Happy Birthday to the Big Guy!

When S was born, his nickname quickly became "The Big Guy". He was always tiny so I'm not sure how it came about, but it has stuck. And now my Big Guy is quickly becoming a Big Guy!! He turned 1 yesterday. It was very bittersweet for me. I know he will be our last baby, and although I do not want another, it is still sad to think I will never have an infant again.

S was a high maintenance baby, and he still is at times. He cried a lot, and Mike and I found ourselves wishing for him to grow up so that he would just stop crying! Now I look back and can't believe how fast it went by. The sleepless nights and constant holding were torturous at the time (especially with an attention craving 2 year old), but now I think it wasn't so bad.

My sweet little boy holds a special place in my heart. There is something about a Mommy and her son. It is not that he is my favorite, but we have a different type of bond. I find myself babying him more then I did when L was an infant. When I pick him up and he lays his head on my shoulder, my heart melts and I wish I could press pause.

Happy Birthday Big Guy, I love you so much!!!!

Here are some pictures of S over the past year......

Facebook Rehab

This morning, Mike was giving me a hard time (as usual) about being on Facebook way too much. So, we decided I was going to give it up for 24 hours. I have not checked Facebook at all today and I haven't really missed it. This was probably a good thing for me because I have to admit, there are days where I am a complete addict. Wake up, feed the kids, Facebook, take L to school, Facebook at the red lights, get home and make coffee, Facebook........you get the idea. And when Facebook gets boring, Pinterest is just as captivating. And then there is my new obsession, Hauzz.com. Technology rehab is definitely in order for me. So, if I have missed any exciting Facebook news today...please be sure to fill me in.

On this night exactly one year ago I was in the hospital getting ready to give birth to my baby boy. It was such a whirlwind of a night. I started having contractions around 6 pm in Walmart (yes, Walmart) and he was born 6 hours later. Mike and my 2 sisters were there with me in the hospital. I will never forget that night and it is so hard to believe that it has already been a year!! Tomorrow he will be 1! People always say "they grow up way too fast" and you never really get it until you have children of your own.

Tonight I was sitting on the floor playing with S when L came over to us. She gave me her best snotty girl look and asked me "Where'd you get your shoes, a garage sale?" It was quite hysterical. I don't know where she gets half the things she says!!!

p.s. I do not have to log into Facebook in order to post my blog on there. Just in case you are wondering if I caved.......

Home Sweet Home

I'm so glad to be back in FL with my kiddos and hubby. It is amazing how much the kids can change in the short time I was gone. I was away for less then 48 hours, and when I get back L is reciting the continents (at age 3!!) and S is climbing up onto the couch and jumping off like an animal!

Now we are counting down less then a week until my family gets here!! We are so excited!!!!!! L can not wait to play with her cousins!

We had a great time playing outside today. Here are some pics.....

Whirlwind Trip to Delaware

I am sitting in the Charlotte, NC airport enjoying a blue moon and a burger before my flight home. Perfect hangover meal! What a whirlwind trip! I arrived in Philly last night at 7 pm after riding two airplanes. Once I completed my superman quick change in the airport bathroom, it was into the town car headed to Wilmington. The reason for my trip north was to support my Mom and Doug's new organization, Foundation 11. 11-11-11 was to be their first fundraising event supporting Be Positive, an organization dedicated to raising funds for childhood cancer. When I learned about the event, I decided right away that I wanted to attend and be a part of the night. I also decided I wanted my attendance to be a surprise. After much planning and many secrets I was able to completely surprise my mom! The event was great! I had a blast, saw so many of my friends, and supported a great cause! Through the generosity of those who attended, Foundation 11 was able to raise a lot of money towards children with cancer. It definitely made my 7 hour travels, two days in a row, worth while. After all, the look on my moms face was priceless!!!

Even though I had so much fun, I am sooo excited to get home to Marco Island and my 3 loves waiting for me!!!!

In loving memory....

Next week marks the anniversary of my Nanny's death. This past July marked the one year anniversary of my Poppop's death. I still have such a hard time believing that they are gone. I often forget. They both have been on my mind a lot today since I woke up. Just thinking of the 2 of them brings a big smile to my face. Some of the happiest memories I have as a child are at their house. It was always a bright, warm, happy place. I always felt so welcome there. The sounds of Nanny ironing as she whistled along to her radio playing, or baking in the ktichen and Poppop either watching tv in his den or sitting at the kitchen table doing his "paperwork." I loved having sleepover's at their house complete with the bed time ice cream cone and made from scratch waffles for breakfast.

I know Nanny and Poppop watch over us every day. There are so may things that remind me of them every day. Every time I look into my children's big eyes, I see my Nanny.

Love and miss them every day!

Day 4

Has anyone seen my sweet baby girl? Cause I haven't seen her in about 6months. She's ran away and left me with a sassy, dis-obeying, cursing, (yes, she told me her damn feet hurt yesterday) disagreeable 3 year old! Today we argued over what she was going to wear to school. Apparently the dress I picked out (because she MUST wear a dress every day) did not spin big enough and just wasn't "gorgeous"!!! So, we settled on a pretty purple sweater dress. OY, that girl....I sure hope she's getting it out of her system at 3, because I can't even imagine what 16 is going to be like!!!

It's a good thing she is so darn cute, and man can she be sweet when she wants to be!! I guess this is a payback for being so mean to my Mom and Dad all those years.

Day 3

I am completely exhausted, but in keeping with my daily goal, I won't disappoint you. I know you're just dying to know what I have to say :)

It was cardio day at boot camp this evening, I haven't done cardio in a couple months so I'm ready to drop. Plus I walked a while this morning and when I got back this evening, the family wanted to go on another walk. Between Lola riding her scooter, Sebastian (or teen wolf as I call him) trying to surf the wagon and throwing everything out of it every 10 seconds, it was a slow, non-relaxing evening stroll. I'm sure the pumpkin mushroom soup I made and the pumpkin beer I drank negated all the effects of my workout. But yummmm, it was worth it!

If you want a great Fall recipe, you must try pumpkin mushroom soup, courtesy of the Back Burner in Hockessin, DE. My recipe tastes just like their version!!!

Off to bed!

Day 2

November 2nd: Still attempting to post every day. I wrote this yesterday but forgot to post. OK, that's a complete lie, I forgot. Great start to the month.
We are very excited and shocked because we saw a home under foreclosure last week and decided to put an offer in on it. The offer was rejected, however, yesterday morning they called and told us that the sellers have decided to accept it! Because it is a short sale, the bank has to approve it as well, so we are now awaiting their decision. The house is awesome, much more then we thought we would be able to afford. We have walked or driven by it several times just to look at it. I will be a little disappointed if it does not work out, but what's meant to be will be. We certainly were not planning to buy a home this soon if at all. I'll post pics of the house once we get word that it is ours!

November 2nd also marked the 2 week countdown until S turns 1! I can not believe it!!! This past year flew by. It is so funny the differences between S and L at this age. L had a full vocabulary but did not walk until right on her 1st birthday. S doesn't say a word (well, I have to give him some credit, he says Dada and ball), but has been walking since 10 months. We are lucky to have family in town to help celebrate his birthday. I am planning a whale themed party for the big day! I'm a bit sad that our usual party guests will not be there, but it will be fun nonetheless!!!

Happy NoBloPoMo

So I just read that this month is NoBloPoMO month. Have you ever heard of it?  Me niether. I saw it posted by a Facebook friend, so I googled it. Basically it means that I am supposed to post a new entry to my blog every month for a day. I am not doing so well with my blog so far. I have a hard time thinking of exciting and interesting things to write about. So, this is my initial entry in my attempt at daily posts for 30 days. November promises to be an exciting month around here, so hopefully I will have a lot to pass along. So buckle up folks, I hope to be a riveting part of your daily routine this month!!!

Until tomorrow:

My adorable kiddos heading out to Trick or Treat