Simply Perfect

Justice took his first board exam the end of August and then we had 6 days of bliss! Where there was no studying, no going to classes and no thinking about NYU!!

We decided to go camping for one night and Justice found a place online that we typed the address into the GPS and followed it to somewhere, still not even sure exactly where we were in NY but somewhere near the Massachusetts border because we crossed it on a hike to see some falls.

It is moments like this when life just can't get any better. 

It was so peaceful there and we had a wonderful time collecting bugs, swimming, finding mushrooms and tearing them apart, hiking, enjoying the fire and being together.

 Watching Daddy light the fire! the one match attempt was quickly thwarted but he still managed an amazing fire!

 The perfectly cooked tinfoil dinners made by  yours truely!! I was so pleased myself that all four dinners were perfect!!! Seriously how awesome am I that none of them were burnt or undercooked?? 

We were pretty excited about all our camping food and even had three deserts... yep we are that cool, popcorn over the fire, dutch oven cobbler, and S'mores!

All for our one night:)

 Yummy, thanks for sharing Cora:)

 Caterpillars!!!

 Worms

 Heading back to our tent

 Another caterpillar friend

 Going hiking

 checking out the mushrooms

 So excited to find a PINK mushroom!!

The mother load

 Happy 6th Anniversary to us!!

 I am so grateful for my little family and these perfect moments that make all the sacrifices worth while.

This last year of Dental school has been challenging for us. Justice has been working so hard at school and home studying every spare moment he has. He will leave for school before 8 and comes home by 8:30 on the best nights. He had two late nights a week where classes caused him to miss the x5 bus (which stops running at 8) and to come home another way resulting in him being home between 10 and 12 those nights. because the kids go to bed by 8 they would often go for days without seeing their dad. I thankfully got to say hi to him most evenings before he went back to his office for more studying... 

It is hard to be alone with kids ALL the time but I get into a rhythm of life and routine. I am grateful for friends here that make life not so monotinous, and are always willing to help when needed.

I am grateful for many things here that take our attention and make life fun. 

Some of our favorite things to do are:

Going to Chuck-e-cheese with our friends

Playing in water sprayers

Going to the childrens Museum

Going to the Zoo's and aquarium

Visiting at friends houses

Target and then Panera

Riding bikes

There are so many grate things that the kids and I get to do but, we always miss Daddy and wish he could be there with us experiencing some of these things with us.

 It is hard not to feel guilty for every moment we do steal away to be together because we know that it is time that probably should have been used to study. That is why weekends like this (when we are in between semesters and there are no tests) are so special and rare. We just float in complete BLISS experiencing things together as a family and enjoying moments.

We are thankful for the oppertunity to be in school right now and to be preparing for a better future for our family.

Trying New Sports

Izaac did soccer for the month of August, he was so adorable. It was a soccer camp for kids who have never played before so it was really chill and just fun for the kids. I was worried about these NY parents going pshyco about their kids playing but it turned out really fun. Unfortunately the last week was canceled due to the hurricane. But it was a lot of fun while it lasted and they gave him a prize after each week so he was always excited to come back. "I wonder what they will give me this week!"

When Soccer was finished I was looking for another little sports experience to try out. I have been thinking of Karati for awhile because we have a nice place right across the street from us and I just thought it would be something Izaac could get into. Well they had a month trial promotion going on for $99 that seemed perfect. Izaac adores Karati! He is so adorable trying out all the things and the Sensai's are awesome. If only we could keep it up:( unfortunatly it is $264/month after that first month and there is no way we can afford it but for now he is loving it. I like giving him little experiences to try different things out and learn that new things can be fun. 

p.s. just so you don't think I am leaving Cora out of all this we did sign her up as well but she spent the session looking in the mirror and dancing around so we figured Karati wasn't her thing:)

We're Expecting!!!

So this may not be news to most of you but I realized that I hadn't put our exciting news up on here yet. Don't feel too bad if you didn't know, this is the Debut spot for pictures so at least you can be first for something:)

I am due November 22nd, just about 8 more weeks to go!

Spare me on the comments of how I must be much farther along then that, because of how huge I am because I have already been told that by every stranger on Staten Island.

A cleaning lady at the park even asked me if my Dr.s were worried about my size... Nope it's all just fine, thank you:)

The people around here are always so helpful!

The other question I get is... Boy or Girl.... and you all just have to wait!!!

I was so strong and totally said "no", when she asked me if I wanted to know. 

We are really excited for the surprise, plus this way I get to bring two going home outfits to the Hospital, and Who doesn't like shopping for baby clothes.

Back view with the arm above the head

Little toesies

Me and my big ol' belly

Don't mind that I took these my self and they aren't the best I have yet to find someone to do Maternity pictures for me, Justice may have to suffice before it gets too late:)

Baby Waving

We are so excited to add a new lil bundle to our family!

I never realized that it could be so much more exciting experiencing it with my older kids. They are so excited, especially Izaac who loves to feel my belly for baby kicks. Cora waits about a second then says "I felt it!!!" um... no you didn't, but we appreciate the enthusiasm!!

So hopefully in slightly less then 8 weeks we should be a family of five safe at home.

And we are praying that Justice will be around in time to be with me at the hospital. I am so worried that he will be stuck in Manhattan and I will have to cross my legs for an hour or two till he can get to me... I'm not doing this by myself!

Thankfully he was able to switch his oral surgery rotation to September, he was scheduled for the end of November, so that is one less thing to stress about him not being able to get out of.

Hopefully this babe is consistent with its brother and sister and is born on a Sunday just to be convenient!

Another blessing is my mother in law coming the end of October through November so I know I have someone to be with my kiddos, and helping with all the rest of it!

We are loving life and ready, or mostly ready, for all these new changes:)

Izaac's First Day Of Preschool!!

 Last fall we had done a mini joy school for all the kids and Izaac liked it, but what he really wanted was to go to a big school like Merrick did. 

This year he was so excited to be big enough for this great honor!

 Cora is devastated that she cannot participate until next year. 

It is really hard to get into kindergarden in NYC without first going through PreK and since we will be here next year I decided to put Izaac in a half day program. 

So from 8-10:30 every weekday morning he is out of the nest... and next year I will have two out gone.

 But I will have one more at home to keep me company:) 

I will do an official post later, I am so behind, I have an ultrasound on Wednesday so I will wait for some fresh pictures to show ya'll!!

He is adorably excited about it all! 

 All ready to go!

 Heading out the door

 Finding his name

Izaac's Popcorn name! He was really excited about this and really wanted to eat the popcorn off the paper... Yum!!

 Writing his name... only slightly backwards. He did a really good job, this is one of the first times he has actually done it all by himself. I guess being a big preschool boy comes with new talents!

They were supposed to draw something they really like to do so naturally Izaac drew washing clothes. This is him putting the clothes in the washer:)

 Excited for snack

 Listening to story time

 Notice the one blurry kid in this picture?? Seriously this kid would not sit down. She was bouncing all over the place wanting to touch everything :) 

  Playing at the park after

By the school sign

Front door of Izaac school