Warm Afternoons

The weather has still be pretty warm around here. After I got home from work Cairo and Xander were itching to get outside so we all went out to enjoy the weather. Jonah was quite content laying on his blanket looking up at the trees.

Splashing in the pool.

Playing in the dirt.
Chillin' on the blanket.

Jonah

Jonah is getting bigger and bigger. Sometimes Cairo likes to help dress him up. Isn't he cute! Notice his dramatic loss of hair. His old hair has almost completely disappeared. Luckily, he has some nice fuzz working to replace it.


Jonah has gotten must better at playing with and much more interested in his toys.

This is two

Cairo at two. No other words required.

Heat Wave

Mid September always brings some of the hottest weather of the year. Heather picked up this water pool/fountain on clearance. This hot Friday afternoon we pulled it out to let the kids cool down. Cairo was so keen on getting water on her face, but Xander was in 7th heaven!

Big Boy

Jonah is getting to be such a big boy. His neck is getting stronger and stronger. He is spending more and more time standing and holding himself up. About two weeks ago, we introduced him to Xander's old activity, bouncy chair. Jonah is enjoying grabbing onto the different items, bouncing (kind of) with the music, and staring cross-eyed at the little animals. Jonah is getting more and more interactive. He always has a big smile for me and lots to talk about when he gets up in the morning. We are finding that he is ticklish (he he he he) and he lets out little giggles when I tickle him under his chin.

Here is Jonah playing in his activity, bouncy chair-

Disneyland

For Heather's birthday we spent the weekend down at Disneyland. Heather used her Hilton points to get us all free hotel rooms for the weekend. Thanks Heath! It was nice being able to head back to the hotel when we needed some down time. It was even better sneaking out and back to Disneyland after the kids went to bed. Heather, my mom, and I had a fun Saturday night strolling around Disneyland without strollers, kids, husbands, and time restraints. Life was so much easier! I think the best part of the night, though, was circling the parking structure THREE times looking for the perfect spot up close. THREE TIMES! Thanks, Mom. Next time we'll just walk the extra hundred feet! :o)

Jonah and his very first set of Mickey ears. This was how Jonah spent most of his time at Disneyland.

While Heather and Paul were having some kid free time, Jonah and Xander switched places and Xander fell fast asleep on my back. He didn't look too comfortable, but he was REALLY tired.
The parking space we FINALLY pulled into after circling the lot forever!
Enjoying the freedom-
Cairo was there, too, but with juggling so many kids, bags, strollers, etc the camera didn't make it out very often.

A start of the new normal

We're back in Monrovia. I have had to go back to work and Erik is staying home watching Cairo, Xander, and Jonah. Life is extremely busy. I start early in the morning, go strong all day, and have nights that are a little later than the norm... and still, it seems like I don't have enough time to get everything done. It has been hard going back to work and leaving Jonah at home. Jonah needs me like Cairo never did. This is probably due to the fact that I have been able to nurse him, where Cairo was able to get formula from anyone holding the bottle. I love my job, but I could have used a few more months at home with my kids. When I am at home, I spend so much time with Jonah that I feel like Cairo and I never get any quality time. I think that I am going to take her out this weekend for a few hours- just the two of us.

While I am away at work, the kids keep busy. They take turns crying, alternate nap times, eat (or, more accurately, refuse to eat and throw it on the floor), hit, bite, steal toys, make a mess, and ride around in boxes... but overall, the kids have fun.
Erik has his hands FULL! Literally!

Jonah is adjusting to staying home with Daddy. We had trouble getting him to drink out of a bottle at first, but he has the hang of it now. In fact, he had really increased the amount he is eating per sitting. My pump and I are barely keeping up with him. He is getting really chunky! He has a few chins, his toes and fingers are getting rolls, he has triple roll thighs, and his ankles have completely disappeared. To top that off, his hair is starting to fall out even more! Boy is he cute and, oh, so big!

Cairo waking Jonah up from a nap-

Family Pictures

For the past three years the Dedini clan has gotten together to take family portraits. This year's color theme- brown and aqua. This year's location- Grandma Dedini's backyard, under the yummy apple trees. In an attempt to get a few good pictures, Nick ran back and forth to the camera a million times to set the timer. Though everyone wasn't always looking or smiling or serious in the same picture, I think there is a good one in here.












My favorite! I especially like Nick! I think this is the one that will be framed on my wall!