Lots of changes

Wow, it's been a while since our last update. We've moved to a new city in the north and haven't had internet access in 2 weeks. Right now we are back in the old city for a few days to take care of some things so have been able to use our friend's internet. Tomorrow it's back to no internet until we can get it set up (everything here takes 3 times as long as you expect it to, so it could be at least another few weeks before we get it!). We have been going hard these last 3 or so weeks and are exhausted! There's still so much to do to set up our house, but every day we are getting closer and closer.

Here's the kids on their first ferry ride. We went to Spain for the weekend to renew our passports and Elijah loved riding on the "big boat". No one got sea sick, which was great. And now we live just a short 35 minute ferry from Spain!





We stayed at a house in Spain where they have a pet turtle and Elijah loved watching him crawl all over the grassy area. He even got to feed Jasmine a piece of lettuce and talked about it for days afterwards. Elijah was content just sitting on this rock watching Jasmine devour her lettuce.




No pictures of our house yet, but you'll be happy to know that we are no longer "picnicing" on the salon floor for meals, but we have a dining room table! And seating for the salon has been ordered and is coming in 2 weeks. We are really loving exploring our new city and are in a great location.

I love Jello...do you love Jello?

This video is quite a long one, but it's worth the watch to the end (especially Gramma, Nana and Pops - there's a shout out to each of you at the end!)

Have you been enjoying the videos? I can't keep this up much longer because I don't have much left. But I hope it's giving the grandparents their fix. :)

Jonas video

Another day, another video...

Today we get to see Jonas smiling and 'ah-goo'ing and laughing to "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands". He loves to have his hands clapped, and loves to sing songs too so it really gets him going...usually to the point of uncontrollable hiccups.

PS. Check back Friday for yet another video. Have you had enough yet?

Mommy's birthday

Celebrating mommy's birthday today with Jonas and Elijah:

I've been enjoying my birthday month so far. Bruce and some friends here threw me a surprise birthday party on Friday night after Bruce took me out to dinner at Friday's. I should have clued in because after dinner he said "hey, we are close to the shops that you've been wanting to go to and find a new top - you want to just go now with me and you can pick one out for your birthday?" And he patiently waited for me as I looked around the little shops. Little did I know he was stalling time before we went home so that we wouldn't arrive too early for my surprise party. But I found a really cute shirt on the sale rack, half off!

And last week Dayna took me shopping for a shirt for my birthday. We had a great day with the kids -- went to the park, shopped (where they actually behaved in their strollers and let us shop in peace!), and had lunch at McDonalds. Elijah ate his first ice cream cone and really enjoyed it (surprise surprise!).

I'm looking forward to what the rest of the day (and month....) will bring! I have this little tradition where I celebrate my birthday all month long -- well, at least the first half of the month.

Check back on Wednesday for another video. 

Elijah's song

Elijah likes to play the guitar with Mounia and they sing songs in Arabic or French. Here's a video of Elijah playing his guitar and singing some song I've never heard of and can't really make out the words to it, but it's cute regardless. Enjoy!

PS. I installed Google Analytics so I can see how many people are checking the site (gives me incentive to post if I know people are reading) and there's a lot more people checking the site than have ever left comments!

PPS. I will be posting a new video every couple day for this week..come back and see these cute kids!

Head control

Since Jonas' 2 month pediatrician appointment, we have been working hard on getting his head control up to speed. His doctor said he was a little weak for where he should be - so we've been making sure to get in good "tummy time". We'll show her in a few weeks at his 4 month appointment, right Jonas?! He's still a little slower mobility-wise in his development then Elijah was at his age...but he's showing great improvement. Go Jonas!!

One of his favorite places to be lately his his "activity gym" where he bats at all the toys hanging from above. He gets all giddy and his arms and legs start flying real fast. And of course Elijah likes to join in the fun and "help Jonas play on his mat". I think a lot of the time he is genuinely wanting to be part of what Jonas is doing and wants to help his brother - we talk a lot about "one day" when Jonas will be big enough to play with him - and Elijah says "we will play play-doh with Jonas - and ride bikes with Jonas too". But I also think some of it is that HE wants the attention to be on HIM not on Jonas. Of course - what 2 year old wouldn't?! 

 

No play session is complete without Elijah pretending to be the baby and playing in Jonas' spot: