Happy Halloween!

This year for Halloween, Daniel dressed up as a tiger - grrr. Melissa was a bee (duh!) and Allan was a cow. On the day before Halloween, we went to Allan's work where they had trick-or-treating. Daniel was so excited to put on his costume, but he wasn't quite sure what to think of the trick-or-treating. After he got the first candy and we put it in his bag, he cried because he wanted to eat the candy. So we had to let him eat it before we could go on! On Halloween we went trick-or-treating on base. Again, Daniel wasn't quite sure about that and wanted Mom (and only Mom) to carry him. Should have brought the stroller!! He didn't seem to enjoy it too much, so we only went to a few houses and then went home. We had a good time playing together and getting Daniel to tell us what the tiger says! Enjoy the slideshow!

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Video of Daniel - What Does the Tiger Say?

Moving Out

We are officially moved out of our house and our stuff is (hopefully) on the way to TX safe and sound! We will be flying to TX on November 19. In the meantime, we are living in a temporary furnished apartment. It was quite a long week while the packers were at the house and then cleaning the house up to leave. Daniel spent some quality time riding his car around the emptying house and playing in the closets. Here are a couple pics and videos!

Playing on his car

On his car

Having fun with Dad

Climbing in the closet

Daniel & Dad in the Closet

Cute picture of Allan & Daniel at a Bakery.

Daniel looking like a little boy more than a baby every day :(

Rome - Day 3 & 4

On our third day, we went to the ancient port city of Ostia Antica. This was the main working port from Rome back in Rome's hey-day. The port silted up and the city was basically covered with dirt and mud, so it is amazingly well preserved. It was really neat to walk around actual Roman streets and buildings. There were lots of mosaic and marble flooring areas. One building, the Insula of the Thermopolium, which was an inn, was very well preserved. There was a fireplace and a counter area where they served customers. The Theater was also amazing! Later that day we went to the Parthenon and then walked around some of Rome's piazzas and got some dinner. I also had the BEST tartufo ever at Tre Scalini on Piazza Navonna.

The last day there, we went out to the Ancient Appian Way, which was the main road from Rome all the way down to near present day Naples. Portions of the ancient road are still visible and walkable (and drivable). The ancient Romans buried their dead outside the city, so there were tombs and monuments along the road. We also toured one of the Christian catacombs along the Ancient Appian Way. When we got back into Rome, we visited the ruins of the Baths of Diocletian, one of the largest baths in Rome, of which a part is now a church designed by Michelangelo.

We had a great time in Rome. Enjoy the rest of the pictures!

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Rome - Day 2

On our second day in Rome, we struck out for the big Roman sites. First we went to the Colosseum, which was amazing! It was just what I thought it would be and it was so neat to be standing there. Daniel's favorite part was a patch of large gravel paving rocks that we found that he played in for quite a while. :)

After the Colosseum, we saw the Arch of Constantine on our way to the Roman Forum. This area contains some of the most important buildings in Ancient Rome. We saw the ruins of lots of temples and other buildings. The most well preserved building is the Curia, or Roman Senate House, which you can go inside. It was perfectly preserved. Side note - this is not where Julius Caesar was assassinated. The Senate was meeting in another building at that time due to work being done on this building. Another amazing building on this site is the Basilica of Constantine. In the slideshow photo you will see giant arches, with little stubs sticking out the top. These stubs are actually the beginning of even bigger arches that spanned across this entire hall. The photos don't do it justice on how big it was!

Next we headed up Palatine Hill, which overlooks the Forum (got some great shots from there). This hill contains the ruins from the Emperor's Palace, which was expanded over the years to pretty much cover the entire hill. We saw the excavated remains of Augustus' house (Caesar's adopted son and heir), which was very plain compared to the future palace. We also went into the House of Livia (another of Augutus' houses) where there were some amazingly preserved frescoes. It was really neat to see the frescoes in the location where they were originally. We walked around the palace ruins and looked out over the Circus Maximus.

Finally we headed towards the Victor Emmanuel Monument, passing Trajan's Forum, Market & Column along the way. At the Victor Emmanuel Monument, we climbed LOTS of stairs and then took the elevator to the top for amazing views of Rome all around.

Enjoy the slideshow!

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Rome - Day 1

On our first day in Rome, we went to the sites in Vatican City. We toured the Vatican Museum, which contains artifacts and artwork from the ancient world, and St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world. Then we walked around some park area and down to the Spanish Steps, where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner (nearby). Lastly, we walked around and saw the Trevi Fountain. The legend is that if you throw coins into the fountain over your shoulder, you will return to Rome. Let's just say that I'll be returning, but Allan and Daniel won't. Here are some of the pictures from Day 1. If you'd like to see all the pictures from our trip, click here.

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Halloween Preview

Today we got Daniel's Halloween costume. He was originally going to be a biker baby, with his leather jacket, jeans and super cute boots. But when we got the boots in the mail, they were too small. So that didn't work out. Then today we were at the BX and they actually had toddler costumes - yeah! So Daniel is going to be a tiger for Halloween this year. When we got home, we tried it on him and he loved it! He kept running around and clapping his little paws. It was so cute. Can't wait for Halloween!

Daniel Finally Rides His Polizei Car

Daniel has finally learned how to ride around on his German police car that we got him for his birthday. For a long time, he has just sat on it and honked the little horn. But now he is driving around pretty good. He still isn't real sure about how to steer with the steering wheel, but just turns the car whichever way he wants to go with his feet. Here is a picture and a little video. Unfortunately whenever I get out the camera and try to take video, he gets off the car! Enjoy!

Baby Shower Cupcakes

This week I made some super cute baby cupcakes for a baby shower. I was really excited about how well they turned out! Thanks to Wilton.com for the idea and directions!

Ready to carry

Close-up of one baby

On the cupcake stand

Daniel - 18 Months Old!

Daniel is now 18 months old! He had his 18 month check-up last Friday. He weighs in at 24.1 lbs and is 2 feet 8 inches tall. Everything looks great and he was a super big boy when he had to get one shot! Here is a cute picture of Daniel (blinking) and Dad in their leather jackets!

Doctor Appointment - 17 Weeks

Today I had my next doctor appointment for Baby Rich #2. We are growing well and baby is measuring in at 7 oz. - 5 days ahead of schedule, but they are not changing my due date yet! Dr. Jerono said the baby is DEFINITELY a boy - check out the pictures below!

Baby Boy Rich #2

Boy Parts