Life in Instagram

Some of my favorite Instagram photos from the past few weeks documenting the not so significant, but oh so memorable moments.

Holiday Confusion

I can't pass up the post-Holiday bargains I've seen all month, so we've been making holiday treats well into January, while also looking ahead to Valentine's day. Poor kid has no idea what is going on.



Our gingerbread house:


Two minutes later:


Lyla says it melted, like Frosty. At least it was only $2.99 at Michael's. And we got a giant gingerbread man at Trader Joe's for $0.99! No pictures of that gingerbread man because when I turned my back for two minutes to send an email, Lyla ate ALL of the M&M's of that poor guy.

Valentine's cupcakes are SO much easier than gingerbread houses.

Baby Boy Murphy

We are really excited that we will be welcoming a baby boy to our family in the beginning of July. Mark and I got to see him wiggle around this morning at my early anatomy sonogram and he looks perfect -- the size of an avocado.

Although I am feeling really good now, this pregnancy has been a lot tougher than with Lyla. Like with Lyla, I didn't suffer from morning sickness, but the fatigue this time was nearly debilitating. I was also battling migraines, allergies and a sinus infection throughout the first trimester. I'm also a nervous wreck in the beginning. My anxiety levels were on full alert and nothing can really ease that for me except for cold hard science. Poor Mark had been dealing with a monster until our genetic testing results revealed a healthy baby boy. And let's not forget mother's guilt. It seemed that the more tired I felt, the more Lyla wanted my attention. I felt awful climbing into bed instead of playing with her on the floor. Coincidentally or not, during the first trimester, Lyla went through a stage of nasty tantrums and meltdowns. Both have thankfully disappeared as my energy has reemerged.

And speaking of Lyla, she is in blissful denial of the baby at this point. First, she told me her brother is not a baby boy because "boys can't be babies." So, for awhile, she insisted it was a baby girl. Lately, when I ask her what is in my belly she says "nothing" (a new favorite word, pronounced "muffin") because "the baby ran away." She ripped up the first sonogram picture I brought home, but I'm trying not to read too much into that. And if you see me, don't get too excited with the congratulations because Lyla stomps off in a huff if I get too much attention over the baby (did I say the meltdowns were gone?!?!).

It is going to be an eventful year with lots of change and big decisions to make. I'm nervous about the future but eager to watch our family grow.

Park Date

Last week we surprised Nicolas and Chrissy at school and spent the day with them in Long Beach. They were so happy to see each other and held hands the whole way home.





When I asked if I could take a picture of the three of them, Nicolas pulled the little ones in a big bear hug.


Even though everyone looks really bundled up, it was actually pretty warm so we played at the park for awhile before heading to lunch.







Lunch at Bungalow, my favorite summer coffee spot! It almost felt like summer...


My mom and I dragged the kids to a million stores after that to do some planning for my nana's 90th birthday party and there were hardly any tears and only a few bribes :) I love these guys!

Christmas 2011

This was a really fun age to celebrate Christmas with Lyla. She really got the anticipation leading up to Christmas and was so excited to wake up on Christmas morning (and Christmas Eve morning) to open presents.

We opened up presents at our house on Christmas Eve morning because we were spending Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning at my parents' house. We went to sleep the night before and promised her that Santa was coming to bring her gifts. Not that she really understands, but we told her Santa comes early for New York City kids. The smart little bugger nearly blew the Christmas secret when she noticed the wrapping paper under the tree was the same wrapping paper that had been sitting in my bedroom for the last couple of weeks. "It's not a telescope anymore, it's a present!" It didn't seem to distract her from the task at hand -- presents. I know at some age she will just rip through all of the wrapping to see all of her presents, at least for this year she was really thoughtful about her gifts. She marveled at each gift before moving on to the next. Santa #1 brought her a cash register, some new blocks, a horse, play dough and lots of craft supplies (including lots and lots of glitter). My present was a new camera (which explains the not-so great photos -- I haven't exactly figured out how to work it yet) and Mark got a new Kindle.

Jumping up and down at the site of the lit tree surrounded by presents.





(There was obviously no time to brush hair before opening presents...)









After presents we made our favorite breakfast -- eggs in a hole (Lyla just ate the hole) and over-priced Farmer's Market bacon -- and relaxed in the sea of wrapping paper that took over the apartment.




One of Lyla's stocking stuffers was a set of glitter nail polish. Mark scored points for letting her try it out on his toes. His first pedicure!




She always has her tongue out when she is focused.




Later that afternoon, we made our way to Long Beach to celebrate with my family. We had lobster tails for Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and Nana.

Dina and her family came over Christmas morning and to Lyla' great thrill, the boys had on the same reindeer pajamas.












Christmas socks


Santa came later that morning to give out presents to the kids. Lyla was happy to accept the presents but loathe to get too close to Santa.


This was the closest she got.


Except when she had to swoop in for a present.








The two standouts from Santa -- a microphone and Hungry, Hungry Hippo. We literally could not get Lyla off the mic all day. From Twinkle Twinkle, to Three Little Birds, we heard her whole songbook throughout the day.




Later that night, we gathered for dinner, where more hungry hippo was played.


Mark and I in our best plaids :)


Lyla likely bossing someone around here.


Playing guess what I am.






Christmas cookies from Uncle Jack and Aunt Sandy




And that's a wrap on Christmas 2011!