The element of surprise

In my efforts to recount the last year (and then some) I've decided to 're-post' our Sex Party. Now, now...get your mind out of the gutter. When Ron and I found out we were expecting, there was no doubt we were going to find out whether we were going to have a girl or a boy. That wasn't a surprise I wanted to keep until D-Day.

So we decided we would find out in a fun way, with family. We had a Sex Party. We had it at a crab shack. So yes, we gave our guests crabs at a sex party.

Here's the invitation...

We decided to have it at a crab shack for a couple of reasons. 1) We wanted it at a place where our whole family could take part.  With my sister's family in Virginia and Ron's sister's family in Maryland, we figured a crab shack in Maryland was the perfect venue, and 2) Who doesn't like digging into crabs for hours on end and savoring that delicious meaty sweetness?

So, how did we do it?  Just open an envelope in front of everyone?  Nah!  That's just boring...here's what we did.

Coming up on a year...

Sigh...I can't believe it.  Jackie is going to be a year old on Monday.  Where did the time go?

Just days old...what happened to this little baby?

As I sit here formatting my blog, contemplating what to write about and what to share with the world, I periodically turn to the monitor to see my sleeping baby.  She will always be my baby...

I long for the days when she was a newborn, holding her for hours on end, staring at her while she sleeps because nothing else in the world matters.  Just a little person taking innocent breaths.

Today, she's a growing toddler...I savor the first glance I get every morning when she wakes...that smile.  That little laugh (okay, sometimes that cry - but it's still oh so cute).  I'm revisiting my blog (again) to record her milestones.  Admittedly, I've missed a few.  Okay - most of them...documenting them.  However, I will back-peddle as much as I can and recreate them on here from memory, before they disappear.  

A fun summer day in the park

Today Ron and I decided to take Jackie to the park at Rittenhouse Square.  We heard about the farmers' market there and wanted to check it out.  We had so much fun people watching and playing with the munchkin.  Check out all the fun!

The first bite

We gave Jacquelyn her first bite of solid food yesterday at Lola and Lolo's house.  It was rice cereal (note: later I found out it was stage 2 rice cereal, not stage 1...oops - bad mommy).  Well...

It didn't go over too well...

But once she got her bottle...

It was all better...and she got into her bathing beauty suit and was the happy munchkin we all know and love...

Oh well, better luck next time!

Jacquelyn's Baptism

Jacquelyn was baptized on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Voorhees, NJ.  Thank you to all the family and friends who joined us for this very special occasion!

With Godparents
 Auntie Carmen and Uncle Ralph

The Family

With the Grandparents

Story time with Lola and Joshua

Jackie and I stopped by Tita Maja and Uncle Dave's house to visit Josh and Jacob after her photo shoot (pictures coming soon).  And Lola was there!  Jackie was treated to story time with Lola and Josh while Jacob napped.


These are the moments you want to preserve forever...

 

Jacquelyn's First Easter and Grandma & Papa's Anniversary!

We celebrated Easter and Grandma & Papa's Anniversary with Brunch at the Mansion!  Look at Jackie in her beautiful Easter dress!

A Trip to Virginia...

Jackie's first road trip was to Virginia to visit Auntie Carmen, Uncle Chris, and her cousins, Bryan, Kelsey, Camille and Kayleen! Here are a few snap shots from the visit. Unfortunately, Kayleen was very busy with Crew practice, so we didn't get to see her very much.

Cousin Kelsey LOVES to help out with Jacquelyn. She even changes wet diapers! Just not the poopy ones :-(

...and Bryan loves to feed Jackie her bottle...can you see the resemblance?

Hanging out with Camille was too much fun!

We can't forget Auntie Carmen!

One of my favorite pictures from the visit - we need to figure out how to insert a picture of Kayleen in this one...

Baby Ramos

We are extremely excited to announce that we are expecting the next generation of the Ramos clan in February! Stay tuned for updates as we approach the arrival of our little bundle of joy!

Jacob Owen Blazina

Today, our family welcomed Jacob Owen to the Pacho-Ramos-Blazina clan. He arrived into the world at 2:58 pm weighing in at 8 lbs and 20 inches long. Mom, Dad and big brother are excited to have Jacob home.

More photos of Bryan...

Click here to view more photos of the little melonhead :o) His hair is getting lighter!!! He's going to be a red-head!

Melon-head, clock-boy, Bryan...

Hi All!

Here's a short video click of Bryan, affectionately named Melon-head, clock-boy (for obvious reasons). He is now 3 weeks old.

Auntie M's thoughts on Bryan Thomas Lynch...

photos, and more photos, from Auntie M.