Happy Halloween!

My favorite little honey bee!

A Week of Firsts

As a new mom, you are so very excited for all of the firsts in your child's life.  Like crawling, their first word, first steps, etc.  Well, there's also a few firsts that you could either live without or push off until they go to college (I kid, I kid...).  :)

One that I anticipated being much worse than it was, was Marissa's very first big girl sleep over.  That's right, she's almost 15 months old and hasn't slept overnight without her mommy yet.  Last Friday was Danny's birthday so Marissa went to her Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night.  Danny and I went to a Japanese steak house for dinner and had a nice evening as husband and wife.  I was hoping to sleep in but my internal alarm clock didn't allow for that.  Instead I got up, made coffee and breakfast, made Danny's favorite (strawberry) cupcakes, gave the kitchen a good wipe down and put away a load of laundry.  Marissa did great at her sleep over and the anticipation of the big event is now behind us.

This is the one that I could live without...

Marissa had her first big "spill" yesterday.  She fell on the brick walkway at our house and got a pretty good scrape on her forehead.  Note to self: brick is not forgiving.  Poor baby was pretty upset (as was I) but with a few kisses and mommy snuggles she was back to her normal self.  She let me clean it up and was acting like nothing happened after that. 



This morning I dropped Marissa off at the sitters and she said "bah-bye!"  It was adorable, so at least there's one good first for the week!  She also gave me a kiss before I left so at least she still loves me and has forgiven me for letting her scrape her head. 

Pumpkin Patch!

Before heading home from my parents house we took a quick trip to the pumpkin patch with Marissa.  She liked chasing her shadow and running around the patch.  She wore herself out good!

On our way to the patch!

Chasing Daddy

Taking a ride on Grandpup

Sittin' on a punkin'

Beating on the pumpkins with Daddy

Taking a wheel barrel ride, checking out our loot

"I think I'll have this one!"

Grammy & Marissa

Goofy girl

...and she's out!

*Sprinkle*

Last weekend we headed to my parents house for a small baby shower for the little man.  He was showered with lots of gifts that we are so grateful for!  He is going to be quite the stylish little guy when he makes his appearance.  My mom's bingo buddies came, Danny's parents, my Uncle and his wife, my friend Sara and Drew and their little man, Isaac, as well as a few family friends.  It was nice getting together with everyone and we had a nice time. 

Here I am at almost 29 weeks!

I learned that Elephants are supposed to be good luck!  It's a good thing our house is going to be full of them. :)

Sara, Drew and Isaac!

Too cute

Shoes to match his shirt (thank you mom for cutting off my head) :-P

Speaking of elephants, here's my latest DIY project for the nursery.  This is a cell phone picture so it's not the best.  The colors are much more vibrant in person.  I painted the lamp base and mod podged the lamp shade.  If my husband ever starts the nursery...Hopefully I will get some better pictures soon.  It has 4 elephants going around the lamp shade.  What do ya think!?

Hallelujah! She is my kid!!

Hallelujah! Marissa gobbled up whole wheat pasta with Alfredo sauce and shrimp last night for dinner!

Marissa has turned into a little bit of a picky eater lately.   Despite my efforts of giving her well rounded, home cooked meals.  If she doesn't want something (though she may have LOVED it the day before) she will refuse to eat it and it gets thrown to the floor.  The other night I made shrimp alfredo and she wanted nothing to do with it.  Last night I decided to try again and she couldn't get enough.  She even ate the shrimp, so I'm glad to announce that she does not have any shellfish allergies. :-D

I love, love, love pasta...so she is officially my kid!

At 13.5 months old, here's Marissa's list of favorite/not so favorite foods:

Favorites (depending on the day, of course):

• Sausage - for some reason this kid loves sausage
• Cheddar Cheese
• Kiwi
• Banana - she likes eating them whole now and she likes them green like her mama. She won't eat them if they get too brown, we leave those for daddy
• Peanut Butter - she eats it by the spoon full, that's my girl!
• Apples
• Beans of almost any kind - kidney, pinto, black, etc.
• Cucumbers
• Pears
• Peaches
• Peas
• Sweet Potato - steamed
• Avocado - the fresher the better!
• Grapes - green or red
• Applesauce (she LOVES pomegranate apple sauce with no sugar added)
• Carrots - steamed
• Tomatoes
• Blueberries
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• PB&J Sandwiches
• Strawberries - though we have tried limiting them due to diaper rashes during teething.  We aren't sure but it may make it worse per the pediatrician.  Which is a total bummer since she loves strawberries.

Favorite Snacks:

• Yogurt Melts
• Cheerios 
• Crunchies - Tomato flavored and Veggie flavored (I concur that they are tasty!)
• Veggie Straws
• Raisins

 

Not So Favorites/Hit or Miss:

• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Hamburger
• Meat loaf
• Ham or Turkey
• Chicken
• We have been unsuccessful at her eating spaghetti, which is just crazy to me!
• Zucchini - this used to be a favorite of hers but it became hit or miss towards the end of veggie season

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, but it will be fun to look back on this list in a few years and see how her eating habits develop and change!

Childhood Doesn't Wait

I stumbled across this on a friend's blog and just had to share!

Childhood Doesn’t Wait

(Author Unknown)

I was sitting on a bench

while in a nearby mall,

When I noticed a young mother

with two children who were small.

The youngest one was whining,

“Pick me up,” I heard him beg

but the mother’s face grew angry

as the child clung to her leg.

“Don’t hang on to me,” she shouted

as she pushed his hands away,

I wish I’d had the courage

to go up to her and say…

“The time will come too quickly

when those little arms that tug,

Won’t ask for you to hold them

or won’t freely give a hug.

“The day will sneak up subtly

just as it did with me,

When you can’t recall the last time

that your child sat on your knee.

“Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings

when we cherished time alone

Our babies grow and leave behind

those special times we’ve known.

“So when your child comes to you

with a book that you can share,

Or asks that you would tuck him in

and help him say his prayer…

“When he comes to sit and chat

or would like to take a walk,

Before you answer that you can’t

`cause there’s no time to talk”

Remember what all parents learn

so many times too late,

That years go by too quickly

and that childhood doesn’t wait.

“Take every opportunity,

if one should slip away

Reach hard to get it back again,

don’t wait another day.”

I watched that mother walk away

her children followed near,

I hope she’ll pick them up before her chances disappear.

 

Little Miss Sunshine

I thought the title of this post was appropriate since Marissa is wearing yellow.  Plus, she is the sunshine of my life! :-D

I don't know if she needs her bangs cut or if we should just let them grow out.  She looks like a bit of a crazy head in most of her pictures though.  The flash was a little bright, hence the squinty eyes.  She looks so grown up!

Silly girl, trying to get Teddy, upside down and between the legs!

Apparently she also likes to read upside down.  She's so talented!

My favorite new "trick" of Marissa's (I realize she is not a dog) is you ask her "where's your belly button?" and she lifts her shirt to find it.  It's so cute!  It's even funnier when she has a onesie on. :-P

Danny will be getting home from travel tomorrow.  We can't wait to see him!  We have lots to do though since we are going to my parents this weekend.  My mom is throwing a small "sprinkle" (aka baby shower) for us and the baby boy.  It is going to be very low key and hopefully relaxing.  My friend Sara is going to come and bring her baby that I haven't seen since he was 6 weeks old.  My grandma who was unable to make it to my shower for Marissa is coming and it's always nice to see her since I don't see her often.  It will be nice to celebrate the new baby and I am looking forward to some yummy food.  I think my dad is smoking some Boston butts...MmMmMmmm good!  Although second showers aren't always typical, I do feel grateful that a few people want to celebrate our newest addition.  Plus it's a good excuse to get together and eat yummy food.  Did I mention I'm pregnant?  I'm like a bottomless pit (and the scales agree). 

I digress...hopefully Sunday we are going to hit up a local pumpkin patch and let Marissa pick out a pumpkin!  Hopefully I get some good pictures this weekend and the weather cooperates.