it's that time again...

time for 'mommie' to start SHREDding and shed this baby weight!

wish me luck...

weathering the storm...

Our power was back on by Friday afternoon. Very impressive and surprising seeing the massive amount of damage throughout my sweet, little town. We left the lap of luxury and headed on home. We all were very thankful that our home was standing and our old, very old tree stood tall while so many fell hard!

But as we moved back home, I remember the moments when the storm hit. The sky went very dark, nothing out of the normal for a summer thunderstorm. The thunder roared, but than the wind picked up so much that I could see trees across the street bending! And than the hail started. It was huge. Poor Claire was so scared, so I sat with her on the floor while I nursed little l. As I tried to calm Claire and nurse my baby, I noticed outside the window, on the porch, the mama bird that made a nest in my hanging plant sat still. The wind blew the plant every which way and violently at that! The hail was blowing onto the porch as well. But our little mama bird sat still, protecting her eggs. I loved watching her because her devotion and love was so apparent.

The morning after we moved back home. This is what bub found. One baby bird was born and two more to go... The nest maybe killing my flowers, but welcoming the new babies to the neighborhood is well worth it. And knowing that we all (including mama bird and her babies) weathered the storm!

Holy Hail Storm...

Dear Huge Trees that fall around the corner from our home,

Sit tight on the power lines you pulled down, because Peco will be out at some point to remove you and restore power to our neighborhood. We will miss you! You served our neighborhood well (being 100+ year old) and you went out with a BOOM! Flattening cars and ripping down power lines. But like the faithful shade and friends you were -- no one was hurt!

However, you have displaced us for what looks like several days! But we are staying in the lap of luxury at my in-laws, so we forgive you!

Love Always,

'Mommie' and the crew

Yes, we are without power and weathered one mighty storm yesterday. Our neighborhood looks like a tornado went through it as sooo many trees came crashing down.

Here are some pictures of Philadelphia and Springfield! Craziness, but we are safe, cool and having fun with my in-laws.

pretty please...

Could someone please give me the money or purchase this lovely bag or convince Marc Jacob's, Bloomingdale's or anyone else to give me this bag? I am not aloud (my rule!) to spend $$ on anything, but I really want (pretend you can hear me whining) this bag!!!!

Enough said. Thanks for listening.

double l's summer list

So I admire Jen and many other blogger's summer lists and think I will write down our official one, but haven't yet. However, double l keeps telling me what he wants to do this summer. Perhaps, I should write it down and hang it up.

For now, here is the list straight from my almost 3 year old's mouth...

"I want to go to the BEACH!" (need to get on this one ASAP)

"I want to ride the TRAIN" (could be EZ PZ as the train is in walking distance and a little trip downtown would be fun on a 'cooler' day)

"I want to go to the CONCERT" (in the works; Wiggles tickets purchased... ssshhh)

"I want to go to the ZOO and see the PEACOCKs" (not a hard one since we are members, I see multiple trips in his future this summer!!!)

Celebrating my babies' daddy

We made cookies...

We ate them!

We relaxed, some relaxed in a comfy pram...

We played outside...

We let daddy be silly and have fun!!

We gave him a hand when he got stuck...

We ran to mama!

We took a long walk and enjoyed the day!

Happy Father's Day, Bub! Hope you had a good one...

little is one month today!!!

I can not even believe little l is one month today. My bub and I spent time remember the morning of May 18th in all its comedy!!!

Today, she is one month old. Not sure how much she weighs, but at 3 weeks she was 10LBS 2OZ, so I wonder what she is tipping the scales at now (ha!).

Little l is beginning to try to coo. She so wants to chat with her mama and I so can not wait! She makes little forceful noises at the people in her pack & play (its a toile pattern) and shadows (mama's shadow against her pink wall).

She is sleeping fairly well. Okay, I am a brat especially to all my friends who have or had babies with colic -- little l sleeps well and so did double l. Hopefully, nothing changes!!! She goes down between 8-9, wakes up around 2AM to nurse, and is back down within the half hour. She starts her day around 7:00AM! We are still working on a nap schedule. Since she is only a month old, I will go easy on her :)

She has been sleeping in her crib for almost a week. The cradle is still next to me (just in case), but will be put away this weekend. I can not believe it!

And what I am loving is when little l tries to focus on my face. And this morning she was focusing on her daddy and her big brother. I will wait for her to start to socially smile, but I love how she interacts with us more every day!

for some reason, every time I rotate this image it reverts back. I will need to work on that later...

silly LL

Checkout the latest giveaway

Hi All, checkout mommie reviews latest giveaway. Yummy Nutella!!!!

the pool is open...

Please Touch Museum - Blogger Event

It was a pleasure attending the blogger event at the Please Touch Museum (of Philadelphia) Friday, June 2nd. We were invites as part of their ABC Games 10th Annual celebration, which runs June 4-27. Activities for the 10th Annual ABC Games encourage an interest in physical fitness and sportmanship. There is a cool rock climbing wall and tons more to test Kids' coordination and gross motor skills. If you are local, this is a perfect spot for those "heat warning" Philly summer days!!!

As for us, it was wonderful to just get out of the house and have the wonderful people at the museum host a whole bunch of moms, dads and their little ones. Double l had never been to the museum and they had him at the "water play" station, which was literally as soon as we walked in.

Wonderland was my favorite place. LL hosted a tea party (UGH no photos due to us being the guest of the party) for me and his daddy, while little l slept in her stroller. P.S. She slept the entire time!!! I felt like wonderland was this magical place and the exhibit was so well done. I, honestly, felt (for a second or two) that I was a little girl again. I love chasing my little guy through the maze.

Besides the trains, cars and buses, double l loved the carousel the best. I mean what child doesn't like the fun of a carousel. It was so nice to ride it with him. Just me and my little guy. I will take ever stolen moment and kisses & hugs I can get!

Thanks a bunch to the crew at the Please Touch Museum! We had a blast.

I am in love...

I have dried and wet milk constantly on my stomach.

My hair is still wet in a bun.

I need lip gloss on my lips in the worst way.

I got into with an almost three year old this morning about getting dressed.

I got into with my husband about the three year old who would not get dressed, about how overwhelmed I am, about... oh goodness everything because sadly it was all about me this morning.

But you know what, I am in love...

In love with my little princess who drools all the said milk on my belly...

In love with the almost three year old who wanted to get into with me this morning but has hugged me a hundred times since and is now taking his nap without issue!

In love with that man who listened to me rant this morning and forgave me without question when I apologized!

oh and I have my feet up, nursing as I type this... downstairs floors are cleaned and laundry is getting done. I love order as well...

it's all about the first...

Yesterday, little l had a weigh in. Boy, oh boy - our little one is thriving! Born at 8 LBS 4 Oz and at three weeks old -- 10 LBS 2 OZ. Someone likes mama's milk :)

Well, her appointment was less about her (poor thing, such a second child) and mostly about double l. Its the nice thing about sharing a doctor, I get double time with her. We chatted about his recent behavior and she reiterated that its a "phase" he has not turned evil! She said its a little the age, but mostly about little l invading his world at home. See, double l goes to school two days a week and they have not seen any change in his behavior. I know, it shocking! I am shocked ever time I ask "how was he today" and receive the following response "he was great! we haven't seen the change in behavior". It does make me feel relieved LL is not acting out for everyone.

Anyway, she reminded me to remain calm aways, not give in, not give up on time-out and ensure we have our own special mama & me time.

We are having a good day today. Well, nap is right around the corner, so we shall see...

*** Update - LL went down perfectly with hugs and kisses!!!

today was the day

Today was the day that I knew was going to come... my bub has been home for the past three weeks and he returned to work today!!!

As I prayed to calm my nerves and a good night's rest (ha! I know I have a newborn!!), I actually looked forward to this day. I am ready to get on with our new normal. That's what I am calling it. Because I am now excepting (after a serious bout with the baby blues) that my old routine and normal are no more, but I will establish a new normal and all will be well. I believe it and I am ready for it.

This morning was great! I definitely did not have a good night's rest, but after some snuggling with double l (at 5:30 AM -- why does he not sleep in!!!), a shower, and some coffee (thanks bub!) -- I felt good!

Double l has been challenging (more on that later), but this morning he was great. We snuggled, then got dressed, brushed our teeth and hair with little protest! Huge win, you have no idea. He ate breakfast and hung out with me. Little l woke up at 7:00 and thanks to PBS Kids (Sid and Super Why) I nursed her and was able to change a huge blowout calmly and without juggling the needs of a toddler trying to adjust to sharing his mama.

We ran some quick errands (literally no children had to leave the car -- drive-thru banks, drive-up mailboxes -- love them!). We ate lunch together. And then nap time came around and well, it all went all down hill. My laid back little man has completely turned into an aggressive (almost) 3 year old. I am not sure what to do. He threw his fan and chair across his room in protest of nap time after he tried to kick me as I tried to put him in his room. I, honestly, do not know what to do. We do not spank and time-out just is not working anymore. He just does what he wants when he wants and refuses to do what we want him to do if he doesn't feel like it (get dressed, nap, bath, etc...). I have raised my voice once the hitting/kicking starts, but honestly try to remain calm. The defiance started to a lesser degree prior to the baby and since has escalated.

So, here is my SOS -- what am I suppose to do? does anyone have experience with this behavior? I am told its normal for 3 year olds to act out, but I just think this is beyond normal 3 year old independence seeking. It makes me so sad. Tears were flowing as I sat on the step ensure I could still hear him as I put him back to bed.

For now, I don't hear any more tears, jumping, etc... so I think he is finally sleeping!

little l's first photo shoot

Little l's daddy returns to work tomorrow. We certainly enjoyed having him home with us and enjoying the simplest of days as a family of four (plus Claire). Today, daddy and his princess had a little photo shoot after church (today was little l's first time at church!!).

Isn't she such a pretty girl!!! Sorry, I know I am bias :)

little l's birth story...

The "plan" was for me to go into labor before my due date and have a successful VBAC. Well, that did not happening! We needed to move to plan b which was having a scheduled c-section on my due date. Weeks leading up to my due date, I must admit I felt disappointed and frustrated even considering plan b. But as I approached my due date, I let it all go and knew it was meant to be. I was to have my little princess via c-section and all would be well.

I thought how weird it would be to just drive calmly to the hospital, check in and then have my baby. So different than my experience with double l. I mean I was in hard labor the last time and the record time my husband made it to the hospital felt like hours. Would it be like checking into a hotel this time? Not exactly...

Apparently, little l thought she needed a little drama on her birth day as well. So, there we were... me and my bub. It was the morning of the c-section. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM. YIKES! But we got up early. I showered and actually put a little make-up on. My mother-in-law slept at our house, so double l could have somewhat of a normal morning and join us later. It was 5:00 AM and we headed out the door. Our house was silent, but sweet Claire gave us kisses good-bye. Bub loaded up the car... my bag and a bag for LL. It was raining, but we were excited. We both got in the car, looked at each other with anxious smiles and bub said "its a lot different this time" (making reference to the drama of hard labor last time and the mad dash to the hospital). And then it happened. He turned the key and NOTHING. Yes, that's right. My car was dead. We looked at each other and said what is happening!!! See, bub moved all the cars in the driveway the night before. My mother-in-law's, his car and than mine, which was blocking everyone's in. Seems like a few lights were left on by mistake. KILLING MY BATTERY!!! I started to panic. Bub tried to jump the car. NOTHING. My car would not go into neutral (in an attempt to move in onto the road) and we were stuck. Then Kris decided off roading it would be. We had a baby to meet and there was no way we were going to wait any longer. Moving his mother's car onto the side yard, he swung his around, taking out my beautiful hydrangea flowers and driving down our front yard onto the street. Mine you, its raining which equals a wet, muddy ground. There I was watching all of this from the porch and thinking (through the panic) this will be comical one day. He pulled over and opened the door. We were on our way with smiles once again on our faces... Briefly thinking to ourselves "what in the world just happened"...

We arrived a half an hour late (I had previously called the hospital) and the nurses and my wonderful doctor thought the story was truly hilarious and made good time prepping me and making sure our little princess would still have an early morning debut.

Little l arrived at 8:30 AM. She was 8 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches long.

My c-section went well. Definitely so different than double l's. His was an emergency and there was no time to panic. This time, my anxiety got the best of me for a few minutes and I had a hard time in the beginning. But with wonderful doctors and nurses and most importantly answered prayer, as quickly as the panic rolled in, it rolled away and my bub and I enjoyed the birth and first cries of our little girl! She was certainly wonderfully made.

Recovery has been harder this time. The baby blues lasting longer and more intense. But we are settling into our new family life and loving these two precious gifts. loving each other even more...

I can not wait to share with you this new adventure that we are beginning. To think I started this blog to document adventures with double l and now we have little l joining the journey. Its exciting and scary all at the same time!!!