Happy Birthday Micah!!!

Micah enjoying his Birthday Cupcake [no icing of course! haha]
Cousins!

"Please, no more pictures Mom!"

Micah playing with his blocks!

Elmo cupcakes!

This past weekend we celebrated the birth of our baby boy!! It's hard to believe that a year ago we were bringing home our little bundle of joy. Micah was asleep for the first hour of his party but made his grand appearance all decked out and ready to play! He is solely walking now and sometimes running to keep up with Travis. He is officially on whole milk and desperately trying to feed himself [which makes for a very messy baby!].
We love you so much Micah and feel more than Blessed to have you in our lives!
Thank you Jesus!

Taflinger Happenings...

So Caleb is in an awkward 'hair growing out' stage. Currently it just sticks straight up, despite product, blow drying, and a straightener- just kidding on that last one. I tried to capture the true essences of the madness in the picture. This sums up my problem. my mom is coming to town over Valentine's Day and I'm hoping she can help maintain the madness! He's such a cute kid!
Happy Valentine's Day...go on and love on someone today!!

So we officially have a ONE YEAR OLD!! Micah John turned one yesterday and Travis and I are beside ourselves! It truly seems like just yesterday that Micah John was ushered into this world with just three easy pushes - Thank you Jesus!

In other news, I wanted to share an excerpt from my devotional today:

"To hunger and thirst means to have an eager desire; to crave urgently; long; desire with one's whole heart. We ought to hunger and thirst for God's righteousness. We ought to desire Him above ALL else."
Righteous living means that we begin to desire what God desires. It means that our longings begin to line up with His purpose and his plans. WOW

Caused me to think about my level of 'hunger' for God's righteousness.

1.17.10

Beans, Beans, bad for the heart....

Here is what my Tuesday and Wednesday look like...I love it!! It's been such a joy having Alli in our home. She makes me laugh and challenges Caleb! :)
Caleb lovingggg the snow!

Discipline me....I dare you!

So I thought it'd be a great idea to give Alli and Caleb some beans, noodles, and cotton balls to play with so that they could use their tactile senses to explore. I was playing nicely with Alli and Caleb comes over and puts my finger in his nose. I felt a bean. So I removed it. Then I felt another bean, I also removed it. Then I got my flashlight out and saw another been lodged in his nasal passages. I grabbed my plucker's and went to work. Thankfully I was able to remove the third bean from his nostril. I was a little shaken from the whole ordeal and so was Caleb [while I was 'operating' he said, "I sorry mommy I sorry Mommy" but what he was really saying was "Please stop, when I say Sorry things are always all better!"] So I gave Caleb and Alli 2 m&m's to calm them. Meanwhile I began thinking..."What if there are more? What if he put them in his ears???" I got my flashlight out again and low and behold...I saw another bean!!! I called the doctor's office as it was getting ready to close and they told me to come in at once! I brought Caleb and Micah in [Alli's dad came and got her] to the doctors office to have his airways cleared. It took four nurses to hold him down and then his nose became so bloody they could no longer see the bean! Once the bleeding had stopped they were finally able to remove it! THANK YOU JESUS! As we were leaving the doctor's office, Caleb proudly announced to the waiting room, "Four Beans in my nose-gone!!"

My heart still beats a little faster when I think of those beans in his little noes. NO MORE BEANS FOR US!!!

1.15.10

Merry Christmas- Cleveland, Ohio

The best thing about this picture besides the obvious snuggling is the fact that Caleb was rubbing Doula's neck as they watched Elmo's World together....eat him up!!

We started a new Paolone Family tradition this year...green christmas tree pancakes and gingerbread pancakes!!

Daddy and Micah

Cousins!

Really the two sweetest girls you'll ever meet!!

This Paolone Christmas was unlike any in it's past and hopefully unlike any in it's future. On Christmas Eve I went to the Doctor with a sinus infection. The following day my mom, myself, and my dad all had food poisoning or the stomach flu. That left Travis and Linny to take care of us all! The rest of the week was a blur as I fought the sinus infection, fever, and stomach flu while Travis cared for the boys. Although I was extremely bummed about how the Holiday evolved, I am thankful for my amazing husband and his ability to care for his family. Regardless, it was great to be around family and to be home. I am finally feeling better and my appetite has returned! [It was so sad to not be able to enjoy Papa P's Italian desserts!]

Top Five Blurry Memories of Christmas:
1. Watching the Boys open their gifts

2. Game Night

3. Pent Glen

4. Shopping with my sista's [this was pre-illness but I was starting to feel queasy. Linny literally carried me through the mall...I become pretty helpless when I feel sick! haha]

5. Family and Friends

1.4.09

Merry Christmas- Cleveland, Ohio!!

While in town, we visited the Sugar Drop exhibit!! It was a maze of events for the boys and their cousins to go through!! Micah is taking a break and resting in the snowy forest!
Doula holding Caleb as Grammy sings "The Wheels On the Bus" for the 100th time!

Caleb admiring his favorite Christmas gift...Car Slippers!!! Thank you Doula!

New Jammies from Grammy and Pa!

Micah and Grammy nuzzling together before night night!

Merry Christmas- Cleveland, Ohio!

The boys with Aunt Doula
Doula took Caleb sledding and unlike last year...he loves it!! He had one wipe out which resulted in a bloodly lip but he didn't seem to mind!! Doula is sooo much fun!

Full speed ahead...

Some of the girls at our Annual Christmas Party...this year hosted by the new mother- Liz!! What a lovely home!

Girls Vs. Boys Gingerbread Houses...I think the girls won!! Yeah! :)

1.4.09

Merry Christmas- Kokomo!!

Caleb on the couch with Great Grandma Ci Ci and Great Grandpa Dale
My good friend opened up her home this year to host a Vintage Christmas...complete with Reindeer! Caleb and I went to check it out, meet Cupid [Santa's Reindeer] and watch the train track!! What a great set-up! Here's Caleb in front of the barn

My sweet boys!! How could I ask for anything more!!! Thank you Jesus for these two precious gifts!

Caleb at the Taflingers enjoying his Holiday Hat!

This was the best picture of the three cousins in their hats....and event this one took a longgg time in the making!

We feel very blessed to have a stress-free Holiday. We celebrate with Travis' side before Christmas and then head to Ohio to celebrate with my side on the actual date. Each family is different in their celebrations and traditions but each family is so much fun and we are so honored to be apart of them!!

Highlights from the Taflinger Christmas Festivities:
1. Scattagories...an oldie but a goodie!

2. HGTV marathons

3. Visiting Aunt Dawn's house...she transforms her entire house into a winter wonderland!!

4. Nines

5. Good times with the people we love!

1.4.09