Finishing up and starting again

We finished 2011 with a lot of fun, and a whole lot of family!  First, we celebrated Hanukah with Aunt Nina, Uncle Lowell, Lewes, and Grandma.  Then Sabba, Savta, and Jessica came into town from Little Rock.  Needless to say, Hersh (and me and Jacob) couldn't have been any happier to have our loved ones around. 


Hersh's language skills are increasing daily.  Yesterday Jacob asked him if he wanted an egg.  He said yes, so Jacob proceeded to cook an egg.  Hersh then said, "No, cook it?  Egg.  Peel, peel." Which Jacob figured out meant that Hersh wanted a hard boiled egg--amazing!  We are in love with this boy and cannot wait to see what 2012 brings!

Covering his eyes to light candles, just like it's Shabbat!

 

Playing with Grandma!

The Imma's

Holding em' tight!

Sad to see Hanukah end.

We loved the aquarium.

Hersh loves painting!

The Lewis Family!

Love these folks!

"Adult" dinner :)

Morning reading with Savta.

The boys.

Savta is silly!

Identical smiles.

Extravaganza!

This past weekend we traveled to Philadelphia to attend the 3rd Annual Lewis Klein Holiday Extravaganza.  We were very pleased to be able to attend as this is the first year it was geographically possible.  Hersh wore his Austrian Mountain Boy sweater vest, which I unfortunately did not get a picture of!  We enjoyed the party and feel so pleased that driving to Philly for the evening is so convenient.


We are now looking forward to a bit of a winter break, filled with holiday celebrations, a visit from Aunt Addie and Uncle Craig, and Sabba and Savta.  Jacob and I will venture to NYC for Jacob's birthday and see Phish! We have also begun celebrating Hanukah, which Hersh is loving!  Each night he covers his eyes when we light the candles, just like it is Shabbat--it is pretty sweet :).

Family!

So sleepy.

We love each other.

Yay for Aunt Mimi!

Hugs.

Hands in the pockets in order to stay cozy.

Getting bundled.

Coffee with Aunt Addie and Uncle Craig.

So many Lewises!

Friends with babies

This past weekend our good friends, The Ambalu Family, came to town for a visit.  Hersh and their 2.5 year old, Simon, played nicely and definitely enjoyed each other's company.  Baby Jonah was here as well, and he is a cutie.  We had our other friends, The Gratz Family, over for lunch, and their daughter, Julia, who is 8 months old, hung out with the boys!  Aunt Nina, Unlce Lowell, and Lewes joined the fun as well.  How crazy that we all have babies now!  Needless to say, it is pretty wonderful to see your own child alongside the beautiful, amazing children of such good, old friends.

In Hersh news, he has become a bit pickier or more particular, depending on how you look at  it, regarding his eating.  Our approach is to not get worked up and just stay consistent, offering different healthy options.  I will say, it is stressful at times.  What I have come to realize, is that if he doesn't eat much at a meal or two, it is just fine.  I had his 19 month check-up last week.  He is 29lbs and 33 inches--which is about 90% for both height and weight.  The doctor said that he is doing beautifully and is the perfect size.  Hersh is super chatty and now has the ability to tell us what he wants or does not want.  He enjoys trips to the park and playing with our neighborhood friends.  Jacob takes him swimming while I go to yoga on Sunday mornings.  He loves reading and "helping" in the kitchen.  This means that he stands on a stool at the sink playing with water, while we cook.  Also, I don't know if the pictures do it justice, but his hair is just so blond and curly!  He is just the best--so delish!

Pantless biking.

Lightstick in the bathtub.

Hersh and Simon exploring the backyard.

 Multiple shots of the kids:  Lewes, Hersh, Julia, Jonah, and Simon

Abbas and their babies.

Cousins/best friends.

Like my hat?

Thankful!

We just returned home from an amazing Thanksgiving weekend filled with friends, family, and fun.  Last Tuesday members of the Lewis family arrived at our house. On Wednesday we all drove to Addie and Craig's house in Philadelphia, where we spent the rest of the weekend, "youth hostel" style.  It was so nice being all together and Addie and Craig were wonderful hosts.  We ate many delicious meals and just generally enjoyed being together.  On Thanksgiving Day Hersh, Jacob, and I drove to NY to visit with my family.  It was so nice to see them and to give them the chance to see Hersh!  We then spent the remainder of the weekend in Philly and visited with the Ambalu Family as well as our good friend, LT.

We are all very happy to be back home, but this weekend made us realize how wonderful it is to be back on the east coast and so close to family.  It is a luxury to be so close to so many people we love, and not even have to fly to see them! We have so much to be thankful for!

Visiting with Aunt Sandy...

...and Peggy and Eric!

Love!

Pantless reading with Aunt Mimi at the Thanksgiving table.

Breakfast with Sabba.

What lovely smiles :)

Best Friends!

Waiting for dessert with Aunt Addie and Uncle Craig.

Helping Aunt Mimi pay the bill at Taqueria Tequilla.

Loving the liquada!

Aplebaum Family Shabbaton

Two weekends ago my father came to visit and we had an Aplebaum Family Shabbaton.  Lowell, Nina, and Lewes joined us and we enjoyed a weekend of being together.  Hersh and Lewes especially enjoyed spending time with Zayde, or as Hersh calls him, Zaybee.

Also, it has been amazing to observe Hersh as he interacts with the changes of Fall.  He is constantly picking up leaves and talking about what color they are (most are yellow, since that is the color he knows).  He also loves running through the leaves and collecting sticks.  The moon has been very full and bright over the past week and he loves for Jacob to take him outside at night, they point at the moon, and when it is time to come in he is truly broken hearted.  He also knows his first number--2.  He will count to about 14 by repeating after us, but 2 he actually knows on his own.  He is also really interested in playing guitar and harmonica. 

Next week is Thanksgiving and the entire Lewis Family will be together--whoohoo!  Stay tuned for pictures and stories about our thanksgiving in Philly!