12.30.2011

The things we do in VA

This trip has been a pretty typical Virginia trip. We started with a great Christmas celebration when we arrived. We looked at some old Christmas photos on the tree! This is something I plan on doing to my tree next year!
What a great place for a collection of photos!


This is not a Christmas picture, but I love this one! Julian is so cute



We also did our typical chic-fil-a for lunch! This is a Virginia tradition for us! It's not like we don't have them in NJ, but for some reason we never go when we are home. Honestly, it is probably a good thing we never eat it at home! But, treating ourselves is always fun!!


Julian and I also took a trip to Charlottesville and left Eloise home with her Gigi for 4 hours! (might not sound like a big deal, but for me, it is) You never know what Gigi is going to do when left alone with her grandchildren!! This time, she Gave her almond butter on bread, and put coconut oil in her hair and picked out her cradle cap. When we got home she was covered in almond butter and her head was one big oily mess. The things that happen when Gigi's in charge! But, we now have something else Eloise will eat and all her cradle cap is gone! (sidenote: she didn't have much cradle cap, but I'm glad to see it go!)


Whenever we are in VA we tend to get our oil changed and get Duke groomed. Well, the grooming went smoothly but the oil change turned out a little weird. We dropped it off at 8:45am Tuesday morning and got a call around noon that everything went fine with the oil change but when they were pulling it around, they hit another car and busted up our bumper and light! Haha! They brought it to a body shop and they had to order a part! Crazy right? So we couldn't go anywhere with Eloise because they had our carseat until Thursday late afternoon. Minor inconvenience but we got a free oil change and carwash!

On Friday, We took Kate and Olivia to the children's museum and had a great time!






During arts and crafts, Julian painted Olivia...







Another typical thing in Virginia is to have a bunch of dogs under your feet constantly! This picture is the usual Duke, Hank, and Hope. I forgot to take the picture when Tucker was here, too.




It's New Years eve tomorrow and we have nothing big planned. Maybe some drinks and games with Julians family. We are having a good time but I'm already excited about heading home! There is NO place like home.

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12.26.2011

13 months!!

Wowzers - wasn't it just your birthday? I feel like this month went super duper fast! Anyway, these are some things you're doing at 13 months:
- You nurse only twice a day ( in the morning and before bed)
- You can find your nose, your head, and your belly when asked. You also like to point out these body parts on other people!
- You 'shh' duke when he barks! If I say, "what do we say to Duke?" you'll reply, "sh sh sh".
- I think you've been saying 'drop' to duke when he takes your toy.
-you are officially a walker! You took your first steps unassisted on November 28th and you gradually stopped crawling. You barely ever crawl now!
- you learned how much fun opening gifts is!
- you fall asleep for both naps without being rocked. Sometimes at bedtime, but not always.
- you are an extremely picky eater and it tends to drive me a little crazy. You have a hard time trying new things. You did try a cinnamon roll Christmas morning and you liked it!
- you don't like any kind of milk so far. I've tried rice milk, whole milk, vanilla milk and chocolate milk. What's been working best is sneaking a tablespoon of milk in your water. My plan is to gradually add more milk.
Baby girl, you are officially not a baby anymore! You are a toddler! You aren't big in cuddling anymore and you want to walk everywhere! I love your new independence (except during diaper changes). I can't believe how you grow and change everyday! I love you monkey girl!!
Pictures to come..




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12.21.2011

happiness

Things that are currently putting a smile on my face:

* My early Christmas gift---A Shark steam mop. Not only does it steam and sanitize my hardwood floors but it is super easy to use and it vacuums! The best part of this is that it was on my Christmas list and Julian got it FREE using our credit card points! I love free gifts that I actually want :). I love that it doesn't use harsh chemicals and I feel like it does a much better job than a wet swifer. Anyway, it is definitely putting a smile on my face every time I clean the floors!


* The next wonderful thing putting a smile on my face is Christmas decorations around the house that have sentimental value. I have my mom's old Christmas China (about 1,000 pieces of it, but we only use a couple things as of right now). Every Christmas when Julian lugs out that huge cardboard box full of it, I look at it and smile remembering all the times as a kid we ate Christmas dinner on this china. The other thing that has memories attached to it, is my family's old Nativity. My grandmother bought this for my mom when her and my dad first got married and I remember playing with it as a child. All the arms and heads are glued on because they have been broken many times. But, I don't care that it looks beat up, it has great memories attached to it. I googled the company because it is missing the angel, but it is from 1978 and they aren't making the same nativity anymore :(. Oh well, I still love looking at it.


* Eloise being a dancing fool makes me smile! Every time she hears music she dances and its super cute. She opened a Christmas gift early from my sister and she got a drum filled with other musical instruments. She likes to make the music and dance. SOOOOO CUTE!

*Christmas cards in the mail are one of my FAVORITE things during this season. I love getting them and look forward to the mail each day. This year, I crafted a Christmas card wreath and it came out GHETTO (Thanks, Pinterest. How come things look so easy on Pinterest and then when you make them, it comes out looking like a toddler did it? ew). Anyway, I probably will try and make a new one next year or buy one I saw in a magazine that I LOVED, but for now, it works! I love all my Christmas Cards!!!



12.19.2011

Thankful Mondays

61. I am thankful for pinterest and recipes I find there
62. I am thankful for fleece pj pants
63. I am thankful for upcoming workshops so I can get my hours in now while I'm currently not working
64. I am thankful for sothys face cream
64. I am thankful that Eloise's birthday pictures came out amazing!
64. I am thankful for the cold weather and the smell of fires outside
65. I am thankful for patience
66. I am thankful movie nights with Julian
67. I am thankful for my iPhone so I can video Eloise all the time
68. I am thankful for sweet Eloise cuddles
68. I am thankful re-usable bags can carry so much stuff
69. I am thankful for my kindle
70. I am thankful that my husband still tries to jump my bones every night even though I hardly ever shower or do my makeup.



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12.18.2011

Christmas updates!

Lots of stuff has been going on and I've been able to knock a few things off my Christmas bucket list!

* We went to NYC and Eloise sat on Santa's lap! She hated every second of it, but it's one of those things you do, right? It was her first time in the city and I enjoyed it! Unfortunately,we didn't have enough time to see the tree or ice skaters but it'll be on the list for next year!
* We also bought gifts for some children. My dad threw a little party for some 'group homes' in Newark and we gave them gifts and Julian even dressed as Santa! It was a really fun day!

Besides that, we have started collecting items for the SPCA, so that basket of goodies should be delivered this week.

Friday is my WHOLE family Christmas, Saturday is my family Christmas at my parents house with just my siblings and then Sunday is just Julian, Eloise and myself! Then, Monday we are off to Virginia for a week. It sure is the busiest time of year!!!


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12.12.2011

Thankful Mondays

51. I am thankful for friends who I've celebrated Christmas with for the past ten years!
52. I am thankful for a baby who naps twice a day
53. I am thankful for Josh Groban
54. I am thankful for Christmas cards
55. I am thankful for my mom's cooking
56. I am thankful Eloise gets to know her great grandmother and her great grandfather
57. I am thankful my laundry room is on the second floor.
58. I am thankful to live close to the outlets.
59. I am thankful to live driving distance to NYC
60. I am thankful that Duke is so good with Eloise.


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12.11.2011

Some iPhone pics

A little picture fun of Eloise eating her cupcakes! (pictures thanks to Laura!)




















I'm a sucker for Eloise cuddling Duke...










And just little Missy being a silly goose!




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12.05.2011

Thankful Monday's

41. I am thankful for a hand me down Christmas tree that I think still looks pretty
42. I am thankful for Eloise climbing into my lap
43. I am thankful for Costco wrapping paper
44. I am thankful for a husband that is super supportive in my choices
45. I am thankful for Christmas music
46. I am thankful for our quiet street
47. I am thankful for warm sleepy socks
48. I am thankful for good books
49. I am thankful for coffee
50. I am thankful for peppermint bark


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12.04.2011

Tidbits

-I've completed a couple more things on my Christmas to-do list. We hung ornaments while listening to Christmas music and I watched Julian do the outside lights. I drank wine instead of hot chocolate but I think that's ok :) I still count it!




- Christmas time really brings out the little boy in Julian. I'm pretty sure he still believes in Santa. I enjoy how much he enjoys this season!

- if you have never read Two From Galilee, this is the perfect time of year to do so! It's the great love story of Mary and Joseph. This book really brought Jesus alive for me. I think I'm going to read it again to get in the spirit. I also plan on reading three from Galilee!

- every year around this time my dad does some grandiose thing like buy a soup kitchen a new oven or sponsor a Christmas meal at a church. This year he has come up with the idea to host a Christmas party for an orphanage. He wants to take them to his restaurant and serve them a meal and give them all winter jackets. I can't wait to be a part of it and hope his idea comes to fruition. Julian wants to be Santa! Ha, I can't wait to see this.

- Eloise went to her 1 yr appointment and she's 25th percentile for height and 5th percentile for weight. She had her bloodwork done to see if maybe she has an allergy or a thyroid issue. The dr didn't seem too concerned and thinks she's probably just going to be small. But, I can't help but worry. I want her to be perfect and healthy. She goes back in a month so we will see.

- Ellie girl took her first steps! I got it on video so that makes me happy! She takes a couple steps here and there but she isn't "walking" yet! So grown up!!

- I'm officially, no questions asked going back to work in March. I am also totally ok with it. Sure, I love being a stay at home mom. I spend pretty much every second with little miss and it's great. I don't think we have been apart for more than 3-4 hours (minus sleeping). I think going back to work will be good for us. My mom is going to watch her Tuesday's and Wednesday's and Julian will have her Monday's, Thursday's and Fridays. I always get anxious about money and Julian reminds me that as long as I'm working we will be fine. And I work for three months then it's summer!






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12.02.2011

Christmas list #1

The first thing I can cross off my Christmas to-do list. Julian, Eloise, and I went to Sea Bright's Christmas tree lighting! It was a cute little event downtown. It felt very Stars Hallow (Gilmore girl reference). It was cold but we sang Christmas songs with Santa and Mrs. Clause and hung out with Frosty. Eloise scowled at the characters but all in all I think she enjoyed it!



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11.30.2011

christmas season

The Christmas season is upon us! Tomorrow is December first and so begins the 25 days of Christmas! This Christmas is our second Christmas with Ellie but it really is our first that we get to truly enjoy what it means to have a kid around Christmas time. Last year, Eloise wasn't even 1 month old during December so we didn't do much. And putting her on a strange guy's lap at a mall was totally out of the question! But, this year, we are going to do it all. Here is my list of things we are going to do to celebrate the best time of year!

- Take Eloise's picture with Santa
- Go see the tree lighting in Sea Bright
- See the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center
- Watch the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center
- Watch Julian's favorite Christmas movie (Home Alone) and My favorite Christmas movie (miracle on 34th Street)
- Let Eloise pick out a new ornament for our tree
- Send Christmas cards
- Drink hot chocolate while Julian puts the lights on the house
- Decorate the Christmas tree while listening to Christmas music
- Buy Christmas presents for a needy child
- Send the SPCA a gift basket for a needy dog
- go look at Christmas lights

I am sure there are way more things I want to do, I just have to make sure I don't make my list too long and then we don't accomplish anything! I think this is a great starter list. Next year, I can look back and see what we did and maybe add to it!

11.28.2011

Thankful Mondays

31. I am thankful for birthday parties and kids running around
32. I am thankful for a big family who loves my daughter
33. I am thankful I got to see Eloise taking her first steps
34. I am thankful for a good nights sleep
35. I am thankful for a quiet house
36. I am thankful for online shopping/cyber Monday
37. I am thankful for method anti-bac wipes
38. I am thankful for eloise having more than one lovey now
39. I am thankful for our basement and that Julian let Eloise take over some of it
40. I am thankful for beautiful November afternoons


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11.26.2011

My baby is one!

It's her first birthday and I'm documenting every moment.

7:15am I woke her up singing Happy Birthday and taking her picture! Look at her crazy sleepy hair. So precious. She didn't mind the singing but wasn't too sure why I was waking her up early.







Then she got to open her presents from us and her cousins!












Duke got in on the fun with a 5 person booty scratching tunnel








Don't mind my kitchen, I had guests. Things got real messy.

Then we got dressed and waited for a certain daddy to hurry up. This means we played with the best toy EVER - empty box.





Once we left for the party I didn't take many pictures due to the fact that I hired my sisters friend to take pics.

Anyshways, birthday girl partied hard and had an amazing time. She was super spoiled and loved every second. So she easily fell asleep on the ride home-




Someone please brush the cake out of that sweet girls hair!

Then we got home and opened up so many toys and played and played.




The big one year old lovessssss to slide. Then it was off to bath and bed! It was an amazing day!!

(12 month post coming soon!)

11.24.2011

Thankful

There are just so many things to be thankful for. I'm thankful for my family and friends. I'm thankful for my beautiful, healthy daughter. I'm thankful for a husband who is truly my soulmate. I'm thankful for all the men and women who protect our country. I'm thankful my house can hold 11 people and 3 dogs. I'm thankful for the past year being the best year of my life.


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11.22.2011

Being a mommy

I have to say, being a mommy is the best thing in the whole world! But, at first, it's kinda hard figuring out your niche in this mommy thing. What kind of mom are you? What kind of mom do you want to be? There are so many decisions that factor into it all. Will you co-sleep? Will you work? Will you start solids early or later? And these decisions start even before the babies are born. Will you get ultrasounds? Will you get the flu shot while pregnant? Will you find out the sex? Will you have an induction? But what I know for sure is that no matter what your decisions, they won't necessarily be what everyone else thinks and that is OK. As long as the happiness of your baby and family comes first. Everyone has strong opinions on mommy things (co-sleeping, ultra sounds, nursing, etc) but no one else has your life. I have learned that my choices aren't always the best for everyone else AND everyone else's choices aren't always the best for me.

I am nursing Eloise past a year- is that a popular choice? No. Do I know anyone else who has done it? No. Do I care if someone else isn't doing it? No. I am comfortable with my decision and that is all that matters.
Am I a working mom? Not at the moment. But I will be in March. I think staying at home is great option but I also think being a working mom is a great option, too.


Sometimes it's hard not to think your choice is the best. And it should be the best - for you! if someone were to ask my opinion, I can only tell them from my experience.
Yes we planned to get pregnant, yes we found out the sex, no I didn't have an induction, yes I nursed past a year, no I didn't delay solids until 6 months, no she's never had a bottle, no I didn't work at all her first year, no I didn't co sleep, yes I still rock her to sleep for naps and bedtime, yes i do the majority of parenting, no I didn't give her the flu shot.

I've loved every minute of my mommy experience so far and I wouldn't change one thing- not one. I would recommend each of my decisions to someone but if they chose differently, I wouldn't care. Everyone has to do what is right for them.

Great moms come in all shapes and sizes! Just be secure in your decisions and it'll all work out.


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11.21.2011

Thankful Mondays

21. I am thankful that Eloise can be flexible when it comes to her schedule
22. I am thankful for free baby sitters
23. I am thankful for twilight (which I'm seeing tonight!!!!)
24. I am thankful for having an SUV
25. I am thankful for Target (what mom isn't?)
26. I am thankful my WHOLE family gets together for Thanksgiving (my moms side, my dads side, and my in-laws)
27. I am thankful for surviving and enjoying my first year as a mom
28. I am thankful for open mouth baby kisses
29. I am thankful for sleepy socks so I can sleep comfortably
30. I am thankful for pedicures!


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11.19.2011

Go-to recipes

Whenever I'm making one of my 'go-to' recipes, I think of a particular scene in American Dreams (Netflix this show) where JJ didn't want to play football anymore. He got in a big fight with his dad about it, and his mom is explaining to him about how sometimes you have to do things you don't always want to do. She tells him how sometimes she doesn't feel like cooking dinner. And since this show takes place during the 60's - he's shocked. He asks her what she does when she doesn't feel like cooking. She says 'I make tuna casserole' to which he replies, ' but we eat tuna casserole a lot'. Hilarious because we eat my go-to meals a lot, too.


So whenever we eat baked chicken or creamy spaghetti or caribbean rice and beans- you know I didn't feel like cooking. They are my go- to recipes for the days I just don't feel like doing the cooking thing. (once a week! Lol) They are the perfect combination of easy and I always have the ingredients.
Sometimes I just don't feel like cooking.


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11.14.2011

Thankful Mondays

11. I am thankful for still being able to nurse Eloise
12. I am thankful for Costco because it has amazing things!
13. I am thankful for my iPhone!
14. I am thankful for peppermint mocha lattes at Starbucks!
15. I am thankful that Julian (and his family) have helped me to strengthen my relationship with Jesus
16. I am thankful Eloise is healthy!
17. I am thankful for Duke making me laugh every day
18. I am thankful for nap time
19. I am thankful my house now has two zone heating and cooling
20. I am thankful Eloise has friends already (Blake, Ryan, Noah, and Brooklynn).


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11.13.2011

Another baby?

No, I don't have any announcements... Just an urge to add to my family. I absolutely love the place I am right now with life. But, I can't help but feel a pull towards adding another child. Realistically, I don't think I am ready for another baby. But, when are you ever ready? If I waited until I felt financially and emotionally ready, we might not ever have more children. Who is ever ready to get fat, not sleep and leak breastmilk?

Sometimes I think Julian and I have a propensity to over think these things. We will never be that couple that just let's it happen. Before we got pregnant with Eloise, we discussed it to great length. We knew we didn't want a baby before I was tenured and we didn't want me to be pregnant in Hawaii. We discussed financials, responsibilities of who was expected to do what, etc. This discussion probably started in May and we didn't start trying until we hammered out all the details - in Late December. So, the fact that I'm thinking about it definitely does not mean we are anywhere close to baby #2- it just means the discussion has started.

(don't mind me while I continue to ramble)

Sometimes I'm upset that we won't just 'let it happen' but on the other hand we were totally ready for Eloise. It just isn't us to not plan. We think, we plan, we research, we prepare! It takes all the surprise out - but that isn't always bad.

This next pregnancy already has requirements set by myself and Julian. For example, we want baby #2 to arrive AFTER Eloise turns two. We want to find a church to join, and I have to try the work thing.

Just because I have babies dancing around in my head does not mean we are ready! Obviously :)
But with all of that aside, Miss Eloise is growing by the second. She is going to be one in thirteen days!!! Where did this past year go? I can't even handle what a big girl she is! Soon I'll be calling her a toddler and not a baby!! *tear* Crazy how time flies!





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11.07.2011

Thankful Mondays

I got this idea from another blog, but the point is to find ten things to be thankful for each Monday. It helps to get in the spirit of the upcoming holiday and also reminds us what the holidays are about.

1. I am thankful for a daughter who stopped considering Puffs a food group.
2. I am thankful for hardwood floors! Especially with a dog who throws up as much as Duke.
3. I am thankful for a husband who is handy and can knock out a 'honey-do' list super fast!
3. I am thankful for the beautiful weather lately!
4. I am thankful there were a lot of people who stopped by the grand opening at Wayne.
5. I am thankful we leave near a park we can walk to.
6. I am thankful I'm not currently teaching.
7. I am thankful that I have a great job waiting for me in March.
8. I am thankful Julian is obsessed with all things Christmas!
9. I am thankful for the doctors taking care of my dad and uncle!
10. I am thankful my brother found someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.


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10.26.2011

11 months


11 months!!!!! Wowzers, time flies when you're having fun! I know I say it all the time but I am so blessed to have you, baby girl! Your personality is the best and those dimples melt my heart everyday. This month was another big one for the milestones!!
- you said 'mama' but you don't say it often and it's never directed towards me - but you said it!
- you said your first word! You say 'dk' and that's duke! You point to him and say 'dkkkk' with a big emphasis on the 'k' sound. We decided we can count this as your first word.
- you pull up to standing and then let go and stay standing for a couple seconds.
- you just started to cruise on the leather ottoman in order to get the remote.
-you love swinging on the swings at the park.
- you like finger foods! Puffs are still your favorite but bananas and sweet potatoes are a close second. You also like French toast, avocado, ground beef and carrots. You didn't seem to like kiwi, peaches or pears. Which is weird because you love pear purée- maybe it's a texture thing.
- You use random things as walkers. If they will move - you'll try to use them to walk.

It's amazing watching you grow up! Everyday I feel like you are doing something new. I love the stage we are in now, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss my tiny little cuddlebug who wasn't so independent. You are the absolute best thing in the whole world and I love spending as much time with you as possible! Your laugh is contagious and your happy personality is amazing! I think you like to be funny and make people laugh - just like your daddy! Is it bad that sometimes I will try to will youawake during naptime because I miss you? probably...

Eloise at 1 month:


Eloise at 2 months:


Eloise at 3 months:

Eloise at 4 months:

Eloise at 5 months:


Eloise at 6 months:

Eloise at 7 months:


Eloise at 8 months:

Eloise at 9 months:


Eloise at 10 months:

Eloise at 11 months:





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10.22.2011

What I'm really into right now

Here are some of my favorite things right now:

* Brown Cow yogurt!! Mmmmm it is sooo good! I like the maple flavor- it's delicious! But, not the best yogurt if you're watching your calories.



* my slow cooker! Fall weather is my favorite to use my slow cooker. So far, I've made lentil soup, chicken and potato stew, chili and applesauce. I plan on using it a lot more, though!



* Lavash crackers from Costco with goat cheese and jelly! My new favorite snack!



* my baby food maker to steam fruits and veggies for finger foods. I'm paranoid of Eloise choking so I steam everything until it's super soft. It does such a good job!



*Frank's Red Hot!! I usually don't like spicy but lately I have been enjoying my food on the spicier side. This stuff is yummy on beans and rice and also dresses up pizza! My mouth is watering right now.



* The New Girl - this show is quickly becoming my new favorite! Stupid baseball has been ruining my Tuesday tv lineup so it hasn't been on but I can't wait until it's back!!
*Spinach dip from Costco (Costco seriously has the best things). So yummy with pretzel chips!!



* Bows in Eloise's hair! I love that it keeps it out of her face and it looks so cute. She, on the other hand, likes to take it out of her hair and hand it to me. If I distract her quickly after putting it in, I can sometimes get a good 10 minutes!



* My new Toms! Super comfy and cute! I saw baby toms and my sister brought up a good point - do they donate baby toms if you buy baby toms? Interesting thought!

So many great things to be thankful for :)


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