Thursday April 16th 2009

Things are going along nicely here in Virginia. The weather is starting to get nicer and that always cheers up people. I want to thank everyone for their condolences towards my grandfather. It is never easy to lose a loved one and i am still thinking about him multiple times a day. Please say a prayer for my grandmother. I can't imagine what she is going through. They had been connected at the hip for so long and now she is alone. Very sad.
Rachel is growing and growing. I bought her a Grover stuffed animal (much like i had when i was a child) and she carries him around like a rag doll and calls him Grogar. Her childcare must have a TV on while they play because she recognizes Dora the explorer and says Dora whenever she sees her (when we are out and on other kids clothes or toys). So she can say Dora and Grogar on command.
I have also taught her how to fetch. I can throw a ball across the room and she will go and pick it up and bring it back to me. Soon i will introduce shake and sit. And who needs a dog!
I am posting some pictures of Rachel and her first cousin Jenna. They have recently just met and I figured some people might like to see Jackies' daughter Jenna. Jenna was born earlier this year and the two of them are less than a year apart. I will get some pictures for the next post with Grover and her doing something nifty and new. I don't know yet what is next, but i am sure it will be amazing. Also, i am including my favorite picture. If you can't figure it out, it is the one of Grandma Wendy trying to hold her granddaughters and they are fighting to get as far away from her as possible.

Tuesday April 7 2009

Goodbye Grandpa. Thank You for everything and i will always be grateful for you. My grandfather passed away today and i am currently very sad. I have known for weeks this was going to happen but it does not make it any easier. We even came back to Canton two weekends ago so I could see him one more time and let him see Rachel. He was already in the hospital back then and it was only a matter of time. Please keep my Grandmother in your thoughts and prayers as well. This has been an extremely tough time for her and it has taken its toll on her.
I have many fond memories of my grandfather and he will truly be missed. Some that come to me right now as I cry and think about him...

- The time he helped me build my pinewood derby car for cub scouts. We sanded and painted and molded that car out of a block of wood. We painted it gold and had fun making it together in his basement. I did not win and as far as i remember that car ran last in every single race down the track. But i always looked back fondly of his help.

- Playing old maid in his living room with grandma and my brothers and sisters. They had some over sized cards and we would all have a blast playing. There would be lots of laughter and giggles when invariably grandpa would end up losing and finishing as the old maid.

- Grandpa and i collected aluminum cans one summer from every gathering and event. We would go through the trash and pull out the cans and crush them. We would keep them in garage cans in his garage. I did not go with him when he took them to the recyclers but i do remember him giving me money that he told me i had earned for helping him.

- I remember him telling stories to us about when he was a kid and getting in trouble. He would tell tales of skipping school or other mischievous events. Grandma would always cut him off and tell him to quit putting ideas in our heads. I don't remember the stories but i remember thinking how ornery he was as a kid.

- Watching 'Top Cat' on TV together.

I have alot of other memories but right now Rachel is upstairs calling Daddy down the steps. She seems to be insisting i come and spend time with her before she goes to bed.

I love you grandpa and you will be missed. Here are some pictures taken last year with Rachel and Grandpa.

Wednesday March 18th 2009

Well this has not been a good week for the Sigler family. My prayers go out to my family members who have been dealing with their medical issues. I won't go into details but you are all on my mind and we will get through this.

Our little family in Virginia have been doing well and we really have nothing major to report. Rachel is learning words and meaning and is growing more and more everyday. She had her 1 year doctors appointment last week and he gave her a clean bill of health and told us she is perfect. She weighed 19.8 lbs (25th percentile) and is 29-inches tall (50th percentile). She also has a very tiny head which i have been saying all along. Her head size is in the 10th percentile. Seriously, it is like a little cue ball sitting on her body. A cue ball with stringy wild hair and a few teeth. Other than that, she is perfect.... =)

Rachel has learned the word "tickle". She will walk up to people with there feet exposed and try to tickle them and says "tick tick tick tick" when doing it. She has even been known to tick tick her own feet.

Here are some pictures taken from the last week.

Happy Birthday Rachel! 3-9-9

Here are some pictures of Rachel and her birthday cake. Lisa made the cake and frosted it herself. Martha Stewart she is not! Also, there are pictures of Rachel and her new lawnmower toy that Aunt Jackie got her. She has only had it for a few days but LOVES it and has been pushing it around constantly.

Monday March 9th 2009

Today is Rachel's first birthday. Wow, what a year! It is amazing how your life can change in a year. Rachel is getting bigger and smarter everyday. She walks around babbling and pointing at things. She is perceptive of her surroundings and is learning more and more. She knows how to push the button my iphone to turn it on the screen. She has a toy that plays the ABC song. If you start singing the ABC song, she recognizes it and runs to get the toy and pushes a button on it to start playing the song. She giggles and laughs constantly. She is a very happy baby.
Lisa has made a cake for her tonight and we will get lots of pictures. I do not have any to post right this minute because i am at work. I will post some tonight. I love you Rachel, Happy 1st Birthday!
On another note, my Grandpa Sigler is in the hospital and is not doing well. Please keep him in your prayers. He has been in mine.