Passover in Detroit

We took our annual pilgrimage to Detroit for Passover. The weather report said that it was going to be in the 50s and a little breezy. Day one it hailed, day two it snowed and day three was just blustery cold. Boy was it good to get off the plane into Florida again and peel off the layers of clothes. We had a terrific time and a great Passover. We caught up with old friends at the hospital and in our neighborhood. We got to see our WV cousins and meet out newest cousin Ariella. Fun times! I can't get all the pictures up that I would like but a few are better than none.

Delinquent

Life is hectic. It always is. We're having a great time and really enjoying the kids, Florida, our new jobs and trying to get the most out of everything. I have a lot of blog posting to catch up with. I am in awe of our friends Rob and Catherine who seem to be doing extremely well keeping up with blog postings for all the milestones and most of the every-day happenings.

So since the last post, we've been pretty busy. We had a 2 week period of sick house and recovery but then made it so that were were able to enjoy Passover and out little trip away from Florida. In the meantime, we've been enjoying spending time with each other and going to the beach. A little bit about the kids: Samantha "Sammie" is my little angel. She's sweet and dear when she wants to be. She loves being a ham for the camera and taking care of her little brother. She tries my nerves sometimes and knows just what buttons to push and when. She has been testing a little too much, so I've instituted a lot of time out to show her that it is not okay. As for "good cop, bad cop" we have have our share. I think each of us is both at different times. Daddy is always good for the bad cop when it comes to getting dirty, but he lets the TV stay on a lot longer than Mommy and let's them do what they want so it gives him more time to do what he wants to do. Samantha loves art, music and being creative. She's very reserved and watches all that is going on in the world before she tries it herself. She is a little like me in that respect.

Ari is my little daredevil boy. He is spunky and a laugher. He LOVES HIS MOMMA! He hit the separation anxiety hard. It takes me 2-3x as long to drop him off at school as it does her these days. He wants me and only me. I feel bad for Justin at times but know that this will pass. He is a big kid. I love reading on her daily summary sheets that he got "xtra" of most things to eat during the day. He's watching the other kids and then going headfirst into everything. He cries for a minute and then is back to his ways. He loves watching his sister. He loves to "crack up" when she does something funny or tickles him. They have a terrific relationship--I hope that continues.

Ari turns ONE

So before I get ahead of myself promising the last 6 months worth of pictures to come out this week. Let's start with the very exciting milestone that Ari celebrated his first birthday on Saturday 2/26/2011. I can't believe it. He was just born and now my little boy is one. He has sure come a long way and already has lived in two states, two houses, been through three schools. Woah baby! He really is a trooper. I am in the process of making my albums and enjoying every minute of his learning and growing.
Things that make Ari, well Ari.
1. Ari loves it all. He's the happiest camper on the block. Whether he's the one getting attention or Samantha, Ari could not be happier. He loves watching his big sister, he loves watching his dog, he loves watching everything around him.
2. Ari has a mouth open approach to everything. Drool, drool and more drool.
3. Ari's favorite foods: everything! He is especially fond of popsicles, brocoli and (after his birthday) CAKE!
4. He has two teeth barely peeking out from his bottom jaw and one purple upper gum line on the right.
5. He is a crawling champ and so wants to get up and move. He started pulling himself up just this past week.
6. Words he says well: Mama, dada, dog. Words he knows but don't know how to say: fan, Samantha
7. Words he can sign: more, lights
8. Ari has an infectious laugh.
9. Ari loves his Mama! (that ones just for me...mom's take it hard when their baby turns one so give me a break).
10. Ari will have curley hair just like his sister. ;)

Better late than never

So most people that read this blog also know that we have had a lot going on since my last posts with me going back to work, the kids switching school a few times and family in town for birthdays. So I'm catching up on some videos that we've taken and putting some pictures up. Be patient, and I promise it will be worth it.

Almost time for "work"

So the last 3 months has just flown by. It feels like we were just in NJ preparing for the move and then just moving down here. Time is going by too quickly. I know that it keeps on going but would love to stop it right here... if only for a little while.
The kids and I have been having a ball exploring. We love getting out in the morning and doing something active. Getting outside, doing our exercise class, visiting playgrounds! Lunch and then nap and the afternoon is usually just joking around. We're really enjoying our new additions from Hanukkah and Sammy's birthday. Oh, and who can forget all the new fun we had with Grandma/Michael, Nanna/Grandpa and cousins!
In less than 2 weeks I start back at work full time. It will be the end of an era. Sad but it will be good for them to be getting back to school too. Samantha is begining to read her sight words and really developing in terms of a terrific personality. Ari has his own personality and is getting his very first tooth. I'm sure he'll have a mouth full sooner than I would like. Aah... the babies are growing up!

December is one rough month!

I'll post pictures next time, but for now I'm just journaling. Thanksgiving has come and gone so quickly and December is a whole other game plan. It's a rough month for a lot of reasons. First, birthdays. The birthdays start on the 2nd and then finish around the 28th. Between our own family, we have about 12 friends that also have birthdays smattered throughout the month. Hannukah and that other holiday that fall on the 25 that everybody else celebrates... Then there is the other things that make December rough, remembering that my grandfather passed away a week after Sammy was born. Remembering that I have a very sick friend who is not going to enjoy her birthday much. Remembering that we adopted Ginger 12/10/05!!! Lots to be thankful for but at the same time remembering that it's not always holidays and presents. The new year will be here before we know it... slow down time PLEASE!

Where does the time go?

It's been a while since my last post, and I'm not sure I can explain myself. Well, needless to say, we're having a blast and enjoying our time together. I'm really taking advantage of this time with the kids and trying to fit everything in. It's our times that we're just silly that are my favorites. Some recent pictures of the kiddos!

What have we been doing? Well, while Justin is working and paying for our wonderful house and fun activities, we have been doing a TON! We have a regular exercise stroller class that is at least 2 x a week. We have class at the library usually once a week. We shop and do errands and go to plenty of parks. I've been enjoying some MNO events with a group I joined and it has been a blast making new friends. I've been trying to get things started as far as anticipating starting work soon. Working with finding just the right place for the kids. It's still TBD but we're deciding soon.

We're home ... the mezuzzah's are up!

So the house is coming along. We're getting all settled and figured that the mezuzzah's should go up now. We have mostly unpacked all of our stuff and filled in the house with some recent furniture purchases. We put on the NUDELL family mezuzzah up today, along with ZETOONY house mezuzzah's. We said the perfunctory prayers and made an event out of it. Samantha was interested only in the first one and pretty much ignored the inaugural 5 more the were put up throughout the house entry ways. Ari was an active participant. :) Ginger is a good sport and all the changes are really pooping her out. Some pictures of her as well!

Welcome back to Florida

So after an arduous summer of having two kids, packing up the house, taking another board examination and finally moving everybody to Florida, I can honestly say the summer is OVER. We arrived in Florida at the tail end of September and it's been a whirlwind since then. We moved into a much bigger house than we've lived in before, began unpacking all of our earthly belongings and found that we still had a ton of space. So then the shopping spree began. We've both independently and together have never spent this much money EVER but we're buying much needed thing.

Pictures of the house will follow when things look a little more polished up and stuff is not sitting all over the floor. Final things are arriving soon involving a bedroom set. Somehow, though, today felt like a paramount when our large sectional for the family room arrived preceded only by an entertainment center for the same room. When our bedroom set arrives, it will feel complete and we may get to sleep in our room shortly.

Kids are doing great. The transition to the new house has been good for both of them. Samantha loves the new steps in this home since she's really never lives somewhere where there have been steps and only loves visiting those that do have them. She loves loves loves her new room with her new bed (our old full-sized bed now that we've grown into our own bigger bed). Ari is FINALLY in a crib in his own room and out of the pack-n-play except for daytime naps downstairs. It's great. The kids are taking a bath together in their own bathroom upstairs and Samantha is making strides with her potty-training and even has graduated to going #2 (when she feels like it) in the potty! We've picked out their school that they will both be starting part-time beginning in late November.

Fun things all around. Justin is looking forward to starting a scheduled work experience soon, as I think the endless errands and kids are sometimes driving him CRAZY! All is good though and we're adjusting well.

Last planned drive from NJ to NY

Bittersweet is the last trip to Los Nudellos in Long Island driving up the turnpike. This ABSOLUTELY does not meet we won't be back to ole Quintree, but it will be coming from Florida so hopefully by plane. We had a great time catching up and seeing some old friends that just had a little boy 3 weeks ago!! Couldn't help but catching a little photo of my little boy wrapped up in one of Sammy's blankets snoozing... there is NOTHING like a sleeping child.

We're tring to keep up

Grandma, I promise I am trying as hard as I can to post up pictures. We get to it when we have a free moment. We really are trying. In this past month we've had so much going on and below is a snipit of the pictures. Besides taking my boards, all has been A LOT of fun. Fun is exhausting, let me tell you. Anyway, in a little more than a week we'll be off to FLORIDA! More pictures to come when we finally get internet back down in Florida.

Thankful for every day

Although life gets very hectic and lots is ALWAYS going on it's good to stop and be thankful for each moment of each day. Certain things really make us appreciate every little day just a little more. Life is just too short and we definitely take for granted a lot of the days that we feel pretty good and get to enjoy the kids laughing. This is just a reminder to us all that we are human and need to enjoy each day as it comes and not put off for tomorrow what we can (and want) to do today.

I'm going to get to it eventually

It's been FOREVER since the last posting. Sorry GG! I'm going to try to make sure that next time we get a video in here. For now, a few pictures of us just trying to have fun and enjoy the summer.

This one is for you Rob

I had to post this for our friend Rob. I think of him everytime I look at this picture. This is Samantha's version of craniosacral treatments. Rob mentioned that it may help to have ari treated to help with the "spitter" that he is. Samantha thought she'd give it a try one morning.

Sam's fascination with grapefruit

I dont' know another kid that likes grapefruit. Anyplace, anytime... I've met my match. :)