Thursday, August 14, 2008

Annapolis, Maryland

Pete's company flew us up for the weekend. Annapolis is a beautiful town - home of the US Naval Academy and many quaint restaurants and fun boutiques. We had a wonderful time strolling around with Mia. She's already becoming quite the little traveler. Other than one or two over-tired, end of the day outbursts, she did great.

Here I am with my little side-kick. She was helping me navigate with the tourist info map.

Just a block or two from our hotel.

Little square where they had an outdoor farmer's market. We bought some olive bread, goat cheese and wine to enjoy back at the hotel.

Resting by the Chesapeake Bay.

Mia thought the grass was way weird.

Enjoying the breeze and comfortable temperature.

I think it was parent's weekend or orientation at the Naval Academy.

Somebody was all pooped out, but wouldn't nap in the room - stroller did the trick though.

Mia looooved the cookies at the Jewell & Associates picnic.

Ready for bed after a long day of site-seeing (we brought along her pack-n-play, but she liked to cuddle in our bed with a little Olympics on).

My 2 favorite people.

Big girl in her high chair.

Adorable.

Hammin it up.

View from our hotel room terrace.

Monkeys are not allowed on terraces.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Mia's Birthday Bash

Somebody was feeling a little under the weather that day.

But she toughed it out and was a real champ for her party.

Cupcake icing is lip-smacking good.

Now there's a smile!

Yummy cupcakes from Alessi Bakery.
We also had pulled barbeque pork and Cuban sandwhiches, pasta salad, potato salad and fruit salad from Liz's mom Cathy (the food was a hit!) and Maria's awesome salsa.

I made the sign to match her dress.

Corey and the pups.

Mia's buddy Ella checking out the dogs.

Chili chillin'.

Mom, Dad and the Lovely Lady

Hanging with the fam.

Some of the playgroup moms and their little darlings.

My honey bunny.

Somebody let Mia drink and drive.

The Corral's.

People sure loved that Mia Sangria!

A couple of Peter's.

Mia sure does love her little buggy.

Finally got to meet Lucky dog!

More to come!

We've been taking it easy since the party - poor Mia Moo came down with a nasty cold the night before her big bash, and is still fighting it. Since we leave Saturday for Annapolis, we're trying to get some much-needed rest so we can have lots of fun this weekend. I'll post pics of her party and smash cake probably later today or tomorrow. Thanks again to everyone who came out! Mia loves all of her presents and can't wait to see you all again.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Mia Lily!

Dear Mia, Okay. I'm going to try and not cry my eyes out when writing this. It doesn't help that I just went back and looked at old pictures and have a big lump in my throat. You're such a big girl now. You've flourished into this lovely toddler that's so sweet and beautiful and smart.

It seems like just yesterday you were so small, with diapers that looked two sizes too big. We'd laugh at how the binky was bigger than your head and how your socks just never stayed on. They'd always slip from your tender, tiny feet. And now in the blink of an eye you are 20 pounds and 30-3/4" long and wearing 18 month sizes. You're gaining on my 5'4" fast, lol. You may have me beat by 5th grade.

Many moms have told me it happens quickly - the whole babies growing up thing. The days are long, but the years are fast. Any day now you'll be taking your first steps. And before I know it you'll be talking (all the time) and running around the house, begging to stay up late and read just one more book. Your hair will be long enough for pig tails and you'll know how to say I Love You. And suddenly in a flash, you won't need the training wheels anymore. You'll want to close the door to your room and play your music loudly. But let's just take things slowly, okay?

Watching you grow is bittersweet. You've opened my heart to a joy I've never known until now, and changed me in a million ways. I'll do anything, everything I can to protect you. And I'll always be right there to cheer you on. You're already such a strong, confident and aspiring little force. I am so proud of you. You are the light of my life.

I love you more than you'll ever know. Happy birthday, sweet heart. - Mom

Monday, July 28, 2008

A Very Special Dress

For a very special girl.

Friday Night at Grandma & Grandpa's

Pete and I went to go see The Dark Knight and then to dinner with Keri and Jaime, (also expecting their first - a girl!) so Mia Moo went to hang with Grandma and Grandpa for a few hours. She sure does love these guys.

Somebody got a little scrub in the sink.

All relaxed and refreshed and ready for her PJs.

Looking like quite the little Cubanita in this shot.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

An Early Birthday Present



Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Coolin' Off at the Zoo




A New Style

I made this in a day's time. It nearly drove me to the edge of insanity. Not sure if I'll be doing too many more like this.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

After a hard day's work -

Daddy and daughter like to kick back with a cold beverage.

Future Meteorologist?

We sat on the porch and watched the rain fall this afternoon. Mia thought it was super cool. I could see the wheels turning in her head.... Mommy, where does rain come from? What is rain? Will it rain forever?

I couldn't stop staring at her and thinking how much she's grown.

Such a pretty girl.

George Carlin Has a Good Point Here

This must be old, since George has also passed away, but a lot of truth here.

What a difference a sad event in someone's life makes.(His wife recently died...) Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Silly time

How Could I Forget? Here's Last Week's Pics -

This was one of those days she didn't think she needed a nap.

Playing at the park last Friday.

Weeeeeeee!

Mom!!!!! Standing by myself is super scary!!!!!

The apple does not fall far from the tree.

Mia - 1.
Mom's black bean soup - 0.

Some days, Mia is hardly ever tired....

A Few Things ....

1) Mia is 11 months, 1 week and 5 days old. Just typing that makes me break into a sweat. This time last year I really had no idea how complex and incredible parenting really is. Or how much you can do all at once very quickly on very little sleep. Or how much you can truely, deeply, madly love and adore a child (and said child's awesome Daddy).

2) I'm taking Mia Moo to the zoo tomorrow and am so excited! Of course this is all weather and attitude-pending, so we'll see. If all goes well I'll snap a few pics and post them.

3) For any crafty peeps out there, this blog rocks. And I LOVE what she wrote about sewing. She's dead-on. Anyway, I haven't made anything in over a week - decided to take a breather, for all the reasons she mentions in her blurb. I do have a new project. I'm just terrified to screw it all up and never want to sew again. I'm hoping to get around to it sometime this week.
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2008/07/sewing-is-violent-act.html

4) Project Runway is tomorrow.