Just Like Mommy

This certainly isn't news...we're all sick again. People ALWAYS say you end up getting every cold and bug your kid gets, and now I am a believer. P had an ear infection and I'm delirious with a fever and stuffy head. I'm always in denial about getting sick until it's too late. In this case, I was adamant that it was just allergies - and then I almost passed out while driving home. It's officially spring, so when is cold/flu season over? I'm getting desperate - does anyone have any hints for staying healthy? I've tried just about everything, but I know some of you are homeopathic nerds, so help!!!

On a lighter note, P and I have been playing dress-up lately and it's hysterical. She is at the age now where she wants to do everything I do. If I'm cleaning, she gets a tissue and a plastic bottle from her "kitchen" and pretends to wipe down the floors. If I'm on my computer, she pulls her kid version out and pretends to click away. Last week, I was feeling fancy and actually got dressed in something other than yoga pants and a sweatshirt. As I was putting on my makeup and some jewelry, P wanted to join in. I sat her on the bed and pretended to put some makeup on her and then gave her a bunch of costume jewelry. She was beyond happy...

When we found out we were having a girl, I admit that I was a tad bit disappointed. I was afraid of all the hormones, drama and puberty issues that come with being a girl. What I didn't know is how wonderful raising a little girl can be - our little P is sweet, kind, smart, funny - everything we could have ever wished for in a child. Plus, I get to go back and relive my childhood, what could be better than that?

Pregnant in Heels

Bravo's latest reality series starts tonight and it's called 'Pregnant in Heels.' Maternity guru Rosie Pope gives an inside look at all the crazy expecting parents she encounters as part of her job as a high-profile baby planner in NYC. I'm usually addicted to anything on Bravo before it even airs - this one had me at 'crazy parents.'

I kind of want to be her...she's a former model/ballerina who studied Neuroscience at Columbia University and is now making boatloads of money doing one of the coolest jobs ever. 

Speaking of baby planners and the coolest job ever, I've been helping a friend with her amazing baby planning business. She's been gracious enough to share her work with me and it's been a dream come true! Check out Boston's premier baby planning service at Perfecting Expecting (cute name, eh?).  Send moms-to-be you know our way and we'll make sure they're ready for that overwhelming adorable bundle of joy.

For the Babies

My baby gift guide features a lot of our personal favorites and also a lot of presents that are on P's list this year. This is our first year playing Santa and there is SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM!!! How do you pick? Especially when the kiddo is too young to really ask for anything...I think this year we'll go heavy on the books and sorting toys (a certain someone I know likes to obsessively place animal magnets in all the nooks and crannies of our house).

What are your favorites? Any ideas for a ready-to-walk 14-month-old?

 

 

 

Harold and the Purple Crayon, $11

Good Night Gorilla, $6

One Tree, $5

Building Blocks, $120 

Flashcards, $16

Band Set, $20

Easel, $60

Farm Sorting Set, $30

Wooden Animal Magnets, $12

Bilibo, $30

Tickle Monster Set, $35

Baby in a Pod, $18

Drum Set, $52 

Owl Set, $50

Wooden Fishing Toy, $35  

A Survival Guide

So. We're going on week four of 24/7 life at home with baby P, the big black dog and a never-ending list of errands (I never thought it was possible to spend an ENTIRE day grocery shopping. But it is. It REALLY is.).

I have talked about staying home with P since the day she was born and now - husband, if you're reading, I'm not saying forever - the wish has come true. I'm trying to enjoy every moment and I want to use this time to tackle some really huge projects. A few things help smooth over the rough days and make us all smile a little wider...

 Target, oh, Target. How is it that you made the most perfect jegging for only $25?!?!

 A good watch is essential to keeping our days on track. This one is adorable and comes with a bunch of different straps to mix-and-match.

 It's no secret. I love Keith Urban. I can't explain why - his music just makes me happy. I also love Oprah. It's pretty much the only time I turn on the tube during the day (other than the lovely videos mentioned below). Keith and Nicole were on the show Monday. HEAVEN!!!

 To be able to walk outside every day is a beautiful thing. We live in a place where conservation land is literally on every corner. Until the bitter cold sets in, we've been trying to walk at least 30 minutes a day.

 There comes a point during every day where both P and I need our alone time. These videos were recommended by a friend and work perfectly for some learning + quiet time. It also gives me at least a half hour to do laundry, prepare dinner or check email.

 Booger season is upon us and these miracle wipes work wonders. 

What would I do without Trader Joe's? It's affordable, offers a ton of organic options and our location has beer and wine (cue the choirs of angels singing).

Two Against One

I've recently realized that my baby is quickly learning things to outsmart me. To my dismay, no one believed that baby P could be so sneaky. After a few incidents of missing food, spilled drinks and hidden diapers, I finally wised up. Caught on camera, below, is little miss P quietly disposing of her dinner (that Trader Joe's SLAVED over) while she thought I was reading a magazine. Ha! Who's the joker now, baby P?

Dinner begins - look at my precious feet!

It is SO funny when I feed Daddy...

La-dee-da, I'm just eating my dinner...

Shhh...

No one will notice when my hand slowly drops below my highchair...

Cam to the rescue! {Giggles ensue}Voila! A way to dispose of unwanted vegetables!

Mommy! I SWEAR I ate all my yummy kidney beans and tofu!

Weekly Etsy Finds

Sigh. This week has been tough - crazy commute, weird weather and we had such a great long weekend that it was hard to get back into the swing of things. Enter the bright spot of my week, trolling Etsy to find new lovely things to share with you.

Just because: It's superficial, but buying things makes me happy and I'm not afraid to admit it. Especially when they are adorable AND handmade. This fold-up, cloth campfire is precious AND perfect for playtime; I'm a sucker for paper goods and these note cards fit the bill; our house is an antique, so geometric, colorful prints can really make an old room pop; trees make me happy and this print would look great on a white wall.

For R&R: I've been having a hard time falling asleep lately. Just as I'm about to drift off to la-la land, I hear a phantom baby crying. I check the monitor, and P is just snoozing away. A lot of moms complain about this. It's normal, right? Until this phase passes, a few good smelling candles, an eye mask, a warm neck pillow and yummy bath salts should help knock me out.

For busy moms: I'm coming to terms with the fact that I really don't need to carry a handbag anymore since our diaper bag is big enough to fit mommy AND baby stuff in. The thought has me verging on tears. As a compromise, I thought a cute wristlet for easy access to cash, cards and keys would lessen my depression. As you can see, I'm prone to florals (here, here and here), so I threw in a simple leather version to mix things up.