The decision has been made!

I know you all have been waiting for this announcement to come for some time now and Keith has finally made the decision on a name for daughter #2! It is....

Sofia!

(isn't it such a beautiful name!)


Sofia....Sofia....Sofia! I just love it and it is so perfect for our daughter!

Photo Fun!

I decided to add some photos that were taken over this past week with Francesca. I did include a few from her stay at the hospital last Thursday (they will break your heart...she looks so sad in them). Anyway, Francesca and I are headed out on Thursday for a long weekend at Grandma & PaPa's in Virginia Beach with Aunt Lisa and Little Scotty (we'll be stopping by DC to pick up Daddy).

Hope you enjoy checking out the photos!


My beautiful daughter...



Shoe shopping...

(she loves her heels...and yes, she put them on all by herself!)


Celebrating Grandma's Birthday! (again, she had to blow out the candles on the cake!)

(Grandma's birthday was actually the 19th, the same day as her stay at Geisinger...so we celebrated the day before.)


On the phone with Daddy...





At the hospital...my heart breaks just looking at the sad expression on her face (but it was totally something that needed to be done).



(she isn't holding her breath...as it make look like...but she is actually not swallowing because she is trying to save all the moisture from her mouth...she wasn't able to eat or drink anything at all since the night before.)

Follow-Up on Francesca...she is doing so much better! She is eating like crazy, is not having as many "meltdowns" as she did before (it average about 3 week...for no reason at all), she has become very friendly to everyone she comes in contact with (before...she really had a wall up), and she is pooping!

Three months...already!

It has been 3 months ,as of today, that we are LID for daughter #2! I can't believe how fast those three months have gone by...Of course, I have been keeping up with the rumors, just like everyone else has, on when it is predicted we'll receive our referral. Some are saying...it be sometime within the end of next year...while others are saying, it is going to be a long time before we hear...anything (some are predicting it won't be until early 2010...yikes!). But, we here at the Leonard household is holding on strong with hopes that it will be sometime within the end of 2008 to the beginning of 2009! Only time...and future referrals issues will tell...

A day at Geisinger...

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be posting this message! After a very long day at the hospital, Francesca finally "passed" all that she needed to and is quietly sleeping in her bed. Our day started at 5:30 this morning! And for being up since than with no nap...she was a trooper! Between the xrays, the doctors, the nurses, the feeding tube, the medicine, not being able to eat or drink, and using the potty (yes...they made her go on the potty today), my daughter totally surprised me! I thought for sure she was going to give us a hard time, but she was 100% perfect! The only time she really got upset was when they couldn't get the feeding tube in on the first try (for a 2 minute job, it took about them about 15 minutes...they tried to get it in through the right side of her nose, but her opening was too small...so they had to take it out & redo it from the left). I will post more over the weekend on her status & the events of today (she still has some liquid left inside that must be passed). But before I sign off for today, there is still one more thing I must do...I want to send out a HUGE...THANK YOU to everyone who was praying for & supporting Francesca today! We couldn't of had made it without all of you...

Going to the party!

We finally got a chance to celebrate Daddy's birthday this past weekend (it was actually on June 29th & we did do a little celebrating with Aunt Molly and Zach, but I wanted to do something here). When Francesca heard we were going to a party...she just had to put on her princess crown and grab her handbag (that is filled with a lipstick, credit card, some cash, a make-up compact, car keys, a blush brush, and a hair comb). With crown, handbag and her "everyone loves a brown eye girl" shirt on...she was ready to go...We had a great dinner and cake celebration at Grandma's.

Are you taking my picture again! Ugh!



Here...take my photo on my "good side".


OK, now, I am ready! (smiling and waiting on Mom....)


Can I blow out your candles, Dad? (Aunt Lisa let me when it was her birthday)


(she got them out in 2 puffs...she is such a ham!)



(Francesca hasn't been feeling the best since our doctor's appointment on Friday. We had to up the dosage of her medicine and she has been going some-what normal...but when it starts "moving" her belly really starts to hurt.)

Francesca went to the doctor today....(update included)

Update...I just had to post some photos that were taken over the past few days! (you'll totally understand why once you read the whole post below...let's just say I really needed some cheering-up) Can you tell that I am crazy about my daughter!

First set of photos are from bath time up at Grandma's (it is hard to believe that I once took a bath there too). I just love the fact that my daughter got a chance to enjoy bath time at Grandma's in the kitchen sink as much as I did! My little nephew, Scotty, had to get in on the action as well...

Grandma, Scotty and Francesca getting all wet (not to mention the floor as well) and having such a blast!


"I just love bath time at Grandma's...she lets me get anything & everything wet!"


The next set of photos is what I found when I went to check on Francesca during her nap time on Tuesday. Francesca was supposed to be sleeping, but I could hear her talking way too much (when she should have been trying to get some sleep time in)...so I went upstairs and found this going on...



I just started laughing and asked what's "this"...pointing to Minnie Mouse, Teddy and Gingerbreadman...all about? All she said was..."bold" (which is what we tell her when she is acting up). I guess that was their time-outs.


(she is too stink'n cute!)

These last two photos were taken at my sister's house this morning after Francesca's doctor's appointment (more on that below). Check out my little nephew! Francesca tried to climb inside there too, after Scotty got out, but she got stuck. We all had a good laugh..which we all needed!






Today was Francesca's second doctor appointment with Geisinger's Pediatric Gastroenterology department (for her #2 problems) and let me start off by saying...my heart is breaking right now for my little girl! I explained to the specialist what has been going on since our last appointment (about Francesca going #2 at least 10x a day...not full bowel movements but there is always something...and complaining about her belly hurting). She than examined Francesca and found her lower belly is really hurting her when being pressed on (she never cried while being pressed on, she just tensed up and stood on her toes). She immediately send us for an x-ray of her "belly area" as we were calling it. Once the x-ray was done, we went back to the specialist to see what she had to say...this is where it gets hard for me....Francesca's intestines are almost completely blocked along with the colon and anus area (what she has been experiencing these past few weeks with the #2 happening 10xs a day is that she is having leakage...not a full bowel movement). The specialist couldn't believe that she is still eating the way she has been (which is very well) and that she isn't crying out 24/7 with the pressure and pain she must be experiencing. After talking over our options on how to get this problem taken care of...we decided that her best option is getting the treatment she needs at the hospital. She is schedule to have a professional "clean out" (to put it nicely) next Thursday on the 19th. A feeding tube will be inserted to administer the medicine to get the job done. I just want my little girl well and not to feel that pain anymore. I am so full of emotions right not, but I am remaining strong in front of her (she did so well at the doctor's today...even during the x ray she was a gem). The specialist did tell us that she will forever have this medical condition (some surgery can help but won't cure it). We...than she will always have to watch her diet and make sure she has normal, regular bowel movements.

We'll be finding out more once we go to the hospital next week.

Now onto some good news regarding our doctor's appointment...Francesca is now 38.5" tall and is 33.4 lbs.

I know this post is probably kind-of-choppy, but my mind is running on over drive right now. If I find out I missed anything that I should add...I'll add it to the post.

Down to three and 11 weeks until...

Down to three...
Keith finally narrowed the names down to three for daughter #2. They are...Caterina, Nicolina, and Sofia. When we picked Francesca's name...what sealed the deal for him was that the meaning of her name....Francesca....means "free". As for these three names, the meaning behind each of them is very important to us as well. Caterina means "pure"....Nicolina means "victory"....and Sofia means "wisdom". It is such a hard decision, but I am sure we'll be making one...very soon!

11 weeks until...
It is only 11 weeks until we leave for Disney! I finally found (and booked) some great airfare prices through Southwest Tuesday night! Last year when we traveled to Disney, we didn't purchase Francesca a seat, but since we got such an amazing deal, we decided to go ahead and purchase a seat of her own (I can't wait to see how that is going to work out). Francesca asks me everyday about Disney. I don't know who is more excited...Mommy and Daddy or Francesca.

So much to post....

Yes...our vacation came to an end on Saturday & believe me...it was so hard to say goodbye this time (Amy and I started crying on Friday whenever we looked at each other). We did make a promise to one another that we will get togehter more often. Our next outing will be over Labor Day weekend (if both of our schedules allow it)...and I am already looking forward to it. Here are the final photos from our time on Friday and Saturday. On Friday we drove down to Virginia Beach and hooked up with my Dad and step mom for some fun in the sun...and on the beach!

Katie's first time in the sand...and on the beach!



Francesca loving the waves!



Fun in the car...check these two out...does it get any more adorable than that!



Gone for some ice-cream...
What topping are you going to have?



Francesca loves vanilla ice cream with spinkles!



Posing for a photo on our last day of vacation...doesn't the background look familiar...Francesca posed for a photo here as well when we visited Virginia Beach in early June.



Photo of everyone...including Papa and Grandma...while in Virginia Beach.



Our last day.

(this photo was taken Saturday morning before check out. The girls knew exactly what was going on...they both were in a "not-so-happy" mood that morning...but they couldn't stop hugging one another all morning...too smart for their own good.)

These photos we taken at the condo in northern Virginia. Francesca is trying (and does)
to put on Dad's socks and sneakers...






and I just had to add this photo...
Is Francesca ready to be potty trained? While giving her a bath when at the condo (and Dad was watching TV on the bed which located right in front of the bathroom door), Francesca got out of the tub, got onto the potty...went #1 and than cleaned herself up! We were totally shocked! She goes to the doctor for her bowel problem on Friday so I can't wait to see what she has to say. Anyway...check out our adorable daughter on the potty!

Water Country USA

Today we finally made it to Water Country USA and it was truly another wonderful day! The girls wore matching dresses and everyone thought they looked adorable! And I must mention, that Keith, Francesca, and I actually rode down one of the larger water slides as a family (I was so uneasy about her going down, but she loved it). Anyway, here are some photos for you to view.

Best Friends forever...all ready for the 4th of July celebration!



Taking a rest....



Hi Katie!



Hi Francesca!



Francesca just enjoying the wave pool...I just love this photo of my daughter!



Here are some photos from our day (yesterday) at Busch Gardens. Owen, Amy, and I went on their newest ride...The Griffen. Keith took some photos of our toe-curling ride. (yes, that is us in the 2nd row first three seats on the right hand side)

Having an AMAZING and WONDERFUL time....

We are having just an amazing & wonderful time here in Williamsburg! It has been kind-of-crazy the past two days. We never made it to Water Country yesterday...we went back to Busch Gardens and the girls had a blast! Their only requests were...to ride the tea cups (which they both totally loved)...ride the train...and the balloon ride. Francesca wanted so bad to ride the "mary-go-rod" but she fell asleep in her stroller while on our way there, but her favorite was the tea cups. When I went to put Francesca to bed last night, she asked me, "Ma, tea cups morow...one more time please!" It broke my heart to tell her that we are going to another park today, but her response was, "Tea Cups there too?" What a kid! (I'll have to get the photos from Owen of us riding the tea cups.)

Today, we are going to Water Country. Amy purchased the girls matching red,white, & blue Stars & Strips dresses...so we all can't wait to see what everyone has to say about the girls today. I can't tell you how many time we have been stopped and asked if the girls are twins or sisters. Anyway, we are having a great time! Sorry there are no photos from yesterday's events, but I'll be posting them really soon.

*I hope you all enjoy our new music selection. Francesca hand-picked every song. I guess you can say she is already thinking about her next vacation which of course is to Disney!*

We are here in Williamsburg!

Well...we are here in Williamsburg, Virginia with Owen, Amy, and Katie & having a blast! I finally got connected to the resorts Internet today (sorry for the delay), but the photos of the girls are fantastic. Yesterday, we spent the day at the park on the resorts grounds and the swimming pool. While today, we went to Busch Gardens. The girls were wonderful (wait until you see the pictures. below...plus I have one posted from Keith's birthday dinner at Glory Days Grill with Aunt Molly and cousin, Zach). Tomorrow, we are going to Water Country and we can't wait!

Keith's Birthday Dinner with Aunt Molly & cousin, Zach!


Having fun at the playground...our first day of vacation!
(check out Katie helping to push Francesca on the swing)



At Busch Gardens....


Owen taking the girls on the dinosaur ride.



Our future little captains (the girls did so well riding the rides together...by themselves...like big girls)!



On the ladybug ride...



Now here are our future pilots!



Owen, Amy, and Katie on the "mary-go-rod" (as Francesca was saying)



The girls on the swings!!!!!


Don't worry Mom...see...I can do it all by myself!

At this point, I was crying my eyes out. I can't believe how much my daughter has changed since being at Disney last year. She is such a big girl and is getting so much better at trying new things...even on her own!