Happy Half Birthday Orli!

Orli turned 6 months yesterday. I can't believe our little Orli girl celebrated her half birthday. She has found her thumb, loves to roll from her back to her tummy, squeal, laugh, play peek-a-boo, watch her brother and eat, eat, eat.  Solid foods start this month, oh my!

The riding pants on this outfit make me laugh! 

The Progression of a Sibling Photo

I have realized how important it is for Mom's to catch that special moment of their children in harmony and exuding sibling love.  That perfect photograph can show that everything is right in the world. Here is my attempt to capture this moment a few months ago...

I told Asher to hold his sister's hand--he listened! Yes! 

I told Asher to give his sister a kiss--he complied, win for Mom.

I did NOT tell Asher to poke his sister in the eye! 

Baby Love!

Babies are little love notes sent from above to tell us the world is filled with kindness and love. This Valentine was given to Orli by her Bubbie.  I love the message and think it is so true. This month has flown by and our little love bug rolled over for the first time today--What a Valentine's Day present.  She did it from back to front which is super difficult.  The entire family was so proud of her--even if she was in tears by the shock of completing such a difficult task. Bravo, Baby Orli!


Last month, Orli had a very special baby naming ceremony. The ceremony took place in our home with grandparents and a dear family friend in attendance. It was a beautiful ceremony discussing the significance of her name and presenting her with a Hebrew name.  Asher even helped out by chanting in Hebrew with the Hill Havurah lay leader in attendance.

Wrapping ourselves in a tallis to welcome Orli into Jewish life.

Each grandparent read a special blessing to Orli

Mother and Son celebrating Orli!

Touching the head of your children

Asher had to bring his animals to the ceremony

My dream baby!

Orli Turned 5 Months!

Our little girl is growing up, she is already 5 months old. She is a healthy 16 pounds 1 oz. She loves to hold her toes, roll sideways, and give great belly laughs anytime her brother gives her attention. She is such a dream child even through all of her colds (she's had 5 in her short life) and sick bug (flu like symptoms that lasted for a week) she has managed to smile and stay joyful!

This past month has been super busy and sometimes stressful. I did not have time to post Orli's 4 month picture. So, I thought I would include it along with her 4 month check up stats.

Stats: 
Weight: 16 pounds/90th percentile
Height: 25 inches/75th percentile
Head Circumference: Does it really matter? Except she is having a hard time finding hats that fit! 16 1/2 inches, 75th percentile

We have a 3 Year Old in the House!

Asher received a special shirt for his special day!

The start of the year is always full with celebration. While most people are celebrating the New Year, we are also celebrating our son turning a year older. This year marks Asher's 3rd Birthday! He turned 3 on January 2nd and we had a Birthday party for him that weekend. It was so fun to have all of his friends in attendance as well as his Grandparents. This was the first year that Asher understood that it was *his* day! What a big boy he has become!

Asher was so happy to get a cupcake for his Birthday that he insisted that all of  his animals had to watch.

Daddy helped him blow out the candle. 

Family Photo! 

Asher's Birthday party was held at JW Tumbles, an indoor gym for toddlers. He loved it!

Buddies! Eliza and Asher have been in school together for the last 2 years!

He was trying out the balance beam, but really more interested in the slide in the background.

Friends!

The Birthday Boy is chowing down on pizza--he ate two slices that is a record for Asher.

The Grandparents came to celebrate. Grandpa Howard and Grandma Elena took a flight from Hawaii to be a part of the festivities!

A photo with the toddler of the hour!

Orli at the party. She is almost 4 months in this picture and matches her Mommy, PINK!

A Year in Review

Since every news outlet lately has been doing their own year in review, I thought we should too!

 2013 was all about the "selfie"--I thought it was fitting to include one in this post.
Selfie taken on 12-30-13

Events in the Silversmith household in 2013 (in no particular order,except 1 and 2 )

10. Jed and I marked our 10th year in DC,who said we would only stay for 5? We like to double things in our family.
9. The sleeping drama that started at the end of 2012 and continued through much of 2013. Asher now sleeps comfortably on a mattress on the floor. No bed yet, baby steps!
8. Jed and I traveled to Seattle to visit friends. We did this separately, but had a great time! A little vacation away.
7. Our baby moon to Portland, Maine! The calm before the wonderful storm.
6. Asher moved on from his fixation with letters and is now in the animal craze. We discussed animals almost everyday of 2013, so I say it was a fairly significant part of the year.
5. Asher attends school 5 days a week. It is part time, but he is learning so much and making a lot of friends.
4. Flying to Pittsburgh with my baby girl at 2 months, all by myself. Jed drove with Asher to attend a cousin's wedding.
3. Spending the entire summer in DC with Asher. It was the best summer ever. We went out everyday and did it all. I love living in a city.
2.Finding out we were having a second child! I knew right away we were having a girl, I just felt it. We found out at 15 weeks that I was right!
1. Baby Orli joining our family. My parents and Jed's mom were around for the birth. I had support from my mom for over a month at my house.

Orli is fantastic and I can't wait to see her grow and change in the coming months, just like her big brother.

All dressed up! 12-30-13

Taking the babies out to lunch by myself! 12-31-13. 

It's Time to Celebrate Hanukkah!

Matching tie dye dreidel shirts

This was the best Hanukkah yet. Asher is now starting to understand Hanukkah. It is  fun to light the candles every night, say the blessings, sing, and open presents! This year, it was all about the animal toys for Asher and clothes for Orli. I have a feeling the animal toys will go away, but buying clothes and lot's of them are here to stay!

Some of the highlights included:
1)  Asher reciting the blessings without being prompted (see video below, our favorite to date)
2) Hiding the presents and having Asher try his very best not to peek. That is a tall order for an almost 3 year old.
3) Picking out the candle colors for the menorah.
4) Using Hanukkah as a way to get Asher to eat his dinner.
5) Watching the delight on Asher's face each time he got an animal figure that cost no more than 5 dollars.  Some of his collection included the flamingo, hippo and the ever popular kudu and okapi.
6) Having Orli as a part of the celebration this year!

The first night we placed the candles the wrong way and Asher tried to blow them out. Luckily, we have 7 more days to get it right.

Thanksgivingukkuh

more brother and sister love