Lauren at 3 months

Lauren turned three months old on the 25th of January. She is changing before our eyes! She looked so much like Jack when she was born, but has evolved into her own little person. She has darker skin color and it looks like her eyes are turning brown. She has a wonderful, happy disposition almost all the time. She isn't sleeping through the night yet, but mercifully is giving me a good 4 -5 hour chunk and a total of 6-7 hours of sleep most nights. Her adorable dimpled smile is worth a 3AM wake-up call. She loves cuddling with Mommy and Daddy, playing on her play mat, and making silly faces with Jack. She already adores her big brother and he is so gentle and sweet with her. From the video you can see she REALLY loves watching the colored light on our Flip video camera...mesmerized! She is trying to roll over from her back to tummy, that'll surely be her next trick. She is very strong so that should come any time now.

New Year

The gap since my last post is ridiculous. In my defense, we have all been sick off and on for nearly 2 months now! Rob kicked off the cold season the second week of December and we have been (and continue) suffering ever since. Jack has had two chest colds, Lauren is on her second cold, and I rounded the season out with a combination head cold, double ear infection & sinus infection. I am so sick of antibiotics, humidifiers, Vicks chest rub and Kleenex I could scream!

But, lest you think it's been two months of pure hell, here are some photos of the highlights of January.

Jack used his new set of tools to help Daddy with some chores around the house. He especially loves the hard hat! OK Grandpa Nick, your apprentice is ready to begin his training!

Here is our big boy on his first day of preschool (probably one of the reasons we all keep getting sick). He goes twice a week with two of his best friends, Matthew and Josh. They get to play with lots of new toys and puzzles, paint and draw pictures, feed the guinea pig and enjoy the fabulous playground. Teacher Shaun is great and has more patience than one would think is humanly possible. There are 11 kids in his class, ALL BOYS! He is getting the hang of taking turns and sharing. He loves school!

Last week Rob was buried at work so the sick brigade invaded Grandma and Pa for some TLC. Here I am cuddled on the couch with both of the kids in their new jammies.

Finally, that little girl is starting to look a lot like Grandma Laura. I think her eyes are turning brown and her skin is more olive than Jack. Only time will tell. But with Jack looking more like Rob every day, it would be nice if Lauren at least looked a little like her Mommy.

Trani Family Brunch

On Sunday, December 26th we celebrated Christmas a day late and Dad's birthday a day early. We met in Palos Verdes for brunch at Admiral Risty's. We also had a chance to get an updated family picture. Included this time are Lauren and Andria's boyfriend, Roberto. Good food and great company as usual. Dad was still a bit weary from the holiday crush at the restaurant. Santa's gift to him was 8 hours of sleep! A huge treat, as I can truly attest. Andria is getting ready for her last semester of nursing school. Everyone is healthy and happy, so what more can we ask for?

Superhero Birthday Weekend

On Friday, December 17th Jack turned three years old. On the 17th we had a Spiderman party at Grandma and Pa's. And Sunday was a Batman party at home. It was quite a weekend indeed!

Christmas

One week after the big birthday score Santa came to town. Talk about a huge haul! Clothes, toys, a Batman sleeping bag, books and more! He really loves Christmas! One of his highlights was the Buzz Lightyear wings that Auntie Kelsey bought for him. They move up and down at the push of the button with lights and sound effects. Pretty cool, for sure.

Our Christmas gift is that we have a happy, healthy family. Lauren celebrated her 2 month birthday on Christmas day. She is smiling and babbling like a champion. She loves looking into our faces, especially at 2:00 AM. They are both growing like weeds and impressing us daily. We are so blessed.

White Christmas

Today we received a package from Grandma Sylvia and Grandpa Ned with presents for the kids. Jack promptly climbed into the empty box to play with the packing peanuts. He kept saying it was snow. He had so much fun playing with the "snow" and by the time he was finished the kitchen was covered in it. But he was having such a great time I couldn't stop him. Not only that, but it was a good lesson in cleaning up his mess. We managed to have a white Christmas in Ventura. Grandma's prediction? The "snow" will be his favorite present...I wouldn't be surprised.

Santa

Jack finally got to visit Santa last night! Needless to say he has been looking very forward to it for several weeks. He started a few weeks ago by going through all the toy catalogs. Then we cut out the pictures of the toys he wanted and glued them to construction paper. He brought his poster with him last night and gave it to Santa. They discussed his behavior and wish poster before Jack got in Santa's lap for a photo. I know he looks uninspired in this photo, but honestly I think he was totally in awe! He was stunned and amazed, completely star-struck! Lauren was less impressed...she woke up just long enough for this photo. Before we left, Santa gave Jack a book that he read the entire way through JC Penny on the way back to the car. He is still talking about it this morning. It's going to be a long haul to the 25th!