A Busy Summer Wednesday

It is amazing to look back at your day and see how many things moms do in ONE day. Here is what Olivia and I did today on our Wednesday together:

Breakfast
Nap
Post Office
Music Class
Lunch with friends
Central Park
Home for a snack
Skype with Grandma and Papa
Fresh Direct arrived (unpacked groceries)
Walk and Frozen Yogurt stop (for mom)
Return things at Baby Gap
Quick play date with Natalia
Dinner
Bath
Play with dad
BED!

I think Olivia was asleep before her head hit the mattress -- and I am on my way. It was another wonderful WEDNESDAY MOM and Livie day. What will we do next week? stay tuned!

Great First Birthday Presents

Olivia was beyond spoiled on her first birthday! I know myself, I am always on the search for great gift ideas, so I thought I would share a few of the stand-out gifts she received:


Monogrammed Tote Bag from Ballard Design -- Olivia has the large pink tote with green monogramming and it is adorable, fun for summer and great to use for day or weekend trips.

Egg Baby outfit -- adorable top with matching bloomers. The top has little pockets -- can you get any cuter! Love the design, and soft cotton which is lite and perfect for summer. Both top and bottom run small, so buy a size up.


Bee Bop Band by Battat -- Noisy yes, but fun -- double yes! Olivia loves her band in a box, which comes with lots of fun shakers and things to bang, bang, bang.

Children's Diorama's by Christine Originals -- Olivia received one featuring a Wizard of Oz scene and I absolutely love it. This is a true keep-sake gift and is something a child will have hanging in their room forever.

Baby Walker by PlanToys -- Perfect to give to any pre-walker as it gives them the confidence to take first steps. I love that you can control the speed so it can grow with your child as they gain more control and better balance.

The trip to the doctor or torture chamber?

Today I found a new respect for parents who take their kids to the doctor! It is up there with my feelings toward parents with screaming kids on a plane. My heart goes out to you ALL. I was that mom today -- in the doctor's office with a screaming... and I mean SCREAMING child. This was clearly the moment when a child comes to realize that that man, who lives at this place with a funny looking bed, always hurts me with a needle and I DON'T LIKE HIM. And this happens when they turn ONE! Here I am feeling helpless with a naked screaming child with the doctor trying to tell me what kind of sun protection I should use. I was trying hard to look calm and like I knew this would happen (not!), yet all I could think about was what I had in the diaper bag that would help to calm my child. But at the end of the appointment, my doctor delivered the best line that I not only heard, but it calmed my anxiety and made me laugh out loud. He said "another satisfied customer." well said Dr. Bourne, and I promise once she is old enough for lollipops she will be your best friend again.

For the Mini-Fashionista

We know shopping for our little kids is way more fun than shopping for ourselves, and when I came across the site Pink Chicken. I wanted to buy everything! Just check out the adorable dresses. I wish they had them in my size too! I just LOVE the tunic style which is so light and easy to wear in the summer, and the colors are just gorgeous. The prices are high, but they seem to always have some on sale. So keep it bookmarked.

Happy Summer!

Olivia's First Birthday

Lucky for me, Olivia's (aka Livie's) first birthday fell on a WEDNESDAY -- June 16th, my day off! I can't believe she is ONE. I know every mom says that, but it is true. The year flew by so fast. And when you put it into perspective that you had an alien in your stomach one minute, a new born baby sucking at your boob the next, and all of a sudden you have a little person in your life who moves, reacts, laughs...and it all happens in 365 days. My hat goes off to mother nature!



For Livie's birthday we decided to keep it low-key, after all she is only ONE. So I planned 2 parties -- one for the kids and one for the adults. But trust me, they were still low-key by New York standards. The first was a picnic in the sky (I know so NY) with views of the Empire State Building. It sounds a lot fancier than it really was. It was on the roof-top of our apartment building with picnic blankets on a patch of grass. Yes we have grass on the roof of our building (I know so NY). With eight of Livie's little friends, and their nannies of course, we enjoyed a picnic of mini banana and cream cheese sandwiches, followed by homemade cupcakes which Olivie wore more than ate. The photo opp we were expecting!

The second was this weekend at my parents' house in New Jersey. A family party with a few friends. It was a beautiful summer's day and the pool was warm and we all sat outside enjoying a delicious BBQ. The only downer was the birthday girl. She is going through her teething/clingy or both stage and only wanted to be held my me (have to admit it felt really nice to be so wanted). This is not the usual girl we know who goes to anyone, is always smiling and laughing, but she (and I) made it through the day on my hip and we had fun!

Happy 1st Birthday to my favorite, most delicious daughter Livie!