Halloween

We had a fantastic Halloween this year.

Mia enjoyed painting her pumpkin while Dad carved his.

And, Grandpa happen to be in town for some business meetings so he was able to the holiday with us. Mia was a mouse, which prompted Grampa's cheese head, and CJ was a leopard*. The day was quite warm (70 degrees) so trick or treating was a lot of fun, though no pictures were taken.

*All costumes courtesy of Grandma and her wonderful sewing machine.

Trying So Hard

CJ wants to crawl so badly. He will spend all of his time on his tummy working hard. We're just waiting for all the pieces to fall into place.

Mini Dartmouth Reunion

We had a fantastic weekend with friends at Dan and Brian's family farm. There were 5 families with at least one person from each family having been on the Dartmouth Ultimate Frisbee team. This time, we had 5 kids in attendance with another on the way in the spring!

Pumpkin Picking

Since the kids had Columbus Day off, we headed to the farm with Mia's friend Noah and his mom to pick some pumpkins. It was a cold day and even colder by the time we got out of the car at the base of the Shenandoah Mountains an hour west. Thankfully, Mia's coat had a hood, but Noah refused all of his mom's attempts at getting him warmed up.







The farm has lots of animals including goats you can feed. Mia was not into feeding the goats, but she was happy to watch Noah do it.

CJ did come with us, but was firmly encased in the Ergo to keep warm so there are no pictures. Sorry.

Full Set of Proofs

If you're interested in seeing our full set of proofs from Rashmi, here's where to go:

Pictures are located at http://www.rashmipappu.com/photocart.

When you go to the website click the Access Gallery link and enter in the access code below:

Access code: maraw

After you do that you will be able to view these pictures.

4 Months

How time flies when you're having fun. CJ is now 4 months old and is growing like a weed. He's already in 6-9 mo clothes. We're very thankful for Mia's friends Noah and Greydon (and their parents) for keeping CJ fashionable this fall and Mom and Dad out of bankruptcy from buying clothes that he outgrows a week later.

Here are his 4 month stats:
Height - 24.5 inches
Weight - 15 lbs
Head Circumference - 16 1/4 inches

At today's pediatrician appointment, CJ sat up and rolled over for the doctor. She was quite impressed. Everything looked good after a few not so nice shots, we were out the door.

Since this week has lots of cold, rainy weather, I thought I'd show you CJ's pimped out ride for his 4 month photo shoot.
It keeps him snugly and warm and his toys close at hand.

Fall Yard Work

This beautiful Sunday, Daddy decided it was time to trim the fig tree. It had gotten so big that we couldn't even walk between it and the fence. Mia used this time to show us her tricycle skills that she has refined at preschool.

Then, we had to decide what to do with the branches. Instead of just moving them to a pile to be taken away for mulch, Daddy decided to build Mia a pseudo-Sukkot. Mia attends preschool at the local synagogue and has been learning about all the recent Jewish holidays including Sukkot. She particularly enjoys snack in the Sukkot at the synagogue and several times has asked for a Sukkot at home. Since we are not Jewish, we weren't really up for building our own (though we'll be in trouble when she finds out that her friend Adleigh gets one and she doesn't), but we did a make-shift version using the fig branches and her play tower. Mia declared it not to be a real Sukkot, but she was happy to spend some time in it all the same, especially if Baby Brother joined her.

An Average Saturday

We've fallen into a pretty regular routine now that Mommy is back to work, CJ's in day care, and Mia's in preschool.

CJ's doing well in day care, but still not eating much. It must be just too exciting with all the other kids around. So, instead of eating all day, he eats from the minute he gets home until early the next morning.

He's also practicing his sitting skills. We've had some good progress in the last week, but it is still pretty short lived.

"Look Daddy! I'm doing it. I'm upright!"

"Oh no, not again.....
At least this time I'm on a comfy bed."

CJ loves tummy time. (Yes, bizarre, we know.) Using the boppy really lets him get some height and see the world.

Until his sister comes to "show her love." Mia's getting better about understanding the phrase "Don't squish your brother," but there is still a ways to go. They do just adore each other.


And, being the two year old that she is, a morning would not be complete without a good spin.
You may notice the potty seat in the background. We've been taking potty training at a pretty slow pace. Mia's currently at the stage that she's wearing big girl panties when we're at home and pull-ups at school or when we go out (unless we're feeling particularly daring). Her teacher recommended going to school in panties as soon as we have an accident-free weekend. We're not there yet, but today was our best day yet. Only two accidents and five stickers on the sticker chart! Mia has asked for Zoe and Abby dolls (from Sesame Street) when she has a whole week of no accidents. Wish us luck!

Picture Taking and Posting

We are definitely getting worse and worse at taking and posting pictures. We've been to the local art fair, had our annual block party (huge success with the moon bounce), and Mia's started swimming classes, but we've not taking pictures let alone posted any.

So, we'll rely on the professional again to give you another photo. Rashmi posted a quick picture of CJ to her website. Enjoy!

Rolling Over and Other Happenings

CJ has rolled from his tummy to his back a few times since he was about 8 wks old, but since he didn't do it consistently, we basically considered them flukes. Then last night, at exactly 14 wks old, he rolled from his back to his belly over 4 times. We tried to capture it on video, but the timing was always off. (For reference, Mia rolled from tummy to back early, but not back to tummy. CJ is pretty strong. Here is a link to what Baby Center says about rolling over.)

CJ is also pretty good at scooting and spinning. It isn't real locomotion yet, but he definitely isn't in the same place you put him down in after a few minutes.

In other general news, we had our first non-emotional drop off at preschool for Mia this morning. The last two weeks have been a hard transition, but we're clearly making progress. Nina and Taid are back from their vacation in Europe attending Alan's baptism and enjoying some time in France with friends. Jabber has gone back home and we will miss him, but Mom and Dad appreciate the lack of dog walking duties.

Happy Monday!

The Wonders of a Great Photographer

Yesterday, we met up with Rashmi Pappu to take some pictures of the kids and us as a family. We first met up with Rashmi through Mia's friend Sienna's parents when Mia was 4 months old* and again when Mia turned 1. She created our first family Christmas Card with Mia and took most of the shots of Mia around our house.

We met up with Rashmi at Nina and Taid's house to use their wonderful gardens, yet still be at "home" for easy diaper changes and food breaks. In just two hours, Rashmi got a wonderful set of shots that really show the kids and even make Mommy and Daddy look great

So, in just a little over an hour after she left us, she already had some photos up on her blog. Check them out and enjoy!

*If you look at the shots of Mia at 4 months, she may look very small. Well, she is, compared to CJ. She weighed 1 1/3 lbs less at 4 months than he did at 2 1/2 months!

Happy 3 Months

Happy 3 months of life to CJ and 3 months as a wonderful big sister to Mia!

First Day of Preschool and Day Care

Mia started her new preschool today and CJ had his first day of day care.



Both had a fantastic time. Mia's attending Agudas Achim Preschool and is going to be taking gardening, science class, a class in American art, Spanish, and gym in addition to the regular morning preschool program. CJ is taking Mia's spot at the day care Mia started going to at 12 weeks old, too.

CJ 2 month Stats

CJ had his 2 month doctor's appointment today and he's growing like a weed. Now I know why we've had to move into some 6 mo clothes!

Weight - 13lbs 4 oz (64th percentile)
Height - 24 inches (67th percentile)
Head circumference - 15 3/4 inches (31th percentile)

The doctor was very impressed with his neck control, ability to push himself up on his tummy, and that she got a huge smile from him. She said he was doing a lot of things she normally sees at the 4 month appointment.

The shots weren't fun (4 plus an oral vaccine), but all in all, not a bad trip.

CJ Update

Here are just some fun pics of CJ from a recent morning of playing in the Boppy.

River Vacation

We just got back from a fabulous time in T I Park, NY (also known as The River, sine it is on an island in the middle of the St Lawrence River).

Here are a couple of our favorite shots and a link to all of the ones we liked.

Mia, CJ, and Mom looking at the River from the Pavillion

Mia playing in the flowers

Mia driving the boat

Mia, Dad, and CJ

Cousin Eleanor, Grandma, Grandpa, Mia and CJ

Uncle Matt and Cousin Eleanor

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Mommy today!

A Cross Country Play Date

Mia and CJ had a cross country play date with Christopher and Matteo, sons of our friends Mike and Michael, when they made a trip to DC on their east coast tour this month. It was great to see the kids playing together as they had only seen pictures of each other before. Mia and Christopher hit it right off and had a fabulous time together.

Michael had to protect Matteo's head from being squashed by the older kids as they raced around.

CJ and Matteo enjoyed sharing the play mat.


Christopher really enjoyed the fish.

Fun on a Rainy Day

Mia loves rainy days because it is a great excuse to put on her raincoat and boots, two of her favorite articles of clothing.

Here she is getting ready.

And then the puddle jumping begins!!

A Vineyard Visit at 5 Weeks?

Yes, CJ has already been to visit a vineyard.

We met up with Mommy's high school friends Megan and Jaime at Old House Vineyards, where Megan works. Jaime's son Connor and husband Rob (taking the picture) were able to join us, though Connor had a big of fun playing in the water fountain thus the lack of clothes for the picture. Megan is expecting her first child in September.