18 months

A part of me can't believe our little munchkin is already a year and half!  Time has certainly flown.  At 18 months she is 34 inches tall (97%) and 24lbs (55%). 

Her personality continues to blossom everyday and even though she was a tougher baby, as a toddler she is extremly enjoyable.  J is very direct in her movements and is patient enough to wait for toys or items she wants to become available.  An example of this was at a class we take, they brought out musical instruements.  The week before J had a lot of fun with these bell type instruments, but they got scooped up as soon as they were put on the floor (J ususally waits until the crowds clear before making her choices.. she's not in a rush, she'd rather watch the situation).   I saw her survey the group, zero in on who had one and just casually go and stand next to the adult with her desired instrument.  As soon as it was put down, she scooped it up and came walking over to me with a huge grin on her face. 

A few other things she's doing right now:
Speaking:  She upto over 70 words and is beginning to put 2 words together.  We call her our little parrot because everything we say, she mimics.  Her newest is "coffee - kaafee" 

Sleeping: J is 7-7 at night and is still on 2 naps a day, but transitioning down to just 1.  Her naps range in lenght from 1hr-2.5 hrs.

Eating- put it in front of her and she'll try it.  Eats most things and isn't to picky.  If she dosen't like it, Burton will!

Playing: Loves her books, puzzels, beads (any sort of necklace), and her rocking horse. Any item that slightly resembles an electronic is a phone and she loves to call  "Misshhhh or Lolo". 
 I have her doing Independent Play in her playpen for 30min each day after breakfast and she does fairly well (a little complaining at times, but nothing serious).

Interactions:  J is often the "switzerland" of her friends.  As other kids are beginnign to push or fight over toys, for the most part, J stays out of these types of situations. She shares well and loves to be with her friends Avery, Sabella and Grant. 

Caleb's Christening

With his god-parents up at the alter

Caleb John Kromer

The proud parents

J walking the red carpet

With Great-Grandma and Grandpa Marangas

Now to the good part- the playground! With Logan 

Aaron, Tristan & Kyle 

J was causing a road-block 

Girls in the Park

Jocelyn, Sabella & Avery in Battery Park.  1 1/2 years 

Happy Mother's Day

We had an amazing Mother's Day this year.  J "woke me" by coming into the room carrying a huge bouquet of flowers, and a great big grin on her face.  We spent the day walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, having a great lunch at an outdoor restaurant, ice cream on the pier and finally, after walking back over the bridge, some cocktails down on Hudson as we watched the sunset.  It doesn't get much better then that!

A Mother's Day smile... Love it! 

Playing around in the Brooklyn Bridge Park 

Jocelyn consoling Burton who was not allowed into the park with us 

Daddy and Baby by the bridge 

Feels like Spring!

Late last summer an amazing playground/ water park opened up right down the block from us.  As the days get warmer, J and I have been spending quite a bit of time there.  This past week, it even got warm enough for the water park to be open and for J to start exploring the pools!

Tribeca Family Fest

 Each year, the Tribeca Film Fest hosts a family day and this year, we headed over to enjoy it.  It was a gorgeous spring day, and we had such a good time watching J interact with her enviornment.  The festival is really well done with tons of booths full of arts and crafts for the kids, face painters, balloon makers, puppets, acrobats, kite making and so much more.  We look forward to going back each year and watching J  participate in even more activities.

The cast from Circe D'Solie preformed on the street

The large "puppets" that were walking around 

J was very intrigued by everything going on around her 

Headed to the new park on the west side Pier when we were done for some of J's fav't things- swings! 

I've got Daddy's hat! 

!

Piper Ann Klein

 Piper Ann Klein was born May 6th, weighing in at 8lbs 6ozs,  21 inches to a very happy family!

Piper at 1 week.  Still had dark hair at this point 

3 1/2 weeks- beginning to look more like a Klein with blond hair and blue eyes 

Love those sleepy smiles