The end of 2014....

SO.
Hello again. Hi to a new year. A new beginning. A COLD week.
But let me rewind...

The last few weeks are a happy, busy, crazy blur.

First -- Our Surprise trip to Florida for Thanksgiving!!!! And what a magical time it was. With the help of Grandpa (Josh's Dad), we managed to fly to Ft Lauderdale with anyone from Josh's family knowing. Our flight was mega delayed but we managed and made it (albeit very late at night) and completely shocked Grandma (Josh's Mom). It was beautiful and exciting and fun. We had a great week. It was much colder then anticipated but we had a great time. Spent a ton of time outside at the playground. The kids slept like CHAMPS. It was really nice and fun and relaxing.

Check out this playground kiddies!!!

Second -- Hannukah came & went like a swift breeze. It was SO lovely. I think Layla finally understood what was happening and Benny loved all the chocolate. I bought the kids gifts for each night and it was so much fun to light the menorah. We hosted a big Hannukah party for my family (we do a pollaynna for the 10 kids) and it was a great time. We also went to my Aunt Karen & Uncle Brad's house for their annual Hannukah party. It was a great time complete with yummy food.

Sporting matching Hannukah Mickey PJs! 

Third -- The next day, we were again en route to FLORIDA!!! The kids completely rocked the flight. It was awesome - Benny slept almost the entire time and Layla slept a good chunk too! It was relaxing and easy. We had a great time in South Florida -- we were able to see all of our college friends for a yummy dinner at The Office in Delray, we got to see Josh's high school friends one night, we read, we obsessed over Serial (the newest Podcast and completely addicting and fun). And then..Josh & I left for an ADULTS ONLY VACA!!!

Proof that we had a really successful flight down!

I ran every other morning while in South Florida...this was always my view. It was so lovely. 

Fourth -- JAMAICA!! What can I say? On December 28th -- Josh & I along with my 2 brothers, 2 sister in laws, sister & brother in law (so 8 of us all together) flew to Montego Bay. We then all shuttled the 1.5 hours to Negril where were spent an amazing 6 days at Couples Swept Away. It was SO relaxing, SO much fun, so perfect I wish I could re-do it ALL over!!!!!! We played a ton of sand volleyball, I paddled boarded, we ate SO much, we spent New Years Eve at an amazing buffet/party followed by lighting lanterns over the OCEAN. It was so good, all of it. We are already booking the next one.

We watched the sunset EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. So beautiful. 

Matt & I had the best time together :) I learned many things about my brother while in Jamaica. Most of them I wish to forget. 

SELFIE MAGIC!! Only one missing is Heather because she was in the gym!!

Happiness. No filter needed. 

Little drunk lovebirds. 

Check out these Bob Marley shots!

Matt, Danielle, Heather, Adam, Me, Josh, Kim & Michael on NYE!

Fifth -- After Jamaica, we were back in South Florida for ONE day before we were en route to DISNEY WORLD! We woke the kids at 4:30 AM and drove the 3 hours to Orlando where we spent a beautiful/crazy/hot day at Disney World. The kids loved it, we loved it, and despite all the insanity we had a great time. We then spent the night at the Art Of Animation -- the kids loved every second in the hotel and we were really happy to have gone. We left early the next morning and went back to South Florida for packing and playing. We were so ready for HOME!

This was her face when I got home -- the cutest little bean. 

One of the many princesses we met! HELLO ELSA!

Lunch with Tigger! Benny loved it!

End of the day faces hahaha

Love my littles. 

SIXTH -- I can't even begin to explain how awful of a trip we had home. My kids are ROCK STARS. Almost no crying/complaining despite a truly horrible trip. Basically? We leave the house at 9:45 AM. We board the plane at 11:00. We DE-BOARD the plane at 11:10 because of a two hour delay. We wait. We board (again). We fly 2 hours before we found out Philly won't let us land so we circle for 45 minutes. We RUN OUT OF GAS. We land in BALTIMORE. We sit on plane 1.5 hours. AH. We fly to Philly. We meet up with my parents (who waited for us at the airport for hours). We wait an additional 1 HOUR for luggage. We finally get home at 8:00 PM. NIGHTMARE! But we made it.

SEVENTH -- I wore a bikini all over Jamaica!!! I was uncomfortable at first but realized I could do it!!! They were a million girls skinnier then me and a million girls heavier then me and ALL of them looked happy and pretty in their bikinis so I decided to join the fun. I may have gained 47 pounds these past 6 weeks thanks to the holidays but I ran every other day while in Florida and I started back at the gym this morning and I'll get down to my goal weight by the end of this year.

boom!

EIGHTH -- I scheduled Benny's tubes for next Tuesday. I'm so done with the ear infections. I'm nervous but excited for him to be a bit healthier and not rely so heavily on antibiotics.

DESTROYER OF LOLLIPOPS!

NINTH -- Next Wednesday my little Benny turns TWO!!!! I'm so happy and so sad. I miss a newborn. I miss that little baby smell. But I love this age. He's so smart and independent and crazy. I'll write about him next week -- then next Sunday is his big birthday party! I can't wait!!

Love this little guy. 

TENTH: We are pulling out house off the market and re-listing in the Spring. I'm sad we couldn't sell but happy we love our house & neighbors so much. Our new house awaits us...

So that's the super fast update. Things are good. It's SO SO cold here. We can't sell our house so we pulled it and will re-list in the Spring. I'm signing the kids up for camp & school next year. I'm going to find a job. I'm seriously thinking about adoption but need to convince Josh. I want to move. We are going to Punta Cana in March. I'm planning my next vacation. I'm excited for this year. I hope to smile more, cry less. Give more. Of my time, my money, my brains. I hope to figure out what I want, career wise.

Happy new Year, guys.

SO MUCH TO WRITE!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS!!!!

... I have so much to write, it's actually insane.

I plan on writing ALL day tomorrow (or at least while Benny Boy naps) but here is a small list of what I want to write about!!!

1. Our Surprise Trip to Florida for THANKSGIVING!

2. Hannukah

3. Trip to South Florida

4. JAMAICA

5. Trip to Disney World

6. Disaster of Flight Home

7. I wore a bikini and didn't scare anyone to death!

8. I think I gained 47 pounds

9. Benny's getting TUBES in his ears next Tuesday!

10. Benny is turning TWO next week!

11. Benny's 2nd birthday party is next week!

... until tomorrow <3 

Benjamin is 23 months old!

Weight: 32 Pounds

Height: 36 inches?

Eating: FOOOOD! All of it. 

Clothes: 2T and 3T with a bit of 4T mixed in ;)

Diaper: Size 5-6

Shoe Size: 7.5

Benjamin Sawyer --

This month seriously snuck up on me. Yesterday I looked at my phone (an app called Time Hop) and it showed me your pictures 1 year ago and I realized - AHHHH! You're another month OLDER. You're another month closer to being two. You're another month sillier, funnier, bigger & lovelier. Now that two is approaching, your personality is getting bigger & bigger. You are so sweet and loving and determined and sensitive. You're emotional and angry and crazy. I am smitten with you, my dear. I can't get enough of your big cheeks and brown eyes. Your blond hair and chubby hands. You are the cutest little buddy and I'm so lucky you're mine. 

What you've been doing... 

Playing. Reading. Singing. Dancing. 

You are a BOY - I mean this in the best way possible. You run, spin, fall, climb, dance, move move move. Always on the GO and in the best way possible. You love to play with your new cars - you love to sit and read books to yourself (and especially love when I read to you). You love to play in the kitchen and cook me "chicken & water." You love to tackle your sister. You love to be tickled. You love to hold my phone and dance to music. You love to color. You love building castles. You love taking things out of their drawer (spoons, plates, tupperware). You are a BOY through & through. 

What you've been eating....

Any and all foods - I'm so proud of you for always wanting to try new things. You love lots of soups, meat, pasta, fruit (no veggies except carrots - to pickles count?) - you are a great eater. You love to hold on to things - last night I gave you pudding. You insisted on carrying it (unopened) and playing - 30 minutes later you were ready and sat at the table eating away. SO cute. You love donuts. And cookies. And cakes. And food. 

What you've been saying...

So many words - SO SO many!!! You repeat, you remember, you name, you listen. You can say all your body parts,  you can name all the animals/sounds. You can list all the letters in your name from your book - you can sing songs (Twinkle Twinkle, Row Row, etc). You love to count to 10 (except it goes 1, 2, 7, 9, 7, 9, 11!) You are so smart and wonderful. 

Sleeping...

Up until Saturday, you were my perfect sleeper per usual. Suddenly you fought your nap & bedtime on Saturday - my poor buddy. I'm almost positive you have ANOTHER ear infection - you were back to normal last night thanks to Motrin! Doctor appt in the AM and tubes consultation on Thursday!! Your normal routine is bed between 645-700 (bedtime consists of a glass of almond milk & 3 books). Waking up around 6:30-7:00 (5:15 this morning uhhhh). 

What you've been reading & watching....

The same few books (or stealing Layla's books!) -- you love watching Egg Surprise videos on You Tube, Sesame Street and Flushed Away (you call it Mouse) - still not very into TV which is okay by me!

I can't believe we are one month away from your 2nd birthday!!! I'm so excited for the next few weeks - Florida and DISNEY WORLD to celebrate your big day - then Grandma & Grandpa come to visit and it's time for your big birthday party!! We will celebrate you big because you deserve the world.

I love you little guy. Thanks for being you!

xoxoxoxo

Mama

Layla is 3 and a HALF!!

Height - Roughly 39 inches.
Weight - 32 pounds
Hair - LONG, light brown, so beautiful.
Eyes - BLUE!
Body - Teeny & Tall

My Best Girl -- 

Yet another 6 months come & gone - Happy HALF birthday to you!! You didn't quite understand why it wasn't your 4th birthday party yet (which you've been planning since the day after your 3rd birthday party - a "Jasmine" party), but you were happy to hear we'd be celebrating! We decided to go to the mall - we rode the carousal, saw the water fountain, saw Santa and had dinner at Cheesecake Factory. On the way home, you sweetly said "Thanks for my party Mama!!"

You are the best thing that's ever happened to me (tied with your Dada & brother). You constantly say "Let's be best girlfriends!!!" and high five me. You are so sweet, strong-willed, silly, funny and kind. Your true personality is beginning to shine and though 3 years old is the most difficult stage thus far, it's also my favorite. You question everything ("what are we doing today? why do we have to go there? what is happening? WHY WHY WHY!!) and while I don't always have the answers, you are always willing to listen. We are working on your emotions and learning that it can't always go your way (despite your best efforts). 

Your best friend is Benny. Without a doubt, he's your favorite person to be around and your relationship grows by the second. You are always making sure he's happy and secure. You're VERY concerned about him getting hurt. If we are crossing the street and he doesn't have my hand, you scream "HOLD HER HAND! WATCH OUT FOR CARS!!" and if you're playing too rough with the cat, you hide your eyes in fear of him getting hurt. You are so sensitive and it's a beautiful thing. You love to wrestle each other and jump on the bed and read and play. You are each other's playmate, confidant and person. I love watching you together. 

You continue to love your cousins more then anyone - they are your best friends and the people you want to spend the most time with. You love your older cousins so much (Ava, Abbey & Marley) and enjoy whatever they enjoy. Equally, you love spending time with your younger cousins (Remi & Sami) and love to spend Thursdays at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's pretending to shop in the kitchen or do puzzles. Not to be left out, your boy cousins are so much fun to you - you're fascinated by the way they play superheroes and wrestle. You'll get right in the middle of Justin, Max & Andrew while they fight. Pretty silly to watch. You also really love your school friends -- too many to name!! (But the one's you talk about most are Isabel, Lydia, Alex, Lily, Avery, Payton, Maya, Craig, Mason & Eli). You have 19 other kids in your class this year and want to invite them all to your birthday party. I hope they can come because you're counting on it!!

Your sweet attitude and willingness to try new things has made it very easy to make friends. Almost everywhere we go, you'll find a new friend to play with (and you'll talk about them for days after!) Just this morning on the way to school, you saw several children getting on a bus. You happily said "Those are my friends Mama! I just haven't met them yet!" - what a beautiful thing to say.

With our Disney World trip coming up in just a few weeks, your princess/Disney obsession continues. You love all princesses (Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan, Elsa, Anna) and all the different characters. You talked about Disney World for months following our last trip so I'm excited to watch you make new memories this time around!!

You continue to have a great relationship with your grandparents. You go to Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's house every Thursday and look forward to it. We love going there for dinner and you love asking Mom-Mom for food in a baggie or to "borrow" a toy (which we usually end up keeping). We are so lucky to see Grandma & Grandpa every month despite the 2000 mile space between us! A few weeks go Grandma was here, last week we surprised everyone down in Florida for Thanksgiving and in two weeks we're heading back down South!!! It's awesome that you have your own room there so it feels like a true vacation home. We are going to visit Mom-Mom Millie today and you got to see GG and Goo-Goo a lot last week!! How lucky are we?

We are in your 3rd year of school and it's been a fabulous experience. You are learning a lot and meeting so many new friends. Your teachers (Mrs Reiff, Miss Michelle & Miss Sheryl) are wonderful. You're learning a lot and soaking it all in. You are in a huge class this year and I think next year we'll opt for one of the smaller classes. You're certainly not quiet but I think you're little voice isn't being heard and you'll thrive more in a smaller room. You love school and especially love Shabbat!

My little picky eater -- no new foods to add except hot dogs from Costco (ha!) -- I'm trying to expand your palate but you continue to tell me you'll eat more foods when you turn 4 (I hope that's true!) I'm trying to get more fruits/veggies in and you now take a multivitamin everyday. You don't drink as much milk as you used to but still love a cup of "milky" before bed. I hope you'll learn to try new things because your bother eats EVERYTHING!!!

You still love movies, TV, books, IPAD, music and playing pretend. You will repeat the lines from movies and we'll reenact it. You love playing mommy & baby ("I'll be the mom, you're the daughter. Okay sweetie?") I can't help but giggle at the things you say.

You love learning and we're really working on letters, numbers, new shapes, new colors and all sorts of different ideas. I love explaining things to do and love to answer your questions. I hope you're always as curious, as smart, as interested in life.

I love you babe. I'm so proud of you and can't wait to watch you every single day. You are everything good. 

Love always,

Mama

I asked Layla... (3 1/2 version)

This is on video but here are her answers....

How old are you today? 3 and a half. 

What's your favorite color? Pink & purple.

What's your favorite food? Strawberries & pork roll. 

What's your favorite thing to do at school? To do projects. 

What's your favorite song? Little Mermaid

What's your favorite movie? Big Hero 6

What's your favoreite show on TV? Sophia Grace & Rosie. 

What's your favorite number? 3

What's your favorite letter? B

Who's your best girlfriend? Lydia (except she calls her Olivia by accident, ha!)

Who's your best boyfriend? Dada

What's your favorite holiday? Christmas (hahahaha)

What's your favorite place to go? The mall.

What's your favorite thing to buy at the store? Play doh

What's your favorite store? The fishy store (pet store)

She's so edible. 

Benny is 22 months!!!

Weight: I think roughly 32 pounds?

Height: I think 36 inches - tall and thinner everyday!

Eating: Always eating and always willing to try new things!!

Clothes: 18 month (small), 18-24 month, 24 month and 2T! 

Diaper: Size 5

Shoe Size: 7-7.5

Benny Boy -- 

WHAT?!??! How is this happening? Are we sure that you'll be TWO YEARS OLD in just a short 2 months?? I am baffled by this. I look at you - so handsome and tall and strong. So bright eyed and curious and loving. So silly and sensitive and SMART. Always absorbing everything around you. Always concerned about Dada & Layla. ALWAYS making sure you can see me - and always wiling to climb in to my arms for a sweet hug & kiss. 

What you've been doing... 

Playing, reading, learning, giggling, pooping, eating. 

You are in a great stride - you are really starting to LOVE school and I'm hearing fabulous things about you. It's wonderful to know you won't cry at drop off or pick up anymore. I love watching you with your new little friends. I love the art projects you are creating and the mark you're leaving in your class. You love to play with all balls, the kitchen ("here mama, chicken!" is what you always say), coloring, play-doh, the slide, books, castles, cars. You love to play with Layla's baby dolls. You love to sing, dance, clap, play. You love to run in crazy zig-zags, jump off of anything, climb, and fall. You are so strong and love to tackle/hug Layla at all times. 

What you've been eating....

Anything and everything. Your favorite food is yogurt with M&Ms but you always love to eat eggs, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, pork roll, meatballs, noodles, bananas, strawberries, cheese..the list goes on. Sometimes I have to cut you off because you'll continue to eat!! You still drink almond milk (1-2 cups a day). You love your sweets & salty foods. Mostly, you just love the art of eating. It's a welcomed change from your sister's picky ways ;)

What you've been saying...

Your language is growing by the day. A sentence here or there but mostly words. You love telling me what you're doing or eating or playing with. You are learning you colors and letters. You can do all the animal sounds. We are going to start working on shapes. You can name many princesses (ha!) and lots of other characters (Mickey, Minnie, etc). You get so frustrated when I don't understand what you're saying but luckily I'm fluent in "benny". Recently Pop-Pop told you to say "Nanu-Nanu" like Robin Williams and now you say it ALL THE TIME. It's really cute. 

Sleeping...

You've been a blessing. We went through a rough early morning wake-up patch but I think we're past it. You go to bed around 6:45/7:00 and wake up at 6:30. You're a master napper and it's lovely. You adore your crib, Brian, Teddy and blankets. 

What you've been reading & watching....

You love to read books!! We read the same few every night (Goodnight Elmo, Who Took My Hat, Trucks & the Benjamin England book Aunt Heather got you). It's so fun to read with you. As for watching? You've recently discovered YouTube.Com and more importantly - random Egg Videos. As in, people open up Easter Eggs filled with candy and you watch. You yell EGGIES whenever you see an iPad or iPhone. Oh lord. You get about 5-10 minutes a day. You like Sesame Street and Elmo movies I get you from the library. But mostly, you just want to dance!!

My baby boy, I'm SO lucky to call you mine. Often around strangers, you grab my arm and yell "MY MAMA" - always claiming me as your own. I love it so very much. I love your sweet smile, you sly face when you make a mess, the way you get excited around your cousins, grandparents, friends, teachers, cats. I love everything about you. I can't wait to celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and New Years Eve with you. 

I adore you - two more months until we celebrate you turning TWO!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Mama

Ok so I wrote this post when you turned 22 months but didn't take pictures until today (Nov 20th) thanks to a good ol' fashioned DOUBLE EAR INFECTION! Next up, TUBES! My little man - poor thing. 

Bikini Bod - Month 4!

SO...
Here we are. Another month come & gone.
We are in the midst of November - voting, Thanksgiving, cool temps & lots of cozy nights (with a side dish of early mornings from my kids - BOO)

I'm 5 days late but I didn't want to miss this.

We are now 7 1/2 weeks from Jamaica.

The official stats thus far?

I'm down 10.4 pounds! I'm very proud of myself. This has been a long battle but I'm officially at PRE-BENNY WEIGHT!!!!!

I still have 10 more pounds until pre-Layla weight but I'll get there!!

I am hoping to lose another 5-7 pounds before Jamaica but at this point, it's slow & steady.

I'm running 3-4 days a week and adding in assorted weight machines.

I really want to add yoga weekly but I have to find a class that works, time-wise.

On to the (embarrassing) pictures...