmmmmm. We re traveling in June to see her "China Sisters". Her latest "thing" is reading Harry Potter. Have you seen these books? WOW!!! Big books with big words. She seems to understand them though. She continues to love anything to do with wizards and wizardry. We have been able to keep this on a level of Harry Potter and Wizards of Waverly Place though. I ask her often to use her wand to make the clothes fold themselves, but no luck yet........

Until the next update-be safe and healthy-and know that you are loved!!!