Sunday, February 24, 2013

There's no Love Sweeter...

...than the love for a baby!  Robert is such a sweet, gentle, loving baby.  He really does complete our family in so many ways.  He fills our hearts with happiness each time he gives one of is open-mouthed, wide smiles.  His little baby coos and giggles are so infectious, you can't help but laugh and giggle yourself. 

Right now, Robert is 16 weeks old.  Next Monday, he will reach the 4 Month mark!  AJ and Robert couldn't be any more different.  While AJ is our little human hurricane tearing through the house, not able to sit still for more than a few seconds, Robert is quiet and takes in the world around him.  Robert laughs and coos; he prefers to be held upright; and he can roll from his tummy to his back!  He sleeps like a champ thanks to the rigorous exercise schedule they have him on at school.  While it bums me out that he sleeps so much when I pick him up at the end of a work day, I'm greatful that if he can't be with family during the day, that he has such a wonderful teacher helping him to grow and learn.
Two Months Old - January 3, 2013


 
BIG Two Month Old Baby Smiles




Cute as a button!


It's so easy to make Robert smile...all you have to do is talk to him and smile first!

 
 


Three Months Old! - I can eat my own hand and hold my toys!

There's no comparison!  We look TOTALLY different!!

 
 
 

A Pro at Tummy Time!

Practicing sitting up in his "big boy chair"!

Taken just this morning...02/24/13.  Wearing 6 month clothes!
 


 Just this morning, I packed away all of the baby clothes that were 0-3 month in size.  It's a bittersweet task.  With each outfit I folded and packed into a storage container, I took two trips down memory lane...one for each time AJ wore them and one for Robert.  (It's hard to believe that so much time has passed.  I truly feel awful for not making more time to post pictures of his growth and development.) 

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).

'12march10_17

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.

DSCN2332     DSCN3510

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!

August 02    DSCN3535 (1024x768)     IMG_5287

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.

IMG_1004  IMG_5319  DSCN3753

                             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!)

IMG_1102     DSCN3667

DSCN3695 (2)

rpouliot_nb_33

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?!