Finally...no more RAIN!

Well, it has been a really wet couple of months, but seems like July has finally brought with it a little sunshine. We still aren't very hot here in NJ...and I guess that's good, but it sure doesn't make me want to take the kids anywhere near water. The few times we've gone to a pool or the sprayground, the girls' teeth have chattered, and I didn't even dare dip Adam in the frigid waters. Of course the weather never stops a child, but it sure does stop their Mama! Perhaps we'll get to Sesame Place sometime this month if the weather heats up...after all, we go there mostly for the WATER!!

So far this month, we've spent a lot of time outside riding bikes, having the girls' friends over for playdates, we've gone to a local "sprayground", a friend's pool, and Adam has experienced his first "self-feeding"--accidentally of course--I turned around for a second to get his bottle and he grabbed his bowl right off his high chair. He has also had his first "altercation" with a friend of the opposite sex...she tried to grab his pacifer and he didn't know what to make of it!! And as for me, I've discovered a new use for Yasmeen's old bean bag chair that I was getting ready to throw out...it seems that Adam sinks perfectly into it and it has become very useful for his naps. It's like his own personal Tempur pedic mattress!

On another note, I've finally bitten the bullet and started studying for my recertification exam later this year. It's amazing what being out of practice (both figuratively and literally) have caused me to forget. Now that I'm re-learning about all those diseases out there, I'm really agitated that so much misery exists in the medical world. No wonder I never "loved" my job...it was so depressing! What I do love, though, is scrapbooking...and to reward my efforts in studying, I've signed up for 2 upcoming crops and can't wait to catch up on some of the great pictures from the summer. Take a look at these until we catch up again!!

Happy July!!!

Looks like since I missed the boat getting this out for the 4th of July, let's just say I'd like to wish everyone a happy July as a whole. We celebrated the 4th here at home by finally lighting a fire outside in our fire pit and roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. We also enjoyed a dip in the hot tub(well at least Titi, the girls, and I did--Mohammed graciously agreed to watch Adam while he slept).
The girls are finally out of school and the weather has finally dried up (at least for now). We recently got back from a visit to NC to visit the grandparents and take a walk down memory lane. Mohammed, the girls, Adam and I went to Duke and UNC-CH and reminisced about how things were and how much has and hasn't changed since we'd gone there. We even bought a license plate letting everyone know we are a "house divided" between the 2 schools. The girls made their comparisons and if you ask me, I think they decided that Duke was much more up their alley for future attendance than that other school :-) While down in NC, we also stopped over at a friend's house in Charlotte and spent the night with her and her family. We really enjoyed our time there and if you're reading this, Gladys...thanks so much for hosting us...all five of us!!

During our stay in NC, Mohammed celebrated his 38th birthday. We took him to a place called Rush Hour for what I hope was something he thoroughly enjoyed...go cart racing. He looked like a pro all decked out in his helmet and won 2 out of 3 races...so I've gotta say, he's got the need for speed.

Adam actually had his first swim in NC too! We know that he just loves his bath, but boy did he enjoy the pool. Thanks again to Gladys for taking us to her local YMCA (which by the way folks, is absolutely gorgeous and very kid friendly) and letting us swim in the outdoor pools as her guests.

Well, Adam turned 7 months a couple of days ago and he is just so adorable (trust me, I'm not biased, but he really is a charmer). He can roll around the floor now in record speed and is working on sitting up on his own. He recently started dragging himself around in a circle when we lie him on his tummy...I guess it's just too much work to roll over to get where he wants to go. His eczema is doing much better, but my dietary restrictions are killing me! What I wouldn't give for a cheesy slice of pizza!!!

The girls start their Summer Enrichment classes tomorrow that the township schools put on each year and they are excited. They attend every morning for 2 weeks and will be learning all about how to make ecologically friendly art (Leena), Mars (Yasmeen), Silly Summer Fun (Leena) and last but not least...MATH (Yasmeen). They enjoyed it so much last year, that we decided to let them go for 2 weeks this year, so looks like they'll be busy for a while. Yasmeen will also be starting volleyball lessons this week and Leena will take her first official drawing class as well on Friday. At this pace, I just know the summer will fly by...let's just hope we get some time to visit Sesame Place and maybe enjoy a few lazy days of summer!

Until next time...

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...