Sunday, February 24, 2013

My Little Artiste

One of AJ's favorite things to do lately (besides throw his dinner on the floor) is indulge in arts and crafts.  (This wasn't always the case as he wasn't really a fan of getting dirty with paints or markers.)  Thanks to his wonderful teacher, Miss Kalie, he has now embraced finger paints, crayons, markers, and "the sticky" (tape and glue). 

The artist at work....

 
 
 
 
 
The final masterpiece...
 
 
 
But perhaps my single favorite piece of artwork a la AJ is the reindeer he brought home from school.


 
 
What I love about this particular piece is the reindeer's tail tucked under his chin, the Hitler-esque mustache arrangement of antlers, and misplaced jingle bells that make this poor guy look like he's suffering a hernia. No matter how he arranged the pieces...I love this with all my heart.  This lovely work of art has been preserved in a special box of AJ's school work.  


There's No Business Like Snow Business!

This winter season has proved to be more "normal" than we've seen in the past few years.  Shortly after Christmas, we had our first significant snowfall...and it hasn't stopped since!  Life in our new house has given us a different perspective on the season.  The scenery in the city certainly is different than the woods of Webster; albeit certainly not as "magical" looking.  But, I do think Adam is enjoying the kindness of the neighbors as they have been so kind to snowblow our driveway for us after each major snow event :)

This year, AJ is actually big enough to go outside and play in the snow.  Though this is actually his third winter season, he was too little until now to actually stand and walk in the snow!  With a new winter coats, snow pants and boots, hat and mittens, we sent him outside to brave the elements.  I'm not so sure he liked it at first, but now, we can't get him back inside!!

January 1, 2013...the first snow of the new year...






I just love their matching winter jackets ;)

February 9, 2013
I'm pretty sure after opening the door on this morning, Adam said "Thank God my neighbors have snow blowers and like to use them!"

Shoveling the roof so it doesn't "rain" in AJ's playroom!

Adam is enjoying teaching AJ about snow removal!

Catching Up!

Well, here it is again...another two full months since my last post.  Adam and I have a whole new appreciation for our parents right now as we try to manage a busy household, work fulltime jobs, and raise our two munchkins.  Time really does fly!

Our days have been bustling with activity, filled with the changes the boys bring as they grow and enter new stages of their lives, and we've been "blessed" with one winter sickness after the next.  (I begged Adam for a few hours this afternoon to catch up on some blogging so I could keep everyone up to date.  Neither of us realized just how much time had passed!)

The boys are changing and growing so fast.  Each day brings a new set of surprises and a new set of challenges.  They are certainly keeping us on our toes! So bear with me as I bombard you with our family updates!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2012–The Year in Review

Here we have it…another new year…a chance to usher in new beginnings. As we await all that 2013 will have to offer us, I decided to take a look back on all that 2012 brought to the Pouliot family. It was a VERY busy year that was FULL of big changes for our family.

In March of 2012, we celebrated AJ’s first birthday with family. For us, that single day marked many significant changes in our lives. 1.) AJ said goodbye to sitting still and took his first series of steps…he hasn’t stopped since. 2.) Adam and I said HELLO to full nights of sleep! (which are much needed after CHASING AJ everywhere he goes!) And 3.) we found out that our family would be growing by two feet…two tiny adorable baby feet that is Winking smile (now say goodbye to those full nights of sleep).

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In May, we sold our home in Webster…a bittersweet decision for everyone. And we bought a new home in Nashua to raise our children. We moved twice during this process…I don’t think any of us miss the temporary apartment.

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I think it goes without saying that everyone’s favorite feature of the new house (aside from the close proximity to civilization and work) is the back yard. AJ has already enjoyed MANY hours outside playing on his swing set, kicking a ball, and riding in his wagon!

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In September, Adam received a promotion at the fire department as the newest Fire Investigator/Inspector. This achievement wasn’t handed to him. He worked hard to study, take classes, and pass the exam. He managed to do this all while moving (twice), settling into the new home, raising and caring for a very busy toddler, and caring for me…his very pregnant, very bed-rested wife. We couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishment. While Adam misses his crew at the fire house, he loves his new job and has adjusted to the new schedule of his new position (nights, weekends, and holidays at home with the family).

Adam's Shield-K3

AJ also started going to “school” this year. This new step in his life was filled with mixed emotions for AJ (and Momma). At first, he resisted each day Daddy dropped him off…and Mommy was greeted with great big emotion filled sobs at the end of each day. But now, AJ LOVES going to school to learn new things. His favorite part of the day, without a doubt, is breakfast with his big cousin, Ryan.

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                             1st Day of School              Halloween Party at School                       Holiday Program at School

The fall was filled with lots of “exciting” false labor as we waited to welcome our second sweet baby into this world. In early November, Robert made his arrival two weeks early. If nothing else, I can say that I’m consistent at growing big babies…he and AJ weighed the exact same at birth (Thank God I DIDN’T carry him another two weeks…we would have had a 10 lb. whopper in our hands!)

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As we closed out the year and celebrated the holidays with our two beautiful boys (I can say they’re “beautiful”…I think it’s my right as their mom) Winking smile, I can’t help but feel how truly blessed we are to have each other. 2013 is going to be “boring” in comparison…but that’s ok with us! We need at LEAST a year to let the dust settle.  So Adios 2012 and hello 2013…we look forward to a much a quieter year!!

Happy New Year Everyone! May 2013 find you blessed with love and good health!!

Happy_New_Year_Charlie_Brown

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Jingle all the Way!

We're amazed at how quickly AJ has grasped the holiday traditions.  He seems to be filled with Christmas cheer as he runs around "hugging" every Santa decoration...kisses all the snowmen...unwraps all the prop presents...and waves goodbye to all the Christmas lights.  He's even taken to singing classic Christmas carols...with his own personal twist of course.  Here is AJ singing his version of "Jingle Bells"...or as AJ sings it, "Ding Ding Hai!"*

*Please excuse the mouth full of crackers...what can you say when he combines his love of snacks and singing?!

 
 


'Tis the Season...

...to be jolly....FA LA LA LA LA...LA LA LA!!!

 
AJ LOVES the Christmas Lights!


Checking out each individual ornament. 
(The tree has a lot less this year as all the "breakables" were left in the box.)

Grammy & Pepere were surprised with Santa Hand Print Ornaments made with love by their five grandchildren!



Really...he can't get enough of the tree!
 
Merry Christmas!!
Love, A.J. & Robert!