Memorial Day weekend

We spent the Memorial Day weekend in Queensbury, NY with Mimi and Grandpa Scialabba, Uncle Timmy and Uncle Mark. Mikey has been getting over being sick so we took it easy on Saturday just lounging around the house and visiting with everyone. Mikey's buddy Nelson came over to say hi as well. Daddy went to Syracuse to see Uncle Mark and watch Stephen Strasburg pitch before heading up to the Majors. Sunday we headed to the Magic Forest amusement park to go on the rides and see the animals in the petting area. Monday Mikey played in the baby pool outside and had a yummy BBQ outside---including eating his first ice cream sandwich. He would take a bite of the ice cream, paused for a bit, cried and then did it all over again. Grandpa figured out that Mikey was probably having a "brain freeze" from eating the cold ice cream so quickly!

Here are some of the picture highlights:

Music Together

Mikey and I have enjoyed three semesters of Music Together with our teacher, Maddie. The connection that Mikey has with this music is so special. We sing these songs daily---sometimes using the lyrics that were written and other times we make up our own. If we are in the car, we must have the CD handy. As soon as Mikey starts to get fussy the CD goes on and he immediately calms down (and typically falls back asleep). The power of music!

Our friends Jessica and Mikey signed up for the past 2 semesters with us and it has been so much fun! We are going to miss then A LOT when they move to New Hampshire this summer. Below are two pictures: one with Mikey and Maddie and the other of the 2 Mikeys---10 months apart! Happy 2nd Birthday, Mikey Frost!

Long Island trip

Last weekend we took a last minute trip to Stony Brook for a dental school reunion. Mikey met a new girlfriend at the party, Olivia. They had a great time together and even shared a kiss! Now that we are home Mikey will look at the Christmas card display over the door and just stare at Olivia's picture. I think it's love......

This was right after the kiss....stupid delay on the camera missed the action shot! We're going to have to keep a close eye on this Romeo.....

Family shot down on the beach taken by me:




We finished up our fun weekend with a trip to Franklin Square to see our very dear friends, the Barraco's. Although we missed Joe and John, we enjoyed our time with the ladies of the house! Aurelia made a wonderful Sunday Italian dinner and Angela came in from the city. It was great to catch up and spend time with them. We all had a fabulous time! Love you ladies!

Our little scholar....

Usually at night, after bath and PJ's, Mikey and I sit down to read books before bed. We take his super soft blanket and lay it on top of us (Mikey gets all excited and his feet start to kick!). Then, I give him a choice of two books, reading the selection he chooses. This happens about two or three times and then bed.


Tonight we followed the same routine---bath, PJ's, blanket. When it came time to pick the books, Mikey crawled down off my lap and sifted through his basket of books himself. When he found a book he wanted to read he looked up at me and smiled and then crawled over with the book. He grunted (indicating that he wanted me to pick him up and put him on my lap) and we read the book that he chose together. He did this four times! He is getting more and more independent each day! And I'm not ready for it..........

BIG day for the little man!

Today Mikey...

1) blew a kiss to Great-Grandma and Grandpa Scialabba over skype for the first time (we've been working on that!!),

2) spoon fed himself a majority of his applesauce including a beautiful scooping motion,

AND....

3) took 2 steps to Mommy tonight! Woo-hoo! We're on our way!

Gosh I love this face!

oh and this one too....

Weddings and friends and parties....Oh My!

So we have been MIA from the blog for over a week due to our wonderful New York and New Jersey festivities! Highlights include:

• Mom, Dad and Mikey drove from Boston to New London, CT to take the ferry to Orient Point, NY (1st Ferry ride!). We drove for about an hour (through the vineyards of NY....so pretty!) to our "cottage" in Quogue. Then we spent the afternoon and evening enjoying the company of Great-Grandma & Grandpa Scialabba, Grandpa & Mimi Scialabba, Uncle Mark and Uncle Timmy, the Felice family and the Virginia Scialabbas!
• Chris and Katie's wedding in the Hamptons on May 1st (beautiful!) and Mikey turned 14 months!!,
• Mikey started CLAPPING on May 3rd (hooray! The OT in me was getting worried....),
• Picnic lunch, playground fun and a walk on the farm at Holmdel Park with my bestest friends (Erin, Lauren and Erica) from high school and their kids (I soooo wish I had a group picture),
• Lunch with Grandma Anita at Jonas Salk Middle School on cinco de mayo,
• Went shopping and rode the merry-go-round at Freehold Mall with Mommy and Auntie,
• Spent quality time with the Tulumello great-grandparents and Uncle A,
• Attended Great-Grandma and Grandpa's 60th Wedding Anniversary on Long Island,
• Celebrated Mother's Day with 4 generations!