Birthday Girl

I'm a little behind but I like to think "better late than never". I have been extremely busy with the holidays, started my new work schedule, and then got sick last week. Enough with the excuses though, I do apologize.

December 8th was Grandma Grace's 94th Birthday. We celebrated the weekend before with a big party on Saturday night. The family surprised grandma earlier in the week with several special guests/visitors. Aunt Janice, Aunt Arlene, Cousins Jenny, Gina, Brianna, Jessica, Sean and Charlene all came into town for the big event. It was alot of fun and grandma was so surprised. The week was full of old memories, pictures and lots of laughs.

Birthday Girl


Mike, Grandma, Cousin Jenny



Grandma and her snuggie that Renee got her


Cousins Gina and Jenny. They are a CRAZY pair!! I had a blast with them and miss them

Brianna, Gina, Jenny and Jessica

Most of the family

Grandma and her children. Aunt Janice, Uncle Alan, Aunt Linda, Janis, Aunt Arlene (yes, Janis has a step sister named Janice)

Baby Shower #2

November 29th my wonderful sister and mother threw a shower for me down south with all my family and our family friends. My sister went with the cherry blossom theme and it was beautiful. The room was decorated in pink and there were blossoms everywhere. There was lots of food and good company.

Grandma Bella and Elisa playing the sock matching game. Elisa is 93 years old and knitted Baby Bella a beautiful blanket.





My cousins, Natalie and Robyn playing the sock game


Lisa and Tyler. I miss them

Karen playing the rice game. You had to close your eyes and find little safety pins hidden in rice. It was really hard.

My kindergarten teacher wrapped her present to look like a baby with a head, arms and legs. It was really cute.

my diaper bag filled with goodies from my Aunt Maria

Me and the best sister in the whole wide world

Tiffany AKA Aunt T made 2 huge diaper cakes for Bella

A poster my sister put together with pictures she collected with Bella's name

Baby Shower #1

I call this baby shower #1 because we are lucky enough to be having 4 showers. This first one was thrown by Joe's parents for his family. We had a great dinner at PF Changs in Winter Park and then headed back to the DiTore house for an awsome cake made by cousin Renee and presents. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate this special time. A big thanks for all the wonderful gifts as well. Bella will love them all and get plenty of good use out of them.

Happy parents-to-be at PF Changs


My mom and sister, Tiffany drove up for the weekend to join us



Aunt Joan and Uncle Stan came in from New Jersey


Mom and Dad "D"

Uncle Alan, Aunt Jeanie, and Grandma Grace

The Hernandez clan with baby Dex

Rich, Lindsay and Clark

Most of us outside PF Changs. A few had already left

Cake made by cousin Renee

Joe opening gift from Aunt T

Special thanks to Lindsay's cousin who made this awsome pillow for Bella.

Thank you to John, Kristen, and Lola for their gift they sent. Wish you guys could have been here. Look how cute this hair bow holder is. Joe loves it :)

T-shirt that reads "my first yankee tee"

cute cupcake PJs

Thank you cousin Melissa for the manly diaper bag. Wish you could have been here with us.

Clark having fun with the balloons

Tiffany, Mom, me and Mom "D"

Cocoa Beach

Monday afternoon Joe & I and Rich & Lindsay drove to Cocoa Beach for some adult time. Rich and Lindsay left the boys home with grandma & grandpa. The weather was not so great Monday but we did get to enjoy a nice lunch on the beach before the rain came. We went to dinner Monday night and then watched the Steelers game in our hotel room.

Today we went to the Ron Jon Resort by the Cape and had an awsome day. The weather was much better today and the sun actually came out. They have an awsome pool area with a lazy river and a slide. Joe and I left late this afternoon but Rich and Lindsay are spending the night again. They are actually talking about having everyone come back over tomorrow so Clark can play by the pool. He would love it!



Lindsay and I catching some rays



Rich and Joe in the lazy river


Me at 27 weeks!!!

Rich going down the slide

Rich, Lindsay and Joe after their trip down the slide

Fire House

Clark got to visit Uncle Joe at the fire station today. He LOVES fire trucks and fire fighters and he had so much fun. He was so excited and kept doing his happy dance the entire time. He even baked cookies eariler in the day for all the guys.

He went for a ride in the truck with his daddy

Uncle Joe and Clark

They even let him hold the hose and he loved the water

I just think that this is the cutest picture ever :)

They're Here!!!!

Thats right! The St. Louis DiTore's are in Florida. They arrived Thursday afternoon. It has almost been a year since we have seen Clark and this was the first time we met Dexter since he was born. They are both so cute and we love having them in town. We love hanging out with Rich and Lindsay too, of course :)

Clark playing with his cool train set grandma and grandpa bought him


Dexter being cute



Me and Dex (ignore my squinty eyes)



Clark after having "puddin chocolate" (as he calls it)


Uncle Joe changing a VERY DIRTY diaper (Joe is getting plenty of diaper changing pratice with these boys). After these 2 weeks are over he will be ready for Bella.

Clark jumping on the bed after his bath with Uncle Joe

They are both ready for bed