Celebration #2

It was a big weekend for the Milazzo family. Not only was it Lizzie's graduation weekend, but it was also Kristen's 29th Birthday! She started out her birthday by skydiving...I'd say that's a heck of a way to start off the last year of your 20's! After her big jump, we all met at Mackenzie's Chili's for dinner. Mackenzie was managing on Saturday night. It was neat to get to see her in charge!

the fam at Skydive Chicago

Krissy getting ready to jump!

AHHHHH!

What a view!

So...do you think Kris had fun??

I think her expression answers that question!

She's a skydiver!!!

McKenna, you don't give your order to the manager! wait for the waitress!!!

birthday gift from Kenna

sisters!

Dad & his 'rita

She Did It!

After 2 1/2 years of hard work, Lizzie graduated from Roosevelt University with an MBA on Friday, May 14th. Mom, Dad, McKenna & I were there to witness our little Lizzie walk across the Auditorium Theatre stage with pride.

Way to go Beanie! We are soooo proud of you!

McKenna is so proud of her Aunt Beanie!
She was just alittle tired!

Mom & I

our view...
we ended up in the very last row of the lower balcony in the theatre

Kenna & I chillin' waiting for the ceremony to begin

proud parents!

Chris Matthews, from the show Hardball, was the keynote speaker
Lizzie made sure to shake his hand as she walked across the stage!

McKenna & the two Masters!

silly G-P!

The Graduate! WooHoo!

Kenna posing in Aunt Beanie's Mortar Board

Aunt Beanie and her biggest supporter...mom was there for all of the blood, sweat, and tears

Lizzie and her proud papa

After the graduation ceremony, we met Kristen, Brian, Aunt Lynn, & Uncle Rick at Carmine's for a delicious italian dinner.

Momma is back in the saddle! My first extra dirty martini with bleu cheese olives! Oh so delish!

the birthday girl and the graduation girl!

McKenna's first time downtown Chicago and she slept through most of it!

Congratulations Lizzie! We are SO proud of you, Master!!!

Fun With Friends!

This past Monday, Brian, McKenna & I finally got together with our good friends, Tommy & Lacey Olsen and their 23 month old Reese. Brian and Tommy play softball together and Lacey & I have spent many a summer sitting together on metal bleachers. Fast forward a couple of years and here we are with our daughters hanging out, catching up, and eating pizza. Life couldn't be any better!!!

Here's Reese helping Brian open up a gift from the Olsen's...it was our long awaited for changing pad! Reese had fun propping it against the couch, using it as a slide...what a smart girl!

Lacey & McKenna...finally meeting!

After awhile, Reese warmed up to the idea of another little girl stealing some of the attention...she really wanted to hold her!

1 month...23 months...what a difference!

Reese working on convincing her Dad to let her hold McKenna

Reese's baby doll is just about as big as baby McKenna!

CUTE picture of the girlies!

Thank you sooo much for having us over, Tommy, Lacey, & Reese! We had a great time! It's our turn to host you next...so as soon as we're in our house, expect an invite!

Love you guys!

She's The....

Birthday Girl, the Birthday Girl,

the Birthday Girl, the Birthday Girl!

This will be your year, Aunt Krissy!

We love you!!!

Creme de la Creme

As Brian & I made our way through the world of infertility, I began writing this blog for many reasons. "Waiting for Baby Witko" was born as an outlet for my thoughts and emotions, a way to communicate what was going on with our long-distance family and a way to document our baby journey. I found that it also gave me a chance to be a writer...something I never thought I was good at.

You may have noticed the Creme de la Creme badge on the left side of my page.

The Creme de la Creme award was started as a response to the many blogging awards that are given out each winter. Mel, the author of The Stirrup Queens, expanded the idea of presenting “the best” to include a post from every blog in the ALI (adoption/loss/infertility) world. She feels that every blogger has a personal best that deserves recognition.

I submitted the post titled "With Devastation Comes Hope" from Monday, July 27, 2009. I felt that this post was one of my personal best that captivated what Brian & I were going through.

I have recently been added to the Creme de la Creme list! If you would like to check it out, just click on the milk jug badge and scroll down to #267.

1 Month Old

Dear Kenna,

I can't even believe it...you are 1-month old! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital! I honestly can’t believe one whole month has gone by so quickly. I have savored each and every minute.

I hope you know how much I love you. You are a gift from heaven. I am so lucky to have been picked to be your Momma.

You are growing up so fast! You are starting to fit into your newborn size clothes and jammies and you've already grown out of some of your preemie clothes! You sleep for 3-4 hours at a time, liking it best when you get to sleep on Mommy or Daddy's chest on your tummy. You make silly noises and like to hold our fingers. You make eye contact now too. I love it when you smile and giggle as you fall asleep.

Everyone loves to hold you and snuggle with you...you are one sweet little girl!

Just know that you are the most perfect little girl in the world.

So as you nap away right now on Aunt Puggie's chest, I hope that you are having sweet dreams. I’ll be right there when you wake up.

I love you sweet girl.

Love, Mommy

one month old - May 9, 2010

she's not so sure about the tutu! but her Momma loves it!

Best Job in the World

I use to think that teaching was the best job in the world...but that was before I became a MOM.

There is nothing better in this world.

Mother's Day...what a day...what an amazing, amazing day!

Brian & McKenna made my day extra special. I couldn't ask for a better first Mother's Day!

My day began around 7:00am when McKenna woke up to eat. Brian brought me my gift in bed and I got to open it right there with my sweet little girl, my thoughtful husband, and my sleepy puppy. I couldn't ask for a better moment.

I received this beautiful Tiffany's heart locket.

one simple word...Mom

my beautiful baby girl will be with me wherever I go!

I am the luckiest Momma in the world!

After a delicious 'Witskillet' breakfast, we went for a walk in the neighborhood. It was a beautiful day!

Around 2:00pm, the Witkowski's came over and we celebrated with a Mother's Day cookout.

Grandma Witko feeding McKenna

starting to hold her bottle already???
smart girl!!!

Grandma JoJo opening up her Mother's Day gift from Kenna

Grandma & Grandpa Witko

looking at her Daddy

my dream come true