The ABC'S
(Alicia, Benjamin, Chris)
of 2012
C - Citibank
A - Apple and Pumpkin Picking
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| We went to Lewin Farms for our annual apple picking trip! I love the trees there, they are just the right size for Little Lovebug to pick to his hearts content. After apple picking, we picked fresh peaches, ate roasted corn at a Farmstand, and went to dinner at one of our new favorite finds - Carrabbas. |
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| Our Little Lovebug got to go pumpkin picking 2 times this year - both at Green Meadows Farm. The first time was on Columbus day with Big Daddy Lovebug and I, and the second was a few weeks later with the CUMC Playgroup. Read and see more pictures of our Autumn adventures: The Spooky Mom |
B - Baby Isabella
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| It was a relatively slow year for our family and friends in the wedding/baby department (although that is most definitely changing in 2013!) so we were thrilled with the arrival of our new beautiful baby "cousin" in October - Isabella! |
C - Citibank
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| In February, Big Daddy Lovebug got transferred to a De Nova Citibank, literally around the corner from Benny's grandparents. That meant we got to car pool to work and Big Daddy Lovebug would spend his lunches with Little Lovebug! |
D - Disney World
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| We spent 8 days in the happiest place on earth in late August. We had an amazing, relaxing, beautiful time! Read more about our trip: The Disney Princess Mom |
E - Easter
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| Easter was on a crisp day in April. We had plenty of Easter egg hunts and delicious goodies. Read more here: The Easter Bunny Mom |
F - Fun Summer
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| Taking a break from swimming lessons for the summer, we ventured out and explored more things! We spent 2 hours a week for a month at Alley Pond learning about different animals and different aspects of nature. |
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We were also fortunate to meet a new friend this summer (both for Mommy and Little Lovebug) who taught a Music Together class. They learned repetitive songs, played different instruments and had such a good time singing and dancing! We can't wait to go again next summer!
G - Granddaddy ("A") Retired
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| In February, granddaddy, or "A" as he is now called by Little Lovebug, retired from being a music teacher for the Dept. of Education for the past 33 years. He spends his days relaxing, golfing, traveling and of course, spending time with Little Lovebug, who adores him! |
H - Happy New Year
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| We rang in the New Year (2012 that is!) in the Poconos! Did Little Lovebug make it to midnight, you ask? Not even close!!! |
I - I Turned 2!!!
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| Can not believe that my Little Lovebug turned 2 years old on July 25!!! |
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| We celebrated wholeheartedly - Read more here: The Two Year Old Mom |
J - JC Players Present Into the Woods
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| The JC Players put on Into the Woods this summer, where I got to reprise my role as the Witch! Click on the link for our youtube promo: The JC Players Present INTO THE WOODS |
K - Kia Sorento
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| When I paid of my Honda Civic in April, we thought it was a good time to get a new family vehicle (Keeping my car, of course!) Several months later we bought a 2012 Kia Sorento, which we love! |
L - Lovebug Tattoo
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| When I was 18, I treated myself to my first tattoo - a rose on my right shoulder blade. As I turned 30 this year, I thought it only appropriate to commemorate this new milestone with another one - a Little Lovebug tattoo on my lower left back. Yes, it hurt. No, I don't regret it and never will! |
M - Music Teacher
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| When the music teacher in my school moved, it opened up a job opportunity I was unaware that I really wanted. After being in the system comfortably for 6 years, it was a jump from 1st and 2nd grade special education teacher (and working with somebody else) to becoming a music teacher. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to make the switch, but as I just completed the Holiday Concert in my school and know in my heart it was the right decision for me! |
N - No More Speech Difficulty
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| At the beginning of 2012, Little Lovebug's pediatrician was a little concerned about the amount of words he seemed to be saying. Even though I was positive that his understanding of our conversation and the world around him was clear and comprehensive, his speech was slowly developing. We had him evaluated during the summer and he tested so high, the speech therapist said any extra help would just be silly! Now, Little Lovebug has a vast array of words and has starting putting 2, 3 and even 4 word sentences together! I'm still a little concerned about the formation of certain sounds, but we'll see what happens in the following year!!! Luckily, there are books like "Benny's Big Bubble" (a Christmas gift from his aunt) to help him expand his vocabulary, learn basic words and continue forming sounds. In addition, he LOVES his ABC's and 123's! |
O - Oh, no - the big 3-O!!!
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| On April 24, I turned 30 years old!!! Big Daddy Lovebug threw me a huge surprise birthday party with enough food to last the next two weeks! Trivia games about 1982, Chinese AND Italian food (both my favorites!) and a massive chipwich cake - a truly wonderful surprise for me!!! |
P - Poppop
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| Big Ben holding Little Ben for the first time - A very sad August 13 for us - my Poppop Ben passed away. To read more: The Grieving Mom |
Q - Quiet - Lovebug Sleeping!!!
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| My obsession was taking photos of my Little Lovebug sleeping continues! Here are some of my favorite!  |
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R - ROAR goes my little dragon!
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| Isn't he scary!!! My Little Lovebug's third Halloween had him dressed like a dragon, to accompany my witch costume and Big Daddy Lovebug's wizard! Read more about our Autumn festivities here: The Spooky Mom |
S - Shows
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| In January we had a friend play Tigger in Winnie the Pooh's Adventures on Long Island. It was a very cute show and Little Lovebug loved meeting the characters after the show! |
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| I had the opportunity to take Little Lovebug to several shows this year! Included among them were Sesame Street Live in February at Madison Square Garden (and yea! We're going again this February!) |
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| Ringling Brothers Circus in Nassau Colosseum in March |
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| Big Apple Circus in Cunningham Park in June |
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| Disney On Ice (Rockin' Ever After) at Nassau Colosseum in November |
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| Radio City Music Hall - Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes in December |
T - Tragedies
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| The last portion of this year left us with 2 huge devastating tragedies. The first one was a natural disaster - Hurricane Sandy hit on October 29 and is what they are calling a superstorm. It killed over 100 people and many, many (too many) people lost their homes, cars, and power. We live very close (and know several people who lost everything) to where most of the destruction occurred. Schools were closed for a week (which we'll have to make up in February.) Many places still remain without power and places like the NY Aquarium lost their backup generators as well. Gas for cars became scarce and people waited 4+ hours just to fill up their cars so they could get to work. |
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| As much as Hurricane Sandy was a natural disaster, what happened on December 14 was the furthest thing from natural. A very disturbed individual entered an elementary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and killed (murdered/massacred)26 people, most of them 6 year old children and their teachers. It really left everyone in shock - if it could happen there, it could happen anywhere. People are arguing left and right about the banning of guns. But, no matter what the decision is, it will never bring back these children. They will never have a first love, or graduation, or spend their holidays with their families...ever again. That's the most heartbreaking thing of all. |
U - Underwater
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| Little Lovebug has been taking swimming almost 2 years at this point. While he is getting better at following directions (like running with his legs, reaching and pulling with his arms), he still hates going underwater with a passion! I love taking him though, the Cross Island YMCA has a great program - half an hour in the gym where he can play, exercise and socialize and a half hour in the pool. |
V - Valentine's Day
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| Always and forever - my little Valentine! We spent it in the Poconos, us three Lovebugs1!! |
W - Wee Wee in the Potty!
X - X'ing X's (from Alligator's All Around)
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| In late November we had our first official success on the potty!! It's not completely consistent at this time, but we are working on it! I'm confident he'll graduate to pull-ups in the next few months!!! |
X - X'ing X's (from Alligator's All Around)
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| Every night before bed, we go through our nighttime routines - milk, potty, brushing our teeth, storytime, songs and prayers. He loves story time the best, especially these small "fits-in-his-hands" stories by the late Maurice Sendak. He's also a big fan of the toddler Brain Quest! |
Y - Yelling/You are my sunshine
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| Who doesn't like yelling? Not us!!! We are one loud family! This little one always brightens up my day, no matter what!!! |
Z - Zoos
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| One of the best, cost effective (while making a donation) things I have bought for the last 2 years has been becoming a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Unlimited access to all 4 zoos and the aquarium is the best! It's educational, relaxing, you can stay as long as you'd like and we went to each zoo several times this year! The picture above is from the Bronx Zoo! |
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| Prospect Park Zoo |
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| Queens Zoo |
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| Central Park Zoo |
I can't believe 2012 is over!!! And with that, a very Happy 2013 to all!!! Can't wait to find out what new adventures await for us!
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