Kingsley's Bridal Shower

Last Saturday we celebrated Kingsley at her bridal shower. She looked beyond gorgeous and it was a wonderful time. Alexis did about 99.8% of the work and everything was beautiful.

Here are some pics of the day:

Food of Late

I've tried to make a new recipe at least once a week, whether it be dinner, a snack, or a dessert.

A blog that I am currently in love with is www.detoxinista.com

I've been trying to eat less "diet" food and more real food. I have been eating right, I haven't been drinking, and although I haven't lost weight, I feel a lot better.

Check this website out for great, natural (paleo if you will) recipes. Many of them require very few ingredients. My current favorites are the "Dole Whip" (I'm not sure if that's what it's called on the website but it's basically fresh frozen pineapple and almond milk and blend blend blend) and "Flourless Peanut Butter Blondies", both of which I found through Pinterest.

Here's another recipe that I've had for a very long time, and finally got around to making:

http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,50400000122274,00.html


xoxo

Nicholas 18 Month Appointment

He's one and a half you guys, and it's awesome. I don't want to every be one of those parents that says "where did the time go?" Before Nicholas was born, my Dad said something to me that will probably resonate for the rest of my life: "Life goes by so fast. Don't waste it drinking like I did. Then, when you have children, it goes by so much faster."

When Nicholas was a newborn, I was completely exhausted. Anyone that has had a child knows exactly what I mean. They say Mom's forget, but I think they just "don't remember" how bad it really was, and that's what makes them have more children. I have always been able to survive on little to no sleep, but those first few months were still very tough. With that being said, it was worth every single second. Nicholas is a happy, smiley, laughing boy, 99.8% of the time. In those beginning sleepless nights, I savored holding his warm little body close to me, taking in his smell ( so what if it was spit up and poop? people lie guys, babies DON'T smell delicious). His sweet, soft, warm little head pressed to my cheek as I tried to get him to sleep for just one more minute.

Anyway...about the now :)

Nicholas had a great 18 month appointment and he's right on track for growth and development.

Stats:

Height: 33 1/4 inches
Weight: 28 lbs
Head circumference: 50 cm (aka gigantico)

The doctor commented on his "Fred Flinstone" feet and we both agreed that we love them (block feet for those that are not familiar).

He's babbling away, repeating and I think understanding us. Recent new words: Poop (of course I put that first), Nana, wawa (water), mbox (kinda..mailbox-from our walks), bayball (basketball). There are plenty more.

His current favorite word is MIMMIE (Mickey) and he likes to yell it approximately 23 hours of the day. I told Nick I didn't want him to watch television and this is exactly why!

He loves kids, runs up to them and says Hi...and doesn't stop saying Hi. Ever. We are very lucky to live in a kid friendly neighborhood and although most are much older, it's nice that he gets to be around them now that he's only in day care one day a week.

We typically give him showers now instead of baths and he loves it, he thinks it's play time.

He LOVES Dexter and I know this will never change. I taught him how to kiss Dexter nicely and it's currently one of his favorite things to do, repeatedly.

He likes to be chased. I bought a big ball at Target for $3 and he loves to run after it around the house and throw it on the table, stove, whatever he can.

He loves to climb and throw himself off of furniture.

He loves shoes and socks and blankets and the refrigerator and his milk.

He's not so great with eating healthy stuff, but I let it go. You only get to be a kid once, I'm letting him enjoy it and I'm not stressing.


My boy got 5 shots today and although he instantly started crying, he stopped within 2 minutes. He will probably be sore the next few days, but other than his non napping today, he is his happy little self. We took a walk after dinner and he laughed and ran like always. It took us about 20 minutes to go 1/4 of a mile, but it was worth it. Dexter was not pleased with our slow pace.

xoxo

Steps for Pets to support The Lowell Humane Society

Hi Everyone,

As you know, animals are very important to me. If you have a few dollars to spare, I would greatly appreciate a donation for this wonderful local non profit.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/CrystalDristiliaris/stepsforpets2013

xoxo

Imajine That!

Today I met my friend Lauren at Imajine That in Lawrence, MA. Lauren had suggested the place and the weather was crummy, so it was perfect. I've been home for a few weeks now but haven't quite learned where to go and what to do with Nicholas.

Imajine That is a wonderful indoor play center. It is big and spacious and Nicholas had a great time running around. I was really proud of him. No tears, no trying to knock down smaller kiddos, no throwing up post pizza. It was really great to let him run around and just be. It was also really great to see Lauren and meet her beautiful daughter Gwen who I have seen so many pictures of, and meet her newest addition, Nathan, who was born just a few months ago. He is still so little and already so smiley!

Today= great success!

Here's the one picture I managed to snap of Nicholas:

The Past Few Weeks

The past few weeks have been busy but wonderful.

My first official day as a stay at home Mom was last Wednesday and it went well. I am definitely busier than when I was working, but in a much better and more fun way. The only time I sat down during the day was when I was driving (we went to Babies R Us and Target...I think!) Nicholas refused a nap and we ended up meeting Kingsley and Quinton & Teddy at the park. I took a few laps around the park when I got there and Nicholas fell asleep in the stroller for about an hour. Here are a few pics of our outing. As you can see from the look on his face he wasn't the happiest camper when he woke up!

My first day of classes were on Thursday September 5th- I just have one class that day and Alexis came over to watch Nicholas for us. I previously met the professor and really liked her, and the class is short, an hour and 15 minutes, because it meets twice a week. We just went over the syllabus and I read the first chapter, so I can already tell I'm going to like the class. Tomorrow I have classes from 9:30 -2:20, so I'm really looking forward to that.

Not too much else to report, we had children's birthday parties this past weekend, and more events coming this weekend. The weekend after this we have no plans and I have to say I'm most looking forward to that :)

xo

Ron & Melissa's Wedding

Nick and I headed to Long Island this past weekend for my cousin Ron's wedding. My cousin Ron and I were born the same year, along with my cousin Amber, and as kids I think Ron and I were together a lot (Amber is in FL so we didn't get to see her). My Dad and brother Ronnie (Ron's Dad) also worked together for years.

First off- Nicholas was pretty unhappy driving down to NY (he didn't stay asleep) and I crawled in the back with him which helped. He wouldn't sleep in the pack and play and I ended up putting him in bed with us and he instantly fell asleep and was very happy. He did better the next night, but the night of the wedding my Mom watched him and he went to sleep no problem, but when we got home he was up and ready to party. All. Night. Long. It was rough. Nick is lucky I can still survive on little to no sleep, which I've been doing for about 4 days now :)

Anyway- back to the good stuff! The wedding was at Lombardi's on the Sound in Port Jefferson and the place was beautiful. Melissa looked beautiful and Ron looked so happy. The ceremony was short and sweet with great music- Journey if I recall correctly and that "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" song that cracked us all up. It was my first time meeting Melissa and she was very sweet and very happy. It was just really nice to see.

The food was amazing, too many things to list, and the cake was also delicious (I'm usually not a fan of cake).

My Dad wasn't feeling great so he wasn't going to go to the wedding, but I convinced him to go if only for a little while, to see family that had traveled a bit and I knew would be let down if they didn't get to see him. Well, he had a GREAT time as you'll see in pictures: