Halloween is a real treat

Happy Halloween from IV and Nate!



Prepared

Another {BIG} storm is going to hit New England later today and into tonight. But we are ready! Generator is on stand by, fire place is lit and IV is ready for his first snow storm, albeit a little early.

"Mom, is this all necessary?"

"A little help here, Nate"

"Yes, Nate. I feel foolish and my mittens are too big"

S*N*O*W

What we woke up to this morning -

HAPPY FRIDAY!

If I went missing

Lately there has been a lot of "missing persons" stories on our local news. A 7 year old boy actually went missing twice in two weeks. {all is ok - and it was him being a 7 year old}

I'm totally that person - overly aware of my surroundings. I always think there is a murderer outside my door. I've always have been that way. Not sure why. When I walk out of a store and someone is a little too close. I turn around and stare with a "BACK OFF ME" type of look, especially now that I'm a Mom.

My Husband always says "No one will break into the house...Nate would bark and scare them away." My response to that - "Not if the murdered has a gun with a silencer on it and shoots Nate before he can bark". And my Husband comes back with "Then that person would be a Ninja and you wouldn't stand a chance"

So it brought me to this:

Laying in bed last night, I tucked myself under the covers and said to my Husband...

"If I went missing in the middle of the night and you reported me missing, the police would ask what was I last seen wearing. What would you say?"

{I love playing these games with him}

Husband: "Ummm...I'd say black tight like sweatpants type of things"

Me: "ok, black leggings. Yes"

Husband: "And a t-shirt"

Me: "ok. I'll give you that...he didn't see me change"

Me: "any nail polish?"

Husband: "Yes. nude on her fingers and a cranberry color on her toes"

WOW! I'm shocked, although I think he totally guessed.

Me: "Yes! Good job hun"

Me: "What about my hair?"

Husband: "In a ponytail with an elastic".

Me: "What color elastic?"

Husband: "ummm. Black"

To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. I mean...if I ever did go missing in the middle of the night, it's good to know that my Husband would be able to give a solid description, right? 

Ok. I'm done being a crazy lady now...enough with the Missing Persons.

On a happier note: Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past few days. Enjoy!

Half a Year!

It's with tears in my eyes that I upload this picture and write this post. I don't know why, but I had a feeling I would be super emotional about my little man turning 6 months old. That's half a year! WOW! He looks so much older, has changed so much - I can't get over it.

IV,

Happy 6 months little man!

You are doing so well. You LOVE everything Mama makes you for food. Mango's, Avocado, peaches, peas, green beans, apples, potatos, sweet potatos, cereal, apple juice, yogurt. You've even had some of my left over stuffed shells!

I don't know your exact weight, but I'm guessing around 18 lbs. Your 6 month check up isn't until November 3rd.

You are well into 9 month clothes and I just bought you a new winter jacket - size 12-18 months!

You still love to go for walks, play in your jumper and with all the different toys your JaJu and Babcia buy you.

You love the mall and Target - good thing.

We are 100% in a schedule. If someone asked what I was doing at XYZ time, I'd know the answer for sure. So thank you!

You still nap 3 times a day for about 45 minutes - sometime longer.

You still go to sleep at 7-7:30p and get up around 7:00a. I let you stay in your crib and play quietly until 7:30 though. {the past few night - ehhh...a little different. I'll blame it on a growth spurt}

You don't have any teeth yet.

You are adorable. You are amazing. You are so loved!

Stop growing now! You're making Mama sad.

Excited!



Mr. Serious!


HAPPY 6 Months Baby Boy!



A Baby Changes Everything

Yes, you hear it all too often during your pregnancy. From other new parents, friends and over barring relatives. You even hear it on TV - ugh! You know, that ever tear-jerking Johnson & Johnson commercial.

"A baby changes everything."

Sure a baby changes some things - but you still need to hold on to that special "old" part of yourself. Yourself, "pre-baby".

Two years ago I would probably do a "How To" post on my favorite dirty Martini...but today,  my "How To" is on...Sock Puppets.

It poured in New England on Wednesday, so IV and I found ourselves at Michael's, buying material to make a sock puppet.

We only made one so far - but have plenty of material to make at least 10 more. It was fun and IV seemed to enjoy playing with the different material.

But - in honor of it being Friday...here is my favorite dirty martini recipe. See - I've still got it.

Equal parts: 

Part Vodka

 Dry Vermouth

Olive juice

3 Olives (or more)

Rub lime/lemon on rim

Dip rim in celery salt

Shaken - not stirred.

{actual picture from the other night}

Cheers! It's Friday. Enjoy the weekend.



Guest Post: My Husband speaks

{I read this once it was copied and pasted into this post. I'm smitten, flattered and slightly embarassed to post this - simply because he decided to write about yours truly. Enjoy}

I'd like to thank my wife for allowing me to "guest blog" on her page. Since she began blogging, I've been on the sideline, looking over her shoulder, admiring her work. Sometimes she takes my suggestions to the blog, sometime's she doesn't. But this post isn't about me. It's about Allie.

She isn't the type of person to share much about herself. Sure, she'll blog about how she is feeling or her opinion about something. And she'll share her pictures...let's be honest...her pictures might be the best around (I'm biased, I know). But I'd like to give you some insight on her from my perspective. I'll try to keep it concise.


I've known Allie since we were 15 years old (we met on the freshman basketball team bus). We're 31 now and she continues to amaze me daily in a number of areas. To be blunt, I'm so happy and fortunate to have met her, married her and now, have a child with her.

As a wife, from a guy's point-of-view....she is the coolest, the sexiest, the funniest and smartest of all time. She's my best friend (awwww)...but really...she's fun. She's well-rounded. She can have a beer and fast food take-out on a summer day OR she could have a $1,000-per-plate dinner at an event and she would fit-in at both. She's smart...street smart and book smart. She's a great cook. She's hilarious. She's emotional. She's athletic. She's a talented photographer. She's beautiful. She's loyal. And I'd like to thank her for being all of those things.

She has a full plate on her day to day itinerary. She is raising our first child... the little-man with the same name as me...like she's a pro. She's working a full-time job from home, everyday. Along with Stew IV, she takes care of an 80lb Boxer...and people might think "eh, it's just a dog" ... but it's an 80lb Boxer who usually needs more attention then all of us. And still when I get home from work, there is a meal planned (or already being prepped). The house is spotless (she is a little type-A) but she takes pride in herself and her life and her family.

I don't mean to come across like she's Wonder Woman and can do nothing wrong...or make the readers roll their eyes and say "ALRIGHT, WE GET IT, YOUR WIFE IS THE BEST... BLAH BLAH BLAH." But she's built relationships with a lot of blog-land people. I just wanted the readers to know that if they met her in person, they would love her, just as much as they do in blog-land. She's a good person. She's a good friend and she's the best decision I ever made.

I love you Allie.

A fall day and a basket

On a chilly, fall day - the only thing left to do is an impromtu photo shoot with your little one, right?

Favorite Things - Recent Purchases

There are so many {little} things that I'm excited about. The first is this tiny terracotta pot that my Mom gave me. Inside was soil and three pumpkin seeds. It said "GROW A PUMPKIN" on it - so I did. I was shocked to see the result after just one week.

And to be honest, I have no idea what I'll do if a tiny lil pumpkin pops up! 

Next is this gorgeous bottle - of what I call Heaven in a bottle. I'm saving it for Wednesday - Stew's "early" day.

Third, is my new iPhone 4s case that I just ordered from Petunia Pickle Buttom and I'm in loooove. 



Source



And finally - I'm waiting for UPS to deliver my new camera strap by Cotton Candy by Natalie via Etsy.



Source



So there you have it....a few of my recent purchase. Yes, the camera strap and iPhone case are fab... but to be honest, I'm most excited to see what my little pumpkin seeds will do.

Happy Tuesday!



{Fall} Weekend

The foliage in New England is {almost} at peak right now and it is gorgeous! Here are a few pictures from our walk yesterday. Hands down. My favorite 'season'.

And - yesterday afternoon my parents stopped by after their Babies R Us shopping spree. IV was spoiled once again. {thank you Mom and Dad}

Today we are off to do the usual, shopping - cleaning and football.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Saturday night - sneak

Sneak peek at our day! More to come tomorrow.



Snapshot of the Week

This morning I'm linking up with Happily Mother After for Snapshot of the week.

This is my favorite picture from this week. This was on Wednesday when Stew left work early to come home and spend time with his boy. Love them both!

You can go over to Happily Mother After and check out the other snapshots.

Happy Friday!



Life is happening

So many things are going on right now and I'm feeling very. very grateful.

• I'm finally in my groove and have found a balance between work and being a SAHM. It was a HUGE adjustment, but now after almost 6 months - I'm in my cushy, comfy  little spot...and I'm loving it, embracing it, if you will.
• Stew and I are planning another {work} trip for February. Last year we went out to Vegas...and this year - we are going to...NEW ORLEANS! I am beyond excited to go to New Orleans. I have never been and this will be our first trip sans Baby! 
• At the request of many friends, I have finally decided to start a little side photography business. {as if I'm not busy enough} I'm in the process of working on my website and I'll soon post it. Here is a little sneak peak - obviously I have the cutest model.

• Speaking of that little guy above...for the past two days, he has been saying MmmmaaMmmmaa. I cried the first time he put the Ma and Ma together. I'm in heaven every time he says it.
• I have a list huge list of things to do - the first being "start dinner". So I'm off.
• Happy Thursday!



Wordless Wednesday

I wish this picture came out a little better - but IV was so excited, it was hard to get a good picture.

I spent Columbus Day with my Mom baking Fall cookies (more about that tomorrow)...and IV tried on a "Boo" hat that my Mom had.

Priceless.

My Husband DOESN'T Babysit!

I mentioned that I had girls night on Saturday. It was a mix of women. Some are single, engaged and married. Some married for 10 years, some for 1 year. One has a 12 year old and there are two of us that have a 5 month old.

I was asked something to the affect of "Is Stew really bad at babysitting?"

To be completely honest, I was taken back and insulted by the question.

First, a Father should not be "babysitting" their own child.

Second, why would he be "bad" at anything having to do with his Son?

I think in the midst of my shock and overwhelming feeling of my face getting red...I responded with "no...not at all."

She said "Does he get it? or is he not into it?"

Really?

Again, why would he NOT be "into" it. Into his Son? Of course he's into his son.

In her defense, she does have a brother-in-law that "isn't into it" and simply had children without really wanting to start a family.

But let me step up on my soapbox here for a minute - if my Husband ever acted like he wasn't into our son or ever gave me the impression that he wasn't capable of taking care of him, well frankly - he wouldn't be my Husband. That's not me. That's not us. We are a team...a really, really good one. We work in harmony like a 50 person marching band around here. It's seamless. It's enjoyable. Our "chores" are split 50/50. Do I do a little more because I'm type A? yes but that's my own fault. And yes, do I see my Husband struggle some days trying to get IV dressed...for sure. But that's what makes him Dad and me Mom. Plus, it's adorable when I waking into IV's bedroom and he has one arm stuck in his shirt and Stew is beading sweat from his brow.

So yes, Stew is more than capable of taking care of IV. Starting a family was a joint decision, like a lot of things in our marriage. It gives a healthy balance and that is something I hope to teach IV in the years to come.

Fall Porch Design & Mama's Night out

Last night, I was lucky enough to enjoy dinner and drinks with some of my girlfriends. Awesome food and drinks...the company was great as well.

I will be preparing a post about one of the questions I was asked -

Hint: it has to do with... "Is your Husband capable of staying home with the baby?"

{Me & IV}

{Moi, Maura, Addie, Chels, Casey and Ally}

{My girlfriend Casey & I - our babies are 12 days apart}

This glorious Sunday morning {it's about 85 degrees right now} - we went out and purchased the items for our porch design. Here is the result. I do have to say, my Husband was a BIG help.

Happy Football Sunday - Go Pats!

P.S. Stay tuned, Stew is working on his guest post - and I have no idea what it's about.