Friday's Thoughts

Sometimes I wake up to the sweet silence of an quiet house and it takes me a second to remember falling back asleep is not an option. I have a very important person who needs me. And then I hear it, the faint sounds of my little babbler. I strain to make out coherent words but to no avail. My son does not speak English yet. He's quite fluent in baby babble though.

My day goes on, and each time I chose to put someone else's needs above and before my own, I take a quick second second to smile. If you asked me a few years ago if I'd go days without a shower? Pick sanitizing toys over plucking my eyebrows, or cook meals based on someone's currents favorites I'd tell you, you were nuts and no way. But here I am doing it. And quite honestly I truly do enjoy taking care of my little guy.

I've been doing some heavy thinking lately. About lots of stuff but mostly about my kids, here and future ones. And the qualities I want to instill in them and those that I want them to have no part of. Now, I know from personal ( ah hem me) experience you can only teach your kids and not force them to adapt particular traits. However, I believe it's my responsibility as a parent to not only guide my child to be a successful citizen of the world but to be a great a friend and partner.

That being said, I realized that by doing everything for your child, their laundry, paying bills, cleaning up their messes and doing this their whole lives creates an adult who will expect this from others. They will not appreciate the hard work it takes, and the sacrifices one must make. In turn your create an adult who is not a good partner. This will then lead to failed relationships and painful breakups. I don't know about you but I don't want to set my children up for failure. I want my children to grow into self sufficient adults who have confidence and knowledge about life and acceptance of others.

These are not easily instilled values in your children. I believe I "hated" my mom many days because she made me do the laundry, and yelled at me when I "forgot." I got mad that my parents made me pay my own cell phone bill in high school. And how dare they not clean up after me! I was just a child after all...but no, I was not. I was a teenager who was growing up into an adult, FAST.

Yes my son, and my little growing bean are far from being able to have chores.But this is something I have already started thinking about. And I have already started to hold my son accountable to certain things. We do not take out more toys until we put the ones we were playing with away. We do not throw our food when we are done. We do not scream when we want something. I am setting boundaries now so they do not come as a huge shock to him later in life. 

My son will know and be expected to pick up after himself, and to be a helpful and thoughtful member of our family. Just as my daughter (or another son??) will also be responsible for their messes, and actions. As their mother I am here to teach them how to be responsible and more importantly considerate. My children will be expected to say "please and thank you"  they will brought up returning phone calls/texts/cards. They will write thank you notes. I will go out of my way to teach them the importance of being a great friend. I will teach them the importance of manners. The importance of showing respect and dignity even when you do not agree with anothers thoughts or actions.


I could go on, but I wont. These are just my thoughts this hot Florida afternoon :)

A little something to smile about <3

xoxo

Leah

Boo Boo Bunny

Believe it or not I actually made something NOT from Pinterest. Actually, I learned how to make boo boo bunnies from a PERSON! Can you believe that? Not the Internet?!?! LOL

My Nanny used to make them for us grand kids and we'd use them every time we got hurt. Not familiar with the boo boo bunny? Here's what is looks like...

They are super cute and boy do they work miracles. I remember any time I had a bump or bruise and my mom gave me my boo boo bunny id magically be all better.

Last week my future sister in law asked me to throw her, her baby shower. Since she wanted it before August I had to think of some quick simple decorations and favors that could be made pronto but still be cute, of course. A friend of mine had a shower for her second baby a few months back and her sister came up with this brilliant idea for a "shower/sprinkle" theme. I had seen some cute ideas online and decided that would simple enough to pull off last minute. Then, after talking to my mom I decided to make boo boo bunnies as the favors. Even though it is summer, I correlate showers with Spring and Spring with bunny's. Does that make sense? It is just how my mind works.

In case you wanted to make some for your kiddos, or kiddos in your life here's how. It is super easy.

First you take a cheap-y washcloth, the thinner the better. I got 8 for $3 at Target.

You roll the sides in to meet in the middle

Then you fold it in half, and grab about 4 inches down and pull it back and fasten it with a rubber band.

There you have your bunny body.

 They you can get googly eyes at the dollar store, puffs for the nose and tail I got at Michaels because the dollar store only had crazy colors. You could go that route too but I was sticking with neutral colors.

Here is my army of boo boo bunnies...

There is also a cute poem that goes with them

If a boo boo has you feeling crummy,
Stick an ice cube in my tummy.
Hold it to your boo boo tight,
Soon everything will be all right!

So cute!  

xoxo

-Leah 

Pinterest addiction

It's amazing. I cannot say its bad. I've learned so much from it. From crafts to ideas for teaching Enzo, beauty tips, and most useful are the gazzillion recipes I've tried.

Here are just a few of the photo documented pinterest inspired things I have tried:

Not an actual pinterest project, but insprired

I couldnt take a pic of the pick apart garlic bread before the boys devoured it

Reading Tent

Irish Whiskey dark chocolate cup cakes with Baileys frosting

Hair Do

Door wreath

Italian Easter Bread

DIY Miracle Mask

How is everyone doing this fine Thursday morning? Great I hope :) I woke up so relaxed this morning. It was a nice change. I actually slept last night, and woke up to a babbling baby. Love that!

Last night I took some time to myself. I gave myself a facial and tried a new DIY mask. I watching some ATM (America's Top Model) and fell asleep reading my new book. It was so nice. It will be every NICER when our bathroom is done and I have a huge soaking tub, candles, and music to listen to, too. But for now, my couch does the job since standing in the shower isn't too relaxing to me.

Ever since this pregnancy started my face has been breaking out like im a pubescent teen. Its gross. I hate it.
Ive been using proactive for years now and even that wasnt helping these hormone breakouts. I have this new favorite blog, barefoot blonde, shes got some wicked style ( like my super northern slang?) and had some great beauty tutorials. Last night I tried this DIY mask she suggested.

 One word: AMAZING

My skin looked and felt new. Not run down like it has been. And this was even before I rested so I know it is a miracle mask. It was so easy to make and I had everything in my cabinets.
All you do is mix
a tsp of honey, 
a tsp of nutmeg
 and tsp of cinnamon into a paste and put it on your face for 30 mins. Then wash is off with warm water and stare at your beautiful self.She warns if it burns from the cinnamon to wash it off, but I didnt have that issue.

Anywho just wanted to share that.

xoxo
-Leah

p.s. My mom always told me girls steal your pretty, so if it turns out not to be a girl than this is going to be one beautiful boy! I never felt/looked like this with Enzo :)

Scarey I know! But this is what the mask looks like

Excitement is Getting the Best of Me

Needless to say, the excitement is making my insomnia much MUCH worse. I was up until 2 a.m. brainstorming last night. Just lying in bed thinking about what I want to do with the nursery and stopping every few seconds and yelling at myself to go to bed.

So here is what I figured out :

I found a "theme" at Babies R Us I would pick, here is the cost break down
9 Piece Bedding Set                                                            $209.99
(includes: bumper, 1 sheet, bed skirt, 2 valances
that I wouldn't use, diaper stacker, very small toy bin
and a small decorative pillow)

Hamper                                                                             $47.99
Mobile                                                                               $53.99
Panels (set of 2) (i need 2 sets)                                           $61.99 (woah!)
Wall Art                                                                             $30.99
1 Fitting Sheet ( ill need at least 3)                                       $24.99 EACH!
Changing pad cover ( I need 2)                                           $33.99





That totals a whopping...................................$584.99!!!

So my goal is to make all of this: 

Mobile

diaper stacker

plastic bag holder

changing pad

crib sheets

ruffled crib skirt

bow holder

pom pom pillows

crib bumper

panels (2 sets) 

For under $600.

Wish me luck!

xoxo
-Leah

Nursery Plans

I love to decorate! Planning a  room from nothing and making it into exactly what you want is my cup of tea. When Enzo came along we went straight to Babies R Us and found this animal/sports theme that we just LOVED. So we painted the room to go with it, got the carpet that matched. Bought each and every little detailed piece of the matching theme from the night light to light switch.

Talk about $$$$$$$$$!!

The lamp alone was $40! and the bedding ( not including the TWO window valances) was over $300! WITH a coupon! I think back now and want to smack myself. Why did we spend soo much money on a babies room? After we sat down and calculated the ridiculous amount of money we spent on a baby room, that 897343097490357894869736409 other babies also live in, I promised that next baby we would find a less expensive route.

Since I found out I was pregnant again I have been gathering ideas for a nursery. I knew if it was a boy I wanted a nautical theme and for a girl I wanted grey and pink. Yesterday they told us we are having a little girl! It is early and the tech seemed sure, but just in case I'm just gather ideas until we have the 100% from the doctor in a later ultrasound. (However, I will be slightly devastated if it is not a girl now.)

Like everything I do lately, I found on pinterest a similar idea of what I want for Giovanna's room.

I'm debating a chevron grey and white accent wall? Also I like dark wood, but this is just to give an idea. I also have decided I want to hand make everything (mostly) for her nursery. I found some great tutorials for :
Crib bumper
Crib sheets
Ruffled bed skirt
These adorable pillows
 Drapes

My plan is to document and blog about each project and hopefully it all works, and helps us stay under budget.

Until next time xoxo

-Leah

Here comes... a little lady!

Last week we had our first prenatal appointment. I thought it was pretty far in for our first appointment as I was already 13 weeks, but they kept assuring me it was fine. I just am a worry wort sometimes and wanted to hear the heart beat and know our little miracle was ok.

Our midwife is awesome and she let us hear the heart beat before the exam because she knew that is what we were so excited about. She also ordered an ultrasound right away so we could see our newest addition. With Enzo they made us wait FOREVER. The midwife thought I might be further along than I had calculated. So this one might be a new years baby.

The lab tech wasnt the friendliest of persons. First she wouldnt let Enzo in, then she decided she would but made Narcis and Enzo wait outside until she had the pictures for the doctor. And then she wouldn't let me watch as she took 2837489273590274920 ultrasound pictures.

I was pretty upset by the time she allowed Narcis and Enzo in. I was not going to even ask her, but I figured it couldn't hurt so I asked her if she could guess the gender. She said yes and showed us our baby. She went from head to toe. We saw the little face, the little heart beat, the hands and feet, and finally she showed us the lady parts! I was so beyond excited! I have always wanted a little girl. I kept telling Narcis to prepare for 10 kids because I can NOT leave this earth without having a little mini me! I love that she will have such a great older brother too. The tech said if she were to guess she'd put me a little further along than 15 weeks. But she wouldn't say to much she said we have to wait for the doctor. Our next prenatal is not until the beginning of August so we will see. I know they will call if anything is wrong, so I am hoping for no calls.

Now to plan the nursey, and figure out where to have the play room....

Giovanna Marie's blurry face

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Getting Caught Up

Let me start by saying that I have been meaning to write for months. Literally months! I have no idea where the time went?? Last thing I remember I was prepping for Enzo's first birthday party (which was AMAZING) and next thing I knew life happened.

I am sure you can all relate. Life. Happens.

 I am starting a new chapter in my life as my family prepares to welcome a new life in January. We could not possibly be more excited for another little Smiles to enter the world. Between the morning sickness, the complete lack of energy, raising a 1 year old, two pups, and a grown babyman,  blogging has fallen wayside. I can no longer commit to blogging weekly, no matter how much I have to say or how badly I want to. It is just not realistic for me right now. So with that being said, I am revising my promise ( because I can :) ) and saying that I promise to blog sometimes.

Woah, that feels good. Much less pressure and guilty feeling when I don't blog now.

I had been wanting to share Enzo's Circus party with you all. I spent so much time putting it together I really wanted to showcase here in my little corner of the interweb.

Back when Enzo was three, yes just 3 months, I decided that his first birthday would be a circus themed celebration. I loved that it involved bright colors and animals, and clowns, and the food. OH THE FOOD! Hot dogs, and cotton candy, and corn dogs, and yummmm.

I started planning the April party back in October because I figured that it would take me some time to gather supplies and make the decorations and also so that it didn't all come out of my pocket at the same time. Less painful for the wallet that way.

The first thing I made was the circus tent. I found this adorable reading tent on pinterest. I loved the idea of a special spot to sit and read, so I figured I could use it in the play room after the party. And what kind of circus does not have a big top tent?? Sorry for the blurry picture but I forgot to take one the day of.

Next I made the party hats, because I didn't want just plain red ones and I couldn't find polka dotted ones. So I went to Michaels and got some puffs, some cray paper and card stock and spent hours ( i had no idea it would take so long) making my own.

The food took forever to prep and thank god for friends (courtney) and family because we spent the entire night before as well the entire next day (party was at 3) prepping and cooking. I got most of my ideas for treats on pinterest of course. I made chocolate chip cookies stuffed with oreos ( my version of deep dried oreos), cake batter sprinkle cookies, cookie dough dip served with animal crackers. They were all so great. Plus I had a friend of a friend make Enzo's smash cake and cupcakes and they were just too cute for words.

Enzo, mommy's cookie monster

The back yard we decked out with blow up animals I bought on ebay, and we rented a bounce house, and Narcis had just finished the swing set so the kids had ton to keep busy.

I am big on details. And so I also made ring master mustaches for the straws from card stock, and I had clown noses for the guest. I made a balloon wreath for the door. If you know me and have been to my house you know there is always a wreath on my door.

Sign in for Enzo's scrapbook and favors

Clown noses

Enzos circus wreath

The unfinished ball toss

In addition to sweets we also had corn dog muffins( in the clown cups) and popcorn and peanuts of course.

Hot dogs, fruit kabobs, pretzels, and lemonade too.


I LOVED planning this party. I loved watching Enzo's eyes light up and he was running around not even knowing where to go play next. I hope everyone who came enjoyed it as much as we did. I am already getting ideas ready for his second birthday, but first my sister in laws baby shower!

xoxo until next time!
-Leah

3 is the Magic Number

Hello again!

I told you I would be getting better at this.

Everyone has there favorite products, things they swear by. Products that you may assume everyone else knows how great they are. You've seen the ads and commercials but if your like me unless you were personally recommended something your more than likely to skip that purchase. Here are just some things I can. not. live. without.

These are the things that help us get through the day, make life a little bit better, make your heart smile a little brighter... the good things in life. Day in and day out we use and abuse these things. Here are my many thanks to my C.L.W's

First off ,I would like to thank my steam mop, for without you my socks would be dirty, my floors would be filthy, and Enzo would surely be sick. My steam mop is amazing. It is fast, easy, and uses just water, not one chemical to sanitize and clean my tile and hard wood floors. Thank you steam mop!











Next I would like to thank Starbucks Iced Caramel Via's. Without you I would not have the energy to get through my day. You are as cost effective as you are delicious. You are there in a flash whenever I need a little pick me up. Perfect for a mom on the go!











Lastly, I would like to thank Sallie Hansen Nail Sticker thingys. Or more commonly known as Salon Effects. Without you I would still be walking around looking like a 4 year old painted my nails. I would spend day after day touching up or repainting my nails. I stick you on and your with me for weeks. You don't chip, you don't fall off. If you promise to continue to stick with me, I promise to stick with you. You are truly innovative and make my life just a little bit prettier and easier.








Obviously I am not a paid rep for any of these products, but shucks, I should be!

9 months and no patty cake

Am I the only mom that feels like her child's doctors appointments are like work reviews? I feel like I am sitting down for my annual review every time Enzo's doctor sits down with me. Thankfully, I get to keep my job and get a raise every time.

The other day Enzo and I went in for our 9 month review. My little baby boy is now 29.5 inched long and 21 pounds. He has hit all his milestones for his age and is a little advanced in some as well. ( this makes me smile) However, the doctor made a comment that by this age he should be playing patty cake. Now, he said this is nothing to worry about. But I just can't help but be the slightest bit concerned.

He claps, when he feels like it. Enzo can even give you a high-five. But patty cake. nope.

Today I sat down with him and tried to play patty cake with him a few times. But the new ball pit won in the fight for his attention. Alas, we will try again tomorrow.

Let's try something new

I'm horrible at this, I know, I promised you and myself that this year I would be a better blogger and here I am....not blogging.

I suppose this is how I am avoiding being accountable. If I don't write about it, maybe no one will notice? Well I noticed and the worst person to lie to is yourself. So here I am, writing.

I wont lie to you anymore. I haven't been doing the best job with keeping up with my resolutions. My running is sporadic ( i'll never get 200 miles in at this rate) and we already talked about my blogging, my creativeness is at a halt, and I have been slacking with different projects I want to tackle.

On the POSITIVE side, the best side, I HAVE been trying something new every week, I signed up for both the Gasperilla 5k and the Irongirl. 5k. And I got Enzo to wear shoes :) Yes it is the little things, isn't it??

So let me start by telling you the NEW things I have been trying.

The first week of January I had just gotten back from my pizza tour around NY during which I ate an estimated 6 pies and countless sweets. So needless to say the first thing on my mind when I got back was fitness. I was just planning on taking a nice easy Pilates class when Enzo decided that it was not time for mommy to leave. I checked the YMCA schedule and noticed they had Zumba at the same time little man goes down to bed. PERFECT. So there I was ready for some ZUMBA instruction, Never had taken this class before I introduced myself to the instructor and told her this was my first time. Her advice was just watch, keep moving, and you'll get it. WOAH was she wrong! I was all over the place! Apparently, unless I have a few drinks in me I have no sort of rhythm....well maybe I never do, but just think I do after a few drinks??  Either way, I am not sure if I left the class getting one step right but it was so much fun! And it really was a great workout, I will be back.

The second week I tried a new hair style. I haven't done anything but darken my hair since high school. Im out of HS 9 years already. WOW. So I went to the best hair dresser I know and this is the finished product

Amazing? I know right??!



Then last week I tried not only cooking with and eating fennel and rainbow chard. Nothing exciting to report on either. But the dish I made them in turned out pretty good.

Forever is composed of a bunch of nows

As Promised here are my 2012 resolutions. I spent a lot of time determining what I wanted to work on this year and this is what I came up with.... 

drum roll please....

_2012

This year I will       Live up to my POTENTIAL

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “ I’m possible"

Take more RISKS. Try something NEW every week

Eat more FRESH, Healthy, GREEN foods

WORKOUT until it shows, until I’m STRONG

                                                 

I WILL

DETERMINATION. INTEGRITY. CREATIVITY

I do not have any super fancy design programs and I am only so-so with Word so this is as creative as my resolutions are going to look for now. And it looks much cooler on my word programs, but this gets the point across. My main goal is to improve my life so that it is one that Enzo can be proud of, Narcis will want to share, and I can look back on with no regrets and nothing but smiles.

xoxo Leah  

Bedtime Sucess!!

Finally!! It has been  a month now, with only one late night ( New Years Eve) that Enzo has gone to bed at his new bedtime! I could not be more elated! Unless he actually slept through the night of course. In time that will come. For now, a little HOORAY for our little man and his bedtime success.

This year my goal is to get Enzo sleeping through the night. No clue at all how to get that done, but I figure the older he gets and when he is done nursing that full nights of sleep will follow. In the mean time I am just becoming a pro at functioning on broken sleep.

Along with getting Enzo to sleep through the night I have also set up a little list of New Year's Resolutions. I am working on making it all pretty before I share it. Since it is something I plan to take the entire year I am ok with it not being ready right at the stroke of midnight. But I promise I will share it soon. I just got back from 10 days in NY seeing my family and friends and I am still going in circles now that I am home. I have got a list a mile long of things I need to get done. So until next time

Enjoy some pictures from our trip to New York

Enzo with Gramps

He loved opening presents

Enzo's First trip to NYC

Nutcrackers, my favorite

My siblings and me at the tree

Me, Narcis, and my little little brother

Yup, theres a baby in there

Daddy and Enzo

31 degrees at the Memorial

xoxo Leah