It's the Gobble-Gobble Turrkeee!

Happy be-lated Thanksgiving! We took our first long road trip as a family for the holiday. A little over 10 hours in the car with a 2 year old and a 1 year old and no issues! I say that's a win! Me, Peter, Nicholas, my sister Megan, her husband Chris, and my nephew Joey borrowed our aunt's Suburban and drove down to my dad's in North Carolina. We left at 9:00pm (the boy's bedtime) Wednesday night.  It sucked driving at night, but it was worth the 2 sleeping boys.

In true Bruno-Thanksgiving fashion there was too much food and not enough alcohol. ;) My father has become quite the chef. He watches way too much Food Network and Cooking Channel. Everything was scheduled out, including the mimosa breaks. After the parade and a scattering of naps we took some family pictures and got ready to stuff our faces.

The next day we drove down to Charlotte... the Speedway to be exact. The boys (Peter, Chris and my dad) took turns driving on the racetrack in my dad's Tundra with Joey in tow. You couldn't scrape the smiles off their faces. Unfortunately they had the stands decorated for their Christmas light show so we couldn't watch, but there were plenty of iphone videos to go around. I won "Parent of the Year" that day when I left the house with only a few diapers, a barely remembered Nicholas, and no bottle or food. Thank God Megan had a yogurt in Joey's bag and there was a Babies R Us near by to get a sippy cup. My head must have still been clouded with turkey and fixins.

After a quick trip to the Childress Vineyards for some vino Saturday, we packed up and left at 9:00 that night (again, no issues!). It was a short trip but a good time. Sunday was pretty much a wash since we were all exhausted but we did have to make one stop to my mom's. Needless to say, the stay wasn't long. Just enough for family pictures and some pizza.

Now, we're in Christmas mode... making our list and checking it twice. This weekend is decorating time! I hope Nicholas is kind to my tree, i'm slightly very OCD when it comes to my tree.

A year...

A year ago yesterday, this was my story.  Today, I have a one year old walking, babbling and giggling love of my life.

Happy First Birthday (a day late) Nicholas!!

Mommy and Daddy love you very much!

Long Island has pissed off the weather Gods...

So a week after Hurricane Sandy.... SNOW!  We were only supposed to get light rain and ended up with 6" of slushy white stuff.

Monday, October 29th, the south shore of Long Island was decimated during Super Storm (Hurricane) Sandy.  Sandy was 1000 miles wide with winds up to 80 miles per hour and crept up the coast at a snails pace.  It hit during a full moon and lasted during 4 high tide cycles.  Our south shore beaches are gone.  As well as the dunes that protect Ocean Parkway from the ocean.  My home town of Lindenhurst was wiped out south of Montauk Highway.  So many homes were flooded, burned due to electrical fires, lower levels wiped out, or completely destroyed.  Ninety percent of Long Island lost power and about 10% are still without it.  And now 10% more lost power (again or for the first time - including our friends Glenn and Melissa) after winter storm Athena.  Yup, they named the nor'easter.  And let's not forget about the gas shortage. Lines 2 hours long at gas stations are now the norm.  This afternoon they instated the odd-even gas days to start tomorrow am.  The lines are getting shorter as things even out, but it's still not back to "normal".  Who knows when that will be.

LIPA is working their asses off trying to get power back up but people's patience is wearing thin and no one is giving a straight answer when it comes to timing.  The main issue is the flooded homes.  These homes need to be inspected before the neighborhood can get powered back up.  People that are only without power need to put things in perspective and think of those who lost everything.  People complaining about waiting on two-hour lines for gas need to be thankful for the fact that their car is still drive-able and not filled with sand, mud, or water.

Peter and I were EXTREMELY lucky and thank God everyday for sparing us. We're very grateful! We only lost phone/cable/internet (FiOS).  And we only lost it because a tree took out our wire.  A section of our vinyl fence was blown out and we lost a tree in the front.  It seems as if our block was lucky and is in our own bubble.  However Peter's school has been closed since the Hurricane.  Students were supposed to return today but because of the snow, school was closed.  Nicholas' daycare didn't fare well at all.  There was 3 feet of water inside and they lost everything.  Luckily another center was able to take in the kids temporarily.  I've been back to work for a week now (since November 1st). We still don't have heat, but we can function.

Fast forward a week and two days (Wednesday, November 7th) and we get slammed with a nor'easter that was only supposed to give us light rain in Nassau County with the eastern end of Suffolk County getting heavy rain and 50 mile per hour wind gusts.  Well just like Mitt Romney it flip-flopped.  Sorry I couldn't resist. ;)  The east end still had the high winds but just got a light rain/snow mix.  The other parts of the island averaged about 8" of wet snow.  Driving home from work was interesting last night.

Ahhh... what can we do to appease the weather Gods???

And with all this going on, in two weeks it'll be Thanksgiving then before you know it... Christmas!

I was almost reluctant to share this picture of our little shark on Halloween because of the setting (that stretch of sand isn't accessible right now), but I couldn't resist and his cuteness brightened everyone's day.  I hope it does the same for you...

Happy be-lated Halloween!!

Two Step...

Celebrate we will

Because life is short
But sweet for certain
We're climbing two by two
To be sure these days continue
~ Dave Matthews Band

TWO STEPS!!  Once again, our lives are about to change.  Nicholas is standing by himself for longer and longer so last night I decided to see how long and how far he'd go.  With Peter behind him and me using Peter's phone as a bribe... he did it, two whole steps.  Giggling then clapping then giving up to go back to crawling.

Kinda surreal.

Sweater weather...

Dear Nicholas,

Tomorrow is the start of my favorite time of year.  Cool crisp air, crunching leaves beneath my feet, sweaters, pumpkin, and now add a special birthday.  In two short months I will be the mommy to a one year old.  Time definitely does fly when you're having fun.  And we're having fun!  Two days ago you started clapping and it seems like you haven't stopped.  I guess you're having fun too.  You're such a happy little boy and you bring sunshine to everyone you're with.

Last Saturday at Joey's birthday/Aunt Meg and Uncle Chris' block party you showed Meema you can stand with no hands.  Such a little show-off. =)

Meema and cousin Jessie were so surprised!  Joey didn't care. ;)

And check out your new 'kicks'.  Love you're little Chucks!

 

 



You're a crawling champ and getting braver.  Sunday you decided it was time to climb the basement stairs.  You made it all the way to the top.  I'm not ready for this independence.

10 months old today 'Mister, Mister'!  Mommy and Daddy love you so much and we may be just a little biased, but you really are the cutest little boy!

Yesterday I received a letter from my acupuncturist.  They're updating their website and want to include patient stories.  I'm excited to share my story about how your little sweetness came into this world.  Daddy and I truly believe that acupuncture played a big part in how you got here and why my pregnancy was easy.  I'm definitely going back when it's time to give you a baby brother or sister. ;)

I think that's it for now.

Love Mommy xoxo

Another "I'm a delinquent blogger" post...

I'm sitting here in my cube at the "green mermaid coffee company" for the second to last day.  My intuition was correct in my last post back in May (wow, I do suck as a blogger) and my manager's last day was June 26th.  June 25th, I applied to an architecture firm that turned out to be my friend's.  The interview process was via text and email and only one phone call.  No portfolio planning.  No worrying what to wear that looks professional... and fits.  No nervousness.  It was perfect.
My first day is August 15th (after some much needed R&R - and home organizing).  I'm excited for this new journey.  It was a paycut, but the work/life balance should prove to outweigh the loss in money.  The firm is closer to home and I don't have to rely on the LIRR to get me there.  Which brings me to the next new thing for us...

from toyota.com

Meet "Heidi" the Highlander.  I love it!!  It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase... what isn't for us. ;-)  I had to sell my "green mermaid coffee" stocks before I left so I wouldn't lose that money.  So we traded in "Ravioli" my RAV4 and upgraded.  It will make driving to work enjoyable.  Peter was always the one to get a new car.  I was content with what I had and planned on driving it into the ground.  But during my birthday dinner, he told me he was thinking about what to do with that money and told me that at 35 (ouch) I deserved a new car.  Something bigger for Nicco (and Oreo) and an upgrade from my base model RAV.  Who am I to turn him down.  So the following week we spent his birthday at Toyota.  He drove a hard bargain, but we got them to bend with the trade-in amount and drove home later that day with Heidi.  And yes, I name my cars.  Every car I've driven has had a name... "The Shaggin Wagon" (my beige wagon was named after the Dog mobile in Dumb and Dumber), "The LIPA Mobile" (my blue wagon was similar to what the people who worked for the power company drove), "The Rollerskate" (the Geo Tracker... need I say more), "Cory" the Corolla (may she rest in peace - I still miss her.  She was a great car and my first new car.), "Ravioli", and now "Heidi".

N is now 8 months old!  Time keeps ticking...



He crawled in on his own and Oreo actually followed to the "IN" command.  Please don't call CPS. ;-)

N's been crawling since July 9th and has been pulling himself up to stand for about a week.  I bet he's walking soon.  He's "talking" more and more.  He sounds like he wants to say "Dog" or "Oreo" (he mimicks us after we yell at Oreo for stealing something).  I bet "Oreo" is his first official word (besides mama and dada).  He hates to sit still and is always on the move.  Let the fun begin!!

something wicked this way comes...

Did you ever get that nagging feeling in your gut that something bad was going to happen?  I'm so nauseous it feels like morning-sickness.

I think my manager (my 7th in the 4 1/2 years I've been here) is leaving.  She moved up to NY from DC two years ago when the company closed the DC office.  Now, she went off and got engaged to someone from DC.  Besides this job, she has no ties to NY.  What's going to keep her here?  Me?  Yeah, No.  What's making me sick is the change.  Who's going to be my 8th manager?  My development has suffered because of the revolving door of managers.  There is no one in this office I would want to work under.  They're all micro-managers.  How I long for the days when I worked from home and didn't have to answer to 12 people... oh I'm sorry 8 (it feels like 12).  Those days were sweet.

Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions.  Maybe she's working out a deal to work from DC again.  But all these closed-door meetings with the seniors and the director usually mean change is coming.  She also seemed like she wanted to tell me something today, but couldn't.

I think I'm going to go all 'Peter Gibbons' on everyone and just not go in.

6 months!

I've been meaning to post since this past Thursday, so here's three posts in one...

Thursday, May 17, 2012:
I'm definitely ovulating today (sorry if that's TMI).  A year and 1/2 ago I'd be racing home to Peter to "catch that egg".  I'm actually kinda sad.  I forgot what it's like to not "try".  Today the ewcm and ovulation pains (forgot how bad they are) are going to waste.  Maybe in a year. ;)

I just saw my reflection in the window of a passing bus.  I looked old, unhappy and almost unrecognizable.  I have no explanation other than my usual suspects... work, commuting, work.  When will I change my stars?

Friday, May 18, 2012:
Six months ago today you were in my belly; happy as a clam and not wanting out.  I, on the other hand, was preparing for induction and your arrival.  I wish I remember exactly how I spent the day (most likely on the couch with Oreo) so I could get the whole picture, but everything before you is a fleeting memory.  Time before the moment I left the house for the hospital that Saturday night is vague.  You have changed everything and I love you for it!  You are the reason I smile.  I love you sweet Nicco!

Mommy and Daddy stayed home with you today.  You don't feel well.  Poor baby has a cold.  We both fibbed to our bosses ("my wife can't stay with him" "my husband can't stay with him") so we can have the day as a family.  This upcoming weekend is busy.  I hope we get to rest next weekend, Memorial Day weekend.  The unofficial start to summer!

Sunday, May 20, 2012:
Happy 6 Months Nicholas!!  I can't believe how much you've changed and have changed Mommy and Daddy.  We love you and can't wait for the next 6 months.  Ok, that's a lie.  We can wait.  We love the 6 month old Nicco.  You've got the greatest chubby thighs.  The smile that lights up a room.  The cutest little giggle when I "zurbert" your thighs and belly and when I tickle your neck.  You can roll from your tummy to your back (you seem to like being on your back best) and can sit up somewhat unassisted.  You've mastered the walker.  You can't quite get the sippy cup yet; you just use it to chew on.  You love all the fruits and veggies Meema has made for you and gobble them up.  Everything goes in your mouth!  Even my shirt, scarf, necklace, hair... anything!  You like covering your head with your blanket or bib.  You usually wake up stuffed in the corner of your crib.  And when you do wake up, you just lay there talking until we come in to get you.  You're such a sweet little boy.  I love watching you grow and explore.

My first...

Mother's Day.  It was kinda surreal.  It felt like every other day.  Nothing special but Peter took care of everything (but cleaning the bathroom and making dessert).  It was nice to spend time with Nicholas, just the two of us.

It was also the first time I left the house before 8:00 am that didn't involve work, a dance competition, or vacation.  Saturday, we went to Lowes to get our gardening supplies for the season.  We bought ten bags of mulch along with two more beach grasses, a new rose (since the existing stick in the ground didn't want to bloom anymore), a daisy, and some petunias.  We're going minamalist this year.

Some quiet time after a long day.

Yesterday we had both families over.  It was interesting to say the least but it was nice seeing everyone interact with N.

Meema and her boy learning to use pliers.  Getting ready for Opa to put him to work.

Mom Working... not Working Mom

I've been working for 20 years of my life. Sometimes with more than one job at a time. Then I was a working woman. But now my title is flipped. Now I'm a mom who happens to work from 8-4. I never saw myself as a "mom". But so quickly that has changed. The moment Nicholas entered my life, it happened. I might as well throw on a pair of 'mom jeans'.

I'm not a Super Mom

I wish I could do it all... Mom, wife, work, chores, and blog. But I can't, so the latter goes by the waste side.

Five and a half months... Fruit, rolling over, sitting up, babbling more and more, and the other day added scooting backwards. Last night he was sleeping in my lap after feeding and I found myself looking back over his time with us. I find myself doing that a lot. I' m just in amazement. I never knew I would love someone so much and never realized how quickly time really does fly.  I also find myself missing pregnancy and his birth.  It was amazing having life grow inside of me.  I wish for every woman to know this.  I wish no one had to experience loss or infertility.  I wish... for easy.

A year...

A year since that beautiful second pink line quickly appeared. A year sweet Nicholas has been with us, both inside and outside me. Wow! Its been both a lifetime and a blink of an eye. While our lives have changed beyond our imaginations, I wouldn't change a thing. Its been an amazing ride. I know this is all cliche... but very true.

N is a sweetheart. His "teachers" love him and say he's advanced for his age. Such a little smarty. :) His first two weeks at daycare have been great so far. He's already got a girlfriend, Sophia. He got his first birthday goodie bag from a classmate. And has everyone wrapped around his finger.

I know I owe pictures. I'll update soon.

While I celebrate a year with the idea and of N in the flesh, a friend lost her peanut at 7 weeks. My heart bleeds for her. Unfortunately its not her first loss. It sucks. It also sucks that I know the pain.

These Jeggings...

In an odd twist, these jeggings - with their skin tight denim on the thighs of a woman who gave birth only 3 months ago - actually make me feel good about myself.  These jeggings steered me away from what could have been a poor breakfast choice this morning.  They seem to possess a power that I can't describe.  Peter looked in disgust (he's not quite sure of the jegging epidemic - but does like the look of my ass in them) this morning as I pulled them on, but I reassured him with my boots, I will look hot.  And I think I do!  Nothing like a boost of confidence on a rainy Thursday morning.

A year ago, I would not have even walked past the jegging display in a store, but in a moment of insanity, I ordered them while on maternity leave.  I figured they would be a goal, most likely unattainable, but a goal nonetheless.

I still have a 'Nicholas pouch', which, while I'm proud of it and the stripes it bears, I wouldn't mind seeing it go.  And these jeggings... they give me that boost to say, "No. I am not going to get that yummy bagel with cream cheese.  I'm opting for healthy oatmeal this morning."

Thank you Old Navy and your Rock Star Jeggings!

Back to Blogging... and Back to Work :'-(

I took a blogging break to get to know Nicholas and get into the swing of this mommy thing.

Since my last (very "debbie downer") post I have come to terms with his birth and let myself grieve the natural vaginal birth I wanted but didn't get.  After a few weeks, I finally got into the breastfeeding groove. There were days when I wanted to hang up my boobs but its gotten much better and while I still feel very bovine, I am no longer stressed and overwhelmed about being his main source of nourishment.  I have been pumping at bedtime while Peter gives him a bottle. Its a nice break.

At his one-month pediatrician appointment he weighed 9lbs 15oz, 11lbs 7oz at his two-month appointment, and 13lbs 1oz at his three-month appointment. He's perfectly average in the 50th percentile all around.  He holds his head up, smiles, "talks"... a lot!, and just warms my heart.  Knock on wood... he sleeps through the night and if he wakes up, he goes back to sleep without any help from Mommy.  I hope that lasts!

This week was my first week back to work.  I am holding up surprisingly well.  Sunday night was rough - a few hysterics in the shower - but other than that, I'm ok.  Its unavoidable, I need to work.  So I suck it up and get on that train every morning.  It is the hardest thing to do, but I do it to keep a roof over Nicholas' head.  I was able to shift my hours from 9-5 to 8-4.  That little hour means so much.

This week was also "Daddy Daycare".  Peter is an awesome Dad.  He was a little cranky the first morning or two, but quickly got into the swing of things... just in time for his week off to be over and for Nicholas to go to daycare.

That's all I can comprehend to put into a post right now.  I hope to post more often... at least once a week.