Tuesday, August 30, 2011

santino & babar

"Now everyone is asleep.
Babar and Celeste will soon go to bed too.
They are gradually calming down
after all these exciting evnets.
'Truly it is not easy
to bring up a family,'
sighs Babar.
'But how nice the babies are!
I wouldn't know how to get along
without them any more.'"
- Jean De Brunhoff - Babar and His Children

would you believe me..
if i told you this is the first time i've read a babar book?

how perfect is this quote?
four of the past five days
i've been home with santino.

i had forgotten so quickly,
how the days fly by with him.

today he survived two needles
& an oral vaccine.
at home the floor was the only place that didn't hurt his little legs.
& he listened so intently while i read him this story.

we love elephants in this house.
bring babar to your house too!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

where am i?

twilight zone?

we survived the earthquake.
began discussing disaster plans for our family.
it's still weird that we are a family.
lovve.

then, irene.
& we needed to activate disaster plan.
thankfully, no mandatory evacuations for us!

we camped out in the living room.
j, me, mini & santino.
i got about an hour of sleep.

during a week of an earthquake & a hurricane..
santino had a growth spurt.
back to eating every two hours.. wowza.

we survived the hurricane.
the tornado warnings all night were insane.

somehow i became a mom
& forgot how to nap.
all three boys were passed out twice today
& i'm up..
unable to sleep.

it's not even 8pm
& the bed is calling my name.

but i really want to read this & this.
back to work tomorrow,
(as long as work survived the hurricane!).
off tuesday,
daycare is closed & sonny has shots
(gaggg)

i'll try to get some good post-hurricane pics tomorrow in atlantic city.
today i'm exhausted.
& if this post makes no sense..
i just survived an earthquake & a hurricane..
give me a break :)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

working momma update.

well
1. we survived our first earthquake.
2. i think more than anything we were excited to spend an extra hour together yesterday.
3. being a working momma is hard. real hard.
4. saturday we spent ALL day together & it was amazing.
5. at 16weeks (17 tomorrow..wahh) he's so fun, laughing & rolling & trying so hard to sit up!

but really..
i wanted to update you all on being a working & nursing momma.

maybe a little inspiration for anyone who has decided
to be a working & nursing momma.

almost four weeks back
& we're still going strong.
hurrah!
pumping every three - five hours at work,
depending on my schedule.
usually two times a day.
sometimes need to pump a little at home to make sure there is enough for the next day.

trying to not use my frozen supply.
i started pumping & storing when the baby was three weeks.
& it definitely helps when i just don't pump enough at work.

usually during pumping i distract myself with my google reader.
did i mention washing bottles sucks?
but baby is still growing
& thriving.

soo,
long story short,
you can do it too!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

celebrate sunday.

vintage beads @ helen's hassack
only a few hours left to use coupon code: BIRTHDAY26
26% OFF all items until 5PM EST Sunday 8/14

Saturday, August 13, 2011

two . six


two years ago
i started this blog.

to increase love, strength & knowledge.
everyday it's a battle.
but i love being able to get my thoughts down
& share them with
the three people who read :)

last year i set goals to accomplish by 30.
a big one has been complete..
a baby.
i didn't accomplish two things:
taking a class for fun & volunteering.
this year.. NO EXCUSES.

& to increase my knowledge..
finally complete my application for my counselor's license.

this year it's been TEN years since i turned 16.
so i decided to write a letter to my 16 year old self.
i was an awkward 16.
i'm so happy to be 10 years past that.

so DEAR SELF @ 16,

i could tell what you should / should not do

but the truth is
everything that will happen
may not be pretty
it won't be easy
but it will lead you to this wonderful place.

one thing,
16 is the last year you will spend
in that little farm house where you
were raised.
& 10years later disaster will strike.
look around,
take in those memories of that home.

here is some good news:

those girls that keep talking..
let them.
their talking gets them no where.
your confidence gets you everywhere.

those boys that keep breaking,
you will break away from.

you'll find your self esteem eventually,
when you stop looking for it from others,
and find it in yourself.
its 10 years later:

you have a house,
it's not like your barbie dream house,
but theres a roof over your head
& a garden outside.
and it's filled with love.

you have a husband,
a real one.
it's not prince william,
but your husband does call you his kate middleton,
and that makes you happy.

there's a baby in your arms.
a little boy just like you always wanted.
who coos and smiles on comand.

the best part.
you have so much love.
and your happy.
real happiness..
it does exist.

happy sweet 16 self.
10 years later,
life is really sweet.

PS - blog readers & friends & family:
i'm celebrating my birthday at Helen's Hassack with a SALE
26% OFF all items
use coupon code: BIRTHDAY26

Thursday, August 11, 2011

smore day 2011

first gather your supplies.
microwave,
smush
& enjoy.

is there anything more simple
& perfect
than a smore?

now that i'm back at work,
we are celebrating.
yesterday was smore day.
nomnom.

today my co-workers surprised me with a cake,
for my birthday.
26!
(intwodays)

but this saturday i'll be celebrating for real..
at this festival!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

for me.

begin with that most terrifying of all things,
a clean slate.
then look, every day,
at your choices that you are making
& when you ask yourself,
why you are making them,
find this answer:
For Me. For Me.
- Anna Quindlen
Author & Journalist

found this quote in a woman's day magazine.
(that my boss swears he didn't order)
i posted it in my office.
teenagers are notorious for making decisions,
based on what others may think of that decision.

& let's be honest..
as adults we often do the same thing.
what will they think if i..

giving yourself a clean slate
(tabula rasa)
is so refreshing.
count to ten..
take a deep breath
& think about what you want.

so next time you make a choice.
remember..
For Me.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

happysunday.

survived thrived during my first week back at work.
making big plans.
enjoying saturday&sunday family time.
getting on a schedule.
doing/loving/hoping.
staying happy.

happy sunday.

bracelet @ helen's hassack.

Monday, August 1, 2011

working momma.

6am
my alarm rings.
start coffee
shower
drink first cup of coffee
hair
make-up
eat a muffin
double check bag for grandmoms
pack full bottles
double check bags for work
iron clothes
pour second cup of coffee
let minion out
7am
wake up baby
nurse change diaper
drink second cup
cuddle
730am
grandmom arrives
pack car
lots of kisses.
8am
arrive at work
1030am
pump
230pm
pump
4pm
leave work
430pm
home to baby & j.
get thrown up on
nurse
vacuum
change diaper
wash bottles
wash pump
play with baby
7pm
nurse
change diaper (twice..)
cuddle
re pack bags
830pm
relax on the couch with baby & j.
bed for all by 10pm

tomorrow..
our first try at daycare.

packing at night
makes mornings easier.
working with pro-bfing people
makes life a lot easier!