The Holiday Mom

Christmas has come and gone.  My Little Lovebug's second holiday season.  It seems unreal, like everyday is just a dream I'm waiting to wake up from - that is how wonderful my little guy is! Time goes fast (or so people say) but right now I'm enjoying every last moment with my little family!

Earlier this month we went to MA and cut down our tree from Wood's Tree Farm:

Though our annual trip to the Yankee Candle flagship store proved to be bountiful, we ventured to the new Kringle Candle, created by the son of the man who created Yankee Candle.  A little unusual for competition, that's true, but the scents are new and fresh and the draw is that all his candles are white.  The basement of the store was, what I would have considered "A Retro-Wonderland" filled with toys from yesteryear's...and in the back of the "toy shop" was Kris Kringle himself.  My Little Lovebug wasn't ready to sit on his lap, however, he did give Santa high-five and signed his name in his big book. 

Grandmommy's Gingerbread Party was a hit, with a special visit from Santa to suit!

Guess who Santa is?  It started when we took him to see Santa, but he wasn't as thrilled this year as he was in his "infant" state.  Thankfully we had a Santa costume lying around so Big Daddy Lovebug donned St. Nick's attire and - viola! - Naughty (non-Big Daddy Santa) vs. Nice!

We spent Christmas Eve with Big Daddy Lovebug's side of the family and it was wonderful and loud and the food with ohhhh so delicious!(Zorns).  Fitting 34 people into his mom's 2 bedroom co-op was nothing short of a Christmas miracle as well...

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That night we put out some cookies and a note for Santa:

We read the class "''Twas the Night Before Christmas," then all "Nice" little boys snuggled in their beds...

We woke up on Christmas morning to a tree packed with presents underneath!!!  Santa visited us!!!  Someone sure has been a good boy this year!!!  He even wrote a letter back to my Little Lovebug!

Santa brought my Little Lovebug Toy Story Mr. Potato Head Collection, LeapFrog Laptop (which hooks up to our computers!), Sesame Street collection of Christmas books, "Cars" keys and Rock and Roll Mickey.  Now, Rock and Roll Mickey was named one of the hottest toys in 2011.  My son?  TERRIFIED of it!!!!!  It would be so sad if he wasn't completely adorable!!!  He wants nothing to do with Mickey as he tried to teach my Little Lovebug some awesome Rock Star moves!!!  Ohh well - it's on our bedroom dresser now!!!

We spent Christmas day with my side of the family.  Just as warm and loud and my aunt and uncle made a delicious ham with enough sides to make anyone's mouth water! 

My Little Lovebug received so many wonderful gifts, too many to name, but here are some of my ultimate favorites this year!!!

Our Christmas Card (Picture People does absolutely amazing work every time!!!)

A year in review coming soon!!! Until then....Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!!!

The Weather Mom

This seems unbelievable to me!  As of last year I had been alive 28 years and thankfully NEVER saw a tornado, earthquake or hurricane.  We've had a few blizzards, but COME ON!  We live in New York!  One of the draws about living in NY, at least for me, is the change in seasons.  I love the leaves in the fall, the idea of making a snowman in the winter, the cherry blossoms in the spring, and having the summer off when it's hot!  I love having seasonal bags of clothes under my bed that beg to be sorted out when the weather begins to change.

Of course, NY has it's scary problems as well...we've had several terrorist attacks, we have our nasty (and sometimes dangerous) people and some of the worst drivers on the planet.

New Yorkers always are on the edge as far as safety is concerned.  It was the main reason I was hesitant at all about having a child.  There were several times my heart would race and I would think - How can I bring up a child in such a nasty, scary, unknown world.  However, natural disasters in NY were very rare, and barely even entered my mind as something that would really cause me concern, especially as a new mom. 

And then, my Little Lovebug was born.

My Little Lovebug has been alive 13 months.  He has already seen a tornado/microburst (September 16, 2010), one of the worst blizzards ever (December 26, 2010), an actual earthquake (August 23, 2011) and today, August 28, 2011 - he will witness his first Hurricane.

The thing that stinks the most was, we were heading on a cruise today, 8 nights from New York to Bermuda.  The trip was postponed until tomorrow morning.  So, instead of packing our last minute items and getting ready to meet the cab in front of my friends house, instead of getting ready for delicious food and entertaining shows, we are boarded up in our house, anxiously awaiting the arrival (and departure!) or Hurricane Irene.  This last paragraph is not meant to sound selfish.  Obviously, the concern of my family's safety is #1.  There will be a lot of devastation after Hurricane Irene passes through and my heart goes out of everyone affected.  

The whole point of this is - there is always the unknown, there is always the unexpected.  There are always things we would rather be doing.  There is always a bad time.  The best thing we can do is be prepared.  Be prepared and pray.  Keep your loved ones close and as safe as you can. 

Godspeed and Good Luck. 

The Nostalgic Mom

One year ago this morning, I began having contractions.  They would last the next 10 hours.

One year ago this morning, we went to the hospital, where the doctor said I probably wasn't ready to give birth, but I should check back in after 8 pm.  

One year ago today I baked cupcakes and decorated them in the shape of an alligator.

One year ago today I spent the day at a friend's outdoor BBQ, where it reached a high of 93 degrees.

One year ago at 8 pm, the nurse rolled her eyes, but checked me out anyway.  

One year ago tonight I was admitted to the NY Hospital in Queens after being dilated 4 cm.

One year ago tonight I was given an epidural with the largest syringe needle I have ever laid eyes on.

One year ago tonight I lost all feeling from the waist down.

One year ago tonight I was introduced to the catheter.  I never wanted to use the bathroom again.  

One year ago tonight my husband laid down on the bed beside me, but didn't sleep a wink.

One year ago tonight I had the best night sleep ever.

One year ago in the middle of the night, on the hospital television I could swear there was a baby staring at me through the monitor and it creeped me out. 

One year ago tomorrow, I began pushing at 12:30 pm.  I thought, "Hey, this isn't too bad."  Then the nurse told me I'd be doing this for the next 3 hours.

One year ago tomorrow, I pushed...for 3 hours.

One year ago tomorrow, at 3:30 pm they said the head was stuck and I needed an emergency C-Section.

One year ago tomorrow, at 4 pm they sliced me open.  The nurses and doctors crowded around me and talked about bad food they had eaten and had gotten sick from.  Their conversation made me sick.  I tried to meditate but ended up replaying many episodes, in sequence, from Primeval.  It helped slightly.

One year ago tomorrow, at 4:30 pm I heard them say "It's a boy."

One year ago tomorrow, I laid eyes on the most beautiful baby boy in the world.

One year ago tomorrow, I gave birth to Benjamin.  

One year ago tomorrow, I fell in love.

Benny is Born ~ July 25, 2010

Benny's First Birthday Party ~ July 23, 2011

The Excited Mom

I can't believe it!  A whole summer of just me and my Little Lovebug!  Tomorrow marks the official first full day of summer vacation for us...and I plan to use the whole summer wisely - a perfect blend of the free and the structured.  It's going to be amazing!!!

The Wifey Mom

Happy First Father's Day to my #1 Man!!!  If there was an award for "Best Daddy," there would be no other contender! Took my boys to a Mets Game on Saturday night, and spent Sunday at a friend's baptism.

The Proud Mom

On June 3, my Little Lovebug got his first haircut at Frankie's Place on Metropolitian Avenue, went to the park on the swings for the first time and went to his first circus.  With the exception of Mommy leaving the circus tickets home and having to leave dinner early to get them...it was a wonderful day.  Little Lovebug had an amazing haircut...the hairdresser was nice, kid friendly - and fast!  He sat in a little mock taxi cab, watched Seasame Street, ate cheerios and went from "Punk Rock" to "Prep School Boy."  He didn't cry at all...well, until the very end, but it is unconfirmed whether he cried from the haircut, or from the realization that Granddaddy was there!  Grandmommy made a good point - he's too young to associate scissors with anything negative.  Disaster averted...for now!  He got a lock of hair (one for his memory tin, one for mine,) a goodie bag and even a certificate for "surviving" his first haircut.  How handsome!!!

Just color his tips, hand this boy a guitar and teach him the phrase "No one understands me!"

My little man!  Isn't he handsome??? <3

The Philadelphia Mom

This Memorial Day vacation was a Mother's Day gift from my husband!  We spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday exploring and gallivanting through the "City of Brotherly Love".   Arriving at close to 11:30 on Saturday morning, our first stop was at Bobby's Burger Palace for lunch.   After parking our car in a lot (parking in Philadelphia is a lot like parking in NY - not possible...,) we visited the Academy of Natural Sciences (where I was in "geek" heaven!), The Franklin Institute and walked through LOVE park.  Dinner was at Elephant and Castle, which was unbelievably delicious.  Actually, every meal we had was beyond scrumptious!  On Sunday we took a tourist trolley ride (which was incredibly informative) through the entire heart of Philadelphia, but not before visiting the famed Liberty Bell.  We stopped at Reading Market for lunch, then walked through the Eastern State Penitentiary, which was informative, yet creepy!  The weather was so incredibly hot as we walked through the Philadelphia Zoo.  We glimpsed at the Rocky Steps and Benjamin Franklin's grave before heading to dinner at Amada, a Spanish tapas restaurant.  Ice cream for dessert at the Franklin Fountain.  The Aquarium was our first stop on Monday morning and was our favorite part of the trip.  My Little Lovebug loved looking at the colorful fish and trying to touch them.  A scuba diver even swam down and took his picture with him.  We toured the US Mint and Betsy Ross' house and had a fantastic dinner at Bistro Romano and shakes at Dairy Queen before heading home!  Not the most relaxing vacation, but a fun one nevertheless.  What I loved about Philadelphia was how many things were "hands-on" and appropriate for my Little Lovebug's little hands to touch.  He had a great time - we all did!

Eating Sweet Potato Fries and a Burger at BBP

Touching the T-Rex

Sleeping at the Franklin Institute

The LOVEbugs

Liberty Bell

 

Ben and Ben

At the Philadelphia Zoo

Piggy-back Ride at the Philadelphia Zoo

Feeling the Fish

My Little Chomper at Adventure Aquarium

Future Scuba Diver?

Cute Little Octopus

Philadelphia Skyline

My Little Patriot