Team Zurawski: New Year

Happy New Year!!!!!!

WOW, it is hard to believe that 2008 has come and gone so quickly. Another exciting year for us as we welcomed our sweet baby boy “Quinn Michael” on July 29^th. He made a big entrance at 9.68lbs and hasn’t stopped growing yet. At 5 mo’s old, he is 20lbs and over 24” tall; quickly gaining on his big sister who is 21-mo’s old, 25lbs and 29 1/2

” tall. They can actually wear the same diaper size, how funny is that? Quinn is a very happy baby and loves to watch his big sister. He is eating baby food, rolling over and just weeks away from crawling and sitting up unassisted. We had a few months of difficulty determining the cause of some gastrointestinal issues, but I am happy to report that he has been sleeping through the night since Christmas Day and doing great. CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!

Christmas was a blast as Simone just didn’t know were to start and stop. She wanted to push her shopping cart (from G-ma) and baby stroller (from Aunt Cindy), take pictures with her camera (from G-pa), ride in her wagon (from Nancy) or just read books in her tent (from Santa). Whew, lots to do!!! Santa wasn’t a big hit this year with Simone (see pic) but all the other Christmas decorations in the “North Pole” made it fun. Quinny loved his beard and just couldn’t figure out how to get it in his mouth. Both kids enjoyed watch the “choo choo” train chug around the Christmas tree. Christmas evening was a blast too as Troy’s sister, Cindy, her husbdand (Matt) and my nieces and nephew (Charoltte, Caroline and Ben) joined us for dinner. Kitty and Mike Robbins (Matt’s Parents), Matt’s sister (Amy), her husband (Dana) and their handsome boys (Zack, Will and Clay) joined us too making it a fantastic and memorable night.

I can tell you all that there is never a dull moment in the Zurawski household and each day brings a new adventure. Simone just amazes us each day with her absorption of knowledge. She has more that 50 words in her vocabulary, is connecting 2 and 3 word sentences and understands beyond our belief. She can recite her ABC’s (with a slight bump at T, U, V), she can count to 10, draw circles and retrieve items that we ask her to find in the house. We visit the Phoenix Children’s Museum (thank you g-ma) weekly where she has the opportunity to explore, create and absorb more and more information while mingling with other children. She is very social and greets all those around her with, “HI!”

More great memories this year as my brother and his wife Karen welcomed their second child, “Katie” in July. My sister (Heather) was married in October to a wonderful man named Sean Herron and we were lucky enough to travel out to Tennessee for the wedding and meet my new niece and brother-in-law. WELCOME to our CRAZY family Sean and Katie. It was also our chance to visit with much of my family and introduce them to Quinn. My father (Brian) has lost over 30 lbs and met a wonderful new woman named Claire.

Our best friends in Chicago, Mike and Kelly Tresch, were married in August and just shared that they are expecting their first child in 2009! Yipppee Disney World here we come! Our friends here in Phoenix, The Burkhardt’s (Neely, Dana and Jane) welcomed their second little red head “Vaugh Warren” in August (pictured below with Quinn). Their adorable daughter Jane is pictured with Simone above, they are just 3-mo's apart and best friends. Quinn and Vaughn are just 1.5 weeks apart. The Dunmars (Melanie and Jon) welcomed their precious little girl “Mikayla” on November 1^st! Lots more babies to welcome in 2009 as the Knights, the Baley’s , the Mark’s and the Tresch’s are all expecting. Marriage announcements too, Angela and Garrett, Congratulations!!! We are also very thankful to have seen a very near and dear friend from college, Dr. Eddie "Reno" Kahl here in AZ this year. He was able to meet the kids and spend time catching up on the past 5 years of medical school and anesthesiology school. We are so proud of you! Another amazing college friend was here to see Mr. Quinn too, Miss Tabitha "spice girl" Rocha. We love ya mama and cannot wait to see you again soon.

Medical news in 2008:

My grandpa (Bob) had open-heart surgery this year, which was very scary, but recovered fully and is doing great. He is back on the golf course and in the bowling alley. My grandma (Gerry) can see like never before since her cataract surgery late last year and is doing very well after her knee surgery earlier in the year. Troy’s Grandma (Natty) had a mild stroke this year, but we are happy to report is doing better and we were able to spend some quality time over Thanksgiving and she was able to meet Quinn and watch Simone play. My nephew Benjamin has been doing great and with much dedication from my amazing sister-in-law (Cindy) and a group of fabulous doctors in Austin, he is eating, sleeping, talking more and riding his new bike along side his sisters. Whooo Hoo!!! My niece (Sammie) who is my Uncle Eddie’s (mom’s brother) daughter had back surgery this year to correct her scoliosis. She is back to school and a couple of inches taller I hear. My Uncle Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s this holiday season and he and My Aunt Gloria will be meeting with a neurologist this month to determine the best treatment available. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both everyday :)

Troy and I are just along for “Mr. Toads Wild Ride” with the kids and Design Works Gaming. It has been a successful year for us and the future looks bright. We are thankful each day for the many blessing we have been given; Our amazing kids, all our wonderful family and the greatest friends. My niece Charlotte made it an even more amazing year by inviting Troy and I to special persons day at her school. It was very special and we were so excited to see her classroom and all the amazing work she has done. XOXO