Noah's first 4th of July

Our friends Jim and Nina invited us down to their house for the 4th of July. We always have a good laugh with them so we accepted their offer straight away.

The first evening we had a BBQ with Jim, Nina and family and were joined by Michael (who joined them on their trip to Gettysburg) and his family. It was a good laugh and Esme had a great time with their children. In fact, this was the first time she came out with a sentence and I think it was a result of playing with older children. She climbed up the stairs all by herself and when she got to the top, she looked at me and said "I made it."

The next evening we went to the home of Jim and Nina's oldest daughter's (Tara) boyfriend. Tara and Ian are wonderful and Ian's family was very welcoming.

I had been teaching myself how to make hair bows and this was Esme's first time wearing one of my creations. I think it looked pretty cute.




Noah wore the "Hybrid" onesie that my friend Diana made for Esme when she was a baby- we thought it was perfect!


We learned a lot about Esme this year. Our generally fearless daughter is not a fan of fireworks! The noise frightens her and she refused to be outside when they were going off. Noah, however, took everything in stride and was very well behaved.

Tara, Ian and Faith (Jim and Nina's younger daughter) were kind enough to look after Esme indoors so that mommy and daddy could enjoy the festivities outside. She had fun playing with the doggies and even had a go on a set of drums.

Our final day, the fourth of July, was spent mostly on Jim and Nina's boat at a place called Tice's Shoals. It is a really cool place where everyone anchors their boats in waist high water and just hangs out. We saw dogs in life jackets, people playing water volleyball and everyone had a great time.

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Even Noah had a quick dip


We wore Esme out...


Noah was tired, too and he demonstrated it by displaying his infamous grumpy face. He is the happiest baby but when you catch him off guard he always has a grumpy face or pouty lip ;)



We decided to drive home in early afternoon in an effort to beat the traffic. Stephen had to work the next day and we thought it best not to be on the road at night. We made it home with plenty of time to relax and play. We were able to watch the famed NYC fireworks from our parking garage roof- it was a fabulous view. Esme wasn't terrified but she did whine most of the time- hopefully she will be better next year!

Pretty girl in her festive dress from Grandma Julie and Papa Brent



Noah was laughing a lot that day- he thought his sister's new pink ball was hilarious!


View of the fireworks from our garage


The view of the city from the top of our parking garage was one of the only nice things about our apartment complex. Our actual apartment was nice (despite the shoddy craftsmanship) but we won't be sad say goodbye. We will miss our friends but will not miss Bayonne...

New Jersey Jackals Game (July 1)

I am a big fan of discount sites. When a deal came up for tickets to a AAA baseball game near where we lived in Jersey, I snapped them up. We payed $7 each for a ticket (Esme and Noah were free!), hotdog and soda- you can't beat that! To top it all off, it was a beautiful day!



Our friend Nick decided to join us and we had a really great time. Esme had fun watching the mascot and screaming out every time she saw a ball.





It was a really hot evening and Noah was a bit sweaty- his long hair didn't help! He looked adorable in a little baseball outfit that his GG Marcia and GG Glen got him- it was almost an exact match to the player's uniforms. Noah really loves Nick...



And Esme really loves Rita's frozen ice....


Esme loves stuffed animals so when she saw the mascot she was really excited!


I really love this picture- he is such a beautiful baby!

Liberty Science Center and Philly (June 26/27)

We bought a Groupon for the LIberty Science Center and used it on the day it expired! We had been meaning to go for a while but never got around to it- the looming expiration date got us motivated!

Esme had a lot of fun looking at all of the exhibits, especially the bubble maker and the floating ball! She also enjoyed the small children section.







One big surprise was a "touch wall" exhibit . Stephen took Esme through it thinking that the walls would light up when touched. It turns out it was a pitch black tunnel where you had to touch the walls to feel your way out! Esme took it like a champ but Stephen was sweating at the end ;) This is a picture of Daddy and Esme emerging from the dark tunnel ;)



There was a section with information on Rivers, etc. and it had a giant fish tank. Needless to say, Noah and I stayed behind and Daddy and Esme went to have a look.



We all had fun exploring. We weren't able to go into the IMAX theater because of the noise, but we were able to go on a motion simulator. It made me very ill but Stephen and Esme thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great day out xx






During the same weekend, we made a trip down to Philadelphia to say goodbye to Dick and Miriam. With our move in a few weeks, we knew we couldn't leave without seeing them again. As usual, they were brilliant hosts and we had a lovely time.

Noah with Uncle Dick
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Noah and Sandy



We took a walk to the local park, which Esme adored. She is a big fan of swings and slides and there was plenty for her to do.

At the park with Aunt Miriam


On the swing


Video of Daddy and Esme on the slide :)


Pretty girl


Everyone but me :)


We were sad to say goodbye but know that we will be back someday for a visit.

Noah's 3 Month and Esme's 18 month

The day before father's day, Noah rolled over two times. I couldn't believe my eyes so I placed him on his tummy again and he repeated the feat! I don't think it is something he will continue to do on a regular basis (he is very young to be rolling over) but it was very exciting!

Noah's three month appointment:

Weight: 13 lb 15 oz
Length: 25 inches
Head: 42 cm

The doctor said Noah is a healthy, happy baby and that he was growing at a normal rate. His weight is in the 50th percentile and his height the 75th. When I mentioned Noah's issue with spitting up, he said as long as he isn't in pain (which he isn't) it is fine as he is gaining weight at an appropriate rate.

I usually go with an extended vaccination schedule, but due to our impending move, the Dr feels that it is best for Noah to be fully vaccinated before international travel. He doesn't like the shots but we have to keep him safe! xx

Noah snuggling with his Cow Cat


At 18 months, Esme is full of life! She is running, jumping, climbing and talking! Her 18 month appointment went very well.

Weight: 25 pounds (no increase)
Height: 32.5 inches

Esme comes out with new words everyday now. This is a video of her saying "Abbie." Her godmother is very proud!


Noah's first time in the jumperoo- he is still a bit small but he likes to sit in it!


At three months, Noah can...

Smile
Laugh
Stand with help
lift his head and shoulders when on his tummy
sit in a bumbo chair
Rolls....sometimes
laugh at his sister

and his is EVER so cute...


He is a very talkative baby!

Boston! (June 10-12)

We really wanted to visit Boston before we moved...so we did. Our friend Nick joined us and, despite the rainy weather, we had a really nice time. Boston has a ton of history and is absolutely gorgeous.

We stayed at the Four Seasons hotel and it was a glorious experience! They treated us like royalty and even gave the children stuffed animals upon arrival. Esme got two! The room was equipped with a giant silver crib and they left books and posh toiletries for the babies- we could get used to this!

We spent the majority of our time walking the Freedom Trail. The city is dotted with cemeteries full of notable people including Paul Revere, John Hancock, Ben Franklin's parents and Sam Adams. I love cemeteries and these were some of the best I have seen.

Paul Revere




Even Esme enjoyed the cemeteries!


We walked the entire trail and Esme and Noah were troopers!


We had lunch in a historic old pub where the men involved in the war would hold secret meetings.


We went into a lot of old churches and even Paul Revere's house. Stephen managed to get up early on both days and rang the bells at both bell towers. This tower, Old North Church, is the famous tower that held the lanterns that told us whether the Brits were arriving by land or sea. "One if by land, two if by sea and I on the opposite shore will be..."



A sweet picture of Daddy and Noah


Boston is a wonderful city and we hope to return someday and spend more time.

Summer fun and Birthday Parties

Summertime in the NY metro area means lots of time in the pool. Esme is a natural water baby and loved the pool at our apartments. The life guard would always comment how she was the happiest person upon arrival.

We spent a lot of time at the pool with Savvy, Krystal, Cass and Jill.




Noah is a sweaty baby and the heat was hard on him. He liked to lounge in the shade!


Savannah made Noah smile- she is going to be a wonderful big sister!


A day of fun in the sun was too much for Cass- the girls wore him out :)



Cassius had his first birthday party on June 6th. Jill did a wonderful job planning it all and we had a really good time. James Humphrey, the man who used to hold a music class for the children, came and entertained the children. Esme LOVES James and couldn't get enough!


Savvy and Ezzy enjoyed playing with the stones in the courtyard


We had our first tast of cake from Carlo's Bakery (TLC show the Cake Boss). We have had their pastries before, but this was a real treat. The birthday cake was very tasty and very cute- decorated as Moose A Moose from Nickelodeon. We also got to meet an NFL player! Cassius's uncle, Barry Cofield, plays for the NY Giants. He is the tall man standing on the left...



June is a busy month for birthdays. The weekend of June 18th was Esme's other friend Joseph's birthday. Joseph's mom, Jennifer, planned the party at a pizza place and the kids got to make mini pizzas! She did a brilliant job planning and the kids had an absolute blast.


The theme was Handy Manny and everything was decked out!

Brent's Visit (End of May)

Brent arrived in Bayonne while we were in Las Vegas visiting Gram. My usual cat sitter is now pregnant (and therefore unable to clean cat boxes) and I was desperate for help! We decided to fly Brent in so that he could cat sit for us, spend time with the babies and also see his old friends Jim and Nina.

We spent the weekend of May 28/29th down at Jim and Nina's house at the Jersey Shore. We had a really great time catching up with them, hanging out by the fire and spending time by the water. Esme is a real water baby and loved every minute of the time we spent at a local park with a little beach.

I didn't realize the park we were going to had water access and, therefore, didn't dress Esme accordingly! She had no fear and ran straight into the water!





Video of Esme in the water


Brent and Esme


It was a pretty hot weekend so Jim and Nina got the sprinkler out for Esme. This was a first for her and she absolutely adored it.


Jim took Brent and Stephen fishing. It was Stephen's first time and he managed to catch a 41 inch, 28 pound striped bass!


That evening, we had an amazing seafood feast! Jim's parents joined us for the evening dinner of lobster (3 each...there were definitely leftovers!), mussels, Stephen's striped bass, Nina's homemade mac and cheese and more! We were all stuffed to the gills (pun intended ;) at the end but thoroughly enjoyed it. Jim helped stephen and I with our lobsters as this was our first time eating one whole- an interesting (and tasty) experience!

We had such a nice weekend and really enjoy any time we can get with Jim and Nina!

While Brent was in town, we took him to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. That is one tourist activity that I am quite happy to do over and over as I really enjoy the boat ride on a nice day. The day we went was beautiful!



Esme enjoyed walking around the immigration museum.


Noah was a good boy, as usual, and was looking extra cute in his baseball cap!


It was nice and hot while Brent was in town so we were able to enjoy the pool!


It was nice having Brent around. He babysat a few times which gave Stephen and I the chance to go out to dinner alone for once. He is really great with the kids and they are lucky to have a Papa like him.