Pierced Ears!!!

Today "Old Man Semell" (AJ's Doc) pierced her ears. After one missed shot that went half way through and a backing that had to be shoved on by the nurse it was finally over! Alex, who was there for support didn't take it all too well - when Semell missed I though he was going to punch the old guy out! AJ did great though - she only cried for about 10 seconds before daddy pushed his way through the doc and nurse to grab her from me! I don't know who was happier at that point, AJ to be held by her daddy or daddy to finally have his baby safe in his arms! Anyways, the day is done - she looks adorable and doesn't seem to be bothered too much by them at all (with a little help from our friend Tylenol that is).

PS - We still LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dr. Semell - just hope he retires from piercing ears soon!

Munchkin on the Move!

AJ's newest skill is pretty cute so I thought we should share it! She has finally figured out how to move when she is on her belly, she moves in circles or backwards but hey - she is moving and we couldn't be any prouder!!!!

Stroller Strides!

My friend Colleen and I took our free trial class today at the mall - IT WAS GREAT! I was assuming it would be this easy walk around the mall and stretch out on a mat kind of thing - boy was I wrong! It was a pretty intense workout - we did sprints, lunges, squats, worked with these resistant bands to work out arm muscles, we did crunches, push -ups, etc...I am worn out! Colleen and I both signed up for 3 months of classes! AJ loved it and was really well behaved but it was comforting to see that even if she is having a off day, we will still be welcome and accepted with open arms! The moms even organize play groups and moms night out - I can't wait to try one of those!

Snowy Day!

It can't get much better then this - we just got home from snow in Vermont and now it's finally really snowing in NJ! I guess we had to go up north and bring the snow back down with us. I got to bring AJ out in her sled and Alex and I shoveled the sidewalk, walkway and driveway. Now it's time to snuggle up and watch a movie and smell the chicken noodle soup cooking - YUMMY!

Chicken Noodle Soup-
1 pack skinless chicken thighs
4 cans of chicken stock
1 bag of carrots cut into pieces
1 bag of celery cut into pieces
1 onion chopped
Palm full chopped fresh parsley
Palm full chopped fresh scallion
Dash of salt
Dash of fresh ground pepper
1/4 to 1/2 pound Pasta noodles (whatever you fancy)
Pecorino Romano grated cheese

Place chicken in pot and cover with chicken stock. Cook on high heat to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook till chicken is cooked through, tender and falling off the bone (about a half hour). Remove it from the stock, remove and discard bones and dice up into pieces. Add chicken pieces, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, scallions, salt & pepper to the stock you cooked the chicken in and cook till vegetables are tender. Add pasta about 20 minutes before serving so it doesn't absorb too much of the liquid. Serve in a bowl with grated Pecorino Romano cheese on top.

VT

Just as we knew we would - we had a great time in Vermont - Smuggs once again was awesome! We got to eat yummy food, ski, swim, eat, sled, tube, eat, play Guitar Hero & Singstar and eat some more! Even though I only got a total of 2 runs in the entire time - just having AJ there made it so much fun. She loved being pushed around in her sled and looked so cute in all her snow gear. Thanks to her Warmsie (www.snugabugbaby.com) she stayed warm and comfortable the entire time, I was even able to take her out to the car today in just that and her snow hat! She had a great time at the pool and most of all enjoyed all her time with her cousins, Taylor, Stephen, Donnie & Christopher!

AJ's thoughts on leaving for Vermont today...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day packed full of LOVE, HUGS & KISSES!!!  AJ's V-Day actually started yesterday with a special delivery from Florida!!!  Uncle Peter sent her the cutest, softest stuffed doggy - she LOVES it -  Mommy & Daddy LOVE the chocolates it came with!  Daddy gave her a stuffed teddy that she loves and a balloon - balloons are her FAVORITE thing right now - she fixates on them wherever she sees them and was very happy to see daddy walk in with one just for her - she even fell asleep in the car holding the string - I think he gets the prize of being AJ's official Valentine!  We went out for an awesome dinner (can you say TWIN LOBSTER TAILS - DELISH!!!) and got home just in time to read her some of the finger puppet books Grammy gave her today - she is obsessed with the butterfly one!!!  A great day/night was had by all in the Matrale household and needless to say AJ really enjoyed her very first Valentine's Day!!! Tomorrow night we leave for Vermont - can't wait to show this baby some SNOW!!!!!!

Snow-Slush-Rain...

It FINALLY decides to snow in NJ but by the time AJ and I wake up it's just a slushy mess and Alex is outside putting down some cautionary salt before leaving for work :( - UGH!!!  I love snow so much, I love the days where it snows and snows and you open your door in the morning (before the plows and salt trucks get there) to a still and quiet winter wonderland!  I love getting my gear on with Alex and helping shovel and then I love going back inside to cook something like stew or chili or meat gravy for dinner - you know one of those meals you cook/smell all day long....oh well.  To make things worse I just heard Mike Woods give his Sky Guardian Weather Cast - rain, rain and more rain - all day long - YUCK!  

Almost 8 Months!

AJ is officially 8 months old on Thursday - Valentine's Day!  We can't believe how quickly time has flown by!  AJ is growing incredible amounts right before our eyes, we are afraid to even blink because we don't want to miss a thing!  Let's see, she waves hi and bye bye - although towards her own face.  She eats all kinds of table food and has yet to turn anything down - in fact every time she sees ANYONE eating she thinks she should have something too!  She has finally mastered the Sippy Cup - she uses it to drink her water instead of just as a teething toy!  She's trying to crawl - to no avail and trying to cruise - but falls A LOT.  One thing I can say is she sits up perfectly -  the girl has great posture!  She is babbling up a storm (mama is her favorite babble and she hasn't said dada yet which makes daddy sad), she knows the dogs and looks for them when you ask her where her doggies Marley and Nesta are and looks for daddy or mommy when you ask where we are.  Her eyes are still blue as can be and she weighs just about 15 pounds!  I could go on and on!