It's A....

BOY! I know I have been MIA for a long time (and don't get your hopes up...life does not allow me to have a spare second right now to do anything) but I wanted to let you all know that we welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our family on November 1st. He weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and 21 1/4in and is already tipping the scales well above his birth weight.

G-Man as he is called by his adoring big sister A is doing great!

I hope to get back to writting soon, but right now I am on blogging maternity leave :)

xoxo
Daily Mom

Oh Boy!

Just as we were relaxing and having a nice, calm weekend, my husband decided to spice it up a bit. OKay, I am going to throw it out there, that when you have one pregnant person in the relationship the other person often feels like they not only need to eat similar amounts, but also booze enough for the both of you. My husband has no problem making sure he only eats for one, but when I am not there to hold my own in the cocktail count, I think he gets lonely and drinks for us both. I mean, hey, I would!

So Saturday night started off with a throw-back "Old School" cocktail party at my sister's beach house. There were grinder to munch on, cold beers in a cooler, and a rum punch that even without the rum was pretty darn amazing. After a social time on the porch watching the waves crash on the sand, we headed inside to play some good old drinking games. Kings was first on our list with a seamless transition to asshole a few hours later. I played along with my Buckler and can tell you we were honestly having the best time.

Around 11pm I decided to call it quits, because let's be honest, no matter how much fun I was having drinking fake beer, I am big and tired and was ready to kick my feet up and call it a night. I headed home on my bike, since as you know, we are on a small peninsula here where bikes have the right of way over cars, and it is not unusual to see kids as young as 4 riding off to lessons by themselves. So after I adjusted A's helmet to tuck into my bike seat and not whack me while I rode, I climbed on my bike and headed for home. I had finally gotten my stupid pregnancy pillow situated just right and was snuggled in bed when my hubby walked in and sat on the edge of his bed.

Humm...this seemed off. I asked if everything was okay, when he mentioned he might have fallen off his bike on the way home. Like I said, we really like to have fun up here and a drunken bike race home is pretty standard, so I didn't think much of it, until he mentioned he might need stitches.

Within the second I was up and over to his side of the bed (trust me, not easy). I checked out his chin, and not knowing anything about stitches I told him he looked good and guided him into the bathroom to get a better look. I quickly dialed my sister, yes, the other prego one, to pop up and give me a second opinion.   

When she saw the cut in the light she decided that maybe he didn't need stitches, but would certainly need butterfly stitches or glue to make sure everything healed all right. Our friend Ashley was with her too, and she seconded that opinion. So at midnight I pulled on my yoga pants and a sweatshirt, left A's monitor with my sister, and hubby and I headed for the ER.

Since we only summer up here and my family is not very accident prone, I only knew of the little medical center that sits just outside of the closest town. As we pulled in to a very dim, and empty parking lot, I knew we were in trouble. The security guard informed me they were closed, but there was another hospital about 15 minutes away. So back in the car we went and headed a little further down the road.

After about an hour we were checked in, examined, and in a room waiting for the doctor to come in and stitch my husband's chin. Not long after, but 5 stitches later, we were heading back home...an unusually quiet husband and an unusually awake me pulled back into our driveway around 2am. I am glad he wasn't seriously hurt, because it sure did make for some serious laughs the next day.

I mean what would a throw-back cocktail party really be if it didn't involve a trip to the ER?

xoxo

Daily Mom

Weekends

The weekends are always the best when daddy arrives and makes each second that much better!

xoxo

Daily Mom

A and Daddy

Our little playground monster!

Finally a double bump picture! My sister and I who are due two weeks apart!

Tennis Update

So I know you all have been dying with suspense, sorry about that, but the tournament went great! I had a random partner (hence the draw format) but she was very nice and we had a blast playing together. I didn't injure myself at all, even though I was pretty tired after playing tennis for over three hours...but all in all it was a smashing (hah, pun intended) success.

Just started to rain here, so that puts a drastic halt on any beach day plans :(

Anyone have any fun activities they like to do in rainy weather?

xoxo

Daily Mom

Change

Wow, what a week! So, I decided to take tennis lessons down here with my sisters and our really good family friend, and let me tell you it has been a BLAST! Granted I haven't picked up a racket in years, so why did I wait until I was 6 months pregnant to start again...who knows, but it has been more fun than I could ever have imagined. Let me reiterate...I am pretty bad, but once you get all my sisters together the good ole' competitive spirit comes out and away we go. In fact, we are all playing in a tennis tournament tomorrow! Hehe...see...when I get into something, I go all out.

But enough about me, I know you are all dying to hear about A's progress. Well...the summer up here is like a magic time capsule. I swear A grows about 6 months time for each month she is here. Already she is swimming with water wings all by herself, and riding her balance bike all over picking up her feet and cruising for long stretches. And as you all know, A is not a great eater. I mean she isn't terrible but she is a typical 2 1/2 year old who will pick here and there, but meals up here are like a new kid. She gobbles down anything and everything, and has even found some new favorites in lobster and calamari. I know, who doesn't like fried squid, right?

I have been terrible at taking pictures (shocker) but have managed to snap a couple on my cell.

Enjoy!

Our future Olympian...

A with cousin C, the little mermaids

Finding snails to smash and give to the crabs to eat

Look...no feet!

Building her first sandcastle without help! ALLELUIA

xoxo

Daily Mom

ps...wish me luck tomorrow!

Kisses

When will kisses not be enough?

Although I hope never, I know the day will come when I won't be able to fix every ouchie, hurt feeling, or fear with a few kisses from mommy. And right now, as I lay my little girl into bed and give her one more kiss before her nap I can't help but think about that time. I guess it will be like most events in a little kids life; they will be ready and eager to bound out ahead into the unknown, and we will be left behind trying to figure out how we can still be there every step of the way to lend a helping hand.  

xoxo

Daily Mom

Fun Everywhere

I am not sure if there is anything A has decided she doesn't really like. Every day we have to ride bikes, go to the beach, look for crabs on the rock beach, make sandcastles, visit the playground, play with all of Gigi's toys, and her new favorite activity paint. Yeah, I am not too sure how much I like her new favorite hobby either, but I am going with it. We have had a blast here doing everything possible, and today we even braved the heat and headed to the Mystic Aquarium!

xoxo

Daily Mom

A Quick Snapshot

As promised here are some adorable (yes, I am bias) photos from the start of our summer. As bad as I have been at blogging I have been equally bad at snapping pictures too, so until I raid my mom's camera and get some good ones, these will have to do.

Hope everyone gets a chance to kick back and read some trashy magazine on the beach :)

xoxo

Daily Mom

Hello me!

Just relaxing on the beach

Oh no she didn't!

Her first piece of sea glass!

I'm funny! Hahah.

Ahhhhhhhh!

Family Time!

A Long Time...

It has been a really long time since I have written here, and yes, I couldn't even remember my password right away. I guess I have just been busy with life. Nothing exceptional or groundbreaking, just day to day life that seems to consume each minute, every day. And when I finally get a chance to relax and unwind, writing has not been high on my list.

To  me the summer is all about family. We have played in the pool, splashed in the ocean, built sandcastles, gone on bike rides, walked more than I thought was possible, and just spent time together. I love the summer for everything that it conjures up...ice cream, beaches, ocean, sun, love, and of course growth.

I will find some time to share some pictures of my growing girl and growing bump, but don't hold your breath, because in the end, I would rather be playing with a crazy little toddler in the sand surrounded by family.

Two things that have also captivated my attention this summer outside of family are any Elin Hilderbrand novels (The Blue Bistro is hands down my favorite) and Big Girl Underwear....yes, we are officially potty trained :)

xoxo

Daily Mom

Pool Time

Yes, I finally managed to take some pictures of A splashing around with her cousin, C. Can you believe how big they are getting....terrifying :(

Loving the fountains

"Ahhh! It got me!"

Imagine the most high pitched squeel coming out of her mouth :)

Just running in the water

"Humm...I am not sure about this water?"

"Okay, I can do this."

"Splash, splash"

C's idea of splashing.

Making the pavement grow

Swim lessons with Gigi

"Ohhh! Cold"

Getting watered by a fellow swimmer...

Not a big fan!

xoxo
Daily Mom

Hot, Hot, Hot

What happened to Spring?

I know the winter wasn't very bad, but it feels like we went from jeans and fleeces to tank tops and shorts in a matter of minutes. It has been so hot here over the past week (and I am talking 90+) that we can't even enjoy the outdoors before the bugs invade. But we have certainly taken advantage of the pool and have clocked some serious hours playing in the water. I guess I can't really complain, because what is more fun than sitting by a pool and watching a pretty self sufficient toddler play?

xoxo

Daily Mom

Hello, Siri.

Today was going to be a BIG DAY. Okay, maybe you would not consider this to be huge, but I was finally (after 2 long years of waiting) getting an iPhone 4S! I have been patient...and then not, and pleaded with my husband to just let me pay to upgrade. But in the end he won and I waited and waited to ask Siri the million questions that I had stored up, or have her in charge of reminding me to get dry cleaning, or pick up something at the store...can we say life changing?

So this morning, A and I hit the mall, walking proudly into the Apple Store and announcing my need to upgrade...immediately. About 20 minutes later I was holding my prize and waiting for everything to sync over when it hit. I needed a bathroom or trash can within the next 30 seconds or I was going to puke all over this college kid trying to stay awake long enough to show me how my new phone worked.

Apparently I must have turned a nasty shade of green while asking for the bathroom because without hesitation he threw my old and new phone at one of his buddies and rushed A and I through their secret back headquarters and straight for a bathroom.

I barely made it to the toilet since A decided this would be the time she wasn't going to walk and would only be carried, but alas I did make it! Feeling pretty proud of myself for distracting A with a toy while I watched my breakfast come up, I decided to glance back at A, who I had put behind me with her toy in the (thankfully) spacious bathroom. All I saw was her staring at me with her eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed before I had to turn around to the toilet again. Once I was finished I turned around to see her still standing like a teenager. I attempted a weak smile in her direction and then out of nowhere my little two year old uncrossed her arms and said, "really, mom!" with her best 16 year old attitude.

Rolling my eyes I cleaned myself up, grabbed A and unlocked the bathroom door.

There stood two Apple employees, one with a water bottle and a sweet comment and one who looked like I had held him up from a much needed trip to the bathroom himself.

Thanking the lady as she shared some of her own prego stories I made my way back to my phone to wrap this all up.

Feeling a bit better and thinking most of my embarrassment had to be over for the day I turn to finished up with the sleepy college boy, who had a look of sheer terror on his face. Never, had I imagined he could have worked quite so fast to get me out of the store. And as I left with my shiny new phone tucked safely in my hand, I smiled at myself for managing to make my big day even a little more unforgettable.

Sunrise On The Hill

Today, was an outing to remember for a while!

At 6:20 this morning I crept into A's room to wake her up and together we headed down to Pimlico, where the Preakness is held each year. After dragging a pretty sleepy toddler into the car for a short car ride, we arrived to the sun warming up the paddock and all of A's friends excited to see the horses.

We started with a little information from a former jockey, then it was time for our friend Charley (also a former jockey) to lead us around. The first stop was to see the Clydesdales, who are larger than I could have ever imagined. Yes, if you have been reading this blog for a while you know we did the same Sunrise on the Hill last year too, but for some reason the sheer size and grace of the horses takes your breath away anew each year.

Anyway, then we headed to the Stakes Barn and saw a few owners, one being the owner of I'll Have Another (the Derby winner) and his winning jockey. The jockey was really cute with Annabelle, and she wasn't even that scared because they were about the same size :)

Anne, and Caroline, and Nicole and E

The Owner of the runner up at the Derby (who also ownes a ton of other winners)

I'll Have Another's owner

The jockey and Annabelle
Jockey: "So what do you want to be someday?"
A: "Um, maybe a jockey."
Jockey: "Well, let me see your tough jockey face!"

Oh yeah, there it is!

Then we headed into the paddock and jockey's room and ended with getting some pretty cool goggles.

Their scale and their silks

E, A, and Nate

After the tour we headed back to the track to watch some more horses warm up and even had an up-close view of I'll Have Another!

The kids, loving the tractor!

Yeah, she was not taking these off!

All of us!

After the pictures she put them right back on again!

And there is the Derby winner! Good luck Saturday!!!!

All in all, it was one of the best mornings!

xoxo

Daily Mom