654 6th Street NE

Over the last two weeks, we have started to say farewell to our first home as a family.  We are planning to put it on the market in a few days. It was truly a special place.  We moved to DC and bought this house and then a few years later Jed proposed to me there.  We did countless renovations to make it our own. We started our new life as a married couple and then had two children who also called 654 6th Street NE their home (In DC putting your quadrant in the address is very important!) We called this place our home for a little over 10 years. As we have started to settle into our new place and begun to put things away, we realize how much that place meant to our family.  We will miss our little slice of DC.

On the last day I was in the house and before I said goodbye, I snapped a few photos. My last bit of belonging at the door, I walked around and noticed that the house held a lot of special memories!

The exposed brick was one of the first details I loved about our 115 year old rowhouse! Also, the light fixture above was picked out after countless hours at lighting stores, we finally ordered ours on-line.

Our little Hobbit door was really our only storage in the entire house!  Children loved to open the door and go inside whenever they came over.

We did our kitchen renovation during my 1st trimester with Asher.  Jed was conveniently out of town for most of it! 

I've decided to also include some pictures from the last few days of our move.

Orli helping me pack and grab her toes at the same time, she is so talented!

Asher's preschool class on his last day.  They had a stuffed animal party for him.

All the children ate cupcakes with their stuffed animals. Asher is clutching his new elephant.

My little loves getting some last minute cuddles before our move.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Asher having fun in the hotel we stayed at for 2 days before heading to Philly.

Orli, Roswell, and I driving to Philadelphia while Asher took a train with his Bubbie.

We hope that Philadelphia will be just as warm and welcoming as DC was to us.  Here's to cherishing our time in DC and the new possibilities that await us in Philadelphia. 

Let's Hear it for Our 7 Month Old!

I know what you are wondering, Why is she blogging when she has a million other things she needs to be doing? Well, it is because Orli hit a big milestone and I couldn't just let it pass without mentioning it.  Little Orli turned 7 months yesterday, right in the middle of our BIG move to Philadelphia!  I managed to get her photo among our many boxes and packing supplies. She definitely is not shy of the camera and is our little roly poly love bug.

Orli is alert, happy, babbles constantly, likes eating peas (just like her brother did) Unlike her brother, she is not a great sleeper. I think she would be a better sleeper if she wasn't being toted everywhere in her car seat. I have serious Mommy guilt over this and feel terrible that she is always running on someone else's schedule where we ran on Asher's schedule.  I guess that is what happens with a second child.

She is wearing 9 month clothing.

Helping us pack, what a good girl.

Family!

In the craziness of moving and trying to pack with an infant and toddler, I am reminded again and again how much I love my life....seriously! The 6 month mark for Orli has truly been exciting. She sprung not 1 but 2 beautiful teeth.  The two little jewels are popping out of the bottom of her mouth and we think it is adorable. Orli is also sitting up without support for a few minutes at a time.  Finally, she is starting to eat solids and sit in a high chair. What a big girl!

Even though we lost, she's still cute!

Highchair = big girl

Sitting up

Asher is also charming and warms my heart. He tries to make Orli laugh and takes care of her by bringing her things, he thinks will cheer her up when she is upset.  He is also a ball of energy and keeps us constantly on our toes. We are so very proud of his problem solving skills. He just completed a 52 piece puzzle of the United States all on his own and he can name most of the states (how many of us could do that now or even at his age).  I promise that I was not hovering around him and feeding him the answers while he worked.

Hanging out! You can't tell by this picture, but it was LOUD in the house.

We are at the zoo and had to see the gibbons.  Yes, this is one of  Asher's favorite animals. She is at the top of the fence staring down at us.

We are on a typical walk in the afternoon in DC.

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