Double Duty

So I'm pretty sure that anyone who has ever met Justin, agrees that he wins the award for most determined, motivated and driven guy ever.  On top of being a new dad, and his full time job where he commutes to Boston (which can take up to 2 hours a pop), he decided that he wanted to start a property investment company with his dad.  They completed their first flip at the end of 2011, and just closed on their 2nd property today!

There has been so much hard work that has gone into setting up JS2 Homes; meeting with banks, lawyers, accountants, contractors, sub-contractors.  Not to mention the networking, marketing, tracking and studying the MLS, etc, etc, etc.... 

Just about everyone I tell about this has, or knows someone who has always wanted to do something like this.  When Justin wants to do something, he goes for it at full force and this business has been no exception.  

I probably don't tell him enough, but in-between my selfish whines to come out of the office and watch TV with me, I appreciate the crap out of him.  I'm so proud.  And thankful that because of him, I'm able to stay home with my little babe.   

just got the call that their first house is under contract!

binders for the banks

yes, they put up those annoying signs that you see all over the place!

putting together mailers - they got the 2nd house because of one of these letters

Here are some pics of their first flip:

front - before

front - after

full view - before

full view - after

kitchen - before 

kitchen - after

And the 2nd gem awaits!:

isn't she a beaut!

yup, she had a bit of a fire!

btw - I know someone else who's pretty dang proud of her dad too

Long Island Visit

I was just uploading some pics from my phone, and wanted to share a few from our trip to Long Island a last month.

 

My little sis, the MARATHON Runner!!

Kristen spent the past 7+ months training for the Boston Marathon.  She has been so dedicated and we've all been amazed (but not surprised) of what she has accomplished.
Living in Boston, most of her training has been in the 30-40 degree weather.  Of course, on marathon day it was set to be close to 90 degrees!  The BAA sent out emails warning only elite runners to run (and even they should take a slower pace than normal).  Kristen decided to still run, but with her original goal being around 4.5 hours, she expected to take it easy.  Well apparently, she is capable of much more than even she realized because even in the extreme heat, she was able to finish with a time of 4:38:26.
We're so proud of and inspired by you Krissy, you did awesome!

btw - you should've heard us trying to decide what to write on our posters the night before.  We were going to write something like "Run, Kristen, Run" but we were so nervous about the heat, we didn't want to make her feel like she HAD to keep going if it was too much, so we decided on the wording below.  While we were waiting for her and watching all of the other runners go by drenched in sweat, many walking, some with bleeding nipples (Ahhhh!), I almost teared up every time I thought about her.  But when she blew right past us at mile 17 with a smile on her face, looking AMAZING we knew she was kicking ass.  Next time, maybe we'll write that on our posters!

getting ready to leave for Boston

Kristen's cheering section

at mile 17!!!

so so proud!

awesome friends who came to cheer her on

sisters!

fifteen months

15 mo well visit was today and I think G is starting to associate the Dr's office with things that are not fun, i.e. shots.  As soon as I set her down on the table she was PISSED lol!
She calmed down though and overall she did fine.  The Dr confirmed that she's progressing right on track in all areas.  Turns out she's "talking" more than we thought she was, too.  The girl is constantly babbling and making noises with the occasional "dog" or "dada" peppered throughout.   I've noticed that she's been trying to talk more and it seems like she thinks she's saying things to us, she gestures a lot and she definitely understands what we're saying to her, but I wasn't sure if much of what she was saying was considered actual words.  But while we were with the Dr, and Gwen was pointing at her book and saying "a-sat?" she told us that that's her saying "what's that?".  I'll take it!  haha to me, all of her babbling sounds like just...babble, I'm looking forward to some real words in the coming months - although I'm sure that'll change once she starts repeating everything we say!

The Dr told me that she should start putting things in places instead of just taking them out, but my little rockstar has already been doing that for months!  She can even do some shape sorting...ahem! lol

Breastfeeding.  We've drastically cut down since just before her birthday and are currently holding strong at just a nighttime feeding.  There have been nights where I've been out and either Dad or Gram puts Gwen to bed and she does just fine without her bedtime feed.  At this point, it seems like she could take it or leave it and I'm teetering on being done.  At her 12 month visit, the Dr told me that post first birthday, she's getting a very minimal amount of what she needs from the breast milk (I'm sure some people would disagree with that statement).  We're past flu season now, and I'm kind of feeling like I want my body back to myself for a little while.  We're not trying for another babe yet, but at some point we will and it'll be nice to have some completely detached time.  I'm proud of myself for getting this far!  It's been the best thing for Gwen, and anyone who's been through it, (or read this post) knows what a challenge it can be, especially in the beginning.  I know it'll be sad when it's over, so I haven't taken the leap yet, but I feel it coming on very soon. tear. My baby is growing up.

The stats from her visit:

Weight: 20lbs 14oz - 20%
Height: 30.2in - 42%
Head: 17.72in - 25%

Here are a few pics of Gwen's first dining room chair fort!

Easter

Awesome Easter this year!  Here are a few pics of our morning at home and later on in the afternoon when we all went to Gwen's Nana & Papa's house!  G had an outfit change because both sets of Grandparents gave her such pretty Easter dresses.