Happy 12 Months / First Birthday!

For Serena's first year, she has had several colds, a pinch & a minor burn on her arm on separate occasions, plenty of falls while learning how to stand & started walking around 10 months (but could walk while holding on someone or something at about 7 1/2 months). And in the beginning of July, she had conjunctivitis (pink eye) on both eyes then ran a high fever for 2 days. And of course, lots of big brotherly love. Now she is ready for her second year of life. BRING IT ON!

*GASPS* Is it this time again?

OK-let me check...

Why-yes it is!

Let me reflect on my first year of life...

It was FANTASTIC! I want more!

Like Brother, Like Sister (12)

I had such a hard time getting Serena to smile for me for these pictures. I think at a year old, she finally caught on that this is such a crazy ritual that mommy does every month and she just refuses to comply. As I look through the pictures, I recall Devin had a hard time smiling for his one year old picture too. I'm going to miss taking them. Now it's going to be just a yearly picture.

Serena @ one year old.

Devin @ one year old.

Sunken Meadow Park

A few Sundays ago, our friends & neighbor, Alek & Aneta invited us to Sunken Meadow State Park for a picnic & also to celebrate their son Olivier's birthday. We've never been to the park before, but it was huge, very family oriented, and it even has a beach with a boardwalk. We would definitely go back to the park someday.

Our hosts: Alek & Aneta-they're expecting a little girl next month!

Serena trying to steal the grapes while no one is watching.

She got some grapes from us anyway which she loves!

The guys walking the trail right behind our picnic area. Devin asked me if there were bears on the trail before he went inside-what a city boy!

Ian, Devin & Olivier pretending to chop down the tree.

Church Picnic

A few Saturdays ago was our church picnic at the Prospect Park. One of the guys, Darryn brought his dogs, Roscoe & Bella along whom Devin loved. So we tagged along to the dog pond at the park where Devin watched the dogs played in the water. It was a long day, but we all enjoyed ourselves. On our way home we stopped in Brooklyn Heights to grab dinner & found some good eats. What a terrific day!

Devin at the dog pond-I had to keep reminding him the pond was for dogs only, not little boys. I removed his shoes though so he could at least stick his feet in the water.

After lunch, he fell asleep in the tent that we brought with us. He found a stick for Roscoe that he wouldn't let go-he said it's for the dog pond later. So he fell asleep with it.

Balloon game-object of the game: step on someone else's balloon till it pops-last one standing with an inflated balloon wins. Andrew played, but somehow he popped his own balloon.

Serena's first picnic...

Birthday!

July 4th-we celebrated Serena's first birthday along with our nephew, Kyle's birthday (7/5), since my sister Connie was in town with her kids. Although it was just a family celebration, fairly low key but so much fun. Serena was under the weather (she was recovering from "pink eye" on both eyes), but she was enjoying herself. I had to try to put her down for a nap 3 different times before she finally gave in. What a special day!

Serena's Elmo ice cream cake.

Multi-layered jello with pineapple 8 (Kyle was turning 8) with Kyle's ice cream cake-Jeff Hardy (wrestling dude) & Serena's Elmo cake.

Kyle, the birthday boy opening presents and his sister Sylvia taking pictures.

Serena opening presents with cousin Sandy's help.

Taking pictures-the grown-ups trying to get a smile from the kids...

...the end result.