Birthday Pancakes

Hugo's party is Sunday so today candles arrived on his favorite food PANCAKES! Pardon the tired sick parents and their singing.

Two years ago today. . . .

Dear Hugo,

Two years ago today you came into our world. Here are a few things I don't want to forget...
My water broke in our friend Natasha's new minivan. Those New York City potholes are a doozy! Our doula Julia yelled "Mazel Tov!" and Daddy and Natasha shouted "Hooray!"

As we waited for a room in the hospital, we saw lots of mommies wanting to have their baby just in time for the New Year. I even remember one of those mommies wearing high heels telling her family, "false alarm." You my son were ready to arrive in time to give us a tax break for 2008!

Julia wanted mommy to do yoga in the hospital and you know what, after 3 days of labor I found myself in a warrior position.

It took so long for you to come out, even Daddy had to cry from exhaustion.

Dr. Margarita Olivares was just the right lady to help mommy and daddy. She was full of spunk and determination and left mommy feeling like a goddess!!

You came in the afternoon, but at night Daddy had to leave the hospital and the city was crowded with people reveling in the streets to countdown the New Year. It took Daddy 2 hours by subway to get home. Good thing Frida and Diego were waiting.

In the days after, friends and family brought food, flowers and gifts. We snuggled at home during some fierce winter storms. Eventually we'd venture out with you strapped to my chest, tucked in my long winter coat. We'd walk to the bakery and buy pistachio biscotti by the pound. Mommy and you were hungry!

We gave you various nicknames like "pterodactyl" for your screech and "little CEO" for your one hand waving-like declarations.

Hugo you brought and continue to bring so much joy to our lives.
Mommy, Daddy, Dash, Diego and especially Frida all love you so much.

Best birthday wishes,

Mommy

Ok people...I'm over it. Next stop, with any luck, slumberland.

Surly Baby

I am putting the whole house on alert...I am not a happy baby.

Blizzard 2010 video, with screaming child!

Pretty awesome blizzard in NYC yesterday. We attended a baptism and party Sunday evening, all within a mile of our apartment, and just getting around local streets was extremely challenging. Here's a quick video of the family coming home during the height of the storm. We made it back ok, but will soon have to dig out the car...boo!

The Morning After

There will be a lot of digging out in NYC.

Today's shoe shopping with the family

We braved the blizzard earlier today to pick up some shoes for a party we went to tonight.

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.