I heart Fall

Look how happy we are now that fall has arrived! (although I think it only stayed around for a day or two!)

Hugs for everyone!

Blowing spit bubbles at the park...in long sleeves! woohoo (I know..gross. but whatever.. She's 2.)

Taking a break in the beautiful weather

Mamarazzi.

I think I might need a 12 step program to Mamarazzi's Anonymous. I can't stop taking photos of my girls. I just love them and want to capture every moment of their lives. Please forgive me;)

Cute

This photo puts a smile on my face. I think Madeline is picking on her daddy. Sticking out her tongue and almost flicking him off...she has quite the sass to her already, huh?

Still a bookworm...

Not much has changed in a year with Ella. She still loves to fall asleep reading her books.

August 2009

September 2010

I hope she always loves to read this much!

Candy Corn brownies

I never post recipes but thought I would share this one from Simply Made...with Love. Leah has tons of delicious recipes on her blog and she's quite crafty too. But Ummm hellllooo Candy Corn BROWNIES? What is better than that? (Thank you for making me gain 5 lbs looking at these Leah!)If you know me, you know I have a slight obsession with the yellow, orange and white triangular candies. I can't get enough. Can't wait to try these. Maybe Tom will bake them for my birthday this weekend and stick a bazillion candles in it?

It's been a year...

Can you believe it's already been a year since we traveled to Korea? Tom and I were just discussing this the other day and it goes to show how fast time flies. Tom has been home with us now for over 5 months. WOW! Click here to see an old blog post from when we first arrived in South Korea. I swear it was one of the happiest moments in my life to touch ground after such a long flight and to see Tom waiting for us! Just reminiscing! Love my life.

And look who came from that fabulous 5 week adventure in the Land of the Morning Calm? ;) See picture below:

Miss Madeline...that's who! Thanks mom for making this adorable onesie! I love it.

I won!

I won this fabulous contest from a fabulous blog I always follow! I chose the sign "Home is Where the Army Sends Us" as my prize. HOW AWESOME! It totally made my day and I can't wait to receive it. Best part about it, all of the proceeds she makes from her Etsy shop go toward their future adoption. I will definitely be ordering a sign from her in the future. Thank you Caroline from Simply Smithwick (love you girly!) and Jennifer from The LaJeunesse Family. Best of luck with your adoption Jennifer:)

In 10 days...

I will be saying goodbye to my 20's and hello to the big 3-0. Why do I feel like throwing up?

Lazy days

I promise we really do go to the park and try to get out of the house to do something everyday, but I think last week I had zero motivation to pack up and go anywhere. So here is how we kept busy:

We let Riley participate in tummy time (which tummy time to a dog is rubbing her belly over and over)

Ella insisted that her Ugg boots were rain boots and convinced me to let her run wild outside in the rain and in her pjs

Daddy found a new cup holder.
We paired skeleton and crossbones with cute hairbows and got a very happy baby
We didn't follow the rules on the toy stroller...whatsoever.

Madeline posed a lot for the camera (working on her fist pumping here)

and Daddy enjoyed playtime with his girly girl. Or maybe it was his naptime...not sure.

Compare...

Madeline at 2 months old

Ella at 2 months old Auntie Monica (around 2-3 months?)

And Tom

I see a lot of Aunt Monica in Madeline...who's with me?

2 months old!

Well Madeline is now 9 weeks old and we took her to Dr. Lewis this morning and she is topping the charts!! She is 11.1 lbs and 23 in (75% for both). Big change from birth (6.10 lbs and 19.5 in), huh? MUCH different from Ella who didn't even hit 10 lbs until 12 weeks or so (always in the 5% too). Shoot Ella was only 12 lbs at 6 months! The nurse said "Yup, she's a big baby" and she emphasized on big:) Needless to say, we love our chunky monkey and congrats to her because she officially has a THIGH ROLL!!! She's smiles great big mouth open smiles all the time and loves when Ella plays with her. She is enjoying tummy time a little more and just hanging out with us. For the most part she's a very chill baby. She cries when she's hungry, tired, bored or needs to be changed. She's learning to fall asleep in her crib at night and during naps this week so wish us luck. It makes me sad to see that she's already so big and changing so much. I just want to keep her little in my arms forever.

Playing at the dr's visit

Ella entertaining her

Did someone mentions shots? Oh no!

Party on the Block

I wish our neighborhood had block parties. The one time they tried, I was on vacation and Tom pretended not to be home. My aunt's block throws a huge one with a DJ, games for kids, tons of food, drinks and fun for all. It was great to see all of my family again the day after the wedding to keep the celebration going. I can't even explain how nice it was for my relatives to meet Madeline at such a young age and to see how much Ella has grown. Being so far away really is hard...especially once kids are involved. On our way to the airport (even at 3am) Ella said "Mama I made new friends!" I had to explain to her that her new "friends" were her cousins! She was excited nonetheless and that makes me happy. We will be back to NY next summer for my cousin Sabrina's wedding and it can't come fast enough. I miss everyone tons:(

Da Bunny with Madeline

Sisters Caroline & Rory
Don Don

Uncle Bud w/ his sweet niece

Aunt Lorraine showing off her great niece;)

Ella in her Lily dress...thank you Aunt Kim!

She's showing them off again! She's super babysitter too...watched my kids one night along with the triplets! WOW.

Awwww cousins

Playing with Reece (the bride's new dog)

Ella and her new bff Keira

Ella adores her Grandpa

Aunt Kim (I wonder if Madeline gave her baby fever...she does have 4 of her own...)

These two were so cute together

Aunt Jeanne holding her great niece

Sabrina the bride-to-be!

Caught these two gambling.

Uncle Mike, Uncle Timmy, Uncle Kevin and Sabrina's fiance Nick (Tom's new bff)

Don't get any ideas Sabrina;)

Uncle Glenn, Uncle Mike and Uncle Joe handing out tons of freebies for the guests

Exhausted Ella still hanging on at almost midnight (probably because her dinner was ice cream and slushies and cotton candy)

Love her.