RIP Grandma Groleau

I am very sad to announce that we lost our dear grandma yesterday (Wednesday). It was a rough end and her poor body was ready to join Grandpa Ed in heaven. It's very sad, but we know that she had a wonderful, long life. I think she was 89. I have many great memories of her and am very thankful that my kiddos were fortunate enough to know their great-grandma. We will all dearly miss her. We will be heading up to the UP this weekend for the services.

Family Reunion July 3, 2005

Ning Ning with earrings!!!

At long last, Bob finally gave in and Sofia got her ears pierced! They are soooo adorable! Bob is still a bit out of sorts about it. Men just don't understand "women stuff!"

Please keep Grandma Groleau and our family in your prayers as Grandma continues to fight pneumonia and other terrible things. She has been through quite a lot lately and could use a break in the health department.

Picture Tour of Sawyer's First 5 Years...

Just wanted to share some of my fav pictures! Unfortunately I don't have access to all of teh old pics from this computer. Oh well! Enjoy!

Our baby is 5!

I've felt weepy all day as I sit in awe looking at our son. Five years old! Where has the time gone?? Words cannot express the pride I feel as I watch Sawyer grow into a sweet, caring, sensitive (albeit VERY goofy) little boy. It is hard to believe that he is the same wild man we couldn't force to sit still not so long ago. His neverending curiosity continues to amaze us; he has learned to focus his energy into many different things (not just running wild). He is the best big brother around! Here are some things I remember about Sawyer's first 5 years of life:

• When I found out I was pregnant with Sawyer, I was so excited that my leg wouldn't stop bouncing!
• Being able to eat A LOT whenever and wherever I wanted to while I was pregnant!
• The first ultra sound - seeing that precious heartbeat and knowing that you were for real!
• Finding out at the 20 week ultrasound that the extra leg we saw was not a leg...you were a little boy!
• FREAKING with WORRY about having a little boy...I've NEVER had anything to do with little boys...EVER!!
• Going to Europe and on a cruise during my pregnancy. You were a very well-traveled baby even before your birth!
• Daddy making me go to the hospital 4 weeks before your due date just because I was having pains spaced 2 minutes apart. I thought they were going to send us home! You were born 2 hours later! :o)
• Telling dad to stay away from me while I was in labor because he was stinky! (He didn't have a chance to take a shower after he got home from work!)
• Dad pulling the emergency cord to get me out of the whirlpool bath. 5 nurses came running thinking that I was going to deliver you in the tub!
• Hearing your sweet cry for the first time.
• Hearing Grandma Dani whaling outside my hospital room door.
• Seeing how little you were!
• Watching you grow; seeing you roll over at 2ish weeks old; seeing you sit, crawl, walk.
• Singing to you while you were riding in the backseat.
• Auntie Tina's visit. Going to Mackinac Island in October!
• Your first Christmas.
• Going to Florida. Taking you to the doctor while we were there...twice!
• The look on your face when you saw daddy coming off the plane in Florida.
• Neutropenia
• Going to UW Children's Hospital for a bone marrow aspiration.
• The feeling of relief when we knew you were going to be OK.
• Reading books to you.
• 9/11 - Wanting to protect you from the world.
• Visiting Auntie Tina and Uncle Steve in California. Coming out of the closet combing your hair in San Francisco. LONG car rides at 3:00 in the morning to try to get you to sleep!
• Having seemingly long, complex conversations with you when you were very little.
• Starting daycare; meeting Miss Nicole.
• Moving into our apartment; moving into our new house 3 months later.
• Dreading going ANYWHERE with you that required staying over night; you were a TERRIBLE sleeper ANYWHERE except your own bed.
• Telling you about Tatey.
• Seeing your expressions as my belly grew with Tatey. Talking to you about being a big brother. We knew you would be an awesome big brother.
• Introducing you to Tate. You were so proud to wear your big brother t-shirt!
• Seeing you interact with your little brother. You tried to be so gentle!
• Uncle Davey and Auntie Laurie's wedding. No explanation necessary.
• The ride home from Uncle Davey and Auntie Laurie's wedding. Left a bad taste in Daddy's mouth.
• Going to Disney for the second time. You were soooooo excited! (& kinda naughty, too!)
• Telling you about your sister. Discussing adoption and where she was coming from.
• Starting 4K. Crying because I couldn't be there on your first day to see you cry.
• Your Christmas program.
• Swimming lessons; Gymnastics; Karate
• Showing you Sofia's referral pictures. Talking about our trip to bring her home. Trusting that you would be man of the house while we were gone.
• Talking to you on the phone while we were in China.
• Seeing you in the airport in Green Bay and introducing you to your little mei mei. You have always been so gentle with her!
• Your welcome home posters.
• Tatey being sick.
• Getting your report cards that confirmed to us what we already know; you are a good friend; you are a genius; the teacher wishes there were more of you to go around.
• Being in utter disbelief that your dad and I were capable of producing an especially sweet little boy like you.
• T-ball social hours.

We are so proud of you Sawyer! We have enjoyed watching you grow up every step of the way! Can't wait to enjoy many, many more years!

Love, Mum

Sawyer's Birthday Party

On Saturday, July 16th, Sawyer Henry had a pirate birthday party! Even though this was his "pretend" birthday (as S puts it...his real b-day is the 19th), he had a blast! Per usual, it was hot, hot, hot! Acutally, this was the hottest it has been in the 5 years we have been having parties for him. We usually bring the TV outside for everyone to watch the British Open, but this year we had a crew inside to watch. Everyone played in the water; Bob build a super-sonic slip 'n slide. Lots of fun! Sawyer got a pirate ship, a pirate storage case, and some pirate guys as well as a super-cool guitar, among many other cool things! Thanks to EVERYONE! We had a blast!
Enjoy the pictures!

Mackinac Island

On Friday, July 8th, Sawyer, Auntie Amber, Sofia and I ventured over to Mackinac Island for a day of fun. It was awesome! We visited the fort, rode our bikes 8.2 miles around the entire island, rode a horse taxi, and visited the Grand Hotel (only the grounds...we weren't dressed correctly to visit the rest). It is so peaceful and relaxing over on the island. Sofia hated the boat rides and hid her face the entire time. It was so cute! She was a trooper the rest of the day. The weather was absolutely beautiful! Biking around the island is easy and so rewarding! It is so cool coming around the corner and seeing the mighty Mackinac Bridge in the distance. Very cool! Sawyer LOVED the fort and would have spent the entire day there if we had let him! We hope that Daddy is able to visit again with us soon! Enjoy our pics!

Miss Sofia Update...

Just wanted to let ya'll know that our little Sofia is growing like a weed! At her 15 month check-up, she was up to 18 lbs. 1 oz. and 29 1/4 inches long. That is up from 14 lbs. 2 oz. and 27 1/4 inches when we first returned home in March. Impressively, she is in the 10th-ish percentile for her height and head, but still below the American growth chart for weight. In other words, she is tall and very narrow (relatively speaking). The doctor is very happy with her progress and expects her to continue to do well. She's still behind with gross motor skills, doesn't walk or crawl, but boy does she want to! Early intervention is evaluating her and the PT will do an evaluation to see if she needs some extra help. Both the evaluator and doctor were very impressed with her curiosity and spunkiness. She is such a little spit-fire! Just can't imagine what life will be like when she is getting into EVERYTHING! And believe me...it is just around the corner!! :o)

We are so blessed!

Happy 4th of July!

We had an EXCELLENT weekend up in Michigan! We had our family reunion on Sunday and also got to see very good friends and family from around the country. It was awesome! Sofia got to meet many new people and she took it all in stride. She's such a good baby!

Oh...one not so fun thing that happened is that our sunroof broke on Friday night of the long weekend...so notice the new family transportation above! LOL! We had a blast, though if we had to take the golf cart back to Wisconsin, we might be riding until the next family reunion! :o)