The 2011 Mom

The ABC'S

(Alicia, Benjamin, Chris)

of 2011

A - All Foods - After he turned one year old in July, my Little Lovebug started appreciating more adult and solid foods.  We've given him a variety of textures and flavors and the only things he really doesn't seem to like are the jarred foods specifically catered to toddlers!!! He definitely goes through phases and is a bit more of a "grazer" than not...but if you ask me - I think he's a great eater!!  Healthy too!  (until of course he grabs a piece cookie or candy left out unknown to me!!!)

B - Bermuda Cruise - August 29 - September 4 - Though we were delayed by a day due to the Hurricane Irene we still had an amazing time sailing to Bermuda.  The weather wasn't as hot as we would have liked, but my entire family was there.  We went snorkeling, my Little Lovebug got to play at the beach for the first time (and boy did he enjoy the taste of sand!), we saw shows, ate more than I can even imagine and just simply had a wonderfully relaxing, much-needed vacation!

C - Clown - October 22 & 31 - My little boy's second Halloween and because of the Circus themed Murder Mystery Party I threw, my Little Lovebug went dressed as a clown!  Night of Mystery has great Murder Mystery Games.  Picture People did an amazing job as always! 

D - Disney World - February 22-24 - Can't believe it's been almost a whole year since we vacationed in Marco Island with Big Daddy Lovebug's aunt and uncle.  Our first trip to Disney World came complete with a visit to all four parks, dinner at our favorite restaurant 'Ohana (means "Family), and met many characters, especially Mickey, Minnie and Pluto!!!

E - Easter - April 24 - My Little Lovebug's first Easter fell on my Birthday.  We hosted it at our house and the one thing I wished for came true!!! My Little Lovebug (who is totally NOT a snuggler - fell asleep in my arms that very afternoon!!!) 

F - Fish - October - Grandmommy received a 50 gallon tank from my brother who works in Petland.  She told me on of the fish was extremely violent, then proceeded to ask me if I wanted it.  Of course, my initial reaction was - NO!  But, as I saw the fish I actually fell in love with the "killer fish" and aptly named it Dexter.  Big Daddy Lovebug had wanted an aquarium for some time now so we picked up a 10 gallon one for his birthday and several other fish as well.  Dexter attacked.  So bad we lost a few fish and put Dexter into a smaller bowl.  Eventually after a few days we introduced him back to the 10 gallon tank (this time with 4 other fish) and he was attacked immediately.  He lived to tell the tale and ever since that incident, the fist have been living in perfect harmony!!! 

G - Gabbing - Not quite a talker...yet...my Little Lovebug has been conjuring up quite a few "words."  Amongst them are mama, dada, dog, sheep, hi, People warn me that the time of the non-stop talking will hit and when it does it will hit hard!!! I say - Bring it on!!! 

H - Harvest Time - November 24 - Hard to believe that only 2 Thanksgiving ago I was curled up on the couch in pain due to a new pregnancy, urinary track infection and horrible morning sickness.  The tension didn't subside completely this year (a few little tug-of-war) moments between both families, but when all is said and done - as long as there was turkey and sides, good times were had by all!

I - I Love the CUMC Playgroup - Grandmommy started the CUMC Playgroup back in 1979.  I went there.  My siblings went there.  Now my son goes there!  Free Play, Stories, Songs, Games, Snacks, Arts and Crafts...it is a service to the community provided by the Community United Methodist Church in Middle Village. Visit CUMC Playgroup for more information!!!

J - Joy to the World!!! - December 25 - Benny had a phenomenal time opening his presents from Santa this year.  Of course, he didn't quite get why all these amazing gifts were for him, but he was thrilled to take part in the ripping of the wrapping paper!  He also got so many things it's like we live in a toy store!!

K - Kisses - My Little Lovebug LOVES throwing kisses!!! He throws them at everyone!!!  He gives real kisses too.  Very open-mouthed, complete with a "mmmmwahhhhh" sound. 

L - Lewin's Farm - September - The apple and pumpkin picking season lacked a little due to Hurricane Irene, but it didn't stop the Lovebug's from taking part in their annual ritual of searching high and low for apples...any apples!!!...to make a few pies, applesauce and apple butter with

M - Muppets - one of the only movies worth spending our hard earned money on this year, and although my Little Lovebug didn't attend it with us, I'm sure it will make a nice addition to our DVD collection when it's released.  I'm thrilled they came roaring back so hopefully my Little Lovebug will enjoy them in the years to come!

N - New Year - Happy New Year 2011 was roughly 365 days ago!!!  Now we're welcoming in this year!!!  The Lovebugs will be spending this year in the Poconos!!!  It's the first "Holiday" (if you consider the new year to be one) we will be spending away, someplace NOT in NY!!!! 



Happy New Year 2011



O - One Year Old - On July 25 my Little Lovebug turned ONE!!!  I can't believe it!  We has a HUGE birthday bash for him (with a Toy Story theme) which was SUPPOSED to be in my parents backyard...however...due to the extreme heat advisory late July we moved the party back into my church's basement (luckily we had booked it just in case of "bad weather.")  I made the cake, Woody and Buzz came of visit and it really worked out well!!! Of course it would have worked out better if we didn't lug over 50 chairs the night before from the church to our house and then back again the next day...

P - Philadelphia - May 28 - 30 - When the Super 8 motel we usually stay in the Poconos was booked for Memorial Day in May I was beyond devastated.  However, it gave us the opportunity to venture outside o our comfort zone a little and head out of Philadelphia instead.  Armed with a CitiPass we hit many of the city highlights including Love Park, The Benjamin Franklin Institute, The Museum of Science, Trolley Tours, Betsy Ross' House, the Liberty Bell, the US Mint, Reading Terminal Market, Elephant and Castle, the Aquarium, Zoo and so much more!!!  And all in 2 and a half days!  A little mini-cation in May -  Just what us Lovebugs needed!

Q - Questions anyone???  - Our son's curiosity peaked this year (complete with the pointing finger) as he asks "wasss 'at?"  {Translation - "What's that?"} about everything!  And I do mean everything!!! And man, he gets mad when you don't answer him!!! Just kidding!!!


"The Face" - The one and only time he ever made it!

R - Road Trips!  Sesame Place, Poconos, Philadelphia, Disney World (from Marco Island)...“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine.  The quote rings true.  I only hope life offers us many more traveling and wandering experiences like we had this year!

Sesame Place - October 1, 2011

S - St. Patrick's Day - Another first for my Little Lovebug...dressed him all in green (but no corned beef, cabbage or Irish Soda Bread...yet!!! Maybe next year!)

T - Tornados and other bad weather - The unusual weather this year in New York made headlines...blizzards, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes.  Though the tornado and blizzard technically happened in 2010  it still feels incredibly recent.  We are extremely blessed that all events were not as severe as they could have been and that our friends and family were left unscathed by them. 


Hurricane Irene - August 28, 2011

U - Up - That's exactly which way he's walking these days - upward!  Staring all the way back in March, he is a big fan of going up the stairs and climbing up on top of things to get what he wants.  More often that now I find him up on the couch.  While he's good with coming down on several things, not so much on others.  That's a skill still in progress!


Benny first stands - March 2011

V - Valentine's Day - February 14 - My little Valentine.  I love both my Little Lovebug so much!!!  Look at that face?!  Need I say more?!?!

W - Wedding Cupcakes - September 24 - In late September, my independent cake company,  Cakes By Lee, booked it's first wedding.  I made 150 cupcakes, 4 different kinds and delivered them to my friends wedding.  It was extremely exciting and I hope I have more business opportunities like that in the future

X - Xylophones and other instruments - Attempting to instill a love of music in my boy we have provided him with many opportunities to experiment with different musical instruments.  Whether playing the xylophone or tambourine in Playgroup or playing his own little piano at home, I feel the love of music in general is so important and I want that to be a part of him always. 

Y - YMCA -  In March we started taking our Little Lovebug to the Cross Island YMCA once a week for swimming lessons.  It's a basic class, focusing on the comfort of the child in the water.  Kicking their legs, reach and pulling with our arms, and the dreaded underwater dive...scary...for both the parent and the child.  My Little Lovebug HATES it!!!  He's not too fond with our instructor either, but almost a year later he has just recently started loosening up and though his eyes sometimes still shine with fear and terror...he's starting enjoying himself.  I also take him to the kiddie gym before swimming in hopes that will also relax him and focus on the fun that's waiting to be had!

Z - Zzzzzzz'sss - It might be a mom thing - just looking at your little one sleeping, innocence, purity, serenity...i just love watching him sleep and did so on many, many occasion this year.  His little mouth puckered open, little rump often in the air...I just can't get over how lucky and blessed I am!!!

Happy New Year!!!  Happy 2012!!! 

May the road before us be filled with even more wonders than the last...