March 28-29...Savannah, GA

It was a very rainy weekend and we decided we needed to get out of Augusta. We found a hotel in Savannah that had an indoor pool, so we packed up the kids and got out of town. It was a nice break from the ordinary routine of our lives.



Michael in downtown Savannah with our kids...





Helena was very taken with the horsies...once we got in the car to leave Sunday afternoon, she repeatedly let us know she wanted a horsey. She fell asleep talking about the horsies and the first words out of her mouth when she woke up were about the horsies. Her exact words were, "Grandpa, buy me a pony".




a rare picture...I'm actually in it!! Thank you Michael!



Helena refused to look at the camera, but at least there's a picture of the two of us!

Audrey turns 2!!!! March 16, 2009

Our niece, Audrey Grace Collins, turned 2 in March. She had a princess themed party, with all the trimmings, including an incredible castle cake!!! She was dressed as Cinderella, until she decided she couldn't get around fast enough in her princess slippers/high heels. It was a fairytale day...happy 2nd birthday Audrey!!!

The birthday girl makes her grand entrance!!!


Cinderella (bka: Audrey Grace Collins) at her birthday ball


Cinderella turning so we can get the whole effect of her outfit!


Audrey's amazing castle cake!


it says, "Princess Audrey Grace" on the front of the plate


Denise, our nanny, holding Helena so she won't disturb the cake


more evidence of the hands in the air when told to smile!!!


Princess Audrey and Oma


Princess Audrey and Auntie Con Con....Denise brought her a special chocolate egg from Germany...there was a prize inside!!!


Denise helping Sir Sebastian take a little nap...as you can see, sometimes he doesn't think it's nap time!


Oma helped Audrey open her presents...she got lots of nice things! Her favorite, I think, was a baby doll from Denise!


Helena didn't take long to get up close to see what the presents were all about. They both thought Audrey's new baby doll was pretty cool.


Happy, happy birthday, sweet Audrey! We hope you have many more years of learning, fun, and happiness,
Michael, Cindy, Helena, and Sebastian

Storms Blowing Through...

Well...the calm has passed and Sebastian is now our stormy little man. He has two modes: asleep or MAD!!! I'm not sure why we have such spirited children, but it definitely leaves no time for boredom! **update**as of 3/15/09 Sebastian is starting to be more alert when awake and so his furiousness (yes, I know that's not a word) is decreasing!!!

Helena recently realized she can independently escape from her crib, which has caused much frustration. We initially had to watch the video monitor very closely to make sure she was not hiking a leg up and over the side to escape, but things are better under control and she is almost back to her normal routine. The really exciting news about Helena is that she is now speaking in 3-4 word sentences, with "I NEED more milk" being the first expanded sentence we heard. She is quite the little chatterbox so there is much we don't understand. We do realize that when she is able to be completely understood, Daddy will have a run for his money. (literally!!!)

I have returned to work and other than being tired, things are going well. Michael enjoys his days at the fire station--his days 'off.' I look forward to the weekends when I get a little extra sleep. We all look forward to the time we get to spend together, especially Helena. She is extremely helpful with Sebastian, for a child her age. She excitedly helps by burping him, bringing him a pacifier (if she does not put it in her mouth first we're thrilled!), and throwing away his diapers. She also likes to let us know when he's crying ("baby cry," she says), as if we can't hear the screeching. =)

Here are just a few pictures of our two beloved offspring. Enjoy!

Here's furious


Here's asleep


Here's what we've been seeing the past few days...a smile, perhaps?


The outfit makes his hair look a little reddish??


The soothie pacifier--friend of our children


Helena and Daddy dancing together


Helena being sweet...giving brother kisses


Bathtime/bedtime with just the 3 of us...some nights it goes very well (like this night when I was able to take pictures) other nights it's hairy and ugly!!!


Daddy and his two angels! (see that look Sebastian is giving Helena?)


The Tomaszewski family...by the way, when told to smile for the camera Helena puts her hands up in the air!