January 2011: 1 1/2-year-old Elise with daddy
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| February 2011 |
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| March 2011 |
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| April 2011 |
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| May 2011: Elise and Alina (6-months along) |
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June 2011: Elise at 2-years-old
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| July 2011: Our family of four; Alina due in just over a month |
2011 is now behind us, and we will always look back on the year as one of the most special times of our lives. In 2011, we became a family of four; mom and dad gained a beautiful little baby daughter, and Elise gained a sweet little sister, whom she loves to pieces. This new family dynamic has kept us busier than ever because we have one more little one to love and care for. Alina owns the rights to the 2011 birth year :) so I focused primarily on her in the monthly photo recaps from August onward. Isn't she just adorable? I have been cuddling her continuously since August, and doing everything possible to cherish each moment of her newborn stage. Alina turns five-months-old on the 12th of January, and I already feel like she's growing up too fast. Each time, I kiss her perfectly chubby cheeks, wisp her fluffy baby locks from her eyes, cuddle her close to calm her from crying, or elicit those darling baby giggles and smiles, I'm reminded that years from now I will look back on these very moments as some of the best memories of our lives.
2012 is sure to be another monumental year. Alina will be reaching all the incredibly special first year milestones; crawling, standing, walking and talking. I'm eager to see Alina's little personality emerge. Right now, she is the most mellow and easy baby. She rarely ever cries or squirms, she just loves relaxing in mommy or daddy's arms. I wonder what all her likes and dislikes will be? Will she follow in big sister's footsteps or be entirely different in her interests? Either way, there is no doubt that the two of them will be best of friends for life. I can already see it; the way they laugh and smile at each other is the absolute visual definition of joy. They will always be by each other's side; sisters and best friends. I am so grateful for each and every moment of 2011. Our family has grown and the love we have for each other is immeasurable. Goodbye 2011 and Happy New Year 2012!
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August 2011: Alina at 1-day-old
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1-week-old
September 2011: 1-month-old
First real smiles at six-weeks-old! |
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| October 2011: 2-months-old |
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| 2-month-old cutie on her first Halloween |
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| November 2011: 3-months-old |
Sweet little baby
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Big smiles at 3-months-old!
December 2011: 4-months-old
Practicing standing; she loves it
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| Our beautiful 4-month-old doll; the best gift of 2011 |
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