Nana Banana

Today at Grandma & Pop Pop's house Nana (or as AJ calles her Nana Banana) came over to have dinner with us. I was happy to get a few shots of her enjoying her great grandkids. She may not be the best at remembering things these days but she sure does light up when she sees them!

4 Man Band!

Today, AJ, Dylan, Grandma & Pop Pop had a xylophone jam session out by the pool! ROCK ON!

Swimming With Mimi

The weather was SO beautiful today and Mimi was SO thrilled to get some time in relaxing with the grandkids at Michele's pool! Here are a few shots of her with the girls...

Pajama Day!

Today at camp was pajama day - AJ was super excited to wear her pink (she has 4 in all different colors) disney princess night gown and cook up some pancakes with her friends!

8 Month's

Happy 8 months to our big happy boy. Let's see this month Dylan started babbling, he cut his first tooth, learned to drink from his sippy cup and he learned to clap and yell yay (or his own version of yay). He loves playing pete and repete, he loves peek a boo and does it himself with his blankie, he has had his first solid poop and he has become quiet the little eater - there is really no real food he turns away. Today for lunch he had turkey & cheese on whole wheat with mayo and last night for dinner some mac & cheese, creamed spinach and some lemon chicken! I cut everything into small pieces and he loves it all. This week we cut him back to 3 8oz bottles a day since we think he is getting plenty of real food and I can't wait to be done with bottles! I will probably start him on some whole milk in his sippy cup in about 2 months and then gradually ween him from there. He loves chasing after AJ in the walker, he loves swimming, he loves reading with mommy & daddy, he loves music and shaking bells or shakers and he loves banging things on his tray or on tables. He is a big healthy growing boy with the bluest most beautiful eyes, he really is a good baby and we are so blessed to have 2 wonderful kids - while on vacation we got lots of compliments on the beach on what good kids we have and we couldn't agree more (most of the time) - we are proud parents for sure! Happy 8 month's D!

Ortley Beach!

This past week, Alex, AJ, Dylan and I went with my mother, my brothers, my sister in law and my niece down the shore. We had a really amazing time and all in all had pretty great weather. It rained 1 or 2 days but it cleared up just in time to ensure me too much sun, which for me means a perfect vacation! We took the kids to the boardwalk a few times, AJ did the rides (D got on a few too) and we played games, they both ate ice cream and we just really enjoyed the time with family. One day we went out for breakfast to Sunny Hunny and another day out to dinner at Klees! The rest of the time complements Maria & I, we ate in and everything was super yummy! I managed to get my daily runs in and really, really enjoyed them in the fresh, salty hot air! I even ran once with my brother and schooled him, which to me is a pretty big deal since I don't think I have ever beaten him at anything in my life - it also means I am in pretty decent shape and that my hard work is paying off! Alex & I just really loved relaxing with family and watching AJ and Dylan enjoy their Mimi, Aunt & Uncles and their cousin Julia (who by the way became a pretty big dare devil, fearless walker by the end of the week)!

1st Day of Camp

AJ has been looking forward to her fist day of summer camp for a few weeks now. She was so happy to run right in this morning - she played in the pools and sprinklers, she colored me a picture, she made a necklace that says her name in beads, she ate lunch with all her new friends and she can't wait to go back tomorrow! YAY AJ!

Happy 4th of July!

This weekends festivities were a little bitter sweet for us. We got to spend lots of time with family but we lost a very dear family member - Grandpa Matrale - I know you are happy to finally go meet the love of your life and that you greatly missed her. The rest of us here will all miss you tons and we will always smile talking about you and all your great stories!

Saturday we hung out with the Matrale clan swimming, bbq-ing and remembering Grandpa. AJ & Dylan loved playing with their cousins - It was hard to get AJ out of the pool that she was in ALL DAY LONG. Dylan had his first cupcake and of course he loved it!!

Sunday we went to my moms to BBQ with my family. Again, a little bitter sweet because Uncle Don was in the hospital. We again ate some yummy food (Alex was the awesome grill master) and AJ and Dylan were thrilled to have their cousin Julia to play with all day! I want to end with a great big THANK YOU to all the men and women in this great country that give up so much so we can all have so much!

Wellness Visits

Monday, AJ had her 3 year old appointment - she was such a big girl and got her blood pressure taken for the first time, which was adorable. She had some blood drawn with ZERO TEARS (couldn't be prouder of my brave girl), she had a vision screening which came back A OK, she had her throat and ears checked and while looking in her ears she told him they were ok because she wears diamonds in them (adorable), she weighs 29 pounds and is 37 inches tall and was diagnosed a very healthy little girl! We couldn't be happier!

Today Dylan had his 7 month appointment and here is how he measures up. He is 23lbs - 90%, 28 1/2 inches (he grew 2 1/2 inches in 6 weeks!!) which is also the 90% and his head is 17 3/4 inches which is the 70%! WOAH! He got 2 shots (Polio & HIB) and he was a trooper and even smiled at the nurse after she did it! Dr. said he thinks he is going to get all his teeth in at once and he is doing some major teething. He asked what he eats now and I told him everything which the Dr. though was great! He had his vision screening that came back good and we will see Dr. Semel again in 8 weeks! Can't wait to see what the next month brings!

We have 2 very healthy and happy children and for this we couldn't be any more thankful - we are truly blessed!