Bringing Dad to mecca

Growing up, I loved going to Red Sox games with my Dad. I have the fondest memories of taking the green line into Boston, checking out the souvenirs on Yawkey Way, and stuffing my face with Fenway franks. I've joked with Mike that Fenway is my 2nd favorite place in the world (2nd only to Disney World, of course)

Earlier this summer, I received an e-mail from the Red Sox inviting me to Fenway (ME...seriously?) to share my thoughts and opinions on how to make the Fenway experience more family friendly.

You don't have to ask me twice, Red Sox. I drove up to Boston faster than Jacoby Ellsbury steals second. I could have brought Mike, or attempted Carina's first baseball game, but no...I knew who the perfect companion would be. He took me so many times growing up, now it was my turn to take him.

My Daddy

Before the round table with the Red Sox executives, they treated us to a private tour of Fenway including a few areas that are off-limits to everyone but season ticket holders, and let us watch batting practice on the field.

I might have a crush on Pedroia...don't tell Mike

Myself, a handful of other local bloggers, and the Red Sox marketing execs talked for an hour and a half about what would make a trip to Fenway easier and more fun for families. We discussed a number of options including family discounts, a kid-zone, and activities for kids. I also brought up the fact that there wasn't anywhere for me to pump or for breastfeeding Moms to feed their babies if they prefer not to nurse in their seats. The seats are tiny and I know there's no way my distracted nurser would be able to eat while everyone around us is cheering (or booing) ;)

I pumped in the VP of marketing's office -- gotta do what you gotta do

I was honored to be a part of this discussion and was so excited to see that one of our top suggestions -- a family discount pack -- was enacted so quickly! Sorry for the late notice, but for games through September 4th the Sox are offering "End of Summer Family Packs". This special includes:

• Game tickets
• Free parking in the Prudential Center Garage, brought to you by The Shops at Prudential Center
• Free Boston Duck Tours ride from the garage to Fenway Park
• Early entry to the ballpark through the family entrance at Gate C to watch batting practice in the bleachers
• Activity booklets for the kids
• Free Boston Duck Tours ride back to the parking lot

I wish we were able to go, but we'll be heading out to Colorado this weekend for a wedding...with the girls (please send wine). Maybe you'll be able to take advantage?

Up

Things are great right now...as evidenced by my absence here. I am loving my job and I'm having so much fun with the girls (and our extended family, who we've seen a few times recently). Most days I don't even have get a chance to turn on my computer. For the first time in a long time, I'm okay with that.

And now prepare for cute happy beach photo overload.

Sand...NOM

I can't believe how big they're getting. Aurelia is 9 Months old today, and Carina will be 2 1/2 next week. Weren't they just born??

Intervention no longer needed: a change of plans

When Mike began his Post-Doctoral fellowship at Yale in December of 2011, the plan was to stay here in Connecticut until December of this year or Summer of 2014. After a long chat with his boss, they've decided he will stay on longer than originally anticipated, likely until the Summer of 2015.

What does this mean for us? Well, I mentioned recently that we had planned on waiting until Mike is finished here to grow our family. But Summer 2015 is over 2 years away, and I've already put going back to school on hold for 6 years...so the longer we wait to complete our family, the further away I am from being able to pursue my career. I'm feeling so much better (re: my anxiety) and? Well, I've got the fever. So we're going to let what happens happen.

Since Mike will be getting another raise at the end of the year, and we got a much-larger-than-anticipated tax refund (and adjusted his withholding accordingly), we're in an okay place financially. The only thing that could be problematic is space; we're still in a 2 bedroom apartment. We considered the possibility of moving to a larger place, but it just doesn't make sense right now. Worst case (like, if I got pregnant today...which isn't happening) we would have three little ones in one bedroom for a year. Not the end of the world, right? I'm sure we could figure it out somehow. If I'm going crazy 2 years from now because we have 3 kids in 1 room and it's hell - I give you my permission to remind me of this post.

Friends, the only cure to this fever is MOAR BABIES.

And yes, we might be crazy.

CARINA EATA BIG CHOCOLATE! Or, our Easter

I did it again. I had so much fun on Easter that I forgot to take pictures.

No photos of the girls with their Easter baskets. No picture of Carina ransacking the the communal family basket of candy and chocolate (yes, that happened..."CARINA EATA BIG CHOCOLATE! BIG CHOCOLATE!") No permanent record of the feast my Mother-in-law prepared which included lamb, ham, eggplant parmesan, 5 quiches, cassata, and more...there was so much I'm forgetting it all.

But we did remember to {attempt to} take a few family photos. These never seem to go well for us.

Poor Jasmine is getting strangled

So I shifted my focus to the girls.

No more pictures, Mom!

Carina wouldn't stand still for photos once again, but I did manage to get one of her in her pretty dress. P.S. Does anyone have any advice on how to get her to tolerate a headband, clip, or bow? She used to love them, now she pulls them out after 5 seconds. Maybe it's just time for a haircut...

This girl gives me baby fever {again} on a daily basis. I might need an intervention.

Earlier in the day, my Mother-in-law and I ran out to Mass (Mike had gone the night before to play music), leaving the girls with him, his brother, Dad, and his sister's boyfriend. Right before the Our Father I got this text:

Ha. Glad I missed that one. Apparently after she "EATA BIG CHOCOLATE" she had a major sugar crash.

How was your Easter?


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This week's Toddle Along Tuesday topic is Easter! Photos, recap, whatever you like. Anything Easter (or Spring) related. There are no rules here, except that you link up a relevant post (old or new) rather than your whole blog.


Next week's topic will be Dad Confessions! We did Mom Confessions once, and it was awesome. What could possibly be more awesome? You guessed it, Dad Confessions. Mike will be guest posting for this one! If you can't convince your man to actually write the post, ask him what some of his confessions would be and transcribe! Or? I bet you have a few things you could write about on his behalf, without him even knowing about it ;)

Not complete yet

While there's Tylenol, Advil, and a host of other drugs to reduce high temperatures, unfortunately there isn't a single drug to relieve the most annoying fever of all...baby fever. I should tell my chemist husband to get on that. There are probably fortunes to be made. But I digress.

Mike and I always wanted a large family. Before Carina was born, when I would joyfully tell people that we hoped for 3 or 4 children I would usually be met with wide eyes and a snide, "just wait..."

Well, here we are 2 kids later and we're still hoping for more. Maybe 1, 2, or dare I say 3? I'm fully aware that to most people, 5 kids is crazy talk. But somehow as our family grows that number is looking more and more appealing to me. And Mike? He's up for as many as I want. He has always joked that he'd like to field a soccer team.

As much as I'd like to go for #3 as soon as my body is ready, we need to wait until I'm feeling better, we're in a larger place, and are more secure financially. Hopefully, that will come when Mike finishes his Post Doc here which could be anywhere from 1-2 years from now.

So the fact that I have the fever already is a bit of a problem. I feel like I should will one of the girls to have a giant blowout or inconsolable tantrum in an attempt to combat it. Wish me luck...


What are your future baby plans? Is your family complete yet?

Thanking the in-laws for making it happen!

A couple weeks ago I told you all about our joint party for Aurelia's baptism and Carina's birthday. What I neglected to mention was that the party wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the help of my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law. My Father-in-law (who works at Villanova) took care of setting up the baptism and party location. My Mother-in-law worked tirelessly for almost 3 days cooking up huge trays of rigatoni and meatballs, spaghetti and lemon chicken, and eggplant parm to serve to everyone at the party. It was quite the culinary feat and she did it all with a smile on her face.

At this time -- just a couple days after my first panic attack -- my anxiety was at an all-time high. Their help in making sure everything was ready and ran smoothly was instrumental in keeping me calm and from having a repeat of days earlier. I feel so indebted to them and wanted to do a little something to thank them. ProFlowers.com was kind enough to give me the opportunity to send my in-laws a complimentary gift basket!

We have used ProFlowers to send flowers to both of our Moms a number of times, so I wanted to try something a little different. After perusing the site for quite some time I chose the Valentine's Sweets & Savories basket. It includes Pistachios, Honey Roasted Peanuts, Rice Cracker Mix, Roasted Salted Almonds, Roasted Salted Cashews, Chocolate Covered Cashews, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Cinnamon Hearts, Cupid Corn, and Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in a pretty reusable basket.

I placed the order late one evening and it arrived via standard shipping the next day! I received an e-mail when it shipped and when it arrived as well. My in-laws were so pleasantly surprised and have been snacking {in my Mother-in-law's words} more than they should ;) She particularly likes the Chocolate Covered Cherries and my Father-in-law is partial to the Cinnamon Hearts.

I really like the convenience of being able to pick an exact date of arrival when I send gifts like flowers or gift baskets and I appreciate that ProFlowers.com offers this option. I only wish that their shipping & handling was a little cheaper. But the good news is that they currently have a number of coupons and promotions available including free shipping on select bouquets.

Thanks again, Mom & Dad, for all of your help!

Aurelia's Baptism & Carina's 2nd Birthday!

On December 30th Aurelia was welcomed into the Church.

What is so special about this particular church and even this particular baptismal font, is that Mike was baptized in the exact same one, about 29 years ago. He even wore the exact same dress.

Just like her sister did almost 2 years ago, Aurelia slept through most of the ceremony, only waking when water was poured over her head. Carina, however, yelled and fussed throughout it. My Mother-in-law had to walk around the Church with her in order to keep her quiet. Apparently she tried to climb into the tabernacle. I wasn't surprised.

We were also married here, right before the altar above. It goes without saying that the St. Thomas of Villanova Church on Villanova University's campus is really special to us.

Us, Aurelia, and her Godparents

Since we only come to town a few times a year, we decided {rather last-minute} to combine the reception following Aurelia's christening with a birthday party for Carina. Due to time getting away from us and my worsening anxiety, my grand plans for a Tangled theme with elaborate decorations went out the window.

But, we did go all out on the cake. I had my friend Tracy from my Mom's group construct these multiple tiers of deliciousness. Chocolate cake with cookies and cream filling and pink fondant circle bricks that WERE ADDICTIVE. I kid you not...we brought the rest of the cake home with us and I picked almost every little fondant circle off (or tore it off in chunks) and shoved it in my piehole.

Sleepy birthday girl missed her nap

Blowing out her candle

Last April I introduced you to Baby Beau & Belle, designers of fine christening gowns and baby garments, by asking what outfit you liked best for the new baby. Since we decided to use Mike's family's heirloom christening gown, Baby Beau & Belle sent a party dress for Carina! Here she is in the Madison Toddler Dress. Handmade in the USA, the Madison dress is made of navy silk dupioni with a white lace overlay, white silk satin ribbon bow, and white silk covered buttons in back.

Carina looked so beautiful in this dress; and she agreed! When I showed her herself in the mirror she exclaimed, "Carina pretty!" The dress is very well made and has such a high attention to detail. The best part is that it will fit her for quite some time (it's size 2T) and someday will be passed down to Aurelia. Maybe she can wear it for her 2nd Birthday...ha, if my chunky chunk will fit in it ;) Check out Baby Beau & Belle on Twitter, Facebook, and their new blog!

She wouldn't stand still or look at the camera long enough for me to get any good photos...but at least you can see how she spent the bulk of the party. She is obsessed with the princess figurines I bought for the sole purpose of adorning her birthday cake. Who knew they would end up being her favorite gift ;)