1st Day of Preschool

AJ had her first day of preschool today and she did great! I knew she would love it but I couldn't help dread the first drop off - I just wanted it to go smooth and I didn't want her to cry. Well it went better then I could have ever dreamed - a little too well if you ask me - not one tear shed - she could care less to leave her beloved mother! HA! We were waiting at the door with some other kids and when the teacher came out - I was holding AJ's hand and as I bent down to kiss her bye, she was yanking my hand away and was ready to run in with the other kids - she never even looked back! The teacher said she was happy the whole time - not once did she ask for me or act sad like she missed me (weep, weep, sniff, sniff!). At school she made me a picture for 2010 and had circle time where they talk about the day and month and weather and stuff like that - well when she got home she told me it was "Jan-rary in the New Year"! She met me with a smile when class was over and told me she wants to go back! As sad as it is to for me to see her grow up, it makes me happy she is such a secure and well adjusted child who happily runs off to school to play with the other kids and have fun learning!

Happy 2010!

This year we rung in the new year home! AJ went to the doc early in the day to find out she had pink eye and the weather was pretty yuck, so we were happy to stay in! Alex and I hung around in our sweats, watched some tv, ate some fattening snacks and drank some champagne! Being with the man I love and a smooch at the stroke of 12:00 AM was all I wanted or needed to make my night special! Then a quick kiss for AJ & Dylan and it was off to sleep!

New Years Day we spent at my moms. The whole family was there and some of my cousins got to meet baby Dylan for the first time. I made pasta fagioli soup (it was a hit) and there was lots of other goodies - sloppy joe sandwiches (the nj cold cut and cole slaw kind, not the ground meat with special sauce kind), penne vodka and all kinds of awesome dips and chips and lots! Our Mountaineers lost both in the Gator Bowl and in Basketball, but it didn't kill our spirits. All 4 Matrale's still looked good, dressed for the part!

On Sunday I was under the weather but Alex, AJ & Dylan had a awesome day with the Carras cousins. AJ had a blast running around like crazy with her cousins - Matthew, Nicholas & Christopher. Great Grandpa Matrale told a bunch of his usual stories, Pop Pop did his normal running around picking up the food and other stuff (including soup for me and wipes since I forgot to pack them and Dylan had TWO poops!), and Grandma, Aunt Marie and Tracy were all happy to fawn all over baby Dylan!

What a great way to start off 2010 - with all the family that we love and hold so near and dear!

Christmas Morning & Grandma & Pop Pop's House!

Christmas morning we opened all our gifts from Santa - it was SO much fun seeing AJ rip open all her gifts. Besides our new addition Dylan, Alex gave me the best gift of all - he made my blog into a book! It's awesome - I can't wait to give them to the kids one day - they will have all mom's recipes and all the highlights of growing up Matrale!

In the afternoon we made our way to Grandma & Pop Pop's house! Uncle Peter and Great Grandpa were there and Liz & Banana joined us a little later on. AJ loved opening more gifts and the rest of us enjoyed all the delicious food and wine. Dylan was a good boy and slept the day away!

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve was spent at my moms house and as usual everyone had a really great time! Here are a few pics from the evening! The kids all got tons and tons of gifts and AJ LOVES her new bike from Mimi!

Then we went home to put the key out for Santa and get his cookies and milk ready. Then it was off to sleep for everyone so he could come deliver the presents!

This is what we woke to on Christmas morning!

Dylan 1 Month Old!

It is really hard to believe a month has gone by already! Our little boy is such a pleasure and brings us so much joy! He has just started giving us the biggest smiles and he makes some cute little coos & grunts & gurgles! He eats like a champ and is really starting to pack on the pounds - he has even outgrown his newborn diapers, his newborn white undershirt onesies and a few all in one outfits! AJ adores him and is always willing to pitch in to help feed, burp or change him - she tells us always that he is her "best friend" - SO cute! He loves his bouncy seat and seems to enjoy tummy time on his mat (AJ HATED IT)! He is even giving us some pretty good sleep at night - usually about one 4 hr stretch and then a 3 hr stretch - he wakes us then he eats fairly fast, has a quick diaper change and then we lay him back in his bassinet and then he falls off to sleep again by himself! We really seem to have a really good boy on our hands!

SNOW!

Here are some shots from the first storm of the season! We got quiet a bit - about 10 inches! Uncle Mark even stopped by and got to enjoy some playtime in the snow with AJ & Marley! Dylan slept the day away warmly inside!

Santa!

We took AJ and Dylan to see Santa at the Livingston Mall today. Even though AJ said she wanted to go, I thought she would be scared of him and would change her mind at the last minute and wouldn't sit on his lap - boy was I wrong! She was so eager to run over to him and get up on his lap - he even gave her her first candy cane that she loved as well! Dylan slept happily the whole time! It is so fun to see AJ really getting things these days and seeing how much fun she is having during the Christmas season!