our week... part 2

Ok... so I can't believe that it has really taken me this long to post our week... but we have been crazy busy.
So... back to last Saturday (the 19th).  After visiting the Rooney's we headed over to the West Side of NYC to meet the littlest Sikora (and her mommy and daddy!).  Mira Mae did not disappoint!  She is such a cute little doll with wonderful alert time and awesome strength!  Gabi was so excited to meet her new lil cousin and it was so cute watching her try to give her a kiss.... precious.  We had a wonderful time just hanging out, catching about parenting tips, trying pacifiers, and yes... another photo shoot.  We felt SO blessed to have the opportunity to meet Mira while she is still so little. 
Thanks for having us Justin, Mary and Mira.  We love you and miss you already!

Gabi meets her cousin Mira

Daddy's and their lil girls!

sweet Mira Mae Sikora

 Upon returning to Ohio we played catch up on many things on the home front.  There was tons of laundry to catch up on, cleaning and unpacking.  I also had about 25 embroidery hat orders to get done by Tuesday! 
We had our usual Tuesday with Gramma and Gramma Thomas!  Coffee, lunch at Bob Evans and hanging out with Kateri and Chloe.
Thursday, Kateri and I had a mommy playdate!  We took an afternoon off to watch a movie while the girls napped.  We also took Chloe's 9 month pictures.  When the girls were all awake... they had fun hanging around.  It's fun to see how much closer in age Chloe and Gabi seem now =)

 What a crazy awesome week!  This weekend also ended with a bang! We spent more time with family, did alot more cleaning and organizing, and I did some long overdue clothes shopping!

everyday artwork... Isa gets better every day!

We also got to spend a day with Jenny to celebrate her 25th birthday.  She met us at The Little Gym on Saturday morning and watched the kids do their class.  We then had a mini movie day and headed to Red Lobster (part 2) to try our lick with her dinner of choice.  Luckily we got in this time! 

love for the birthday girl!

 WOW...long week!  Today we ended our week with mass, brunch and some more special time with family.  We are blessed!

 

our week...part 1

We have had a busy, fun and whirlwind week! I will start with last Friday, the 18th. The kids and I started our morning meeting friends at the park (enjoying the short lived spring weather). This was Gabi's first time moving around a the park. She loved it. All 3 kids had a blast and loved the swings, climbing all over the playgrounds, and just being able to run around!

After coming home, Tobin and I packed our bags and began a little adventure.  We dropped off Will and Isa with their Gramma and Bapa and began a last minute trip to NYC to spend some time with family.  We packed up Gabi, put in some books on CD and began the 8 hour drive.  Gabi did AWESOME.  We arrived at my cousin's Carla's apartment in the city right at midnight. 
The next morning we were awoken by 2 sweet little boys that were so excited to have us there!  We spent the morning with the Rooney family!  Carla, Tom, Jack, Matty, and their newest little addition... Tommy!  We felt so lucky to make the trip.  Although we didn't go out to visit any NYC sites... the trip was perfect because we got to just relax and spend it with family!

Rooney Family

 

Gabi meets baby Tommy!

 

room with a view!

Gabi Walks

Gabi finally started walking across the room the weekend of March 12th! I was finally able to catch it on video. We can't believe how long it took her to walk! She has been standing and pushing around a walker for almost 3 months now, and took steps on her own before her 1st birthday. The saying that each kid has his/her own agenda is so true. She is still crawling about 1/2 the time, but is definitely moving around more on her feet!
As you can tell from the video... she has an excited fan base! They were SO ready to transition Gabi from a baby to a Toddler =) (or "tobbler" as Isa would say!)

more posts about our exciting and busy week coming soon!

Will's 1st sleepover buddy

Will has had people over and he has slept over at family's homes, but last night Will had his 1st boy sleepover with his long time buddy Sam.  It was a REAL sleepover with all the basics... late night, popcorn and a show, sleeping bags under a fort in the room, and snacks while in bed. Sam was great the entire visit!
Poor Isa kept trying to join in on the fun, but kept getting locked out.  The boys had a blast and the morning is starting with some Chocolate Chip pancakes!  Great way to start the day!

being silly

the fort

night night!

great day

Yay for great days!  Today the playgroup came over and we celebrated St Patrick's day.  TWELVE kids running around, rainbow cupcakes, a little wine (for the adults), a BEAUTIFUL day (it felt like it was 70!), some sidewalk chalk, a little kite flying, and the laughter of kids is contagious! 
Some highlights of the day...
-hearing the boys say "but now who will our enemies be if we can't bother the girls".
-first time for some of the kids flying a kite!
-delicious desserts!

Most of all, it was hanging out with a group of girls that are more like family than friends.  I know I have said this before, but I think it's amazing that we have met several times a month since Will was about 3 months old.  These friendships are not replaceable! 

like brother like sister

Isa has had a interest in dinosaurs recently due to Will's love for them.   Today while coloring, she wanted to draw a dinosaur... and curiously enough, she drew one (in the same manner that Will draws his).  Seems like we have another lil artist in the family!  Not bad for a 3 1/2 year old!

Presenting... Isa's first dinosaur drawing (featuring Isa and a rainbow).

 

She signed this herself too!

Will walked over and asked me to scan his drawing too... so here it is.

she's got a new pair of shoes...

Our littlest sweet pea gets a LOT of hand me downs, clothes, shoes, hair bows. Today however, she got her very own 1st pair of walking shoes!  She was a doll at the store and so very cooperative.  There were many cute and stylish options, but I must admit, I am a plain jane.  I stuck to the one that would work as the best everyday shoe for this spring and would match most of her outfits. 

Gabi didn't seem to mind!  She loves her new pair of shoes! Catch her in a stroll near you!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of watching the new "sleeping beauty" of the family, Chloe =).  Chloe has happily taken over Gabi's old nickname, these girls sure do love their beauty rest!  The kids loved playing and making her laugh, and we all just had a ball bonding with her (especially me!). =)

week in review

Today I sat in the waiting room while Will and Isa attended their Little Gym class and I couldn't stop smiling.  Their relationship is amazing.  Do they fight and argue sometimes, absolutely.  However, they are more like 2 peas in a pod than individuals.  What amazes me more is that Isa tends to act like a very independent little girl, but we now realize that is only in familiar environments.  Out of her comfort zone, she sticks close to us, and Will in particular.  Not typical of what you would expect from her.  This was the most apparent during Little Gym.  She walked in holding Will's hand, followed him through most of the activities, and whenever possible stayed right by his side.  Ah... and Will, who normally loves playing on his own, just goes out there in ANY environment with no attachments and has fun.  I do think he did like having Isa right by his side though.  I love how well they play together and how more than ever they seem to have so many similar interests.

This week, Will and Isa celebrated Dr Seuss' birthday.  Here is Will on Wacky Wednesday.

we had another fun visit with Nicole and Sean.  Sean and Isa really hit it off and played so nice.
 (meant to post a picture here too... somehow my memory stick is missing)

Friday we had playgroup and celebrated Natalie's 3rd and Gabi's 1st birthday (again!).  

Today at The Little Gym!

never a dull moment, even when the kids are feeling a little under the weather!  Tonight... dinner at The Cecils! can't wait!