Sledding!

We finally got a sled!  (Thanks Roseanna!)  And the kids (Daddy included) had a blast this morning.  We found the perfect hill for a 4 year old to climb up and sled down on her own.  Isabella ran up and sledded down at least a million times (I'm sure!).  Oliver is now addicted to sledding.  He squealed, giggled, and laughed the whole time (except when his mittens fell off).  He actually used the word "no!" when we asked if he was ready to go home and said the word "boots" today too.  So, I've decided sledding is beneficial for language development (at least for Oliver).

I was designated photographer, Simon carrier and speeding sled stopper.  Here are several favorite photos:

On our street, headed to Central Park.  Have a mentioned I love where we live?!!!

P.S.  I'm grateful for warm snow clothes for my kids (mostly from generous friends and family) so they can have so much fun in the snow without freezing!

Right Now

Simon: 1 month

It can not be possible that our sweet Simon is already a month old!  Time is flying all too quickly.  His face has changed so much: cheeks filling out, eyes open and staring.  Yesterday he smiled for the first time!  He has the most precious smile.

Simon is adored by Isabella.  She loves to help with everything and as I watch her closely I'm becoming more comfortable and confident letting her.  Yesterday as I was bundling up Oliver to go outside she gently put Simons socks and booties on.

Oliver usually does really well with Simon too.  He asks to hold Simon and will do so for maybe a minute everyday.  Oliver will help by pushing Simon's binky into Simon's mouth and carrying dirty diapers to the trash for me.  Yesterday Simon was laying on the couch while the kids were playing and I was doing a few dishes.  I turned around and Oliver was up on the couch, next to Simon, giving him tender kisses on his forehead.  Moments like that melt my heart.

Simon is such a sweet baby.  We all love and adore him and are grateful he is finally a part of our family.  I feel complete with him here as well as challenged to be a better mother.

Attitude of Gratitude

Words can't express how grateful I am that my mom came to help us
adjust to life with little Simon. She was here almost 4 weeks! The
whole time changing diapers, rocking a restless Simon all night,
entertaining Isabella and Oliver all day, braving the city on her own
to run errands, babysitting all three kids while Brian and I went on several
dates, and demanding that I sit and relax frequently.

Only my amazing, beautiful, talented, patient mom could do all that so
gracefully.

Thank you, Mom!

What a girl wants

Isabella has been asking again for a sister.  Fortunately, for her, she has two brothers who adore her.  Oliver only occasionally obliges her beautifying indulgences.

Right now...the photo

Right now

I am grateful for the joy and excitement snow brings to my little girl.

Attitude of Gratitude

This year one of my goals is to cultivate a constant attitude of gratitude.  I plan to write down at least one thing everyday that I am grateful for. 


Right now I am so very grateful for the amazing service and love the women at church have offered my family.  For over two weeks, during the busiest time of the year, over a dozen women have prepared amazing, delicious dinners and delivered them to our home.  All of these women are super busy with multiple children or working fulltime.  Dinners have been delivered in rain, knee-high snow and in the middle of the blizzard.  Their love and service have touched my heart and nourished my soul.  In addition to nourishing my family!! 


"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes it place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others."  ~Thomas S. Monson

Just because every post needs a picture.

Oliver: 18 Months

Oliver's 18 month birthday was December 11th; Simon's due date.  I had hoped to have this post up before now, but...well...things got busy.

Oliver is such a joy; so quick to laugh and smile.  He loves to pretend to cook in the play kitchen and spends much of his time there.  He has begun to ask to use the potty and actually did successfully once!  He loves and adores Isabella, mimicking her most of the time.  Oliver is quick to share, tease, hug and kiss.  The words he uses, that I understand are: mama, dada, Belllla (with a whole lot of tongue), juice, yes, cook, and cookie.  Otherwise he communicates very well with sign language and grunting.  He is a boy who knows what he wants and makes sure we understand him.  He is addicted to watching shows, loves the book "quiet LOUD", has great rhythm drumming and dancing, loves walking around outside and playing in the snow.

Oliver is very expressive, especially with his lips.  Unfortunately he would not make his "sad face" for the camera.  His sad face is adorable; so much so I have a hard time not smiling when he is sad.

Today

Today began a bit crazy.  At 9am both boys were screaming and demanding Mommy's love and attention.  Even with Grandma's extra hands, love and attention it was overwhelming.

But things got better...

We did some finger painting:

We did some sewing with Grandma:

And cleaned the kitchen:

Right Now

Playing in the mountains of snow while waiting for the bus.

Similarities

Simon looks quite a bit like Isabella did--not just because of the funny hair.  Any guesses who's who?

Merry Christmas

We hope you had a wonderfully warm Christmas!

Right Now

These are photos of our apartment door that leads directly to the street.

Brian's calling it the Boxing Day Blizzard.  

The wind (40 mph gust) is blowing snow into our apartment around our doorframe--when the door is closed.  It's crazy!

Welcome Simon!

  Welcome Simon Albert Carini!!

Here are some more photos of our sweet little Simon.

Heading to drop the kids off at a friend's house and then the hospital.  Contractions were very light, but 2 minutes apart. I needed an antibiotic shot at least 5 hours before giving birth, so the doctor wanted me there as soon as possible.

Delivering Simon was a breeze as far as labor go.  He had a bit of breathing problems at first.  

He has Isabella's newborn hair.