We Have a Hole

After 2 1/2 days of digging we have a hole for our house. I know a hole doesn't sound all that exciting, but believe me, it is the start of something very exciting! Luca is becoming an expert on all things construction...especially on the excavator way down there in the hole!

Can You Believe It?

Annie and Antonio are PARENTS!!! (Well, Annie I can believe...)

And this is their precious little boy ~ Vincenzo ~ 7lbs. 1oz.

All is well with this new family!

Luca couldn't wait to get his hands all over his cousin Vinny! But gentle hands they were.

Looks like someone is ready for his big brother duties.
Big cousin duties will have to do for now!

Shelf Life

Makes a nice spot to take a rest, doesn't it? Too bad he doesn't stay in his bed for this long!

A Day at the Races

Last Sunday we went to Arlington for family day and had a blast! I think Luca was slightly disappointed when he learned he wasn't going to be the one doing the racing. But at least they had pony rides!
Could this be the last family picture as just the 3 of us???
(just 3 weeks to go!)

*D* is for DEMO (and donuts)!

Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new...well, hello to the new in about 6 months! This Tuesday the work began on our house...starting with demolition!

Luca charmed his way into the bulldozer. But don't worry, it was safe...he had his hard hat on!


The crew is ready to begin. Ummm...can someone drive the bulldozer that can actually see over the gears?

Luca was prepared for any situation he might be called upon for. His interest in the demo lasted until some nice neighbor brought us donuts! That's me sitting in a chair behind him that one of our nice new neighbors brought out for me to sit on. Lots of neighbors came out that morning and introduced themselves. We are surrounded by the nicest people and a ton of kids. Looks like we're moving from one nice neighborhood to another!

She's Arrived!

Finally a little missy to join those adorable boys in the Bala house! Welcome little Elsa Fia making a bold enterance at 8lbs. 13 oz.
All are doing well...Except for the auntie over here in Illinois who won't meet her niece until sometime mid-June! It's killing me that I don't get to squeeze her until then. But we are happy she's finally here and glad that someone is bringing more girls into this world!
Congrats Chris and Carrie (big brothers Levi and Albert too!)

From 5140 to 5401!

Our address that is! This is the sight of our new home set to break ground sometime next week. It's only 6 blocks or so from where we are now so we'll still be nice and close to our current neighbors we've grown to love, and Annie and Antonio too! We really can't believe that this is happening and so excited to start monitoring the progress.
Luca is already checking out his new backyard and plotting where his sandbox is going to go.

Believe me, we'll be doing this house a favor by knocking it down.

It doesn't look like much now, but stay tuned for the updates on our construction!

Calling All (Single) Ladies

Have Water Will Swim

By the end of the week, we couldn't keep Luca out of the pool! He became quite the little fish and made MANY friends poolside (for those who know him well, this won't come as much of a surprise to you!) These water wings were on loan to us from one of his ladyfriends...an older woman (3 years old!) named Joy. Why didn't we think of water wings 7 days ago?
Big Jumper.
Big is on the left. Jumper is on the right.

Money Well Spent

Battery operated fan/water spray bottle to cool him off in 88 degrees during what should've been naptime (you can only imagine) = $20
3 pack of giant swirly Mickey suckers for the car ride home = $10

1 hour nap on our way home from our day at Disney = priceless

Through the Eyes of a Child

Look out Disney, here comes Luca! Can't you just feel the excitement?

Magical

I think we get some sort of reward for braving the spring break crowds and the 88 degree day to take a toddler and and a 7 month pregos to Disney World. It was quite an experience and glad we didn't pass up the opportunity.
We walked into the park and staight into the Mickey Parade! Luca recognized a lot of the characters and although at first he was overwhelmed by the noise and crowds, it didn't take him long to start dancing right along with Mr. Incredible (I'm not talking about Mike, this time, but the character on the float behind him...sorry honey!)

Playland thrills. One of the few attractions without a line and in the shade. Luca thought he was the coolest to be on top of the slide higher than even daddy was!

Ahhh, the merry-go-round. Just our speed, not too high, no lines and safe for me to go on with my boy. Because of the crowds, the age, the preggers we didn't go on too many rides that day, but we did this one, flying dumbo, Snow White's Haunted Forest and a train ride.

That's What Vacations Are For...

...Breaking all the rules!

One of the best parts of Luca's vacation was the ice cream at the end of just about every day...

Or to start every morning?
I got in on some of the action too...who could pass up a pool side sno-cone at 10am?

No sno-cone is too big for this toddler!

Serious concentration needed when the subject being eaten is bigger than the eaters head!

Ice cream = bib + wipes

still the messiest (but cutest) face around!

I don't know about you, but I think he's enjoying himself...

Surf and Turf

Luca took to the sand right away. Building the sand castles was fun, but knocking down everyone else's was his specialty!

Couldn't get enough of the sand (in fact, I think I'm still cleaning it out of his hair, ears and between his toes!)

An awesome beach discovery! He carried it all the way from the ocean and cherished it for, oh, about 20 minutes.

The ocean was fun too, although not high on Luca's list of favorite things to do. The temperature was relatively warm, but a bit too salty to Luca's "taste".

Dipping his feet in were more his speed (just like his mama!)

In A Land Far Far Away

And we're back to blogging!

In what seems to be forever ago, we enjoyed the warmth of the sun and sand in Florida. Luca's excitement began on the flight and continued all week long. St. Petersberg, we have arrived!