Keepin' It Clean

Ezra loves to keep Grandma and Grandpa Laiacona's driveway clean as a whistle while he visits. Now let's see if he's still willing to do this in 10 years...

Visiting the Kings

In August we stopped by Connecticut on our way to Lake George to see our friends Jim and Christi and their family. Ezra was in toddler heaven! Their house is completely childproofed, since they have a little one too, and Christi had brought out many of Thomas's toys from his toddler days. Add to that two fun kids and what's not to love?

Ezra and Daddy

Here are Ezra and Nick in July 2009.

Brushing Teeth

Ezra is slowly learning to brush his teeth, which right now means sucking the toothpaste off the brush. I love this photo because it showcases his beautiful brown eyes.

Driving Lesson

Gift from Venezuela

We knew that Ana would be just right for Ezra when she showed up bearing the gift of wheels! She also gave him a guitar-like instrument which has already lost it's strings. He still "plays" it and sings.

Ana'a Arrival

In July we welcomed our second au pair, Ana from Venezuela. We were able to get to know one another a little bit via e-mail and Skype before she arrived. Ezra loves this first photo because it includes part of a bus! He has also grown very attached to Ana over the past few months. In the morning he sings the Ana song awaiting her appearance downstairs.

Visiting Cousin Sophia in July

This was the first time Ezra and Sophia interacted much while they were with one another. Most of the time they just played side by side, but occasionally they would exchange a toy.

The Day Ezra Discovered Nutella

At The Discovery Museum

Ezra loved this Jeep, as he loves most things with wheels. It has moved on now and another exhibit has taken it's place. We'll always have our memories!

Saying Goodbye to Veronica

Our farewell to Veronica was a tearful one. She returned to Colombia in June after living with us for one year. Since she left we have talked regularly via Skype. She already has a return visit planned in December 2009.

When you read the glossy brochures from the au pair agency they always show families with their au pair and testimonials of just how much they love one another and how they have become members of one family, not two. When Nick and I decided to invite an au pair to stay with us and care for Ezra we hoped for a good experience, but I can't say I ever expected to become one of those families. With Veronica, that is just what happened. She will always be a part of our family, and although we have never even visited Colombia, we now have a home and family there as well.

Ezra Walking

For the past week Little E has been sporadically taking a few steps. Here is the first footage we have gotten of it. He is still in no hurry to make this his usual mode of transport, so we'll see when he actually starts doing this regularly.

Ezra Practices His Luge

Something tells me that Ezra and Nick have years of fun ahead of them.

Look Ma No Hands!

Birthday Bash II

Gathered to celebrate the 1st birthday of Ezra the Great:

Mom, Dad, Veronica, Grandma and Grandpa Laiacona,Grandma and Grandpa Edgecomb, Zoe, Dirk and his son Oliver, Nikki and Morgan, Tim and Shayla, Mike, Wendy and Sofia...and baby Aiden in Mama Shayla's belly.

Birthday Bash

Don't Forget Nick's Birthday!

Sunday was Ezra's first birthday, but Saturday was Nick's birthday. My hands were a bit full planning for E's party so my mom was kind enough to make this awesome cake.

Making The Cake

Veronica and I decided to go all out and make Ezra's birthday cake ourselves. She chose a bear in honor of our favorite vacation spot, Bear Lodge. It was quite a bit of work, much of which Veronica did. I helped with the frosting and Morgan made the heart.

First Sled

We came home from the Adirondacks in March to snow in Virginia. Morgan and Ezra decided to take advantage of our little hill and do some sledding. Ezra takes it in in classic E fashion, observing and pondering. Reactions come after he has time to process.

More Official News

Our search for a new au pair has ended! We have been lucky enough to find Ana, a young woman from Venezuela. She comes from a large family of ten children and has good experience with children. She is very warm and loving, and we are certain that she will take great care of Ezra. She will arrive with us on July 3rd.

It's Official

After a few months of consideration Veronica decided to extend her time with our family another 6 months. I'm sure you all can imagine how happy we all were at that news. But alas, it is not to be. It turns out that her University is not able to extend her leave of absence another semester. So June 15 will be her last day with us. We have been mouring this for a few days now. The good news is that she may be able to study at McGill University in Montreal for a semester, which is only 2 hours from Bear Lodge. Whatever the future holds, we know that a trip to Colombia is definitely in our family's future,and Veronica and her family will always have a place with us here.

Now we will begin the search for a new au pair. The agency we use attracts very high quality people, so I'm sure we will find a good match.

It is hard though, not to tear up at the thought of Veronica leaving.

Scenes From Bear Lodge

Visit with Uncle Matt & Aunt Trish

On our way to Bear Lodge for our February visit we stopped over at Matt & Trish's house. We had a short but nice visit and Ezra scored an early birthday present.

Pushing Around

Here's Ezra showing off his almost walking skills. He really got going on this with Grandma Laiacona while we were at Bear Lodge. She held his hands while he was learning to put one foot in front of the other.

The chase is on!

Ezra really got his crawl on at Bear Lodge while we werevisiting in late February!

Pulling Up

Now that he's learned to pull himself up, Ezra loves to do this all day long. I think his crawling days are numbered!

When you're happy and you know it...

Here Ezra shows off his new found clapping skills. I showed him clapping on Friday and he was clapping all weekend. He even clapped when Grandpa Edgecomb walked through the door!

I love Toby and he loves me!