Happy Birthday Tai Guy!

Have you seen that back to school commercial where the moms are sending their kids off to school and waving sadly as they do? Stupid commercial! I swear, I'm fine then all of the sudden a commercial comes on and it's like I'm pregnant! Pregnant women cry at commercials, right? Like I need help feeling all sentimental. My little Itai had a birthday and is getting so grown up, Avi is gowing to be starting his new school year and I'm just getting old.

Two years ago Debbie woke up early, walked down the hall, got strapped to an OR table and had a beautiful little boy. The beginning of his life was the scariest part of mine. I hadn't expected to see the nurse perform CPR on my teeny little baby. When he finally started crying I nearly did as well. He was bigger than Avi, but still pretty small. He was a stubborn little guy too. They put him in a little box to help close an open valve, but he pushed the box away twice.

Poor Debbie didn't get to see him for a very long time and was constantly asking if he was really ok. I had to keep promising he really was. I took pictures to show her, but they weren't very convincing. Can you tell if this is Itai? It seemed like a really long time, but his NICU stay was actually brief. We Avi didn't quite know what to think of him, in fact, he still doesn't know exactly what to think of him. But they do love each other and we love them.

We've spent the last two years cuddling him, searching for that perfect tickle spot (it's finally been found!), carefully scrutinizing every movement of his hands and eyes, breaking up fights, responding to his constant call of HELP! loving him and watching him in amazement...ok sometimes bewilderment.

Like this time...
or like this time...

Itai has been a wonderful addition to our family. He has become this cute little bundle of energy, love and attitude who loves babies, cars/trucks/trains/cars/helicopters/tractors, balloons, books, dogs and horses from a safe and reasonable distance, birds, Carmine, Pablo big brother and Ima. We love our little brother!

Happy birthday Itai! We love you!

Day at the Museum

At the very beginning of the summer we had dinner with a friend from my time in Lithuania and his family. When we parted ways we said we needed to get our kids together during the summer. Weeks past and I failed to make anything happen, but a few weeks ago I saw a sign for discount days at a local museum and decided we should go. We arrived at the museum before them which gave us enough time to take a few pictures and let the boys run wild (which they happily did).

Avi really enjoyed the beautiful weather, the freedom and rocks to climb on. It can be tricky to get a picture of him smiling, looking in the general direction of the camera and moving at warp speed, so I was really pleased to get this picture of him.Itai loved the freedom as well. He's still working on the whole climbing-jumping thing so the rocks weren't as inviting for him, but he enjoyed pushing the stroller around, following Avi and making the occasional break for it. It's quite a bit easier to get a picture of him looking at the camera, but he was really not interested that day.It turns out I wasn't the only person to see the advertisement for the discount day; the place was packed! We unwisely brought our double stroller in and could barely maneuver around the without bumping, hitting or running over someone. With all the craziness inside I didn't even think to take pictures. Shucks! Next time I guess.

In the mean time these pictures will just have to do. Avi loves the trampoline at his school. If he could he would stay there all day and night. I think we could replace the entire Disneyland park with one trampoline and the fountain in Toon Town and he'd be fine, as long as he got his turn at both. He's not mad in this picture, I promise.Check out that hang time!

An Evening at Home

For the first time in a very, very long time I was home during the evening. It was great. No school, no work, just time with the family. After our BBQ dinner we decided to go for a ride. But not just any ride; tonight we were riding in style.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Susan brought this wagon over for Avi and Itai the other day and today we had our first chance to really use it. As you can see Itai was thrilled, Avi was just...well, along for the ride.

After taking a few trips around the block we got kinda bored and decided on a new destination: the park. After killing a HUGE spider the playground became safe for two rambunctions toddlers.

Both guys were pretty happy to hit the slides

the swing

and everything else.

We weren't the only ones out enjoying the beautiful weather. The geese decided it was a perfect night for a flight.

Itai loved seeing them and as they flew by he yelled "Quack, quack!!"

While Debbie ran for cover.

And Avi just ran.

Itai liked playing in the wood chips.

And Avi ran.

After walking home (my feet are pretty tired now!) we ran into some neighbors. Their son wanted to pull the wagon and asked if he could pull Itai.

And Avi ran.

We played outside with them for quiet a while but eventually he had to go in (and my back was killing me). Can you tell I'm feeling very old tonight?

After a busy evening like that nothing is better than a nice cool bath and a trip to the potty.

Then the best part of the night is settling in for a new night-time tradition-

Sharing a bed with your best friend