Happy Halloween!

Three Halloweens come and almost gone although tonight will be our first Halloween trick-or-treating. We'll see how it goes. Toddler's are not known for being cooperative especially when costumes are involved.

This is Nicholas' "smile" for the camera. Please excuse the chocolate stain on his costume. Bribery is the only way I can get him in this thing. Oh the power of chocolate.

Alexa's first time in her costume. We'll see if we can still get her in it. She's growing like a weed!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Teasers

The photographer from the portrait party we attended last week has posted a few teaser photos on her photography blog.

Can't wait to see the rest.

http://cordelephotography.blogspot.com/

is it luck?

As parents of two young children we don't get out much. Instead of heading out to hip and trendy restaurants or bars with our friends like we did in our "youth", we spend our evenings watching Netflix DVDs and play the occaisional Scrabble game. This weekend we got in a Scrabble game, our first since Alexa was born. Jim was solidly beating me by 30 points when I procured the "z" and "q" and was able to rally back with a few strategically placed simple words. I claimed my win was all due to luck as any good wife would do. I think it has more to do with the fact that I finally learned how to play the game after getting beaten too many times to count by Andra when we were wee lasses.

Today I was reminded of just how lucky I am. While I should and do consider myself lucky in many respects, today it has to do with two things; my job and Alexa.

While I like to complain about my job, and who doesn't, today I am grateful for it. This morning I heard that my previous boss and long time mentor was laid off. I had contemplated working for him when he left but changed my mind after finding out I was pregnant with Alexa. Whether it was out of apathy, or my current great health care benefits and flexible working schedule I am so lucky I didn't leave. If I had I'd currently be looking for another job instead of another home.

I could never consider myself unlucky when it comes to Alexa but after hearing how other moms battle colic, I consider myself very lucky with Alexa! Nicholas had colic. For 6 weeks he would cry for no reason between the hours of 6 pm and 9 pm. Never fail. I know others have experienced worse but that was hard on us nonetheless. With Alexa, we have experienced none of that. She falls asleep so easily at 7 pm. Wakes for feedings after 6-8 hrs but falls right back to sleep. It's very rare that she cries without reason or cannot be soothed with a hug from mommy. How lucky are we!?

Alexa's appt and a photo shoot

Boo. My baby girl is not so little anymore. At her 4 month appointment on Friday, Alexa weighed 15 lbs 5 ounces and measured 25 1/2 inches long. That approximately the 90th percentile in each! Well, no one can say that she's not getting enough to eat. I wonder if I need to cut back on my cookie consumption. Overall the appointment went very well, except for the vaccinations which is to be expected. Our pediatrician was very adamant about us being firm in our "sleep training". So far I think he'd be happy. After his recommendations and guidance, Alexa started sleeping in 6 hr stretches after only 3 days of "training". Fingers crossed the next step to 12 hrs will be just as smooth. After that we'll be on to starting her on solid food. I can't believe she's at that age already. Time is going by too fast.

Sunday we participated in an event called a portrait party. Essentially this is a mini-photosession with a professional photographer. The party took place at a local farm which should be perfect for some great fall shots. Unfortuantely it was bitterly cold and windy. The minute the shoot was done we rushed inside for some hot cider and doughnuts. Despite the poor weather, I am very hopeful and cannot wait to see proofs. I'll share them as soon as I can.

Copy Cat

Nicholas cracks me up sometimes. Maybe a month or so ago Nicholas wanted to get Daddy's attention. Instead of calling out "Daddy" he called out "Jim" in the short 'I want you now' tone of voice that I'm usually the one using. Jim didn't find it quite as funny as I did.

Over the weekend, Nicholas had his latest 'copy cat' moment. When Nicholas is in my way I sometimes say "beep beep", similar to his big digger truck in substitution of "back-up please" or "excuse me". So in true mommy fashion when I blocked his way Nicholas told me "beep beep". I was proud, embarassed, and tickled pink all at the same time.

These are pictures I took Alexa's first week of school. She's already changed so much but I love these. Nicholas loves his baby sister.

Happy Four Month Birthday!

Alexa is 4 months old today. It was tough at first but we've gotten into a groove. So far having two kids isn't much more work than having one; unless they are both screaming at the same time. Alexa is doing very well. We're currently working on getting her to sleep for longer periods at night in her crib. So far she's still waking every 3 hours which is very tough on mommy. We have her next Doctors appointment on Friday. Can't wait to see how much she's grown. Here are some photos I took last night of her in her brother's chair to document the milestone.

The jacket is something her grandmother got her. Yes, totally impractical but utterly adorable with those bunny ears, and oh so soft.
Look at this smile!

Happy Birthday Kaylee!

My niece Kaylee turns 1 today!

This is a recent picture of her on her way to daycare for the first time. Isn't she beautiful? We can't wait to see you (and the rest of the family) at your birthday party tomorrow.

This is a picture of Nicholas and Kaylee at Nicholas' birthday. I think there is a resemblance there.

Apple Picking

One of the few joys about living in New England is going apple picking in the fall. Not only to enjoy the few beautiful and warm days left before the snow falls but for the promise of yummy treats. This past weekend we met up with friends Tom, Eve, their son Enzo, Steve, Cathy, and their daughters Caitlyn and Hailey for just that on a cool, crisp, and sunny Saturday.


Nicholas spent his time split between enjoying the stroller ride and running amok as most toddlers do. He loved picking apples off the trees and we tried a variety of apple called Honeycrisp. The name speaks for itself and has become a family favorite. Alexa spent most of the morning taking a well earned nap, waking just in time for lunch.

In addition to the orchard Tougas Farm has a pumpkin patch where we got to see what we think were grouse running around and a farm stand providing cider doughnuts, apple crisp, apple cider and a bunch of other yummy treats. may not have been the most healthful lunch but that's what these occaisions are for, right?

With our big bag of apples more yummy treats to come. Two of our family favorite apple recipes are apple crisp and apple spice bread. I also want to try making "mini caramel apples". I found a great recipe for these in an issue of Family Fun. I hope to have some time to make these with Nicholas over the weekend. I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather!

(Thanks to Tom for taking pictures 1, 2, and 5 above!)

Welcome!

I am excited to start this blog about our life with Nicholas and Alexa. I am hoping this will be a great way for family and friends to read up on the little ones, if and when you are interested, of course.

Nicholas is now 2 years old, or as he calls it, "2 old". The time has flown. I can still remember his birth like it was yesterday. I do not miss those crying colicky nights though! Nicholas has become such a little man. While he may be small in stature (only 9th percentile in weight and 53rd percentile in height) he is a big guy at heart. He loves to run fast, everywhere. At meals he sits in a big boy booster chair, uses utensils (mostly), and has graduated from a sippy to drinking out of a cup! He is a typical guy in that he loves his planes, trains, and automobiles. He knows the names of almost every type of truck we pass and enjoys pointing each and every one out; dump truck, pick-up truck, phone truck, you get the idea. Emergency vehicles became a favorite after Alexa's birth and he's now a fan of "Choo-Choo Thomas". He's a talker too. I really enjoy being able to have full conversations with him even if he doesn't usually agree with me. Nicholas has been a wonderful big brother. He showers Alexa with hugs and kisses. I am sure this will be short lived but I'm enjoying the stage nonetheless.

Alexa is 16 weeks old! She has one of the sweetest dispositions and is always smiling. Her laugh is absolutely precious. Alexa is defintely bigger than her brother was at this age. At her last appointment she was in the 51st percentile in weight and 93rd percentile in height! So far she has been doing very well at daycare and has started to grab and play, especially with my hair. She also loves watching her big brother. Like Nicholas, Alexa's a talker and will coo to us and herself for a half hour at a time. The only area in which I think she could do better would be sleeping for longer periods of time but that's not too unusual at her age.

I hope to update this blog at least every week for those of you that are interested in reading up on and seeing photos of my little ones.

Thanks for caring and enjoy!

~Christina