Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Long Update-Post Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's


I realize I haven't posted in a long while. We've been quite busy this past month. One thing I'm grateful to my husband for is his sense of family and adventure. He loves to do things as a family so we often go to many places- even just to drive and walk around. Sometimes I think that if it wasn't for him we wouldn't go anywhere. Here's a pic from the Griffith Park Carousel, train, and pony rides. Pup had his first pony ride ever (which he loved) and AJ rode his first horse in the non-traditional pony ride sense.


Here are Daddy and AJ on the train, but unfortunately you can't see the train part.

That same weekend we went to the Town Center for "Toys for Big Boys." This 3 day event was part of the California Lifestyles Expo where tractors, RVs, Limos, Race Cars, Funny Cars, tires, and home improvement projects were displayed for all to see. We specifically went to this event to support my step-dad Randy who was representing his company that makes torque converters.

Here are some pictures of AJ and his Grandpa from that day. They are standing in front of a race car that is sponsored by Randy's workplace and is still racing today. Randy was once a member of its crew and responsible for many of its parts. AJ was so excited that he actually got to sit in a car- something many people will never get to do.


The next event of the month was the annual Christmas tree lighting we also attend at the Town Center. This year we went with Danny's mom, sister, and the Worfords. Pup was very engaged by the lights and the music as well as the man on stilts.





AJ loves the juggler.

This month we also went out to dinner for Granny Mimi's and Uncle Ryan's birthday. The whole fam went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.



The 3 amigos at dinner. (Pup, Baby Worf, and Hank the Tank)

Last but not least we had Thanksgiving. We enjoyed two nice dinners- one at my grandmother's and one at Danny's mom's house. Unfortunately our Thanksgiving was accompanied by ear infection and pink eye. Poor Pup. He was not well. I had taken him to urgent care on Tues. and he was put on antibiotics for the ear infections. On Friday I took him back because his eyes did not look right. Sure enough he had pink eye too. Not fun. Fortunately, everyone else seemed to escape it except for Hank the Tank. Guess we should have stayed home. Anyhow, it was nice visiting with family- on both sides. Danny's tia Irma is in treatment for cancer so it was good to see her doing well. On my side it was great to see my aunt and sister who we don't see much due to distance.

I am looking forward to Christmas and the rest of the family festivities. Danny sat down last night and filled the calendar with all the holiday things that we need to do before Christmas. This includes driving down Candy Cane Lane, watching various Christmas movies, and taking pics with Santa. His goal is to fill our house with everything Christmas. There are a lot of decorations up and at first it was annoying, but I'm starting to embrace it. It is fun for the kids afterall- and that's who it's about anyway.

In AJ news, 2 of Pup's therapists this past week told me how smart they thought AJ was and how good his vocabulary is for only a 4 year old. I was quite pleased, and although I'm really not one to brag, I feel like it's because of all the books we've read to him and the experiences we try to give him. Anyway, it made me feel good. That's all.




Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Monday, November 2, 2009

News!

I'm so thrilled. Pup starts and early intervention group class on Thurs. Since I'm working Danny will be going with him. It's 2 hours once a week. I LOVE my service coordinator. With all the budget problems here in CA I'm VERY concerned as our insurance is now going to be accessed. I'm not sure what that mean, however. All I know is that I'll be paying out of pocket for things I didn't have to before. Pups IFSP meeting is on Wed. I'm really concerned about his fine motor development at this point. Still working on waving, clapping....yada yada yada

Sunday, November 1, 2009

The Drs. Mc Dreamy and Mc Steamy are in.






Last night was Halloween and in traditional fashion we took the kids trick-or-treating. AJ and Pup were Drs. Mc Dreamy and Mc Steamy. It was fun this year because Uncle Bret and Auntie Kiki (my sister Karyn) came with us unlike last year. Before venturing off to the houses, we stopped by my mom's to show her the kids' costumes. Hank the Tank was also there with my sister and brother-in-law in his pirate costume donned with mustache and pirate goatee.

Then it was off to Pop Pops where we were joined by Grandma Bebon and Aunt Kelly for trick or treating. They painted their faces and The Tank was not too happy. Of course Pup was oblivious and wasn't scared a bit.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Funeral

We had to drive down to San Diego for the funeral of Danny's step-father of about 20 years (well, former step dad). It was a small, very beautiful service in a Jewish cemetary. Myron was Jewish and as we're not the boys were given yamakas to wear. It was a graveside service so everything you'd expect to happen did. We saw the coffin being lowered and we participated in shoveling dirt into the grave. It was solemn but happy at the same time. We let it all happen and felt that if AJ had any questions we'd just answer them. After all, death is a part of life. We didn't really say much figuring he'd ask and we'd tell him. On the way home we asked him if he had any questions about anything he saw. We figured he'd ask about the "box" or the shoveling. He said no but understood that Zaide went to live with great-grandma in Heaven. Earlier this year he went to the funeral of Danny's grandmother. About 10 minutes later he announced, "I do have a question." I braced myself for something big.

"Why did I have to wear that little hat?"

Monday, October 26, 2009

Fall Family Picnic


AJ's preschool had their annual Fall Family Picnic tonight. Grandma Yvonne, Aunt Kelly, and Granny Mimi were all in attendance. It's nice to be able to see AJ's friends and see him "in his element." We just got Subway sandwiches and played on the playground. They also had activities set up on the patio like pumpkin painting, pumpkin hammering, and other things.




Aunt Kelly and AJ in the sandbox on the school playground.
Pup and AJ in the playhouse.
It's very therapeutic to hammer golf tees into pumpkins. You wouldn't think so, but it was!

Granny Mimi and AJ


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Pup did some walking while we were there too! He just needs to learn to get up by himself.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Let's Go Yankees!

Here are the boys celebrating the big win! The Yankees are off the World Series- their first since 2003! Go Jorge #20!
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Today was also Pop Pop's 60th b-day celebration. Al, as always, enjoyed helping to blow out the candles on the cake and being the boss of all play. It was so nice to see all the kids finally playing together as they are old enough. It is now noticeable, though, that Pup is not quite there with the other kids- even Danny (who NEVER ever says anything) said something today about it. It's a bit painful to hear my sister and friend Tracy talk about the boys (who are all born 3 months apart- Worf [20 months], then Pup [17 months], then Bubs [14 months]) growing up driving, playing ball together, because I know there's a big possibility Pup won't be able to. I don't want to, however, spend his life wishing he were like the other kids. I just want to accept him for who he is, but it's hard. AJ is like the other kids so I guess I have the best of both worlds, right?




Here's Pop Pop opening some gifts.

I am watching him right now and he's FINALLY able to push the ball popper toy on. He gets that if he pushes on the lever the music will start. It's the first toy he's "gotten." Yeah Pup!