Spring has Sprung!!!

Well, it's definitely feeling like spring around here these days...we've officially spruced up and cleaned out the garage, deck area, and hot tub in preparation for some fun outdoor activities. Today was the first day the girls got to jump into our much cooled down hot tub (more like a warm pool) and enjoyed splashing around in the warm water. Just a few days ago, they also made their first run through the sprinklers outside and can't wait for the last day of school so that Summer can officially begin!

This month also marked the 1st ever time I took the girls camping for Girl Scouts. We went to a very scenic and wonderful camp out in Canadensis, Pennsylvania. Although we haven't been camping with the GS before, according to other, seasoned pros, this was the Ritz Carlton of camping. The girls loved all the planned activities and really seemed to take to the outdoors. In just one day, they participated in rock wall climbing, boating, hiking, archery, gymnastics and a really fun low ropes course. I'm sure we'll be back again next year!

On another note, Adam is doing great! His horrific eczema breakout of the past few months has finally cleared up. Of course, I'm now on strict dairy restriction until he weans. That means no milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, creamer (for my beloved coffee), or yogurt. I've also been told to steer clear of other highly allergic foods in my diet as well. So, if it wasn't bad enough not to be able to drink coffee, eat cereal or have pizza, I'm also not allowed to have eggs, nuts, seafood or soy products. Apparently, the pediatrician informed me that there is a 40% chance of an allergic response to soy in kids with milk protein allergies. On the bright side, Adam is looking gorgeous, and he's actually sleeping better now that he's not beating his belly and scratching himself silly at night.

Well, soon the madness of end of school year activities will be upon us and I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again...but rest assured, I'll try to get some pictures of the girls at their recital up on the website as soon as I can. Hope all you mothers out there had a great Mother's Day. Here's wishing you all a great Spring. Enjoy these recent pictures of our family...

Edited to add: recital pictures

So many things...so little time!

Well, I can't believe that 2 months have passed, but time is getting by me way too quickly these days. Adam is thriving, although we've discovered that he's inherited my childhood eczema...poor little guy. He's had a pretty bad exacerbation and is living on Aquaphor and hydrocortizone these days. We tried starting him on cereal this week, but alas, he reacted poorly, getting even worse with his eczema, so we're laying low for now. This week also marked his 4 month check up. He has GROWN...almost 18 pounds and starting to roll over and do "crunches" when laying on his back. Another cool trick? Well, he's starting grabbing at toys and can even hold onto his bottle if given the chance.
Leena has also had some changes this past week. Aside from thoroughly enjoying their Spring Break with their grandparents who are visiting from NC...Leena took the plunge and donated over 10" of her hair to Locks of Love. It wasn't exactly her idea to begin with, but the idea did grow on her and she voluntarily asked to be taken to the salon! She has the cutest, curly bob right now and it's still longer than Yasmeen's hair even with all the curls. She is also going to be participating in her school's upcoming talent show--performing a dance with her friends to the song "I don't think about it" by Emily Osment of the Hanna Montana show. They even choreographed it themselves...so cute.
Yasmeen is taking cooking lessons from her grandmother. Very much into all things cooking and playing, so she's had several playdates and has been keeping her Shoo-Shoo busy asking to cook this or that. Hmmmm...do I see a chef in the future? Too bad she won't eat much of what she makes...unless it contains an inordinate amount of sugar! She is also looking forward to her upcoming class trip to the Raritan Community College Planetarium. She's interested in this stuff to the point where she even signed up for a "Mars" program this summer through the enrichment camp our township holds.

Both girls will also be performing in the end of year dance recital through their dance school. They take intermediate jazz (which at this school is really a combo of jazz/hip hop) and will be dancing to Madonna's "Holiday". Funny thing is, though, they had no idea who she was!

As for Mohammed and I...we're both busy with life these days. Mohammed is trying to keep up with his fire house duties, while managing to recuperate from his first illness in a looooonnng time. Looks like the girls' bugs finally broke him down. He's better now, but it was taking it's toll there for a while. He even tackled replacing the 2 ceiling fans in our family room with the help of his dad yesterday--and a great job they did!

I've just been going from one deadline to another these past few months...taxes, classes, crops, and most importantly--getting ready to study for my Physician Assistant recertification exam coming up later this year. It's a hectic pace, but that's what keeps us young, right?!! I also got hit with the bug, but am finally better now, too.

Well, off to drop the girls and their grandma off at the movies to see "Monsters and Aliens-3D". This is just off the heels of a trip to the Central Park Zoo in NYC and MagiQuest in East Hanover earlier this week. Guess they can't say they didn't have fun over this break!

Until next time,
Janet and the gang!

My poor, little baby...

Adam turned 2 months yesterday and just today had to go in for his well baby check up at the pediatrician's. Well, that also meant that he was up for immunizations and although he nursed through the first shot, the second one got him going...he screamed and turned bright red and didn't much care for the doctor at that point. Good for Adam that he was able to "get him" when the doctor attempted to check his hip joints with the diaper off!

He is doing well...the reflux/colic seems to be subsiding just a bit and we've got the go-ahead for a little "tummy time". He's a healthy 13#5oz already and smiling and cooing on a regular basis (although not much after the shots today). He goes back in at 4 months for another check up and even more shots, but at least, if he's looking interested, we may get the ok to start solids. Until then, it's more mama's milk for him.

Here he is today (before his shots!) and yesterday at his homemade 2 month photo shoot.

Until next time,

Janet

New pictures...

Well, all this talk about my picture a day project made me start thinking that I should share some of the pictures I've taken this month. Of course, I have quite a few of Adam, so you can see how much he's grown. Just this week alone, he met Roberta's son, Zachary, for the first time, had a impromtu photo session in a new outfit and even had one of his cute smiles captured by Yasmeen on our camera finally. Hope you enjoy...

Project 365...

So did anyone get inspired to start their Project 365? I've miraculously been keeping on top of it and have just printed this week's batch of pictures. Needless to say, they are very Adam-centric, but can you blame me...he is the newest thing happening around here these days :-) It's not too late to get on the bandwagon. Even if you just take pictures and don't scrapbook (GASP!), it'll be such a treasure to look back on years from now.

As for the ease of making pages, well...the divided page protectors can be found at A.C. Moore and the downloads for the inserts are available for FREE at http://beckyhiggins.com/blog/ under FREE 365 Download on the right hand column. Here is a sample picture of what a layout will look like when it's done...so easy and fun to do! I'll post an example of mine soon...

Growing like a weed...

Hey Everyone,

Well, I just got back from Adam's 1 month appointment and he is doing great. He's currently 11 pounds 1 ounce, and gaining steady ground on the competition. He's doing all the things a healthy 1 month old should be doing and we are racing to keep up with him. Sleep still alludes us, but we must be getting used to it because we are only cranky for part of the day-LOL!

The girls are back in school and none too thrilled about it. Yasmeen's teacher leaves on the 13th for maternity leave and she's sad to see her go. Leena can't wait for the year to be over. She tells me almost every day she doesn't want to "leave" me and Adam to go off to school each day. So sweet, but considering all the schooling years she has ahead of her, I hope she changes her mind soon.

As for me, time seem to moving ahead at warp speed and staying still at the same time. In addition to f/t mommyhood, I have several upcoming projects that are looming in the near future. The first and most important is to take my recertification exam for my Physician Assistant certification sometime this year. I can't wing it, so that means taking time to prepare for the test AND get in my CME hours all at the same time. On another front, I've also been asked to consult for a local craft store that will be converting into a scrapbooking store over the next couple of months. Preparing for the grand re-opening will take yet another chunk of my time, but it's something I'm excited about. And if all that activity isn't enough, I've decided to take part in a fun exercise as part of my goals for 2009. It's called Project 365 and involves taking a picture a day for a year and arranging them into a time capsule of sorts in a scrapbook that will document the everyday moments in a year that may go unnoticed. Check out http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/ for more info in this month's issue. I've even gotten my sister to join me in my journey. I'm sure in 10 years I'll look back at the year 2009 and be grateful that I documented all those little things that would otherwise surely be forgotten.

Well, I've gotten my scrapbooking mojo back and have been putting pictures into a few layouts that I had put together before Adam was born. Here you'll see his first pictures in the layout entitled "Welcome Adam". I've also started fooling around with Adobe Photoshop Elements and just love making photo collages (makes any precious scrapping time I might have much more productive).

Well, he's to another busy month...hope everyone has a productive and healthy 2009!

Janet

Happy New Year!!

Well, we've started a new year and it's looking like it's going to be a great one. First and foremost, we have our baby boy home safely and that is something we have been looking forward to a long time. Today also happens to be his 1 month birthday--HOORAY for Adam! He is growing so quickly and has apparently surpassed the 10+ pound mark already and he isn't due for another weight check for a few more days. Check out his photo shoot from just today below!!

This year, we went over to Aileen's house on NYE as usual, but between the baby and the girls fighting off colds, we couldn't make it to midnight for the traditional run outside and noisemaking fest we usually take part in. Nevertheless, when we got home, we did manage to stay awake until midnight to see the ball drop and even took our first family of five "portrait" (even if it was in our pj's).

Mohammed and the girls have been home for almost 2 weeks now since it's Winter Break for the girls. I begged Mohammed to postpone his time off with us and the baby until the girls were home so that he could lend a helping hand when I needed it most. It's been such a big help and I am grateful he had some time to take off and spend with us. We didn't do any of our usual Winter Break outings this year, but we did manage to get out together every once in a while and go shopping or out to eat. Titi Aileen even spent a little one-on-one time with Adam and let the rest of us go out to a movie on Christmas Day (note: go see Bedtime Stories-it's fabulous!). Otherwise, life with a newborn these days definitely moves at a much slower pace, but that is OK with me!

So as we wrap up 2008 and head into 2009, I wish everyone a very healthy and happy New Year and hope that you are all blessed with good friends, family and love all around.

Hugs,
Janet