2012 Christmas Card (plus a small announcement)

That's right, Gwen is going to be a big sister!

I hit the 12 week mark in the beginning of December, so what better way to announce it, than with our Christmas Cards?!  I'm due June 20th, so Gwen and the new baby will be just a few weeks shy of 2.5 years apart, which I think will be a good age difference.   It's so much fun to fantasize about what Gwen will be like as a big sister.  She adores her little cousin, and is obsessed with baby dolls and roll playing with them (feeding them, changing their diapers, holding and rocking them).  Once the baby comes, I have no doubt that Gwen will be the best and most helpful big sister!

As excited as we are, baby growing is serious business.
I have to say that I almost forgot how miserable the first trimester is.  My morning sickness hasn't been as bad as it was with Gwen.  I really only get nauseas when I think about certain foods - tomato sauce for one...or if I let myself get too hungry.  But once I started eating, for the most part it makes me feel better (I've been carrying around almonds and string cheese just about every time I leave the house).  But the exhaustion....oh my god.  I remember being tired with Gwen- I would go into the group fitness studio at work during slow times and lie down on the mats, and every day after work I would pass out on the couch.  But now, chasing a toddler around, it is a million times worse!  Some days I just feel like a zombie going through the motions.  Thank god Gwen is a good little napper (with the exception of about 2 weeks where she pretty much refused to nap, or only teased me with an hour or so, compared to her typical 3-4 hour naps!).  Thankfully I'm starting to get some energy back now.

Anyway, it's all worth it right?  Now, having Gwen, I can say that I would go through the blasted 1st trimester a million times over for her.  Here are a couple of shots of our new little love:

9 weeks 4 days

12 weeks 4 days

Hmmm....girl or boy?  We shall find out in late January, people!!!! :)

Mall Santa

I'm so thankful for all of these wonderful ladies and their kiddos.  

We met most of them in that Mommy and Baby Yoga class we took way back when...  

We formed a playgroup and have been getting together 1-2 times a week for over a year now, and they've been such an awesome support system.  Gwen and I are so lucky to have such awesome people in our lives.

Not sure how Santa felt when he saw us coming, but I'm so happy we did this!

We didn't take any pics with just Gwen and Santa this year.  As a reminder, this is how it went down last year, and to be honest I'm not so sure it would've been any different this year...

Update

We took Gwen to "Zoolights".  One of the local zoos decks out in millions of twinkly lights, and they even had some reindeer to pose for photos with.  We knew Gwen would love it because she's obsessed with the lights in our house and any time we drive by a decorated house we hear "Oooooohhhh PITTY!!".  I seriously wish we got it on video because as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, we were overwhelmed "WOW, WoW, WOOWWW"'s coming from the backseat.

Here we are with our playgroup friends, enjoying the zoo

The other day, Gwen and I made gingerbread cookies and each had one as a snack after dinner (they were delish btw - thanks Betty Crocker!).  Of course she asked for more, to which I replied "wait until daddy comes home, maybe he'll give you one."  Surprisingly she seemed ok with that response and we went on playing.  About 15-20 minutes later, we heard daddy walking up the front porch.  Gwen's eyes widened and she started yelling "DADA DADA DADA" as she heard him turning the key.  As soon as he stepped in the door: "DADA PEEAASE, dada pease...COOKIE?"  After I stopped hysterically laughing, I explained to him why she was asking him for a cookie, and really, who could ever say no to that right?

Within the past month or two, she has really stepped up her vocabulary; asking for things by name, responding to our questions, and repeating pretty much everything that we say.  I'll let you decide if that's a good or bad thing!

Thanksgiving

Mom and dad hosted at their condo in Salem this year.  We're so lucky to have two amazing families who not only get along with each other - they treat each other like real family.  Justin's and my parents try to get together whenever they can, and they've even gone away for a few weekends together - without us!  I know that these types of in-law relationships are so rare, and sometimes I think I take it for granted, but  we're so lucky to have one big, happy family!  The Kalenowicz's and Silverio's spend many holidays together and this one was no exception.  My picture taking was lame-o, but here are a few shots of a great day.

2011

2012

Halloween

At my NY Baby Shower, one of my favorite gifts was this giraffe costume from Annie Annie.  At the time it seemed MASSIVE, like it was never going to fit the baby in a million years.  But that was the smallest size they had.  Well, fast-forward 21 months and, what do you know, I guess we made it a million years, because here she is wearing the costume on her 2nd Halloween!

We stayed in Salem for almost a week to take advantage of all the festivities, not to mention Hurricane Sandy.  We were lucky to have not been majorly affected by the "super-storm", but unfortunately, many on the east coast were.  By the actual day of Halloween, the rain and winds had subsided and we were able to take our little giraffe out to fill her pumpkin.  Her favorite thing about trick-or-treating? Coming back home to dump out her treats and *smell* each piece as she lays them all out around her on the ground.  I haven't mentioned this yet, but the girl smells everything she can get her hands on.  People joke and compare her to Robert Barone when he touches food to his chin before he eats each bite.  She's that way about smelling.  But she's so passionate about it - she breathes in so deeply, lifting her shoulders and expanding her chest, and then holding it like she's analyzing every scent.

Anyway, here are some pics :)

Gram & Pa - Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner, and Waiter!

getting ready for the trick or treaters!

2010 Baby Shower gift from Annie Annie

my little giraffe

I realize now that I looked ridiculous.  But can we talk about Gwen smelling those M&Ms??? 

a family of serious faces, I swear we had such a fun time! lol

at the end of the night, sorting her candy (after smelling each one)

Pumpkin Picking

A fun day pumpkin picking with my Momtourage group!

I'm going to finish my sandwich, you grab the pumpkin, mom!

check out her form! She's totally my babe

we took a fun hayride after the pumpkin picking

friends + milk = one happy lady

"I'm a little tired so I'm gonna just rest my cheek here"

a woman on a mission

in action

Chaos Ensues

Q: What do you get when you take 8 kids, throw in a bunch of pumpkins, finger paints, and a kiddie pool?

A: This -

I definitely questioned my sanity at certain points throughout the day for suggesting this for our Tuesday playgroup.  But it ended up being a lot of fun - and G took about a 3.5hr nap after it, which is always a good thing!

Oh, btw - I'm pretty sure Gwen didn't get a speck of paint on her the entire time.  She's pretty horrified at the thought of getting dirty.  Justin, anyone?