Sibling Love

We have really enjoyed watching Orli and Asher's relationship develop. Orli thinks Asher is the best and he teaches her so much. She is talking a lot and toddles everywhere and we know that this is directly related to her brother.  Orli now says so many words it is hard to keep track of what is new. She walks like a real pro too. She started walking right around 13 months and hasn't stopped since.
Asher has been so kind to her too. The other day, he got a stuffed animal at the store and asked to get another one so that Orli could have it. When he got home he gave her the toy. The smile on her face was priceless. It is important to remember these small moments especially when they get upset with one another (at this time more Asher than Orli, but we are sure it will be split down the middle soon enough).  We love these two bundles of love!

Every now and then Asher likes to help feed Orli.

Orli loves it.

 She REALLY loves it

The past few weeks, I would secretly place Orli in Asher's bed and watch her face light up as I tucked her under the covers and she cuddled the stuffed animals. She wanted to be just like her brother. I could tell she was in heaven. Now, she will often sneak off and try to get on his bed by arching her back and grunting loud enough to let me know that is what she wants. I was sure that if Asher found out he would get upset. On the contrary, he was delighted and so I let them cuddle together the other day. 

The Claw

My son is obsessed with the claw at the arcade or in this case any place that has a Moon Bounce. This contraption steals your money in hopes that you will magically get lucky and receive the stuffed animal of your Oriental Trading Company dreams. In any event, it is our fault--actually I am calling Jed out. It is HIS fault for this new problem that we face.  The first time Asher was introduced to the claw was at a Bounce House with a rigged claw. Every kid got a prize. Jed thought this was great and dropped the quarter in the slot.  We ended up getting three stuffed animals on one quarter. That was great--except that is not how every claw works and now Asher stalks claws. When he doesn't get the prize a tantrum ensues. The tantrum is like no other. Many quarters and tears have been lost over this terrible toy!

We drove 30 minutes to get to a bounce house. Asher had no interest once he saw the claw. 

This bounce house happened to have 5 claws on the premise. Asher noticed every single one. 

He is staring at the claw while riding his car. Note, the moon bounce in the back that he didn't touch.
This outing was a total failure. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We ate, played, sipped Starbucks, shopped for last minute items,  napped, played some more, bathed and now are down for the night. Another Thanksgiving at the Silversmiths is in the books.

Trick or Treat

What a night! Asher went trick or treating for the first time and Orli trailed behind in the stroller. We weren't sure how Asher was going to react, but after the first house he was a real pro. He didn't want to be carried at all and would have gone forever, if we let him.  On our way home, he stopped to smell his bag of candy and said, "Halloween candy smells good." When we got home, we dumped his candy out and we let him eat a few pieces.  He asked us how to eat the Milk Duds. I am sure he will never have to ask how to eat candy in the years ahead.

Getting ready to trick or treat

Out with Daddy.

Looking at his loot.

Last week, we  participated in some memorable Halloween events. Jed's firm hosted a Halloween event at Franklin Square. We rode the merry go round and made trick or treat bags. We also left with a few treats.  We also went to the Please Touch museum.  They closed down the museum and made it into a Halloween celebration. Asher went trick or treating, ate treats, and played. Orli came along for the ride, but we think she would have been happier in her crib sleeping.  Finally, we were invited to a Birthday party at a pumpkin patch. We rode a tractor, pet some animals and picked a pumpkin. What a way to celebrate this wonderful holiday.

Our Little Lady Bug Turns 1

Orli turned 1 September 6th and we had fun celebrating this milestone. It has been one amazing year and she has truly brought us so much joy. Orli is always happy, a wonderful eater, babbles constantly, signs 4 words, and says, da-da-which means bottle in Orli speak. She crawls and cruises with the best of them. Orli loves her brother and thinks he is so funny. She loves to take baths and squeals with delight when Daddy walks in the door at the end of the day. Our little lady is a breath of fresh air and pure delight.

Getting ready for our celebration

Nana is so funny!

It's Bubbe time.

Family!

It was a ladybug brunch theme. 

Daddy's girl

20 Days without School or Camp (End of August)

There is a special time in the school calendar between Summer camp and the beginning of the school year for Mom's everywhere. I am now an official member of this club and know how difficult it can be to manage two young children during this time. I have been navigating this time since last week and I have about a week left until Asher starts school and my normal routine resumes. Last week was rough trying to figure out how to keep Asher entertained in the house long enough for Orli's morning nap. To top it off, they both had colds. This week, I have finally hit my stride and am feeling more confident in taking care of both of their needs.  Luckily, Orli is so agreeable that it makes things manageable. The other little sanity saver has been a blog I found when we first moved here.  It is written by a mom that shares all the fun things to do around the City with young children. These two things, coupled with a son that still naps has kept me afloat.

When you have a lot of one-on-one time with your children, little things like bangs in their face start to bug you. This was the case for me. I cut her bangs last week, on my own.  I did feel a little guilty for doing it before she turned one but my little girl needs to see.

This is one of Orli's new talents. She carries foam letters in her mouth, so she can chew and crawl at the same time. Our baby girl is efficient. 

What do you do when you are confined in the house? Dress up and dream about riding a train with your Bubbe- of course. 

When you are tired of playing dress-up by yourself, dress-up your sister. She loves it!

Standing is also a fun activity in Orli land. Unfortunately, she is not pretend cooking, but Asher doesn't know that yet and tries his best to interact with her. Yesterday, he said, "Orli put the chocolate and pickle with cheese on the stove, like this!" Orli just grunted back and that was good enough for Asher to continue.

We did a lot of art projects in the past several days.  This is one of our favorites.

With all that playtime in the house, we are bound to find some trouble.

Cords are not the best activity

Even if she does look cute!

Time to do things out of the house.

Thankful that Target is open at 8am. We are also thankful for these cool new shopping carts. 

One good thing about being in the park early is that you get it all to yourself. On the flip side there are a lot of bugs.

Thankful for my babysitter who comes once a week to watch Orli. Last week, it meant that I got to go on a date with my son to the aquarium and a Children's garden in Camden (yes, I said it) New Jersey.  The garden was magical and we became members on the spot. In fact, we are headed back there tomorrow.  We also went to the zoo on the weekend, while Daddy watched Orli.

First camel ride

Asher loves warthogs.

We rode 3 different carousels last week. At this rate, we are on track to ride every carousel on the East Coast.

This week, I have ventured out with both children to different activities further away from home. I have given up the ideal napping situation for Orli and instead let her take her nap in the car on the way to our morning activity. This way, my son gets his energy out and this makes for a better day for everyone.

We have gone to the Please Touch museum, Elmwood zoo, and a moon bounce place in New Jersey.   We even went out to lunch today and Orli had her first taste of garlic knots--she loved them and the pizza was the best I have ever tasted.

Asher inhaled his pizza and his slice was bigger than his head.

I can't end this post without sharing this little nugget.  This morning, before going to the bounce house Asher was playing with the magnets while I was doing the morning dishes. I turned around and he was working on spelling his name, Bravo, Asher! 

Holding on to each day before the BIG ONE!

Orli is officially 11 months and has a ton of personality. We are trying to savor her last month as an infant by giving her lots of cuddles. Our helpful little girl must have heard our call because she is lovingly giving us more time together by only taking one nap a day! Even when I place her in the crib in the afternoon and say a little prayer for a little down time, she magically pops up to the sit position and shouts, "Here I am, come and get me," in baby speak.  Oh well, at least she is the cutest thing on Earth. 

Swing time fun.

She is growing up and weighs a healthy 22 pounds. I promised her that after she turns 1, I won't post her weight. Orli is learning to sign and can sign "more". She babbles constantly and loves interacting with people-- I think this is why she is also Starbucks favorite customer. The other day, I didn't have her with me and the baristas asked where my little "marsupial" was hanging out.Yes, she is always in my Baby Bjorn.