Daddy

Being that it's father's day...I think I will take this moment to tell all of you how fantastic Berns is.

It's interesting to me that in today's society it isn't "cool" to be a family person. Most "cool" people have decided that a job that makes lots of money, going out to dinner every night, and having the newest and greatest high tech toy is what makes happiness. I find that most people have decided that getting married is overrated and would rather find themselves in the single crowd at a bar, or short term relationships. When they finally decide that its time to get married, they are in their 30's, maybe 40's. Some think having children is ludicrous, others think it's ok to start their family in their 40's. I'm not one to judge, this could be a great life...just not the one I prefer.

Then there are people that I see that want to surround themselves with little league, dance rehearsals, saturday nights at the park, friday night at Chucky Cheese, hot dogs and chips for dinner, scraped knees, My Little Ponies, and late night bottle feedings. They surround themselves with these things because they love spending time with their children and love the family life.....this is how Berns is. He is the most wonderful father anyone could ask for. He would drop what he is doing in an instant to play dress up with Riley, have a wrestling match, snuggle with Zoie, or read a story. He is daddy in its truest form.

I came across a quote once upon a time that I think applies to Berns in every sense.

"Any man can be a father, it takes someone special to be a daddy".

We love Berns and the daddy that he is and we are so greatful for his wonderful young spirit.

Sneaky Me

So, this will be my first time 'blogging!' Shea doesn't know I'm doing this, so that's why I have to do it before I come home... Anyways, I just thought it would be nice for everybody to hear more about Shea, because she never talks about herself nor posts pictures of herself! So I'm going to take some time to talk about the 'oldest girl' in our family! But I don't have any pictures on my computer, I'm sorry!
Shea has awed me since the day I met her. When I saw her with Riley, I knew she was a wonderful and loving mother. It took me a few months to convince her to marry me... I had to use some black magic I learned growing up (not really...). Anyways, she spent our first year of marriage pregnant! It wasn't easy for her, especially working at 4am during the first half of the pregnancy! Of course she complained and of course she asked me to do even more stuff than usual (you should be laughing right now if you really know Shea), but I did it gladly!!!
Since Zoie was born, the house has piled up with laundry to do, dishes to be washed and a constant runaway dog. That's because Shea spends most of her time either feeding the baby or entertaining her! So when I come home and try to pick Zoie up, she looks at me with an odd face like, 'you're not mommy.' That just tells you how good Shea is at this whole parenting thingy! Me, on the other hand, I just try not to get on the way! I think Zoie knows me as the guy who changes her diapers and makes her scream while at it!
Shea doesn't get much sleep but everytime I see her, she's happy and entertaining Zoie! I honestly couldn't ask for a better mother to my children! Riley is still as cute as one could possibly be and dramatic as one could possibly be! She is still on my top 5 of all-time funniest people! Just as an example, she got in trouble at the begining of this week for throwing a fit while cleaning her room. She got some toys taken away from her and after yelling for the whole neighborhood to hear, I told her I would give it back if she doesn't throw a fit next time she has to clean her room. She then looked at me with the saddest face in the world and said, 'but it's so hard to clean my room without throwing a fit!' Yeah, the ONLY difference between her and Shea are the 20 years that separates them.
Well, I just wanted to say again that Zoie and Riley are wonderful and that Shea NEVER gives herself enough credit. I have no idea what would be of this family if it wasn't for her wonderful spirit and cheerful attitude!
I think you should all try to find yourselves a 'Shea:' it'll make you happy!

Our Girls

Days come and go too fast I've decided. Riley is already 5...I say already only because I was looking at Zoie yesterday and remembering times when Riley was that little...it went toooo fast. People keep laughing at me cause I keep making little remarks about how Zoie is getting too big too fast. I get the response, "Shea, she is still tiny, she is only 3 weeks old (almost 4!)." So my response to that is, yes, the 8 little pounds that she is is still pretty little (especially since she holds all of her weight in her cheeks and her little legs remain scrawny.) but the 4 weeks she has been with us have flown. She is already trying her hardest to keep her head up for us, and manages to have some awake time for a good hour at a time. Riley starts first grade next year...yes, I'm telling you all that time goes too fast.

This week has been yet another fun eventful week for our little household. We were graced with the company of our dear high school friends Katherine and Pam. It was so nice to have them here spoiling Riley and Zoie and being patient as they experienced the "family" life of Berns and Shea. They flew out from California Wed night and made the trek back home early early Saturday morning. We already miss them. However, now that I have no more visitors for a few weeks, I will gladly ignore the house work and cleaning for awhile while I nap and snuggle a newborn and play My Little Ponies with our 5 year old.
We also got the chance to take Riley to Raging Waters water park for my jetBlue's yearly summer party. They weather started out pretty yucky and cold, but we braved it anyways. It ended up getting sunny (although, still a bit chilly). My sister and her cute family followed behind shortly to join the fun. Berns and I walked away with some pretty heinous sunburns, but Riley had a grand time. Not to mention that the water park gave everyone a ticket to go back another day this summer because the weather wasn't ideal. YAY for free fun!!

Berns and I remain madly in love with our two little girls (and each other) and that is the most important thing. At the end of the day we plop down in our bed exhausted and realize that we havent spent any time together that day because it was filled up with feedings, changing diapers, watching a spirited 5 year old learn new tricks, or play new games. I suppose some people would be baffled by the fact that we love this life. We wouldnt trade it for anything. We adore life and adore our girls...here are some pictures of the cute little ones...hopefully you'll understand why we find life so twitterpaiting :)

Zoie exhausted from the day...it's tough being itty bitty

Cute toes...we cant resist them

Zoie in her swimsuit ready for the waterpark! (ya, so she just sat in the shade the whole time...but the suit was too cute to not have)

Riley loving on her sister...she is so sweet with her

Sisters hanging out on Riley's bed

Riley enjoying lunch at the waterpark...nothing better than junk food and swimming in the sun!

Bright eyed beauty...she looks like her daddy

Riley out of the water...a bit chilly!!!

Zoie's bath!! She is starting to love them

Freeze this Moment

After much convincing and self motivation I decided that I needed to write in this blog more frequently than once (if that) a month. This is mainly due to the fact that we have many family members down in beautiful Brazil that would be terribly angry with me if I only told them how the grandkids were doing once a month....I also have a mother who is constantly asking for pictures ( I try to remind her that the photographer in the family lives in Seattle and she is bugging the WRONG child, but she wont give in)....I also have quite a few friends that send emails, txt messages, and phone calls telling me that my blog is "boring" because my updates are so far and few between. SOOOOOOOOO....I will try harder. For those of you that were really doing quite well with only hearing from us once a month--bless you--and you can ignore the more frequent updates and still continue to read just once a month....


It's been two weeks since precious little Zoie entered our lives. it has flown by and has been quite a busy blur--this could be because I have had no sleep....My wonderful mother came for a week and graced our lives with WONDERFUL food (she will be rolling her eyes right now because she claims everything she made was "so easy"....blah blah blah). She also played NONSTOP with Riley who is constantly on the go. We were then graced with John and Leire for a few days...they were also subjected to Riley's fashion shows, princess play, and make believe weddings. We miss them already! Riley graduated Kindergarten, Zoie had 2 docotor appointments (just check ups and some blood tests--nothing out of the norm) and now we are preparing for more visitors next week (Pam and Katherine!!) Being that my mind does not currently function from the lack of sleep and energy--I will let you just look at more pictures: enjoy!

Little Zoie being spoiled....

Dressed up and all ready to go home!

Our little beauty Riley...in the hot hot weather

Riley's new toy...and what happens when she spends ALL day playing on it...(she fell asleep)

Like father like daughter...they do after all look alike...

Zoie in her snuggly. She loves it!

A long play day at Kangaroo Zoo...its exhausting!

Zoie after her first bath...she hated the bath--but loved being snuggled after it!

Riley ready to go to school for crazy hair day--that's right--she has blue and pink hair--and she made sure her clothes matched

This is what we found when Riley was sleeping on the ground in her room--Sophie snuggled right up next to her.

Zoie and her classic "scrunched" face...she makes it quite often...(this one is just for you mom)

My handsome husband...'nuff said

Lovely Leire and Precious John John...we wish they lived here...

Riley's Kindergarten graduation...she is laughing at grandma Nisey in the front row dancing for her..

Riley throwing her cap...what a big girl...she is getting too big too fast

Our bright eyed beauty...she's amazing

Little Miss Zoie and her binkie...which is the size of her face...

Our other bright eyed beauty...ready to leave the hospital...

My handsome husband being a "daredevil" on the big blow up slides at Kangaroo Zoo (note: he got a slide burn on his chin...)

There you have it--Its been quite the wonderful lovely eventful 2 weeks. I wish I had more pictures--of mom, of my niece Izzy when she is trying to "softly" touch the baby, of my nephew Jack holding baby Zoie, or of my brother Justin falling off our trampoline. We feel very blessed with the life we have and the 2 wonderful girls we have. We hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoy them. Much love to you all--and come visit...we like visitors

And Now Presenting.....

Zoie Bicalho Costa!

Born: May 13, 2008 @ 3:29pm

Weight: 7lbs 3 oz--19inches long

(3.270 kg--48.3 cm)

Zoie joined our world yesterday afternoon after only about 6 hours of labor! Happily for me, the labor was very easy and she came SUPER fast. My doctors and nurses were wonderful and made the experience less stressful for me. Berns did a great job and has been radiating a particular glow for the past 24 hours. He was incredibly helpful throughout the entire labor and while we are still in the hospital (which is currently where I am writing this blog! I couldnt wait to share pictures!) Little Riley was able to stop by last night with aunt Britt. She liked seeing her for...a minute....but then just wanted to go back to her cousin's house (hospitals are not very exciting for a 5 year old!) She didnt feel like holding Zoie, but she was ready and willing to give her kisses. I'm sure the adjustment will take a little bit--but she is going to be a wonderful sister I'm sure! (she is already in the works for making plans for dressing Zoie up in princess dresses).

I am healing as expected. Sore mostly, but I have been able to get up and walk around...and that alone is quite the miracle considering the poor shape I was in after having Riley! I love just sitting here and watching Zoie sleep. In the rare moments that she is awake, she loves looking around to try and find where mommy and daddy's voices are coming from. She is just like Riley and has attached herself to a binky--she came out attached to her fingers; so we gave in and let her have a binky.

Watching such a little beautiful little person makes me realize how wonderful being a mother is and how much I adore my family. If you would have asked me in high school what my dreams and ambitions were, I would have told you, singing-dancing--acting--living in the limelight. Dont get me wrong, I still love singing and dancing (and most would say I love attention)--but I have come to learn that children make your lives happy ever afters, husbands really are knights in shining armor, and have a family is a fairy tale that any lucky person would be graced with.

My family, daughters, and husband really are the bee's knees. Now that I've posted something WAAAAY too long...here are the long awaited pictures of our new princess...