Happy New Year!

We are ringing in the new year by starting a big kitchen remodeling project!  Jordan and I have been working around the clock since we got home from Florida to clear out most of the first floor.  Jordan did take a break to take Hannah skating earlier, and thankfully Ella slept (as usual) so I could keep going while they were gone.  Poor little Ella was entertaining herself on the playmat, but got too tired and passed out.  I really love this baby!  So much more laid back than big sister Hannah was at that age, which comes with the territory of being a second child I think.  Hannah is having a NYE sleepover at her Safta and Zayde's with her cousins and Ella is having a quiet night home with mommy and daddy.  Back to working on the house in the morning.  Wishing everyone a wonderful 2012!

Florida 2011 Part II

Day 7: Aunt Beb's Birthday Party
Today we had brunch with Poppy Hal and then headed home for Aunt Beb's 80th birthday party.  Hannah stayed home with a sitter, and thankfully Ella greeted everyone at the party and then slept through the entire luncheon.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, but it was a very nice party.  For dinner we headed to a BBQ place and it was kids' night.  Hannah got a great dolphin tattoo that sparkled (see below).  When we got home, we had our last night of Hannukah, and Hannah and Ella each got a spinning holograph from Aunt Steph and Unky Mike - Ella got a monkey and Hannah got her favorite, a penguin.

Day 8: Last Day in Florida

Today was our last day in Florida, and the trip went by WAY too quickly!  We went back to Lion Country Safari, a favorite from last year, and had such a nice time.  Hannah loved roaming free in the van during the drive through safari, and then we explored the park.  She rode all of the rides, fed the giraffes, played mini golf and went on the paddle boats. The giraffes were a big hit!  It was such a fun day, and a great way to end our vacation.  Back to the cold tomorrow :(

Florida 2011 Part I

Day 1: Traveling to Florida

We took our first vacation as a family of four, and the flight went amazingly smoothly.  The airport was empty (shocking so close to Christmas) and aside from Ella's bottles showing they had some illegal chemical in them and having to be further tested, we had no issues at the airport (Born Free, what are you using in your eco bottles???).  Both girls were wonderful for the flight!  Ella slept part of the way and just hung out the rest of the flight.  Hannah ate, watched movies and used her new Dora magic water color coloring book. By the time we got to Grandma Joanie's, Hannah was ready to swim.  She and daddy headed to the pool while mommy unpacked.  Unpacking for four people took forever! 

Day 2: Daddy's Birthday

Hannah woke up pretty stuffy, so we spent the day around the house. Jordan played 18 and Hannah, Ella, Grandma Joanie and I took "Kelly" for a walk. Hannah has a little mommy set in Florida, and she named the baby Kelly. While Hannah napped, Ella and I did a mini photo shoot by grandma's pool and when Hannah woke up, she and grandma lounged by the pool. Jordan and I had an adults night out to celebrate his birthday at a great steak house with Jamie and Melanie, which has become a yearly birthday tradition.

Day 3: Hanging Out with Jonathon
Hannah test drove Grandma's new golf cart and drove with daddy to the pool, sprinkler park and playground. Our friend's son Jonathon met us there for a swim and despite the rain, they had a great time. We ate lunch by the pool, and Ella got to have some quality time with Grandma Joanie. For Hannukah tonight, daddy gave Hannah her very own golf bag. They played out on the front lawn until the sun set. After sunset, we headed out to a neighborhood with amazing light displays. Hannah loves Christmas!

Day 4: Back to the Pool
We headed back to the pool with Jonathon today, and then while Hannah napped, Jordan, Ella and I took a nice long walk.  We took a family picture before dinner, but Hannah was too cranky to join us so we will have to try again another night.  She got a Dora puzzle and book about Dora going to the dentist for Hannukah, so we spent the evening reading and doing puzzles.  She can't  wait to go to the dentist!

Day 5: Aunt Steph and Unky Mike Came!
Aunt Steph and Unky Mike came in late last night and Hannah was so excited to see them when she woke up!  Daddy played golf in the morning, while mommy, Hannah, Aunt Steph and Unky Mike headed to the pool.  Hannah had a blast showing off her swimming skills.  We spent the rest of the day getting ready for our annual party and took another attempt at a family photo.  Hannah really turned on the charm, hugging and kissing all of grandma's friends.  Ella was her typical happy self and greeted everyone with a big gummy smile and coos.  Ella talks even more than Hannah, I wonder where they get that from...

 
Day 6: Fair at Patch Reef Park and Beach with Poppy Hal
We had such a busy day today.  Mommy and Aunt Steph had spa pedicures this morning which were amazing!  We then all headed to Patch Reef Park to meet up with Aunt Jill, Uncle Marc, Jake and Jon for a carnival.  Hannah loved hanging out with her big cousins, and the lego table was a big hit with them all.   Ella slept through the fair, and took a short walk with mommy when we got home.  Poor Ella misses all of the action because she is always sleeping.  After nap, we went to meet Poppy Hal at his beach club, and Hannah had a great time watching the kite boarders, playing in the surf, searching for shells, swimming in the pool with daddy and building in the sand.

On the 2nd Night of Hannukah...

Since we will be celebrating the remainder of Hannukah in Florida, Hannah got to open most of her presents tonight.  Ella didn't seem too interested, but Hannah loved opening her gifts.  She got a cupcake set, books, a tool play set, a Dora Mobigo game, a robe and slippers, ladybug chapstick, a LeapFrog Tag, and polka dot PJs.

Last night we celebrated at cousin Sabrina's, and as usual, Hannah had such a nice time.  She loves playing at Sabrina's house, and really loves her cousin Jeremey. Hannah got some great presents from Sabrina and family, including a Dora purse set, Dora coloring book and Dora CD.  It's been a very Dora Hannukah!

Happy 3 Months Ella

Ella will be 3 months tomorrow, and it's getting hard to remember life without her.  She is still a wonderful and happy baby.  She is rarely fussy, and has been sleeping great.  She must have known I was heading back to work, because she slept 9PM to 7AM for my first week back!  She is always smiling, and especially loves staring at her projection mobile in her crib.  It really cracks her up!  She is still in mostly 0-3 month clothes but I am starting to put her in some 6 month outfits.

Going back to work was a smooth transition.  We love the nanny we have for the two weeks before Christmas which has made it easy for me to leave the house in the morning.  She is so loving with Ella and very attentive.  Here is Ella's 3 month photo - her hair is still out of control and gets comments everywhere we go:

Happy Birthday, Safta

We celebrated Safta's birthday at Larco's tonight, and Hannah had such a nice dinner with her cousins.  She got to feed Macy spoonfuls of parmesean cheese, roughhouse with her big cousins, and help Safta blow out her candles.  Ella stayed home with Mina, but had a nice nap on Safta for her actual birthday yesterday.

Snow!