Where have the Kennedy's been?

Okay, I know, you are bound to ask the question, as we (or I) have not been stellar in the posting to the BLOG lately, but I do have excuses!

Since returning to work the travel has been nonstop with me being away from home for the last 3 weeks. I have visited North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Iowa and have grown a little weary of hotels, eating out and being without the two greatest additions to my life in the past several years, my wife and my little girl! But enough about me, lets get to whats going on at home!


WALKING! Yes, you heard me right, "Bana" as she is known to friends has taken control of the house! It started with a few tentative steps between Mom and Dad, then with the help of Grandma and Grandpa we have mastered the art of movement! Okay, maybe not mastered, but Little Miss Magic and speed along with anyone one year old that I have seen!

"Bana" is now spending her days at Grandma Maynard's as Ann Marie has returned to work. We like to think that she is teaching Grandma a few things rather than the other way around. She really seems to enjoy spending time there with her grandparents and great-grandma and we enjoy the fact that we get to feel safe about our daughter while we work. Now we have to work Granny and Papa Kennedy into the system and we will be able to take a night out now and then! (Hear that Mom?)

Life around the house is much different than it was before our little trip to China, but Ann Marie and I wouldn't have it any other way. Long days, even longer nights, short naps, lots of laundry, and the occasional vertical poop cannot take away the smile you get when you enter the nursery to find "Bana" sitting up in her crib fresh from a nap smiling at you with the smile only a child can offer. Like someone once told me "the bond between a parent and their child is one that is nurtured in the heart and cannot be broken". Now I know exactly how that feels.

I would like to also take a minute to thank my wife for all she does around the house and for our family. I think she fails to realize how special she is to the two of us and hope that we can repay her somehow in the future. Ann Maries first true Mothers Day we a great day with visits to her parents home and to my parents church in Sanford. It was nice to share this time with our Mothers and to tell them that we now know what all the advice, punishment, rules and associated parental controls were for when we were children.

Well, that's enough for now, I have to go track down Savannah as I hear some rustling in the kitchen that does not sound familiar. I hope this finds everyone well and that you are out enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with friends and family and taking a minute to remember all of those who served and continue to serve our country and protect the freedoms we hold dear. Thanks guys and gals! Ill try and post again soon, so till then.....

Mike "did I remember to shut the dog food container"
Ann Marie "I think there is a sale at Kohl's"
& Savannah "why is that gate at the bottom of the stairs" Kennedy

Anne (sister in-law), Grandma Maynard, Ann Marie, Savannah and Great Grandma Jaram!
4 Generations!

Giving the Big Bear a Savannah style kiss!

It looks like I have to get a new Ipod for "Little Miss Magic"! The song on the Ipod is "Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains, so she is a ROCKER!

Lets Play Mac!

Its time for a Birthday Party!

Okay, I know it has been longer than a week since my last post, in fact, its been much too long for some of you I have been told! There are many things that I have to tell you about in this post so I will get right too it!

First, since our last post the sickness that passed through Savannah then Ann Marie passed on to me and really hit me hard! According to one physician, I was about 24 hours away from an emergency room visit before Ann Marie finally threatened me with physical pain if I did not go to the doctor! After a couple of weeks of suffering, a few missed days of work and more drugs than a San Francisco Giants outfielder (sorry Barry Bonds fans!), I am happy to say that I am doing very well now and back to spending quality time with my two favorite girls!

Savannah has been progressing remarkably in the past few weeks. Vocally she is making so many new sounds and becoming a real copy cat so speaking is not too far away! Now Ann Marie and I have to watch everything we say! She has also improved in the cruising department! Ann Marie in fact has developed a slight curvature of the spine due to the constant laps she is making around the house holding up the two foot tall sprinter (just kidding!). The food arena is changing as well! After a few weeks of Stage 2 food upon return from China, we are now using Stage 3 foods as well as some adult foods cut into small pieces. We made the correlation that she was ready for more solid food when Savannah ate my whole bowl of Italian Wedding Soup at dinner one night! She amazes us every day with her experimentation and cannot wait to see what comes next!

We have made many trips to visit co-workers and family in the weeks since our return and Savannah has adapted very well! She has really taken to her Grandmother, which is a welcome relief since Ann's mom will be our primary form of daycare for the first part of "Little Miss Magic's" life. Savannah has also turned out to be quite the musician! She has already displayed a fondness for my drum set and rocks constantly to the radio. Yes, this is definitely my child!

Yesterday was Savannah's first birthday and today is one year from the day she was found at the hospital in China. We celebrated last night with family and friends and had a grand time with both Chloe and Savannah providing the entertainment! Chloe is really motoring around now and inspired Savannah to pick up her own pace in the walking department! We have spent the entire morning watching a little red fire truck walker make the rounds in the kitchen and family room!

Well, its lunchtime here at the Kennedy Estate and there is now another mouth to feed so I am going to sign off. Thanks for hanging in there with me during the posting drought, and I promise not to make it such a long wait from now on. Till then....

Mike "Does she ever slow down" Kennedy
Ann Marie "Will I ever go back to work" Kennedy
& Savannah "Will you please stop typing and feed me" Kennedy

P.S. Go Canes! Our Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-0 in the opening game of their second round series for the Stanley Cup. What a birthday present for Savannah!

Ready to Mow!

She did a good job!

Relaxing outside at the Birthday Party!

Our friend Marya and her Mom. Marya is expecting a little girl any day now!

Okay Dad, Ill take over the postings from now on.....