The kids are definitely taking after their Aunt Ann, and getting to work in the yard!! We stopped at the nursery last Friday afternoon & the kids picked out a flower each. Then we found a spot for them... dug through all the worms & bugs and made a little tiny garden! The kids LOVED getting their hands dirty & Preston loved all the bugs! :)

Aubree picked out the Orange flowers

Preston picked Red

And, we picked White for Baylee

 Aubree absolutely insisted that she do ALL the digging & planting!

 She did good! :)

 This little joker refused to give me a smile...

 But, did insist on placing the flower in the hole.

 Then we watered the flowers...

 And, Preston "pet" the flowers...

 All in a day's work....

 The grass is getting greener! I love that I have taken a picture of this path, through all the seasons.... Summer, the Fall (covered in leaves), snow, dead winter grass & now life... again!

There are still a lot of trees that haven't started blooming & I'm getting excited to see what they'll look like!!

 We were excited to watch this tree bloom... I think it's a Cherry Blossom.

 I'm still amazed that all the trees are getting covered in the most beautiful flowers! It's such a treat!

 Even the big trees are starting to get flowers...

After being outside for a couple of hours, I told the kids we had to go back inside to get dinner ready & when Preston wasn't coming through the door, I turned around & saw him by our newly planted flowers... He just went over there & ripped his out of the ground. I guess he thought it was strange that we were going to leave something outside! It was so funny! Poor little guy... so we went back & re-planted it. Today we went to water the plants & they all look good, except Preston's is struggling a little bit... Probably because of that last episode. But, I think it'll be fine!

EVERYTHING is blooming right now!

The grass is turning greener, by the day. So many trees are in full-bloom & the weather is warmer & crisp. Spring, so far has been absolutely gorgeous here in New Jersey! I wish I could take pictures to capture all the beauty right now! You look out at the hillside & it's just brushed with pastel colors... pinks, reds, yellows, whites, greens... It's just gorgeous!

Anyway, the kids & I have been taking 2-mile walks almost every day. Aubree & I walk, while Preston & Baylee ride in the stroller. There are so many beautiful areas around us.

This day wasn't one of the sunniest days... So it's hard to see the true colors. This tree below is a Magnolia Tree, it's sooooo beautiful, I have to walk by it everyday. I want one of these in my (future) yard!

The flowers on this tree are HUGE! Aubree gathered a lot of the petals that had fallen.

 So beautiful!! Even Baylee admired it from her stroller compartment. :)

 This is just what some of the surrounding area (where we live) looks like. A lot of the homes have pretty big properties.

 Not sure what this white tree is... But, we spotted it off the road & had to take a closer look. It was so pretty & it had a beautiful nest in the middle of it.

 The red blossoms are the beginning of Cherry Blossoms, I'm not sure what the other tree is.

 Weeping Willows along the creek areas...

(we have a lot of creeks, lakes & ponds running through town - houses are built around them & they're called  "lake communities" where the children swim & you can fish & sail small boats)

The Canadian Geese are everywhere! They even come right up to our apartment. I really like them, they all seem very monogamous (you always see them in pairs). I think they're getting ready to make some babies! Last summer, we always saw the Geese families walking around together.

Don't laugh at me!! I don't think I've ever done this before!! 

I saw these pictures of Kate Middleton last week & I couldn't get these pants off my mind... I'm not into the Skinny Jean look, or anything - But I really wanted some!! I thought she looked so cute in them with her tennis shoes & her figure is so cute (she actually wore them dressed up with a blazer & black high heels & then traded them out for the sneakers & zip-up sweater), anyway... she looks tall, so I googled her height & she's 5'10, which made me happy because I'm a hair under 5'9. Sooooo... Last night I went to the Mall, and was there for 15 minutes flat.... because I spotted, some identical to hers!

I had to sell Garrick on them, because he's not into that look either, but he liked them & they DO look cute with my Tennis shoes on too! :) I just need to find some cute flats that will compliment them. Ok... So, the reason I'm sharing this (mostly) is because, starting in Jan., I joined the gym & I've been doing weights there 3 times a week, and running 2 1/2 - 3 miles a day, about 3-4 times a week... Plus, eating a bit healthier. Anyway, I'm 6 pounds lighter than I was pre-pregnancy with Baylee, have so much more energy AND these pants are a SIZE 3 (It was the only one left!!)! I don't think I've worn a size 3 in, I don't know... Ten years, or so (??). However, I have never really set any goals for myself to get into really good shape either.

So... I just wanted to share that because I know sometimes it's tough to get motivated to start transforming your body (or trying to), but once you just start, you do eventually (6-8 weeks) start to see some strengthening & definition. I'm really happy I started & now I can't wait to get to the gym, or take a walk/jog everyday. I'm not trying to boast or brag or anything (although, I know I kinda am), but I'm really proud of myself! :) I have another 5-6 months of nursing Baylee, so I can't be too rigorous, or lose too much weight, but I would like to start training for a half marathon (13.1 miles) in September, to do in Decemeber of this year!!!! :) But, we'll see....

Bibbity-Bobbity-Beau is 6 months today!

We've been calling her "Bay", mainly because Preston calls her "Bay-Bay". She's doing great! She's been so easy & pleasant... She takes about 3 naps a day (in her crib), has been eating (and LOVING), all the baby food I've been making her... She's now had: (all organic) Avocados, Apples, Bananas, Butternut Squash, Pears, Sweet Potatoes & Rice Cereal. She eats anywhere between 1oz - 4oz of solid food a day.

She loves rolling & rolling & rolling. She's loves to sit & play & she's good at it! She grabs EVERYTHING in sight! It's getting hard for me to do anything while I hold her, because she'll either repeatedly slap it, or try to grab it & get it into her mouth. She loves going outside... and just being with everyone. Her nighttime sleep schedule is pretty poor - she gets a "C-" in that department. She'll sleep for 2-3 hours at a time... So, I'm still up with her about 3-4 times a night. She rolls on her tummy, or her side to sleep, I guess that's OK now though, because she puts herself there... although I'd sleep better knowing she was laying on her back.

6 Month Stats...

Weight: 17 pounds (68th Precentile)

Height: 27 3/4 Inches (95th Percentile)
(we have some TALL kids!!!)

Yesterday afternoon Aubree & I took some pictures of her at 6 months. Aubree picked out the outfit... because Aubree's favorite color is blue. I think Baylee looks nice in blue too! :) Baylee happily sat for us for about 5 minutes, while Aubree tried to get her to smile. Aubs did a good job.

You can tell she's ready to get mobile, I'll not be surprised if she's an early walker/crawler, like her sister Aubree, who was walking at 9 1/2 months!!!

Spring may not officially begin until tomorrow... But, for the last 2 weeks, we've been feeling it! The weather has been gorgeous.... Windows wide-open all day gorgeous... Taking 5pm walks gorgeous! The time change has made a huge difference! Living in Southern CA & Florida all my life, I always thought that the "Spring forward" time change was completely worthless... Well, now living in the Northeast, I can completely understand the importance of a time change. The people in the North need longer days, after enduring such long, dark winters. I can now go on jogs in the evening & we get to stay outside until 6pm & it's still light & warm!! :)

We've been spending our afternoons outside, playing with friends, gathering goodies (rocks, sticks, flowers, etc. - not me, the kids!) :) And, just having a really nice time!

This week we have high 60's, 70's & 80's - then... possibly snow next week, but we'll see! I hope not...

Preston holding sister's purse for her (while Aubree practices her hop-scotch technique)... such a nice boy! :)

St. Patrick's Day!!!

 I made my Irish Soda Bread that I make every year... It's so good!!

(Along with our Corned Beef, Cabbage & Potatoes)

Aubree looks pretty in green...

We took a little afternoon walk after dinner...

So many trees are blooming! It's soooooo nice to see colors on the trees again, after seeing them all naked for the last few months...

Yesterday I conducted a little interview with these two... We were spending a lot of time talking & the kids were cracking me up with all their cute ideas & whatnot, so I jotted down some questions to get some answers to keep forever....

Answers from my 4 1/2-year old & 2-year old!

First Interviewee

AUBREE

Me:

What's your name?

Aubree:

"Aub-wee Kwisteen Jabidi"

What's your favorite color?

"Orange & Blue"

What's your favorite letter & number?

"My favorite number is 1 and my favorite letter is A"

What's your favorite Animal?

"Unicorn!!"

(I've told her numerous times that they don't exist, but everytime we drive through a forest, she says, "I hope we see a unicorn!")

What's your favorite Food?

"Fesenjan!!"

(It's a Persian stew with chicken, pomegranate juice, crushed walnuts, tomato, onion & spices - served over basmati rice. The kids both love it, so I end up making a big batch of it at least once a month!)

What's your favorite treat?

"Tootsie Roll"

What's your favorite State? Why?

"California. Because all my friends live there and I was BORN there!"

What do you want to be when you grow up?

"An Artist. And, a Doctor"

What does Mommy do?

"She washes clothes and looks after the baby"

What does Daddy do?

"He goes to work, and he eats lunch"

(Garrick comes home for lunch)

What does Preston do?

"He spills water. He has naps. and he be's bad sometimes"

Do you like Preston?

"Yeah. He's my Brother (budder)"

Where did Baylee come from?

"New Jersey. At the hospital"

How do you think peanut butter is made?

"They put peanuts inside a bowl and then they stir it up and then it'll be yummy PEANUT BUTTER!!"

Why do you think the sky is blue?

"Because... It's my FAVORITE color!!"

Why is the grass green?

"I don't know, I guess that's just how God made it"

How does a watermelon grow?

"If we get a seed, and plant it and it might grow into anything if we have the right seed. Then, it'll grow into a watermelon. God made it so we can eat."

What will happen it we swallow a watermelon seed?

"We would choke"
(so morbid! hahaha!!)

How do you think shows get onto the TV?

"Well, the shows go through the wire and up the TV and when we have the TV on, we can watch it!!"

Who's your favorite person in the whole world?

"GOD!!"

What is one thing you wish?

"I wish I could be a Princess, because I love Princesses!"

We LOVE football!!

We've been Miami Dolphin fans for quite some time... However, well, I'll speak for myself... I'm torn between 3 teams!!! But, none of them conflict with each other TOO much! Living just a little less than 15 miles from where the NY Giants practice & play, obviously I fell for the Giants in a pretty big way this year (SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!)... I gotta root for our hometown team! Plus, it's Baylee's team!! She's a Jersey Girl... And, it's so cool that she was born just a few miles from the Giant's stadium the year they took the victory (over the Patriots! Woo-hoo!!!!)!

So, of course our good friend... I'll call him "Jersey Joe" bought his little Jersey Girl, Baylee some Giants gear - I'd love it if Baylee stayed a Giants fan forever! :)

And, of course... Our third team!!

We are some of the biggest Tim Tebow fans out there (Tim lived down the street from us for a little over a year - literally!) & we went to every one of his senior games in the swamp... we've been fans of his since his freshman year at UF - so the 2010 season we were "closet Bronco's fans", but this year... we came out! We watched more Bronco games than Dolphins games... so, we have THREE NFL teams. Aubree has maintained her Dolphins status since the day of her birth, Preston has Tebow-mania (Bronco's fan) & Baylee is our Giants girl... A home divided, truly! :)

Preston took the bottle... don't judge me, the boy looooves his "Baa-baa's" - he's a big boy, but I haven't taken away this comfort from him.... yet. He's very possessive of this bottle already, maybe he got Giants fever too (??)

Thanks Joe for always being sooooooo generous with our kids! We love you! :)

 My big girl!!

She is much more happy sitting on her own than laying on her back! And, she's getting good at sitting... I'm very surprised! :)

GO GIANTS!!!