Out of order

Make sure you look at this post as well as the next one. I've posted lots of new photos, but they are in absolutely no order. We've been trying to stay busy around here. It's finally Friday. Umm...let's see. This weekend is the first weekend in May. I have a bridal shower to go to on Saturday, but unfortunately may go to a funeral or two before hand. The first funeral is of a co-worker's husband. He was in his early 70's (I think) and had been battling cancer for the last couple of years. But then my cousin (so we called ourselves) Jesse died in a tragic car accident on Thursday morning/Wednesday night. He was the same age as me. He had a little girl about a year or two older than Leo. Someone was driving the wrong direction on Hwy 44 and caused a head on collision with Jesse (Jesus Sanchez is his real name). Many of you that were at Leo's baby shower may have met his mom and his sister. We all grew up together and referred to one another as cousins, though there was no blood connection. Anyhow, it just goes to show you that life is so fragile and we need to make the best of the time that we have.

On a much lighter note...here's Amelia with her good friend Adelaide. Adelaide is six weeks younger than Mimi.
Leo with his good friend Avery. Leo has a little crush I think. Leo with his Mimi. Sorry I can't get it to stand upright.
On the weekend of Easter, our neighborhood had an egg hunt. That was fine for Leo. But the vintage fire truck was way more exciting that the eggs, the candy, and even the Easter Bunny.
Also Easter weekend, Grandpa Larry decided to dress Leo up like a clown. So cute.

Ok, gotta go for now, the littlest one is stirring, she's hungry.

No time for updating!!!!

Amelia and Sya (they are only one day apart!) Me and Dawn with our baby girls
Dina and Nancy with the girls
Barry with the kids. Sorry, I can't flip it around. I need to download some stupid program that blogger works with. Blah!!!
Leo with his cousin Chase at the Zoo. It was a fabulous day, we all had fun.

Not alot of down time at the "M" household. If there is any free time, we should be cleaning and doing the never-ending pile of laundry. Hmmm... anyhow, here are some random pics that I wanted to post. Some are as old as Easter! Gosh, I've been awful at updating, sorry...

Amelia's Busy Life

Let's see, Amelia has been quite the busy girl lately. Jetsetting around the U.S. and going to happy hour with her future boyfriends (yes plural!).

First off, Barry, Amelia and myself headed to Las Vegas, Nevada for the wedding of Dawn and Jason, Barry was the best man. It was a beautiful wedding and awesome trip. Leo stayed in Washington with Grandma and Grandpa M. Amelia did great on the plane and in Vegas. While in Vegas, we went hiking at Red Rock Canyon. We also hung out and lounged at the pool. Amelia got her first sunburn. Yes, I know, we're awful parents. Then later that day, Sunday, we went to our friend Liza's parents' house to celebrate Gracie's first birthday. So here is Gracie with mom, Liza and dad, John enjoying her birthday cake. She is sooo adorable.We then flew home on Monday, it was an all day affair. We were so excited to see Leo again. I think he was just as happy to see us too.

Then on Thursday, we got together with other teachers from my school that also had babies within the same timeframe as I had Amelia. Of course Amelia is the only girl! So here she is with three of her future boys. She is the oldest at 9weeks, then there's Declan at 8weeks, Lucas at 7 weeks, and then Henry at 6 weeks. Us mom's were all due in the month of February, craziness. Of course, now I get to be the first to go back to work, this Monday. BooHoo.

And finally, I'd like to take the opportunity to write a special post about Grandma Connie's dad Lloyd Smith. He passed away peacefully last night in his sleep after suffering from a stroke earlier in the day. We all loved him very much. In fact, Amelia had just gotten a card the week before from him. Unfortunately, Amelia did not get a chance to meet him, however, Leo did. Here's a photo of us with Great-Grandad Lloyd this last summer.

Rest in Peace Lloyd, we will miss you.

Team B.L.A.T.

First of all I'd like to give credit to our good friend Neff who coined a new name for our little family, Team B.L.A.T. (barry, leo, amelia, tiffany).

Amelia has been getting lots of fan mail and gifts lately. But this letter caught her attention. It's from her cousin Moriah. She can't wait to respond, but she may have to let big brother, Leo transcribe her thoughts as she cannot use her fine motor skills just yet.
On Saturday, Team BLAT wanted to spend the day outdoors. We weren't sure what to do, so we headed downtown to the Arch and the fairgrounds. We had a great time. We did not go up the Arch because it was getting late and the line was too long. Can you believe Barry has never been up the Arch??? Craziness. But we still enjoyed the weather and it gave Leo an opportunity to run around like a wild animal.

On Monday Amelia, Leo and I went to the zoo with Grandma & Grandpa D. We were hoping the baby elephant was out, but she was not. The weather was fabulous though, in the 70's. Leo played hard. In fact, Grandpa spent much of the day chasing him around. Amelia slept most of the time. But this pic, in the Children's Zoo area, Leo loved the Jeep. He did not want to get out or share it. Another little girl was standing in line waiting her turn, but Leo would have no part of it. Things have been just perfect here in the BLAT household. Amelia slept over 6 hours last night, so we're all well rested. Spring is nearing and we've been trying to get outside as much as possible. Ciao!!

Our New World

Well, this is our life. So far, knock on wood, it has not been overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, I look forward to Barry getting home from work each day, and when he's running late, I'm not very excited about it. But having two kids hasn't been dreadful. It's been great. But of course, Amelia has been a great baby. She really is so good, she sleeps well, she eats well, and she's just very pleasant. Her little face is breaking out this week, so the poor thing is experiencing the curse of adolescence way before her time.
Though Leo is only 19 months old, he is a such a BIG BOY. Since we've had some nice weather here these last couple of weeks, we've gotten a chance to go outside and play with our neighbors. He looks forward to that each day and gets very upset if we don't get out soon enough.
Our little chunky monkey went in for her month check-up with the pediatrician, she was actually 5 weeks at the visit. Anyhow she weighed a whoppin' 11pounds 1 ounce, and measured 22.5 inches. She is in the 90th percentile in both height and weight! Such a difference from Leo. He was our little skinny baby, and she's our little butter ball.
Well, all is good in our household. Everyone is happy and healthy, but mostly looking very forward to spring. Daddy because he is eager to go fishing and camping, and the rest of us just so we can spend more time outside. If you're reading, call us, hang out with us, let's go to the zoo and see the new elephant, or the Magic House, or even just to hang out at our house and play.

Leo would like to introduce...

Amelia Lucille
She came into this world on January 25, 2007 8:44a.m., weighing 8lb 5oz and measuring 20.25" tall. She is absolutely perfect. Leo is just in love with his baby sister. He cannot say her name yet, so he refers to her as "sista", "baby", or "meme". Here are just a couple of pics, we will update with more recent pics once mama gets off her tail and takes some new photos.
Thanks for all of those out there reading - we are blessed with such caring friends and family, thank you.

Leo