Warmer Climate

Two weeks of events to report on...

Prior to going to Florida, Lily had her Valentine's Day party at school where she handed out Dora Valentine's, and the highlight was pink milk, as she did not like the cookies with icing that Mom made for her classroom - fortunately the other kids liked them!

On Friday, we left for a weeklong visit to Florida. The plane trip down began relatively well, but towards the end of the flight, Jack spit up all over himself and Mom, and Lily was crying because her ears hurt - needless to say, we were happy to reach the ground.

We saw a variety of family while in Florida. The bulk of our trip was spent with Bubbie, Donna, Stephen, Emilie, and Stephanie. Lily enjoyed playing with lots of toys, riding her new bike, swimming, and going to the playground. Jack, on the other hand, just loved being held and was very smiley all week. Both Lily and Jack were champion sleepers! Lily woke up between 7-8am each morning and then headed to Bubbie's room for some early morning cartoons, while Jack woke up between 8-9am every morning - thus Mom and Dad got some great sleep!

It has been several weeks since Jack woke up during the night, he is averaging about 10-11 hours each night so we are happy about that. Our only issue is that a few evenings each week, he has a fussy, crying period for about an hour or so, but he calms eventually (Dad is currently holding Jack while he works through his issues :)). He has moved on to Level 2 nipples and is averaging about 6 ounces every 3-4 hours. We noticed considerable strength in his neck during our week in Florida, and he is staying awake for longer periods of time during the day and is experimenting with many different sounds. Unlike Lily who tended to sleep through most dinners out until about four months, Jack usually wakes up once the car stops moving, but generally just chills and takes in his surroundings. Lily is just a regular chatterbox, and constantly asks questions and makes funny observations. She loved jumping in the pool and hanging out in her Little Mermaid tube. She was also very good at making friends on the playground. We definitely has a social child on our hands.

While in Florida, Jack also met his great grandparents, Poppa Syd and Grandma Essie, for the first time! Lily and Jack send hugs and kisses to Poppa Syd hoping that he feels better soon. We also got in some swimming time with Tornoto cousins Lisa, Kevin, Matthew, Adam, and Samara.

The flight home on Saturday was thankfully a lot less eventful! On Sunday Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Tracy, and Uncle Stan came over for a visit and dinner - this was the last time we will see Tracy and Stan before the arrival of their baby girl in less than two months!

Enjoy the pics and video!


Lily and Jack catching up with some Curious George.


Jack ready for a walk.


Jack smiling for Bubbie.


Plotting against the parents.


With Grandma Essie.


With cousins Adam, Matthew and Samara.


A manicure with Donna.


Some quality alone time.


The latest Princess best seller with Stephen.


In the pool.


More pool.

UPDATE: Apparent YouTube problems. We will try and this tonight.

City of Blinding Lights

Big week this week. Friday starts our vacation to sunny Florida. We (and by we, I mean Marcy) are getting packed up and ready to go. Lily is excited to go on vacation - school has been a real drag recently and Jack is ready for a change of scenery :) But before the vacation of next week, there was the week that was.

Let's see, for Lily it was a regular week at school. She was busy with art and writing her name and reading books. She is doing really well there and loves her teacher Ms. Linda. Now when we read Knuffle Bunny Too, all the kids in the books are her friends from school and the teacher is Ms. Linda. We had our parent teacher conference this morning and her teachers had great things to say about her and her development.

Jack is doing very well too. He has slept the night each night since our last posting, sleeping until 8 some mornings. He has been eating like a champ and growing at a pretty good pace. At his eight week appointment he weighed 12 lbs., 2 oz. which placed him in the 75th percentile. He measured in at 22 inches and that put him in the 25th percentile. Marcy and I are not sure whether or not that measurement was correct because his clothes just don't seem to fit him anymore.

This past weekend Jack and I had quality time together on Friday and Saturday as Marcy and Lily were off to Aunt Tracy's baby shower. They had a great time and Lily got to spend time with her two aunts as Kelly was in town also. Sunday the kids were off to friend Zachary's birthday party. They had a good time and spent the day relaxing around the house.

No post next week as we will be away but we will see you back in two weeks. Maybe we will try to fit in a bonus post between now and then ... the fam is off to vote tomorrow morning. Lily and Jack can see democracy in action.


Snoozing with elephant.


Helping Aunt Tracy open presents.


Catching some shut eye.


Jack volunteered to help Aunt Tracy get acclimated.


Lily at ballet this morning.

Cheer Up

A lot more sleep. That is what is going on here. Not to jinx ourselves again but Jack is up to five nights in a row and he slept from 10:30 (after being put down awake) until about 7:15 this morning. Lily hasn't quite gotten into the action (waking up in the middle of the night a few times) but she is sleeping until 7ish so we really can't complain.

The two of them are keeping us busy. Lily finished up gymnastics this week and had play dates with friends Brendan and Zachary. On Friday, Lily got to visit with Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom. On Saturday friends Kristen and Chris came over along with Wyatt. Sunday we stuck around the house as Lily was recovering from a cold. She sees to be recovering pretty quickly - nothing that a lot of sleep and a couple viewings of a Little Mermaid couldn't fix.

Busy week ahead so stick around for next week's update. Until then, enjoy the pictures and video.


Jack lounging on his lambskin blankie.


Lily and Brendan discussing lunch preparations.


Jack and Wyatt playing.


A close-up of the hair line.


Enjoying the bumpo seat.


Marcy and I were in the kitchen and Lily was making some art project. When she finished she showed us that she had spelled her name, by herself, with no assistance. School appears to be paying off!


Lily made up a cheer.

Dance on Vaseline

Another winter week in the books. Lily had a busy week at school and Jack is sleeping, eating and growing like a weed. Lily is busy with ballet and gymnastics and Jack is ... well not really busy.

On Friday, Lily and Jack and Marcy visited with Michelle and Hayley. They had a fun lunch and then they were off to the swimming pool. (Jack did not swim so much.) Saturday was a visit at friends Erin and Rob's house with other friends Holly and Rick and Mark and Kristen along with Brooke and Anderson. Lily and Jack had a good time playing around with Brooke and Anderson.

On Sunday, Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom came over with family friend Annie. Lily had a good time showing off her toys and her room to Annie. We finished the day off with some errands and Lil and Jack collapsed exhausted into bed - LIly slept (with one interruption) until 8:30 this morning and Jack slept from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. We are cautiously optimistic for tonight!


The kids. One with a giant smile.


Swimming with Hayley.


Chatting with Brooke.


Jack agreed to pose with a pacy here so he and Anderson could be twins.


Talking with Rob.


Lily with a little Sunday night dancing.

Bed of Lies

Well, Jack has worked to make fools of us this week. After bragging last week about what a good sleeper the boy is, he has regressed and decided again that he likes to wake up in the middle of the night. It has been about five days since he slept the night and we are ready to go back to when he was five weeks old!

Other than that, things continue to move along. Lily had week 2 of ballet last week and continues to love it. She keeps coming home with tons of art projects and stories and seems to love school and Ms. Linda. It is hard to believe how fast she is growing up. Today, Marcy took her to her first movie in the theatre - Alvin and the Chipmunks - upon the recommendation of Hayley. She seemed to have a good time but Marcy reports that it was a bit long for her.

Other than that, it was a lazy three day weekend here. We met our friends Purnima and Selvin for dinner on Saturday night - Jack was a gentlemen despite being awake for the whole meal and Lily was on her best behavior. Sunday was a lazy day around the house and today it was bitter cold so it was the movies for the girls and quality time for the boys.

That is all for now. Check out the pics and see you next week.


Horsing around with Grandpa Maurice.


All lovey with Jack.


Walking her baby.


A smile from Jack while watching tv with Lily and Baby Annie.


Getting comfy with a fancy new handmade Afghan from Bubbie.


Lily sharing a spot in bed with Clancy the Bear.