Public Service Announcement

Yes, this is a public service announcement going out to all of my friends and family members that are currently pregnant. Surprisingly, there are quite of few of you expecting (some with twins and even triplets!!!)

Just remember to protect your skin this summer...especially your face! You don't want to end up with this lovely pregnancy mask...



I have been very diligent about applying sunscreen daily. It just so happened, I ran out the other morning without putting sun block on my face. After only 10 minutes of exposure, (long enough to run up to the farm to pick up a few new plants) I am now sporting this oh so NOT attractive splotchy/freckled pigment on my forehead!

Please be sure to protect yourself!!! As moms, (and future moms) we do everything we can to protect our children...but make sure you look after yourself too!!!

ZOO-RIFIC Time

While our good friend Amy was in town, we loaded up and went to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Lexie LOVES animals and was much more engaged this trip than the last one. We saw all the animals (except for those in the rain forest...it was humid enough outside, so I figured we could skip that exhibit) and of course, made a stop at the Kid Kingdom playground. I wish we could have stayed longer, but after a few hours Lexie (and I) were ready for a nap!

Up close and personal with the giraffes...


Lexie loved the dragon...it was kinda creepy looking...I am not going to lie!

I know...not the rhino's best side, but that is the only angle we were able to capture.
Oh...the life of a tiger...and this was shortly after the zoo had opened!
Lexie is telling Amy all about the flamingos...I am sure she learned it from watching Diego!

Lexie wanted to see where she measured up...

Not quite the size of a newborn elephant...but we are close!

Lexie just loved the bears...
We learned all about the spectacle bears watching "Go Diego Go!" This little guy was protecting his lunch...I swear it was a hotdog!!!
Here is Little Miss checking out the eel at the aquarium...I am not a big fan of them personally!
She jumped right in the kayak and was ready to ride...thankfully there were no rapids!!!
This is hard to see...but if you look closely that is a mommy beaver carrying it's baby that was only two weeks old. They were so cute, and boy did they draw quite the crowd!!!
Here we are at the Kid's Kingdom playground. I think Lexie went down the slide 30 times before we left. Thanks Amy for being such a trooper and helping her up...after about 5 times, I couldn't do it anymore!
We had to post this...Lexie was so excited to see her cousin Molly....well, not really her cousin...
...and not nearly as cute as Lexie's cousin either!!!

Future Hamm???

Maybe she will take after her daddy and play soccer...

...look out Mia Hamm!!!

Adult Only Weekend!!!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Russ and I hosted a house full of his friends from college! 5 of his buddies (and their super significant others) came out for the weekend! We had a fabulous time hosting and hope that our guests enjoyed their stay half as much as we enjoyed having them!

Friday night we didn't venture too far from the house. Our guests came from all over the place...some drove, some flew, all arriving at different times. Russ had also mentioned to some of the neighbors that we would be "having a few libations" so needless to say, we had a house full! After staying up until after 2am, I called it a night!

The next morning, a few more guests arrived in time for brunch and yes, some even tempted a P90X workout! It looked like we were filming our very own version in the basement!! The videos and pictures DON'T do it justice!

T doesn't mess around...he is ALL about P90X!!!
Look at those kicks....
No, that is not the Heisman trophy...but a close second!
T and Russ getting busy doing "wacky jacks"

Check out this video of the gang going crazy....


After the workout, we all got cleaned up and headed downtown. Russ wanted to make a Pitt-stop (no pun intended) at one of his favorite touristy locations! I have to agree, that if you have never been to this part of the city, it is definitely worth the trip! We all piled out onto the overlook for a group picture! We got chased off pretty quickly since there was a bridal party (terrible towels in tow and dressed in Steelers colors) trying to get photos in before the storm came. We didn't mind...we got our pictures, then it was off to the stadium!

Jordyn and Eric...
Mel and Brandon...(congrats on the baby news...they are expecting in November!!)
All the guys...
Group shot...


We ended up heading to SoHo for a bite to eat before we crawled over to our Club seats to enjoy the game. Two innings into it, the skies opened up and began to POUR!!! We toughed out the delay, but only stayed through the 7th inning. It was still a lot of fun! We managed to keep ourselves entertained during the delay...but I think we had all stayed up way too late the night before!

This really is a great ball park!!! Just look at that view!

Let's Play Ball....

T, Jordyn, and JoAnn...
Waiting out the rain delay...

That sky looked rather ominous!
Let's Play Ball...again...

Brandon, helping out the usher after the rain delay...
Beers in hand, watching the game...
Ashley, Jordyn and Berk...
Eric, Tim and Russ...
Making our way back to the car...




We headed back to the house, Russ was itching to play beer pong, but almost everyone went straight to bed. The next morning. He got up and took the Raymars back to the airport, then made breakfast for all of our guests, while I met my mom to pick up Lexie (thanks again so very much...we couldn't have done all of this without your help!!!). Our friends slowly started making their ways back home...the weekend seemed to go by in a flash! The remaining crew went to Primanti Bros for a "yin-zer" treat! I had never been to Primanti Bros before so even I was in for a treat!

We hated to see our friends leave, but were so THANKFUL for those who were able to make it out! I know it meant the world to Russ!!! Thanks again, and we hope to see you all again soon!!!

Lexie's Weekend Away

This past weekend, Russ and I hosted a houseful of guests which I will get to in the next post. While we are a VERY family/kid friendly household, this weekend was for adults only so we could accommodate as many of his college buddies as possible. With the help of GG and Nini, we arranged for Lexie to have her very own fun filled weekend!!!

I decided to take Lexie to Canton on Thursday so I could free up more time on Friday for last minute preparations for our out of town visitors. We made a pit stop at Aunt Allie's so Lexie could visit and supervise the construction project they had going on. (My dad offered to help build a deck...yes he is a gluten for punishment). Luckily, Granny came along for the ride, so we were able to visit with her as well.


All of that supervising made Lexie thirsty...


We didn't want to stay long and impede the progress, so after a quick kiss good-bye from Granny....it was off to GG and Gpa's house!


(Here is a peek at the work that was done by the way...hope you are still able to move dad!)



Of course GG was waiting with open arms and a smile...and a new Dora book for Lexie! (I swear this woman is going to spoil my child rotten!!!) We unloaded the car and then it was off to play "ball" with Gpa. He spoiled all of us by making homemade pizza again!!! After dinner, I was going to head back home, but was so full and so TIRED...so I decided to stay at GG's too.

I got up early Friday morning (I was asleep by 9:30) and hit the road by 7. I didn't even wake up Lexie to say good-bye...but I knew she would be in good hands! She spent the day with GG while Nini was at work. Between kicking tomatoes across the kitchen floor that she had mistaken for balls and being "chased" by the Roomba...I think she had quite an adventure filled day!



Then it was off to Nini's for the second part of Lexie's fun filled weekend! She got to visit with one of our old neighbors, Mrs. Garlow...and of course no trip to Nini's would be complete without "doooooog"...a weekend with Oscar! That poor dog! She used to go straight for his nose...but I guess this weekend she was obsessed with his ears! At one point he hid under my mom's bed, but even that didn't stop Lexie!

Both GG and Nini couldn't get over just how good she was! They both commented about just how LUCKY Russ and I are to have such a well behaved child! Nini can't wait for her next visit alone with Lexie...and neither can I (she is coming to stay with Lexie when #2 makes his or her grand arrival)!!!

Thanks so much for all of your help! We couldn't have hosted this weekend without you!!!

Birthday Fun

This year I turned a whopping 31 years old! I didn't think much of it until my sister-in-law Debbie reminded me that I am no longer just 30...you know cool...hip...30. I am now 30 something...

I am actually "in" my thirties.

Even that didn't get me down! I have to admit...some of my friends freaked when they turned 25...some at 30, but I am loving life! This year we didn't celebrate with a big surprise party, we didn't go out to dinner (at my request), we stayed home, grilled out, and enjoyed the fruits of our labor!


I recently stained our deck, we bought a grill, and made an outdoor living area! It was perfect! Russ had the day off (from the ER at least...he still had to go to the base for a few hours) so we were able to relax and enjoy the day!

So yep...in my book, 31 is looking pretty good!

I get to wake up to this almost every morning:
(yes that is drool...and sorry ladies, he is all mine!)


I have the most beautiful child on the face of the planet:


AND...another one due any day now!!! YES...GOD IS GOOD!

That Kind of Mom...

She isn't boastful, she doesn't brag...
she's always supportive and doesn't nag.
She's genuine, loving, and loads of fun,
she does what she can for everyone!
She doesn't ask for monetary things,
joy to my life, is what she brings!
Her feathers don't ruffle and she goes with the flow,
she brightens my day when I'm feeling low!
There is no agenda, or guilt trips...at all,
I treasure our conversations and can't wait for her calls!
She taught me the ropes, which so often I would tangle,
there were times...my neck--she would've loved to have strangled.
But she's patient and kind and let me figure it out,
after all...isn't that what being a mom is about?
That kind of mom...she is one of a kind,
I am blessed to call "that kind" of mom- MINE!

**********************************************

Being a mom is by far the most challenging, yet most rewarding job I have ever had! I feel so blessed to have a beautiful healthy daughter that is happy, energetic, and as close to perfect as a 19 month old can be! She doesn't throw tantrums or scream out in fits of rage...(keeping our fingers crossed that she does not ever do these things) she loves to cuddle, can entertain herself, and is genuinely a happy go lucky toddler! I can honestly say that if our second child is only 1/2 as pleasant as our first is...we will be EXTREMELY blessed!!!
I hope that every friend and family member of mine that is a mother, or about to be a mother, had the happiest Mother's Day to date! I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the day with my daughter and my mother (not to mention my grandparents and sister...and yes, Russ even made it home from Philly in time for brunch)!

A Night Out

Russ and I don't get "out" with friends as much as we would like to...so this past month, when we were invited out for a "dinner party" at Andora's, we jumped at the opportunity!!! I had never been before...but wow, it is a GREAT place to eat. The food is amazing and the service is wonderful! (or maybe it just seemed that great since I didn't have to prep, cook, or clean...just kidding...)

We had a great time and decided we need to take advantage of our baby sitter more often...before she leaves for college and before baby number 2 arrives! Thanks again Amanda for putting this together!


Russ and I after dinner...I was so stuffed!!!


All the girls pose for a quick pic...
Amanda, Jen and I

Sweet Dreams

With the arrival of baby number two, we decided to redecorate one of the spare rooms for Lexie. Not only does she have a new room, but she also transitioned to her "new" bed. GG and Gpa bought her a crib that converts to a daybed then to a toddler bed. Since we had to take the crib apart to move it to her new room, we thought we would tempt fate and try the daybed conversion. She has always been good about napping and going to bed at night, so we weren't sure how she would react.

After setting up her new bed, I was anxious for her nap time to see what she would do. Shortly after we finished setting it up, she got in and out of it about 10 times and had a smile from ear to ear (as if she was so proud of her new accomplishement). Needless to say I was nervous (we put a gate at her door so she wouldn't be able to roam around if she did get out of bed though)!!

Nap time came and I put her down. I was nervous she would fall out between the mini rails, or get out to play or read. I am happy to report that she took one of her longest naps yet! My nerves were not completely calmed since we hadn't tried a nighttime "trial" yet. Russ and I had dinner plans with friends so we weren't going to be there to put Lexie to bed. Our sitter said she heard Lexie get out of bed about 15 minutes after she put her down. She put her back down and didn't have any other issues the rest of the night!!!

It has been a few days, and I am thrilled to say that we haven't had any problems and she hasn't fallen out of bed! She really seems to like her new bed, and even crawls right up and plops her head down when it is time to sleep! She is growing up SO fast!


I couldn't help but sneak in after we got home from dinner...I just wanted a peek...
...but I couldn't stop there, I went in for a closer look.


The next morning, I heard Lexie around 7:40...but she only made a peep, then I didn't hear ANYTHING for a while. Usually when she wakes up she talks or sings but today...NOTHING. I waited until about 8:00 and decided to poke my head in on her to see if she was awake. This is what I found...

I am pretty sure she didn't fall out of bed because I didn't hear any 'thuds' and ALL of her blankets were covering her head as she laid on the ground.
Be sure to check back for more pictures of Lexie's new room! We haven't finished hanging pictures or the valance and the "final" touches...but for now, I don't think Lexie minds!!!