April

In April Ben started to play his first organized sport. He chose soccer. His Mom got him all organized with the right equipment thanks to a few knowledgeable clerks at the soccer store.  The soccer team he was on was a co-ed team called the Stars.   He took it all in stride and not once looked nervous going out to the field to practice or play a game. I think I was more nervous for him! 

Ben also got an award from school that month for helping to encourage and respecting others. He was quite proud to bring that home and we all made a big deal out of his accomplishment.

During this month my morning sickness kicked in big time…all day..every day. I would work, come home, pick up Ben and then Alexis and want to crash afterwards.  I did my best but often would got to sleep right after Alexis did at 7pm.  The only saving grace I felt from feeling so horrible was knowing that this likely meant the baby was doing great. Mom on the other hand, not so much.

March

In March my little, sweet princess turned two years olds. How fast the time seemed to fly by. We celebrated her special day with an outing out with just Mom. I asked if she wanted to go to a play place or a place to read stories. She is a book lover and asked to go read stories. Unfortunately a lot of book stores in our area closed, but we were able to snag a nice quiet reading session at the Reston Library. Following that, we went to Santini’s for lunch where Alexis got to taste her first chocolate milk. Her eyes bulged at the delicious flavor of this new found drink. Later that evening we celebrated as a family and Alexis got a blue doll Cinderella doll from her brother and a few nice presents from her parents.

The following weekend, we celebrated her birthday with friends and family at our house. We had a Minnie Mouse theme and she truly enjoyed playing with all the other kids. She might not of gotten the hang of organized games, but we tried them all and she felt like a big girl.

Later that month, while her Dad was on a business trip, her Mom discovered a new exciting journey for the family. I was pregnant with my third and when James returned from his business trip he was given the same little pair of blue shoes that I had given to him when I found out I was pregnant with Ben.  I told Nagymama while at her house one day that Alexis is going to be a big sister. She was taken back a bit by it while processing the information but was overjoyed at the thought of a new grandchild. Nagypapa was told by me asking what his plans are for November. He thought for a moment and told me he had a church related event but nothing else and what should he be planning for? He was of course ecstatic a new little being was being welcomed into the family. Gaga and Uncle Rick were also told one day while out our house by James that Ben and Alexis were going to be a big brother and sister. Gaga I guess didn’t at first get what we were telling her, but Rick sure did. It was fun to see their reactions.  James and I were just overjoyed at the thought of having another little person due on November 26^th. He or she was going to be our Thanksgiving baby.

February

February also proved to be another existing month. I went to Hockey in Heels where it is a women’s only event where we got to meet with the Capitals. I took pictures with Beagle, shot pucks with Wolski, Crabb and Thomas.  I also had quite a few laughs as my kids continue to entertain me daily with their questions and fun little actions.  One day when passing a skunk on the road I jokingly asked Ben, “Ew Ben, did you poop in your pants?” Boys this age love farts, burps and bodily functions.   Ben quite amused responded with, “Congratulations on your fart Dad! Way to Go!” Trying not to crack up, James responded with “Sorry son, I wish I could take the credit.” AHHH I guess boys never truly grow out the grossness of bodily functions.   

In February, Ben and I also had a double date with Aunt Amy and his cousin. We went to a Disney show where Ben feasted on a blue snow cone out of a Mickey Mouse mug. He had a fantastic time at the show and loved that he got to share his experience with his best friend and cousin.

January

January was a very busy month for our little family. We got to experience more of a lot of firsts and enjoy the kids interacting with one another. We also learned a few new parental tricks, such as if you use a stop watch with Ben, you can get a room cleaned faster because he always wants to beat his old time.   Ben and Alexis are growing like weeds.  Alexis is growing more and more from being a baby to becoming a toddler/kid. On one Sunday while we watched her Dad play football, her little self was out at the sidelines yelling at the players as if she was coaching them from the sidelines. I love her beautiful sweet side and so proud that she uses her voice.  Ben continues to surprise me as one morning when we were headed out the door, Ben said “after you” to me.  He is learning that it is polite to let girls go first and hold the door for them. I couldn’t be prouder of the little man he is growing into.

Ben truly still loves peter Pan and often talks about adventures to Neverland. He wonders when Peter is going to visit and he wears his Peter Pan costume quite often around the house and talking about pirates.

Alexis has a new fascination with Minnie Mouse ever since the Disney trip. She liked her a bit before, but I think the trip escalated that fascination with the character.

December 2012

After the Disney vacation, it was time to start with all the holiday festivities. We had our usual awesome Thanksgiving Dinner at Aunt Amy’s house where the kids played and had a fantastic time.   I also got an early Christmas present from James, which was a cruise to the Bahamas in the early New Year. That was interesting as I had to scramble to get a passport and hope it would arrive on time.   Then the Christmas season really began with all the fun day to day things, the preparations and the magic of the season.

Ben regularly cracks me up with his questions and/or stories. One morning our conversation went something like this:

Ben: I am five years old right?

Me: Yes (wondering where this is going)

Ben: Does that mean Daddy is seven?

Me: Sometimes….

I got a good chuckle out of his question and my response.

For Christmas this year Ben asked for a car (nice one buddy) and a guitar.  Ben told me that Alexis would like from Santa a baby and a house to play in.  Both kids got what they wished, but the car came as a two seat power wheels Cadillac Escalade.  Both kids found it in the garage on Christmas morning and were so shocked they didn’t know what to make of it. However their smiles were so big and they have been having fun with the toy since.

Also this year my family decided to host everyone at our house. It was truly our first big holiday meal.  We did a lot of prep work ahead of time and made desserts galore.  Of course with any event there are some hiccups here and there but we truly enjoyed having everyone over and both agreed we would like to do it again.