Polar vortex, Losing teeth and Dreaming of Spring

We are deep into winter and some crazy weathers. Lots of snow and temperatures at 10'below zero. We just booked our trip to charleston for June, but right now that seems like a lifetime away.

We had a fun day at meza when a portion of the show House Hunters was filmed there! More to come on that!

Niko has been talking up a storm and really interacting with Laila. He hardly seems like a baby anymore . We are keeping busy with trips to the library, trader joes, and with play dates since there have been so many days off from school. Laila lost her first tooth at age 5 1/2 at school which made for some excitement! 

Looking forward to spring and getting these kids outside!

Niko's words 17 months

"I you"..... For I love you

" oči" .......eyes

"Opa!"....... When he falls 

"No" ........ His favorite 

" memo" ........for Elmo

2013 holiday season Brown Family Style

The holidays were a complete whirlwind this year! We were busy at the shop, had visits with both grandma & Baka, spent Christmas Eve home with a great dinner, Christmas Day in Cleveland with the family. We did our annual Nye celebration at the Cambria suites including pizza at mellow mushroom and night swimming although Laila and I were the only ones that got to enjoy the comforts of the hotel, tata had to take niko home in the middle if the night. On actual Nye Laila and niko celebrated Again with Baka and deda!We capped off the holiday madness with a family trip to katzingers deli a And Cosi! We are exhausted.... But so blessed to have has such a great holiday season!

Thanksgiving weekend

As expected time is rolling by and  I am getting behind... We had a great thanksgiving, even though Laila was sick. She helped cook! 

We took advantage of the long weekend and packed in some fun holiday things... Zoo lights, getting our tree. It was a great weekend!!

Laila Age 5

Since I did a recap for Niko at 15 months I wanted to recap Laila's 5th birthday... Mainly because I have some great photos! She wanted to have her first all girl party. We did a favorite things party.... We painted small canvases, decorated cupcakes and the moms helped paint the girls nails. They ran around and played and had a great afternoon!

Niko age 15 months

Just wanted to jot down a few things Niko is doing now.... I have been terrible about baby books and what not with both kids and the moments just fly by! 

At 15 months he is....

Walking and now pretty quickly! Took him about a week to get steadier and fast! 

A tornado... He is constantly busy. He takes after deda in that the second he opens his eyes he hits the ground running. He is obsessed with opening and closing doors and cabinets

He is a snuggler. He will loving look at my face and knows in his own way to try to be gentle when he touches my face. He gives kisses and puts his head on our shoulder for "hugs"

He makes a "mmm" sound when he is eating or sees food he likes

He loves pasta 

He is not a car baby. We got off easy on road trips with Laila.... This guy, not so much... I also would rather leave him with tata then shop with him. Someone is just too busy to be strapped into a cart

He says mama and tata on a regular basis and has been making sounds that sound like "thank you". ( taught to him by deda) and "all done"!

He loves playing with Laila and being in her room... Not sure why he even has his own room ! 

Deda

I was thinking about my deda the other day while I was driving and feeling sad that my kids didn't get the chance to meet him. We had such a relationship and I wish they could have gotten to experience that. But I realized that both Niko and Laila have a special bond with my dad and I am so thankful that they have him in their lives! He is an amazing deda and they are lucky to grow up with him. 

What We Are Thankful For

We started a new family tradition this year. Each day we are taking turns writing what we are thankful for on a leaf and adding it to our thankful tree. Looking forward to doing this every year! Laila's first leaf was that she is thankful for Niko:)