LAYLA TURNS 5!!!!!

                                                                    Weight: 40 Pounds 

Height: Just about 43 inches. 

Eating: Picky McPickster ;)  

Clothes: 4T/5T

Shoe Size: 11

"Mama... you don't want me to get bigger, do you? Well I AM -- I'm getting bigger! I'm getting to be FIVE! HA HA HA!" - Layla Jules

Last week, I had a phone conference with your amazing Pre-K teacher. Do you know what she told me? She said there is NOTHING bad she could say about you. She said your heart is so kind, you are sweet and share and you're a great friend and you're not afraid to try new things or say the wrong answer. She said you're determined and lovely and a dream... I'm SO proud of you, my girl.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

A mere five years ago, you made me a mama. 

You taught me patience and kindness and to slow down. 

Here are 6 (5 +1 for good luck!) things that I want to remember about you....

1. You are so beautiful. Your super fair skin and striking blue eyes and long legs and teeny waist and long light hair. You have lost any look of "baby" and you're a gorgeous little lady. While I love your sweet face, you are most beautiful in your heart. You are kind and lovely and sweet. You make everyone around you feel happy and comfortable. You make friends everywhere we go and you're never afraid to introduce yourself to new friends. While you do love your best friends, you're also always to play by yourself. You defend your friends and stand by them always. You love your 8 cousins and wish you could be with them every day. By far, your favorite friend is your Benny. The two of you are inseparable and I love watching your friendship grow & grow. You often ask if you can marry Benny because he's your best friend. <3

2. You are SO smart. You did beautiful this year in Pre-K. You have come a long way -- you can read a few words, your writing is clear and sweet. You love to learn and read and write. Your teacher told me you really love school which is so wonderful. I hope your love of learning continues as you'll be starting KINDERGARTEN this fall. I can't believe it!! I'm so relieved you'll be with all of your adorable friends for one more year at school before you start our neighborhood elementary school. 

3. You continue to be the pickiest eater alive. I keep trying ways to introduce foods but alas I have not been successful. You don't need to eat breakfast most days (though usually I can get you to eat some yogurt or strawberries). You don't care much for dessert (except for Hershey's chocolate bars & nutella). You basically live off of pork roll, M&M yogurt, string cheese, fruit (bananas, strawberries, apples, grapes), refried beans & matzah ball soup. You don't like any typical "kids foods" but hopefully you'll start to try new things. 

4. Your favorite things include: Disney World, The Zoo, The Aquarium, Barbie, singing & dancing, wrestling Benny, Hide & Seek, Duck Duck Goose, princesses, My Little Pony, watching random videos on the IPad, painting your nails, watching ALL movies (literally, you'll watch anything.. it's so fun), reading books and art projects. You also love to travel -- South Florida is your favorite!!

5. You love hard. You love your family, your grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins. You love your friends, your cats, your fish. You are just so full of life & love. 

6. You call bathing suits "baby soups", you like asking where babies come from (and always ask for a new baby sister and a new dog), you've become a really good swimmer, you recently (yesterday) discovered you love ice skating, you finished your first year of dance school and ROCKED the recital, you love making brownies and you're already planning your 6th birthday.

We love you forever. Continue to grow, shine and be YOU. I wish I could freeze time but I feel so lucky to watch you develop into this beautiful person.

With love always,
Mama


(Here are a million pictures of this past year - out of order)

Happy May, sweet friends!!!

Another month has come & gone...and here we are, May 10th!!

It's been a week since we returned from a fabulous trip away to Florida & Mexico. 

On April 23rd, we flew to Ft Lauderdale. The kids have easily flown over 30 times so far so they've become rock star travelers. We were delayed a bunch but they did awesome in the airport. We switched things around a bit and decided to split up. Normally, I have both kids with me in the row (Layla in the window, Benny in the middle, me on the aisle, Josh on the other aisle across from us). This time around, we decided to put Benny & I in one row (him on the window) and Layla & Josh in front of us. It was SO much better... each kid had a window, Benny slept from the second we took off until we landed. Layla had Josh's undivided attention. All in all, perfect flight. 

We landed and the kids immediately began re-discovering all of their "Florida" toys. My in-laws are incredible - they now have more toys down there then at home!! They both also have their own rooms so it's less travel-like and more home-like. It's just comfortable and lovely. I quick escaped so make my way to Laura's house (my college BFF who happens to live 5 min from Josh's parents) and got to meet her sweet new baby boy, Lucas. He's SO SO SO cute and I'm so happy I got to snuggle him. That night we celebrated Passover (the night before we celebrated Passover at my parent's house!). It was great.

That night was a doozy... Benny transitioned to a big boy bed at home a few months back but this was the first time in Florida he was in a bed (instead of his crib). We got him brand new Batman bedding and tried to explain to him how exciting it would be to have his own Florida big boy bed. He went to bed great but woke up at 3:30 AM a little disoriented. Around 4:30 AM, he was still awake and crying.. I went back in his room and I think he was having a night terror? He was screaming, confused and terrified of the popcorn ceiling in his room. He never went back to sleep - it was BAD. I felt so sad for him. Josh & I started off our 6th anniversary arguing over what to do with Benny :( We even debated going to Mexico but my incredible Mother In Law ensured us she's figure it out and.. she was right. He slept perfect the rest of the week despite some intense fear of the popcorn ceiling (he kept saying it looked like bugs- I convinced him they were Florida Stars which seemed to work). 

That day, Josh & I left for Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. We booked this trip on a whim after realizing it was cheaper to go to Mexico for 5 days then stay in Miami for 2 days. Go figure! We picked the Platinum Yucatan Princess hotel. It was very pretty, clean and modern. We had a swim-out room and overall enjoyed a great, relaxing 5 days. I have to say the food & drinks were pretty bad and I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone BUT... we had a great time! I don't think Josh & I have ever been SO lazy on a vacation... our days literally consisted of sleeping, napping, eating, swimming and reading. (Side note, I read a really fun book! Elin Hilderbrand - The Matchmaker). It was the perfect way to celebrate 6 years with the love of my life . 

My dearest Josh, I love you with everything in my body. You are the light of my life and there is NO ONE I'd rather take this crazy ride with. Thank you, thank you, thank you for working so hard for this family. I adore you. 

After our trip away, we spent an additional 6 days in Florida... tons of time outside (Benny finally learned to ride his BIKE! with training wheels but SO proud of him), lots of walks and basketball and food and friends. We got to see my dear friends Amy & Jilly and their gorgeous kiddos, we got to spend time with our college loves and their gorgeous kiddos, we got to see family and friends and just relax. It was so nice and relaxing... 

AND now we are back in the swing of things. I've caught up on laundry, I've cleaned, I've started a new round of 21 Day Fix, I've starting meal planning, I've started mediating, I've started applying to jobs, I've decided that I am going to ROCK this summer and enjoy this little life we have. 

We opened our pool, we are ready for summer and we are ready to celebrate Layla turning FIVE.

A quick update, I'll be back sooner rather then later!!

xoxo

C

Benny & Layla ready for their Passover show at school!

I was reunited with my friend Maya... we met in Israel in 2007 while she was a soldier and haven't seen each other in 8 years. It was SO nice to see her. 

All the kiddos!! (my two plus my 8 nieces and nephews)

Waiting for our airplane...

And he's OUT!

Fun with Grandpa <3

We made it to Mexico!!

Our balcony :)

Our very pretty room.

My babe

Josh forgot nice shoes... which are required in the restaurants. So we had to buy him new ones. BUT...how nice are those?? I love them.

SMOOCH!

Lovers

Beautiful resort

Our only time on the beach.. the sand was quite rocky and full of seaweed :(

My happy place.

YUM

Nerd

While we were in Mexico, the kids were living the good life with their grandparents in Florida!

SO grateful for FaceTime

The reason I'm up 5 pounds ;)

Lots of swimming!!

6 years :)

my babes & I

Benny Layla & Kole

Amy, Jill & I

Layla & Kole... they may marry one day ;)

Giggles with Dada

Benny & his buddy Owen

Layla did SO awesome in the pool!

My best girl and I

The silly boys

Benny on Josh's old rocking chair :)

Josh took this while we had family pictures taken by the amazing Isla Charm Photography - Deerfield Beach - my baby boy & I

I love him!

Ice cream with grandma and grandpa

Two is better then one :)

Heading back home....

We opened the pool!

Mother's Day fun!

April 9 - snow day! :)

Happy April 9th, y'all!!

OH, did I mention it's SNOWING outside?? Because it is. Like insanely so. We had a nice few weeks of summerish temps and suddenly Mother Nature got angry and made it cold & windy for the past 14 days or so. To top it off, she blessed us with a random Spring snowy day. So? We're embracing it. We're all currently cuddled on the sofa - Layla watching Curious George, Benny watching random people at Disney World on the iPad and Josh shopping on Amazon. 

It's been an awesome, busy few weeks around these parts. I quit my job with Delegate Solutions (after a nice 15 months!) and have officially started working with my sister FULL time on her brand new adventure. She has started a new company called AMR Nurse Consultants, Inc. -- after learning the ropes of Life Care Planning, she realized she could do it on her own. And I'm proud to be her wing man! We've officially been in business 3 weeks and we are proud to say business is BOOMING! I mean, we're moving & grooving along I'm so proud of her and I have no doubt she'll be highly successful!! We are currently working out of my kitchen so it's been a blast. I love it!!

We are currently in the midst of my least favorite age - the 3's. I love how curious and funny and silly and sweet Benny can be but we are also experiencing tantrums, screaming, crying, hitting and spitting. It's hard and messy and dirty but I know that he doesn't mean it all and he's learning how to deal with his emotions. SO - I wanted to make a few lists of things I don't want to forget...(along with some of the things I wouldn't mind forgetting - such as Benny screaming LEAVE ME ALONE!)

1. If you ask Benny who his favorite characters are today - they are (in no particular order). 

• Captain Hook (Peter Pan)
• Zurg (Toy Story)
• Uncle Scar (Lion King)
• Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)
• Anger (Inside Out)

2. If you ask Layla what she is most excited about, she would say (in no particular order). 

• Her 5th birthday Barbie Luau
• Getting a dog (which will happen within the next 5 years)
• Having a new baby brother/sister (which may happen within the next 5 years)
• Opening our pool (which opens May 4th)
• Going to Florida (which we do the end of this month)
• Going to Disney World (which we are the end of August but she has NO idea!)

3. When I drop the babies off at the gym's Kids Club, Benny insists on a million hugs and kisses. ONE MORE HUG MAMA! ONE MORE KISS MAMA! It's sweet and beautiful and I hope he does it forever. 

4. For the longest time, Layla was terrified of losing her teeth. The weeks leading up to her 4th birthday, she would cry at night that she didn't want to turn 4 because 4 means your teeth fall out. She even threatened to cancel her own birthday party. My poor bug. WELL - the times have changed! She now sits in the backseat and tries to wiggle every single tooth in the hopes one of them becomes loose. She's SO excited for the tooth fairy and even told me HER tooth fairy brings toys, not money. HA!

5. Benny is seriously in love with a girl in his class named Rian. She's beyond adorable so it's not shocking but he talks about her ALL THE TIME. <3 True Love <3

6. Layla has started drinking milk again. She still asks for "milky in a pink cup" the way she did as a toddler. I literally love it. 

7. Benny is obsessed with fighting his cousin, Max. If you need him to do something, you can definitely bribe him with a "Taxi Fight". Max is 3 years older then Benny but very sweet when it comes to the battles. He'll pretend to fall when Benny pushes him and the way Benny's face lights up as though he won is the sweetest. 

8. Layla is obsessed with all of her cousins, specifically Marley. She now wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up because that's Marley's dream. 

9. Benny's favorite foods are burritos, hoagies, wonton soup, pork-fried rice. 

10. Layla's favorite meal is pork roll sandwiches (that is, pieces of pork roll with M&M yogurt in the middle). It's so gross. 

... so that's it! We are getting excited for Passover, our trip to Florida, our Mama & Daddy only trip to Mexico, Mother's Day and eventually LAYLA'S 5TH BIRTHDAY!!

happy Saturday, friends.

xx

Courtney

My Layla

Mama & Dada

Benny as Shabbat boy 

Regret or not to regret... that is the question!

Happiest Thursday!!!

IT'S MARCH - excuse me, but where did January & February go?!!? Days are zooming on by and in the mix of a Benny EPIC tantrum (apologies for the insane screams at 7:30 AM dear neighbors) - I started thinking about regret. 

It's no secret that the thought of a 3rd baby is a daily thought I have. With my first two being 19 months apart, the thought of having another sooner rather then later is quite appealing. However -- my gem of a husband does not agree. He's on the fence about having adding more children ever (bring on the tears) but it's not without good reason. He believes we hit the jackpot with two healthy, beautiful babies (one boy, one girl) and shouldn't risk it.

 Financially speaking, we're in a bit of a stump with buying the new house and all the stress falls on him as he is the main provider. Furthermore, he grew up in a house with one other sibling while I grew up the youngest of 4. SOOOO... our ideas of the "perfect number" are fairly far apart. I'm 32 and he is 33 so I know we have plenty of time. I know there isn't a rush and I KNOW that we are lucky lucky lucky. BUT.. I can't help but think that are family is missing something. Someone. I just know it, in the pit of my stomach, in the little space in my heart that is ready to grow and love on one more baby. I know we'll figure it out, one way or another. I stumbled upon a beautiful quote that said "You'll never regret having another baby but you'll always regret NOT having one more." How true that feels. 

It goes me thinking... what are my biggest regrets? SO - in no particular order....and in the hopes that perhaps I could prevent someone from making the same mistakes ;)

1. Regret # 1- Tanning as a kid. 

WHY didn't I listen to my mom or Cosmo magazine when they waxed poetic about the horrible effects of the sun and a tanning booth. I tanned through high school, I tanned DAILY through college and I even tanned a few times leading up to my wedding. GROSS. I've since discovered I am learning to enjoy my fair skin and when I don't? I get the organic spray tan and BOOM! I'm feeling tan and thin without the side effects. I get yearly checks at my dermatologist but I know I have premature wrinkles from all those hours spent making. Moral of this story??? DON'T TAN. WEAR SUNSCREEN. BE SMARTER THEN I WAS FROM THE AGES OF 14-26. Also, click here for some more information on Melanoma (The most dangerous form of skin cancer) -- click here.

** How to remedy this regret? Wearing sunscreen, avoiding the sun, using a good skincare regimen and one day getting botox, ha!!!**

2. Regret # 2 - Not going to Europe post college. 

After graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2005, I moved home. THEN.. my siblings gifted me a TRIP TO EUROPE. I had never been (and this remains true to this day, sadly). They handed me a book on Europe and told me to plan away. I called my friends and I called my boyfriend (now husband) and I searched but no one was able to go with me. Most couldn't afford it and others had other plans. The weeks and months went by and I quickly got a real job so Europe became an afterthought. And then the year passed and I realized I never planned a trip. (See also, my boyfriend broke up with me and so for 10 months I was completely miserable and then he came back and now we're married so it was perhaps all meant to be) -- BUT STILL. WHY DIDN'T I GO TO EUROPE?!??!! I should have just gone by myself. I should have made someone go with me. DUMB.

**How to remedy this regret? Make the trip with my hubby prior to if/when we add another baby to the picture. Or just wait and take the kids with us when they are a bit older!!!**

3. Regret # 3 - Not getting my Masters in Speech Pathology post college.

Prior to my 10 month breakup with Josh, I debated moving to South Florida. I researched Speech Pathology masters programs and ultimately decided to do it. THEN..we broke up and I threw myself into my pharmaceutical work. I went from a 6 month job at Wyeth to a 10 month job at Merck to an 8 year career at Johnson & Johnson. I loved what I did in the pharmaceutical world but I reallyyyyy regret not getting the masters degree. It's a 2 year intensive program and I should have done it back then.

**How to remedy this regret? Realize it's NEVER too late and get my Masters one day in the future!!!**

4. Regret # 4 - Not going to Hawaii on my Honeymoon

Don't get my wrong -- I LOVED our Honeymoon to Couples Negril in Jamaica (I mean, we've been back an additional 3 times if that's any indication of how much we loved it!!) - but I wish I would have taken the time (2 weeks!) to head to Hawaii and venture around that beautiful place. I hope to get there one day soon (maybe for our 10th anniversary) but I'll always regret not going for our Honeymoon.

**How to remedy this regret? Plan a trip to Hawaii. Duh.**

5. Regret # 5 - Not losing the baby weight. Twice.

I gained A LOT of weight with both babies. An embarrassing amount, in face. BUT -- I think my body just needs the extra weight?? Seriously - I didn't stuff my face and I didn't sit my butt on the sofa for 9 months so I'm just convinced some women gain a lot. Which is all good and fine.. except?? I'm up approximately 16 pounds from pre-Layla and and I'm up approximately 6 pounds from pre-Benny. I just can't lose it despite my (not so best) efforts. I will lose it but it's not easy. My whole body is curvier, lumpier and saggier then ever before... these extra 2o pounds need to GO! ;)

**How to remedy this regret? LOSE THE WEIGHT. AND?? I JOINED WEIGHT WATCHERS THIS MORNING!! CONTINUE WITH MY 21 DAY FIX. GET IN SHAPE!!**

6. Regret # 6 - Not living in NYC or downtown Philadelphia. 

I love our little space in the suburbs. I prefer the quiet and I get nervous easily which makes me think living in the middle of Manhattan may put me over the edge. BUT.. I also LOVE the city. The hustle and flow and overall energy. I really wish that at one point in my 20's, I had moved to NYC or at least to the middle of Philly and stayed there for a couple of years. At one point, my best friend Shari & I had a deposit down on an apartment in the Art Museum area but we quickly realized how expensive and dumb it would be because we both had no money. NOW I realize how stupid money is and how we can always make more but we're only 22 one. UH. 

**How to remedy this regret? Visit Philly & NYC quite often and realize some dreams don't come true for a reason. 

#7 Regret # 7 - Not appreciating the GOOD in every season. 
As long as I remember, I always counted down to the next big thing. I remember my mom planning skiing trips as kids and I would mark off each day until the ski trip came. OR counting down the months until summer camp or until school started or until my birthday or until the next BIG thing. This continued all the way through elementary, middle, high school, college and beyond. I know looking forward to things are great but I really wish I enjoyed each and every season. High School was a dream come true, college was the best time of my life, pre-engagement was fabulous, GETTING engaged was the perfect day, buying houses #1, 2 AND 3 were all better then the next, being pregnant with Layla, newborn Layla, surprise pregnancy with Benny, newborn Benny and BOOM - NOW HERE WE ARE! I need to remember to slow it all down.. stop waiting.. stop thinking about the next step & just enjoy TODAY.
**How to remedy this regret? ENJOY EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THIS MAGIC!!!

I'm sure my regret list could go on for days but these are the top.. what are some of your biggest regrets?? 
With love,
Courtney

An Update of Sorts....

Hello friends!!!

It's now past mid-February and I can start to smell SPRING!!! I mean, there's still lingering snow and today's blustery 35 degree weather is shouting winter but I'm getting so excited for warmer days, playing outside and eventually opening our POOL!!

Some fun things going on around here? 

1 - My brother, Adam Soloff, wrote a BOOK!!!! It's called Mindful Finance and you can buy it on Amazon HERE!!! I'm SO proud of him... I'm the youngest of 4 so Adam & I are 9 years apart but we are the best of friends. He works his booty off and somehow managed to write an entire inspiring, amazing, very cool book. PLUS -- 25% of book proceeds go toward the Soloff Foundation; a charitable foundation fund with a specific goal of helping kids on the Autism Spectrum, and other disabilities. Check it out and let me know how you like it!!

2 - I'm trying to avoid online shopping at all costs but it's SO hard. I want to decorate my new house, we want a new dishwasher, we want patio furniture, I'd love new clothes for Spring & Summer.. it never ends. Luckily, the few times I manage to talk myself into buying something, I'm getting money back with EBATES! TELL me you're using Ebates. I'm happily about to cash a check for $150 just for shopping online - NO cost, no strings attached. Click here - trust me, you'll be happy you did. 

3. I'm in between challenges now for my 21 Day fix -- I'll be starting my 4th challenge on February 29th -- WAHOO!! Interested in hearing more? Comment with your email address - I'll help you get started and ready for bikini season!!!

4. We have lots of fun things coming up!!! Next weekend, one of my best friend's is marrying the love of her life. I can't wait to celebrate Leah & Tacuma. They are a beautiful couple and I can't wait to dance the night away with so many friends - even my parents are coming! :)

5. I'm STILL reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I LOVE it but it's so long. I'm about to renew it for the 2nd time from the library and I hope to finish is soon!! I'm also listening to The One & Only by Emily Giffin on Audible. It's okay - not great but a decent listen when I'm driving to & from school. 

6. We started planning Layla's 5th birthday party - it's a Barbie Luau and I literally can't wait. It's June 4th which is about 3 1/2 months from now. We are #nutso. 

...

Okay, off to work and eat lunch and shower before going to get my babies from school!