here's what's new

she got a pink bike ...

For about two week's before Nanny and Poppy came to NJ for their visit for Nicholas' Communion, Rebecca would get on the phone with them and tell them that she wanted a pink bike.  That is ALL she talked about for weeks.  I'm not quite sure how it all started, but she was determined to get that pink bike.

So, after Nick's Communion, Nanny and Poppy took a trip to Walmart and brought home a pink bike for Rebecca.  She LOVES it!

Now all she needs is a pink helmet ... she just doesn't look "girlie" enough wearing a cross and skulls helmet.

And, below are two layouts I've created for LOAD.  I still have a bit to catch up on, but I'm not going to worry, because I'll get them created. 

Thanks for stopping by!

crib to bed ...

Earlier this week, I switched Rebecca's crib to a toddler bed.  Now we just have to get her to sleep and stay in it.  She likes to sit in it and play, but getting her to stay in there at night is something we need to work on. 

 

This week's Fast Friday Fact's theme is about numbers.

1. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
2. How many times did you have to take your driver's test before you passed?
3. How many schools did you attend?
4. How many siblings do you have?
5. How many states have you been to?

And my answers.

1. Without actually physically counting them, I would say about 40 pairs.
2. I only had to take my test once.
3. I attended seven schools (from kindergarten through college).
4. I have one brother.
5. I have visited 22 states.  My goal is to visit every state.

Thanks for stopping by ... have a fun-filled weekend!

taking a spin around the yard ...

I came home the other day to find Nicholas' bike in the driveway with a pink binkie sitting on the seat.  Rebecca came running around the corner with Nick's helmet on.  Rob had taken Nick's bike down from the garage and put Rebecca on it and took her around the yard. 

Boy did she have fun, and now she calls it "her" bike.

And here is Nick showing her how to ring the bell.

I'm sure there is going to be a lot more riding around this weekend.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful for Easter.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend, and I'm hoping you get some nice weather to enjoy too.

picking some flowers ...

We are completely blessed with this beautiful weather we have been getting here in NJ.  It definitely is warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt .... yes, and it is only March.  I am not complaining.  We spent quite a bit of time outside this weekend.

Rebecca is definitely an out-doorsy kind of girl, where as Nicholas likes to be inside (yes, even if it is nice out).  Rebecca had fun picking all the little purple flowers from the grass.

We just love watching her explore through the yard.

Thanks for stopping by!

her first egg hunt ...

The working mom's group that I am a part of held the annual Easter Egg Hunt yesterday afternoon.  This was the first egg hunt that Rebecca participated in.  We definitely lucked out with the weather - it was a gorgeous afternoon.

The kids had fun finding the eggs, checking out all the animals (chickens, a pony, dogs, puppies, cats), trying to knock down the candy-filled pinata, going in the bouncy house, and just spending some much needed quality time outside in the beautiful weather.

Nicholas helped his little sister a lot in gathering the eggs.

Nicholas broke the pinata for all the little kids to get their goodies.

And ... Friday's Fast Friday Facts had a cooking theme.

1. Do you like to cook?
2. What is your favorite dish to make?
3. Do you like cooking for others?
4. Are you a baker or mainly just a taster?
5. What food will you NOT cook under any circumstances?

And my answers ...

1. I cook when I have to.  I am definitely not creative when it comes to cooking.
2. I love to make baked ziti.  I also like to make fresh green beans sauteed with onions, bacon, and garlic.
3. I like to cook for my family.  I get nervous if I have to cook for a lot of people, but I do like to host certain holidays at our house (Easter or Christmas).
4. I like to bake, but again, I am not creative ... just the basic cakes, brownies, and cookies.
5. Even though I eat it if my husband cooks, I personally WILL NOT cook venison.

What would your answers be?  Would love to know.

a haircut ...

Rebecca's hair seems to grow so fast.  It feels like yesterday that Rob had just trimmed her bangs.  Last night after her bath was the perfect time to give her a haircut. 

We sat her on the counter and Rob dug out the scissors and comb.  Usually it is impossible to get her to sit still, but she actually sat there without giving him a hard time.  She did move every so often, so her bangs did not come out straight (they never do).  And, Rob cut her bangs a little too short for my liking this time.  But like they say, it will always grow back.

For now we are keeping the back of her hair long.  It looks so pretty when her hair is dry.  Her hair has a little flip to the back and it always looks so cute.

need to get on a schedule ...

I feel like I've been missing out on so many things this past week.  I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in over a week.  Hope you understand.  I even missed Fast Fact Friday #8 at the This is Me Challenge Blog.  So, without further ado, here the questions and my answers.  The theme last week was restaurants.

First of all, I sadly want to say that we do not go out to dinner as much as I would like.  My answers are probably going to be boring to most of you.

What is your favorite?

1. Fast food restaurant? McDonald's (the kids love to go there)
2. Casual dining restaurant? Chili's (love their appetizers and desserts)
3. Expensive restaurant? The Chalet (local restaurant to me)
4. Family-friendly restaurant? Perkins
5. Restaurant that you could go to everyday? TGIF's

What about you?  What restaurants do you like to dine at?

I finally was able to order the page protectors I wanted for my Project Life album, so I need to dedicate some much needed time to start putting that together.  I have been taking a photo a day, which I will place in my album like all other years, but this year, I am going to work a bit different and include other photos that I may have taken on a particular day (i.e., include more than one photo from holidays, birthdays, etc.).  I will also be including memorabilia.

As soon as I get some pages completed, I will share with you my progress.

So, the other day, I went to take a picture with my phone and noticed that there were some new pictures (that I did not take) on my camera roll.  Seems that Rebecca discovered my phone (probably on the couch) and proceeded to take her picture.

Oh those pouty lips ...

Thanks for stopping by!

january instagram ...

Man, I have been slacking this week.  I just have had so much on my plate this week that I haven't had time to blog.  Well, that has to change.

I still don't have a whole lot of time today, but I wanted to do a quick post of my January instagram photos.  I actually went through all the pictures that I took in January, and only found three instagram photos.  I did take lots of iPhone pictures, but changed very few to instagram photos.

These are all of Rebecca ... no, she is not the only one I photograph.

 

 

Oh, and I'm so excited for this weekend.  I will be going to a crop on Saturday and will scrapbooking all day with my dear friend, Christine.  I'm all packed; I just need to type up and print some of my journaling.  When I go to crops, I usually hand write all of my journaling on my layouts, but there are a few layouts that I want to create and I want them to have journaling that is typed up.

You will have to watch out for all the layouts that I'm planning on creating.  I have LOTS of catching up to do.  I've only created layouts for Rebecca's album of her first three months of life, and she is already TWO.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your evening!

we celebrated rebecca ...

Rebecca turned two yesterday.  I think she had a pretty good day despite the little cold that she has.  Nothing stops her for having a good time. 

We hung out together all day, and then mom and dad came over around 4pm.  Mom helped me finish making dinner, while the guys watched football.  Nicholas and Rebecca played before dinner was served.

We had roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and fresh greenbeans (with sauteed onions and bacon).  It was a very yummy dinner if I say so myself.  After a little relaxation from dinner, we had cake.

Here are some pictures from last evening.

 

 

 

 

 

She was one happy little girl.  She loved her two new Zhu Zhu pets (a puppy and a purple hamster) and her other gifts.  She was also thrilled about her rocking doll crib.  Mom and dad found my old (but in excellent condition) baby doll rocking crib, so they brought it over last night.  It didn't take Rebecca long at all to put all of her dolls (and stuffed animals) in it to rock them to sleep.

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!

And, like I promised, below is my layout from the first month of Ella Publishing's Take Twelve challenge.

And if you are wondering ... yes, Rebecca happened to stay in her jammies all day that day.  Sometimes we all need those kind of days.

Thanks for stopping by!

her hot pink skirt ...

For Halloween this year, I didn't find a costume for Rebecca to wear, and really it was ok since we didn't go out this Halloween because of the snow storm that decided to hit us on the East Coast in late October.  No one around us had power, and there were so many roads blocked/closed, that we stayed in on Halloween night.

In place of a "costume" for Rebecca, I ended up buying her this cute little "tutu" type skirt.  The other day I put it on her, and I'm glad I got the camera out when I did, because she didn't have it on for very long.  She doesn't mind wearing hats on her head for long periods of time, but she wanted nothing to do with having a skirt on.

Sure hope that she will wear her Christmas dress ... we'll just have to wait and see.

Enjoy your day everyone!

she enjoyed the snow ...

The day after the big storm (btw ... we are still without power ... going on day six), we took Rebecca out in the snow.  It was her first time that she actually got to experience walking in it and touching it.  She had a blast.

She did not want to come in that day.

And since week's color over at Project 64: Out of the Box was turquoise, I thought Rebecca's pants were the perfect match.

The photo of her pants ...

For more entries ... go here.

 
Thanks for stopping by!

she loves the pool ...

I had all intentions of JUST putting Rebecca's feet in the pool water over the weekend; however, when she decided to really start swinging her feet to make bigger splashes which then in turn got her (and I) pretty soaked, I decided to hand her off to Rob who was already in the pool. 

This was the first time EVER she was in the pool.  We didn't take her in at all last summer.  She could not get enough of the water ... can't you tell.

 
 
 
 
It was NOT fun when I decided to take her out.  She must have screamed for 30 minutes straight.

Now every time she looks out the kitchen window, she points at the pool and says, "POOL."  Hopefully we can get her back in real soon.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

her new favorite show ...

Rebecca pretty much loves any show that has music in it.  Some of the shows she has currently been watching are:

• Play with Me Sesame
• The Backyardigans
• Little Einsteins

But the one that most intrigues her is ...

 
DORA!  She especially loves the backpack song and even tries to sing it (at least the word backpack).  When she is watching an episode, she completely gets zoned on what they are showing on the screen.  You can't even get her to laugh when trying to tickle her.  Nicholas watched Dora when he was younger too, and I even catch him watching episodes now with Rebecca.

Well, today is Wednesday, so that means time for my responses to the Wee Bit Wednesday questions.

{one} how many times have you been a bridesmaid/maid of honor? I have been a bridesmaid in four weddings.

{two} what’s the last thing you do before you fall asleep at night? I usually play Words with Friends or check updates on Twitter.

{three} you just won your dream vacation, all expenses paid. where are you going? I would definitely go to an island and relax on the beach with a good book.

{four} what is your favorite outdoor activity? I'm really not much of an outdoorsy person.  I do love to spend time at the park with my kids though.

{five} as a child, what did you want to “be when you grew up”? did you end up there? I always wanted to be a teacher, and still regret to this day that I didn't take that path in life.

{six} what are 3 things your dream home would have that you don’t currently have? A wrap-around porch, a deck in the backyard, and my own scrapbook room.

{seven} what’s for dinner tonight? Chicken tenders, but not sure how I'm making them.  Any suggestions?

{eight} if someone stopped by your house unannounced on a typical Saturday night, what would they find you doing? We would probably be watching a Yankees game (I know, not very exciting).

{nine} what’s your average monthly water bill? We don't have water bills.

{ten} what do you do to relax? Scrapbook by myself or read a good book.

For more entries this week, go here.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

love to listen to her talk ...

Everyday, Rebecca is starting to say more and more words.  She still mumbles most of the time, and still DOESN'T call me MaMa, but she does manage to say the following words/phrases.

• dog
• apple
• moo
• who's that
• what's that
• wow
• uh-oh
• duck
• ba ba (bottle or brother or basket)
• da da (this is what she says the most)
• ball
• cookie
• bye-bye
• hi
• bam
• boo (for balloon)
• meow (this is her new word and the way she says it is so sweet)

 
She is still not walking on her own yet, but I'm not worried about it, especially since she is already our little dare devil, so when she starts walking, watch out.  Nicholas didn't start walking on his own until about 16-17 months.

And speaking of Nicholas, he is the topic for the One Little Word - Captured challenge for my word patience this week. 
It is all about him sucking his two fingers.  He has been doing this very annoying (to us) and unhealthy (for him/his teeth) act since he was a baby.  I don't remember exactly when he started, but it's been way too long.  He has gotten better in the fact that he only will do this at home, because he knows when he is out and about there are lots of germs everywhere.  However, as soon as he walks in the door at home, he goes right into the bathroom to wash his hands, and in go the two fingers.

His two front (permanent) teeth are now starting to move forward because he is pushing them forward with his fingers.  We just don't know what to do.  We have tried an award calendar; we have tried to tell him that if he wants to suck his two fingers he can only be in one particular room to do it.  Nothing is working!  Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks for listening!

For more entries for One Little Word - Captured, go here.

Enjoy your evening everyone!

our sick little peach ...

We all attended a birthday party yesterday evening of a little boy in Nicholas' class.  We were all having a wonderful time ... the boys were running, playing, jumping in the bouncy house.  Rebecca was chatting non stop with all the women at the table I was sitting at (mom's of the boys in Nicholas' class), Rob was talking hunting with a few of the men.  Everyone was just having a good time, despite the chill in the air.

We were getting ready to head out right after cake time, but had to leave a bit earlier than that ... Rob was holding Rebecca for a minute while I took some pictures, and while holding her, she got sick (very sick) all over him.  The poor little thing didn't know what to do ...

We wrapped her up and everything that we brought and headed home.  She had a fever of 101.9 last night, but this morning it dopped to 99.  Today she is pretty moopy and just taking it easy.

So, with that said, I missed getting my LOAD layout completed yesterday.  You know, it's okay.  I never enter the LOAD challenge to win a prize, it's more of the challenge of getting 28, or 29, or 30, or even 31 layouts created in a month.  I'll still get 31 layouts created this month.  I will just have to do two layouts in one day before the 31st.

There are so many other things that I need to catch up on too.  I just keep telling myself that I'll get there; no need to stress over things, right. 

So, I bet you are wondering who I met at the NJ Memories Expo on Friday.  I met two women who's scrapbook work has inspired me over the years. 

I knew that Miss Jody Wenke would be attending.  We were looking for each other while we strolled down the aisles.  It was such a delight to meet her in person.  Her simple scrapbook style has always caught my eye.

I also ran into Miss Lynn Ghahary.  I didn't know she would be attending, even though she lives in NJ.  When I saw her, I knew right away that it was her.  It was so good to meet her also.  Yet another inspirational scrapbook designer in my eyes.

With the exception of meeting Jody and Lynn and running into some other friends, I thought the Expo was just ok.  It definitely gets smaller and smaller every year.  I'm glad that I had a $2 off coupon to get in, because I seriously don't think that it was worth the full-price ticket.

That's all for today folks ... not even a picture.

Enjoy the rest of your day!