OBX!

We are home. 

A week away. 

20 people in one mansion on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (specifically, Corolla). 

My parents, my family, my brother's family, my other brother's family and my sister's family. 

20 total.

10 adults.

10 kiddies. 

Could have been a disaster but instead was a magical week. 

We left at 5:30 AM last Sunday. We packed up the car full of STUFF - clothes, toys, pack & plays, food. 

And we left. And I was nervous and worried the kids would go bananas and cry. 

but instead? 

I LOVED the car trip down. It was 8 hours total (including 4 stops). We passed farms, it was beautiful, it was fun. The kids did great. Benny slept a lot. Layla slept too. And we had fun. 

We made it....

and thus began the week of - 

Eating. Napping. Pool. Beach. Playing. 

Benny slept horribly at night but got better as the week went on. 

Layla was a champ and slept all night long (but woke up earlier as the week went on). 

I went to bed fairly early every night because I was up all night with Benny. 

Layla still hates the water. She went in the pool a bit but stuck to playing in the sand. She wouldn't go near the ocean. 

Benny loved the sand until he started eating it. Then he needed to be held. 

He's in a very big "mommy" phase right now and wanted to be held quite a bit - not an easy task but we managed. 

It wasn't exactly relaxing but it was perfect. 

How lucky that my entire family gets along so well? I know how blessed I am. 

The kids had the best time playing together. Layla LOVED waking up every morning surrounded by her cousins. 

For those wondering, we went through Twiddy (google them) -- you need a 4X4 to drive on the beach (our house was about 9 miles up the beach). It was easy to leave town (we left often for Dunkin Donuts, woo!). We rented a Ford Explorer and it was fabulous (we may get one after Josh's Mercedes lease is up). Our house had some issues (the hot water heater broke. twice and the hot water heater broke) as well as minor issues (the toaster not working, etc) but they were very accommodating. 

Our house was huge - i mean, really huge. 12 bedroom and 14 bathrooms. Crazy. It had a huge kitchen with double everything (two sinks, two refrigerators, etc). Huge table that sat all of us. They provided everything (dishes, pots, pans, etc) as well as linens and towels. It was nice. There were a lot of bugs, that was not nice. I mean...bugs in the house, bugs on the porch, bugs everywhere. Yuck. 

Overall, it was a fabulous week. The pictures below (out of order) speak volumes. I didn't take one picture with my real camera (uhhh) so they are all iPhone pictures. 

 I wish I spent more time relaxing and less time worrying ...next year I vow to sit more and just relax.

I guess summer is officially over - WAH!!

Heading to Florida on Friday with Benny for Nicole's wedding. 

Turning 30 in 19 days.

And booked Disney World this morning.

How did I get so lucky?

Ready for our trip... COSTCO!

Let the 8 hour car trip begin... <3

Our first stop!

Nursing monster ;)

We made it!! Playing while we wait for our house to get ready!

Our home for a week!

A stunning view. Pictures do no justice!

Pop-Pop in the movie room!

Our amazing "Jammalsbar" sign - Justin, Abbey, Max, Marley, Ava, Layla, Samantha,  Benny, Andrew and Remi

Marley, Layla & Remi playing in the outside shower. 

She sat here every morning and drank a Danimals - haha, her version of coffee!

Playing on the beach!

My man.

US!

Silly Marley!

One of our stops...an amazing farm! Layla loved it!

Afternoon nap. Yum.

I loved seeing my Mom relax and read outside.

All of our signs!! Summer 2013, Jammalsbar and Soloff,  Kushner, England. 

Early morning love from Taxi for Layla & Remi

Admiring the sunrise.

No vacation is complete without baby breakdowns ;)

Driving on the beach. So amazing.

Andrew & Layla looking at the horses!

We always found them together, playing and giggling. Layla & Andrew.

To avoid any tan, I clearly used a lot of suntan lotion. HA!

My bathing beauty!

Abbey, Ava & Marley ready for the beach!

Photobombed by Matt!

My babies & I

I think this was around 6 AM. We had very early mornings.

Adam tossing Layla!

My little Red Stripe lover!

Playing in the trunk!

Laying with Mom-Mom!

Naps on Mom-Mom. On the beach. Is there anything better?

Taxi & Justin!

He's buried!

My big boy!

Relaxing.

Running!

Late night with Andrew!

My loves.

Driving on the beach causes naps!! 

Benny with the wild horses in our backyard!

Baby butt

Sunrise!

The entire crew. My favorite picture from the trip.

Benny swimming with a crab, ha!

Yummy ice cream!

My boys!

My family.

Currently...

Happy Hump Day!!!

Right now, Benny is napping while Layla & I play/watch Little Mermaid.

Camp is officially over (as of Friday). Layla had a GREAT summer and enjoyed every day she was at camp!!

Now there are 3 weeks in between camp & school. So we are just going with the flow!!

Grandma left last night after a nice long weekend visiting.. we had a lot of fun and the kiddies LOVE when Grandma visits!!!

Yesterday was Benny's 6 month appt (even though he turned 7 months a week ago) -- he did great despite lots of shots. He now weighs a solid 24 pounds and is 28 3/4 inches long. Wowza!! I have to say I'm surprised it wasn't more - I think his weight gain has officially slowed. He was a bit of a crying mess overnight (which equaled two over night feedings...this hasn't happened in weeks) but once he had Tylenol around 2:00 AM, he was much better. He's been off again the past few days.. I hate these poop issues (constipation) he faces and I think his little belly really hurts.

SO..currently??

I am excited for....THE OUTER BANKS!!!!  We are days away from our first (of hopefully many, many, many) annual trips to North Carolina for some fun, sun and relaxation (impossible with 10 kids under 7 you say? I agree, ha!). I'm just excited for Layla. She will be in cousin heaven for one week.

I am liking...my Honest company diapers, wipes, soap and hand sanitizer. I think the diapers are great and the designs are adorable. The wipes are thick and nice. The hand sanitizer is good and the soap smells yummy. Overall, I will be placing an order again but I'm not convinced I'll switch over completely from Target brand (my favorite diapers). I still love Pampers but at HALF the price, Target is the winner, winner chicken dinner.

I am experiencing...Mirena! I had the IUD placed on Monday. Not going to lie- IT HURT. And since then, slight breakouts, slight headaches, cramping and some spotting (sorry, boys). BUT.. I'm excited. Five years of 99% success of birth control without having to pop a pill every day. Josh & I hope to have a 3rd baby one day but we're not there yet. This is giving me a huge piece of mind - bonus, my insurance covered it.

I am watching...RAY DONOVAN. Hello, new obsession.  It's a new series on Showtime and I highly recommend it!! Liev Schreiber may be the hottest man alive.

I am proud of...my ongoing obsession with the gym. I get there about 4 days a week and I really love it. Not every work out is amazing but I'm averaging 30 minutes of cardio (treadmill) along with some other machines/weights. I am 3 pounds away from Pre-Benny weight and 12 pounds away from Pre-Layla weight and 20 pounds away from college weight. Goal # 1 is 3 pounds away.. slowly but surely!

I am in shock.. that I am a LOUIS VUITTON OWNER!!! On Saturday, while playing at King of Prussia Mall, Josh informed me it was time to pick out my BAG. With the help of Josh, my mother in law (and Layla & Benny), I went with the Totally MM and I am really excited and, well..in shock. It's sitting in the box, in the bag, waiting to be used. I am forever in awe of Josh for working so hard and spoiling me so much. I promise to take care of my bag, babe.

I am equal parts happy/dreading...my 30th birthday. One month from today. ONE MONTH. My 20s are literally on their last leg and I will enter this next decade with smile, gratitude and a positive energy.

I am planning....our next big events. Traveling (Ft Lauderdale, Orlando (DISNEY WORLD!), Jamaica (AHHHHH) and Benny's 1st birthday (cake and location set!). We are so lucky and blessed.

I am dreaming about...my next massage and facial. I had them today thanks to a Groupon and I'm excited to visit Eden Organics in Doylestown again. It was fantastic!!

SO much more to write but with double nap time coming to an end... I'll bid you farewell. Happy Hump Day, ya'll!

Benny is SEVEN months!!!

7 month stats:

Weight: If I had to guess, roughly 25 pounds?!

Height: He is LONG. Way long. I don't know but if think around 30 inches??

Eating: Breastfeeding every 2-3 hours and two jars of fruit/veggies for dinner. Starting to add lunch in!

Clothes: 12 months. I am buying you 18 months for fall. My big boy!

Diaper: Size 5 - like your sister! ;)

My Benny Boy....

7 months. 7 Months of love, laughter, smiles, kisses.  

You are so sweet. You are so special. You, my little man, are exploring and learning and growing day by day. I'm in awe of you. Lately, you've been teething BAD and it makes me so sad. Your usual happy demeanor is being clouded by tears and crying (about half the time). It's so sad. I wish I could take the pain away. You are also just starting to have separation anxiety -- this is heartbreaking because I can't always be with you and I think that's what you want. Your favorite people are Mama, Dada & Layla..not shocking! 

You sit completely unassisted (with the casual tumble here or there) -- you don't crawl yet but you can make your way around a blanket or your crib. You scoot and stretch to get toys around you. You are FAST -- if I have you on my lap and a plate of food is within reach, watch you - you immediately grab it! You put everything in your mouth and suck your thumb constantly. Your big eyes are so intense - you stare (and rarely blink, haha) and I know you are drinking in every sight and sound. 

You are a sleeping machine... we are on a great streak right now. You go to bed roughly 6:30/7:00 PM and wake up around 8:30 AM every morning. It's crazy! Some times I need to wake you to take Layla to school and I feel so bad -- you love when Layla & I wake you up though - you smile SO big as she smothers you in kisses. You nap twice a day - best in your crib and for about 2 hours each time. We've got a good thing going with your sleep and it's clear you LOVE the crib. Every once in a while, we need to pat your tussy in the middle of the night to put you back to sleep and once this week I had to nurse you around 4 AM - not too shabby!!

You are doing great with foods -- you love all the veggies & fruits I give you!! We had major issues with constipation/hard poops but you're getting better with that, luckily!!! You also LOVE drinking water out of the sippy cup. It's so sweet and funny.  You are eating all organic foods but I have yet to make you batches of your own food but I will!  The one food you don't seem to love is bananas! Go figure...?! 

You have two teeth on the bottom and I suspect more will be popping through soon!! My poor teething monster :( It's making going out to eat hard because you just want to be held. My poor sweet boy. 

You love the bath - this month you are now sitting up in the blow-up tub and you do great!! You don't love when I wash your hair out (just like Layla) but otherwise love to splash!! I give you a Mohawk after the bath when you're hair is still wet and it's so cute. It's your look ;)

You go everywhere with us and really love the stroller. Minus the past few days of fussiness, you're so happy and easy going - love the car! You're officially in a "big boy" car seat and it's great. I can't wait until you're forward facing - a few more months. You still fall asleep a lot in the car - I don't know how with all the noise of your big sister!! 

Your laugh is THE BEST SOUND. I constantly tickle you just to hear it - it's deep and contagious and so sweet. 

We are going on a big family vacation to the outer banks in a couple of weeks - all of your cousins, aunts and uncles plus Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. You'll love it as your cousins simply adore you!!!! After we get back from that, you & I are going back to Florida for a quick weekend -- it'll be nice to spend time just you & I!

Layla goes to camp/school Monday, Wednesdays & Thursdays so we get to spend time together. We go to the gym and you happily play in the kids zone. They always say how you're the best behaved and constantly smile. This is great because it allows Mama to get a quick workout in every other day!!

You are so handsome, so big, so gorgeous.. so special and so happy!!! We love you so much - 7 months already and I can't wait to see you grow!! We are your biggest fans. Layla is so in love with her baby brother - she tells everyone your name is "Benny Boy" -- the cutest!!!

I'm already starting to plan your 1st birthday party. Ideas are swirling!! January will be here before we know it!! As a special treat, you'll be going to Disney World 2 weeks after your birthday.. that's right!! Mickey here we come!!

We love you so much!!!
Mama, Dada & Layla

The kid LOVES food!

A casual date with Layla (our gorgeous neighbor)

Sleeping with his booty in the air!

Typical Shabbat at the Kushners!

1st time in a high chair at Ale House with Mom-Mom!

Always together, always holding hands <3

EYES & CHEEKS

Causing trouble ;)

One of the big kids! Hanging out with Marley, Layla & Ava!

On a date with Olivia!

Love.

A smooch from Aunt Leah!

Costco shopping!

haha I love his rolls!

BEST FRIENDS!

Nursing shot <3 

Playing on the pool table!

FOOOOOOD

Handsome!

Hanging out with MJ & Andrew!!

Talking to Mom-Mom Millie!!

Yes.

Mom-Mom Rose

On August 2, 2013... a beautiful Friday morning at 8:05 AM...

My beautiful, sweet, kind, lovely and perfect Mom-Mom Rose passed away.

She spent 13 weeks in hospice.

My visits with her were happy, lovely...sometimes I forgot why she was there.

We watched TV and held hands and she repeated "Oh, I love you."

My last visit with her was very different... I knew the end was coming. I kissed her goodbye and she finally looked up at me, caught my eye and I knew it was time to say goodbye. For good.

She died one week later.

I am so lucky to have had her my entire life. She lived until 88 (her birthday was last week).

She is survived by a huge family including 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Pretty amazing.

The past couple of days have been .. well.. LOVELY.  I'm not kidding.

The funeral on Sunday was sad, funny, touching and..silly?? I wondered if people outside of our family that were there thought it was strange that we actually laughed as much as we did. But that's just it.. I didn't care. Our family celebrated Mom-Mom. My Aunt Elaine, brother Adam & my Dad gave three speeches. They were perfect. They spoke about Mom-Mom's life, her legacy. It was great. Since then, my parent's have hosted Shiva and it's been so nice. The weather has been IDEAL and we've spent all day/night outside. The kids are all loving this time together running around playing. We are all loving spending so much time together.

Mom-Mom would have loved it.

And I guess that's how it should be, right?

I love you Mom-Mom Rose.

I'll miss you.

Mom-Mom & Layla in Fall 2011

Mom-Mom & Benny in Spring 2013

Mom-Mom & I at my wedding...4/24/10