Blizz-o-rama

I was just out shoveling...we are at about two feet and climbing. We were actually driving around in this nonsense.

Christmas Eve 2010

Mommy has a cold but the rest of the gang is in great spirits.

Dashiel was all about putting wrapping paper in his mouth.
Hugo is getting the idea, tear paper and SURPRISE! a toy inside!

Now we wait for Santa....

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Brown

Thanks for the mitts and other gifts.  Merry Christmas, talk to you tomorrow.

Merry Christmas from the Browns

To our friends, to our family; we wish you the happiest of holidays. You are in our hearts this Christmas.

Dashiel went to see Dr. Mike this morning. Checks in at 22# and 6 oz. Also, he is just under 30 inches. Dr. Mike was laughing at how big he is.

Santa's Most Adorable Elf

More pics to come... think slide show SOON!

Dance, dance underpants

Tub time punker

Mommy worked in a new hairstyle for Hugo during his bath this evening.

To know him is to love him

Dashiel is quite the boy. He is constantly talking and is very expressive. He makes da-da and ma-ma sounds and can raspberry his lips. He is 90% of the time pure joy, even when he wants you to drop everything and hold his 20+ lbs of love chub.

A you-would-not-believe-it moment: Dash and Hugo fit the same size 4 Pamper diaper.

And we thought Hugo was a big kid.

Getting a toddler to eat

Lately getting Hugo to eat is no easy task. One meal he'll love mozzarella, another he'll throw it to the ground screaming. He has become the king of finger foods, anything with a spoon requires tremendous patience. This video was totally spontaneous. We didn't think he'd like these straws, we thought we'd capture a tantrum, little did we know we have a new go-to-snack.

The missing ingredient

Dash is still not sleeping through the night consistently (feel pity for us, he's nearly 5-months-old). Mommy and Daddy would LOVE to eliminate that 4:30AM feeding. We're thinking the boy needs to eat A LOT more than he has been, just watch him.

I

New Trampoline!

Hugo can now get his bounce on! Sparing the mattress abuse.

Christmas Jammies

We have more of these wonderful photos in our holiday jammies...this is just a teaser...we'll post later.

This mornings project...empty contents of toy box so I can climb into it.

Hugo and the Christmas tree

Hugo's first Chirstmas tree! Last year we had just moved into this place and weren't unpacked yet. So this is a big deal for all of us. We put our go-to plastic tree up while Hugo was napping and did the big reveal when he woke. But maybe it was too soon, he was in a bit of shock.

Putting up the Christmas tree

Dash & Daddy try on their Santa hats for size. Hugo was having none of it!

Eating like a big boy

Mommy has worked very hard with Hugo on how to use a fork....way to go Mommy and Hugo.

Hugo ...in all his happiness

At the Queens Petting Zoo

Yes, the sign reads Whose Poo? Apparently that is a popular question at the zoo.

Hugo and Dash pictures

When strolling in the mall...Hugo likes to hold Dash's hand.

Looking out the window.

Trouble falling asleep. . .

Sometimes pooping is a two kitties in the corner affair.
As for the paci, well, some evening habits are tough to break.

Waking from a quality nap

I'm learning how to roll.

The Year of Babes

2010 appears to be the year a lot of my friends from high school and college are having babies. And while the newborn chapter is very exciting, I'm just as thrilled over the future as our kids grow together and go through life's phases (tween obsessions, whatever will be worse than texting, and drivers ed -->yikes!!).

With that said and a joyful tear in my eye, we welcome to the world
Hadley Aileen Semenchuk
daughter of Erica and Charlie Semenchuk
Born Friday, Nov 5th, weighing 7lbs 12oz & 21 1/2 inches long.

I already have my nickname picked for Hadley, Miss Peaches n' Cream, just look at her beautiful skin. She is a lucky lady because I know she will have a couple of fab grandmas and even a great grandmother who I'm sure will be sewing some adorable outfits.

7 years ago today...

Happy Anniversary to us!!

Grabbing his own chub!

Sunday cuddles

Big Boy Teething

Earlier this evening I was in our bedroom changing Dash, while Jen was in Hugo's room. So there I am making fart noises to Dash which makes him laugh (because Dash now makes farty noises with his mouth at 3 or 4 in the morning when he wakes up) and I hear a scream from the other room, a loud "No!" then a few swift movements and a door shut with authority. Jen walks in, agitated and in pain, and tells me that she put Hugo in his crib because he had just bitten her butt. I think, "No way, really?" However, a few minutes later I am putting a band aid on her backside as there is a small purple welt and actual blood at the scene of the crime. Hugo in a teething moment of insanity, ran up behind my wife while she was putting old clothes away and bit her butt, through her jeans. Later, all was forgiven and a chocolate popsicle was awarded...because let's face it, teething is really hard.

Late to urban life, Dash's first subway ride. We conquered the subway stairs w mommy in the rain. But the day is still young.

Big boy....at 4 Months...Dash just clocked in at 20lbs 3oz. 28.5 inches long...now on to the shots :(

Hallowen - Astoria Style

Hugo, Dash and friends walked in their first Halloween parade this morning...two Captain Americas in their Team America-mobile (great decorating job by Mommy).

happy halloween !!

This morning we did the Astoria Halloween parade... Hugo & I dressed as Capt. America...Dad was Capt. Canada. Mommy wore a shiny tiara and decorated our Capt. America mobile...pictures to follow later.

Pre Halloween bathing...

Hugo took all the tub toys and huddled them near him. And so it begins, the big brother hog.

At the car wash...

Try not pee yourself with laughter...

Getting ready for halloween

Hugo created his own ball bin

Picking out pumpkins today at the Queens Farm

At the Queens Farm

Waking from our nap

Swinging at home

Running around the park.

Watching the bus go by.

Mommy & Dash's little adventure

Dash and Mommy went to visit friends and family. Here is Samirah with her little man Carmen. He is two days younger than Dash.


Uncles Steve and Mike. Bears lost, but we had fun in downtown Naperville.

On our last day we visited the Morton Arboretum. It was a real treat to see the leaves start turning.

Fun gym

Jibber Jabber

Entertaining Hugo-babble...with a few good smacks to the face for good measure. (We had a talk about hitting after the video).