Monday, August 20, 2012

A Morning at the Park

Elliott and I ventured up the street to Thompson Park for our morning walk.  Thompson park is actually quite a pleasant little surprise in Watertown, NY.  It was designed by Olmsted, who also designed parks like Central Park in NYC and the beautiful Cherokee Park in Louisville, KY.  The park is complete with a sweet little zoo (which we have still not visited, but plan on soon).  Here are some pictures from our stroll....


 A view of the playground

Hanging out in the park

 The water tower at the top of the park

Elliott taking in the panoramic views

Smiley baby enjoying his walk with Mom


 The tennis courts

 View of Watertown


 Rotary Pavilion

 Public Swimming Pool

 Golf course with the view of Dry Hill Ski Area in the background

 Side view of the zoo

 Downhill back home

Sleepy baby ready for a nap!



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Baby Leg Warmers!

I have been thinking that these baby leg warmers were super cute and convenient for diaper changes, but they cost $12 each.  Yikes!  I looked online and realized I could probably make them myself from adult socks.  Today at Target, I came across a wall of colorful clearance women's knee-highs for $0.75, so I loaded up.  In one episode of Money Saving Meals, I sewed up five pairs of cute baby leg warmers.  Yay!


Here are three pairs that I made for Elliott...



My sweet-in-need-of-a-nap baby model would not be still for a photo, so here is a video for you.  Pardon the fact that he does not match.  I promise I won't actually pair this onesie with these leg warmers for real!


Happy Tuesday!

 

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Three Months!


Life has been a bit chaotic lately. The furniture is no where near finished, the house is a mess, and I'm behind on sleep.

In the meantime, Elliott went and turned 3 months old on me!  Most of this month was unfortunately spent projectile vomiting, leading to Elliott's first (and hopefully last) ultrasound.   The little man was super difficult to take out of the house as he would spew 2 feet off my shoulder and then need to eat again in 1.5 hours.  Luckily, we think we have this issue a little bit resolved.

Sadly, during this month, Elliott and I had to take a last minute trip down to Long Island.  We arrived hours before my Grandfather passed away.  Besides one vomit on the funeral home bathroom floor, one covering Aunt Phyllis (so sorry Aunt Phyllis if you read this!), and needing to be rocked in the foyer during mass, Elliott was an angel throughout the funeral services.

The funeral did bring some happiness, however, as we had the opportunity to hang out with family members that we otherwise would not have seen, including Aunt Alicia and Aunt Sarah, and Aunt Andi and Uncle Adam.  I don't think it would be possible for his Aunts to be more obsessed with him.  I had to scold them a few times to not wake him up because they were so eager to play and hold him.  Together we traveled to the South Shore of Long Island to visit Fire Island.  It is only accessible by boat, so Elliott got to ride on his second ferry (the first was crossing the Long Island Sound on the way down...boy, was that an experience for a single first time mom and baby!).   In all the years of living/visiting Long Island, we had never been to Fire Island.  It was such a pleasant surprise!  It reminded me a lot of St. Augustine, minus the oldness.


This is straying from Elliott's three month post....

Back on point.  This little man has become quite a little ham this month.   He now lets out fake cries for attention, something that he certainly did not need in the previous months.  He loves to be held facing outwards so he can look around.  And speaking of looking around, he loves to watch himself play in the mirror.  After searching for newborn-specific toys like a crazy person, it turns out that his favorites are simply rings that connect in chains.  He loves to pull on them and put them in his mouth.  He also found his hands this month and since that time, I can't keep them out of his mouth.  It's a good thing Daddy is a dentist, because this child is no-doubt a thumb-sucker.



Little one seems to be taking after Mommy in that he rolls all over his crib at night now.  I kept waking up to find his complete lower half sticking out of the crib and wedged between the crib slats, so I broke down and bought some breathable bumpers.  I know, I know, that's taboo these days, but I really thought kiddo was going to injure himself if some action was not taken.



By the end of this month, this child has become the easiest travel companion (good thing, because he already has 3 road trips under his belt)!  We are embracing the same motto that my Mom had for me when I was a baby, "Get Ba-Ba, Go Bye Bye!"


Oh
how you
have grown!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

What I've been up to....

I'm fickle with furniture.  We have lived in this house for two years, and have already gone through an embarrassing amount of tables and couches.  This was the first living room arrangement.  The couches have changed twice since then!


We finally settled on a baby and dog-proof leather couch, but the dining room has remained an issue.  I refinished a hutch and buffet, and I have a slight obsession with them.   Here I have the before and after of the hutch (I forgot to take before pics of the buffet).





Presently they are paired with Jeff's old four top bar table.  This table has served us well I the years past, but the style doesn't work, it's impossible to hold the baby and eat since there are no arms or backs,  and there is a giant crack down the middle.  Our problem is that a new table needs to be small with the potential to open larger for our future home.


While perusing Craigslist recently, I found a table that fits the bill!  It is a forty  inch round that opens to a whopping 96 inches.  We picked it up from a German Army wife looking to downsize before a move to Kentucky (small world).  She and her husband purchased it about twenty years ago from a little old lady's estate sale.  Prior to the sale, it had been in that family for two generations.  There is just something about vintage furniture.  I love that each piece tells a story,  that you can put your own spin on it, it's environmentally friendly, and usually the price is right!

(the table top has already been sanded...what is with me always forgetting "before" pictures?!)

(Imagine more dings like this one on the top...that's what it looked like)

Minus some dings and scratches, the table itself is in good shape. Four of the chairs required some tlc to make them structurally sound, and I'm still fighting with one of the arm chairs. 



I won't disclose how I plan on refinishing the set, but I will tell you that Jeff picked the color.  It might be a little while before it's done, it seems I'd rather cuddle than paint!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Two Months!


A few days ago Elliott turned 2 months old!  I can't believe it!  He has gotten super adorable over these two months.  He goos and gaas up a storm, he wiggles like a little worm, he flipped from front to back 3 times (but I think it was a fluke!), and he is sleeping longer stretches.  Last night, he slept from 11 to 5:30, ate, and then slept until 8:30!  This busy little guy has already been on 2 long road trips--first to Kentucky for Andi's wedding, then to Long Island to meet his great-Poppy Syl.

He has finally upgraded to size one diapers (he probably should have done so sooner, but we had one kabillion newborn diapers to use up)!  He wears size 0-3 clothes, although he is starting to get a little long for them.  I don't know how much he weighs as his next doctor's appointment is not for a couple of weeks still.



Oh, how you've grown!

Life with a baby is finally starting to get a little easier--I don't panic every time we leave the house.  He is going longer stretches between feedings, so it is way easier to get things done.  His sleep is starting to get a bit more consistent, although we are still working out naps and bedtimes, and he is alert for much longer stretches.  He is doing better holding his head up, though he still has a slight case of bobble-head syndrome.  He loves to sit on laps facing outwards now, but speaking of being held, he would much prefer to be left lying on his back so he can kick and wiggle.  This little guy is really only cuddly when he is extremely tired.  And forget tummy time, more like temper tantrum time.


Despite the fact that he is not supper cuddly, he absolutely melts my heart.  Can't imagine life without this precious little baby.

  

Monday, July 9, 2012

Elliott's Trip to Long Island

Last weekend we ventured to Long Island to visit with family and for Elliott to meet his great-Poppy Syl, who has been in the hospital.  Jeff finally got to eat at the Szechuan Garden, try a tartufo, have some salad pizza, and go to Uncle Giuseppe's, all of which I had been raving about for years.  According to him, I did not let him down!  Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit with Poppy Syl and have a fun pool party while meeting cousin David.   Here are some photos from the trip:


Visiting one of my favorite spots in the world, the docks in Port Jefferson:






 Watched the ferry come in 


Meeting Poppy Syl at the hospital:






 Jeff being "Super Dad" at Szechuan Garden:

We got to meet Baby David finally!

 David and his Mommy Becky

Swimming with Brianna

 We got to spend time with Aunt Andi too!


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Fourth of July!

Happy Independence Day!

After spending a few days in Long Island, we are just hanging out today, catching up on rest and errands.  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday!


Elliott's Patriotic Photo shoot (narrated with his thoughts):
I love my Mom.

Hey Look!  Mom is squeaking Sophie the Giraffe!

 OK Mom and Dad, I'm getting bored...

 Seriously, I'm over this.  I'm going to cry if you don't bring me inside now!

 Told you.