Baby girl number two~ O dear!

At Christmas we had this announcement for our family-


This was how I told Gabe! I had to keep it a secret from him over night and lets just say it wasn't easy! When he took the dog out the next morning I planted these three pregnancy tests on the tree and kept saying silly things like "Finn show daddy all the pretty ornaments"...he finally got the hint and although this was the best news for us he was very shocked. ps if you are grossed out that I peed on these sticks and then put them on the tree I hope you still love me...don't you know I am not phased by things like that at all???


At Easter we were able to share the great news that baby number two is a perfectly healthy little GIRL!! I had thought she was- and I also really wanted Finn to have a sister so close in age...while we were getting the sonogram though we really did see their teen years flash by but Gabe'll get a gun and I'll just lock them in their room until college (not just bc of boys but bc of the sassy attitudes:)
These easter eggs were filled with pink jelly beans and Finnegan handed them out. They all opened them at the same time...and wala! PINK PINK PINK!

Busted!

Hmm, who colored on the floor?


Couldn't stay upset at her for too long! Guess I need to keep a closer watch on this little one.

8 years of marital bliss!

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary...I'm not a very mushy sentimental type so i won't write a love letter here to my amazing husband (although he is amazing and I am still so very much in love with him!) but I thought it was worth a mention on the ole' blog! We are going to go out for dinner and then maybe I'll make Gabe buy me a peppermint milkshake from McDee's for dessert...this girl can dream can't she?

Life has been pretty "normal" the last few weeks but we are really enjoying getting to know folks here better. Really thankful that we landed where we did.

We don't have any great recent pictures of the two of us or the whole family for that matter so I leave you with a picture my sister took of Finnegan at the Biltmore. We just can't get enough of this sassy girl!!! (my daughter-not my sister, although she is sassy and we love her loads too!).

So many updates, too much time....

Sounds like the too much time thing might allow me to actually update the blog but sometimes it actually just creates more laziness. I am still getting this whole "stay at home mom" thing down, so bare with me! I love the mom part so much but all the other stuff that comes along with it takes a bit of getting used to. i realize i was spoiled when Gabe was the stay at home daddy...i didn't really clean, cook, grocery shop...you get the picture. He worked so hard that when I wasn't at work all I had to do was love on that girl of ours! I owe that to him now but it isn't as easy as he made it look. Time my love, that's all I need (I hope!).

Haven't taken tons of pics lately but some exciting things...
* I turned 30!! Gabe had friends send in video's and made me a movie...to say I loved it was an under statement.I felt SO very loved. Thank you for all who sent video's in. I have had a few requests to download the movie on you tube, but it's almost 2 hours long and I have some goofy friends who have threatened to kill me if i show to many people!
* My dad and step mom were in town so Finn and I spent a few days with them in Charlotte and a few days with them here in Asheville. It was a nice time to catch up and show off our girl although she didn't really show her best side. I'll blame it on teething and a cold.
* I went on a retreat with my bible study ladies. We rented two cabins in the mountains and spent time laughing, eating, and crying. Such a nice time with new friends!
* Lots of grandparents visiting from Charlotte, one weekend we had a babysitter three nights in a row! How much fun...
* Dinner with friends here. The transition hasn't always been smooth for us here but we are really enjoying meeting new people!
* New mini-van!! Crazy that we now own two mini vans...Listen ladies- I am not one to fight change, you gots to roll with the punches- k! Our new mini van is an '05 but I really feel like it's a luxury vehicle (am I going crazy? maybe!)

When I think of my life in August and my life now I feel like someone picked us up and plopped us into a strangers life. Again, not one to fight it, trying to embrace it. We really do feel content here and although so drastically different then the life we lived and loved in Brooklyn...I can honestly say we are happy.

So enough words- here are some pictures!
Finnegan loves helping momma in the kitchen.


Finnegan and Poppi!
Nonni reading to Finn.

Watching Poppi and Nonni make some delicious chicken noodle soup- using my grandmothers recipe!! Delic.



Our van.





My little raga-muffin!



My two favorite people in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!

Remember my blog from a few years ago...all it had was pictures of our pup? If you are wondering how she likes Asheville let this picture do the talking! please don't worry about her, since having Finnegan she is still spoiled rotten.


Finnegan and grammy after church.

Finn at open gym- she loves it!



A little video of her on the trampoline. Not sure who the chubby person is jumping with her saying "good girl" in a high pitched voice.

A quick Christmas re-cap

I know it was about a month ago but we had a really terrific Christmas with family and friends and wanted to share a few highlights!
A get together with Gabes best friends from high school! It was our first time meeting baby Sofia and Wes and Jocq are expecting their first this summer. Fun times!

Cousins on Christmas morning

Coolest Uncle and Daddy ever!

After a whirlwind of opening presents and a big ole' breakfast we went down to see my side of the family. I really didn't take many pictures at all but I LOVE this one. Finnegan, my step father, and sister cracking up at something. Pure joy!

Katie (and pea pod due June 6th) and Aaron. Cheesy I know taking a pic of them holding a pic of themselves but I really like it anyway.

Robinson family

Robinson family take two (I had to do my hair for this one;)


Finn playing in a box!

And what was in that box-her most favorite gift- a kitchen!

One of the best things this holiday season (besides getting to see family) is some of our best friends drove in from NY to surprise Gabe. It was so much fun and Gabe had NO idea. Gabe works at the park most days and so I had our friends meet us there. As we were picking Gabe up and looking at the ducks our friend David goes "Man those ducks are loud"- of course Gabe looks over and goes crazy.
Here is Natilija and Finn at the farm on the Biltmore property.
I didn't take any pictures of all of us...but here is a pic of their beautiful family in front of the estate. We felt so loved that they made the trek all the way to spend 2 days with us.

New Years Eve the Marshalls left and Gabe's folks came to ring in the new year. I am so glad they were here bc I fell asleep by 8! They had fun playing games and watching movies. We spent the next day at the park.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

You're the best daddy in the world and I am the luckiest girl in the world! Hope you have a great birthday- I won't whine today and I'll take an extra long nap.
Your girl,
Finn Marie





Momma say's last years photo was much easier to capture!

Rare post from Gabe

I wanted to share a couple of things that happened to me recently. I don't normally blog unless something awesome has happened. As you'll see, two awesome things happened. One, I flew.




Two, I got a new haircut.