Almost 4 mos and gobbling up the rice cereal...

Aria wanted nothing to do with the rice cereal on the spoon...not so Aspen! My skinny minny couldn't get enough of it! We might get scolded by the pediatrician for starting a teeny bit early.

This Valentines Day, things I love about my daughters...

Things I love about Aspen We get the BEST BIGGEST smiles first thing in the am and all day...even when she's grumpy or hungry she'll give an ear to ear grin then grump.
She is ticklish and laughs if you walk your fingers up her belly to her neck
She has the fattest cheeks and the biggest blue eyes
When something is puzzling to her she gets a confused look on her face, wrinkled brow and all.
She has smiles for everyone (but first gives them a puzzled look)
She is so easily entertained by Aria it is ridiculous.

Things I love about Aria...She is such fun these days!! She is so good to her little sister and helpful to us. She loves her new school with Miss G and Miss June and her friend Jillian. She loves the blue cowboy boots and heart necklace we got her for Valentines Day. She is sweet and loving to just about everyone, teachers, classmates and neighbors. Learning big and small letters and some phonics. On the rare occasion that she makes Aspen cry (scares her with a noisy sound or accidentally brushed stuffed animal tail in Aspen's eye, she cries hysterically, so scared she hurt the baby or made her cry.

Sisters at 3 months

New School!

Aria has changed preschools. She's now attending the local primary school's reverse mainstream program. This is a program for special needs kids. Aria is a "role model" there is a 1:1 ratio of special needs kids to role models. She gets to ride the bus. The classroom is amazing. Huge, with two teachers, a reading area, a Wii for dance and yoga, 5 HP touch screen computers, a science area, stage and chest with dress up clothes, kitchen and on and on. Teacher seems wonderful and I already got a positive progress report for the first day. Here is Aria, waiting for the bus. The bus ride may be her favorite part ;)

Aspen, Aria, Abby, Will, Matthew and Luke!

Aspen at 2 months

Aspen is doing well. 10 lbs 3 oz at her doctor visit yesterday. She's been crying a lot and the doctor thinks its GERD. Of course all babies have it, but some are bothered more than others so he gave us Zantac to use twice a day. She has some very happy times lately and loves looking at big sister Aria who is such a great helper.

Christmas and a blizzard!

Santa was good to Aria this year!! She got a big Buzz Lightyear, a bicycle and a telescope! Loves them all...

Christmas night it started snowing and didn't stop until it had snowed 14"!

We have SMILES!!!

Aspen has started smiling this week, wide open-mouthed ear to ear grins. I'm trying to capture on camera but it is hard, she is suspicious of my iPhone camera. Here are a few pictures of the little sweetie at 6 weeks.

Aria and Santa...

Aria was not at all shy about sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what she wanted for Christmas: a big Buzz Lightyear, a bicycle with training wheels and a telescope. We also got an Elf on the Shelf this year, Browning, who flies to the North Pole every night to update Santa on the "naughty/nice" goings on in our house.

Back to birthweight!

We have a diagnosis: dairy protein intolerance. Aspen had been having a pretty rough week and we took her to the pediatrician. Apparently this affects 2-3% of infants. Aspen and mom will be dairy free for a while. Apparently this is a condition that usually remits with age--most infants with this issue can tolerate dairy after the first year or two of life. We seem to be back on track with a happier baby!

Some family photos

Photos by William "Kenny" Lucord of Bosco Image Works. So far, so good. Aria being a great helper to me with Aspen. We are settling in to a new rhythm being a family of four.

Welcome Aspen Elizabeth!

On 11/3/10 at 12:59 pm we welcomed 8 lb 9 oz, 20.5 inch Aspen to our family. Father, mother, baby and big sister Aria are over the moon! Here are a few photos, hope to update more soon...

More Halloween Photos...

Halloween!

We had a great time trick or treating with the neighbors this year! Here are some photos of Aria and her friends...

Preschool Halloween Parade!

Fall!

Although it is still pretty warm and the leaves haven't yet started to change, we have been enjoying Fall here in Chesapeake. This week we went to Bergey's Breadbasket for the hayride and corn maze, then to Hunt Club Farm with a playgroup to pick a pumpkin, pet animals and climb a haystack. Aria's going to be Ariel the Mermaid this year for Halloween. Above is a photo of my 8 1/2 month pregnant self and Aria at Bergey's.

Surprise shower!

My neighbors got together and threw me a surprise shower. I was completely astonished. There was great food, great company and wonderful things for Aspen Elizabeth :) I love this neighborhood!

Soccer!

Aria started soccer this week. Mostly she picks the flowers (weeds) for the coach while on the sidelines, but when she is in the game she runs around with the pack of kids.

Back to School!

Aria started a 3's 3x/week program today at Great Bridge Preschool and K. Her teachers are Miss Sue and Miss Jennifer. She is in a class with lots of kids from last year's 2's program, including her bff's Will and Katie. Here are a few shots of her on the first day. No crying this year which was a huge relief for me!

Aria's first fishing adventure

Aria showing off her catch at Bob's fishing hole! She was actually more interested in playing with the "red wigglers" and the local cat than fishing, but it was fun to put the fish in her hands and have her throw them back.