Christmas and a blizzard!

Santa was good to Aria this year!! She got a big Buzz Lightyear, a bicycle and a telescope! Loves them all...

Christmas night it started snowing and didn't stop until it had snowed 14"!

We have SMILES!!!

Aspen has started smiling this week, wide open-mouthed ear to ear grins. I'm trying to capture on camera but it is hard, she is suspicious of my iPhone camera. Here are a few pictures of the little sweetie at 6 weeks.

Aria and Santa...

Aria was not at all shy about sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what she wanted for Christmas: a big Buzz Lightyear, a bicycle with training wheels and a telescope. We also got an Elf on the Shelf this year, Browning, who flies to the North Pole every night to update Santa on the "naughty/nice" goings on in our house.

Back to birthweight!

We have a diagnosis: dairy protein intolerance. Aspen had been having a pretty rough week and we took her to the pediatrician. Apparently this affects 2-3% of infants. Aspen and mom will be dairy free for a while. Apparently this is a condition that usually remits with age--most infants with this issue can tolerate dairy after the first year or two of life. We seem to be back on track with a happier baby!

Some family photos

Photos by William "Kenny" Lucord of Bosco Image Works. So far, so good. Aria being a great helper to me with Aspen. We are settling in to a new rhythm being a family of four.

Welcome Aspen Elizabeth!

On 11/3/10 at 12:59 pm we welcomed 8 lb 9 oz, 20.5 inch Aspen to our family. Father, mother, baby and big sister Aria are over the moon! Here are a few photos, hope to update more soon...

More Halloween Photos...

Halloween!

We had a great time trick or treating with the neighbors this year! Here are some photos of Aria and her friends...

Preschool Halloween Parade!

Fall!

Although it is still pretty warm and the leaves haven't yet started to change, we have been enjoying Fall here in Chesapeake. This week we went to Bergey's Breadbasket for the hayride and corn maze, then to Hunt Club Farm with a playgroup to pick a pumpkin, pet animals and climb a haystack. Aria's going to be Ariel the Mermaid this year for Halloween. Above is a photo of my 8 1/2 month pregnant self and Aria at Bergey's.

Surprise shower!

My neighbors got together and threw me a surprise shower. I was completely astonished. There was great food, great company and wonderful things for Aspen Elizabeth :) I love this neighborhood!

Soccer!

Aria started soccer this week. Mostly she picks the flowers (weeds) for the coach while on the sidelines, but when she is in the game she runs around with the pack of kids.

Back to School!

Aria started a 3's 3x/week program today at Great Bridge Preschool and K. Her teachers are Miss Sue and Miss Jennifer. She is in a class with lots of kids from last year's 2's program, including her bff's Will and Katie. Here are a few shots of her on the first day. No crying this year which was a huge relief for me!

Aria's first fishing adventure

Aria showing off her catch at Bob's fishing hole! She was actually more interested in playing with the "red wigglers" and the local cat than fishing, but it was fun to put the fish in her hands and have her throw them back.

Shower!

My playgroup had a lovely shower for us. There was fabulous breakfast food, a wonderful cake and gifts for Aspen Elizabeth. Here are a few photos.

Aria's little sister - 27 week u/s

3-D 27 week u/s photos of Aria's little sister

Mid-Summer...

We are sweltering here in Chesapeake. I think this will be one for the record books. Spending time at the pool, the Orb family fun center, Ocean Tumblers gymnastics class...and staying in when the temps exceed 100 degrees. I'm 25 weeks pregnant and feel reasonably good. My brother in law, Kenny came down and got a few pictures of Aria and her friend Will. Chris is flying in Atlantic City every other weekend and we've learned to embrace Skype :)

Aria passes swim test!

Aria took and passed the 25 meter swim test at the Great Bridge pool this am! We are so proud!!
Here is some video of her swimming after the test and a picture of her with the bracelet they give her to indicate she has passed the test and can go down the big slide...

3 Years Old!!!

Where did the time go? Aria weighed in at 42 lbs and 42" Sat at Urgent Care, where we took her after her birthday party. She fell on her stick horse and then wouldn't pee for 10 hours. A little lidocaine (magic) cream and she was fine. Her are some pictures of our big beautiful girl at her party.

We're having a .....

....GIRL!!!! We are so excited! Almost halfway there...

Summer is almost here!

We are enjoying swimming at the local Y, outings to the park with her new scooter and this weekend went to the Chesapeake Jubilee, our city fair. Aria is pretty fearless, just like her Daddy, she rode the giant slide on a burlap sack, went on the Ferris Wheel, jumped really high on a trampoline with a harness. We have been missing Chris who is flying the helicopter in Atlantic City on the weekends, but with so many activities on the weekends, they are mostly flying by! School ends this week but Aria will be in a summer program one or two mornings/week.

Update: 12+ weeks into pregnancy

We had a good 12 week appointment and ultrasound. Baby was very active, waving, clapping, kicking and cooperating for the u/s technician. I'm approaching the end of the first trimester and can't wait for the nausea to subside.

We re-joined our local Y and had a great visit from Caryn, Will and Nana last weekend spending time at the pool and beach. Chris is off this weekend for the first time in 6 weeks for Mother's Day and we plan to go to Nags Head overnight to celebrate.

Aria's preschool ends in two weeks. We've signed her up for a few days of summer school, but we will be spending most of our time at the pool.

Our news...

We're almost 10 weeks pregnant. If all goes well, we hope to welcome a baby in November 2010. Please keep us in your prayers. So far, so good.

Updates

Chris is spending his weekends in Atlantic City, not gambling, but working at his first paid flying job which is very exciting. He works on the Steel Pier in NJ most weekends. Here he is pictured with the other pilots.

Spring is incredibly beautiful here in Chesapeake. We haven't yet re-joined the Y with it's heated outdoor pool but anticipate we will be spending a lot of time there by the end of the month and this summer. Aria is still in school twice / week, she may do a few weeks of summer school and/or vacation bible school.

Spring is here!

Spring is outrageously beautiful here in Chesapeake Virginia. It is so nice to see everything turning green and pink and yellow after what felt like a long winter. Might be some big changes for the Sweigart family in the coming months.

Aria is thriving. We have lots of play dates with neighbors Will and Quinn and really enjoy our Wed playgroup with Devon, Darby, Henry, Katie and Will. We are currently having a visit from Nana who loves to play games and read with Aria.

Visit to Kangaroo Jac's bounce house...

Aria had a great time playing here last weekend. There were a lot of older kids and the place got pretty crowded but she did have a good time...