Keeping busy

We have been keeping very busy over the last week or so.  Let's see...I am 28 weeks pregnant, so that officially puts me in my third trimester.  I can't believe that Baby Cali #2 will be here in 12 weeks (or less).  It's just crazy to think how much our lives are going to change.  Ben really is in for the shock of his life.  So are we, I guess! 

So, to try to prep for the new baby, we got Ben a "big boy bed" and he's been doing his nightly reading in it before bed and then moving over to the crib.  Hopefully he'll be in this toddler bed full time before the baby comes.  

Our new schedule of day care on T/Th and Friday mornings is working out beautifully for everyone.  Ben loves being over at Chrissy's house, and I get time to work at the camp office, go to the gym, clean the house, etc.  Plus, it's good for Ben to get used to detaching a little bit.  Monday mornings we have been going to the Little Gym, which has been great for us as well.  Ben loves to go "upside down" on the monkey bars and the play mats.  I love it because it's an hour in a padded room (literally) that wears him out and practically guarantees a 2 hour+ nap.  ; )

What else?  hmmm.... Chris is loving his new job and his office being close to home.  He's been going to the city once or twice a week, and will travel a little bit next month, but he's been home a lot with me and Ben, which is amazing.  

We are in a good space and excited for what's to come.  Go Calis!

Ben in his new toddler bed.  Loving it!

Ben's latest master piece of art.  Showing off his portrait of Sasa!

Waiting at the kitchen window for Dada to come home.

Haircut.  He really did love it, I swear!

Watching Dada do yard work from his bedroom window.  Suzy stands guard.

Texting on his Blackberry.   ; )

House cleaning

Thanks to all the nice weather we've been having lately, we were able to open some windows today and get some cleaning done. Nothing crazy, but getting anything done around the house with a toddler, an old dog, and me being almost 7 months pregnant, is an accomplishment!

Ben was in charge of dusting. He loves it. He's definitely our child...
(oh, and he's also rocking 2 temporary tattoos for St. Patrick's day thanks to Chrissy. He is SO proud of them!)

Chris got a lot of yard work done while Ben watched from the window and I tried to take it easy. : )

Best family picture ever?

Hahaha!!  This is a cropped pic from our impromptu "hat day" pictures at Nonnie's house last weekend.  Hmmm, it can't be our Christmas card since baby #2 will be here by then.  How about a Spring Equinox card?  Yes.  Perfect.  Happy Spring Equinox to one and all.  Love, the Calis.   : )

Pictures you want?

Pictures you get.  Here are some pics from Ben's first day at Chrissy's day care.  He had SO much fun!

The Next Chapter

Tomorrow is a big day in the Cali home.  Ben goes back to day care.  Can I get an AMEN?!  Although he won't be returning right away to the day care he knows and loves that he started as an infant, he will be going part time to another day care that I already know and love, my BFF, Chrissy.  And, although it's just a few mornings and one full day a week, I cannot express my gratitude to her enough.  She is giving me FREEDOM to be me again.  Not just mommy!  I'm hoping that it will be comforting to Ben to be with  her since he knows her and her home, and that it will bring Ben and I even closer.  Time apart tends to do that.  Plus, it will get him better prepared for the summer (hopefully) or fall (definitely) when he returns to his first day care - full time.
With that full time phrase in mind, tomorrow is also a big day for me.  I have two interview set up that I am hoping and praying go well.  I would love nothing more than to have a job lined up for the fall before baby #2 arrives in just 14 weeks.  EEK!
After my interview I have an entire afternoon to myself.  Ahhhh....I think I shall take the dog on a walk and go to the gym.  Alone.  Nice.

Playgrounds are awesome!

There are only a few playgrounds around here that aren't on school grounds, and since I don't want to seem like a creeper - I tend to stay away. But the two public playgrounds that are close by are great. Ben mastered the slide today. :)

Back in the city that works

Stamford that is, in case you don't know. : )
We have been busy bees around here trying to unpack boxes and get settled. So far so good. Ben knows the phrase "our house" and loves to repeat it about a dozen times a day.
Chris got a new office down by the water, and all three of us are enjoying being back at the gym. Ben did very well in the nursery today and gave me the freedom to workout in my own. Yeah!

Last weekend we visited with Nomnie and the Reilly family to celebrate aunt Sheila's bday with yummy home made chocolate cake. Thank you Ellen!
Ben got to "drive" in Carey's car and can't stop talking about it or how the top of the convertible goes "up and down!"
We went to the doctor today and got to see baby Cali #2 so that was exciting. Only 15 more weeks and he or she will be here. I can't believe it!

So, we are all good here. All are welcome to visit! :)

Are we there yet?

It's been a crazy three weeks for the Cali family.  Tonight is the first night we will spend all together in our old/new again house in CT.  We are excited to be home and finally start to feel settled into a new normal.
We had our floors refinished and they look great - it really helps to make it feel like a new house.  Although, it is funny having a 21 month old child in the house versus having a 15 month old child in the house.  It's amazing what Ben can get into or what he chooses to ignore.

Last week we got to visit the Calis in Massachusetts, which was awesome.  Ben hasn't stopped talking about Mimi, Papi (who he now calls Toby Cali) and Titi.  Even his new uncle Eric and Winston the dog are on his radar now.  : )

We've been spending a lot of time with Meggie and Papa as well, and Ben greets everyone who walks in the door with a chant of their name and a big smile.  It's been crowded, but great.

Today Ben was gifted his first tricycle from by my aunt Carey.  Now he can say her name really well too!  "de-do Deery" roughly translates from Ben into English as "Thank you, Carey".  He LOVES his new bike!!


Papi (Toby Cali), Ben and Chris.  Three generations of Calis!

Ben on his new bike!