i love that she looks like him

I love that she looks like him!

I love that when Lyza laughs or has a concerned look on her face...it completely looks like Steven. I love that she is a "Blondie" just like he was when he was little. But most of all I love that she is ours!

I remember wondering (and stressing out) while I was pregnant with Lyza..."What would she look like?" I would go through a list of things that I wanted her to have or not have. "I hope she gets my height, but not my hands." "I hope she gets Steven's lips, but not his pinkie finger." (Take a look at Steven's pinkie fingers the next time you see him.)

I couldn't be happier with the results...Lyza is darling inside and out. But every time I look at this picture I am reminded how much they look like each other.

So I will say it again...I love that she looks like him!

the happiest place on earth

Disneyland is definitely the happiest place on earth for a 2 year old girl and her parents. There were too many cute pictures from Disneyland that I figured it deserved it's own post!

We spent 2 days in Disneyland on our trip to California. Although the 1st day of Disneyland was not so "happy" for me, the 2nd day made up for it. I got my first opportunity to go to the "happiest place on earth" with the stomach flu. As all mom's know...you just have to push through the pain to make our kids happy...right! Even with the stomach flu...I love seeing the magic in my daughters eyes when she sees Minnie, Mickey, and of course the Princesses.




We found Minnie in Toon Town. This is one of Lyza's favorite characters. Lyza asked Minnie if she could give her a kiss on the nose?


Lyza wasn't quite sure about Mickey...she wouldn't take her eyes of him the entire time. Not even for a picture.

We only spent a few hours at Disneyland the 1st day...mom could only last so long. Even with the abbreviated day the little one was still exhausted.

Here is Day #2 of our Disneyland adventure...and what a better day it was. We had perfect weather, healthy stomach's, and hours of fun ahead of us.

This is Lyza's favorite mode of transportation. I think she spent better part of the day on "daddy's shoulders."

This is Lyza and I as we entered the Peter Pan ride...

This is Lyza's face during the Peter Pan ride. I loved this look of amazement. Everything is so grand and fantastic to kids at this age.

The absolute best part of our trip to Disneyland was the Princess Pavilion. Lyza is enamored with all of the Princess's but especially Belle. As you stand in the very long line to meet the Princess's you don't know who you will get to see. When we finally got to the front of the line, the worker asked Lyza which Princess she wanted to see the most? Lyza replied "I love Belle." The worker said she loved Belle as well, but couldn't promise that she was in the line.

Our turn was up next. I put Lyza down so she could walk around the corner on her own. As we turned the corner the first thing we saw was Belle...dressed in Lyza's favorite gown. I wish I had her instant expression on video. Lyza said, "Mom, it's Belle!!" Belle sat down on the ground and said Hello to Lyza. Lyza climbed into her lap and stayed there for a good 5 minutes.

Belle was absolutely darling with her. She talked to her, asked her questions, and even tore off a piece of her yellow gown for Lyza to take home as a present. To say Lyza was in HEAVEN is an understatement. Disney definitely knows their stuff. They pretty much sealed the deal that we will visit Disneyland again and again. They know how to get to the heart strings of all parents...and that is through the twinkling eyes and excited faces of their children.

Lyza also got to see Jasmine. But don't worry all Lyza talked about with Jasmine was Belle.

Here Lyza is with Sleeping Beauty.

After all the excitement of the day, a Disneyland Ice Cream was in order.

Just a fun picture in the park. Lyza was so good all day. We didn't even have any "Disneyland Meltdowns."

A great finale to a fabulous day. We got to see fireworks over the Princess Castle. What a fun experience we had as a family. I am not sure who had more fun...Lyza or her parents. Steven and I loved watching Lyza have so much fun.

As soon as the fireworks were over, our girl was out. I am sure she was dreaming about all of the fun things she got to do and see at Disneyland...and oh yes, reliving her conversation with Belle!

Steven and I decided for now this is our favorite vacation destination with our kids. We have never experienced Disney this way. We hope to return again soon.

sunny california!

Sunny California!!! What a fun place to vacation. We took a little family trip to So. Cal. for Steven's 30th Birthday. I am a bit behind in my posts...since we did take this trip in August. But hey better late then never. The first thing Steven did when we got to California was to introduce his daughter to Thirfty's Ice-Cream. "The best Ice-Cream" according to him. Lyza took to it instantly. We had 5 fun filled days in California...and here are a few of the highlights...

On Friday night we went to L.A. to see "Wicked." This is my favorite show. I have seen it a few times in New York, but this was Steven's first time.

Scott and Larissa came with us to see "Wicked"

We got to have breakfast on the beach. (Yes Lyza is in her Princess Crown from Disneyland...she rarely took it off the entire trip.)

Here is Lyza on her way to the beach in her cover-up, sunglasses, and oh yes...what is on her head...THE CROWN!!!

We had a couple of beautiful days to play at the beach. Lyza loved the water (Steven was thrilled) her favorite part of the ocean was being able to spit the salty water out of her mouth.

We buried Lyza in the sand up to her waist. She thought it was such a blast.

My 2 favorite people taking in some "rays." Lyza wanted to trade sunglasses with Steven. I don't know...I think Steven looks good in pink shades?

Lyza loved cheering on the surfers in the ocean!

We had a BBQ and pool party at Scott and Larissa's house before we left for the airport. It was such a fun trip.

can we be best friends?

"Mom, can we be best friends?"

This is the question I heard come out of my daughters mouth this morning as we were snuggling in bed. My initial reaction was to just let the tears (that were welling up in my eyes) flow freely down my face, squeeze her so tight, and just pray that time would stand still...FOREVER!

If only she knew how much I wanted her question to come true. I would love nothing more then to be her best friend and confidant. I pray every day that she knows she is loved. As parents I think we struggle finding a happy middle ground between friend and disciplinarian. I want my children to know that I am their parent. That there are rules and guidelines that have to be followed. And on the other hand...I want them to know that I am there for them always!

I needed to document this moment...for I know that it will only be a few short years until I am no longer cool in her eyes. I am sure if she is anything like I was to my mother...we will hit our rough patches. But one thing will remain constant and that is my love for her. For now I am enjoying the moment.

So in answer to your question Lyza...YES!!! I would love to be your BEST FRIEND!

the world has been a better place

For 30 years today the world has been a better place because you have been here. Today is a day I want to thank your mother for having you...because having you made my life what it is.

In honor of this big milestone in your life...I'll share 30 reason's why I love you.

I love....

1. That you love me...somedays I am sure you don't know why you love me...but for some odd reason you do.


2. I love the way you look at Lyza. The way I see so much love in your eyes for her.


3. Your ability to make me laugh at you when I am so mad.


4. The way you love others. I have never met a person who thinks about other so much. I often joke about how you would give all you had to someone else and let us be homeless and penniless if you could. But even though I tease you about it...I wouldn't have it any other way.


5. Your integrity. If it is not right...Steven is not doing it.


6. The intense love you have for ice-cream. You could have it for every meal and think you were in heaven. I never knew such a love existed for a dairy product until I started dating you.
   
7. The way your mind never stops. You think 24/7.


8. Your work ethic. You won't stop until a job is done and is done right. I always tell you that this is the one thing I need our children to learn from you.


9. The way you will talk to me at night in bed even if you are exhausted.


10. Your belly laugh...the laugh you do when you think something is hilarious. I could listen to you laugh like this all day.


11. The way you will make sure you do all that you can to create the life we have dreamed of.


12. The fact that for your 30th birthday present you chose to take Lyza and I to Disneyland. I am not sure who had more fun Lyza or You!


13. On that note...the fact that you truly are a 12 year old boy trapped in a 30 year old's body.


14. I love that you let me rub your feet in bed...even though it drives you crazy.


15. The way you think you are the toughest parent...but somehow that "look" from Ly Ly's eyes pearces straight to your heart.


16. The fact that you want to give your children all the opportunites in life that you could possibly give.


17. That your dad is your hero.


18. The way you let me freak out pretty much everyday that the "sky is falling." You listen to me and say that you understand that I am scared and then tell me that everything is going to be fine.


19. Your ability to fix everything.


20. That you are my best friend.


21. That Lyza gets very anxious if you are not there at night to read her a story and say prayers.


22. The way you love your family. You put family above all other things.


23. That I feel safe with you.


24. That missing a party or some kind of gathering is absolutely out of the question. You are my social butterfly.


25. That you cried so hard when Lyza was born. This is one of the moments in our life that I always think about. You were so proud of her.


26. Your loyalty. Once you have made a friend or loved someone...it is for good. You will protect that person from that moment on.


27. The way you always tell me you had a "Great day"...even when I know it was a hard one.


28. That you run marathon's. I think this is an amazing accomplishment and something you have always wanted to do.


29. That you will watch "girlie" movies and t.v. shows with me.


30. Your optimism. Everything is a possiblity in your eyes.
    

I haven't been able to love you your entire 30 years on this earth, but I am glad that I get to love you for your next 30.

Happy Birthday Babiya...

when you are tired...you are tired!

This is when you know you have partied hard! We were walking back from watching some fireworks and Lyza just couldn't last any longer. It was so cute to see her just snuggled up on her daddy's head. Everyone around us just laughed when they saw she was actually asleep that way.

26.2 miles

There are so many reasons you make me proud, and this is one of those reason's. You are probably one of the most dedicated and determined men I have ever met. You ran 26.2 miles for the 3rd time this year. We are so proud of you.

I love that you get tears in your eyes when you see Lyza and I cheering you on at the end. I love that you had Lyza run the last few yards with you as you crossed the finish line. I love that Lyza holds your cheeks in her hands and says..."i am proud of you daddy, good job."

Thank you for always striving to be better. For setting and acheiving goals. And for always making us proud!