Happy GIRL

To me Nola is the type of baby everyone hopes to have. She is such a sweet baby girl who goes with the flow. When she is tired she goes to sleep - wherever it might be - in her crib or on dad or bubby.  There is usually no complaining excepted when she wants to be held.  She loves her excersaucer, her brother's toys (which Karter does not want to share), food and anyone who smiles at her!  I was watching her on the video monitor the other morning in her crib...  it amazed me that she was able to find her pacifier "leash" attached to her sleeper and then popped the pacifier right into her mouth.  She can sit up by herself for a few seconds - not quite there yet but I'm expecting her to reach that milestone in a few weeks. 

Stitches out

The morning after his stitches were removed.  Not to bad!!

I took Karter to get his stitches out yesterday.  After waiting over and hour to be seen - it took no time to remove them.  He had to be put in a straight jacket again but it was far less painful.  I was right by his side and it was over in no time.  We went to Toys R Us after and he picked out Handy Manny's Construction Playset!

Never say Never

I never thought Lionel would lash out at the kids but when provoked enough I should never say never.  I wasn't there to see what happened....  I heard Lionel growl and ran in to see what was going on.  What I did see was Lionel in his bed with his bone with Karter beside him bleeding from the face.  My best guess is that Karter got into Lionel's bed and got rough with him and possibly hurt him and Lionel retaliated or protected himself. 

Of course Craig was working late and it was Nola's bedtime... so the panic set in after seeing all the blood.  I found a safe place to put Nola down so I could check out his wound.  Surprisingly Karter wasn't in too much pain and let me clean his lip out and put ice on it.  I was about to run next door to get a second opinion when the door bell rang.  It was an Optimum Online rep trying to sell me her services.  I had no interest in what she had to say but I was very inviting.  I asked her to come in and look at Karter.  She thought he might need stitches - exactly what I didn't want to hear but thought myself.  I called my parents to come over and Craig to tell him what happened.  My mom said she didn't think the cut was deep enough for stitches but I thought differently.  When Craig got home we made the decision to take him over to the walk in pediatric place.

We didn't even get through the paper work to get seen by a doctor because the nurse at the front desk said he is going to need stitches and there wasn't a plastic sergeant in their practice.  She set us up with Dr Korngold who would see us at Good Sam around 10:00 so we should go home and wait for a phone call to head to the hospital.  My mom stayed with Nola while he anxiously waited......

We got to the hospital around 10:30 and didn't get seen until 12:00 -  YES midnight.  Dr Korngold looked at me and said "if you don't think you can handle seeing him in a straight jacket yelling and screaming than you probably don't want to be there".  I agreed with him and Craig steeped up to the plate to hold his head while he got the nova cane and the 3 stitches.  I heard him crying from the waiting room- which absolutely broke my heart.  10 - 15 mins later they came out and both looked miserable.  Karter was pawing at his face saying "no more bo bo"  I grabbed him and held him as held him as tight as I could.  We all got in the car and left.  I give Craig A LOT of credit seeing his son go through that. I couldn't of done and thanked Craig over and over.  On the way home Craig was so upset he broke down and cried.  He was so brave and strong through the whole experience.  I think I felt the worse the for him...  for his family Craig will do anything. 

Karter and Lionel snuggling up before the incident

On Friday Karter fell asleep in his high chair eating dinner.  We all got to bed at 2:00 fri morning.  It was the first time Karter in our bed with us.

His "bo bo" face

Still best buds.  He came home from the hospital and gave Lionel a big hug and kiss.  Yes we are keeping Lionel around.  If I thought he was a threat to my kids or anyone else he would be gone in a second.  I truly think he was provoked and he is no more of a threat than any other dog.

Tues with Nola

Every Tues me, my mom and the kids go to Queens to see BIG Bubby. When we get back Karter stays at Bubby's (my mom's) to spend some quality time with her before Giovanni gets there.  Then Craig picks Karter up after work and they go out to eat together.  While all this goes on Nola and I get to spend some one on one time together.  This afternoon we stopped by to see YaYa with my dad because it was her 83rd birthday yesterday.  Unfortunately Karter, Nola nor Craig ever got to meet the YaYa that we knew and loved as kids.  She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 14 years ago. It's such a terrible disease especially when you have your physical health that keeps you alive so long.  Today she did look and point at Nola and said "beautiful"!

Storytime at the library

Karter, Nola and I go to storytime at the library on Wednesdays at 1:15.  Today Nola enjoyed watching Ms. Barb read a book about the circus.  She was so smiley and vocal for a good 10 mins.  I think Nola has a new friend.  Ms. Barb and Nola hung out will Karter and I painted with water colors. 

Date Night

Craig and I have date night every wed - thanks to Bubby and Papou! We are appreciative and love the time we get to spend together as husband and wifey! We came home from dinner and made a fire.

Halloween 2010

Snug as a bug in a rug - well kind of

Last minute costume change. Karter was suppose to be Mickey Mouse but without his Minnie (Shea) he opted on a very HAPPY monkey instead of the angry monkey from last year.

Karter and Charlie trick or treating.. but we they had to stuff their face with candy.

My parents

My parents are the best and I know I made the right decision moving back to Rockland. I appreciate all they do for me and my family. We can always count on them for their support, love, generosity and good food! I know at times things can be chaotic and stressful but they go above and beyond and I can't imagine doing it without them. Thanks for everything Mom and Dad and I love you up to the sky past god!

Sushi Baby!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Shea and Karter

N 5 months old

K 5 months old

you forget how bad it was..

I just stepped in Lionel's throw up on our bedroom rug and Nola has been crying for about an hour now. Good way to start your morning... I know if I fed her she would go right back down but that's the whole point- to break these habits. It breaks my heart to hear her cry like this because she very rarely does. I don't know how Craig sleeps through it all - I wish I could. Ok got to go back in - not sure if it makes it better or worse.

The whole thing just sucks. You question - are they in pain, wet diaper, just need some love???

The wrong kid

Nola was suppose to be the one to cry it out. Well tonight Nola went to bed no problem. Karter on the other hand cried himself to sleep on his bedroom floor. He is 2 and is terrible theses days. He doesn't listen to anything I say and tests me all the time. There is only so much mama can at 9 pm after a day with no nap for Karter. So goodnight baby boy!

Sunday Funday

Go GIANTS !

My Baby Girl

my baby boy

my baby girl

CIO

I started to let Nola cry it out for her naps... haven't had to at night yet. The first day she cried for 10 mins then I went in once and she hummed herself to sleep when I left. Day 2... 1st nap another 10mins and the afternoon nap NO CRYING!! What a different experience than with Karter. Karter's first night of CIO lasted 2.5 hours. Needless to say Nola is doing a great job and making me very happy. I am trying to get her on a schedule. As it stands right now:

• wakes around 7:00

• 1st nap at 9:00 - sleeps for about 2 hours

• 2nd nap 2:00 - sleeps for another 2 plus hours

>>the plan is Karter naps at this time also

• goes to bed at 8:00

The best part of Karter's bed

Is.... Craig and I (separately) climb into bed with him at night and cuddle with him. It's so relaxing and he never wakes up.

No more boobies

I stopped breast feeding Nola. She has taken to the bottle well. I nursed Karter exclusively for 5 and a half month and made it 5 months with Nola. I had a pretty good stretch and am proud of myself. Nursing is very demanding and time consuming. It's worth ever minute of it and I will miss it.

cereal and more cereal

Nola had her first solid food today - oatmeal mixed with prune juice and water. She LOVED it and sucked down every last spoonful.

Sleeping on her belly

Nola has been rolling over in her crib. Last night and this morning we found her on her stomach. I just checked on her and she is fast asleep on her belly. Let's see if she sleeps any better.

A big week at the Maslowsky household

Yesterday Nola rolled over from her back to front for the first time and again today. I missed both times. I turned around and there she was on her belly happy as can be!

Karter gave up his bottle almost all by himself. He stopped asking for it during when he got up in the morning (since he started sleeping in his bed) we started to distract him when he did ask and then eventually told him the bottles were for Nola. He took milk out of his sippy cup with a straw today!

Karter's new room

Exersaucer

Nola loves her exersaucer!



Karter LOVES school

I was hesitant for Karter off go to school. Craig and I were the only people to discipline and care for him besides family and friends for short periods of time. The Montibello Jewish Center changed our lives. Karter LOVES school. I show up early every now and then to peek in on him. He runs around the playground with a smile ear to ear laughing and truly having a great time. His friends Charlie and Carson go there BUT I get reports back that he spends most of his time with his "girlfriend" Noa.

Mrs Shelia and Kathy tell me that he loves Gym especially soccer. He is so excited to kick the ball he can hardly sit still until his name is called. When its finally his turn he finished with a victory lap. Jen the Gym teacher tells me I should build a track around my house so he can run and run! He loves music too. Today I got a report back that Karter is getting better at identifying his colors.

Rolling from front to back

Nola rolled from front to back consistently today!

4 month check up

Well really 4 and half month check up. She weighs 14 pounds and 12 ounces (75%) and is 25 inches long (55%). I have been giving her 1 bottle a day of formula at 6:00 to give myself a break and to fill her up before bed. The Emfamil made her spit up and the Good Start Soy made her constipated. Dr Montague gave me a sample of the Similac Alimentum and she wants nothing to do with it. So trial and error until we find one that works. I plan on breast feeding until she is 6 months old.

Time for a big boy bed!

Karter moved into his new room and into a big boy bed! He came home from Nana and Joe's house today and I told him he was going to sleep in his new room (that has been set up for months now). I could tell he was a little hesitant when I told him it was time go to bed. I treated bed time as I always did. He did great even with the thunder and lighten storm going on. Here he is sleeping soundly next to baby Nola shinning through the night light next to his bed.

No more curls

Karter got a big boy haircut!

Fist belly laugh

Nola laughed out loud today for the first time! I was changing her and was kissing her naked belly and she thought that was so funny!! This is what every mother waits for from her infant!

Laughing Out Loud

Brother and Sister

The grandmas

NaNa

Bubby

Karter starts school

Karter had his first day of school today. It was a trial class to see how he would do with Mama dropping him off and picking him up from school... so I packed his backpack with diapers, a change of clothes a sippy cup and off we went. I spoke to him about it a couple days prior and then in the car ride there I told him what he was going to do in school today. I blindly told him there would be a kitchen to play with, lots of "cho cho s" trains, arts and crafts and went on and on... what do you know as soon as he walked in the classroom they were doing apple painting right next to the kitchen set and on the way to the table we passed the trains. Mama did good! As long as you prepare Karter and tell him all about what is going to happen he adapts very well. I got a big kiss and he told me "more paint Mama" and off I went! He goes Wed and Thurs from 9:15 to 12.

Dr. Davies - Hayride