Friends - welcome to our home!

The first bloom of a special rose bush from friends...

Gigi or Jordan?

Today, we celebrated NannyG's son Richard's 8th grade graduation. Congratulations, Richard!

While at Grace's house, Mama saw this picture and took a double take. Was it Jordan or Gigi?

Goodbye Friends....See you SOON!

This weekend, we hosted a "goodbye" party to our dear friends who are moving to New York this week. When Gigi heard we were having a goodbye party, she said she wanted to have a "hello" party, a "Hello Kitty" party. To greet her guests, Gigi opened up her restaurant where she was offering water for "5 bucks", juice, carrots and various other items.

Jordan as usual was causing trouble.....climbing and reaching...

Camille greeted guests from Eliza's garden.

Gigi was so happy to have Sophia at the party. They haven't seen each other in quite awhile even though S lives across the street!

Camille was hoping for some ribs or chicken, so she spent her time behind the bar after she came in from the garden.

Who needs to go to London for the Double Decker bus?

The bar was hopping! No 21 year age requirement here!

Lisa, Michael, Zoe and Lucy....New York, New York. (or is it New Jersey?) We will miss you, but you won't be so far away. And, you always have a place to stay not too far from the beach or other friends. We hope to be able to host a true "Hello" party when you come back!

BIrthday Party Giggles

"More"

Happy 1st Birthday Jordan!

Dear Jordan,

Thank you for coming into our lives a year ago today! We love you....everything about you (well, except for the sleepless nights still).

Are you sure your name isn't George? Curious George? Your curiosity is there every minute of the day. Ever since you could crawl at 10 months, you have to open every cabinet, touch everything in front of you and climb to things that are out of your reach. You love taking forks, spoons and particularly knives out of the dishwasher.

Are you going to be a tech head just like your Dad? You love remote controls, cell phones, IPads and computers already.

You are so outgoing, smiling at everyone you see. NannyG reports that when you go to the library for storytime, you are more interested in the people than the stories. Your smile is beautiful and your giggle infectious. You haven't yet (and maybe never) will have stranger anxiety....you will go to anyone and love to touch people's noses as a way to say hello.

You adore your sister....you want to do what she is doing and love it when she chases you and makes you giggle.

(First of 3 celebrations - Florida)

Just like Gigi, you are ticklish, particularly the backs of your chubby legs.

You love all types of food, but most of all you love fruit -- blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are some of your favorites.

You have a few words -- Mama, Up, something that sounds like More. You know how to sign "more" (just learned while we were visiting Mema and Pepa this week).

You love music....and love to hear people sing. You even know how to shake your booty.

You love the water, both in the bath and the pool. Your favorite thing is to get in the bath with Daddy and Gigi on a relaxed weekend morning. You haven't yet met the ocean.

You love animals....no fear of any animal of any size. The first time you got on a horse, you didn't cry or even have one minute of worry. Just a big smile across your face. You love dogs, both Camille and Mystic and every other dog that you meet.

You know how to clap and "wave". Your wave is more like a signal to come here....so adorable.

You are still mostly a crawler, but took two steps on June 18th.

Your teeth....well, you have 6 of them, but they are slow to come in, causing you pain and Mommy and Daddy some sleepless nights.

You are truly all boy. Never ending energy....you don't want to be held in by the high chair or stroller. You want to be free. You are our little explorer.

We are so happy you came into our lives a year ago. Happy Birthday, sweet prince.

We love you,

Mama and Daddy

Eliza

Tomorrow is a day of mixed emotions. Our Jordan will turn 1. One year ago, I woke up Gigi at 4 am to go to the hospital with my Mom to deliver our beloved babies. Gigi drew this picture last week at school (on a Monday). She knows Eliza is part of our family....even a year later, she remembers her and talks about her (a lot). Most of the time, she will name a baby doll she is playing with or a squirrel or a butterfly Eliza. She uses her name frequently while she is playing.

It has been a long time since she asked where she is or whether she could visit her....but she did ask last week if we could visit her. We all miss Eliza and on the eve of her birthday, I think of how happy I was the hours and days following Jordan and Eliza's birth. My family was complete. I was lucky to have ended my struggle to be a Mom with such an incredible family. A hole will always be in my heart, but luckily, I have Gigi who will always keep trying to fill the hole by keeping Eliza alive for me in a beautiful way.

Dad is our Best Friend

Our dad is our best friend you know,

He's taught us many things.

He's taught us how to swim and cook,

He's taught us how to relax while reading a book

He's taught us to appreciate so many things.

My Dad is our best friend you know

He's taught us many things.

We love you, Dad

Gigi and Jordan

Fieldtrip with Dad!

Today, my friend Tati came over with her Dad and the Dads and friends went on a fieldtrip. Mama quickly painted our nails pink and off we went!

Tim is holding a picture I made him this morning.

We went to MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) the unconventional way -- by train! (or at least unconventional in LA -- we go everywhere by car)

We went to see "Art in the Streets" at MOCA. It is an exhibit of graffiti and street art.

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After a fun time at the museum, we went off to Little Tokyo for lunch. We should do this again, Dad!