Merry Christmas!

We had a white Christmas in North Carolina... who would have thought?!?!  It was a glorious first Christmas for Marcus and the first year that Aaron really grasped the Santa concept.  Fun - fun - fun!  I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

Preparing Santa's snack

Placing the snack by the fireplace

Aaron made the cookies earlier in the day with Mimi... he only wanted to leave 2 carrots for the reindeer

Coming down the stairs on Christmas morning to see if Santa came...

Opening his stocking

Daddy and Marcus watching Aaron opening presents

All of Marcus' gifts from Mimi and Papa had a monkey theme... Mimi calls Marcus "Monkey Shine"

Papa and Marcus

Aaron opening presents...

So happy with his Buzz Lightyear and Woody action figures

Merry Christmas!!! 

North Carolina for the Holidays

We drove to North Carolina for Christmas this year.  The ride down was fairly easy... we left at 8pm on Monday, 12/20 in hopes that the boys would sleep through the majority of the trip.  Marcus fell asleep instantly and didn't wake until 6am.  Aaron watched a movie and finally fell asleep at 10pm and didn't wake until 7am.  Brad and I alternated driving and aside from feeling a little punchy on Tuesday, did pretty well.  

We had lots of visitors while at Mimi and Papa's house...

Patrick Gansman and Aaron were cracking up at Brad's trick... detaching his finger!  "Ewwww! Show me how to do it!"

Donna "Goss" Gansman meeting Marcus

Mamaw and her Great Grand Babies

Pop Libertore and his Great Grand Babies

The Great Grands!

We drove to Chapel Hill to meet up with Kristi and Tom. (photo courtesy of AJL)

Aunt Ka-risti!!!  (Photo courtesy of AJL)

Uncle Willie (Papa's baby brother)

Unfortunately I'm missing a photo of Barbara Miller and the other Gansman family members who visited.  

Photos of Christmas Day shortly...

Bath Time!

Aaron has been begging to give Marcus a bath "by his own self" for months... we gave in and figured this was probably the best way to do it. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Aaron John!

Enjoying his Tuna Noodle Casserole... he could have requested anything and he chose Tuna Noodle?  Who is this person?

Nope - not a boyscout salute - this is Aaron's attempt at showing me 3 fingers... we're working on it!

Red Velvet Cupcakes!!!

A "wideo game"!!!

Ace and GG gave Aaron this awesome red kitchen... it's a hit!

A letter to Aaron on his 3rd Birthday

Dear Aaron,

On December 15, 2007 our lives changed forever... you joined our family and our lives improved tenfold!  You were 8lbs 10oz of pure joy.  You came out "talking" and haven't stopped since!  (You also came out peeing but we won't go there!).  Today is your 3rd birthday and I am shocked at how fast these 3 years have flown!  It feels like just yesterday you were born.  I wanted to write you this letter so years from now you could get an idea of what your life at 3 was like and how Mommy and Daddy felt about you.  There is so much to say about you and I can't think of a good way to organize it so here it goes...
I've told you this a million times but here it is again... the day you were born there was a HUGE snow storm in Boston so the doctor wouldn't let me go home to labor... I had to stay in the hospital because they were afraid I wouldn't be able to get back in time.  Little did they know that you were a stubborn little boy and didn't want to leave your happy home in my belly.  After 15.5 hours, Dr. Vincent had to take you out herself.  I didn't mind... I would do anything for you and that was what was best for you.  You were born at 11:01pm.  You were the first baby your Daddy ever held... ever!  (He did manage to knock your little noggin on the IV pole... twice... but we're pretty sure you'll be ok!)  Ace and GG drove down from VT in the snow storm to meet you... they were waiting for us in the recovery room and fell in love with you instantly.  We spent then next 5 days getting to know each other in the hospital.  We had the most glorious view of the Boston skyline from our corner room.  The day we took you home (December 20) was the most beautiful day I can remember... it had been snowing for days so there was a perfect layer of snow covering everything!  The sun was shining and even though there was snow everywhere it felt warm.  Daddy was so nervous to drive with you in the car... I don't think he went over 10 miles/hour.  

Your life has changed a lot this past year... on September 2nd you became a big brother to Marcus Jeffrey (you wanted to name him Juice or Soda)  You are a wonderful big brother!  You made up a great story about you and Marcus hunting for golden caterpillars on Draco Mountain.  You have a special hat that you wear on your "hunt"... Marcus is enthralled by you.  You are a big help to Mommy and Daddy... we joke that you are our little retriever.  You get his diapers ready, you pick out his clothes, you keep him company while I am cooking, you are a great sharer - always offering Marcus a turn with your favorite toys, you put his pacie in his mouth (although it stresses you out a little if he doesn't take it).  You call him "Mr. Tooty Toots" or "Little Buddy" and you sing him songs to make him happy.  You tell us all the time how happy Marcus makes you... this makes my heart swell!

Aaron - it's hard to remember that you are only 3.  You are so smart!  You are also very sensitive - always making sure that we are happy ("are you happy?" is one of the most common things you say)  You are very funny and quite the entertainer.  Your favorite joke right now is: "knock, knock - Who's there? - Boo! - Boo Who? - Don't cry, it's just a joke, DUDE!"  You have also come up with your own tune for songs like "you are my sunshine" and "ABC's"... it's like a fusion of rock, jazz and funk and it - is - awesome!!!  It is frequently accompanied by a dance that involves a little hip shaking!  We make you sing it to everyone... sorry!  

You have recently become attached to a blankie and stuffed dinosaur.  We tried to get you interested in a lovey for the past 3 years and ultimately gave up... no sooner did we stop pushing these items on you, did you decide you NEEDED them to sleep.  You often share them with Marcus which is so thoughtful.  
You are in preschool 3 days a week at Daddy's work.  You are the youngest person in the class and according to your teachers you are a leader, the most advanced and an excellent influence on the other students.  You have helped your friend Tommy feel more secure by including him in activities with you and your classmates.  You've helped your friend Jake to be kinder to other children.  You are a strong, social and secure boy and I couldn't be more proud of you.  Daddy and I know what an amazing little boy you are - it is so nice to hear your teachers speak so highly of you as well.  They call you "Mayor Libertore" and it is clear to me when I pick you up why that is... you go to each room and say goodbye to all the children and teachers by name.  I'm amazed that you know them all and that you can remember their names!  Amazing! 
Daddy had an opportunity to stay home with you during the day earlier this year... you loved your time with him and he will always treasure his time with you!  He used to take you to Au Bon Pain for a cookie and milk date.  Now that I am home with you (when you're not at school, that is) we have adopted this "cookie date" as well. 
For your birthday you requested cupcakes, a spider man toy and tuna noodle casserole.  So strange!  When you woke up this morning you opened your presents from Mimi and Papa... you got your spider man toy along with a Christmas ornament and Toy Story 3 movie.  When you came home from preschool you found your big red play kitchen from Ace and GG and the Mobigo video game system from Mommy and Daddy.  Mommy decorated the house with balloons to surprise you when you got home.  We had the tuna noodle you requested and red velvet cupcakes.  Mmmm!  
I don't really know another way to close this letter than to write the words I sing to you when I put you to bed... "you made me so very happy, I'm so glad you came into my life"
Love you biggest!!!
Mommy

Lullaby and good night...

It's official... we have a bedtime in our house!  Both boys go to sleep at 7:30 every night.  At first we were sad and hesitant to put Marcus to bed this early... if feels like we get very little awake time with him.  After a few nights of him sleeping from 7:30pm - 7am, we noticed that he was more alert during his awake time.  Win! 

It's nice to have some alone time... we have actual conversations now without fighting for air time with Aaron.  Don't get me wrong - we love our little chatter box but sometimes the silence is really (really) nice. 

RIP Cookie the "Bish"

Aaron's first pet, Cookie died last night.  We got Cookie in March of 2009 and Aaron named him himself (obviously!)  The thing he liked most about having a pet fish was that Ace has fish too... they were "same same".  Cookie was a red and turquoise beta fish... he was quite beautiful!  We will miss you!

This was the naming of the fish... Cookie the "bish"

It's too bad I only had my cellphone camera available... you can't see how pretty he actually was

The face of a happy pet owner! 

Aaron's First Report Card

Aaron received his first report card from preschool today.  So exciting!  Here's what it had to say...

Daily Life: Sense of Security and Happiness

Aaron is a happy and outgoing child; he has transitioned well to the routine of the preschool room.  Aaron separates from Dad easily and is able to find an area in the room that he wants to explore  He is able to keep up with the pace of the room and frequently reminds some of his friends of what is going to happen in the next schedule.

The Child's Experience

Aaron has formed many friendships in the classroom, he enjoys being challenged by the older children in the room, he will often sit with them and watch how they are playing and interacting and trying to copy what they are doing.  Aaron enjoys interacting with each of his teachers and is able to voice his needs with them.

One of Aaron's favorite activities in the room is exploring with the carious building materials, he loves using the blocks and the different animals to build houses for them or a zoo.

Special Strengths

Aaron is already starting to display leadership qualities in the room.  He takes pleasure in helping out his friends.  For example - trying to unzip a lunch box or opening up a container at lunch.

The report goes on to outline what he is currently doing, what he will be doing soon and recommended activities for the following areas:  Initiative, Social Relations, Creative Representation, Music and Movement, Language and Literacy, and Logic and Mathematics.

It also outlines several examples of things Aaron has done to "prove" his competency in each area.  Here are some of my favorites...

Initiative - Aaron was waiting on the rug.  When a teacher asked, "what are you doing, Aaron?" He replied, "I want to build with blocks, but I am waiting for the timer to ring."  This shows that Aaron can indicate with a short sentence an area that he would like to explore. (11/5/10)

Social Relations - Aaron was playing playdough with some of his friends.  One child took a playdough duck from another child.  The teacher asked the child to return the duck.  Aaron looked down at his own duck and gave it to his friend.  This shows that Aaron is able to solve problems with other children independently using socially acceptable means. (8/27/10)

Creative Representation - Aaron enjoyed dressing up as a horse during dramatic play time he asked the teacher for help putting on the costume.  Once it was on he said "neigh, neigh!"  This shows that Aaron assumes the role of someone/something else and can talk in the appropriate language of the assumed role. (7/12/10)

Music and Movement - Aaron was waiting his turn down at the bathroom, the teacher played Simon says.  Aaron was able to follow direction to put his hands on his head and then on his knee.  This shows that Aaron is able to follow spoken instruction for a two-part movement. (11/20/10)

Language and Literacy - At lunch time the children were talking about what they like to drink.  Aaron said, "I like to drink water.  Nicholas, what do you like to drink?"  This shows that Aaron responds to simple and direct conversations. (11/10/10)

Logic and Mathematics - Aaron said "Here, Tommy stand in front of me."  This shows that Aaron uses words to describe relative positions of things. (11/29/10)

Nice job buddy!  We're really proud of how well you've done in your first month of preschool!  We love you Biggest!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I've always loved Christmas but it got so much better when we brought children into the mix!  Here is a photo journal of the past few days...

Decorating the gingerbread house

The finished product

Our Christmas Elf, Harry McGillicutty (clearly Aaron was in charge of naming him!) arrived last night.  He was sent by Santa to give daily reports on whether Aaron has been naughty or nice.

The always smiley Marcus sits and watches as Mommy and Daddy discuss how to string the lights

He helped hang a few ornaments too

Aaron got to place the final touch on our tree

Merry Christmas!!! 

A Letter to Marcus - 3 Months

Dear Marcus,

Today you are three months old and it feels like yesterday I was looking at you for the first time and wondering who you resembled.  My fare-skinned, blond haired, blue eyed boy!  I thought for sure those blue eyes would turn brown like your brothers; but so far they've just gotten brighter and more blue!  You are gorgeous, Marcus!  The first thing people comment on when they see you are your big bright eyes followed by your cupid's bow grin.  One thing is for sure, Marcus - you are a happy baby.  You grin and giggle at me all day long and you seem content no matter what we're doing.  You're happy in my arms.  You're happy in your swing.  You're happy on your playmat, driving in the car, laying on the bed, running errands with me, going to the park with your big brother... anywhere!  You are a true joy!  I make you laugh by kissing your neck, kissing your cheeks, giving you pepper poops on your tummy, nibbling your toes and making silly faces.  You are particularly fond of your toy giraffe, Sophie.  She squeaks when I squeeze her and your eyes get wide as if you're surprised then a grin crawls across your face and you say "oooooohhhmmm"  You melt my heart, little man.

Your brother Aaron loves you to pieces.  He calls you "little buddy" or "Tooty toots" and takes care of you so well.  He gives you lots of kisses and hugs and is very concerned about making sure you are happy.  He helps Mommy and Daddy with diaper changes, replacing your pacifier when you grin and it falls out of your mouth, he keeps you company while I make dinner, he sings "you are my sunshine" and ABC's to you in a soft voice, he shares his toys with you and he LOVES to help burp you!  He tells you stories about finding golden caterpillars on Draco Mountain (something he made up on his own).  He is so proud to be your big brother.  It makes me so happy to see you two together.  One day you boys will undoubtedly get on each others nerves and I will remind you of these moments.  I will remind you how Aaron would hold you while watching his cartoons and how he absentmindedly kissed the top of your head while holding your hand.  I will remind you how your head turns when you hear his voice and how you stare at him adoringly.

My sweet sweet Marcus, Monkey Man, Mr. Tooty toots, Sir Toots a lot, Poodle, my Angel Boy, Baby, Bigga Boy, Monkey Shine, Marky darky doo, Marky Mark and the funky bunch, on your Marcus get set go - I am so happy you joined our family.  You make me happier than I could have imagined and I am so proud to be your Mommy.

Love you biggest!

Photo Shoot - by Samantha Louras Photography

My cousin, Sam is a fantastic photographer... here are some of the photos she took of our guys in November