So here we are...over a year later.

Once again, where has the time gone?

I last posted Halloween 2014. Since then Cristina has sprouted into a loving and beautiful little kid. She's girly but still has a bit of tomboy, has a sense of humor (still laughs at Papa and Daddy's jokes and has a few of her own up her sleeve), and is learning how to be kind and say "please" and "thank you" (often prompted by Papa and Daddy, but we're getting there).

She's also become what I've read recently about what they are calling a "threenager". Oh Lord. Which means she is defiant and stubborn. She cute because she knows it may get her a cookie, has a temper like a hormonal 16-year-old, and is becoming the master of just how to steal her Papa and Daddy's hearts (which usually means a cookie).

I have to say, thought, that Christmas this year was magical and so much fun. She's at the perfect age for make-believe and pretend. And Santa Claus is an AWESOME negotiating tool. Are we terrible??? I think not. We are just like all of you...right???

Anyway, here's a little photo drop breakdown of the past year or so, not necessarily in chronological order.

Happy New Year to all of you! If I've lost you in this blog journey I'm sorry but life has flown by and, well, I'm exhausted...in the best way possible.

Big love to all of you and all the best in 2016...

Wisconsin, Winter 2014

Chicago, Winter 2014

Wisconsin Dairy Farm, Winter 2014

Vienna, Austria, August 2015

Vienna, Austria, August 2015

Daddy and Cristina at the Astronomical Clock in Prague

Most of the Gunkles in Prague, Czech Republic, August 2015

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First School photo, Fall 2014

Halloween with her BFF, October 2015

First NYC Subway Ride, November 2015

Statue of Liberty November 2015

Carriage Ride in Central Park, November 2015

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Lincoln Memorial, November 2015

Delivering Flowers to Grandma and Grandpa, Arlington National Cemetery, November 2015

With her AWESOME Gunkles Karel and Scott, Christmas 2015

Chloe and Cristina, Christmas 2015

Happy Halloween 2014

Our little pirate and pumpkin finally enjoyed her first Halloween without 1) falling asleep or 2) not knowing what the heck was going on...

A very peaceful pirate. This one just makes my heart melt. So adorable.

Trying on her costume just to see if it fits...I am so lucky to have these two in my life

Walking around our neighborhood. Day of the Dead (Daddy) meets Pirates of the Caribbean (Cristina and Papa)

At preschool they made their own pumpkin costumes (Cristina seems very proud of hers).

Walking around the neighborhood trick-or-treating

Our happy little pumpkin!

Hope everyone had a 

HAPPY & SAFE HALLOWEEN!

Cristina Lei's first day of preschool

Cristina handled the first week like a champ...there were several tears at drop-off up until about halfway through week two, but in the end, she's thriving. She's getting so big and people often think she's 3 or 4 but she's almost 2-1/2. her vocabulary has come along very well. We are starting to learn "gentle hands" and "friendly fingers"...after a few episodes of being a bit too aggressive with other classmates. Her appetite could be better but she's "grazing"...not fully eating a complete meal but trying her best. But all-in-all she's really getting along well and we couldn't be happier.

(yes, there are terrible twos...her increasing vocabulary includes such wonderful words such as "NO" or "STOP IT" or "MINE" or whatever it may be...but hopefully she's moving through this stage and on to another...one of more challenges but so, so much fun).

Here are some photos over the past month or so.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL - SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

AND MORE PHOTOS...

A visit from Papa at Preschool...happy day...

Giving it a good try at playing volleyball with her good buddy, Kalia, at Bellows Beach

Smiles in her overalls

With her godparents just two days ago...

It takes a village. Lots of love surrounding this little girl and our family.

Thank you for your all your support.

Gay dads' brains show activity akin to both parents

Fascinating study about gay dads and parenting here.

Enjoy.

Two. Elua. Deux. Dos. Zwei. 二(ni)

We've Arrived at Two -- And I swear I feel like she was born yesterday. And yes, everyone DOES tell you that it flies by...but why?? When we're having such fun???

I know. I'm her father. I'm supposed to be gushing. And gush I do. On Facebook. Instagram. At work. In texts. On my blog...I'm that kinda parent. And most other parents don't bat an eye because they are doing the same thing -- loving their children. Is there anything better? Until you get there (and you will, all the IPs out there), you just don't realize the magnitude of having your heart live outside of your body all day, every day, for the rest of your life. It grounds you in a way you've never experienced before...and it's only going to get worse...errr or better. And we are so looking forward to it. The only part that makes me feel a tiny pang of an "ouch" is knowing we will never have that moment back...that one that just happened. The one that made my heart melt, made me say "awwww", and get those butterflies of love for our child. Those moments of sad eyes, giggly laughs and tickles, to cute garbled words, to singing Zippidy Doo Da in the car on the way back from day care, to her saying "nilky please?" or just that tired look at night when she molds in to your body and you rock her to sleep. It really has been that good, with only a few down times (during which I secretly plan to plan a Papa/Daddy vacation until I come to my senses).

Here are some photos of her 2nd Birthday Party. Enjoy!

Peppa Pig is the bomb in Cristina's world.

Opening her Godfather Todd's birthday card

Snuggling with her sister, Chloe, before the festivities...

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Uncle Matt always arrives early and wants kisses. She warmed up by the end.

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Cristina's cousins, Balen and Aidan, and neighbor, Rocky. A framer for sure.

Cristina and her friend, Kalia from day care -- they are total BFFs

Kory, Page, Mekia and Josh

Slave. Labor. Nuff said.

The gang in Cristina's room.

Godmother Kay and our very good friend and neighbor, John.

Apparently picking leaves off bushes is a very fun thing to do....

Waiting for the birthday cake.

Here it comes...and she' doesn't know what to do with it.

Keola and Kalia know exactly what to do with the birthday cake!

Holly, Patti, John and my sister-in-law Leah

Daddy and Rocky are getting ready to make Peppa Pig disappear

My two brothers, Scott and Matt with me and Cristina. She's very ticklish...

Kisses were being doled out by the end of the night, Thank God.

Daddy and Cristina reading Daddy's 

godmother's birthday card to Cristina.

This was a very sweet moment...

An awesome 2nd Birthday...for sure.

Papa and Daddy Love You, Cristina Lei. Here's to a happy and memorable year of growing and loving and making friends. You're Two now!!! Such a  BIG girl...

XO