Halloween 2007

Some current shots to appease you all. We've just been having too much fun (no time to blog). The girls had a ball this spooky year. A spider and a kitty cat, "meow". We had a lot of fun with friends, and living in such a family friend neck of the country, dad and I were Halloweened OUT before the actual night.

The girls celebrated at the local pumpkin patch with Emma and Molly (our new 'hood friends), in the Town of Frankin with their very own BEST FRIEND Molly in town from Atlanta, the zoo with Molly and Emma and Abby, and then topped it all of with a stroll through the new 'hood.

They belted "trick or treat" in unison and got all the treats toddlers can handle. (adults handled the night with some vino- who says we're too old for treats)



NO PICTURES B.C BLOGGER NO LONGER WORKS WITH MY TOO OLD MAC OPERATING SYSTEM! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Giddy up TN

We made it....... The house is slowly coming together and we're starting to find an "at home" feel again.

The girls are hanging in there:

Taylor, is a shocking both Justin and I with how well she is adjusting- her sleep is right on cue and now that she is mobile and walking, she's exploring this place with no fear.

Ana, on the other hand, is adjusting a litte slower. Yesterday at breakfast she asked me, "mommy, I want to go home today to my Georgia house". Very sad. I had to leave the table to not show my tears. She also is expressing feelings of loneliness and confusion. She is desperate for her friends again. Any child she sees under the age of 10 she walks straight up to and says, in her so sweet shy vioce, "HI, whats your name? My Name is Ana. Come with me." Most of the time the kids, who are engaged with their own friends, just keep right on playing, with no response. SO SAD :(

It's amazing to me to see how socially developed in the friendship world she is, but also VERY SAD to see her feel loneliness for the first time. We do a lot of talking through emotions and learning how to express them. But, this weeks goal will be to find some friends or groups to join in.

As parents, Justin and I are doing good too- busy juggling fun family time with getting organized, but it's helping that we have a long weekend. I began work Friday 1/2 day and start full swing Tuesday and Wednesday. So we'll see how that goes.

No pictures yet, but they will come so stay tuned.........

GA signing off

The once admired "PLAYROOM" has transformed from a child's haven, to a room of boxes and now it's slipped into nothingness.


And below..... the kitchen....which is now empty as well
Let me just say a HUGE THANKK YOU to all our dear friends here. They have all taken us in, fed us all our meal (thus keeping us out of restuarants 24/7) and letting the kids play like normal toddlers in their playrooms.

Their truly is nothing like good friends during times of family chaos. This week would not have been as smooth without you all. As I've said so many a times in the last few weeks... I will miss you all dearly!

And to you, our avid readers, we'll see you in TN

GOOD BYE GEORGIA

Final play in the Falls

Last Trip to the GA Aquarium

The girls and I, along with our dear friends Paddi and Molly took one final trip to our favorite GA tourist trap.... the aquarium.

This time Taylor ATE IT UP. She just LOVED it.
Here the girls are petting sting rays and sharks, eyeing up Jelly fish and watching the Belugas mate.

We will miss this place.

Taylor's First few steps!

We've tried and tried to catch this on tape and finally, here it is.....

Taylor is now taking more and more steps. Soon she'll be off and running. YEAH!!!!

Mommy will you bring me?

This was Ana's question to me while cuddling in my arms, watching Al and Larry pack up Nani's room. Fearful perhaps that Al and Larry would throw her in a box, or that she'll be left behind. Both very scary to a little 2 year old trying desperately to understand what's happening to her world.

We have books on the topic, have visited the new house, and have pictures to talk with her about where all our things will be when the movers drive them to the new house, but it's still quite confusing for her. Not to mention I told her about Lacey, the nanny who will be with her and Taylor "when mommy goes to work".....
needless to say, last night at dinner Ana was in an unusually somber mood, when I asked her what was wrong she responded with this:

Ana: mommy I'm sad about Nashville. You're going to go to work with Daddy.

This was an "ahhah" moment for me. To her, Daddy is gone working more than he's home. So when I tell her about me going to work, the one image she can drudge up is one of me being gone all the time too. SAD!!!!!!!!

SO.... we had a big talk about how Daddy works A LOT and mommy will only work a little. But, mommy will still wake up with her girls, have breakfast, lunch and dinner with them. Play with them, yada, yada, yada. And, just once in a while mommy will go to work.

The things these poor kids ponder......................

Hot and Gloomy

This describes the climate here as we approach too quickly upon our Nashville move. The temps are hovering around 100 with undescribable humidity and no clouds or rain for months. Just this afternoon I was walking outside breifly and had a mental image of the beach. This is PERFECT beach vacation weather. Not so perfect for months upon months of daily living. I never thought I'd get to the point where I wished for cold, overcast and rainy days. Perhaps WI and GA can swap?

And, similarly in our home, there is an overshadowing feeling of gloom as I try diligently to see the silver lining, of which I know there are many, of our up and coming move. Right now I am simply sad to leave all of my wonderful friends that the girls and I have established. I feel as if we've lived here for decades. I think what saddens me most is that Taylor's first memories in life, and many of Ana's first as well, will quite possibly never be visited again. It's just not the same as moving away from home . You always have home, but will we always have GA?

Just 1 last week........ and Daddy is away the entire time....... :(

Caught at last

Standing with 2 swaggering step, sleepless in Atlanta Taylor ventures away from the table.

FIRST STEPS FIRST STEPS!

Taylor is entering the world of the walking, slowly but surely and, in TRUE TAYLOR fasion....without ANY intervention from mommy.

SERIOUSLY. She has ONLY walked for my friends when I'm away. The first time was on our last househunting trip. We left the girls with a neighbor/friend and when asked how they did, my friend responded with an, "Amy, I don't know why you told me Taylor doesn't walk. She was walking from Todd to me all day".

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME...... THOSE, dear friend Paddi, were sweet Taylor's first steps. AND I MISSED THEM!!!!!!!!!!

These girls and I are attached every moment of our lives, and somehow, the ONE TIME I leave them, I miss Taylor's greatest achievment yet!!! ARGH. This growing up thing is not going to be easy for me.

But, YEAH TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting Crazy while dad's away

As our countdown to Nashville approaches a month, the girls and I are left to our girls only club quite a bit....daddy's started and is gone for manya over nights..... Here are shots of some of our latest adventures:

First on the list is the indoor jumpy gyms circuit to escape the heat, and master our motor skills. The girls love these places and give me a constant reminder of why having kids close in age is well worth the early chaos. They are the best playmates. I can't WAIT to add more to our built in party...DAD, we need you on board for that one????????








ROUTINES ARE OUT THE WINDOW!
What's a routine while daddy is away?
We're bathing in the sink and eating in the living room.....such fun, who needs dad, anyway?



Toy Story 2 is beyond that empty gaze into nothingness....






MONKEY GIRL TAYLOR. One never knows where she'll end up next when you turn your back for a minute. We now have 4 gates up in this house, and I'm wishing for a 5th. Not sure how she got in this basket, but as you can see, she's proud as can be!

Picnic Anyone?

Taylor, all grown up, sits and enjoys her very own picnic lunch on her new picnic table from nani and gagi. One of the many very special 1st birthday presents. THANK YOU!

(CAN YOU BELIEVE she can sit all by her self and eat, when did this happen????????)

New House

Here are some shots of our house to be...... estimated date of arrival: August 13th, 2007.

Pool Time with Gagi, Nani and Grandma Nettie

It was a Rehnstrom holiday this week with Nani, Gagi and Grandma Nettie in town for one last GA HOORAH...........
They played hard with the kids, enjoyed the pool and said Goodbye to the "Georgia house" for good.
Nani: Bye Ana
Ana: Bye, Bye Nani. I'll see you in our new Nashville house. You will sleep in your new room and we'll go up, up, up to the playroom. OK?

Sandboxes.....

I really can't see why some of my friends avoid them! HA
(this was a playdate for Gagi and Gagi alone....Nani and I stayed CLEAR)

Let's just say the kids had early baths this day.

Happy 4th of July

This officially marks Taylor full year circle... she is now celebrating her SECOND 4th of July... and with the same gang, but even more this time!!!
Couins- Lyndsy and new husband Dave, Brad and wife Jessica, Great uncle Ed and Aunt Deb, Nani, Gagi, Grandma Nettie and us!!!!

Toson family Vacation- Bonita, Springs, FL: Take 1

Well.. we did it. Leisure traveled as a family for the 1st time. We even threw in a road trip.
And, thanks to Nina and Papa (Justin's aunt and uncle) we had a great time. They let us use their home in Bonita Springs, FL complete with 4 bedrooms, a pool AND a babysitting contact so Justin and I were able to take a night to ourselves dancing away at my good friend Cory's wedding. What a trip!

Here are the highlights.

Ft. Meyer's Beach

POOL

The "club" for Taylor's 1st birthday brunch

Naked parties!!!!!!

Taylor's 1st Birthday party

Party in the park... a Rubber Duckie
Birthday.






The party was a huge success. Taylor was happy and napped. She truly thought she died and entered the gates of heaven with duckies all around. Even a ducky pinata!!!!

Family and friends came from all over to celebrate with her.

You see here cousins, Jake and Maia, Addy Grace and Ana, great Uncle Greg, Grandma Mary (from AZ), best pal Lucy (who got her a matching dress) and big sister Ana helping Tay Tay with her gifts!

Thank you to everyone for filling Taylor's 1st birthday with love and joy!

We miss you all already and hope to see you in Nashville (just 6 more weeks)