wedded bliss wednesdays: gift giving

2 posts in 1 day? i know crazy right? ;)

With the holidays only right around the corner, I think it was perfectly fitting for Allie & Kay to choose GIFT GIVING as this weeks Wedded Bliss Wednesdays theme.

What is the best gift to give your husband?

This is actually kind of hard for me because I absolutely love to GIVE gifts to people. Like I seriously take way to much time to find the perfect gift for each and every person for their birthday, christmas, anniversary, you name! And although I love getting gift cards as a present, I absolutely despise giving them! theyre so impersonal! But particularly for my hubby, if I could give him a boat, even just a small used bass boat, i think he would sh*t a brick. thats how badly he wants one. lol

What is a meaningful gift that you can give that does not cost money?

Honestly, I think now-a-days he would just like for me to give him the "ok" to go out with the guys. lol. Not that he has to ask permission or anything, but i know it means alot for him to be able to go relax and have fun with the guys without feeling guilty that he left me at home with the baby.

What is the best gift you have given to him?

Just one? Im such a good gift giver! Ill name a few of my fav gifts to him: Linex for his truck, Sirius Satelite Radio, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, a grill, and oh yeah our son! ;)

What is the best gift he has given to you?

Definitely our son. If it werent for him then I wouldnt have my precious lil boy. Ok, but mushy stuff aside, probably my iPad. I seriously use that thing everyday! Speaking of my iPad, I wish blogger would get a better iPad (and iPhone for that matter) app, i mean seriously come on people! get with the program!

What are you giving this holiday?

Hmmmm, i dunno yet. Were kinda tight on the whole budget thing this year, but Im sure to come up with something good. Maybe a new fishing pole? 

Dont forget to go link up!

ww: happy halloween!

Isn't this the most adorable pumpkin you've ever seen?!?!? When I came across a pin on pinterest for Disney character jack-o-lanterns I knew I had to do one for Matthew's favorite show; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

You see, Im somewhat of a pumpkin carving queen over here in my neck of the woods (no i dont literally live in the woods, just an expression) With Halloween being my second favorite holiday, Ive been known to go a little overboard with my jack-o-lanterns (and costumes lol). This was last years:

But you see, no one tells you that the whole pumpkin carving process completely changes when you have a kid. Even one who cant even carve their own pumpkin yet! Im used to gathering with friends, having a few glasses of wine, and carving my lil heart away. Well lets recap on what happened this year.

• missed our friends pumpkin carving get-together on Monday night because it interfered with Matthews bath & bedtime
• tried to do it last minute last night with just me and hubs but Matthew decided he didnt want to just hangout and watch us carve, he would rather scream the entire time
• hubby knew how badly I wanted to carve my pumpkin, so even though the first Heat game was on last night, hubs did matthews whole nighttime routine (feed, breathing treatment, rock, sleep) without me.
• which means I carved my pumpkin by myself and hubs now has a hallowed out pumpkin,  which i doubt hopefully he'll be able to carve tonight before we go trick-or-treating

Did you get to carve pumpkins this year? How did they turn out? Lets see some pics!

Oh and if you think you still have time to carve tonight and want to try another disney character here is the link I got the mickey mouse from

                                                                            Source: family.go.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Happy Halloween!!

his first pumpkin patch

So, being a new mom I have all these high expectations of firsts. First birthdays. First holidays. First bath. First steps. You name it. I think I began this obsession when I first found out I was pregnant. Literally the week I found out I was pregnant, I ran out and bought myself a brand new good quality DSLR camera so that I could capture all "the firsts."

Needless to say, this past weekend we got to take Matthew to his first pumpkin patch! If you follow me on instagram you might already know that we tried to go about two weeks ago and got rained out. And then the following weekend we were in Disney (post to come) so this was literally the last weekend we would be able to go before Halloween. And again, since this was my babys first pumpkin patch, it couldnt be just any old pumpkin patch. And surely not the pumpkin patch down the street, literally 2 mins away. I researched and asked around to my mommy friends where the best pumpkin patch around was.

via Flamingo Road Nursery Facebook Page

Now its hard for us southern mommies. When you live in South Florida, its not like you get fall weather, or apple orchids, or real pumpkin patches with hayrides. :( And this was the type of experience I was looking for. Luckily, one of my best friends suggested a local plant nursery out west where we could get the most "real" pumpkin patch experience in the south. So I convinced the hubby to make the drive out there, for the second time remind you. Luckily, due to Hurricane Sandy moving up the east coast (hope every one up north is prepared and safe) us south Floridians are experiencing our first signs of cool weather. It is absolutely gorgeous here the past few days. And made for a real "fall-like" experience at our "first pumpkin patch." This meant quite a happy mommy! ;)

We brought my niece along with us and it really helped make the whole day feel like we were creating a memory for Matthew, even though he probably wont remember. We got to pick out pumpkins, maybe even too many, go on a hayride, eat popcorn, get caramel apples, and enjoy the beautiful day outside.

Just a little something Ive come to accept, even with a great camera, a beautiful day, and a great "first experience" sometimes youre just not going to get a picture where the baby looks at the camera with a smile. lmao. Another thing Ive got to realize, even though I may have a hubby who puts up with all my high expectations of firsts' he just does not know how to frame a picture. lol. Hes learning though, I keep telling him "move back" and "take more of the scenery" and "I can always crop later!" (him and my sister have this same problem, you'll see in our pics at Disney she does the same thing lol) (i think I just used lol waaay to many times :P) anyways, continuing my photo dump 

All in all, i think it was a successful outing. We will definitely be going back to this pumpkin patch next year. And by then Matthew will be able to sit or stand by himself in pictures, opposed to having one of us have to hold him.

Now, onto to pumpkin carving! but thats a whole 'nother post. ;)

Chris Mann - New Album: Roads (Review)

Do any of you watch The Voice? If you do, you might recognize this Mann (haha get it? man and Mann, I know Im corny) from the second season. He was on team Christina and made it all the way to the semifinals where he won fourth place with this performance of Ave Maria.


He really is a talented artist and his new album, Roads, is set to release tomorrow October 30, 2012. You can buy it on iTunes or Amazon.

Now, Ill completely admit, Im not a huge Voice fan, and I really didnt know who he was, but after a friend mentioned how good he was on The Voice, I had to look him up. To my surprise, I was faced with this hunky guy!

Now you tell me you wouldnt want to learn more about him after that pic! yeah, go on, try, ill wait...........lol

I luckily, was able to score a copy of his entire album before its release. The minute I saw the email come through, I downloaded all the songs to listen to as I was working. If you're unfamiliar with him or his type of music, I would best describe it as classically based pop music. The album Roads contains a wide assortment of songs, ranging from Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” to “Ave Maria” and Damien Rice’s “The Blowers’ Daughter,” (you probably recognize from the movie Closer) which features a duet with Christina Aguilera. 

I think I would have to say, my favorite song on the album is his cover version of Need You Now, but then again, Im definitely a southern girl at heart, so any country music is probably going to be the the ones that attract me the most  ;)

More than just the lyrics of popular songs, Chris Mann's voice and the classical ballads behind the voice, give the original songs a completely different feel. The background of piano music, which you'll hear in alot of his songs, was a great way to listen to some of my favorite hits during work, without disturbing any coworkers. Its light on the ear, but his voice brings it home with a strong tenor. Now, if you're not one for cover versions of songs, then this album probably isnt for you. However, if you're open to hearing new renditions of an old-time favorite, plus a couple of newer songs with the same classical pop twist, then I would definitely suggest buying this album.

You can learn more about Chris by checking out his website, following him on twitter, or becoming one of his thousands of fans on facebook.

Did you watch The Voice when Chris Mann was competing? Which was your favorite song he covered?

This is a review post from One2One Network. I was provided with a copy of the album and I am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated are my own.

fridays letters

its friday again already? man this week has flown by. hell this year is flying by. do you realize that next week is november already? christmas is in like what 59 days?

dear hubby, I am sorry that you still havent gotten you iPhone5, but mine is freaking awesome! hehe dear matthew, im so happy we were able to bring you to Disney for the first time last weekend, even with you being so sick, you did an absolutely wonderful job the entire trip! dear hurricane sandy, you better let up by tomorrow, sunday latest, I have to take matthew to a pumpkin patch and with your weather its not looking likely :( dear fall recipes, youre making me hungry, and yes i spent over $200 ($57 worth of coupons) today at the grocery store because i had to buy ingredients to make you, hopefully they all turn out good and Ill post pics next week. dear iPhone5, i cant believe you are finally mine, you have lived up to all my expectations, and umm hello? panorama where have you been all my life? i got some great pics around the world because of you. not literally, i mean Epcot around the world ;) dear bloggy friends, i got a cool surprise coming up in the next week or two, my first giveaway, yippie! no spoilers tho, you'll have to keep coming back to see what it is. dear hubby, because you and matthew always deserve two, i cant say Im not a little happy that your work dinner got canceled for tonight, now that means we get to have wine night at our house with our close friends! dear matthew, halloween is just around the corner and I cant wait to dress you up and take you trick or treating, i know you probably wont remember any of it, but halloween is mommys second favorite holiday (after christmas of course) and im also selfishly thinking ill get to enjoy all of you candy this year! thats why we have kids right? jk...or am i? lol

And Ill never leave you without a picture and i love that i captured this moment of my father and my son (even if it does look like hes teaching him how to pull his finger)

Dont forget to go link up with Ashley

wedded bliss wednesdays: marriage advice

So since I missed out on last weeks questions, and havent had a chance to ask hubs any of the questions for this week, Id figured I would just answer last weeks questions today! (confused yet? yeah me to, just read lol)

1. If you could give one piece of advice to any married (or soon-to-be married) couple, what would it be?
Enjoy being just the two of you. I know alot of ladies out there (including myself) are in a rush to start a family as quickly as possible after the wedding ends, but really take the time to enjoy it being just the two of you. husband.and.wife. you'll have kids to worry about the rest of your life. take impromptu vacations, sleep in as late as possible, go out to dinner at expensive restaurants, hell fly across country if you can afford it! lol.
Oh and my one personal moto: never go to bed angry with each other. after 10 years with my hubs, i can count on one hand the amount of times we've gone to sleep fighting. We may have to stay up to wee hours of the morning to solve of a disagreement (and it may just to be to agree to disagree), but this way when you wake up, you can start the day fresh and forget about the previous days problems.

2. What is an absolute MUST for any marriage/relationship?
HONESTY! oh and TRUST. but I guess those both go hand and hand. And im not talking about just telling the truth to one another, im talking about honesty of the heart. meaning there are no secrets, and there is no need to even have secrets because you want to tell the other person everything. including things that make you angry, happy, sad, hopeful, and everything else! 

3. What is the #1 no-no in a marriage?
Cheating. I just hate that word. I would rather the person just say that they no longer want to be with the other, rather than going behind their back and fooling around with someone else. And this goes for both the man and woman. Again this goes back to the honesty and truth thing. It should never come to this point, but at least be honest with yourself and/or your partner about your relationship. 

4.What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your marriage?
I know it may be easy to pick a fight when you disagree about something with your significant other, but Ive come to realize that in the end, we are both in this together. Neither one of us is out to hurt the other, and were always looking out for the best interest for the other. So if there is something that is really on your mind, you have to remember to communicate with your partner. You may think its easier to just let something slide by, opposed to starting a fight about it, but if your honest (theres that word again! lol) with each other, then it will be easier to just tell your partner how you are feeling, rather than letting it boil over a couple days, weeks, or even months, and it turns into something way more, when you could have just said what was on your mind. (yes that was the longest run-on sentence ever!)

i can truly say i married the love of my life, and although he may get on my nerves ever now and again, i couldnt imagine living my life without him.

Dont forget to go link up with Allie & Kay

 

Show & Tell: Shopping

This weeks theme for Show & Tell is Shopping. Now if you dont remember this here lil post, Ill clue you in that I have a major shopping problem :/

1. Tell us your favorite stores to shop at.
Target. Old Navy. Macys. Carters. Amazon. Best Buy.
Deal Sites: Zulily. Totsy. Groupon. Living Social. Hautelook.

2. What are you "signature pieces" to wear.. your go-to outfits?
Definitely jeans, tank top, and reefs or maxi dresses.

3. Show us your style through pictures {of you or pinterest finds}.
Sadly, I dont take alot of full length body pictures to be able to show you my style, but as I mentioned above, its normally jeans and tank. But these are definitely styles I love. (check out my style board on pinterest too!)

                                                          Source: blacklabelboutique.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                             Source: blue-star-marie.polyvore.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                                       Source: johnna-cameron.polyvore.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                                               Source: shopbop.com via Lisa on Pinterest

4. Show us your favorite celebrity style icons.

                                                           Source: thebudgetbabe.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                               Source: thebudgetbabe.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                          Source: thebudgetbabe.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                Source: thebudgetbabe.com via Lisa on Pinterest

5. If you had to spend money on clothes or home items, which would you choose?
Thats a hard one. I feel like our house could be so much more decorated, yet I feel like I spend waaay more money on clothes than home items.

6. Show us your favorite accessories.
Honestly, i dont really wear alot of accessories. Just my wedding band and engagement rings, a bracelet and a purse. But I do admit I have alot of purses! the majority of which are Coach :D

7. Tell us in one sentence your philosophy behind shopping. {What makes you buy an item}
Well lets see, if its a good deal, or if i have a coupon for it, it usually comes home with me! hehe, bad I know, but honest none the less. lol

ww: these smiles

these smiles fill my heart with so much love

Thats all.

p.s. did you know Chelsey chose our pic as one of her fav summer pics! :D

linking up with Jenni & Chelsey again

matthew: 1 month update

post has been sitting as draft since July 5, 2012. Exactly 1 day after Matthew turned a month old.

~*Baby Stats*~

 

1 week measurements

weight: 8lbs 10oz

height: 21 3/4 in 

3 weeks measurements

weight: 10lbs 2oz

height: 22in 

1 month measurements

weight: 11lbs 2 oz

height: 23in

~*Coming home*~
Leaving the hospital without you was one of the hardest things Ive ever had to do. I knew you would be in good hands but I longed for the day I could bring you home. You spent a total of 6 days in the NICU, originally being put in for respiratory distress. Later things like a high temperature, low resting heartrate, and jaundice kept you in for longer than the initial 3 day requirement.

Mommy was discharged on Wednesday June 6th, and you were discharged on Saturday June 9th (my original due date). When they gave us the news  you would be able to come home, daddy & I were both excited and nervous at the same time. Once we got you home we new our lives would change and that there would be no nurses around to help for middle of the night feedings. ;)

~*Sleep*~
You're such a sleepy little boy. You sleep for about 2.5-3hours stretches. Only waking to have your diaper changed and get fed. I know this is normal for babies this age, but I cant wait untill your up and interacting with us for longer stretches of time. You take alot of naps in your swing and bouncy seat. And at night time you sleep right next to mommy in your co-sleeper. For a week, you actually slept in your bouncy seat, in the co-sleeper, because we couldnt get you to stay asleep. But I guess the vibration of the bouncy seat handled that for us. Then one night you just decided you didnt like that anymore. So we tried swaddling you and that seemed to do the trick. You originally didnt like being swaddled because when you were in the NICU you didnt need to be swaddled. You were stretched out with your arms out on a heating pad with a heat lamp above you.

 

~*Feeding*~
Well, during your time in the NICU, since you were required to wear a breathing helmet over your head, they wouldnt let you feed from my breast nor a bottle. Instead you were receiving all your nourishment through an IV.  Since my milk hadnt come in yet, this didnt bother me quite as much. But I still diligently pumped every 3 hours, and would have the nurse bring even the tiniest bit of colostrum to the NICU for them to freeze. Once you were able to take the helmet off, and my milk still hadnt come in fully yet, they unfortunately needed to supplement with formula. Not that I think anything is wrong with formula, but I really wanted to at least try to exclusively breastfeed you. The day before you were released, I was actually able to feed you myself for the first time, but still it was with a bottle. Luckily by this point I was producing enough milk to give you at least some breastmilk.

 

The day that you were released, the nurse suggested that I try getting you to latch. You did so good! And boy was mommy relieved, both mentally and physically (note: i suffered from engorgement the last two days he was in NICU). Once we got home and settled into somewhat of a routine, you were breastfeeding about 10-14mins on each side every 2-3 hours. Mommy started to get very exhausted, so we decided that we would do every other feeding with a bottle & formula. When you got a bottle it would be about 3 oz and you would sleep closer to 4 hours. We talked with the peditrician and he said as long as we didnt let you go past 4-5hours, when your blood sugar levels get low, then we would be fine. This made things alot easy, however, I did feel as though I had given up to quickly with the breastfeeding thing. I knew I was still doing it at least half the time, but it still made me sad some days. I feel like the time I spend feeding you is so much of a bonding experience for the both of us.

~*Other Details*~
Although you've always been a bigger baby, and mommy thought you would never fit into newborn clothes, you are still currently wearing the newborn sized clothing and diapers. Your umbilical cord still hasnt fallen off. Dr. Mirza says for some babies it just takes longer. Although its not the prettiest thing in the world, it doesnt really bother me, except for the fact I still cant give you a real bath. We can only give you sponge-like baths until it falls off. But boy oh boy, was the first sponge-bath at home quite interesting. Aunt Denise was here to help, as usual. And you didnt know if you liked it or hated it. We shall see how that goes in the future ;)

 

matthew~
since you came into mommy and daddy's lives, you've filled our hearts with more love than we could ever imagine. Your complete our family and bring smiles that could last us eternity. We love you so much and cant wait to watch you grow.
<3 always
mommy & daddy

As I play catch up with mothly update posts, please bare with me. At least you get to see a bunch of cute pictures right?!? ;)