Melissa is having a Boy!

By my obsessive picture taking of a certain five year old, you kinda might know I have a little girl.  For seven months (the first two I didn't even know I was pregnant!) I swore I was having a boy.  I wanted a boy and refused to fully believe the doctor when they said I would have a girl.  Kris chose our sweet girl's name and we referred to the baby as a girl but I think that the first thing I asked after delivery was, "Is it really a girl?".

My mom and sister threw my shower for me.  I had a few requests....because, well...that's me.  I thought they were all practical and I promised to keep out of the rest of the details if they would:

1. Tell me when the shower was ( so I didn't look like a hot mess)
2.  Don't have the shower after the 7month point  (the point in pregnancy when you are decidedly pregnant but not yet looking like a cow....can walk, not waddle and still have a glow)
3. Make it a gender-neutral party (what if the doctor is wrong?)

They were great and went along with my requests.  As a result, I am happy when I look back at the pictures from that day.  I looked healthy and happy. The day was wonderful and one that I won't forget.  When my sister, Melissa, announced she was pregnant earlier this year, I immediately went back to the rules I had insisted on and wanted her to have the same good feelings about her shower.  The only difference...she was told she's having a boy and she's in full agreement.

My mother is not a planner (mom...you mean well but you procrastinate like the dickens) so as I noticed that the seven month mark was right in the middle of the Holiday Season, we sat down to hash out the date and choose some invites.  Melissa (like me) had no "theme" so we went with a modern one that just said fun and hoped she'd approve.

photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

We didn't want to spend an afternoon playing so many games that we didn't get to visit with everyone so we chose a few fun things and went with simple food.  One of our dear, dear friends (practically family) came a day early and brought treats from home.  Tomato pie, Half-moon cakes, Italian desserts and fresh Italian bread.   Y  U  M!!!

mom and her girls   photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

The shower itself went smoothly and I think everyone had a great day.  We got to see family we haven't seen in a while, my mom got to share the day with all of her besties and Melissa and the baby, of course, got attention from everyone.  Giada was there to entertain should anyone get bored.  She is such a ham and was so excited to be a part of celebrating her soon-to-arrive baby cousin.

mom surrounded by her besties   photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

The girls in the family     photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

I sometimes forget how important it is to plan and attend these functions.  They seem like a chore sometimes but when you look at why you are there and remember how people treated you, you realize how special these milestones are.

photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

Thank you to everyone that contributed to making this day wonderful.  Everyone that attended, sent gifts and well-wishes to the soon-to-be parents is appreciated.  Special thanks to Tracie, Michelle, and Kim for doing all the things we couldn't have done on our own and to Rae for being Giada's 'playmate' , aka my savior.

capturing time

I always say I'm busy.  Everyone that knows me witnesses it.  Many say I should rest but I haven't learned how.  Every time I stop, I feel like I am neglecting something.  Like my downtime should have been spent being productive.  This week though, I really needed a breather.

Last weekend, I started trying to wrap up some things for my sister's upcoming baby shower.  After doing some running around on my own, I spent a day with my mom getting decorations, choosing food, getting favors etc.  I had planned to spend a little time with some friends and take some pics on Sunday but when our schedules didn't line up and I realized that I could meet up with them Monday, we rescheduled.   I completely forgot that last Monday was Veteran's Day and that Giada didn't have school or daycare.  It was supposed to be a beautiful fall day so I planned to bring her with me to meet up with our friends and then take off on our own and get some shots of her. I had some work to do and phone calls throughout the day but squeezing in some time with my favorite little girl was worth it.

Photo session one was great.  Just some casual family shots followed by the kids playing for a while.  When we left,I had a few thoughts of places we could go and as we drove, I took a chance and checked out the Arboretum at the County park.  I had never been there before so I had no idea what to expect.  I hear that it is beautiful in the summer but it's not exactly flower weather here right now.  More like fallen sticks and leaves.  I was hoping to get a few good shots for our Holiday Card.

One of my favorite subjects to take pictures of is Giada.  She amazes me and I feel some of my best pictures are ones of her. I wonder sometimes if it is because I know her so well and can anticipate much of what she'll do or if it's because I just thoroughly enjoy capturing the wonder and light inside of her.  She has no fear of the camera.  The only trouble I have is that she sometimes tries to pose and its the last thing I want most days.  I want to catch her being herself.





For this outing, I brought props and dressed her in fun clothes.  She did as she pleased as I followed her snapping away.  I even handed over the camera a few times to let her take pics of me and things she found worthy of recording. She reminded me that day that we used to say goodnight and pretend that we were holding a camera up to each other.....her from the bed, me from the doorway and we'd take a 'snapshot' of each other with our invisible cameras.  She said we'd  stopped that recently and we should really start doing it again.

She is only five but she knows better than anyone how to make me stop and breathe for a moment.

my beauty

Note:  I wanted to get this published so I didn't edit a thing.....therefore I apologize (for that and for having to look at my wrinkles and roots)  In addition....I will publish more pictures of this day soon but don't want to spoil the surprise of the Holiday cards. xo ~h

help with dinner

Friday night and no plans.  What better way to spend it than with my favorite little girl in the world? I'm sure I mentioned it before but I love that Giada is well on her way to being a foodie.  With the exception of crunchy carrots (cooked are acceptable), I can't think of anything that she won't eat.  When I told her what I'd planned for dinner tonight, she said. "Yes!"   Most kids I know need the details so they can pick out what they won't eat.  I love that Giada carefully assesses them and adds suggestions as though she is starting to get what things will work together.  Believe me....I don't say this to brag.....she has come up with some combos that would turn your stomach and tonight, told me that onion powder was cinnamon.  She's got a some work to do but she's on her way.

Menu: Tortillas layered with black beans, corn and feta cheese served with an avocado salad

We mixed the beans & corn with cumin, onion powder, salt  pepper. From there, we placed a tortilla flat on a pan that had been lightly brushed with olive oil  (so it didn't stick) and topped with the mixture & tossd on some feta. Another layer and then topped with another tortilla.  I brushed the top one with EVOO and sprinkled on some cajun spices.  In the oven it went. ( 350deg F.....until done.... I'm awful about timing things like this)

While that was cooking, I got to have a drink work on the avocado salad and let Giada take a turn with the camera for a few shots. 

I cut the avocado in chunks and Giada mixed it with freshly chopped cilantro, evoo, salt & pepper.

To serve, I just cut the tortilla thingy into wedges and topped with the salad.  A nice little dollop of Cabot (the BEST) sour cream  accompanied the meal and we had a simple, nutritious veggie meal. 

Rekindle

What is it about that 'first' of a season that makes one reminisce?  The first flower in spring after a long, cold winter.  The first day that you can smell the warmth of the impending summer.  The first fallen leaf that reminds you to start pulling out the long sleeves. The first skinny vanilla latte snowflake and the cold snap that accompanies it.

Skinny Vanilla Latte

So we were visited by Hurricane Sandy as you know and right behind her was a Nor'easter.  Ugh.  I finally found a local weather report that is honest.  "We really don't know...it could be this, this or this----we will keep you posted" (and they do).  Everyone was on edge wondering what this new storm would bring and how it would impact the East. What was certain in all forecasts was that there would be a sharp cutoff at the edge of the storm.  Neighboring towns could see vastly different results.  Our school district sent the kids home early for fear that the cutoff would be beyond us. Well, for us, it was nothing.  A few snowflakes...so few a 'dusting' would be an overstatement.  Just on the East side of the Hudson tho...completely different story.  Plow trucks that were rightfully clearing roads and more power outages were reported.  What a kick in the teeth for so many that had just begun picking up the pieces.

I say all of this while looking out the window at a stunning blue sky light up by much-needed sunlight.  With some of the maple leaves still green, it could be a late summer day if you didn't know otherwise.  The bird feeder I can see is being visited by birds celebrating the break in the gloom and I have just finished the last drop of my first Skinny Vanilla Latte.

Such a a silly thing to mark the season with but those happy red cups at Starbucks......they are my first snowflake. It doesn't have to be a latte.  Anything will do...as long as it's contained in a red cup made with 10% post-consumer recycled fiber.

Ahead of me, I see darker evenings with brighter stars, giftwrap, holiday cards, gatherings with friends to embrace the spirit of the season and a hundred opportunities to break out the camera.  I don't go ga-ga over the actual holiday but all of the things that lead up to them are right up my alley.  Each year I see everything as if it were brand new but enhanced by the rich memories of seasons past.

As I drove home the other evening while the snow was starting to fall, I saw a stone building serve as a backdrop to the flakes falling in the beam cast from a street light and for a second, it was already the week before Christmas.

Lessons learned

Kids have a lot to offer if you can just take a minute to see life through their eyes

Relax a bit and be proud of who you are

  

Be thankful

include your friends

let simple things light you up

appreciate the love sent your way

Surround yourself with things that make you happy

Party time

What's a Birthday without a party? As we get older, we stop celebrating ourselves for fear that others will think it is self-indulgent.  When you are a kid, your birthday doesn't even exist unless you have a party with your friends.  I think I'm going back to that.....parties for everyone!

We had no idea what to do for Giada's 'kid' party this year.  I was blessed with a June birthday so outside parties at home were always an option.  Giada's has proved to be a tricky one. It's two days before Halloween and the weather is always up in the air.  Without spending a fortune, what can you really do with a bunch of 4 & 5 year olds?  Stealing ideas from friends works, right?  ( Thanks, Nic!)  Bowling it is!

Bowling anyone? Extra silliness required.

We are in the transitional time where Giada doesn't know a lot of her new friends at school and she adores her besties from daycare so we invited the friends most important to her.  Bowling, cake and generally being....well.... five were on the schedule Saturday.

Birthday bowling with buds

This story isn't about me or Kris....it really is about Giada but when you have a party for kids at this age, the parents stick around.  I love it because I get to see friends and meet new ones. What I don't like is feeling like I don't get enough time with each of them. As a mom, I generally am in the forefront, appearing to run the show.  I would never be able to do it alone though.   Thank goodness for Kris.  He handles all the behind-the-scenes things like taking gifts and jackets, getting refreshments and assisting in corralling the kids.    I want to be so many things on days like this.  A great hostess, a Pied Piper of sorts: keeping the kids happy and entertained, a good friend and a mommy that makes her little girl so happy she can't stand it.  It's not easy for either of us.

 

I love these little faces!

Celebration in full effect

As I was going through the few pictures I was able to take, I saw a common theme that warmed my heart. Our little Pookie taking time for each friend.  A gentle hand to include them, a hand on their back so they knew she was there, cheering for them when it was their turn.  It was her Birthday party but it was  important to her that her friends were surrounding her.  There was no preference of one over the other.  They are "her kids" as she describes to me.

We hear from people that we have done a good job raising Giada.  I believe that she inspires & teaches us as much as we inspire & teach her.  I am honoured to know such an awesome person.

Happy 5th Birthday, Giada.  We love you to the moon and back....plus 1.

The most fun is had when you stray from the plan

Birthday, Storm and Giving

Almost a year.....sigh....... how have I gone this long without writing?  Really, I don't consider myself a 'writer'.  I like to share my thoughts and experiences.  It helps clear out some of the thoughts jumbled in my head but also allows me to take the time to say what I am thinking, how I perceive something and though it may not seem like it to you, it allows me to live on the edge a bit.  I get the stage for a few minutes and I have no way of knowing what the reaction will be.

Giada's Birthday was quickly approaching and so were the predictions for another 'Birthday' storm. That little reminder had me posting last year's Birthday recap on Facebook again.  I was brought right back to every moment as I read through it.  It was a million times better than the memory I already had.  Some extra details, the pictures and I was transported.  The next thought I had was that I truly missed documenting our lives.  The whole process.....taking the pictures knowing how they would be used, writing and sharing. The best part was having a way to go back and relive each story.  I can't give that up.

The threats of the storm started a week before it finally hit us.  I kept asking myself how people dealt with these things before technology.  We were given a chance to prepare to the best of our ability.  We were pretty sure the power would get knocked out so we bought some batteries and water, filled the tub up so we could flush and jacked up the heat in hopes that it would help a bit once there was none.

10/28/07.....making spinach balls

Sunday night, we had dinner at my mom and dad's house.  I made pasta with a slightly spicy sauce and spinach balls...... Exactly what we had 5 years ago...the day before Giada was born. Afterword, we had some cake and Giada opened her gifts from the family.

Birthday Celebration #1

I stayed home Monday ( the 29th....Giada's 5th Birthday)  Reports that the storm would hit that afternoon put the County in a State of Emergency for Government Offices and schools.  Giada's daycare was also closed so she and I stayed home to clean, catch up on laundry, cook some pasta and eggs so we had food if we couldn't cook.  We started to get bored so we messed around with Instagram for a bit and then enjoyed surprises that came in the mail. Kris ran some errands, hit the gym and returned just in time for the power to go out!  We ate cold ravioli ( Giada wanted ravioli last year.....cold counts, right?.... better late than never) and once we were done, there was more cake and more gifts

Instagram fun

Love from my sweet Karin and a goody-bag of samples from Target

We listened to the wind and rain whip around in the dark and lounged in the living room with the radio and flashlights.  Giada took a little snooze and when she woke up, we played Hello Kitty Bingo, Candyland and Go Fish.  Must have been Birthday Luck because she won every game.....legit.  I was bored and decided that the dark, powerless time would go faster if we just slept through it so after settling down under lots of fuzzy blankies, Giada read me a couple of her Pinkalicious books and I read her Goldilocks & the Three Dinosaurs ( we love Mo Willems)

life by flashlight

Sadly, we woke up to find that there was still no power but on a good note, there was no damage either.  Giada and I got dressed and went on a hunt for coffee. After getting some and an oatmeal for her, I started looking for info on dry ice distribution.  We didn't have power but I do have an iPhone and according to all of the posts, we were incredibly lucky.  No power?  Nothing compared to the destruction in NYC,  New Jersey and the surrounding areas.  We got the list of dry ice locations and headed out hoping to secure some. Silly me, I didn't think much of it and didn't dress appropriately.  Thankfully, G had a warm jacket because we waited in the damp, breezy weather for almost two hours.

I have never gotten dry ice before so this was a new experience. More eye-opening than anything was the range of attitudes and emotions.  Some were yelling and demanding.  Some more concerned with what 'we' were paying for the police and utility workers and then the others that were grateful for whatever they could get, no matter what the wait time was.  I was commended on Giada's behavior.  She helped with the cooler and didn't complain once.  A woman standing in front of us went to her car and got a blanket to wrap around G.   What extremes......  Its baffling to me how selfish some can be when others are so giving.

As a treat for her awesomeness, we stopped for a coffee and hot cocoa and some small cookies.  Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the greatest of treats.

We continued without power until Thursday evening but not once did any of us complain.  I am so grateful for the ability to see beyond myself .  To understand that nobody likes this situation and that everyone that can is doing whatever is in their power to make it better for everyone.  The workers removing downed trees, the utility workers restoring power, phone & cable and distributing dry ice & water, people with power offering a hot shower or a place to charge their cell.....  every    single    person.... is integral to helping us all get through this.

Thursday night, before we even knew we had power back, I stopped to see if I could buy the utility workers some coffee.....They were "fixin' to leave" but were incredibly thankful for the offer.....they didn't need to say it....you could just see it in their eyes.  As we drove away, Giada asked why we did that and I went on to explain what I just did above.  We need to appreciate each other and find time in our busy lives to slow down for a minute and let those people know......whoever they are at the time.....whatever the reason.