March 2011 Memories

We have had many fond memories so far this month and I've posted pictures of these moments:

Miss O is excited about getting to swing outside again...Spring is on it's way...yay!!We love going to meet daddy for lunch from time to time. McAllister's is a favorite. They have awesome service and the food is great!

We celebrated Carrie's Birthday

on Saturday by going to Red Robin and then going to Grandma Rhonda's for cake. Olivia really wanted to eat the cake and thought that "Carrie won't mind!" haha!

Our friends, the Jurczak's had a 1st Birthday Party for their second daughter, Lucy. The Bowsher's were there and I finally got to meet Claire. She's absolutely precious!

We had an Olivia, Mommy & Daddy date night to see Disney's Princesses on Ice. Grandma Hunteman came up to watch Gabe. We had a great time and the show was absolutely amazing! We will def be going back next year!

Thank God for all of these blessings in our life, from our family to our friends. These are the moments that matter and we are so grateful for everything!

Olivia's 1st Mani

Since Dan was still out of town, I took Olivia to get her 1st manicure tonight. She did surprisingly well, as far as sitting still & cooperating. We went to V&N Nails by Ziano's and I'd highly recommend them. They were so nice to us & didn't even charge for O's mani. I think I'm in trouble though because when we left she said, "We'll be back!"

Gotta love my girly girl!

P.S. Thanks for the powder, Pat, O loves the "makeup" & got it on her carseat...lol...good times!

Terrible 2's

The past few days Olivia has been throwing huge fits whenever it's time to nap or go to bed. This isn't like her at all, normally she goes down right away. I wonder what's going on. Maybe it's all part of the terrible 2's?!

My Virtual Wishlist

Here is what I think would make my life easier:

1). Being able to order my groceries online & have them delivered to MY home or have a drive-thru service at the grocery store where you can pre-order the items online. I know that the online grocery to home delivery service already exists but they don't deliver in my area. The 2nd idea would be fab, just like a Walgreens drive-thru pharmacy, only better!

Yes, I desperately need to go to the grocery but dread taking O&G again. Last time was a nightmare!

2). Being able to book my dog's grooming appointment online. I do not like calling & having to figure out a time that will work for both parties. This way, like Open Table for dinner reservations, you could go in & easily set it all up!

Yes, Winston needs groomed like no other...it's bad!

3). Being able to book a hair appointment online too, just like the above idea only for ME & not my dog.

My hair stylist is awesome but it's ME that is hard to work with due to my schedule. If I could look online for a time that works, I'd be thrilled!

Who is with me???

The New Normal

I love my children with all of my heart! They are absolute blessings from God and I would not change having them for the world; they are my world! With that being said, I have to express some 'normal' parental frustrations. Here is my evening: I go to pick up the kids after work from my mother-in-law's house. Then I drove home listening to Olivia's Toddler Songs CD, feeling so tired and out of it and really wanting to turn off the CD and turn on some 'normal' music for once. I finally tried this and Olivia told me that she wanted to "hear her favorite song"...every song on that darn CD is her favorite song, btw...good times~

After what seemed like 18 hours of driving home from my mother-in-laws (she lives a half hour away), I finally made it home. I got Olivia out of the car and then Gabe. I tried to sit Gabe down in various toys so that he could play while I cooked dinner, but he was not having that, he wanted held. I could not cook dinner and hold Gabe, so I sat him in his high chair and he cried the entire time. Then Olivia started crying for no reason, just to try and get attention. Then she pushed one of our kitchen chairs up to the counter and wanted to 'help' me...precious! Finally dinner was ready and I fed Olivia and Gabe. Then scarfed down my food so that I could get ready for Zumba. I was hoping that Dan would be home from work in time for me to go. He finally got home around 6:40pm for my 7:00pm Zumba class. It takes 15 minutes to get there, so I was cutting it very close, but made it right on time.

I felt bad leaving Dan tonight, but after busting my booty, I am not giving up on myself. I needed this exercise! It was amazing and I am so grateful for my Zumba-time, for it is my new normal...mixed in with Gabe STILL crying at 10:36pm. Good times!

Life as we know it in March

I just wanted to give everyone an update...life is good, we just keep plugging away here.

Last week was full of unexpecteds...Olivia and Gabe were both sick...viral crud plus ear infections. Craziness, they both have tubes, sheesh! I ended up calling in 2/3 of the days that I work & was lucky enough to get to make up my time on Saturday and Monday. Thank goodness that my work is flexible!

Then I went to the Agape Prayer Service at Church for Christ Renews His Parish on Friday night. We had a nice service & it was great to see Team 38 again! Team 37 & I went to Applebees for appetizers/drinks afterwards & it was so great to catch up with everyone! I love my CRHP Sisters so much! I was going to go to serve soup to Team 38/39 on Sunday but felt ill & didn't want to spread whatever I was coming down with to any other ladies. :(

Then tonight we went to Ash Wednesday Mass at St. E's. Olivia wasn't quite sure what the ashes were about and tried to rub them off at first, until she saw that Mommy, Daddy, Gabe & everyone else had ashes on their forehead. Gabe just smiled & kept smiling all night long at the Mass & Simple Soup Supper. He's so sweet!

Speaking of Gabe, I'm having a really hard time but I think I might be coming upon a difficult decision that I don't want to make. I'm not going to post exactly what this decision might be, but lets just say that he has 7 teeth now and oh my!!! Ouch!

Ok, that is all, nuff said. Peace~

Potty Training

Ok, so here is my Olivia potty training saga...

We started potty training back in May of 2010 (2 months before Gabe was born). It was completely my idea and I tried pushing her. She was fascinated with it at first and did really well going on the potty chair for the first couple of weeks, but it wasn't consistent...not a bad start though. Then she lost interest and then Gabe was born, therefore reverting to baby-like behaviors.

Then we have slowly started back and this time I have just let it happen on her own terms. She has a new-found fascination with the big potty. She will turn her potty chair upside down to get on the big potty and go in there off and on throughout the day.

I need to make her a potty training chart that she can put stickers on, instead of her putting them all over her shirt. When I say all over, I mean all over...she found the Dora stickers today and stuck ALL of them on her shirt. Good times! Such a cutie pie though! By the way, does anyone have any potty training chart ideas?

We'll get there and be down to only buying one set of diapers one day, but in the mean time, I am so proud of my little Olivia Marie!

Goodbye February...Hello March!

February was filled with many blessings...here, I will name some of them:

• I got to see my Christ Renews His Parish Sisters on 2/8 for Tara's Baby Shower. Baby Micah will be here soon! Prayers for a safe and healthy delivery.
• We found out that our friends, Matt & Sarah Crosby are expecting their first born in September. Congrats Matt & Sarah!
• On 2/12 Dan & I celebrated Valentine's Day by going out to eat at Joseph Decuis. It was absolutely amazing!
• I was able to Zumba with my Zumba partner, Angie. She rocks btw! We also got to get together with her lovely family for dinner and games. I can't wait till we can do that again!
• My friend Pat opened up her photography business, PKC Snapshots, which is up and coming...very exciting!
• I got to have a playdate with my friend Angie (her girls Ava & Lucy) and my friend Kristen (her baby Luke and daughter, Gabby). Yay for Mocha Lounge...even if it was crazily crowded at first, we held out and then the room was ours...lol!
• I got to see my parents on 2/24 & 2/26...of which, now, thanks to Dan, my mom has an iphone 4 and we can FaceTime with the her! Olivia loves this! Thanks Dan, also for switching me back to a reliable network where I actually have a signal.
• Olivia has learned to say "Grandma" in addition to her normal "Bingo" and "Grandpa" which is more like "Giampaw"...precious!
• Gabe is now fully sitting up and is really trying hard to crawl!
• Olivia has taken an interest (on her own) of using the potty! This is a long road, but we will get there eventually and am fortunate that she is wanting to go sit on the potty! Happy day!
• Blessed to have such wonderful co-workers that make me laugh!
• My father-in-law went on a CRHP weekend last weekend at St. Vincents. I'm so very proud of him and his spiritual growth!
• My friend Sheila helped me take the kids to Lutheran Hospital to get Gabe's allergy tests. This was a huge help for me. She really helped me with Olivia! Gabe's tests came back negative for allergies, thank goodness! He does have viral-induced asthma though. The good news is that this can go away in the future.
• Thanks for our good health now. This winter hasn't exactly been healthy for us, or those around us, but glad that everyone is on the mend now. Let's keep it that way. :)
• The snow was so pretty! Notice I said was...we are over the snow now, got it?!

Happy March everyone! I look forward to Lent, nicer weather, possible walks outside (maybe thats a far stretch, but wouldn't that be nice), getting on a workout routine and eating clean. What are your February blessings & March wishes???

My Parents' Cozy Nest

Recently my parents decided to buy a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN as an investment. They have a management company that takes care of all the advertising, booking, cleaning of it and the nitty gritty details. They bought it completely unfurnished and had to do quite a bit of work to it, but this is what it looks like now. If anyone needs a nice little get-away in Gatlinburg, I know of a place...

SPRING FEVER

I have Spring Fever bad! Whose with me?! Let's start a countdown because this snow/ice crud has to go! I called my sister, Lori, in Florida today and she said its sunny and 75 there today. Blah! Meanwhile, we have freezing rain and snow here in the Frozen Tundra!

Other than that, I've been couped up in the house all day today, which is nice and relaxing because there is no pressure to have to be any certain place at a certain time. I was going to go to ZUMBA tonight, but its not worth it because of the weather plus it was cancelled. So, to not interfear with my fitness goals, Miss Olivia and I turned on some jams and danced today. We had a great time! She's so joyful!

Gabe has been great today too! He's so strong and always smiling. Gabe's constant smile reminds me that God is with me day in and day out.

Spring will be here soon my friends!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Funday Friday evening was filed with getting together with some new friends at their house for dinner. We had a nice time with their amazing family and even played a fun game at the end of the night. Miss Olivia was afraid of their kind Golden Retriever dog, so for the first hour or so, she was crying and wouldn't warm up to their kids, but she'll come around. Silly O! Thanks for being so welcoming Angie & Joe~we look forward to many years of friendship with our families!

Saturday started with me going to Zumba (by myself for the first time ever, usually I bring a friend or two). Going by myself wasn't so bad, I got the job done and it felt great. Kandi's class rocks by the way, just sayin! It was a great way to kick-start my Saturday.

Then we relaxed at home and got stuff done around the house (aka...laundry that still needs folded...my laundry fairy is in TN and needs to come help me....there is your official invitation MOM ;) I call my mom my laundry fairy bc whenever she comes to our house she is a HUGE help and can run circles around me as far as getting laundry done.

Dan got the carseats all situated and installed. Dan ended up taking Olivia's carseat out and putting it behind the driver's seat and Gabe's infant carseat was removed and Dan put in his Convertible Carseat behind the passanger seat. We then went to Babies R Us to take my coupon & receipt in to get $ back from the carseat we bought Gabe last weekend. Woo hoo $50 back in our pocket!

Then we went to dinner at Buffallo Wings & Ribs to see Amber, who was working that night. The kids missed seeing her and the food is great! Thanks for the great service Amber! You're the best! Miss O loved seeing you!

Today was a nice relaxing Sunday! Dan went to the Cathedral with his candidate for RCIA (he's a sponsor for a friend at St. Elizabeth's), therefore I was left to take the kids to Mass at St. E's by myself. I was a little nervous because Gabe is not in his Carseat Carrier anymore, so 2 at tow with my huge diaper bag was quite a challenge. I did it though and am so glad that I did! When I pulled up to St. E's Olivia said, "Mommy, I get to see Jesus!" Precious!

Then we hung out at home more and I went to Zumba with Deedra at 5pm. Good times!

Now I'm just winding down for the night and felt that a recent post was in order. I hope everyone else had a great weekend and that this coming week goes better for everyone. Take care my friends! Peace~

Turn that frown upside down :)

It seems that this year has been much colder than recent years and it has def made an impact on how people act, including myself. I am more than ready for Spring, but am trying to stay positive.

Here are the positives of the moment:

1). My children are currently healthy (knock on wood).
2). We have a nice warm roof over our head.
3). Dan and I are going out to eat at Joseph Decuis and then going to a movie tomorrow night to celebrate Valentine's Day. Sweet!
4). iphone's FaceTime chat with my sisters...so glad that Lori & Molly now have iphone 4's. :)
5). We get to go to a Komet's game as a family on Sunday...fun!
6). Blessed to have a good friend who wants me to be her Business Manager with her new business. Woo hoo! Something fun on the side~
7). My wonderful husband Dan who I am so very proud of~~~
8). Family---so very blessed that we still have living parents and siblings!
9). Good friends to have playdates, zumba, text and share our faith together!
10). God is always good, but I see how he is with me all of the time, no matter what! He brings sunshine to the cold days!

My Day in Pictures 2/7/11

2:00am

5:00am

9:00am (Woo hoo for sleeping in)

9:30am

Olivia likes her new Dora toothbrush and Pony paste. She now wants to brush her teeth only half a dozen times a day. Hilarious!

9:45am

Silly times ...Olivia wanted for Gabers to come sit in her bed. She got a kick out of it but he thought otherwise.

10:00am

Fun with toys...Olivia likes to help Gabe or have Gabe help her. It's precious!

12:00pm

Lunch time. What can I say, my kids like food.

3:30pm

Olivia found a sharpie marker and decided to write on her white pants. Luckily I discovered this before anything else left its mark (furniture, walls etc). Oh to be 2!

5:00pm

Olivia pushes the dog food bin all the way from the kitchen pantry to the living room while I am cooking dinner. I kindly tell her to please push the dog food bin back into the kitchen and she tells me, "I'm fine Mommy, cook dinner!" LMAO! Oh my am I in trouble when she gets to her teenage years!

7:30-8:30

Zumba (my time) with Lisa Saxe and Nikki Riemer. An absolute blast thanks to Kandi! ;)

10:00pm

Gabe lays down for final bedtime...look at him still wide awake. Wow! This kid hardly sleeps, I don't know how he does it. I need some of that energy!

10:30pm

Peeking in at Miss O. She was sound asleep on her floor down by the bookshelf with some Golden Books on top of her blanket. Daddy put her back in her bed. She must have wanted to play after he put her to bed. So sweet!

Nighty night all! Here's to living each day to its fullest and thanking God for each day he gives us!

Blessings to you and yours!

This n' That

Happy February Everyone!

Today was nice because it was a snow day for the whole family. Dan's work was closed because of the Level 1 Emergency, so it was great to have him @ home. I thought that it would be fun to have Olivia play in the snow, but then the responsible parent got the best of me and I opted not to because of all of the sickness our family has encountered lately. Therefore, we let Winston out in the snow to go potty and Dan out to snow blow the driveway instead...which was much more productive. Dan even snow blowed our neighbors driveway just to be nice. Good job honey~

Then after that, he made us a nice lunch and let me take a nice nap. What does he want?! Just kidding! I really appreciate it!

Olivia has the right idea, to bake cookies (see pic above)mmm...too bad I'm trying to lose weight. Which brings me to my next subject of Zumba...I miss it already. I didn't go yesterday because of the bad weather and I needed a family night and tonight it was closed, but they would have just had Turbo Kick anyways (which sounds fun). I am going to try to go tomorrow night, if anyone wants to join me. It's a blast and I am already feeling like something is working, whether it be mental or physical. Happy Day!

I also think that Zumba is giving me more energy to handle all of the late nights with Gabe. Woo hoo! Party in his crib @ 3am...bring it on! I know, I'm crazy, it's cool!

Well, it has been so nice having 5 days off in a row...now back to reality, working tomorrow, Friday and Saturday. Momma's gotta, "Make that money!" Ha! Olivia has also been saying the sweetest thing, "Thank you for the dinner, Mommy!" Priceless! It makes me want to cook everynight. So precious!

Ok, I better go get the bottles & diaper bag ready for my mother-in-laws tomorrow, feed Gabe, then off to give the kids their baths, fold laundry, shower myself and wind down for the night...just the life of a SUPER MOM, right.

Peace my friends!