December

Exciting events in December included a birthday dinner with Andrew and Danielle, birthday weekend in Philly with Jen, Dave, Julie and Erin and Dave. We had great seats (apart from being surrounded by Navy fans) at the Army Navy game and had a super yummy dinner at Tequilas in Philadelphia. Maggie had a sleepover with Ellie and Charlie hung out with Aunt Erin. It was a great weekend!! We also had Rob's Company Christmas party which was great fun! The highlight was Santa's arrival in the Rescue Truck. My wonderful friends took me out for lunch at Restaurant Eve and we did a cookie exchange as well. I am sure I forgot something this month-it totally flew by!!

Daddy's Company Christmas Party.

The closest she has ever gotten to Santa with a smile on her face!!
Ready for the snow!!
Hanging out with Uncle Andrew

Good News!

Charlie decided to give me an early Christmas present this year. Guess what it is? No more dairy allergy!!! YAY!!! I am so excited to actually enjoy the food this Holiday season. He has also decided to skip baby food all together. He had his first taste of real food on Thanksgiving and has not turned around since. We pulled out the old baby food mill and have been giving the boy everything we eat these days. Mac and cheese, stromboli, roasted chicken, he loves it! Maggie is thrilled to see him progressing and cheers him on at meal times "you are finally eating baby-yay-good job charlie". So cute! December is upon us again and the calendar is packed already. We have, count them, 4 parties this week to keep us busy! We are also going with friends to check out the Grinch who Stole Christmas ICE extravaganza at the National Harbor. Last but certainly not least we are celebrating my birthday this year with lots of fun stuff!! Check back next week to see pictures. Happy St Nicholas Day!!

He looks so much like Rob!
Besties

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hanging out in the helicoptor at the Battalion Holiday Party

Maggie still hates Santa :(

Maggie and her Martin Aunts!

Turkey was GREAT! As usual, well done Rob!

Family shot!

Sissy decorating the tree

Charlie is finally eating!! Not baby food though, just grown up Thanksgiving food!

Philadelphia

We had a wonderful weekend in Philly! Aunt Kate and Uncle Steve graciously offered to host our visit and it was SO GREAT to stay with them. We enjoyed the time together as well as our visit with Grandma. We surprised Caeli at her birthday party on Thursday and spent time with Dad and Aunt Erin at the Please Touch Museum on Friday. We even got to go out in Manayunk without the kids! On Saturday we had lunch with Grandma and visited the Waterworks with Aunt Erin before dinner at a very yummy, pink restaurant. The food was great but the kids were totally squirrely. We will have to try it again next time! Aunt Erin took us to south Philly for some amazing doughnuts on Sunday before heading back to VA. A super mini-vacation and absolutely wonderful weather!! We LOVE Philadelphia!!

Doing some shopping with Aunt Erin at the Please Touch Museum. She really liked the crackers!
Charlie and Grandpa helping Maggie check out!
Her most favorite part of the PTM, the Hospital! She repeatedly told us that she needed to go back because she was sick. Ha!

A little dance on the obvious stage.

Taking a ride on the beautiful old carousel.

Puzzle time

Reading some books with cousin Maddy. She also wanted to read Curious George goes to the Doctor over and over again. Notice the red bandage on her ankle.

Really hard to get them both to smile!

Charlie sweet

Before our tour of the Philadelphia Waterworks

Champion!!

Halloween

Little stinker

Could they be any cuter?

Hydrating before the big game!!

Fairy Pumpkin

Charlie at 6 months!

October/6 months old/ATM

Holy Cats its almost Halloween! I seriously do not know what I do all day but sometimes I am so busy I hardly remember to breathe! I really want to blog more often but between M and C, life seems to fly by! Recent updates on the minis:

Maggie is growing up way to fast. She is constantly surprising us with her language ability and has begin the exhausting "why" phase. A typical conversation at our house: What are those things in the air? Bats! Why? Because they have wings? Why? Because they have to fly around to get food? Why? Because they eat insects? Why do they eat insects? Because they are delicious! That's silly Daddy! Insects aren't delicious! They are to bats. Why? (it never ends!!). She is fully potty trained during the day and did an excellent job this morning at the Army Ten Miler (more about that later). She is trying my patience as a mother and teaching me to pick my battles now that she likes to choose her own clothes. Yesterdays outfit: clover green shirt, avocado green leggings, purple socks and black party shoes. Awesome. She is so much fun and keeps us cracking up all day long!
Charlie had a week-a serious week!! On Monday at his 6 month check up the Dr told me he is developing and growing well, but he is not gaining weight fast enough. He weighed 14.8 lbs and was 25.5 inches (heavier and longer than M was at 6 months). She advised me to push the solids and the bottle as much as possible. I wondered if she wanted to come over and try her luck, it is obviously not happening when I am around. I stressed about it for a few days and then just decided to chill out, let him lead with the solid food and continue to nurse on demand as usual. He did enjoy a french fry, some bacon, a bite of doughnut and a pretzel stick over the weekend. Maybe he just doesn't like slimy squishy baby food??? He is such a sweet little guy with smiles for everyone. He loves taking his naps and goes down so easily at night as well. We heart him!

The weekend was a great one with a visit from the Ag-nowskis (our great friends Jen and Dave from Germany). Jen and I even managed a trip downtown to meet up with her sister. Well, at least for the the hour before Rob called to tell me the kids would not go to bed and he needed back up. It was great spending time with them and we cant wait to see them again. Maybe in December...right Jen?? :)

Rob ran the Army 10 Miler today and it was awesome!! We all took Metro to the Pentagon (race start/finish) and hung around the Hooah zone while Rob ran the race. We even got to watch him finish, barely, thanks to our neighbor Michelle who spotted him while I was trying to get Charlie a toy. It was a beautiful day and we were proud of our runner. He finished with a better time than the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in 75 minutes!! Great Job!! Just think what he could do if he actually trained :)
Enjoy some recent pictures from the pumpkin tunnel!