When I started this blog two and half years ago, I really had no idea what I was doing. I could barely upload pictures, let alone apply cool backgrounds or import videos. My goals were to find a way to keep family and friends up-to-date on our second adoption and to use this blog as virtual scrapbook, hoping to preserve all the moments I knew I'd never document in a photo album or baby book.
A lot has changed since my first post. We've brought Aidan home and learned to balance the needs of two children with our own. A little thing Chris still likes to call "The Facebook" took off, allowing us more control over who sees the kids' pictures and stories online. Blogging for me has become less of a scrapbook and more of a place to share my experiences as a parent and connect with an amazing online community of mothers I otherwise wouldn't have met.
So today, as we celebrate Aidan's 2nd Family Day, it seems like an appropriate time to write my last post on Creating Our Family. I'll be posting pictures and everyday happenings on Facebook, so follow us there if seeing pictures of the boys is the highlight of your week :) In addition, I will still be blogging over at the blog I started this summer, I Spy A Family. I've so enjoyed sharing a little bit of our lives with you and hope you will all continue to follow along on my other blog.
And since I believe every one of life's milestones should end with a slide show, I leave you with this:
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Rescuers
I'm sure our stuffed animals will be less concerned about being tossed down the stairs now that we have a firefighter and an EMT on site.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Treats
On the way to school this morning, Aidan and I were talking about how much fun we had yesterday trick or treating....
Aidan: 'Member you let us eat candy while we walking?
Me: I remember, that was a special treat.
Aidan: What that candy we eat outside called?
Me: Kit Kats
Aidan: Oooohhhh, Kitty Cats!!! That my best treat ever!
***pause, while angry look spreads across Aidan's face***
Aidan: Hey - why you never give us Kitty Cats before?????
Aidan: 'Member you let us eat candy while we walking?
Me: I remember, that was a special treat.
Aidan: What that candy we eat outside called?
Me: Kit Kats
Aidan: Oooohhhh, Kitty Cats!!! That my best treat ever!
***pause, while angry look spreads across Aidan's face***
Aidan: Hey - why you never give us Kitty Cats before?????
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
FFF - Best in Show
There's still the possiblity of a snuggly-in-my-Christmas-jammies picture knocking this one out of the top spot, but as of now this is one of my favorite pictures of the year:
And this is definitely the best jack-o-lantern the Gorski Family has ever carved...
Chris did scrape out 95% of the insides and performed the actual cutting, but I really credit Aidan and I for doing such an excellent job of scooping out the seeds :)
And this is definitely the best jack-o-lantern the Gorski Family has ever carved...
Chris did scrape out 95% of the insides and performed the actual cutting, but I really credit Aidan and I for doing such an excellent job of scooping out the seeds :)Friday, October 22, 2010
Favorite Foto Friday - Pony Rides
The boys recently enjoyed pony rides at a pumpkin farm.
True to form, Aidan hopped right on and had to be reminded repeatedly to pay attention and keep two hands on the saddle...
While Andy approached with caution and focused intently on holding on tight.
True to form, Aidan hopped right on and had to be reminded repeatedly to pay attention and keep two hands on the saddle...
While Andy approached with caution and focused intently on holding on tight.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Another year goes by...
Andy, I can't believe you are 4 years old today!
It seems like only yesterday we were watching you smear frosting from your 1st birthday cupcake all over your high chair; how can you already be blowing out 4 candles all by yourself? It's amazing to me that when I look at you I see a kid - not a baby, not even a toddler. You're growing up so fast...in another 4 years, you'll be 8 and in another 4, 12 and in another 4....well, I just can't believe how quickly it will all be over.
I thought I'd take a moment to record a bit about who you are right now, in this moment, because I want to capture the details of this time of your life before it passes me by in a blur of trains and cartoons and stories before bed.
So, here's some things about you at age 4:
How we celebrated: This year instead of one big party, we opted for many smaller ones. A few weeks ago, we celebrated with your grandparents, aunts & cousins. After weeks of deliberating w/no decision, Aunt Sandy suggested you have a double theme of pumpkins and candy for this party, which worked out perfectly b/c I found a pumpkin pinata at Target. Despite valiant efforts, you, Aidan and your cousins were unable to break it open, so Daddy did it for you and then climbed on top of the swing set to create the "candy rain" we'd been promising. Post-candy collection, Daddy put the pumpkin on his head and entertained you by running around the yard and falling down. Yesterday, we celebrated with the B family at our house with dinner and brownies with peanut butter whipped cream, on which we put imaginary candles for you to blow out b/c for the life of me I could not remember where I'd put the ones from your party. The B's got you a basketball hoop that fits over a door with a breakaway rim. I have no idea what that means, but the Dads were very excited about it. This morning we made pumpkin pancakes with whipped cream before school and this afternoon we will have ice cream with Grammy, Aunt Sandy & your cousins. Then next week, my aunts and their kids will be coming over for more ice cream and presents. So basically, the entire month of October will be filled with presents and treats, but I think that's fine b/c in my opinion you can never have too many of either one.
Your favorite cartoons: Diego, Caillou and Fireman Sam; thankfully none of them annoy me and Dad too much, though we do spend a lot of time wondering why 4 year old Caillou doesn't have any hair.
Your favorite movies: Toy Story 2 & Cars.
Your favorite foods: Anything with peanut butter, yogurt covered raisins, red grapes and Goldfish. Your are very fickle when it comes to your favorite frozen treats, one day proclaiming cookies and cream ice cream to be your best treat ever and then the next time rejecting it in favor of strawberry or mint chocolate chip. Your devotion to frosting and whipped cream however, is unwavering.
Your favorite books: poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends, especially "Lazy Jane" and "Invention", Olivia, Llama, Llama Mad at Mama, Little Miss Spider, Goodnight Moon.
Your favorite activities: using our suitcases to play "vacation" with Aidan, pushing anything with wheels, taking pictures with the camera Grandma Jean gave you.
The thing I enjoy most about you: Talking in bed every night before you go to sleep. Our conversations cover everything from whether or not you liked what I made for dinner to what a sting ray's mouth looks like. Snuggling in bed and hearing your sweet little voice is the perfect end to even the most hectic days.
It seems like only yesterday we were watching you smear frosting from your 1st birthday cupcake all over your high chair; how can you already be blowing out 4 candles all by yourself? It's amazing to me that when I look at you I see a kid - not a baby, not even a toddler. You're growing up so fast...in another 4 years, you'll be 8 and in another 4, 12 and in another 4....well, I just can't believe how quickly it will all be over.
I thought I'd take a moment to record a bit about who you are right now, in this moment, because I want to capture the details of this time of your life before it passes me by in a blur of trains and cartoons and stories before bed.
So, here's some things about you at age 4:
How we celebrated: This year instead of one big party, we opted for many smaller ones. A few weeks ago, we celebrated with your grandparents, aunts & cousins. After weeks of deliberating w/no decision, Aunt Sandy suggested you have a double theme of pumpkins and candy for this party, which worked out perfectly b/c I found a pumpkin pinata at Target. Despite valiant efforts, you, Aidan and your cousins were unable to break it open, so Daddy did it for you and then climbed on top of the swing set to create the "candy rain" we'd been promising. Post-candy collection, Daddy put the pumpkin on his head and entertained you by running around the yard and falling down. Yesterday, we celebrated with the B family at our house with dinner and brownies with peanut butter whipped cream, on which we put imaginary candles for you to blow out b/c for the life of me I could not remember where I'd put the ones from your party. The B's got you a basketball hoop that fits over a door with a breakaway rim. I have no idea what that means, but the Dads were very excited about it. This morning we made pumpkin pancakes with whipped cream before school and this afternoon we will have ice cream with Grammy, Aunt Sandy & your cousins. Then next week, my aunts and their kids will be coming over for more ice cream and presents. So basically, the entire month of October will be filled with presents and treats, but I think that's fine b/c in my opinion you can never have too many of either one.
Your favorite cartoons: Diego, Caillou and Fireman Sam; thankfully none of them annoy me and Dad too much, though we do spend a lot of time wondering why 4 year old Caillou doesn't have any hair.
Your favorite movies: Toy Story 2 & Cars.
Your favorite foods: Anything with peanut butter, yogurt covered raisins, red grapes and Goldfish. Your are very fickle when it comes to your favorite frozen treats, one day proclaiming cookies and cream ice cream to be your best treat ever and then the next time rejecting it in favor of strawberry or mint chocolate chip. Your devotion to frosting and whipped cream however, is unwavering.
Your favorite books: poems from Where the Sidewalk Ends, especially "Lazy Jane" and "Invention", Olivia, Llama, Llama Mad at Mama, Little Miss Spider, Goodnight Moon.
Your favorite activities: using our suitcases to play "vacation" with Aidan, pushing anything with wheels, taking pictures with the camera Grandma Jean gave you.
The thing I enjoy most about you: Talking in bed every night before you go to sleep. Our conversations cover everything from whether or not you liked what I made for dinner to what a sting ray's mouth looks like. Snuggling in bed and hearing your sweet little voice is the perfect end to even the most hectic days.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The latest installment
"It doesn't sound the same without my sunglasses on." - Aidan, on why he couldn't play his guitar until we found his sunglasses.
"I don't really care for sleep." - Andy, making the understatement of his life a few weeks ago at bedtime.
"The stinging wasp did a battle with Daddy, but the shoe won." - Aidan, after Chris killed a wasp in his room.
"We ate the cake, so now I'm four." - Andy, trying to convince me he turned four the day of his party, not 2 weeks from now.
"I wish I could, but my legs are out of batteries." - Andy, on why he was unable to help clean up his toys.
"Well, I make quite a mess." - Aidan, telling me about snack time at school.
"To infinity and beyond!" - Andy, every time he flushes the toilet.
"I don't really care for sleep." - Andy, making the understatement of his life a few weeks ago at bedtime.
"The stinging wasp did a battle with Daddy, but the shoe won." - Aidan, after Chris killed a wasp in his room.
"We ate the cake, so now I'm four." - Andy, trying to convince me he turned four the day of his party, not 2 weeks from now.
"I wish I could, but my legs are out of batteries." - Andy, on why he was unable to help clean up his toys.
"Well, I make quite a mess." - Aidan, telling me about snack time at school.
"To infinity and beyond!" - Andy, every time he flushes the toilet.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Favorite Foto Friday - Pilgrimage
Once a year
When the leaves start to change
When the air feels crisp
And players take the field
Chris & I take a grown-ups only trip
To see our team play
Some years its sunny and sometimes it rainsSome years its a victory and sometimes a defeat
But every year
rain or shine
win or lose
We have a great time
(probably because of the grown-up beverages and cigars)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Favorite Foto Friday - Puddle Jumpers
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Look Out World
Today was Aidan's first day of preschool. As he does with all new experiences, he approached it with enthusiasm.
I love how Aidan views the chance to do anything new as a grand adventure. It is without a doubt my absolute favorite thing about him.
With him at school, my trips to the grocery store will definitely be less exhilarating.
I love how Aidan views the chance to do anything new as a grand adventure. It is without a doubt my absolute favorite thing about him. With him at school, my trips to the grocery store will definitely be less exhilarating.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Not so long ago, we were struggling to have a family. The house felt quiet and empty.
Now, this is the sound that often can be heard echoing through the halls:
Our house is wild, noisy, overflowing with little boys' toys and a reminder of how full our lives are now.
Its perfect - even though full enjoyment frequently requires 2 Advil.
Now, this is the sound that often can be heard echoing through the halls:
Our house is wild, noisy, overflowing with little boys' toys and a reminder of how full our lives are now.
Its perfect - even though full enjoyment frequently requires 2 Advil.
Monday, August 30, 2010
First Day of School
Well, I won't say that either one of us was jumping for joy, but we made it through the first drop off of the year without any tears. There was a moment, right before we said good-bye, when both of us were blinking back tears, but since Andy managed to be brave, so was I.
The real test, of course, will be how he feels about going back tomorrow. I'm hopeful we can get through this school year without any tearful good-byes.
Though watching him walk away with his lunch bag in tow really pulls at my heart strings, so I can't make any promises.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Postponement
We've been busy trying to soak up the last bit of summer vacation before Andy's school starts Monday.
Check back then for some First Day of School pictures - I'll be the one weeping in the background.
Check back then for some First Day of School pictures - I'll be the one weeping in the background.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Favorite Foto Friday - Ingenious
After 10 minutes of spinning in circles like a dog chasing his tail, one of my sons came to me and said "I have an idea! You take a picture of my butt - that's how I can see it!"
Obsession with butts aside, I've got to hand it to that one, he's a pretty awesome problem solver.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Too Soon to Laugh
I just hung up the phone with the sound of Chris's laughter ringing in my ears. My reaction to the news I'd shared with him was somewhat less enthusiastic.
On the heels of their newly won privilege to play upstairs by themselves, our charming, delightful, creative "big boys" decided they no longer require my assistance to change Aidan's dirty pull-up. Clued into the fact that mischief was being made by the sound of giggles of the "I can't believe we're doing this" variety, I went upstairs to discover my children had taken off Aidan's pull-up, emptying no less than half its content onto the floor of my bathroom and were using the knife from their kitchen set and a plastic bat to scoop it up and throw it in the general vicinity of the toilet. Following my shriek of horror, Andy glanced up mid-scoop and said innocently "What Mom? Poop goes in the potty." As I entered to further examine the scene of the crime, I slipped on the dirty toilet water covering the floor and nearly fell on my face. It was then, when Aidan reached out his hand and said "Careful Mama!", that I saw the poop stuck to his fingers.
The next moments were a blur, I think my brain is already trying to block the details from my memory, but I somehow got the kids, bathroom and myself cleaned up just as Chris was calling to tell me he was headed home.
Of course he thought the story was hilarious. He's not the one that had to clean it up.
On the heels of their newly won privilege to play upstairs by themselves, our charming, delightful, creative "big boys" decided they no longer require my assistance to change Aidan's dirty pull-up. Clued into the fact that mischief was being made by the sound of giggles of the "I can't believe we're doing this" variety, I went upstairs to discover my children had taken off Aidan's pull-up, emptying no less than half its content onto the floor of my bathroom and were using the knife from their kitchen set and a plastic bat to scoop it up and throw it in the general vicinity of the toilet. Following my shriek of horror, Andy glanced up mid-scoop and said innocently "What Mom? Poop goes in the potty." As I entered to further examine the scene of the crime, I slipped on the dirty toilet water covering the floor and nearly fell on my face. It was then, when Aidan reached out his hand and said "Careful Mama!", that I saw the poop stuck to his fingers.
The next moments were a blur, I think my brain is already trying to block the details from my memory, but I somehow got the kids, bathroom and myself cleaned up just as Chris was calling to tell me he was headed home.
Of course he thought the story was hilarious. He's not the one that had to clean it up.
Monday, August 2, 2010
What I Learned on my Summer Vacation
Aidan successfully uses the potty about 50% of the time, but has a 100% success rate when allowed to go in the ocean.
Andy will sit quietly for 6 hours straight if Deigo's Iguana Rescue Sing-Along DVD is playing on a continuous loop.
Kids get sand stuck between their toes, in their ears and every other place imaginable...as well as some places that defy the imagination.
If Aidan gets salt water in his mouth, no problem, he'll spit it out, but sand is so delicious it's not only worth eating once on accident but then licking off sea shells every time the opportunity presents itself in the future.
It is possible for me to go 7 days without Starbucks...but after my first sip this morning I realized the truth to that saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder".
Andy will sit quietly for 6 hours straight if Deigo's Iguana Rescue Sing-Along DVD is playing on a continuous loop.
Kids get sand stuck between their toes, in their ears and every other place imaginable...as well as some places that defy the imagination.
If Aidan gets salt water in his mouth, no problem, he'll spit it out, but sand is so delicious it's not only worth eating once on accident but then licking off sea shells every time the opportunity presents itself in the future.
It is possible for me to go 7 days without Starbucks...but after my first sip this morning I realized the truth to that saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder".
Friday, July 30, 2010
Favorite Foto Friday - Beach Vacation
Rather than bore you with "we saw this" and "we did that", I'll simply say it was a really great trip and let the pictures speak for themselves.
The only thing I will not miss about Atlantic Beach, NC is the excuriatingly slow speed of the internet. After spending literally 35 minutes uploading these few photos, I just don't have the patience to arrange them properly, so you'll have to enjoy them as is.
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