H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N

As we continue on with "all things Disney Princess," Anna chose her Halloween costume this year and it was a beautiful (and absolutely adorable) Snow White dress. Of coarse, she wore it everyday for at least two weeks and spent most of her time dancing and singing - ya know, general princess merriment.

The day of Halloween was as fun as it has been every year in our neighborhood. We do it up here in the city, with neighborhood garage parties (thanks Eagans), street closings, fully catered Trick-or-Treating and just mobs of awesome little kids running around high on sugar and their parents with bottles of wine in their Radio Flyer Wagons...love it!

Anna was loving all of it...telling me to stay behind while she bravely went to each door, said trick-or-treat and got her candy. It was a great day and we can't wait until next year

First Day of School

My baby started school today. Wow...that is such a profound milestone in a child's and parent's life. Too bad for Anna, she's got 19 more years of it! :)

I knew from the beginning that our little "social butterfly" would love school and would hardly miss us - even with a full day(8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) And, that held up to be true. She loved it! Her teacher's names are Miss Anne and Miss Diana and she loves to say the name of the school, Cardinal Bernadine...so cute.

So far, it's been a really positive experience for all of us. I hope and pray she continues to love school, classmates and her teachers throughout her entire educational journey. I know there will always be bumps along the road, but hopefully she'll enjoy all of it.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Anna Bear!

I know I say this every year, but I really can't believe my baby girl is already three...she's officially NOT a baby any more and very much a little girl.

We had a perfect little party for Anna at her school called Kids on The Grow. We invited her friends from all over, with a theme of "Mrs. Spider's Sunny Patch." We did so many fun activities with the kids and ate WAY too many cupcakes.

After the party, the grandparents came over to continue on with the celebration and the gift giving. Let's just say that we have enough Disney Princess toys to last a lifetime.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful and precious little girl...you get more amazing every year. We love you so much.

She Loves To Read

This video is of Anna reading her "Love You Forever" Book. Melts my heart every time I see or hear her read this...

In Honor of Summer

As Summer has officially come to a close and the Fall of 2011 makes its way, I'd like to post some great pictures of Anna and the family that really tell the story of our Summer.

Until we meet again, lovely Summertime...

A New Addition...

I guess this blog is going to have to be for more than just one baby Whelan as Billy and I are thrilled to announce that we're PREGNANT! And, equally important, Anna will become a big sister this coming April.

It has certainly been a long journey for Baby Whelan #2, but how sweet it is to finally expand our amazing family. We're more excited than words can even describe and we're even happier about the prospect of how wonderful of a big sister Anna will be at 3.5 years old.

More to come, but so far we have a healthy and growing "bun in the oven" and I'll continue to send updates.

A little note...

My Anna Bears,

I just put you to bed after singing our "blue song, pink song and last song," and I wanted to write you a note to tell you how much I love you. It hurts how much I love you. You bring so much joy and happiness into you lives everyday. You are a precious gift and I thank God for you everyday.

I have to say, after looking at baby pictures of you, I got sad. You're growing so fast. Too fast. This past year has been a whirlwind and it's already approaching Fall (too close to your third birthday). Being three really means that you're not a baby anymore and I want you frozen in time forever. With that said, however, I'm really looking forward to watching you grow and become the little girl/woman you're destined to be.

Just know that you are, and will always be, surrounded by love. You are the most beautiful thing that has happened in my life and I will always be grateful to you for that.

Things that I love:

1. Last hugs

2. Your kisses and hugs

3. When you say "I love you, Mommio"

4. Reading to you

5. Seeing you interact with other kids

6. Our dance parties and your awesome moves

7. Hearing new words come from you lips everyday

8. Mommio/Anna outings (shopping, pool, etc.)

9. Singing Disney Princess songs with you

10. Everything!

Love,

Mommio

Grand Cayman

This was a big deal...my Dad turned 60 and he wanted to celebrate! So, he rented a beautiful house in the Cayman Islands for the entire family to enjoy a week together in paradise. And, paradise it truly was.

The house included a bedroom and bathroom for everyone, a private beach (coral and all), a pool and lots of tropical "wildlife", including crabs!

We had such a wonderful time! We spent our days in the pool (Anna spent 85 percent of her trip swimming in some sort of water), relaxing on the beach, eating, drinking, hanging out at Rum Point and eating (did I already mention that?). Billy spent much of his vacation fighting/catching crabs and cleaning the pool in the morning. :)

One of the highlights of the trip was the viewing of the video I put together for my Dad that chronicled his life in pictures and music. We all enjoyed watching and viewing those pictures. And, it even evoked some tears from my Dad, which is rare.

I've included some pictures taken by Maggie and Katie. I think these photos tell the story.

POTTY TRAINED

I can't tell you how challenging the whole "potty training" thing was, and on the flip side, how rewarding it is as a parent to say...

ANNA IS OFFICIALLY POTTY TRAINED!!

White's Funny

She's a girl and she discovered Disney Princesses...enough said.