New Family, New Traditions

The holidays have been so much more fun this year with Little E. Now that we're a family, we're working hard to start some traditions that we hope will be with us for many years to come.

As we have for the past few years, we did the Gingerbread Competition, got together with our friends for a National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation themed party, have watched every Christmas movie we could find, and of course have a live tree.... We also made Beef on Weck sandwiches for dinner. In the past, we've done this on our trips to Buffalo, but not when we were in California. We made it happen this year, and it was fantastic.

This year, we added opening a gift on Christmas Eve, and reading both How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Night Before Chistmas to little E. Tomorrow morning, we'll be having a yummy breakfast, and are including a new dish that E's Auntie Say suggested- French Toast made with Pumpkin Bread and Eggnog. If any others pop up I'll include those as well.

We can't wait for the years when we'll be able to get E into it as well- leaving cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Christmas is the BEST! Happy Holidays to all!

Meet me under the misltetoe...

Ooooh, I want that.

I found this product on another blog. It's an indoor composter that recycles all of your kitchen waste into fertilizer for your garden. Now, I can't have that here, since we have a single plant that lives on our concrete balcony. But we're going to have a house someday. Someday soon, I hope.

Anyhow, if you want to be a little greener in your own home, click here.

Holiday Sports- Gingerbread Style

Our family has a tradition. Every year my Aunt and Uncle Host a gingerbread house competition. Generally, its them, my cousin, my crazy grandma, and Hubby and I. This year, my Sis joined us, and Little E observed. We all start with the same constructed house, and a bunch of candy. You're also allowed to suppliment with other goodies, as long as they're edible.

Now, I'm sure you're all picturing a warm and fuzzy day with all of us enjoying the holiday spirit. No way. No how. First things first, this competition is usually fueled with wine and beer. I was only allowed to have a single glass, or the Champers would have been flowing. Everyone else still had fun, while I nursed a single glass of Chardonnay over the four-hour competition. There's trash talking (especially at Grandma, who manages to use about 3 lbs of icing each year, makes a giant mess, and always complains that her stuff doesn't work), there can be full contact, if a situation calls for it.... I look forward to this all year. Every year we step up our game. As you can see from this year's entries- we're all pretty good. This year, I made team uniforms for our little fam. Hubby, E and I all wore reindeer headgear.

I have the reputation for being a little overzealous, and planning too far ahead. Maaaaybe it's true. This year, I painted my house with food coloring and water and used thin icing to create the look of brick, added a classic neco wafer roof, and added candy touches throughout. I'm very proud of my creation.

Hubby has, in the past, been the Zen Gingerbread guy. His designs were always simplistic. We're not sure what happened this year. He sat there for about an hour, just looking at his house, and then next thing we knew, it was covered in giant Peeps, and he was squirting icing everywhere. Despite that, it turned out really fun, and now they're both gracing our dining room, waiting to be fawned over at our annual holiday bash.

My little elf....

It didn't take long.

Emma and I are full on into the holiday spirit.

And when you have all day... you end up finding stuff like THIS.

The Holiday Season is upon us....

And we're having so much fun with it. As you can see from the photos here, Emma likes her warm clothes as much as mommy does. She also loves singing Christmas carols. She'll stare and grin when I sing to her, and then starts singing "oooh, oooh" right along with me.

We went to get the tree this weekend, and ended up with a beautiful, tall and skinny, 8 ft. Noble Fir. The decorating is pretty simple. We have big bulb lights that are kind of fun, and different than the "usual." Most of our ornaments are blown glass. I just think they look beautiful, and we have tons of different "themes" to them. This year we added new garland and a tree topper. I think it's gorgeous, and will be just right for adding all the cute ornaments E will someday make for us in school. Right now, she does little more than stare at the tree, but it's good to know we can entertain her so easily.

No one tells you this, but the Holidays are just so much more fun when you have a teeny person in your life. I know E isn't going to remember anything from this Christmas, but the house is decorated, and we're going a little nuts with presents, and we'll bake cookies for Santa. I've never been so joyful, so this is just the right season to be enjoying E's babyhood.

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving, all! This was a great year. Because Little E isn't ready to travel, the 'Rents In-Law flew out from Buffalo, and I got to host my first holiday. There were six of us in all, including a special appearance from our buddy, El D.

I have to say, I'm pretty proud of how the table turned out. I made a pretty and simple centerpiece from autumn leaves and gourds (And that pie pumpkin in the center is going to become bread, or pie or something...), dressed up the candles with seasonal fruit and flowers, and used our wedding china for the second time. The food was pretty great as well. I can't boast about my bird, because MIL was in charge of the cranberries and Murray the turkey (yes, I named him), but I made the stuffing, taters (mashed, and sweet with marshmallows), beans, pies, etc. It was quite a spread. I'm so full, in fact, that I'm not nibbling on leftovers. What is THAT about? I suppose it just means there will be more around tomorrow. Mmmm, toasted sourdough with tons of butter and dark meat turkey. Heaven.

Little E didn't really get it, but she looked festive. The best I can do right now is to dress her appropriately. I can't say she was crazy about the turkey hat, but maybe next year. And now, it's time to decorate for Christmas! Woohoo. The holiday before my favorite holiday is done, and I get to shop for presents, and read E the Grinch, and watch Elf and Christmas Vacation. Yahoo!

Wonder child.

Little E slept for 5 hours, ate, then slept for 4 hours last night. That last four was interrupted by a little whimpering, but at about 6, when Hubby's alarm went off, we just brought her to bed (she's quite the snugglebug) and we slept another two hours. She's been consistantly sleeping for one 4 or 5 hour shift, but every few days I get a night like this, and it makes me feel like a whole new mommy!

She ate and we came downstairs, and now she's asleep again. What an angel! This is my favorite sleepy E pic so far. She poses so pretty without even knowing it!

Baby E's New Tricks

This kid is oh-so-much fun. In the last week, she's getting even more expressive and engaging. She'll follow the sound of my voice around the room. She'll sleep for a 5-hour tear some nights. She'll pull her head up during tummy time, and is just so big and strong. We think she's at 10 lbs. She visibly gets excited over things now (mostly the sight of my boobs), and I really REALLY think we're getting close to smiles. (How many weeks have I said that?) Oh, and now, every night, instead of napping, she likes to help me cook dinner. This is a very good thing considering that I'm hosting Thanksgiving for 5 this year (6 including Little E). She'll be good company during pie making. What do you think? Do I dare try to make my own piecrusts on my first go-round?

She's finally big enough to enjoy a trip around the house in the Bjorn. I'm going to try it the next time we go to the grocery store, too. Unfortunately, she generally passes out after just a few minutes of us dancing together. Then she goes limp. But it makes for good pictures.

Meet the newest Domestic Diva in town...

It's official, folks. I'm a full-time Mommy. I quit my job. It was bittersweet, as I loved my job, and the folks I worked with, but like I told my former boss: Here at home is where my most important work is these days. Other than the Hubby, no one loves this little girl as much as I do, and I'm convinced that no one could do as good a job as I will do in taking care of her. She may end up a little smothered, at least at first. Poor child- she has a lot of this to look forward to.

Trick or Treat!

E's first Halloween was pretty low-key. We didn't have time to get a pumpkin, and we didn't go anywhere, but we had to dress up our little darlin. As with most things E, she wasn't sure about how she felt about this... So, she fussed a little at first.


Then calmed down.


Then went to sleep.

2007- The Best Year E-V-A

Emma is born, and we win the World Series, with Lowell as MVP. Ah, bliss.

Baby E's One-Month Check-up....

Apparently, we're still doing well. E has gained almost another pound- 9 lb.s 5 oz. and is now over 22" tall. Her diaper rash is minor, and totally not our fault. Newborns just poop all the time and it's impossible to keep them perfectly clean. Her gas is also normal, although, I'm going to start avoiding more of the foods that couple be the problem. She appears to be developing perfectly, has good head control, and the doc thinks she'll start smiling in the next month. YAHOO. I can't wait for that moment.

And P.S. We're up 2-0 in the World Series! Go Sox!

Today is a very good day.

It's October.
Emma let me sleep 8 (non-consecutive) hours last night.
John Williams is conducting the National Anthem.
Beckett is hot stuff on the mound.
We're leading the World Series 1-0.
Even Lugo and Drew are pulling their weight.
Since losing Judas Damon, I have a new Sox Crush.
I heart Mike Lowell.
Oh, and Manny doesn't know what day it is....

I love Autumn.

Happy Duedate, E!

E is 4-weeks old today, and we've officially hit her duedate. She's getting so big, and learning so much. She's really looking at us now, and may be getting ready to start smiling.

She's also hungry ALL the time. Other than that.... we're all as happy as can be.

Let's just forget about math altogether.....

So, I just saw a commercial for the new "Electronic Banking" version of Monopoly. It's supposed to be modernized to reflect today's cashless system, and allows for huge amounts of money to be used in transaction. In fact, each player starts with $15 Million. However, does anyone even pause to think that this takes away from kids (and adults for that matter) having to do the math of the simple transactions in their head. Working with "cash" also teaches players the value of money in a way that credit just doesn't. This makes me sad. We're now raising a generation of children that will not be able to function without the assistance of a calculator. I, for one, will be holding on to my ORIGINAL edition Monopoly, so Emma can learn to add and subtract in her head. She's also going to play Scrabble as soon as she can spell.

The 5.5 is from the Russian Judge.

So, my mother-in-law just left after coming to visit and meet E. It was wonderful to have her here, and she was a big help in a lot of ways- paying for stuff, helping with dinners and dishes... but my hormones were playing mean tricks on me.

All weekend, while I was in the nursing chair constantly.... (she's on a feed or fuss every two hours and only calm down for mom kick) and Hubby and MIL were on the sofa, I kept feeling as though I was performing an unknown sport in front of a panel of judges. I hate Baby Blues.

On a positive note. My baby is still the cutest thing ever- and she loves leaving the house, which is really good news for me. We took her out to the grocery store, and out for a walk to the nearby park this weekend. She loves being in her carrier and stroller, and behaved like an angel. This means that as soon as the weather warms up again (it's cold and cloudy today), she and I are going for walks every day. I'm ready to lose the last of this pooch.

Currently, my little angel is trying to pass some gas while asleep in her bouncy seat. We just finished lunch, so maybe we can both catch a nap soon. Naps make everything better.

And in this corner....

The heavyweight champ of SoCal..... Baby E!

Went by the Doc's office today because I thought E might have a cold. She doesn't, but she is carrying an additional 1.5 lbs. She hit 8 lbs on her 3 week birthday. Yahoo. This means we can chill in the BabyBjorn and sleep without waking her for feeding in the middle of the night.

I may feel like a milk-cow, but at least I'm a potent one.

Pup's Second Week Highlights

1. Baby poop has remarkable range. This particular explosion left Hubby standing over the sink, holding our nekid baby, proclaiming, "My daughter just [pooped] in my hand." I sat on the bed, leaked milk and laughed. Hard. But then the same thing happened to me the next day.



2. I'd say she's filling out just a little bit. We call this the sumo-baby picture. "Give me milk. Rawr!"


3. Reading to babies is good. So far it's been Erik Larson from Daddy, and Jenny McCarthy from mom, but it puts her right to sleep, and I like to think that, and the classical music we play during quiet times is have some positive effect on her rapidly growing grey matter.


4. The cats are both happier now that I'm not pregnant. The Romeo has even stopped peeing outside his box. Now that he can sleep on my belly again, he's a happy boy. He's even been so brave as to get close enough to sniff our little one.


5. This is cuteness to the extreme. She may be mostly a bit of a "blob" to quote Jenny McCarthy, but already she's spending more time awake, she's looking right at us, and starting to check out the world...... smiles are on the way, I just KNOW it. But in the meantime, she's still the cutest, best thing in the history of history.

MOOOOOOOOOOOO!

So, um, this whole breastfeeding thing isn't easy. Not at all. They make look fabulous, but the first two weeks have been excruciatingly painful, not to mention frustrating, AND expensive. You think you save money by doing it this way, but not so much when you send your husband out every 10 minutes to buy another "sore nipple" product at Babies R Us. I've got Guards, whichkeep fabric, etc off the nipple to prevent chafing and to keep it dry if you leak (which you do), as well as lanolin cream, and soothing gel pads. And today, I paid $100 to have a sweet little Kiwi woman come over, grab my boobs and try and teach me how to do it better. It's a tough row to hoe- the process of feeding and diapering her takes at least 45 min, usually, closer to an hour or hour and a half, and we have to repeat this dance every three hours.

In between bouts of crying in pain and frustration, I'm trying to keep my sense of humor. I mean, how can you not when a stranger is fondling you, trying to get your boob in your baby's mouth, and instead it squirts her in the face. HA!

All in all, I currently feel a little more like a barnyard animal being used for its goods more than a wife and mommy, but I'm dealing. Baby E is thriving, and that's what matters. And the weight loss helps. A lot. I'm trying not to think about the fact that the Lactation Consultant said I should only be losing a pound a month. Oops. I'll slow down to that rate as soon as I hit the same weight as hubby, who is currently still 10 lbs below my current weight. Not that this fact makes me feel like a heifer or anything....... Like I said..... MOOOOOO!