Happy Anniversary

Eric and I celebrated #5 with a night on the town. We went to the North Shore and got some appetizers at the Jerome Bettis 36 Grill and then walked along the river to the new Rivers Casino. I lost $80 VERY quickly at the black-jack table so we took a break and walked around before Eric slipped $5 in the slots and won $126!! Yahoo!

We were at a little club inside the casino, getting ready to call it a night (10pm!) and the band was finishing up as well before the next band came in - they played their last song....and ironically it was Eric and I's wedding song!! We took advantage of it and danced!! It was just so wild....the way it happened...brought back lots of happy memories!

Ben & Alanna Visit

My cousin Ben and his girlfriend Alanna came to Pittsburgh for a visit over Columbus Day weekend. Alanna had never been to Pittsburgh so we had a few things we needed to do: Incline, Zoo, and Ikea! We fit it all in and more - below are some pictures from their stay!

October 14 - B&A visit

open house

Zachary standing in front of one of his art projects. It was a house and he had drawn the Mommy, Daddy, brother Jake and Luke. Too cute!

During the open house the kids were making a poster - Zach drew a picture of himself and then wrote his name on the right hand side...not too bad!! (I wrote on the left)

The boys enjoying some cider and doughnuts.

We ended up with about 10 cups of cider - Jake kept going back and sticking his fingers in the cups.....

Last night the family went to Zachary's preschool for Open House. Zach was extremely excited to show us his school, teachers, classroom, artwork, etc. so we enjoyed sharing in the excitement. It was short and sweet and of couse Zachary claimed over and over "I can't wait to have open house again tomorrow!" - we aren't quite sure he understood the concept. =) We are very happy with his school and thrilled that he is enjoying it too.

Boys 2nd Birthday and Party

September 24 celebrations

2 yr celebrations - Sat 9/26

LUKE @ 2

STATS
Height: 35 1/2 inches (75%)
Weight: 26 pounds 12 ounces (30%)
Nickname: nu nu, trouble maker, peanut,

Notes:
1. Luke is our junk food junkie - loves chips and salsa, cookies, bananas
2. "Ah ma ma, Ah ma ma" - he chants this whenver his brothers take something away, push, etc.
3. From 15 months to 23 months Lucas was our "YES"-man ....now everything is "NO"
4. Our little Luke is a bit of a trouble maker - likes to steel toys and run...only to be chased by his BIGGER brothers and get caught.
5. Lucas is in LOVE with his "night-night" (his binky).
6. His favorite expression is "Whoah"
7. Lucas is the sports kid- soccer, bouncy balls, baseballs, shooting hoops, etc. (He use to get one in his hands and hold it all day long!)
8. Loves to be outside - rides the little firetruck with his feet in the air down the hill of the yard.
9. Lucas is independent - he doesn't feel the need to always keep up with Zachary....and entertains himself fairly well.
10. He is starting to become a TV junkie - when it is on he will sit and zone.
11. At 2, Lucas is still a drooler. (But I did find out that he has 3 out of 4 of his 2 year molars already!)
12. Loves to jump up in the air and land on his butt! (even on the ground!)
13. Hot and cold with diaper changes - could throw a MAJOR tantrum.
14. Throws toys and ends up in time out (booster chair in dining room facing the wall)
15. GREAT SLEEPER! 12 hours at night w/ average of 2 hour nap.
16. The stiff arm walker - uses his 1 arm to motor along....so cute!

JAKE @ 2

STATS
Height: 36 1/4 inches (90%)
Weight: 31 pounds (80%)
Nicknames: nu nu, drama boy, spike, lover boy, mr. independent

Notes:
1. Jake went through a phase where we would find him naked in his crib after a nap??
2. Can go from crying to laughing in 2 seconds flat
3. Repeats everything thats said
4. Has a famous "hollywood" smile (scrunched nose with a lot of teeth and gums)
5. Let's us know when he has a dirty diaper - has sat on the potty 1 time (w/ no success)
6. Eats everything and anything - doesn't know when to stop =)
7. Jake is Zachary's shadow - they play a lot together
8. Is truly a sweet boy but will bite if needed
9. Mr. Independent - loves to say "No Mommy, I do it!"
10. Can sing happy birthday, old mcdonald, row row row, twinkle twinke, etc.

To be continued....

z and the dentist

Today was Zachary's first trip to the dentist and he did great! Luckily the dentist was my girlfriend Maria, aka Dr. Mezzanotte. She cleaned my teeth first as Zachary watched and then he was more than ready to sit in the chair. As we drove home he repeated, "Mommy, I want to do this again"....and "I can't wait to show Daddy how shiny my teeth are". Overall it was a great first experience! (Oma would be proud!)