Back to the Big City

I have to confess it makes me smile that Stella loves to go to the "Big City". I can remember wanting to move to NY when I was about 10 and the first time I ever went there I just knew it was home. I wouldn't even think of moving back there but I miss it a lot sometimes for all sorts
of odd reasons. Anyway, I digress. Yesterday we made our way back to the city for our nephew Declan's baptism at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was a very nice service followed by a lovely lunch. Declan really couldn't be cuter and I was bummed I didn't get more pics of him. Stella held out till the bitter end to lose her mind so that was great and Jacob did lots of smiling and wiggling.
It was great to see Brian's family again and no offense to any other Uncles but Stella has declared Uncle Jim as her favorite. Here are a few cute pics from the special day.

Mike, Rosana and 'Baby Declan" as Stella says.

Uncle Jim and Jacob!

Stella with her favorite Uncle!

Ouch!

We belong to St. Paul Lutheran church of East Windsor and the pastor recently asked that we all go and have our picture taken for the new church directory. They came in the mail the other day. Brian and I got a big giggle out of how silly we looked. It is impressive how they can just really make you look like a total tool in these shots. I adore the one of the kids though. Stella acted like being that close to Jacob might kill her. TeeHee.

Waterfalls, Fountains and Dragonflies

Last week Stella, Jacob and I went over to Sayen Gardens. This beautiful park is not five minutes from our house and is just a nice place to 'run fast' as Stella loves to say and do. I told her we were going to look for waterfalls....which is pretty much any sort of flowing water from lawn sprinklers, and drains to dripping of any kind. We strolled and ran and I tried to explain the difference between fountains and waterfalls and then decided it really didn't matter. We had a really nice time and as usual I took lots of pics.
Click on the photo if you want to see it big!


My pretty girl.


TeeHee...Jacob is so happy!



I love this shot with just his hair sticking up!

Stella showing me a rock that she must have and yes, she still does.

Jacob giving me his get me outta this thing look.

This was a close as Stella would get to Jacob. Sigh.

She loves him though.

In this one she is actually telling me 'all done' and she ran away...fast.

I got her to come back but this was all she would give me.

Sweet Boy

Jacob being Jacob

Stella looking for the dragonfly

Here it is!

I can never choose between color and bw so you get both.

New Jersey Animal Kingdom!

This past weekend, we paid a visit to one of our favorite weird New Jersey spots, the New Jersey Animal Kingdom. Actually, I think it's just one of my favorites but everyone else humors me and comes along. How and why this place is essentially allowed to have a full zoo alongside a major highway in the middle of New Jersey is beyond me. They also sell puppies & kittens, but they were the sickliest looking animals I've ever seen. Last year we went with Stella and she didn't seem all that interested in seeing giraffes, baboons, llamas, lemurs and the like. She was a bit more into it this time but mostly just liked chasing birds around.

Here are some photos from our day...(I realized I don't have any pictures of Jacob here...oops...uh...he was there too!).

8 Months old!

Jacob is 8 Months old today. We are LOVING this age!

He is so fun! Loves to giggle and smile and chew!

He gets so excited about everything and flaps his hands just like Stella did!

He makes the best faces and even better sounds...from sighs and growls to squeals and laughter!

He loves to show off his TWO new teeth! (click on pic to see big)

He is in that amazing stage where he can sit up but isn't crawling yet!

This past week he has started moving a bit more on his belly and he is determined so we fear crawling is coming soon. Watch out Stella!!! Jacob also loves to stand up and will reach out and grab your hands and pull himself up and then he just smiles and is so proud of himself. He goes to bed by 7 and sleeps through till almost 6! We miss the 7am of a few months ago but really can't complain and he is so sweet in the morning. He loves to watch Stella play and run around and well he always has his eye on her. Sadly she still isn't a big fan of Jacob's but we hope time will help that. Hang in there Jacob, you will win her over for sure!

Anyway, happy birthday Jacob! We love you so much!!!

I just found this pic of Stella at 8 months making almost the same face as Jacob so I thought I would put it in. The time goes too fast! He will be a big boy soon!