Lots of firsts...

Yesterday was a really busy day for us.

We had a couple early morning appointments at our house for different things and then at 11:30 was Alayna's first class at My Gym. It is similar to a Gymboree class. It is a classroom enviroment but an active one. The first 5 minutes were free time and the kids got to run around and check everything out. Then it was circle time and that is where things got rough. It was already Alayna's nap time so when I tried taking her away from the equipment and with everyone else - she wasn't having it. She had a mini meltdown so we stepped outside for a bit. Then we tried going in again and I knew it wasn't going to work. So next week we are going to try an early morning class and see if that works better for us.

I am also looking into Pre School's for her in the Fall. Since she stays home with me I am trying to get her socialized and introduce her to different situations. She is very outgoing and plays great with other kids - she just doesn't listen to the teachers in the ballet class we went to or during circle time. I am sure some of it is her age but also that she hasn't done anything like that before.

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And last night was my first class of bead making with my friend Anita! I was really excited to go! Anita had already taken the classes at this arts center last year and she does great work - she even sells her beautiful beads! I don't consider myself very artsy - but I sure had fun! These are all the rods of soft class that we worked with.

There are 8 people in the class of all levels. You work in front of a propane torch and heat up your mandrel and glass rod until it melts. Then you twirl the glass on the mandrel and *try* to make a bead. You can make all sorts of shapes and use tools to help manipulate the glass. It definately takes practice.

And here is the lovely bracelet I made last night.

Just kidding. All of those beads were made by the instructor, Marta. :P but I can't wait to see how mine turned out next week. They get dried in the kiln overnight and when I go back I get to see them! Stay tuned...

Do we have a winner?

One of my adorably cute bunny shirts is being featured and given away to one lucky winner over on Simply Sentimental, the blog! Click for your chance to win!

Up 2

Today was our day down in Boston. There is nothing better than having a quick trip down there, a good visit, and a quick trip back home. Paul gained 2 pounds and everything else is great. It must have been that cookie dough ice cream cake I got him from Cold Stone Creamery!

I have been up to my ears in orders from Alayna's Closet. It is so nice to see them coming in. My Easter Bunny shirts and outfit are selling really well. And I was even featured in this blog because she loved her shirt so much!


I still have several days until I have completed all outstanding orders. so back to work I go!

It's snowing again...

We have just been plugging away, doing our thing, and waiting for Spring. Not much new has happened around here. So no news is good news I guess!
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Alayna did go to her very first ballet class this past week. Eden and Annelina also took the Baby Dance with Me class.


It was only 30 minutes long and I think I spent half of it chasing Alayna around the room. The moms stay in the class and interact with the kids and music. There are some basic steps thrown in, although the class is pretty unstructured. Mostly the girls all looked so adorable in their tutus! Here is Alayna and Eden doing their first Arabesque en Barre.




This was only a trial class and I am not sure we will be signing up the girls just yet. Alayna especially doesn't understand the whole classroom setting and I don't know if it will benefit her. But boy is she just delicious in her ballerina outfit!

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Etsy :: Treasury West List

Check out Alayna (and my shirt) being featured in this Treasury on Etsy! Leave a comment and it might make it to the front page!

Etsy :: Treasury West List

yum!

Today I had to take Buttercup and Hannah to the vets for their annual checkups and I decided to stop and pick up dinner. A few weeks ago the doctors gave Paul the ok to eat takeout pizza. He hasn't wanted to try before since his belly was still nauseous. But now that he is doing well and eating atleast 1 or 2 small meals everyday - I thought I would give it a try. I brought home a couple of take and bake pizzas from Foodees, and Paul had one small slice of each! That is so good to see!

Small steps. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is going to be a quiet day at home for us. The weather is pretty chilly and windy outside.




Alayna and Eden have already received many wonderful gifts, cards, balloons, flowers, and candy from us and other family and friends.





I also wanted to let you all know about Paul's appointment this past week. It was moved to Thursday and went really well. My good friend Anita watched Alayna for us so I could go in with Paul. He still weighed the same as the last two visits, 184. But he was given the go ahead to start eating raw fruits and vegetables. This whole time he has been on a neutropenic diet, which means everything has to be cooked, and he couldn't have any thin skinned fruit or vegetables. But he has been craving a salad. So I went to the grocery store and stocked up and made him his first salad. He ate it up and best of all - kept it down! He also changed one of his medications - as far as time and taking it with food - not Ensure. So far it seems to have made all the difference in the world. He isn't feeling nauseous in the late afternoon and is eating a small variety of meals. If he keeps up his eating at this pace, I am confident he will have weight gain at his next appointment! Keep your fingers crossed!

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And I wanted to wish my niece Ellae good luck in her tournament this weekend! She is a tremendously talented goalie for her soccer team and they are in Phoenix for a competition right now.

And everyone else - Happy Valentine's Day !

Hugs and Kisses! muah!

Wishing you...

Much love, Paul, Amanda, & Alayna!

Isn't she cute?

Paul keeps telling me that he keeps checking the blog "to see how he's doing" and there's nothing there... So I guess it is time for me to update it! :)

Paul is doing good! His demeanor and attitude around the house is pretty much his usual self. Which is fantastic, but he is still back to drinking Ensure's about 90% of the time. He hasn't thrown up lately but he is still nauseous enough to not want to eat solid foods. And of course his energy level is not the same yet. Hopefully by the time the weather starts to warm up a bit more we can all venture outside for some exercise and building Paul back up to where he needs to be.

Alayna and I have only been out a couple of times this past week. The weather was brutally cold out and with whipping winds it was darn right miserable. On Thursday Anita and took our girls to The Mall of New Hampshire and let them run around inside. They had a ball in the Disney store and we also took a ride on the carousel. Can you find us?

And last night my sister, Anita and I decided to go out for our first ever girls night out! We went to dinner to Texas Roadhouse and then went to Leda Lanes for some candle pin bowling fun. I haven't been in a couple years so I was kind of rusty *cough cough*. Can you see how fast I am gong with my sweater flapping in the wind! :P

My sister staring down the pins...

Anita had the best bowling form out of all of us.

Unfortunately we never even got close to 100 in the 2 games we played. There is always next time!

Happy Day!

So I am excited to report that there has been a stay on the new CPSIA law regarding items for children 12 and under! They are pushing the compliance date from 2/10/09 to 2/10/10 - so I have one more year to stay open at the very least. During this time they will be working on exclusions that would make it not so black and white. Yay!

In celebration, my newest outfit perfect for Easter egg hunting in the cool New Hampshire weather...

I haven't quite decided on the carrot on the jeans (it is temporarily taped on). I think it is cute to go with the bunny but Paul said he doesn't like it. What do you think? I am working on this outfit for a special customer of mine - but it will soon be available in Alayna's Closet.

Oh! I guess since today is SuperBowl Sunday I have one thing to say... Only 23 more days until Spring Training begins!! Can you tell I don't like football. :P

Have a great day everyone!