Reunion

Last weekend, Bella was excited to have a playdate with her little friend, Alana, who moved away before Christmas last year. It's not the same on our block without the Moldens - all 7 of them - and needless to say, it's too quiet!
The girls got right back into the groove, and it was good for Bella to have some closure, since they never really got to say goodbye.
One thing we've learned living here, is just when you start to get attached to someone, they leave. Most people here are "transients," which hopefully will be our case, as well, although we really are settling in and like it here - a lot!
We miss you, Moldens.... best wishes for a great life with your family in Oregon!

Catching up!

Since we don't have anything really exciting to report these days, I thought I'd just post a couple of pictures of the kids being cute.

Luca has discovered the stairs, and is quite good at getting up them anytime the gate is down. He's even learning how to go down them, which I think is pretty good at the ripe old age of 10 months.

Bella was all dressed up for a family date night in an outfit that Nonna got her for Christmas. She's pretty fashion savvy these days, and really likes to wear clothes "like mommy wears." In other words - brown.

The weather here is getting back to normal, which means that I should have more outdoor pictures to post. It will also do the kids good, because they've both been sick since we left Pittsburgh! Being stuck inside with two miserable and snot-filled kids isn't the most fun thing to do, but the warm weather brings the light at the end of the tunnel!

Let's Play!

Bella was very happy to be reunited with her good buddy and cousin, Garrett this week. Even though we've had this weird cold snap here in San Diego, it can be pretty nice during the day when the sun is out. Bella and G took advantage of the sun and hit the playset together!
Tonight, we actually had a family double date with Amie, Matt, and Garrett, which had Bella very excited. After dinner at Pat and Oscars, we watched the two of them circle a wall built around a tree about 50 times before we decided that it was entirely too cold out!
It can't get back to normal here soon enough! These 30 degree nights are devastating to us now... I guess we've already become So Cal wimps!

A Good Report!

No, we didn't slip Rogaine in his bottle... this is a wig that my sister, Jaime, wore in the musical 42nd Street. The kids were playing at her house when the grown-ups were summoned into the room to see Luca! It puts me to mind of Welcome Back Kotter... don't you think?
Anyway, Luca had a physical therapy appointment today, and the therapist confirmed what we were thinking... that this once little baby with the tilted head and weak neck has now become a "level-headed" little boy! Carla, who was a great therapist -and motivator for me, has discharged Luca from P.T.. She was thrilled with his progress - he now has full passive range of motion in his neck, which is very exciting to us. This means that not only is he not tilting his head anymore, he now has proper vision, and the muscles will not influence the way the bones in his skull are growing. Looking back in his newborn pictures, he always tilted his head. Now - as you can see - he is perfectly level!
Keith and I are very glad that we don't have to hold Luca down and stretch his neck as he screams in protest, and I am relieved that this will be one less appointment we need to take him (and Bella along) to!
It is amazing to see how God has already worked in Luca's young life. For us, waiting was the hard part. We have learned that the Lord is not interested in our timetable or schedules. He just asks that we remain steadfast in our faith and trust Him and His timing. In this, we have seen a great reward, and continue now with renewed strength and hope for continued progress and good reports!

We're Back!

Well, now that I've had time to unpack, take down the Christmas decorations and clean the house, the holiday hiatus is over, and I resolve to get our blog back up and running!
We had a bumpy start to our trip back home... leaving on Dec. 23 to make a trans-continental flight may not have been the best idea. Needless to say, it was mass chaos, and the delays caused by the Denver snow had affected most all flights. We had some bumpy air ourselves, and spent about 2 hours with terrible turbulence, when then caused poor Luca to get sick on the plane. We made it, though, and pulled into my parent's house at almost 2 am on the 24th!
After that, it was smooth sailing! The kids had a great time and got right into the groove with their first cousins without missing a beat! Bella and Jilli loved playing dress-up together, as you can see. They were pretty good buddies - most of the time!
Keith celebrated his 41st birthday at Jakes at the Galleria (good BBQ!) He rather enjoyed his complimentary coyboy hat!
The last few days of the vacation, Bella and I came down with something - which hit me very hard! I made the flights home with chills and aches, but with everyone's prayers sustaining all of us, we got home with no complications!
Now that we're back, it's back to life as usual. Although taking down the Christmas decorations was a little depressing, it was the beginning of a fresh start... and a push to move ahead! Luca had an appointment with Cranialtech, and is doing awesome. He has PT this week as well.
Bella is getting used to her solititude again, and misses Jilli, Nona and Pappy the most... but mentions just about everyone several times a day.
It is always with mixed emotions that I start a new year, but I'm excited to see what God has planned for us...
Happy New Year!