Project Playroom

For Christmas Mommy and Daddy wanted to turn the basement into a playroom for the kids. We can't really "finish" the basement because we don't have an exit down there... but the space is needed for all their toys! It was a pretty big project that began with a lot of clean up, Grandpa putting up a wall to divide the basement, and Daddy doing a lot of work to get everything ready for toys and kids! Here are a few before pictures.

And some from the "finished" product that will always be a work in progress, but it is perfect for them now. Daddy painted the wall with chalkboard paint, they put down foam flooring (still need more) and gated off everything along the walls that was not for kids.

Kiddie Kandids

The weekend after Thanksgiving, while in Massachusetts Mommy and Grandma took Jake and Taryn for some pictures at Kiddie Kandids in Babies-R-Us. After Taryn's giant meltdown and now fear of getting her picture taken Mommy was a little skeptical as to how well these photos would go over and she was right to have felt that way. Taryn did not like the idea at all and cried almost the whole time.... which made Jake upset and not want his picture taken. Oh well they got a few decent ones :)

(Taryn 2 years 10 months- Jake 14 1/2 months)

New Baby's Anatomy Scan!

Yesterday Mommy and Daddy went to the hospital for the new baby's anatomy scan. The doctors all said EVERYTHING looks great so there may be no more pictures of this babe until he or she joins us in May! Not like Jake who got special growth scans all the time :) The doctor actually said teh brain looks very symmetrical, and the heart was very "pretty. Mommy wanted to laugh at her descriptions but was just very happy to hear everything was going so well. They still did not find out if it is a boy or a girl, but Mommy thinks boy (this week at least!)

These pictures are from week 19 day1 so almost half way there.

Hannah's Ice Cream Party!

On Sunday Mommy took Taryn and Jake to their friend Hannah's 4th birthday party at Little Scoops in Closter, NJ. It was a lot of fun for them... there was dancing, games, pizza and most importantly ICE CREAM with your choice of toppings :) Taryn took a little bit to warm up to the dancing and games... but Jake joined right in.

Taryn of course chose a seat as far from Mommy as possible so that she could sit with Emma and Landon.

Jake enjoying his ice cream toppings.

Happy birthday Hannah!

Gifts for Teachers

On Saturday the family did a lot of shopping and running errands after going to "Jake's Gym" for Christmas. One of the things they shopped for were gift bags for Taryn to decorate for all 13 of her teachers' holiday gifts. Taryn had a great time painting the bags.

Since Taryn was painting... Jake HAD to to! He always wants to do everything she is... only problem is he didn't quite understand the concept of painting only the paper and was not excited about Mommy and Daddy telling him he could not paint all over everything in the house. Here is a glimpse into the scene that occurred with Jake's first time painting.

But once he calmed down he seemed to get it.

This morning Taryn put the finishing touches on her gifts by adding foam stickers to each bag, putting the gifts in, and "scrunching" up the tissue paper all by herself.

She was very proud of her finished project and I think her teachers will love them.

First Snow :)

On Tuesday we had the first snow of the season fall. It wasn't much, but enough for Taryn and Daddy to get to do a quick shoveling before work and school!

Baby Kicks

Just wanted to update that both Mommy and Daddy can now feel the baby kicking! And in a few weeks Mommy will have to switch to some maternity clothes. :(

Jake's 15 Month Check Up

Jake had his 15 month visit to the doctor yesterday. He is doing really well. He weighed 24lbs 3 oz (45th percentile) and was 30 1/2 inches tall (30th percentile). He only had to get 1 shot yesterday (MMR) and he cried for a few seconds afterward, but was very brave. He has 10 teeth now (as you can see in the picture) and still likes to use them on any kind of food he can get his hands on. We still haven't really found a food he doesn't like.

He is all personality. He cracks himself up all the time, loves it when people laugh at him, loves to play with and annoy his sister, love to dance and sing especially to Katy Perry still and has shown a big interest in balls and dinosaurs. He is talking up a storm... although we can understand maybe a few things here and there, most of it is just constant babbling. A few of the words we do understand are cracker, cookie, puper (cooper), mumma, dada, and cheese. ***Thanks for reminding us Auntie Jen... he also says book book for book, which of course we all say now. It is funny to hear Taryn say I want to read a book book.*** He is also a big pointer!

Here is a video of what he does if someone takes out a camera.

Kids' Gift Exchange

Today the kids had a gift exchange at our house.
They were all very excited about seeing their friends (as you can see by the way they are climbing all over Emily at the window greeting more friends) and about PRESENTS!

The exchange!

Taryn got a Princess Aurora birthday party set and Jake got dinosaurs! Taryn LOVES her gift as you can see. Jake was just excited to have all the people over. The kids had lots of fun playing with their gifts and doing some sticker crafts after the exchange.

Everyone had a great time, but we did miss our friends Meghan, Katie, Eric and Sara who were plagued bu illness in their households in one way or another.

Cookie Swap

Tonight Mommy had some friends from Blue Sky over for a cookie swap. Parke did a great job organizing the night... although many many girls had to cancel last minute due to sickness, flat tires and childcare issues. But it was still lots of fun. Even Baby Maddie enjoyed herself.

Santa on the Fire Truck

This year the firefighters were a little late coming to our street with Santa, so it was a bit dark . The flashing lights from the truck confused the "auto flash" so the pictures didn't really come out but we can tell you about it.

Jake was a little frightened by everything... for good reason. Mommy and Daddy heard the fire truck coming and grabbed him out of his nice warm crib while taking a nice nap and immediately brought him outside into the cold to a firetruck coming down the road with Santa on it. then Santa wants to talk to him and take a family picture... the poor kid was still half asleep I would be petrified too!

Once the fire truck was gone we were left talking to baby Christopher and Jen from next door and eating the candy canes Santa and the firemen gave them. That made Jake feel a little better!