Michael George Rivera April 26, 2008

So it's been a while since I've posted, but a lot has been going on. We had been counting the days until Baby Michael made his appearance. Most of you know it had been week after week of doctor appointments due to the fact that each sonogram showed Michael as a very large baby. Saturday April 26, I woke up thinking that I was having another doctor appointment at 1045am, but my water broke at 630am. We were excited but nervous at the same time. I called my doctor who told me to head over to the hospital for them to check me out. Grandma Gladys came to watch big sister Jenna and Mike and I headed over to the hospital. My water did indeed break and after a couple of sonograms in the hospital, my doctor and I decided to go with a c-section since the sonograms were showing Michael over 9lbs. At 122pm, Michael George was born at 9lbs, 4oz and 20.5 inches. He was definitely a big baby but very healthy.
Aunt Shel was Michael's first visitor that night. She said that Michael looked like he was a month old next to all the other babies in the nursery. Big sister Jenna was able to come for a quick visit Sunday and checked out her brother through the nursery window. She was counting the minutes to when both Mama and Baby Michael could come home. Michael also got a good round of visitors Sunday - Grandma Gladys, Uncle Darren, Titi Iliana, Jennifer, Mark, Madison and Andrew. Since I had a c-section, they made me and Michael stay at the hospital an extra day, so Monday we had more visitors - Aunt Shel, Uncle Richie, Luke, Linda and her mom. The hospital finally let us go home Tuesday April 29 and Jenna was so excited to have us home.
I'll post more pictures this weekend since I have none of Jenna and Michael yet. She loves to kiss him, but to catch that on camera is so hard.
Enjoy the pictures and thank you for all the well wishes!



A couple of hours after Michael was born.

Proud daddy with his son

Our newest additional to the family

Michael's first visitor - Aunt Shel

The Sere Family - Luke was very excited to see his new friend

Our big boy


















Getting ready to go home


















Finally going home to meet big sistet Jenna

Easter

Hard to believe it is Easter time again. Jenna has been on Easter Vacation since Thursday and will not return to school until Monday, March 31. Since she was off from school, I decided to bring her in to work with me on Thursday. She had loads of fun hanging out with me all day. We then decided to go see Grandma Gladys and Mike at their offices. Too bad she was asleep the entire visit for both Gladys and Mike. I must have worked her too hard at my job. At 5pm when we left Mike's office she woke up and demanded to go to the large park by his job. I think she is finally catching Spring Fever and wants to be outdoors!
Friday we headed into Staten Island to the Children's Museum with Jen and Madison. It is so nice to go to a museum where the girls can actually touch things. They had a blast playing and checking out the different exhibits. We even got them to take a baking class.
Saturday, the weather finally turned warm and we participated in the Bayridge Easter Egg Hunt. The girls had a lot of fun gathering up their eggs and receiving their Easter prize. Afterwards they hung out at the park enjoying the nice weather.
Easter Sunday, Jenna woke up to her Easter Basket from the Easter Bunny. She was so excited that he left her something. We went to church and then over to Grandma Gladys' house for Easter Dinner. We had a great time seeing everyone.
We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.


Jenna playing at the park by Mike's job.














Radio DJ's in training.














Playing on the Fire Truck at the museum.



















I wonder who she is calling?














Making her apple pocket in the baking class.













Gathering up her Easter Eggs at the hunt.













Playing at Grandma's house.

Luke's First Birthday

I can't believe that Luke was born a year ago already! Time has flown right by and he is no longer a baby. Jenna had a great time playing with Luke, Vanessa, Sara and Ryan. She was so excited to see her Aunt Shel. Luke looked like he had a great time and even grabbed a nap before his cake.
Happy Birthday Lukie!





Me and my big girl.













Mike and Jenna with their party hats on.















Jenna playing around.













The birthday prince getting ready for his cake.

Easter Bunny Weekend

Saturday St Anselms hosted an Easter Bunny Breakfast for the kids. Jenna had a blast meeting the Easter Bunny, checking out the animals and doing the arts and crafts. We enjoyed breakfast with Jen, Mark and Madison and also Sharon, Joe and Dylan. Jenna and Madison were very excited to play with some of the kids from her class. Jenna cannot wait until Sunday when the Easter Bunny comes to visit our house.




Jenna with the Easter Bunny.














Mike and Jenna checking out the animals. She liked looking but wouldn't pet any of them.














Madison with Mike.













Jenna, Madison and Justin checking out the ducks.

First weekend in March

It's hard to believe that it is March already! Time just keeps flying by. This past weekend Mike and I spent some time with our friends Meredith and Jimmy at their new home. Besides seeing their beautiful home, Michele and Rich brought Luke. He has gotten so big and I can't believe he will be 1 on March 14. If you are wondering where Jenna was, she spent the day at Grandma Teresa's house. She had a fun day playing with Grandma, Uncle Jason, Kristin and of course Murphy.
Sunday the weather was ok, so I took Jenna out for a ride on her scooter. She has gotten very good at riding it. I can't wait for the weather to warm up a little more so we can ride down to the park.



Michele, Rich and Luke













Mike and I with my huge belly














Meredith, Jimmy and sleeping Luke















Luke loves being held by Mike.














Michele and I with both our boys - ok so Baby M isn't quite here yet, but almost!














Jenna riding her scooter.

Presidents Weekend 2008

We just love these 3 day weekends! Well at least I do, since Mike had to head back to work Monday. Saturday we had a fun day with Grandma Gladys shopping and doing errands all day. Sunday Mike, Jenna and I headed out to Long Island to the Vanderbuilt Museums. Jenna had a lot of fun checking out the different exhibits. She loved the dinosaurs, marine animals and even the mummy. The weather wasn't the greatest, but we still had fun walking around the grounds. Monday was a Jenna and Mama day and the temps hit in the 60's. We went to the park in the morning and back again with Madison, Mark and Jennifer. Too bad my 3 day weekend comes to an end, but Jenna is off for the entire week. Lucky her!


Jenna crossing the bridge to the Vanderbuilt Mansion.














The cold Rivera family.













Mike and Jenna at the Marine Museum.














Me and my girl.














My diva wanting me to take a picture of her with the water in the background.














She loved this fountain in the mansion.














The temps had us thinking Spring had come early. She had a great time on the swings.

Catholic School Week 2008

Sunday January 27 kicked off Catholic School Week at St Anselm. After the 10am mass Sunday, we headed over to the school for some breakfast and to watch the talent show. Both Jenna and Madison were very excited to watch the older kids sing, dance and play their instruments. I think Jenna's favorite was each time one of the acts did a song from High School Musical. I know Madison's favorite was the girl that sang a song from the Little Mermaid.
Monday was the Beginning Scholar's Gym Day. Parents were allowed to come and watch their children participate in gym activities. They started with a bean bag running race. Jenna did great. She ran back and forth like a pro. They then had them kick the soccer ball through the goal and Jenna kicked it dead on. Next was the basketball hoop. She tried hard and was very close to getting it in. Last thing they did for us was a hopping race. It looked more like a skipping race, but she did great. It was a lot of fun for me to see what she has been learning in her gym class.




Mike and Jenna enjoying breakfast while watching the talent show.














Look at these faces!














Mrs. Dunleavy's class waiting for the bean bag race to start.













Jenna running with the bean bag.














Waiting for her turn at the basketball hoop.













So close!

Cozumel

This year Mike and I decided to forgo Christmas gifts to each other and take an adults only vacation. We decided on Cozumel, Mexico since it was a port we had hit a couple times and loved. Jenna spent the long weekend with Grandma Gladys and Rudy. She had a great time playing with them and her cousin Amanda came over for a sleepover. Mike and I had a great time. Weather was in the 80's every day. It was the perfect vacation for us both to relax before Baby Michael comes along. As much fun as we had, we really missed Jenna. She was so excited to see us when we picked her up. I told Mike that she looked bigger than when we left her.


View from our balcony.














Visiting San Gervasio Ruins.













Dressing up for our formal dinner.














Enjoying an evening out.














Getting so much needed rest and relaxation.


















Mike getting in on the resting action.

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years! New Years Eve we spent a great evening at Jen, Mark & Madison's house. The girls had loads of fun opening their gifts and they even made it past midnight. Mark and Mike enjoyed some Champagne, while Jen and I tried some non-alcoholic champagne. Our first day in the New Year was great - Jenna let us all sleep until 11am! Unheard of in our house.
The weekend after, we had Michele, Richie, Luke, Allison, Spencer, Kaitlyn, Darren and & Iliana over for dinner. The girls had a lot of fun playing together and little Lukie is getting so big. It was great to catch up with all.




Jenna and Madison opening their gifts.















Jenna playing with her new toys.














Jenna opening gifts from Aunt Shel, Uncle Richie and Luke.













Luke catching a nap on Mike.














Kaitlyn knocking back some milk.















Luke trying to figure out how to open his gift.

Christmas!

Christmas was a lot of fun this year since Jenna really got the concept of Santa bringing her gifts. It was fun to see her face and see her reaction when she opened the gifts she asked Santa for.
Christmas Eve was spent at mom's house with Jason, Kristin and of course Murphy. Jenna was spoiled with all the presents they gave. She had tons of fun opening all her gifts. Christmas Day, Jenna was up early and so excited by all her gifts. She couldn't get through them all fast enough and we couldn't open the boxes fast enough for her to play with all her new toys. We spent the rest of the day at Gladys' house. It was a full house with Gladys, Darren, Iliana, Uncle Carlos, Cruz, Abuela, George, Marta and of course Rudy too! Jenna was spoiled again for the second day! She opened many presents and had a great time with everyone.

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!



Jenna getting some help from Grandma with her gifts.















Christmas morning, opening gifts from Santa.













Christmas Day at Grandma Gladys' house.