A chill in the air

This week we felt the first true chill of the fall that makes you feel like winter is just around the corner.  This has meant bundling up both kiddos, neither of whom seem to love wearing much more than a hoodie sweatshirt (just like their Ima and Abba).

Alte is smiles 95% of the time and couldn't be any more delicious.  We took the bassinet out of our bathroom and she is now sleeping in our beloved travel crib, still  in the bathroom.  Eventually we will have to move her downstairs to her bedroom...

Hersh is busy learning about the moon, and has just begun to learn more about Hanukah at school.  Last night he asked, "How do you pray?"  This launched into a discussion about talking to G-d and inviting the animals to pray with the plants, especially a cactus.  Something else delicious about Hersh is that he talks to Alte the way we do.  For example, we'll say, "Do you have any smiles in there, AlteLu?" And then she will usually smile.  It is even sweeter when HBB asks her in this way.  Needless to say, both Jacob and I are in love with our two little ones, and feel extremely grateful.

Alte with the infamous orange sweater

Alte and Juni wondering, "Where's Mabel?"

Add 5!

1st road trip and a sleepover

On Friday we loaded up the car, picked Hersh up from school, and headed north to Philly, where we were warmly greeted and welcomed (as always) by Aunt Addie, Uncle Craig, and Aunt Mimi.  We enjoyed a lovely Shabbat dinner together, loved being all together, and Hersh was thrilled to check out all of the vintage toys from Craig's childhood that had appeared since our last visit.

On Saturday Hersh stayed with his aunts and uncle, and Jacob, Alte, and I headed to the Homeland--New Jersey.  We met up with our very good friend Matt.  It was such a treat to get to see him, as he is a friend who is actually family.  We then continued to our hotel in Short Hills and got dressed to attend the wedding reception of our friends Dave and Laura.  Alte snoozed the entire party.  Jacob and I were totally "those people."  You know, the people who bring a newborn to a really fancy wedding.  Alte snoozed in the Ergo and we danced and enjoyed.  She woke up when the music stopped and the speeches started. We nursed and headed out before things got ugly.  Although this might be obvious, I think it's fair to say everyone loves a baby.  Everywhere we went this weekend everybody was in love with our AlteLu.  I can't blame them, she is so delish, but still it seems that the older a person is, the more they love a baby:)

On Sunday we made a quick stop at the outlet mall--we were in NJ; it's a necessary part of any visit.  Then we headed back to Philly to pick Hersh up.  It was a wonderful weekend filled with friends, family, and lots of love.  We are sooooo grateful to have family members that love us, support us, and want to spend time with our children.  Hersh and Alte LOVES their aunts and uncles.  We cant wait to return the favor :).

The Alte update--she is so smiley, happy, and easy going.  She isn't serious like Hersh was at this age, although she does like to observe people, and will sometime get scared/overwhelmed by the unfamiliar.  Our college friends Adam and Sara came over with their baby Rohin, and he and Alte found each other fascinating.  The Hersh update is that he is amazing!  Addie relayed to me that when they were baking muffins this weekend Hersh said, "Aunt Addie, next time we should bake vegan muffins so I can lick the bowl!"  Addie, Craig, and Mimi took Hersh to the aquarium, and he came back with lots of facts about sharks, puffer fish, and sea dragons.  Today he drew a really nice jellyfish, which I'll try to scan and post soon.

Fall:

Halloween:

 Visiting with Matt:

 Sports Class:

 The babes:

Jack-o-Lantern

I think it is safe to say that if you have a 3.5 year old helping you carve your pumpkin it comes out much more awesome and extremely spoooookyyyyy (more so than if it is just two lame adults designing the face).  Hersh was psyched to carve the pumpkin and was very clear that he wanted a stick in its eye!  (Side note:  Hersh really needed to nap today, he was exhausted from the past few days of not napping and from waking early this morning.  In order to get him to nap, I threatened to give away the pumpkin if he didn't nap.  It worked, and I am mother of the year!).

Alte is all smiles and very delicious.  It's hard to believe how quickly time is passing.  I was dancing with Hersh the other day and remarked to Jacob that I couldn't believe Hersh had once been Alte's size.  Jacob then reminded me that even crazier is the fact that soon enough Alte will be as big as Hersh is now!  We are quite the crew!

Best friends

With the coveted monkey

Hersh wanted sticks in the jack-o-lantern eyes.

Alte Luna: 2 months

Our sweet AlteLu has been with us for 2 months.  Jacob and I kind of can't believe that we've made it through the first 2 months and all is good!  She is sleeping pretty well (better than Hersh did at this age), and is giving away smiles left and right!  Sometimes I worry that I'm not giving her enough of my undivided attention, but I have to remind myself that it's ok, and I can't compare her experience to Hersh's.  A friend reminded me that Alte was born into a different family than Hersh was, and she will love having a brother (actually, she already does).

Hersh is doing well.  He is creative with lots of ideas and often will tell us how to do things, make things, etc.  The best is when he retells a story or recounts something that happened--hand gestures, wide eyes, lots of expression.  Also, Hersh eats lunch at school 3 days a week.  Each day he expects there to be a note with a drawing from me in the lunch.  He and I discuss what the drawing should be the night before (Hersh: "I think there should be a flute, and a little mouse playing the flute and a drum, and a ..." Me: "Mouse and a flute, OK."  Hersh: "And a drum, and a moon, and ...").  I then draw the picture and write the message, which he then wants for me to read him--no element of surprise necessary.  One day I drew a picture and wrote "Have a ___rific day!" and the word that ended in "rific" corresponded with the picture.  Now he wants me to do that everyday!  Today's picture was a pumpkin and leaves, so I have to write, "Have a pumpkinrific day!"  Finally, lately when Hersh is upset/angry/being defiant, he will say, "No siree Bob!" to me or Jacob in an extremely emphatic tone.  When he says this he is extremely worked up, and we have to do everything we can to keep a straight face--oh Hershel.  What a hoot!

Classic Car Show!