We had a very Happy Easter indeed…
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Ariana turns one!
Our little lady is one year old! And boy did she get celebrated. First, she had a super special double-birthday party for her and Daddy with all of his family. Then she had another celebration at Nonno’s house with Mommy’s family. And, of course, a special day ON her special day. She has grown quite fond of having people sing her “Happy Birthday”.
So, what has the birthday girl been up to lately, you ask? Everything. Whenever Josiah catches her standing up on a chair, making her way onto his bed, or inside the toy box, he just shakes his head, shrugs his shoulders, and say “she’s a climber”. It’s true. Ariana and Josiah have really been enjoying the warmer weather. They run around in the backyard together, playing in their castle, climbing on the slide, and splashing around in the kiddie-pool almost daily.
Ariana had her 1 year checkup too. She stood up on the big kid scale and weighed in at a very light 18lbs, which puts her at about the 7th percentile. All her growing has been vertical, she is 29 1/4inches (56th percentile). She is a petite little thing. Oh how we love her.
"I'M ONE!"
Adventurous
We have been raising the level of difficulty on all the stunts performed at our house lately. Siah decided that he was ready to jump down from the raised garden bed out back, and then the retaining wall in the side yard. Ariana tackled climbing on top of the toy box as well as to the top of the kitchen step stool. Josiah has been enjoying telling his baby sister all about everything around her, he is a great teacher. She is picking up more and more words, in addition to her very frequent “mama” and “dada” she is now saying “baba” (baby) and recently surprised us with “da-dy”. Her favorite though is pointing her tiny finger at things and asking “this?” and “that?”. Her and Siah will be having full on conversations before we know it.
;
What’s new
The new year has been full of excitement already! Ariana is a busy little lady, she is getting around like you wouldn’t believe. She loves cruising the furniture and driving her truck around the house, she even stood all by herself without holding on today! We love it when she throws in a “hi” or “bye-bye” as she flashes that adorable smile. At her 9 month checkup she weighed 18lbs 3oz, and was 27 3/4 inches tall. Still petite : )
Big brother is doing big things too. Josiah’s love for learning continues to grow, he is so eager to do school work he has even been starting his schoolwork without mommy. He gets out his composition book and starts practicing his name all by himself, he is very excited to have graduated from crayons to a pencil!
Siah and Ariana love to play together. We thought we would treat you to a glimpse into what life is like at our house these days…
2012 is going to be a great year!
Ariana’s First Christmas
It’s true what they say, “There is no place like home for the holidays”, this year was not only Ariana’s first Christmas but also our first Christmas at home. Josiah has been a bundle of holiday cheer, singing Christmas carols pretty much 24/7 for the past month, and he was very excited for Santa to come. After a fun-filled Christmas morning of stocking unstuffing and present unwrapping we headed to West Virginia for a good old-fashioned country Christmas with Daddy’s family. We had a very Merry Christmas.
-
- Waiting in line for Santa
-
- Siah was star struck, Ariana just confused
-
- Josiah manages a smile
-
- Holding the Lamb
-
- “Do you like that? Do you? Do you?”
-
- Christmas Eve, ready for Santa
-
- A magical Christmas morning
-
- Even excited about an apple
-
- Watching brother open presents
-
- Testing out his TAG reader
-
- Loves her doll and stacking boxes
-
- Now that’s a Merry Christmas
-
- Peeking over the edge
-
- Siting pretty
-
- That is one happy baby
-
- Great Aunt Ruth reads to Siah
-
- Hanging out with Catherine and “Uncle Wance”
-
- Great Grandma Rita loving on Ariana
-
- Cousins looking super cute
-
- Yes, it was even more frightening in person
-
- So fabulous
-
- She was extra cute on Christmas
-
- Can you get enough of that smile?
-
- Again, a very Merry Christmas
Photo Shoot
If you liked our Christmas card you are really going to enjoy this…
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
ThanksChristmas
We celebrated Christmas with the Libero’s during Thanksgiving this year. As always, it was fun-filled chaos. Josiah and Anna were joined at the hip, Daddy got his outdoor manual labor fix in thanks to Nonno, Ariana loved being spoiled by all her aunts and uncles, and Mommy enjoyed family time with 80% of her brothers and sisters (Auntie Michelle and her family were sorely missed).
Since our last update Ariana has continued to pick up speed on her crawling, now she throws in a push with her foot every once in a while if she is in a hurry to get somewhere (namely wherever Josiah is). She is climbing up on everything she can get her hands on, especially things that can be pushed around for a makeshift walker. Her a biggest achievement, though, is her two front teeth!
-
- Ariana is excited about the chaos
-
- Good Morning Uncle AJ
-
- Excited to open her presents
-
- She really does like it.
-
- Ryder helps Ariana sort her shapes
-
- Happy ThanksChristmas, a rare photo of the parents
-
- Necklace painting time
-
- Ariana tries a (messy) teething biscuit
-
- Josiah displays his cookie reindeer
-
- All the cousins enjoy the outdoors.
-
- Ryder poses for a photo shoot
-
- All comfy cozy for a special movie
-
- 2/3rds of the cousins
-
- Just throw him in there
-
- We miss Mikayla!
-
- Little Lady in the Leaves
-
- Little Lady and Little Momma
-
- Photo op with Uncle AJ
-
- Ariana and Ryder visit the dog
-
- Always fun even when its cold
-
- Wind through the hair
-
- Tree fort fashioned from branches
-
- Lynn loving on Ariana
-
- How many cousins can fit in the fort?
-
- Getting 70sBig all over the tree
-
- Uncle Clint and Uncle AJ take a break from hunting
-
- Josiah cheeses with Nonno
-
- Staring at the fire truck
-
- Josiah thinks about which instrument he will play
-
- Mr.Shaw gets some cuddle time
-
- The kids wait for the candy gathering to begin.
-
- Ariana is excited about her bunny from the parade
-
- Josiah decided to be a pirate for the day.
-
- Josiah loves the lights
-
- Ariana enjoys the ornaments on the lower branches
-
- Josiah and Ariana, our christmas gift
Is has been so heartwarming to watch Josiah get so excited about the holidays. Every night when we plug in the Christmas tree he says “its so beautiful”, as if he is seeing it lit for the first time. We have been doing a whole lot of watching Christmas movies and singing Christmas songs. We went to a Christmas parade with our friends, the Shaws, the kids had so much fun and when it came time for the float with Santa on it…
Fall Festivities
The Roach family has been making the most of this Fall, staying busy with friends and family and really enjoying this beautiful season. We went apple picking with the Shaw family and Graham Gwen & Ephraim, we toured the BBQ festival with the Hickmans, we had a sleepover at Nonno’s house, and we spent Halloween weekend with the McBrides. We have had some fun-filled few weeks.
Josiah has been really excited about gymnastics class. He is getting really good at his forward roll and is working his bridge. Recently he got to “fly” with the harness over the trampoline. He loved it. Mommy had to give Josiah yet another hair cut. As you can see, it was getting a little out of control. Although it took us a few days to get used to, we think that he is looking as handsome as ever.
A little late but Ariana had her 6 month checkup. She is 16lbs 8oz (51st percentile) and 26.5 inches tall (67th percentile). She isn’t maxing out the growth charts like her big brother did, but boy is she flying by on milestones. Our little peanut is crawling with some speed, sitting up from laying down as if she was born with that skill, and since trying it last week she has now mastered pulling up to standing! She is giving us a run for our money and she is showing no signs of slowing down.
-
- Ariana getting some love from Gracie
-
- Running wild
-
- Siah enjoys a freshly picked apple
-
- Sharing with Uncle Will
-
- Just mommy and daddy
-
- Flying with Aunt Laura
-
- Carving our pumpkin
-
- Jack-o-lantern
-
- “Spoooooky”
-
- Sitting pretty, waiting for the doctor
-
- Josiah’s gymnastics class
-
- Posing with Aunt Lynn
-
- Ariana says hi to Grammie and GG Peggy
-
- Not a big fan of the rocking horse
-
- Uncle AJ on nephew duty
-
- Best buds
-
- Ryder and Siah playing in the sand
-
- Pretty cute
-
- Happy Halloween
-
- Pigin out
-
- “She’s nice, but this is not my farmer”
-
- 4-wheeler and a trailer is the way to go
-
- Ariana’s costume had a built in teether
-
- Good thing we’re farm animals
-
- Trick-or-treat!
-
- Grabbing some goodies
-
- Ariana can’t wait to eat her candy
-
-
Hair in his eyes and ears
It’s time…
-
- There are no words.
-
- That’s a lot of hair
-
- Oh, so that’s what his ears look like
-
- I think he likes it
-
- Happy and handsome
a-movin and a-shakin
Our not quite 6-month old is getting around. Yikes. It’s not just a rolling around “I’ll see where this gets me” kind of getting around either. Nope, it’s a totally determined “there is a shiny something over there, how can I make these little arms and legs work so that I can get that in my mouth”. She is up on hands and knees, pivoting back and forth, getting ready to go. Our little inchworm is doing big things. In addition to the scooting she is also starting to enjoy some solid foods and has graduated to her big girl car seat. Big brother likes to help feed her and does a great job of entertaining her in the car. The entertaining part is easy because, as you can see, Ariana thinks that her brother is hilarious. There is absolutely nothing better than watching them play together and listening to their infectious laughter. It’s priceless.
-
- Ariana had big fun in Emma’s exersaucer
-
-
Uncle Craig chillin’
with Ryder
-
- Ariana loves her Greats
-
- Giving oatmeal a try
-
-
Frozen fruit
Much more tasty
-
- She pretty much just wants the spoon
-
- “no pictures please”
-
- Big Brother duties
-
- …he may need to work on his accuracy
-
- Big eyes
-
- A hoodie and some popcorn, no wonder he’s smiling
-
- Rolling around together
-
-
Picnic with Daddy during the week
Yay.
-
- Ariana’s first walk without her carseat
-
- Keeping those little knees protected
-
- Ephraim gets a roller coaster ride for his birthday
-
- Focused on the ‘stache
-
- Ariana loves her Pop
-
- I see you
-
- “I’m up, now what?”
-
- Ah-ah-Ariana
-
- “I don’t think she liked that” – Josiah
-
- Matchy matchertons
-
-
This is right before the
“You may not chew on this!”
-
- Excited about her new carseat
-
- Both excited they can see eachother better now
-
- Big girl car seat
-
- It’s a bird…
-
- It’s a plane…
-
-
It’s…
Super Siah!
In case there is a need for subtitles… “She’s so funny?… Are you funny? She’s so funny because I’m being silly.”
Meeting Mikayla
We finally got to meet our sweet baby niece, Mikayla Michelle, we drove up to NJ a few weeks ago to celebrate her Baptism with the family. We also stopped on the way up at cousin Melissa’s house in South Jersey to visit with her and Tom, Stephanie, and Great Aunt Beth, the kids got spoiled and Aunt Beth got a good dose of liquid love spit up all over her (Ariana. That’s what she does). Josiah and Ariana were thrilled to meet their new cousin, “oh, she’s so cute”, and it just doesn’t get any cuter than Ariana and Mikayla playing together. Mikayla’s Christening celebration was lovely, it was wonderful to have so much of the family all together. Ariana had a special day too while we were up there, Aunt Michelle took her to have her ears pierced! Now she has some pretty little earings to go along with her pretty little face, our pretty little lady.
-
- Hitting the road
-
- Ariana looking fab
-
-
Stopping for lunch,
New York style
-
-
Showing off his
iPhone skills
-
- Aunt Beth treats Siah to some ice cream
-
- Mel shows Ariana how to play with her new car
-
- Auntie Steena finally gets to squeeze Mikayla
-
- “This gym is fun, wanna play dress up next?”
-
- Daddy gets to hold both the little ladies
-
- Mommy gets in on the action
-
- Ryder loves on Ariana
-
- Chillin’ with Auntie Lola
-
-
Josiah making trouble.
Ryder brushing it off.
-
-
Anna and Siah
playing in their fort
-
- The three littlest cousins
-
- All piled into the bath
-
- and no one is crying…yet
-
- All five of us in the phonebooth. Again.
-
-
Mommy is freaking out.
Ariana has no idea.
-
- Anna helps keep Ariana distracted
-
- Well that wasn’t so bad
-
- Pretty in purple
-
- The Gadaleta Family
-
- Ariana getting loved on by her great aunt and uncles
-
- Mommy and the new mommy
-
- The boys
-
- Mommy and her babies
-
-
Josiah took this shot.
It’s our favorite.
-
- Siah pops into the pic with Chris
-
- The kids got seriously spoiled at this party
-
- Hanging out
-
- Zia Mela and cousin Jeff help clean up the most amazing diaper explosion ever
-
- Aunt Lynn comforts Ariana after her wardrobe change
-
- Workin on her “gymnaskicks” moves with Lola
-
- Uncle Clint is so silly
-
- Snuggled up with Nonno and Nonna
Can’t get enough of all these cutie patooties? Check out the links to the rest of the fam’s blogs (under the BLOGROLL heading on your right). The Gadaleta Family Blog is up and running now too!
