Our Christmas in pictures

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah everyone! Tonight is the third night and Charlie is having alot of fun celebrating. Above, we were getting ready to go to Bubby and Zayda's house for the first night and I asked him to sing me a song. He gets his stool and grabs his microphone and sings lots of fun songs. He loves to perform!
Here he is performing in front of the Christmas tree. Notice the pretty star he and I made for the top. I think we'll have that be our "thing". Each year, we'll make a star for the top of our tree. Seems like a fun little project!

Here he is singing with Zayda and trying to get Bubby to join in.

Ethan and Charlie "patiently" waiting to open gifts. This night was the night we exchanged gifts with Alex's dad's side of the family so it was a night full of gifts. I think Charlie was a bit overwhelmed with everything. He's really going to go through new present withdrawal once this week is over!

Zayda, Charlie and Daddy...

A friend of mine was kind enough to walk over today with a ton of food for us to have for snacks and dinner. She actually stopped at the Italian market and Dibruno Bros and brought us some really yummy treats. She and Sharon are expecting another little baby, as Sharon is 33+ weeks along. Their toddler is Hallie, the surviving twin of Olivia. Hallie and Olivia were born at 23+ weeks and I met them in the NICU where I work. They know how scary this pregnancy is for me and were kind enough to bring us food. I cannot tell you how sweet that was and how nice it was just to have another person come to my house and talk to me for an hour...especially one who knows my fears. Thank you so much Abby, Sharon and Hallie. You are so kind and I am so grateful for your support. The above picture and the next few are shots of Charlie enjoying his yummy cupcake that they brought him. He was so excited and ate every bite of his dinner with the knowledge that he had this for dessert!

He kept licking up every dropped crumb and sprinkle...can you tell he doesn't get cupcakes often!

He LOVED it!

Here is Charlie and Alex after we lit the third candle tonight. He thinks Hanukkah is pretty cool, especially the gift part. Next year, when he's a bit older and can understand more, we are going to incorporate some charity givings with our gift givings so he gets the real meaning of everything...we hope!

As for me, my bed rest was extended. The doctors think I might be leaking a very tiny bit of amniotic fluid, certainly not enough to cause the baby harm, but it's a problem nonetheless. So bed rest continues until I see Dr. Debbs again on 1/8/09. We were planning to visit western NY this weekend to see Alex's aunts and his mom's side of the family...but I am certainly not going at all now. Where they live is very remote and nowhere near a NICU that I would want to deliver at. I also do all the driving as Alex doesn't drive and that stress is not worth the risk to the baby. Alex will catch a ride with his brother and sister-in-law next weekend instead and Charlie and I will spend the weekend with my parents. I feel good otherwise, more nervous with every pain and twinge but feel like maybe all of this stress will turn into a full-term pregnancy in the end...we'll see!

We leave tomorrow to spend the next few days with my parents. Look for some cute pics this weekend as we will be there with my sister and Mike and baby Bode. This is really going to be a fun year. My mom and dad always have an amazing open house on Christmas Eve (my favorite day of the year) and we get to see lots of friends and neighbors...always a good time. I will do my visiting firmly planted on the couch and won't be partaking in the "spirits" as I normally do, but the food will be amazing as always, the atmosphere is something like I've never experienced elsewhere, and the company is always great. I really miss my grandma right now as this was her favorite time of year. Last year she was still with us, I helped her with her hair and makeup, and she bugged me all night for just one more glass of wine. Less than two weeks later, she was gone. She'll be there in spirit though and I'm sure we will raise a glass in her honor as she was usually the life of the party!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone! Safe travels!

Charlie Dancing

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So I finally figured out how to post videos on the blog using YouTube...you can betcha that you'll see lots of videos form now on! So much fun! So Charlie is sick...yes we were just at the docs on Monday where he was declared very healthy. We were even going to back off his asthma regime a bit to see if he can tolerate less medication...well, he has been sick off and on for the past three weeks, Monday was just a good day for him. The rest of the week, not so much. We went to the docs today and he has a sinus infection and a right eardrum that's about to burst. Poor guy! He really feels crappy but has bursts of happiness. It's so much sadder when they can tell you what's wrong and they ask to have it fixed right now...he told me he has water in his ear and he wants it out now! Anyway, I am still bedresting it...as much as one can with a sick 3 year old running around. I feel good, no more issues right now, and if I can keep it that way, I'll go back to work in time for New Year's! Alex has been a huge help and I am currently working on a Christmas stocking for baby Aaron...so cross-stitching and watching movies is keeping me "busy"! Here's some fun pics I took of my poor puppy the other day. My mom bought her a Santa outfit so I decided to dress her up after her bath...poor dog!

Speaking of mom, thanks again mom for all of the fun maternity clothes you bought me! I love them and cannot wait to wear them out in public!

ABC's

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You are my sunshine...

Bedrest Blues

Oh, boy. Here we go again. I am on bedrest...hopefully for two weeks only. I was at work Saturday night and started bleeding (23 weeks along). Luckily the PETU (pregnancy evaluation and treatment unit) is one floor up and my doctor told me to head up there. They kept me overnight and my high risk MD came in and scanned me to determine where it was coming from. Looks like there's a tear in the placenta and a small blood clot behind that. Hmmm, baby Aaron is causing trouble again. I wonder if this will be a theme for the rest of his life! Anyway, good news is that I am not dilating or contracting, but bedrest will help this heal quicker (especially because we are now busy again at work!). It's stressful because Alex is still unemployed and I have limited maternity leave saved up...so we are hoping that he not only gets a job soon but that I am able to return to work and keep working for a while...prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated! Aaron looks good on ultrasound and is measuring 1 pound 3 ounces. Average for this gestation. The good thing about the timing of all this is that Alex can help out with Charlie more than if he was working. Double edge sword in a way!

In more fun news, wewere at my parent's house Friday and Saturday to help them decorate their tree. Alex and I were able to go out for dinner Friday night with a gift certificate from my parents' for our anniversary. We went to Bone Fish Grill and had some yummy bang bang shrimp.....yummmmmy! Here are some cute pics of my nephew Bode...he's so cute!
Here's Charlie after his first candy cane...sugar heaven!

Charlie had his 3 year check up this morning...he weighs almost 35 pounds and was very social with Dr. Banner. He has also been loving the phone and talks to anyone who calls. He can sing several Christmas songs and likes to recite his whole alphabet. We've had several completely dry days with potty training lately and only a few times where #2 has been a problem...that seems to be the toughest for him to coordinate. We are very proud of how quickly he's grasped this whole thing...on a funny note, Dr. Banner was checking Charlie out this morning during his checkup and when it came time to strip and check out his parts, Charlie proudly announced, "that's my penis Dr. Banner, that's Charlie's penis". It was cute!

Three Years Old!

I am the proud mamma of a three year old! He is fun and sweet and has just enough attitude to make him a bit feisty. He talks and sings and recites movie quotes (thanks to his daddy's genes) and I am 100% in love with him. Here he is three years ago...He spent a week in the NICU where I work needing some help breathing and needing antibiotics. The two things he could do well were eat and sleep and he still does...
Poor sick baby. But here he is now, three years later, pretending to be Thumper from Bambi...(thumper is the rabbit in case anyone is deficient on their Disney trivia)

Here he is giving me his biggest smile this morning when I came home from work. He decided that he's a tough guy and didn't need a shirt. He tried to convince me to take mine off b/c I'm a tough mommy! He'll learn...

His first blanket fort made by mommy for his pleasure. My little sister and I used to love making these and so did Alex, looks like Charlie had fun too!

Making cookies with mommy. He loves to make cookies and is really patient and a good helper!

He woke up Sunday morning to a tree that magically showed up in our house with lights on it, all ready for him to decorate. I am really hoping that he's not allergic to it and it seems okay so far!

Some of my favorite ornaments that my mom got us last year for the holidays...

"you'll shoot your eye out..."

Charlie's smile that was plastered on his face all morning...

Daddy showing him some of the ornaments on top...Charlie keeps pointing out that we need a star. I agree and I think we'll make one tonight...

Daddy and Charlie playing guitar...

And the biggest news...for me at least...he's potty training! It's been 10 days, and we went from 2-3 accidents the first day, to maybe 1 a day now, even at school. While we were decorating the tree he stopped in the middle to ask to go potty. He can do everything himself and stand up like a real little boy! We are so proud of him! He's mostly wearing sweat pants to make it easier on him and he really gets a kick out of being so independent. He can even wash his hands and turn the lights off himself. Just in time for baby #2!

I Never....

Here's a fun list of "I never's" I found on someone else's blog...and she invited others to copy and play along...so here's mine. The bold items are things I have done...feel free to play along!
1.Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Cuteness in 4D

Here's the latest cuteness from baby Aaron. We had a 4D ultrasound done last evening and boy is this kid cute. He looks alot like Charlie, same nose, but bigger lips! Here, he is laying on his left side with his left arm over his face, and the curly-cue thingy on the left side of his face is his umbilical cord. Charlie came with us and was so good for the whole thing. He kept asking the technician..."baby Aaron look good right". It was very cute, it's like he's already so protective of him!

Here's my belly at 22 weeks...getting bigger! Several bruises from the Lovenox injections but nothing too terrible!

Charlie showing daddy his belly...so much cuter than mine!

And lastly, a little something that I am so proud of! I started working on these two things while I was on bedrest with Charlie and once he was born, I left them be for almost three years! I started working on them again two months ago and now they are complete. Charlie calls them Christmas boots, but here are his and Alex's stockings. Mine and Aaron's will come hopefully by next year, although if it takes three more years, that's okay too!

They are cross-stitched and then sewn into stocking form. It starts as blank fabric and I follow a pattern to make the picture appear using needle and thread. Thanks grandma Tutu and mom for showing me how to do this when I was 8 years old!

Turkey day come and gone

Thanksgiving is over and it was a nice time this year. I was going to post this whole thing about everything I am thankful for, but the week and weekend got away from me and here it is December 2nd and I never did. So every year, I try to work thanksgiving because I really like to be off for Christmas. It's always been my favorite holiday and my parents always have this really awesome open house on Christmas eve that I cannot miss. FYI, Alex and Charlie are Jewish so we celebrate Hanukkah, but we also do Christmas. Charlie is one of those "lucky" kids. Sooooo, long story short, I worked Wednesday and Thursday nights of thanksgiving. I didn't mind, the preemies were well behaved, and we all brought in some food to eat Thursday night...I made home made mac and cheese which was really yummy. My mom came and picked Charlie and Alex up Thursday morning so they could hang out at their house while I slept all day Thursday. I got out of work Friday morning and found that my car (named Ben) was broken into. I was so bummed and so annoyed. The person smashed the back window and stole my cell phone (who knew that pink was a popular color for thiefs) and my favorite Ralph Lauren sunglasses and a bunch of quarters. Two hours, a police report and some fingerprints later, I was frozen solid and so tired! I went home and crashed for a few hours and then taped Ben up and drove to Downingtown to be with my family. Charlie had a blast making cookies with tutu (my mom), and Alex was able to watch some football.

Charlie putting sprinkles on the cookies...

So proud of his creations! He's been very excited to make cookies...we've made them a few times at our house and he's very patient and quite helpful!

Charlie wearing Grandpa's light. My dad uses this to see in the attic. Charlie loved wearing it around their house! My parents also set up a large area in their basement with lots of play things for the kids. It's all kid friendly and full of lots of fun things. Charlie had a great time going down there by himself and playing and doing his own thing...we loved it too!

Mommy and her boy. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful dinner made for me last Monday. Alex made me some amazing portobello mushrooms, a wonderful salad, and coconut shrimp. He also made some yummy fruit cups with whipped cream for dessert. It was very nice to have dinner made for me and I really appreciated all of the work he put into the dinner! When I asked him to make dinner one night, I was thinking spaghetti or boxed mac and cheese...anything as long as I didn't have to make it!

Everything with the pregnancy is going well. Last Monday night and Tuesday, I was having lots of contractions and pains that had me pretty worried. I am only 21 weeks and was nervous...so I went to the hospital to get checked out. I am so afraid to miss any warning signs...things with Charlie were so unexpected I feel like there was something I should have noticed that was wrong. So anyway, everything checked out fine. I was having contractions but they weren't causing any changes or dilation so I went home happy to know that everything was fine. The NP who came in to see me at the end made me feel like a complete moron and pissed me off so much I would have liked to have told her off...but there's no reason to bring all of that up. The baby is fine and for that, I am grateful!

Speaking of grateful, this year I am grateful for: my parents who are so generous and so helpful and so wonderful, my husband who loves me more than anything and treats me like a princess even when I don't deserve it, my little Charlie Bear who holds my hand and tells me he "lubs" me daily, the fact that Charlie's asthma has improved drastically this year, extra time with my hubby the past several months...even though it's because he lost his job, we are fine and I've had him around alot more which is fantastic, my pregnancy and the fact that I was able to conceive so easily...I see and know so many people who are not so lucky so I am very grateful for this, and I am thankful for the new direction this country is headed...and am looking forward to the future of the United States!