Arrival of Sophia Patricia Femino!!!

Hello!! After much anticipation, Soraya and I were blessed with the birth of our daughter on October 19th 2007. After going into the hosptial to be induced, the drugs were not able to complete the induction and the Doctor recommeded us to shift to a Cesarean delivery.














Soraya arrived in the Operating Room while I dressed and waited to be allowed in.














After given the green light to enter, the baby was delivered about 8 minutes after the surgery began.

Sophia Patricia Femino was born at 12:33 pm. She weighed 7 lbs / 3.2 kg and was 20 inches long / 51 cm. Here she is about 3 minutes after being born:














Here she is meeting mom for the first time















While the doctors continued with Soraya, Sophia and I went to the nursery to ensure she was well and all of her tests showed she was perfect in every way:





















After evalating Sophia in the Nursery, we were finally able to go and see Soraya in our post delivery room.

















We also had some good time with Sophia and Dad...

















A couple of alert pictures of our new beautiful daughter are:







More pictures and stories to follow -- all is well with Sophia, Mom and Dad,

Love,
Joe and Soraya

Settled in Texas!!!

Hello All,

Soraya and I are very happy to say we are settled in our new house in Texas. The last few weeks in Newport, transition to Texas and eventual closing on the house all proceeded without any significant problems.


The last weekend in Newport, we enjoyed our last O-Club Friday Deck party along with Debra and one of her friends. We had a picnic and flew kites with Dexter, Amy, Laura and Emma at Brenton Point. We met up with Marc & Amy along with the Wasserman's who were showing off their new IPhones.

On Sunday, we went to Block Island with Paulie and Jen which was a spectacular day. There was an event for the Cornell Club of Rhode Island there and we enjoyed swimming, relaxing on the beach, eating a lobster & seafood buffet and enjoying a variety of beverages. Here is a picture from our trip back -- a great day!!



The final week in Newport concluded without any significant issues and I decided I would break a land/speed record -- or, better said -- I would have my entry into the Cannonball Run to demonstrate my capability. I departed Mom and Dad Femino's house a little before 3 am Friday morning, drove over GW bridge about 6:30 am, stopped for gas as required and by evening I had dinner around Chattanooga, TN. After dinner, I continued past Meridian, MS to stop just outside Biloxi, MS by about 1 am. In total, 1450 mi in 23 hrs total and 22 hrs driving (oh, pulling a U-Haul, too).



Once in Corpus Christi, we lived on base for about 10 days and moved into the house. During the time, though, I was able to race my boat in the "Navy Regatta." It was a great experience, as the regatta assigns sailors to the boats to experience sailboat racing, etc. In addition to myself and two other CO's in Ingleside, Adam Aycock and Ken Reilley, we had a sailor from a helicopter squadron assigned aboard, AM1(AW) Keith Schneider -- he was great to have aboard, he enjoyed the time and even became famous. You can see the story and video (with our boat (USA 3496) in video) here

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6889266

and the article from the paper here http://www.caller.com/news/2007/aug/05/veterans-hit-water-for-sail-race/

A picture of our boat from another in the fleet!!!

After the regatta, it was time to get the house set up. The closing process went relatively smoothly and on the day of closing our household goods were delivered from Argentina, we signed all of the papers for the house, our fence was installed and my mom arrived from Boston. Mom, Soraya and I spent a good part of the next few days getting everything put away and partially organized. Some of the pictures from the house:
Entrance with mom to be!!!

Living Room, ready for cocktail parties to football parties!!!
The baby's room -- she will be very comfortable!!!

As you can see -- she is smiling!!!

Kitchen -- ready for Argentine, Italian, Mexican, etc!!!



Finally, for cookouts!!!
We hope all is well with everyone.

Our new contact information is:
Joe & Soraya Femino
8313 Pocono Circle
Corpus Christi, TX 78414

H - (361) 452-2717

Love,
Joe & Soraya

All well in Newport

Hello,

Soraya and I hope everyone is well. Over the last few weeks we've had great opportunities to spend time with friends and family in New England, etc. The baby continues to get bigger and bigger. We will be departing Newport in the end of July enroute Texas. We will close on the house on the 7th of August and be moved in shortly thereafter.

We have been visiting all over and have many pictures to share with all.

Shortly after arriving, my mom and Aunt Rona visited Newport for the day to visit the Mansions with Soraya -- they had a wonderful time




We also had a birthday party for Big Don and Ann Musial at Donny's house. While the surprise of 70+ friends was a highlight for Big Don and Ann, the tree house pictures below was very impressive for all of the kids. Additionally, I was able to keep the kids occupied (while tiring them out) having them run around the house timing them with my stopwatch -- spectacular!!!


For Father's Day weekend, we went to Brenton Point park with Dexter, Amy, Laura & Emma Hoag to fly kites and enjoy the day -- it was very nice -- you can see everyone enjoyed being out in the sun on such a beautiful day!!!




The next weekend, Don and Jen had a beautiful cookout at their house. It was a great party with lots of family, friends, kids, babies, etc. A great time!!!





The next week we had quite a celebrity (of some sorts) visit us here in Newport. Like many celebrities, he doesn't travel light, has a really large entourage and has a variety of means of transportation at his fingertips. He arrived by helicopter and remained in Newport for a few hours. The speach layed out status, plans and thoughts on a variety of issues which are interesting to read.
A transcript of the speach can be found at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070628-14.html


The arrival...


Next came a big weekend in Newport. The weekend began with a wonderful concert and fireworks display from the Navy base here. We spent time with the Lee's and Hoag's with lots of kids, babies and friends running all around. Fun for all!!! On Sunday, the Tall Ships conducted their parade of sail passing the Navy base for a packed crowd.






Next event of note was taking a flight over the Southern Massachusetts area. We took off from New Bedford and flew over Westport. It was a relatively short flight, but good to be back flying. It was also the first time Soraya and I have flown together in a small plane -- as she's not presently able to ride rollercoasters, this was the closest we're able to get for ascending and decending.




Next major event was the 4th of July. While, contrary to belief by many, this was not Soraya's first 4th of July (in Argentina it falls between the 3rd and 5th, just like in U.S.A), it was her first Independence Day celebration here! We watched fireworks with mom and dad Femino as well as Aunts Mary (Julie) and Colleen -- a fun time for all. Finally, on the 4th itself, we attended the local neighborhood parade where the kids ride with decorated bicycles -- very cool (and a big deal when I was riding bikes like this!!!).





Last weekend, Soraya and I went camping with our friends Mike and Siggy. Mike and Siggy visited us in Argentina for 12 days last August. They have a camper in the White Mountains where they spend many of their weekends. We headed up for one night to see the area visiting a couple beautiful waterfalls as well as overnight, cooking S'mores and telling jokes around the campfire. Very fun!!!





We hope all is well with everyone. We have happily been able to see many, many people over the last few weeks. If you have pictures you'd like me to post, please send them to me!!!

See you,
Joe & Soraya

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

Okay -- so, perhaps I should call everyone and tell them -- I will certainly do that eventually, but, for now, Soraya and I would like to show the pictures of our daughter. The sonogram gave us the ability to see arms, legs, hands, fingers and toes as well as look at development of her heart and other organs -- all is well. Now to the pictures:

We were first amazed at her flexibility as you can see she has her feet at her head level -- a little better than dad... :)



A couple of other pictures showing her side view:




Here is the mama from the side!!!



And finally, she gave us a thumbs up -- all is well from inside:



We are blessed all is continuing well and she is getting bigger and bigger every day!!

See you,
Joe & Soraya