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.

Our Little Soccer Stud

Well, it was inevitable. With Bill's passion for soccer and Anna's tall and long physique, it was always pretty obvious Anna would be good at some sport, specifically soccer. What we didn't know is how much she loves it at such an early age. We enrolled Anna into a well-known soccer program for "Tots" called Lil Kickers and it is so much fun (for me and Anna). Every Tuesday, Anna and I do "big kicks" and jump around in the jump house...what more could a toddler ask for. I'm not sure where this soccer thing will go, but we're going to ride the wave while it lasts.

Marco Island 2011

This year in Marco was especially special because Bill and I finally owned our own place...it's ours! Another reason is because it was the first year Anna really understood where she was, who she was with and how much fun she had. Although the weather was not great (a little on the cool side), we had a wonderful time. However, no one had more fun than Anna. She absolutely loved being with all of her cousins. I could tell how close she felt to them. She even started talking more and doing things so she could be just like them. Anna also really discovered her love for water and disdain for sand. She is a natural in the water - jumping off the side of the pool, diving under water and swimming with her floaties. On the otherhand, she was not a fan of sand or the beach. The only way we could even get her on to the beach was to put shoes and socks on her so her feet wouldn't touch the sand. As she put it, "sand yucky." I've posted some great pictures and a video of Anna and Billy swimming together. BTW...that large sand structure was built by the cousins as "their" sand castle. The adults later turned it into the perfect sitting area/bar for happy hour! :)

Christmas Dance...Priceless

Anna's First Snow Angel

Had to post this video and photos of a beautiful, wintery day in Chicago. Anna made her first snow angel with the help of Billy.

The Holidays (Santa Comes for the First Time)

The Holidays and our annual trip to Marco Island have come and gone. As with most families (with or without children) it's a whirlwind couple of weeks/months. The same goes for our family. However, it's an exciting chaos. For the first time, Anna really understood what was happening around her. She got it all. From Santa and his reindeers to Frosty, she really participated unlike years prior. What she really discovered a love for this holiday season were two distinct, but very important parts of her life - Baby Jesus and Disney Princesses. Wow, is she obsessed with both. Santa made a stop at our house this year and he gave Anna books, a new laptop (toddler) and a fake puppy dog (the closest she'll ever get to having one of her own). We opened some of the gifts from the family Christmas Eve with Gaga, Bapa, Gigi and JJ, and then opened Santa's gifts Christmas morning before we left for the airport. It was a blast and I must say, Anna is really getting the hang of wripping open presents. :) I've included some photos and video of the 2010 holiday season. My next post will be dedicated to our trip to Marco. Enjoy...