1st Day of Preschool

Today Aria started in her new preschool class (no more toddler class). We went to an orientation yesterday and it went great. She was a little apprehensive about the new classroom at first, but as soon as we started exploring she quickly got excited. Her favorite thing so far is the "magnet work*". This morning she told us that when she got to school that was the first thing she was going to do. Kevin dropped her off and she was good. And the very first thing she did...magnet work!

*At her montessori school they call all the learning activities "work". It cracks me up.

Aria and Emmett

Aria loves her baby brother, and we like to think he loves her. He definitely likes to hold her hand, and kick her when she gets too close to his feet!

Aria has been a big help, she gets diapers ready (sometimes pulling the tabs completely off), and throws away dirty diapers (though the "ba-splosions" as she calls them get thrown away by mommy or daddy). Aria says Emmett is "crying for his big sister Aria" whenever he is cranky.

Emmett kept leaning into Aria and grabbing at her. She thought it was funny.

"Baby brother is HEAVY!"

Emmett coming up with a devious plan...

Mommy's Free!

Finally, after two weeks of trying and TRYING to get Emmett to take a bottle we had success tonight. This was encouraging after a long day of hardly any sleep (only 2hrs). He was so fussy and just wouldn't stay asleep! This is not usual for him. I even pulled out every type of pacifier I could find to see if that would settle him down. He kept the paci in his mouth for more than 10 secs today as well! I think this was the training for the main event this evening. He took a whole 6.5 oz of mommy's milk provided by daddy via the bottle :-)

Oh the possibilities this brings me. It was really making me worry that he wasn't taking the bottle. Yay Emmett - this made up for the bad day!

A preschooler's nightmare

Aria woke up this morning screaming. Kevin entered the room and asked what her nightmare was about. Aria responded:

"We were getting eggs and they kept taking them out of our hands and putting them in the hole. We couldn't buy the eggs."

Weekend Outings

The last three weekends we’ve tried our best to make sure to get out with both kids. It’s been tricky, but we’ve had a lot of fun. Three weekends ago we went to Cabin John Park where Aria rode the train and played in the park.

Mommy's turn!

Daddy's turn!

The next weekend we ventured out to Great Country Farm to play and pick peaches/blackberries. Aria was excellent at finding the ripe blackberries (and only eating half of what she picked).


This past weekend we went to Reston’s Farmers Market to walk around and we picked up some fresh veggies!

Emmett mostly sleeps when we are out. He definitely likes all the motion.

I have been approaching these outings like a challenge. Each one had it's difficult times, but we need this training to get the hang of it! In no time we’ll be old pros.

Also, Emmett and I took a little adventure together last week to meet up with my Grandma for a birthday lunch. He was so good and everything went well (minus the weird waiter that kissed Emmett – poor thing was only 4 weeks old and he could do without the cooties).

4 generations

2 week checkup for Emmett and new shoes for Aria

Emmett had his 2 week appt today, and he's doing just great (like we needed a Dr's opinion). His weights have been:
8lbs 5oz at birth,
7lbs 13oz a day and a half later,
8lbs 2oz at his 4 day appt
9lbs 4oz today at 15 days old
His height matched percentage-wise, so I'd say he's growing at a nice rate!

Earlier this week, Grandma came to visit and help out. She and I picked Aria up from school on Wednesday and went to the mall to get her new shoes. She has finally outgrown her size 7 shoes (thanks Paige). Aria was very attached to her pink shoes, so we found a very similar pair. it was a bit difficult to get her out of the old ones and measured, but once the new shoes were on, she was happy and hopping (we showed her the air pockets in the heel, and told her they helped her jump).

and of course, what trip would be complete without a ride on the carousel or train?
Thanks Grandma! Aria can't wait to see you and Grandpa again on Sunday!

One Lovely Blog Award

Thanks for the award Martina (her blog is here)! ooh so perty:


The rules of the “One Lovely Blog Award” are:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 (yeah right) other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.* Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
*I don't discover blogs.

so I'm not even gonna go listing the blogs here, they're over on the right side banner. all 7 of em. those are the only blogs i ever go to.