Christmas Eve

We always spend Christmas Eve with Nana, Granddad, & Aunt Lana, with the traditional feast of fajitas and crazy-good peanut butter cookies!! It was extra special this year, because they got a Wii... which is super fun. Reilly's favorite was bowling, which he did really well! Joey also had a very high score... YAWN. Sorry if I sound bitter, but that man is good at everything- which can be annoying if you're trying to beat him. ;) We had a great time, and Reilly flipped out when he got his Shake N Go jet from Nana & Granddad! (I think I'll be hearing that thing in my sleep!) As for Avery, she slept almost the whole time (no surprise there) in Lana's doll crib. Pretty cute!

Then, Joey read The Christmas Story... and Reilly has become very aware that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus. It is so wonderful to continue with Reilly the traditions and legacy of faith that our parents gave to us.

Anyway, we had lots of fun! But, I just couldn't wait to get home to make the cookies for Santa, and set out all the surprises, and TRY to get some sleep! When I was growing up, I was that kid who could NEVER go to sleep on Christmas Eve- I was too excited. Seriously, this continued all the way through high school. :) (This was probably because my parents always made Christmas so incredibly special.) And now I have trouble falling asleep because I'm so excited to see Reilly's face when he opens his gifts on Christmas Morning!

Early Christmas Gift

It's so funny the things we do to try to capture the cuteness of our babies and their surroundings. Yes I placed a diaper-less newborn on my pretty red tree skirt. Yes she peed on it the moment I removed her diaper. I had a feeling this was going to happen, but just couldn't help myself.




We sure hope Santa brings you all you've been wishing for this year.



MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Mimi & Grandpa

Avery hasn't really smiled yet, except while sleeping... until Grandpa. :) Yesterday, Mimi & Grandpa stopped by for their fix... the traditional "baby sugars" that they can't seem to go more than 2 days without. (They did this with Reilly too!) I handed Avery to my Dad, and while he was talking so sweetly to her... she GRINNED, and almost laughed. And she just kept on smiling, every time he would start talking to her!!



She just gazed into his eyes, and my Dad was so tickled- he just ate it up! This is one of those memories that I just know is going to stick.


I'm always amazed by how much I enjoy watching my parents with my children. I never really had the privilege to know any of my grandparents, since all but one passed away before I was even born. So knowing that my children will not only have memories of their grandparents, but that they will actually take part in shaping who Reilly and Avery will become pleases me to no end. What a blessing this is to me... and the kids.




I catch myself sometimes imagining what they were like holding me as a tiny baby, with 3 a.m. feedings and diaper changes, and am truly grateful (and by experience can finally somewhat comprehend) a small portion of what they've done for me over the course of my lifetime. Thanks so much Mom & Dad... for everything. We love you!!

Wonderful Friends

I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to our sweet friends Jaclyn & Charlotte who brought us meals this past weekend! What a wonderful gesture... I can't imagine anything more helpful to a family who has a new baby in the house than a ready-to-eat meal. (And no cleaning of the kitchen afterwards!!!) God Bless You kindhearted ladies... WE LOVE YOU!!

Sweet Big Brother

I always imagined that Reilly would be a sweet big brother, but I never realized how much he would absolutely ADORE his baby sister! He is always so careful when he touches her, and is very protective of her. He ran over to her the other day because her sock was coming off, and he had to "put it back on fast so her little toes wouldn't get cold!" It brings such joy and peace to my heart, that he is not even the slightest bit jealous and is actually a huge help to me! We're so proud of our big boy!






This is not the hand of an adult... it is actually one of Reilly's HUGE paws holding Avery's tiny hand!



Just snuggling during tummy time! :)

Bathtime!!

Although it took Joey & I a few minutes to remember how to bathe a very slippery tiny baby-- once we got going it was great! :) (It's amazing how much you forget after 4 years... even things that used to be so routine!) Joey loves being the one to give our kiddos their very first bath, which is so sweet!



My favorite smell in the whole world is a clean baby, right out of the tub!! YUM!

Just Because

I just can't get enough of Avery's sweet face, so I thought I'd share even more pics! Reilly picked out her outfit and bow this morning... he said she looked so pretty. :)

Baby #2

I will be the first to admit my slight apprehension about having a second child... just in a few areas. I had a few worried conversations with my Mom that went something like this... "What if this baby comes out, and I don't feel anything for her?" Or, "What if I love Reilly more and just can't help it?". Well, I got my resounding answer the moment Avery was born. As any mommy will tell you, when you hear that baby's cry... the relief and joy are indescribable. But the most profound emotions I felt were when they brought her over to me and I saw her face. It was like a tidal wave, that I just can't fully comprehend. The love I felt for her was overwhelming, and yet surprisingly familiar- like I had always known her. And the fact that she is an eternal soul that is a piece of both me and the man I love the most in the world- never ceases to amaze me.




And watching Reilly love on her with such gentleness makes me love and appreciate him in a brand new way. To say the least, my heart is more full than it has ever been.

All that to say... I HIGHLY recommend having a Baby #2. :)

Now That We're Home

Wow... what an unexpected couple of weeks! After spending a total of 2 weeks in the hospital, it feels so great to finally be home with our sweet little family! We'd like to say a huge "THANK YOU" to my family for all your help, especially Uncle Mike and Aunt Honey for keeping Reilly for a whole week! And Mimi, for coming over to help me everyday with laundry, meals, cleaning etc!! And thanks Grandpa for providing batteries for all the baby paraphernalia! You all are the best EVER!

Now that we're finally home and getting settled, here are a few more pics of our precious baby girl!

Back to the Hospital

We finally went home on Friday! So, we began settling in to a routine, trying to balance the TWO children's needs and wants. Unfortunately Patty began to run a fever Monday the 24th (her 30th birthday) and it got up to 103. Soooo, back to the hospital we went. They have run some tests and cultures to determine what the infection could be and started her on some antibiotics. We have been here since Tuesday and will be spending Thanksgiving here at the hospital. The word is that now we might be able to go home on Friday, 11/28. Uncle Mike and Aunt Honey have been so awesome for keeping Reilly all this time! Thanks Guys! You can check out all the fun they're having on their blog. www.mikeandstina.blogspot.com.

Waiting to Go Home!

I just wanted to update everyone on Patty's and Avery's progress. Avery has been doing great. She is eating and sleeping and being the cutest little thing ever. No setbacks and always moving forward that is our little Avery. Patty is not having the same smooth recovery. It started before the birth. Patty had the very beginnings of an infection which raised her temperature and heartrate. After Avery arrived they started Patty on antibiotics for the infection. After two days of nausea and boughts with increasing pain, we discovered that the bacteria that caused the infection was resistant to the antibiotics she was given. So, now we must stay an extra 24 to 36 hours to make sure the new drug works. To top that off, the painkillers make her have trouble keeping food down so she was getting dehydrated. They had to redo the IV.....an hour and a half later and countless pricks she had a new IV in her arm. Poor girl has had it rough, but I am so proud of her being so strong. No matter how bad she feels she will not let herself miss a feeding for Avery, even though the nurses said they could give her a little formula so Patty could get more rest. She is a great Mommy!

Avery's Arrival

Avery is here!

Hello! It's Aunt Honey again!
I'm thrilled to announce the birth of Avery Adison Reagan!! She's beautiful!! Mommy & daughter are fine and resting at the hospital.

Here are a few pictures I took today!

Also, below is the sweetest video ever of Big Brother Reilly singing to his Baby Sister. (You may need to turn your volume up a little to hear his sweet voice!)

More pics to come soon!

Born: November 17, 2008 - 9:49 AM
Weight: 7-5.8
Length: 19.69

Reilly's Song

Hi! This is Aunt Honey (aka Kristina FANELLI.. heheheh). I decided to surprise Patty and hack in to post an awesome video of the Reilly Bear. It's a song he sang just for his MOMMY and DADDY!! He's the sweetest boy ever. I'm very proud to be his Aunt! -Honey

Reilly's Day

On Sunday afternoon, we took Reilly to the park to play... which he loves. We really tried to make him feel extra special, since VERY SOON he'll go from being the only child to a... BIG BROTHER!!









Joey chased him all over that park, and he did great on the monkey bars!






Master of the "rock wall"!

















Reilly & Mommy admiring the view...



Joey took this really cool picture of our shadows...



It was a really fun family day!!


When we got home, we surprised Reilly with a "Midnight Cookie Party".



We woke him up after we watched Boston Legal and The Unit on DVR, at around midnight. :) It took a couple of tries to wake him, but once the word "cookies" registered, he RAN into the living room. (with his eyes mostly closed, but it didn't take him long to really wake up!)




We giggled and really enjoyed our funny little man. It was really an amazing thing to see how easily he fell back to sleep after he brushed his teeth!

Hopefully, these will be some of the things he'll always remember... us too!

The November Birthdays

Every year, Joey's parents take us "November Birthday Kids" out for a nice dinner. Lana's Birthday is the 6th, Joey's is the 18th, and mine is the 24th. It was Joey's turn to choose, so he decided on his very favorite restaurant... Japanese Palace.








Reilly was really excited, he loves to see the "cool tricks" the cooks do with their knives and FIRE!



Reilly's favorite thing was the barbecued shrimp, and said, "I have grown-up taste buds." He also ate a ton of salad, eggplant, steak, chicken, and rice... we have definitely been blessed with a good eater!