Hats off to Single Parents...

In preparation for a possible strike at AT&T Mike has been shipped to Atlanta for several training's over the past few weeks, this week having been the longest from Sunday to the following Friday night. Just to add some stress Haley and JJ caught a nasty virus and JJ ended up with croup. This illness is something Haley avoided her first year of life, in part we believe was because of her RSV shots they gave her to ward off virus' protecting her undeveloped lungs. So, needless to say, watching JJ struggle to breath and bark like a seal, was something we could have done without prior to Daddy leaving town. Regardless, we will survive and it just makes us cherish our nights together, even if we are trapped inside as Winter treads on in Western, NY.

Last weekend, we had special visitors from Burlington, VT. Asher and Alison (my best friend from Canton) paid us a visit. We spend the weekend with the kiddos playing, made a visit to Strong Museum of Play, and had a nice Martin Luther King Day breakfast out! It was crazy to see our children playing together!  Haley is still asking "when her friend is coming back?"  I couldn't say it better.

He's already mesmerized when BB is on :)

Who needs pants?

Tasha & Brody, Haley, Asher & Alison, Sara & JJ at breakfast :)

Haley: "Look Mommy I have beautiful eyes"

Haley being cute with her boys.

Waiting for meds at the Pedi's, this is how we do Friday Happy Hour now...

At least when you're sick you can pretend to be a princess...

Wegman's at Strong is always a hit!

Outside the Lego display at the Museum.

Hey...

Lego car, vrrrooooom!

According to Daddy, it's never too early.

1st carousel ride

The beginning of the "virus"

With our boys <3

Pathetically sick.

Blessed.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Santa certainly made a stop at our house this year... Haley had an elf on the shelf and really got into the Holiday hype! She is especially interested in "baby Jesus" and all through Christmas Eve Mass was insistent upon seeing him. Luckily we went to a children's mass so she wasn't too much of a distraction. 

We spent Christmas Day at home this year. After recent national events we feel so blessed to just spend time as a family. I found myself thinking upon the families in Newtown, CT and often. I can't imagine how they are getting through this time of year.  Perspective.

Playing with Mommy's phone

Drawing a holiday scene on the chalkboard.

JJ @ 10 months

Who's this guy? Not amused.

Haley got a book of masks to color, everyday she's a new Jungle animal!

Vitamin C.

You can kind of see in this pic that someone has several teeth...

Fall Back...

Halloween. The Princess and the Pea.

A visit with Grandma and Papa B!

Haley went on a special Playdate.
All of the toddlers are former Preemies, altoghether at birth they added up to a 6 lb. baby at birth! Amazing.

Cute JJ.

It's exhausting being a quarterback.

The mild fall has led to some nice outside days.

We're in trouble. He loves watching sports already...

Haley, and her cousins Addy and Jadian. Jalen wasn't amused.

Big girl at the dentist.

The three amigos. Haley 3 1/2 , Addy almost 4 years old,  Jade age 6)

Busy family...Happy family...Growing Family (in size Not number)

There have been many exciting events in our family lately! With an infant and a toddler, there are so many exciting milestones to capture. JJ is crawling now. Haley seems more like a pre-schooler than a toddler these days. She is a sponge, she loves to learn new things. She especially loves showing her baby brother how to do things and he loves watching her try.

Haley went for her first dentist trip and next week is Jalen's 9 month check- up! We are looking forward to the holidays this year and plan on visiting family after staying local last year :)   

Hope you enjoyed  a few of our recent moments.

Waving bye-bye

After 10 months at home it is time that I return to my other love, school.  I feel so fortunate to have spent this time at home getting to know Jalen and watching Haley grow as a 3 year- old. This time has been precious and SO special for our family. Jalen will be joining his sister at Peggy's for the best daycare and at almost 7 months old he is ready to start exploring with new friends. We know this new socialization will help develop and before we know it he will be motoring around!

My goal for this year is to be PRESENT. When I am at school I want to focus on being there and supporting my students and when I am home, I hope to focus on our family and let go of my "teacher hat". I know this will be challenging.

This labor day weekend our family is going to eat up every moment of sunlight and maybe even a few moments of moonlight :)

I love my chair, someday my feet might touch the ground!!

I wish this stroller had a speedometer, curious how many miles we logged...

Occasionally Dunken gets some lovin' too!

We have possibly hit all the playgrounds in Rochester this summer!

Haley was a flower girl in her Aunt Pookie (Leanne's) wedding.

Congrats to Leanne and Mark!

Our cute ring bearer!

Hanging with Gramma B.

Someone should tell her she doesn't start school for two more years!!

Checking out the garden in Potter Park.

After a very long day/night!!