tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40008173565800374462024-03-19T02:17:22.383-07:00That's What She SaidMrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-54283447045877811182012-03-17T13:04:00.000-07:002012-03-17T13:04:16.179-07:00School's in sessionSo, it's yet another school weekend. But Scott is in the home stretch! He may or may not sit with this lovely clock on his desk at class...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took that a while ago - I believe the countdown is at 61 days. SWEET!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do any of you out there find it hard to believe that Scott would have that on his desk, facing out towards his professors? HAHA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The one nice thing I try to do is cook him a really nice dinner on Saturdays when he's in school. It's a long, long day for him. I get requests during the week and while I cook, he gets some one on one time with JJ. It has definitely not been easy on him to be away from our little guy every other weekend for over a year. But it will all be worth it in the long run! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last session he requested bacon and leek risotto. It's amazing. The recipe had me at bacon but REALLY won us over with the fried egg you put on top (it calls for poached, we just prefer fried). Runny egg yolk on top of creamy, wonderful risotto? A match made in heaven. Leeks are in season during the spring so go grab some and make this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/04/bacon_and_leek_risotto_with_poached_egg">http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/04/bacon_and_leek_risotto_with_poached_egg</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This saturday is St. Patrick's Day so he didn't get much of an option on his special home cooked meal. Corned beef and cabbage, of course! Best part - corned beef hash tomorrow! <a href="http://esphonehome.blogspot.com/2011/03/luck-of-irish.html" target="_blank">Just like last year</a>, I've had a brisket brining away all week. If you haven't done this yet, please do it! It's so easy and tastes amazing. I'm trying to work up the motivation to make some soda bread this year too (to go with the kerrygold butter I splurged on. MMMMMMM).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! I have some beautiful irish eyes smiling at me today :) Now, off to crack open a beer and get started on our irish feast!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next class session - Scott has requested I make cookies. I'll be back in a few weeks to show you the results!</div>MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-80378346012818545322012-03-17T12:46:00.000-07:002012-03-17T12:46:50.261-07:00Dance Party!JJ has discovered the rhythm in his SOUL! Or more like the lack of rhythm in his soul :) White boy dancing at its very finest...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He does love MJ. But hey, who doesn't? We'll all agree not to tell Scott he was dancing to a Glee cover version though :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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We work a lot on our numbers. Tonight he really wanted to count. Over and over again. Except it's not so much counting as it is saying the numbers he knows best in a totally random order. Oh and cheering for himself at the end. Usually he says "I did it!" at the end, but you'll just have to imagine that part.<br />
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*sigh*...SO CUTE! Love this little boy :)MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-30548701129940939972012-02-12T08:02:00.000-08:002012-02-12T08:15:34.374-08:00Valentine's Day came earlyValentine's Day is a Tuesday. How dull. You know what I do on Tuesdays? Dinner, bathtime, bed. Not a lot of room for romance in that action packed schedule. It was also a school weekend for Scott and I usually try and make something special for him on those weekends because after 3 straight days of school, he's earned it. This weekend, I decided that something special would be dessert. Dessert that would include dark chocolate. Scott is a total chocoholic. The darker the better too. <br />
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I came across <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/sweet-recipe-raspberry-goat-cheese-brownies-165612" target="">this</a> recipe online last week and was seriously intrigued...<br />
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Goat cheese and raspberry swirl? hmmmm. It would either be amazing or awful. Lately, Scott and I are both obsessed with all things goat cheese. Goat cheese in mashed potatoes? Yes, please. Goat cheese mixed with spinach and served on top of a poached egg? YUM. But goat cheese in a brownie? I was skeptical but thought what the heck!<br />
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Ohhhh, they're good. So very good. Not overly sweet and the tangy goat cheese mixed with the raspberries? Definitely amazing. <br />
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Try them. Now. They're even pink - so sweet for an early Valentine's day treat!<br />
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I also thought I would make a big pot of Italian Wedding soup for dinner this week. I made <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-italian-wedding-soup-136211" target="_blank">this recipe</a> last winter and got rave reviews. Plus, Italian Wedding soup sounds romantic, right? Not that soup is at all romantic, but it sounds good :)<br />
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On the less dull side of Valentine's Day - we do actually have plans! Just not for the actual day of. I found tickets for Brit Floyd - a fantastic Pink Floyd cover band from England. We saw them on PBS recently and the show was really good. They'll be in Baltimore in March - so we're taking the day off and heading up for the show (it's a Monday, of course). Dinner in the inner harbor and a fun concert. Not bad! <br />
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We recently came to the realization that if we don't prioritize alone time - we'll never get it. It's hard with a little guy at home and it's certainly not going to get any easier. So we've sort of challenged ourselves to find fun, affordable date nights. Considering how few and far between they are, I thought dropping some money on concert tickets still fell into the affordable category. <br />
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Do you have any ideas for fun, affordable date nights? Something other than just going out to dinner and coming home to crash in bed with a full bellly?? (do you watch The Middle? They nailed the <a href="http://youtu.be/tV4QyYtvfFE" target="_blank">post dinner romance</a> concept...) I'd love to hear some ideas! Help a sister out!MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-18946593423918479892012-02-11T12:30:00.000-08:002012-02-11T12:30:22.905-08:00The good lifeIt's a school weekend for Scott...so JJ and I went out on the town today. We met up with the lovely ladies of book club (including his auntie April!) and he was on his best behavior. PHEW. Lunch out is a real crap shoot. He usually naps around lunch...but he woke up at 9:30, so nap time got delayed today.<br />
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YES - I SAID 9:30.<br />
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I bet you were wondering how I suddenly learned to write in complete sentences. Amazing things happen when you get to sleep in.<br />
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Since we were in MD, we stopped at the Kielbasa Factory. What do they sell there you ask? Kielbasa! Shocking. But really delicious, homemade, served to you by an old polish lady kielbasa.<br />
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Do you know what happens when you are a little boy and say MMMMMMM to every sample of kielbasa they give you? You walk out with a lollipop. This boy loves his lollipops. <br />
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Now, there is an unspoken rule with this blog. You must ignore the background of any and all pictures I take. Lets all pretend like you can't see shoes, toys, laundry and other assorted items strewn all around like some sort of tornado hit my apartment. Just focus on the super duper cute little boy, ok?MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-56145442669602680722012-01-26T16:14:00.000-08:002012-01-26T16:14:56.012-08:00XOXOWithin the last few weeks, a wonderful thing happened. JJ turned 18 months and that "language explosion" I had heard so much about started showing up! Very exciting. Just about every day he has a new word. He had a handful of words before then, but its really remarkable how much he has to say now. We even got a "Joseph"! Before we only heard an occasional "JJ". <br />
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But the part that REALLY gets me is he understands a lot more too. Specifically, I can ask for a kiss. And get one! He'll lean in and give me a smooch.<br />
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It's the best. thing. EVER.<br />
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Kisses right back at you, little man.MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-50513681160013665952012-01-22T18:16:00.000-08:002012-01-22T18:16:51.755-08:00Rock star!He loves his Daddy's new guitar...<br />
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I promise to try really hard to brag and whine enough to make up for 5 months of inactivity.<br />
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Does this picture make up for my neglect?<br />
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I’m resisting posting a video of JJ streaking through my living room post-bath. It’s so funny. We’ll see how strong my resolve is. But coming up next is a video of him being a little rock star :)<br />
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Stay tuned!MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-88726808647276049492011-08-21T10:00:00.000-07:002011-08-21T10:00:28.277-07:00It's official!Ladies and gentlemen...we have a walker!<br />
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He started taking steps about a month ago but didn't have the confidence for any longer attempts. Today it's all he wants to do! Now we really have our hands full!MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-40643932809979281352011-08-09T17:21:00.000-07:002011-08-09T17:21:03.371-07:00One little, happy familyWe so rarely get a picture of all of us together. Thankfully, someone thought to take a picture of us at JJ's party.<br />
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It was such a happy day. The party was a huge success, even if JJ slept through at least half of it. It was so wonderful to celebrate such an important day with our friends and family!<br />
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Can you tell that we're Mets fans? :)<br />
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If I'm feeling particularly ambitious, I'll even throw up a post about the birthday banner I made. I plan to take it out every year to help us celebrate! MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-8556981692504478792011-08-08T17:17:00.000-07:002011-08-08T17:17:48.726-07:00WoahSo here I am, sitting on my balcony (newly redone!) with my little boy having the time of his life splashing in his water table. I just spent the last two weeks setting up his nursery and packing away all his itty bitty clothes. I blinked and somehow my sweet little baby is now a big boy! <br />
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I'm a hundred years late on posting this. We celebrated the big first birthday! He got presents and a delicious cupcake. Which he did NOT like. See?<br />
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yikes! Crazy boy who doesn't like cupcakes. We'll have to discuss this with him at a later date. <br />
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How is it even possible that a whole year has gone by? Sheesh. This little boy, whose entry into the world came as a surprise being a month early and all...has spent the past year continuing to surprise and amaze us every day. He changed our lives for the better in so many ways. He truly changed who I am in ways that I'm only now starting to understand. I'm so proud to be his mother and nothing makes me happier than coming home from work and getting a HUGE smile from him. I know it won't last forever, so I'm determined to make the most out of every smile I get :) <br />
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I find myself with such a mix of emotions. There were definitely tears on his birthday. But they were happy tears, I promise.<br />
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I miss having him need me so much! He's getting independent and has a ton of personality. Perhaps a bit of an irish temper too...<br />
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I am so proud of the little boy he's becoming. He's sweet and ADORABLE. That's right, i said it. Cutest baby ever. Perhaps I'm biased, but come on! look at this boy!<br />
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I'm impressed by the fact that both Scott and I have found a way to make the work/parenting balance work. Not easy. Especially with Scott going back to school. The strange part is I find myself 10x more motivated than before at work. If I have to work, and I do, why not make the best of it? I want to be successful and work my big, white irish butt off during those 8 hours! It makes the day go fast and makes coming home that much more sweet. I savor the weekends and especially those that Scott gets to be home. <br />
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I'm feeling mildly guilty that It's been like 2 months since I last posted. I'm not really sure where June and July went. It's been pretty crazy around here. It feels like things might be settling down though. That feels good. We have another nice, long vacation to florida coming up. Such a great way to cap off the summer. Then hopefully things will cool off around here and going to the playground might become a bit more tolerable. I have lots more to share from the last few months and I'll throw up a few quick, short posts soon! First haircut and the big first birthday party on that list!MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-77736877531811558302011-05-03T15:44:00.000-07:002011-05-03T15:44:09.019-07:00The twinsI love these boys!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQZ-sqCp6Ij3dbqMv5YugVPJqE_DVDsGzGtYmUVuVPZ-8dl1owWHyt0koDvshIBBnae4n6b1rc1THlG1-wdDlf4CwrxZJ1I7Wd4eO0sC9nYtLc0R3O8XOYuolMPSIrGb14uMHD6dnjzw/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQZ-sqCp6Ij3dbqMv5YugVPJqE_DVDsGzGtYmUVuVPZ-8dl1owWHyt0koDvshIBBnae4n6b1rc1THlG1-wdDlf4CwrxZJ1I7Wd4eO0sC9nYtLc0R3O8XOYuolMPSIrGb14uMHD6dnjzw/s400/IMG_2139.JPG" /></a></div>MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-80714613602301510432011-05-03T15:40:00.000-07:002011-05-03T15:40:13.770-07:00Fun in the sunSo we just came back from Florida. It was such a wonderful vacation. We really needed to get away. It was relaxing, but I must say vacationing with a 9 month old is not exactly restful :) That little boy loved the beach and is a total fish in the water. That one swimming lesson before we left really paid off! ha. <br />
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Before I left, my boss recommended that we get a baby pool and put it on the beach. Best. Idea. EVER. He spent hours in there every day. Distracted by the water, his toys (which I included a solo cup most days. What baby doesn't love a solo cup) and just completely loving his life.<br />
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Clearly sand is delicious to a baby. By day 3 we gave up on trying to keep him from eating it. Scott tried and tried but was not going to win that battle. You know what JJ learned was tastier than sand though? Ice cream. <br />
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In case you are wondering, that's lime and chocolate swirl ice cream. The child LOVES lime. He tried to eat a whole lime that he found on the tree outside my parent's place. Silly baby! Um and maybe he ate the lime that came with my margarita. I promise, it was not IN the margarita. But that probably would have given us a good night sleep...<br />
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We even got a date night while we were there. It was fantastic. *sigh* It was hard to come back to reality after all that! We're already planning our next trip.MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-43826833056579717402011-04-10T10:19:00.000-07:002011-04-10T10:19:09.756-07:00my new alarm clockI shot this video the other afternoon, but this is exactly what I wake up to every morning now. He learned how to make this noise and has WAY too much fun with it :)<br />
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/75hxxSQ2wD0?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/75hxxSQ2wD0?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-69661912520318822712011-03-19T06:08:00.000-07:002011-03-19T06:08:58.349-07:00Luck of the IrishWe had a great St. Patrick's Day here...how about all of you? I had the day off so I got to spend lots of time with JJ and it was a gorgeous day. Oh, and we watched lots of basketball! It really is one of the best days of the year. Beer, corned beef, and basketball. Yes, please!<br />
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Here's my little leprechaun...<br />
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I started preparing for the holiday last weekend. I bought a 7 lb. brisket and brined it for 4 days. Making your own corned beef is 100x better than buying the packaged one from the store. It's SUPER easy too. It's beer, water, salt, sugar and pickling spices. Then it sits in your fridge for 4 days. The only strange thing is it doesn't come out red, it comes out looking like brisket! Imagine that. I then split it in half and made it two ways. The traditional boiled method with cabbage, potatoes and carrots. The other half got slathered in cloves, hot mustard and brown sugar. Then it got put in the oven for 2 hours and folks, this is the way to make corned beef. It's really wonderful. Tender and flavorful. I sauteed cabbage and onion to go with it.<br />
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I used the recipes found here:<br />
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http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/corned_beef_and_cabbage<br />
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Ok, it isn't pretty, but damn it tastes good!<br />
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Now I'm off to make corned beef hash. MMMMM good. But first, it's time to lower the crib mattress. Someone learned another trick this week...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_BaxidJMDizlcFF3CFUZ2hwWPx5BhDFCmTXC4415oZwSytMYZ94wIQUh0ltmaoPgPk2lH7vNekit7Xn8-v-fkvDHqDLMUaWxqaSsuM69iq8oBjQokpjYWSBkScqxJYcSPb2IrEFI1sA/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_BaxidJMDizlcFF3CFUZ2hwWPx5BhDFCmTXC4415oZwSytMYZ94wIQUh0ltmaoPgPk2lH7vNekit7Xn8-v-fkvDHqDLMUaWxqaSsuM69iq8oBjQokpjYWSBkScqxJYcSPb2IrEFI1sA/s400/IMG_1911.JPG" /></a></div>MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-19312878590018240642011-03-15T15:24:00.000-07:002011-03-15T15:24:03.741-07:00Lift off!Ok, folks...we have a crawler! An honest to god crawler. First there was the rocking (humping?) motion. Then it was almost a marine crawl...a dragging of the legs type thing. Now, a real crawl! JJ is on the move...so, watch out world! <br />
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As the end of the video demonstrates, child proofing has become a new priority. He can find everything. Especially wires that he can choke himself with. That seems to be a speciality. I swear those wires didn't even exist a month ago, now they are everywhere! *sigh* <br />
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So what else is going on. Hmmmm. I've been meaning to post for ages. I'm like a broken record on that, right? If only I could stop this break neck pace at work which results in me coming home <b>so</b> spent. I have energy to be with my little man for a few hours and that's about it. Oh and laundry. I swear, it's my new hobby. Can one baby really create this much laundry? I dream about getting a professional launderer one day. Launderer? You know what I mean...<br />
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I promise to do a St. Patrick's day post. PROMISE! I have my corned beef brining right now, so we're doing it up all homemade style this year! CAN NOT WAIT! Plus, JJ has not one, but two outfits. So necessary. <br />
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I'm going to de-wire my apartment now! Look for an update on Thursday :)MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-77123736567492425852011-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:002011-02-28T16:01:41.733-08:00So close...Yet so far away. <br /><br />(Please say I'm not the only one singing Hall & Oates now...I'm looking at you Stephanie! Help me out here!) <br /><br />This is quite an interesting time for a baby. JJ is right on the edge of a few milestones! It's very exciting. As you all saw earlier this month, he's very close to figuring out the crawling thing. He's also working on feeding himself. Just two weeks ago he had zero interest in these puffs...now he loves them! He realized that...hey! These taste good! And if I pick it up with my fingers, I can put them in my mouth. Occasionally. His average isn't all that good, but I'm sure Marley is loving that :)<br /><br />This video just cracked me up because he was working so hard and got that puff in there. Only to have it come right back out! Better luck next time baby!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_dU6OsFGJWM?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_dU6OsFGJWM?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Oh and can we all just agree to watch my videos on mute? God, I sound so silly in them.MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-35659613291754183792011-02-28T08:04:00.000-08:002011-02-28T08:37:45.195-08:00footprints<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64h5axyEghOTxtJRsTkLXrpGjBxmaW_oyO7y0bfl3rD_42sdP0PTYYDc5ajX3_4rcr4YH2PadrNFwbG7QJ9A7muKcBLn_Ei0Bi8nIuJ0T1ls7GrMpnwN1OlhP45sHofgqbp40gQ-MXKk/s1600/footprints.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64h5axyEghOTxtJRsTkLXrpGjBxmaW_oyO7y0bfl3rD_42sdP0PTYYDc5ajX3_4rcr4YH2PadrNFwbG7QJ9A7muKcBLn_Ei0Bi8nIuJ0T1ls7GrMpnwN1OlhP45sHofgqbp40gQ-MXKk/s400/footprints.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578775740431777314" /></a><br />I wanted to post this weeks ago. But I had some technical difficulties. I am simply not capable of turning something from pdf to jpeg. *sigh*<br /><br />Look at these little feet! I have footprints from the hospital too and I really can't wait to do this again when he's a year old. Sad thing is, I never would have known how easy it is to do this if we hadn't done it at Gymboree! It was such a fun thing to do...and that poor teacher really looked like she needed a drink after spending the day doing footprints for countless babies. They let us bring in whatever we wanted, in addition to this cute little poem they provided...so we all took full advantage of her generosity and she paid for it! <br /><br />My baby boy is getting so big! It's especially crazy considering that he is at the very bottom of that damn growth chart. But he's 15 pounds now! Tripled in size. Can you imagine?MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-15023112271992299992011-02-12T17:51:00.000-08:002011-02-12T18:00:59.289-08:00Victorious!Dear sea horse -<br /><br />For 7 months, you have entertained me and lulled me to sleep. I have watched you closely and hoped to reach out touch you. But you were always just out of reach. Until today! Today my arms are juuuust long enough to reach out and not just touch you...but TRY AND RIP YOU DOWN! <br /><br />Watch your back octopus. You're next!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />JJ<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9pHZ0GsHpV8?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9pHZ0GsHpV8?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-67085014765293504282011-02-05T13:40:00.001-08:002011-02-05T13:50:26.826-08:00Putting the pieces togetherIt's so interesting to watch him put all the pieces together in his head. Last week he realized he could get up on his hands and knees. Then he would collapse a moment later :) Now he's doing this cute move...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BU6rbOildaw?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BU6rbOildaw?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Not much longer until he's crawling, I'd say!<br /><br />It was a big week for JJ. He had 2 doctor's appointments which put him all out of sorts. The first was his 6 month check up (with all his shots, which is what got him all screwed up). Then he visited a gastroenterologist. He's a tiny little guy and we're keeping a very close eye on his weight gain. It's gotten better, but he had stopped gaining at a good rate back in the fall. We realized around christmas that he definitely has reflux and between being treated for that and the super duper calorie rich formula he's getting, he seems to be doing much better! I was hoping they would say we could stop with the super duper calorie rich formula because we go through formula at a break neck pace and lord almighty, that can break the bank! Both Scott and I are so relieved after 2 good doctor visits though. A king's randsom in formula is a small price to pay for a healthy baby and restful sleep for mom and dad :)<br /><br />BTW - might I say again...he had his SIX MONTH appointment! Six months! Crazy.MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-21311380222194239312011-01-25T06:05:00.000-08:002011-01-25T06:08:24.320-08:00Hello, Handsome!JJ and I started going to Gymboree a few weeks ago. At every class, the babies spend tummy time on a big mirror so they can see themselves. JJ loooooves it. I caught this video last night of him checking out this handsome baby in the mirror at home :)<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8rw9C5X-IU?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-63429697684503048172011-01-02T13:19:00.000-08:002011-01-02T13:47:44.742-08:00Tardy for the (New Year's) Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMw0-pm50yxgRfcUQ5DoM-dSWOytka7MLVepdzYeMsqvsoOW90A0R7jkeHoSCbG7Mb9Dma0-tzU2yIUZlnBP5jkxEKCsBsHpdL6527k2BTWpEz-y6olrVBs0gt4D3dpFIMyD0JUYchlE/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMw0-pm50yxgRfcUQ5DoM-dSWOytka7MLVepdzYeMsqvsoOW90A0R7jkeHoSCbG7Mb9Dma0-tzU2yIUZlnBP5jkxEKCsBsHpdL6527k2BTWpEz-y6olrVBs0gt4D3dpFIMyD0JUYchlE/s400/IMG_1595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557706698740796882" /></a><br /><br />I feel like getting this post up only one day late is actually pretty impressive. The only reason it's getting done is I have a mountain of laundry sitting here and I will do just about anything to procastinate putting it away. We just returned from a very long trip home to Massachusetts. We celebrated our first christmas with JJ (who is one spoiled baby, I must say) and rang in the New Year at my best friend Alissa's wedding. She married a wonderful man, looked absolutely amazing and the wedding was SO much fun. The after party is still a bit hazy...but I feel like any good after party should be :) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQQDojfscTq-qZ46UkIvvlX88jALx1A8EGtPhMJSfrChBhQki80hz5brPh1iPPKuWWBR3HxfWm7s2E1R3If6-wd7B3X5_FrqC-XreCtFR4k1e5oWAZxE6pS4KnOaqnoH2GhrmObRyLlY/s1600/1144323660_sVCJx-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQQDojfscTq-qZ46UkIvvlX88jALx1A8EGtPhMJSfrChBhQki80hz5brPh1iPPKuWWBR3HxfWm7s2E1R3If6-wd7B3X5_FrqC-XreCtFR4k1e5oWAZxE6pS4KnOaqnoH2GhrmObRyLlY/s400/1144323660_sVCJx-M.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557702523383852530" /></a><br /><br />I spent 8 hours in a car on New Years Day, which left a lot of time to reflect on the last year. I rang in 2010 VERY sober and newly pregnant and rang in 2011 very much not sober and spending the night away from my son for the very first time. I not only welcomed this beautiful boy into my life, but have a wonderful baby nephew now too! It's really been quite an eventful year. I know 2011 is going to be equally as exciting. We have quite a few big plans, including a 1st birthday party for JJ which I may or may not be already planning :) Work shows no signs of being less crazy. And because it's just that time of life...we have no less than 4 weddings to attend and quite a few babies on the way that we can't wait to meet! <br /><br />As I sit here and write this, I can hear my nearly 6 month old baby chatting away, while rolling around on the ground. I'm amazed every day by how many changes are happening. I'm pretty sure we're into full fledged teething mode, if the fountain of drool is any indication. He's eating lots of new yummy foods...applesauce, pears, bananas and mom's favorite...avacado! The one bittersweet experience that I'm currently struggling with is I just finished breastfeeding. My goal was 6 months and I'm just one week shy of that. It was such an amazing thing, I'm so glad we were able to make it work. But with being back at work full time, it was just not working anymore. I'm sort of sad about it. Luckily, I still have LOTS of milk in the freezer and I have to be honest, I'm sort of excited about ditching the nursing bras :) <br /><br />Happy 2011 everyone...I hope this year is even better than the last!MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-62213729068603731572010-11-30T15:35:00.000-08:002010-11-30T16:32:41.334-08:00One year ago today...We found out we were expecting! Its SO crazy to me. It seems like it's been a really long year...but that it was yesterday all at the same time. From what I hear, it only gets worse from here. Time goes faster and faster. I remember we were at Home Depot buying lights for our christmas tree and I had the strangest cramps. I went home and took a pregnancy test, after testing negative just a week earlier. And voila! Baby on the way! I promptly took another test. Then I cried. Both out of extreme happiness and my HOLY CRAP IT WORKED (and so quickly!) reaction! hehe. Anyways, it was such an exciting night...and now I get to enjoy all the memories while holding my beautiful little boy.<br /><br />Look at him!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_TCF6ogcCJPZrx1BV3cKlhCzXVbto75Yr5fdxY9DYPnrCHBXau-r5EVsvZ5X9Ly19133ZMCD0vZp50qa-azu5LiOeQQrz8ujoo4AqdvhosUTHDMdUI2vgnbVvxD_6WnDrZ8XPFnPgZ8/s1600/IMG_1196+cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_TCF6ogcCJPZrx1BV3cKlhCzXVbto75Yr5fdxY9DYPnrCHBXau-r5EVsvZ5X9Ly19133ZMCD0vZp50qa-azu5LiOeQQrz8ujoo4AqdvhosUTHDMdUI2vgnbVvxD_6WnDrZ8XPFnPgZ8/s400/IMG_1196+cropped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545491710375404434" /></a><br /><br />He sure does LOVE his bath time now! He figured out how to splash. I now could use a raincoat while I give him his bath. But it's so much fun! <br /><br />I'm just going to pretend like it hasn't been nearly a month since I last posted anything. I have no idea where the time went. I would imagine this month won't be much better. My life has gone totally insane lately. In fact, I'd say it's been the last 2 months that have been a complete blur. The whole moving, returning to work full time and learning how to be a full time mom and full time employee has been...challenging. But it's so worth it. I've never been so tired, yet so fulfilled in my whole life. And when I say tired. I mean tired to the bone. WOW.<br /><br />Oh and remember how I said, oh I'll take a few months and see how my work schedule is working out? Well, work had other ideas. I'll post more on this later...but I've NEVER been this busy at work. NEVER. EVER :) <br /><br />This post is so scattered. It perfectly reflects how my brain is functioning right now. I'll try to pull my thoughts together and post again in less than a months time. I have lots of fun stories to share about all the growing and changing that's been going on around here!MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-69129638645779495752010-11-02T05:49:00.000-07:002010-11-02T10:53:12.976-07:00Hi Ho, Hi HoIt's off to work I go. Or went. *sigh* Those were the fastest 16 weeks of my life. The last day I was at work was July 12 when I left the office in a crazy "doctor called and said go to the hospital" whirlwind! I missed an entire third of the year and in Cushman and Wakefield time that's practically an eternity. There are so many new faces and some really wonderful people have left. I will say this much, my boss missed me. It's good to be missed :)<br /><br />Before I got pregnant, or even when I was expecting, I never imagined it would be so hard to head back to work. I'm feeling pretty proud that I only cried in the ladies room once. And maybe a little bit before I left on Monday morning. Both JJ and I had some seperation anxiety. He put up a bit of a hunger strike and I had MAJOR baby withdrawl by 4:00 pm. (want to guess what time I was in the bathroom crying??). I know it's going to get easier with time. At least I hope so. It's going to be a few weeks of working on a new morning routine and getting LOTS of cuddle time at night. Do I sound crazy to say part of me was like...awwww JJ missed his mommy! He was as sad as me! But no, that's not right. I want him to be happy, healthy and independent. But missing me just a little this first week is ok ;) <br /><br />But seriously, who wouldn't be sad to leave this sweet baby? Look at him!! I know many of you already saw this picture on facebook, but I'm obsessed with it. <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUOBOWaa5TW-HR27vjpRPhyphenhyphenwWPhJyaqLynnaJgTrZ55GcNI89JwOlnHGKObHyJLBCn45h9CZN8XOU_AZjv4BkTZZyWfT0FuAUMj3yGisf6aYhuhwN-Z7ZcCK5W9czsrpph12DaSXq3VU/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUOBOWaa5TW-HR27vjpRPhyphenhyphenwWPhJyaqLynnaJgTrZ55GcNI89JwOlnHGKObHyJLBCn45h9CZN8XOU_AZjv4BkTZZyWfT0FuAUMj3yGisf6aYhuhwN-Z7ZcCK5W9czsrpph12DaSXq3VU/s400/IMG_1105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534941158056003842" /></a><br /><br />I've promised myself to take a few months and get into the groove of things before I really try to analyze how I think it's working out. Right now, I'm having a gut reaction of this being terrible, awful, no good, very bad. I seriously can't think of one good reason I can't carry the baby with me all day at work! I want to work and not leave him all at the same time. Normal, right? Please say yes!<br /><br />Oh and pumping at work is not the most fun thing to do. I'm dedicated to making this work, I really want to keep breastfeeding for another few months at the <strong>bare</strong> minimum. But it's not going to be easy. I'm trying to tell myself it's a good opportunity to sit back and relax for 15 minutes a few times a day. Organize my thoughts, day dream about holding my little man :) I'm hoping this is another thing that will get easier with time. Fingers crossed. <br /><br />I discovered my brain is a bit rusty after 4 months out of work! Just getting through email was a challenge. I won't even tell you how difficult I was finding it to update my monthly office calendar. If everyone can just speak very slowly and repeat themselves often for the next week or so, I think that would be best. Baby turned my brain to mush and I'm assuming it's not appropriate to randomly starting telling people about llama llama red pajama on conference calls. <br /><br />But for all my complaining, it was sort of nice to be back in the land of adults. I put on make up, high heels and had normal conversation all day long. Did you know that I used to do this every day? It seems so forgeign right now!! The nice thing is, between wearing maternity clothes and being on maternity leave, my work clothes actually haven't seen the light of day in a LONG time. It's been so much less of a struggle to figure out what to wear. I haven't worn any of it in ages! Nothing is boring...yet. Give that a week. Most of it even fits. Not all, but most. Gotta keep working at those last few baby pounds! joy...MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4000817356580037446.post-69340155746059521962010-10-18T11:22:00.000-07:002010-10-18T11:34:39.975-07:00Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJhe-yc0BJ078esTC724xLBAWPmhl_LUwTs5z7m_f9L1BR7QLVrVehJUcQ70dhDVtrihtFx4G4orSuCGkPUmY_NxnLIINkC3JUbFGeFzTMAF7jz4Vqenq0c0BMAQtksBOEFxBkfDa8yc/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJhe-yc0BJ078esTC724xLBAWPmhl_LUwTs5z7m_f9L1BR7QLVrVehJUcQ70dhDVtrihtFx4G4orSuCGkPUmY_NxnLIINkC3JUbFGeFzTMAF7jz4Vqenq0c0BMAQtksBOEFxBkfDa8yc/s400/IMG_1039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529455933781920706" /></a><br />How chill is this baby? :)<br /><br />Or should I say, how chill is this 3 month old baby?? 3 MONTHS! When did this happen? <br /><br />JJ is so alert now. Chatting up a storm, smiling, watching us very closely (gotta watch that PDA now! hehe). Best part though...he's sleeping at night. For many hours at a time. One night, it just started. 3 hours one night and then the next night...6 hours! He's gone as long as 9 hours. All of which means, I'm sleeping! Woo hoo. It's one of my favorite things to do. No seriously, it is. If my mattress wasn't approximately 150 years old, I bet I'd like it even more. <br /><br />My time at home is winding down. Sniffle. I'm lucky enough that I work in DC and FMLA is 16 weeks instead of 12. I had initially planned on being back to work after 12-14 weeks and well, that all changed the moment this little boy entered my life. It's been tough, but I think taking all 16 weeks was absolutely the right thing to do. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. <br /><br />Well, onward and upward! Let's see what month 4 has to offer. I know one thing, at least...JJ will have a new baby cousin to meet!! Any day now. Sooner than later we hope :)MrsErinShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10622240064545020912noreply@blogger.com3