Friday, October 29, 2010

Cardinal Vault XXI: You want some?

By K.J. Cardinal

Last night I was doing some work and somehow stumbled upon this old clip of Anna that I just had to post. So, the 21st installment of The Cardinal Vault brings us all the way back to September 23, 2009.

You want some?

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Leo turns four months old

By Angie Cardinal

Well, it's obvious that Pack Network is flourishing these days as KJ doesn't have as much time as he'd like to update the blog with posts of our adorable little Leo. So, I've decided to step up and help remedy the situation by trying my hand in this blogging business. Here's an update from me, Angie, on my little mama's boy.

Physically, Leo is still off the charts. He had his check up this morning and now weighs 21 lbs 14 oz and is 27 inches long. When it comes to Leo's behavior, he's a role model for all babies out there. He's sleeping through the night now (Yay!) and has put himself on a consistent napping regiment throughout the day. As you can imagine, Leo is a champion eater. I'll take some video of him eating his cereal and post it soon. It could be a little foreshadowing of his competitive eating career.

I return to work this coming Monday, so Leo will start day care next week. We made a visit last week so he could meet his "teachers" and new "friends" in the Infant room at Curious Kids. This is the same day care where Anna goes to preschool which makes my return to work a little bit easier this time around since we know and trust the teachers and staff.

During Leo's 9 + 1/2 month gestation, both Meme and Vo Nezzy (aka Darlene and Ines) have told me there's nothing like a mother's love for her son. I didn't doubt them one bit, but I couldn't have fully understood their words until I experienced the way Leo looks at me. I don't know how to describe it but he does in fact have a way of connecting with me a little differently than either Sammy or Anna did. I am truly blessed!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Opening Night 2010

By K.J. Cardinal

There used to be a time in my life when I'd be so bummed if I wasn't in the building for a big game like tonight's Celtic home opener against the Heat. But Opening Night festivities at our house tonight couldn't be matched anywhere.

During the preseason this year, I busted out some of my Celtics paraphernalia (rally towels, thunder sticks and wrist bands) and Anna really took to it. I used it as my way of getting her into the games and it has worked like a charm.

Sure we spend most of the first quarter bopping each other in the head with the thunder sticks, but she'll get into the game a little bit with her patented "yessssss!" when the Celtics score. And, she'll dip into her bag of tricks and do an occasional "whoooo!" and wave her rally towel. It's pretty fun... until she gets sick of it, right around halftime and is ready to move on to something else.

Anyway, Leo threw on his Pierce jersey/onesie (thanks Adam & Holly!) and fit right in. He is pretty amused by anything Anna does, so thunder sticks and rally towels really grabbed his attention.

I am already looking forward to the day when I can take both of them to a Celtics game. Some of my favorite memories with my Dad have come watching the Celtics both in person and on TV, when I was a kid and an adult. So in my mind, they can't be too young to get addicted to the Celtics. It's in there blood, so they really don't have a choice in the matter. GO C's!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Meow

By K.J. Cardinal

I can't get enough of that audio clip of Anna I posted yesterday. I have probably listened it to 100 times and can't help but laugh each time.

So, I've decided to try to make the audio clips a regular occurrence. When asked what she's going to be for Halloween, listen to what Anna said.

NOTE: Anna is actually going to be Tinkerbell for Halloween... but don't be surprised if Daddy buys her a kitty cat costume if she's going to meow like that :)

Monday, October 18, 2010

Really, really delicious

By K.J. Cardinal

Anna LOVES chocolate. Just listen to what she has to say about it.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

2010 Halloween polls are open!

By Angie Cardinal

The past three years, The Cardinal Blog has featured a voting poll so followers could determine which adorable Halloween costume Anna sported on Halloween. Last year your voices were heard as Anna was monkey-ing around Hudson. In 2008, she had a yabba dabba doo time as Pebbles Flintstone, while in 2007, a three-week-old Anna rocked a chili pepper costume at the request of the Cardinal Blog majority.

This year Anna has decided to be Tinkerbell, thus shunning the vote of the populous, and has her costume waiting in the wings. So naturally, Leo "willingly" becomes the subject of our 2010 Halloween poll to keep the tradition alive!

Your choices this year are:

CANDY CORN

SPIDERMAN

RUDOLPH


Sammy helped get these photos together so you can make an informed decision in exercising your Cardinal Blog follower's right to vote.

The poll, which is posted in the column on the right, will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, so be sure to get your votes in soon!

Note: You facebookers out there, log on to TheCardinalBlog.com to cast your vote today!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Three glorious years

By K.J. Cardinal

26,280 hours. That's how long we've been fortunate enough to have Anna in our lives. Our baby girl turns three today.

The last three years have been the craziest, most hectic time in my life and I wouldn't change a thing. Watching Anna grow and being able to have a direct influence on her every move (good and bad) has been such a challenging and rewarding privilege.

She is turning into quite the little girl who always keeps us on our toes and that's probably what I love the most about her. You never know what she's going to do or say and she's a ball of energy and passion.

Her "passion" can sometimes come through in feisty ways, but when it comes to that, the good outweighs the bad by a long shot. I've always lived my life passionately and the fact that at three years old Anna is passionate really makes me proud.

She is funny and playful. She is tough and determined. She is independent and carefree. She is loving and caring. She is smart and beautiful. She is a good sister and a fun cousin.

She is so much more than I ever thought my daughter would be and I can't believe that she's already three years old. I really wish I could bottle her up at this age and just never have her grow older. Obviously that can't happen, but it just shows how much I love my little three-year-old.

Happy Birthday Anna! We love you more than you will ever know.