Shana Tova!

Clara and Emma celebrated their 2nd Jewish New Year. This year, Clara and Emma went to the city and visited Daddy's office before heading to Grandma and Grandpa Gornstein's house in Staten Island.

The ladies took a nice nap in the car on the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house. For snack, Daddy gave Clara and Emma some of Grandma's homemade gefilte fish- they loved it! Emma showed off her new word, "turtle," and her love of ducks (she can't get enough of them). Clara liked being able to walk everywhere and got very excited when Grandpa came home from work- she screams everytime she sees him.

For dinner, Clara and Emma ate before the guests arrived so they could go to bed at their normal bedtime. Clara thought it was important to eat with her foot on the table. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed dinner with Damian, Scott, Ariella and Liliana- and actually got to sit and eat a meal, which was a change of pace. Grandma's food was yummy!

Emma woke up a bit early on Tuesday morning- she was very excited for the new year. Both girls had runny noses, which Mommy and Daddy attribute to teething. They don't enjoy getting their noses suctioned at all! Grandma and Grandpa got Clara and Emma some new toys, including some rubber duckies (Emma's favorite) puzzles, a tea set, a learning toy and an activity center.

Mommy showed Emma how to stir and drink tea and Emma seem to pick it up very quickly and kept looking for a spoon and cup. Clara loved walking around and tried to go up the stairs any chance she could.

In the afternoon, Uncle Ilan, Aunt Sara and cousins, Matt, Andrew and Kayla came. Grandma put plastic on the table, but Emma is a bit too smart and took it pulled it off! Clara and Emma helped light the candles- Mommy showed them how to use their hands for the blessing and do peek a boo - which they tried. The ladies also enjoyed apples and honey (yes, Mommy checked with the dr. that they could have the honey). The loved dinner- they enjoyed gefilte fish, carrots, and brisket.

Last night, Emma had a very tough evening and woke up multiple times. Mommy and Daddy woke up too, but Clara slept through it all- until 6:45 am! Needless to say, Mommy, Daddy and Emma were especially tired today. Mommy and Daddy aren't 100% sure why Emma has been waking up, but the guess is the teething and mild congestion as a result of it. Clara was also complaining this morning and Mommy noticed that not only are the four molars on their way in, the "I" teeth look like they are coming too! Poor baby!

Emma and Clara enjoyed having "tea" with Grandma today. Grandma also brushed their hair- which Mommy has never done. Emma enjoyed it and took the brush and started brushing her own hair! It was very cute. Emma learned to say "juice" today also. She and Clara also like when Grandma sings them her song in Spanish and follow by moving their hands the way she does!

All of the Gornstein ladies took a nap on the way home. Mommy and Daddy tried entertaining Clara and Emma, but they were mostly unhappy. After an early dinner and a bit of a struggle getting them ready for bed, they did fall to sleep easily and Mommy and Daddy are hoping for a better night!