The Big Four

Mason's fourth birthday has come and gone. Hard to believe he's already that old -- and believe me, four sounds SO much older to me than three!

We had quite the week of birthday celebrations, beginning with a chocolate explosion at preschool. Mason shares a birthday with Alexandra, one of his classmates, so her mother and I teamed up to bring chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting (me) and chocolate Klondike Bars with chocolate coating -- which we fed to the kids at afternoon snack and then sent them on their merry, sugar-filled way home. Sorry other mommies and daddies!

There was an impromptu dance party preceding the snack (see!) so maybe that helped?!?




After school, Dad-O and I whisked Mason away to Radio City for our second-annual birthday viewing of the Christmas Spectacular. Mason was well-prepared before the show started with his 3D glasses. After fulfilling his request for an "Old" McDonald's birthday dinner before returning home to open a pile of presents!







The birthday fun continued on Saturday with his ballpark-themed party. We had lots of fun with all his friends and their families. There was a bunk-bed to climb on, many toys to play with and a pinata to bash ... all before devouring a Dallas Cowboys cake and ice cream.

Monkeying Around

I was lucky enough to accompany Mason on his first field trip -- ferrying 20 preschoolers to the Bronx Zoo.

The morning started off with a first ride on the school bus. We literally stopped traffic on Madison Avenue trying to get all 20 kids onto the bus. First, it was just the parents blocking off the lane, but then some passing police officers offered an assist.

After our very bumpy (Mason and I were in the WAAAAAAAY back ... I seem to remember that's where all the cool kids sat in my bus-riding days) ride, we arrived. We didn't see the usual array of animals that Mason is used to seeing when he goes with Mommy and Dad-O, but we had a great time. I have a new appreciation for lisa, his teacher, and her assistants. It's no small feat to keep track of that many kiddos!





The highlight of the day -- for me, at least -- came after lunch, when the kids decided to show-off their "Grizzly Bear" song. We had just seen the grizzly bear sleeping in his cave, so the song was perfect.

"Tree" months

Piper hit the three-month mark today. As you can see, she's a growing girl -- and now bigger than her bear!



We celebrated the day by decorating the Christmas tree ... well, we would have done that whether we had a three-month birthday to celebrate or not, as we always do it the day after Thanksgiving.

Mason LOVED breaking out all the ornaments this year and asked about each one -- who it belonged to and where it came from. He did a great job finding a special spot on the tree for each and every one of them.



Dad-O (with Piper propped on his other shoulder, no less) gave him an assist for the finishing touch.



Mommy had to pose them in front of the tree ... and under the tree! Too bad we already had the Christmas cards printed, because this one is a winner.

Breaking out the baby monitor

Last night was Piper's first in her own room -- and by own room, I mean of course the one she shares with Mason.

She looked so tiny in her big ol' crib, but she was getting way too big for her little ol' bassinet!



Mason, as you can see, was pleased to have a roommate!

Piper's Baptism

We had Piper baptized today at our church, St. Catherine of Genoa, here in NYC. We started attending church there when we moved into the neighborhood before Mason was born and since then it's become more of our home. Rob was baptized there, too, when he joined the church, so it seemed only fitting to have Piper baptized there.

Her baptismal gown was a gift from Grammy T, and will be returned to her for future grandbabies.







Kevin and Melissa were her godparents, and Kellyn, who tells everyone that she has a baby sister is now telling everyone that Piper is her godsister. It's too cute! We're so lucky to have friends like them among our New York family!



Rob's sister, Auntie Nay, was able to come for the ceremony, too.



Here's a slideshow of some of the moments from the big day. Afterwards, we had some friends over for brunch, which was great fun for me -- as we finally have a space large enough to entertain in!

Community Meeting

Every Wednesday morning, Mason's school has a community meeting where each class is expected to participate by sharing something with the group. I have yet to attend one -- as Rob is the usual dropper-offer, but here are some scenes from yesterday's meeting courtesy of another mother and the Pre-K teacher, lisa. They sang "We Went to the Animal Fair." Mason is on the left side in the front.







And the video:

Halloween

Running low on time, but here's the album I threw up on Facebook. I'll try to post more later...

A Sweet Pea and a Tiger

Goin' to the Series

For those of you who don't know, Mason is quite the Yankees fan. So, naturally, Rob and him walked over to The Stadium to drink in the scene for Game 1 of the World Series.

You know, just to walk around and see the sights (while Mommy stayed home with fussy, just vaccinated Piper.) Here's what they saw:

The outside of the stadium



The blimp hovering overhead



People standing in line to get in



A World-Series car



And, oh, yeah ... the inside of the stadium! Turns out they crossed paths with a woman who worked at ESPN and just happened to ask them if they were going to the game. When they said no, she immediately asked if they wanted to. Who wouldn't, I ask?!!?! So, she tells them to follow her, and gives, yes, GIVES them two tickets. They end up watching from Section 208!



Mason enjoyed some popcorn-y. His favorite...





And also made an appearance on the JumboTron late in the game (that, in case you're wondering, is not him!)

Needless to say, I was J-E-A-L-O-U-S, but oh-so-happy for them. Especially Mason. I keep telling everyone I was happy for him, but just jealous of Rob! Now, I'm off to hang up his World Series pennant. Here's hoping we will be able to post a World Series Champs one next to it...

Piper at 2 months

Here's our growing girl and her bear...



Showing off her Barbie band-aids after her trip to the doctor and first round of vaccinations...



And just a cute shot of her sticking out her tongue, because she's found that she has one and uses it for more than just showing Mommy how hungry she is!



We went to the doctor today and she checked in at 23.5 inches long and 11 pounds, 5 ounces. For those keeping track of the numbers, she's in the 90th percentile for height and 60th for weight. Either way, she's growing well! Remember last month's prediction of blue eyes? Well...this month the doctor says "dark" eyes. Different doctor, though, so I guess we'll keep waiting and see what develops over the next few months.

In general Piper news, like I said, she's found her tongue and likes to play with it by sticking it out. It's pretty hilarious when she sticks it out while trying to "talk." I'll try to come up with a video of that sometime soon. She also loves her bouncy seat and seemingly has figured out that by batting the monkey, she can make it sing to her. The baby gym is also a popular attraction and every time Mommy and Grammy are chatting on the phone (which is A LOT) she wants to join in, though always looks a little confused to hear the voice, but not see my mouth moving when I put the phone to her ears!

Happy Birthday, Grammy T

Grammy turned the "Big 5-Ohhhh!" today and since we couldn't be there to celebrate in person, the kiddos recorded this little diddy for her:

Piper at 1 month

In my pre-blogging days, I sent out e-mail blasts to "Mason's list" on each of his "monthly" birthdays. Once he hit one year, we graduated to the blog ... so here we are. I'll try to post all Piper's pertinent info here each month so all interested parties can follow her growing progress!

Here she is with her special teddy bear that Mason built for her with the help of some Great Aunties back on our trip to Colorado. Great Aunt Patty took the cap home with her and had it embroidered with her name and a little rose (Piper Rose, get it?!) and sent it once she was born. So, expect the teddy to be a mainstay in these pics so we can see how she overtakes it in size, eventually!



At her one-month checkup, she was 9 pounds, 15.7 ounces. Had she not left a present in her diaper just before hopping on the scales, she would have tipped it at 10 pounds to be sure! Everything checked out a-OK. The doctor was happy with her growth and predicted a blue-eyed baby. Time will tell...

Dad-O's home team

As a new-baby gift for Dad-O, I outfitted him and the kiddos in new Cowboys attire. It hurt a bit to do so, but they are a good-looking crew, no?

Happy to report...

Our Sweet P had her two-week checkup today (never mind that it was actually more like a two-and-a-half-week checkup) and all is looking well. She tipped the scales at nine pounds and is ahead of the curve, gaining 18 ounces in 14 days. So all is well ... and hopefully Mommy will quit worrying about whether her little grazer is eating enough!

She was a good sport at the doctor -- both hers and Mommy's -- and in the sling all day as we ran errands and picked up her big brother from school. Once we got home, she spent some time stretching out on the floor. Here are some shots of her looking oh-so-cute in her little green dress...

Siblings

Welcome to the real world

Today was a big day for Mason -- and all of us really -- as he had his first day of preschool! He's attending Central Park East II on the Upper East Side, where we're oh-so-glad to have landed a spot. Turns out even public Pre-K spots (at good schools!) are difficult to come by in this city!

So, bright and early we headed off this morning -- the whole family -- to his first day. Mason was rockin' his new New York Yankees' backpack, which is almost as big as he is. He got a little lift from Dad-O on the way there.



Piper rocked her apple shirt/skirt combo, if only because it seemed fitting for a first-day-of-school sort of thing!


When we arrived at the school, we found Mason's class lined up in the big school yard and waited (nervously, for Mommy) for the big moment when we'd head inside to the classroom. We also managed to squeeze in a family picture.



We headed upstairs to his classroom and helped him find his name on his cubby and unload his backpack, then it was time to say goodbye. Mason handled it the best of all of us, I think. He looked at me and said "See ya later, Mom!" I practically had to beg for a hug and a kiss ... then leave before I started tearing up! Rob gave him one big squeeze and then we reluctantly headed out and hit up the new-parent breakfast down the hall.

Three hours later, Piper and I were back to pick him up and take him out for a special lunch at McDonald's. The first thing he said to me was "I loved school, Mommy! Thanks for telling me about it!"

Oh, kid, if you only knew. I'll have to remind him of that in a few years and often after that, to be sure!

Pretty in Pink

Before Grammy left, we snuck out to do a little "girlie" shopping. Thank goodness for gypsy cabs and the new Target/Babies R Us/BJs trifecta of stores across the river. We got plenty of girlie stuff for our new girlfriend.

So far, she's looking like one well-dressed little princess...

Pretty in pink (notice she still has a thing for the dramatic hand across the forehead look):



Her first outing (to Mason's preschool picnic) outfit:



Her first dress:



Rockin' a headband:



And maybe my favorite look of all, hanging with her very loving big brother:

Guess Who?

So, I've got some picture labeling to do. Mason and Piper look nearly identical in their hospital pictures. Care to guess who's who?