One year ago today...

While we are digging into the photo archives - here is Alayna exactly one year ago.

Her hair has grown so much longer and she was just teetering around - having learned to walk a couple weeks before that.

I often say that I can't wait until she is 3 and then she would be out of her "terrible two's". But I also would like to just keep her this age forever. She is already growing up too soon.

Photo tag

My friend Jen tagged me with this photo challenge and how could I refuse? I've been instructed to post the 6th photo from the 6th folder in my photo archives. So...here it is!

This is the day after Alayna was born. We were still in the hospital just staring at our baby girl. I didn't let her out of my arms for long.

Hmm... I am supposed to tag 6 more people but I don't know that many who have their own blog. So I tag:

Jenn O.

Kayla & Michele

Anita

Hospital Day

Paul had his appoinment today in Boston. Everything went really well and quick. But the best news is we don't have to go back for 2 weeks! Yay!

We got home kinda late but I made a fantastic Spinach Lasagna and we all enjoyed some. We are hunkering down - a big snow storm is on it's way!

Where's Alayna???

As I was cleaning out Alayna's room she decided to take all of her shoes off the bottom shelf and crawl in for a nap! It was kinda cramped for her but she made it cozy with her blanket and pillow. :)

Sunday adventures

So yesterday Alayna and I joined my sister and Eden, and my friend Anita and her two girls, Hannah and Lina. We all piled into one car and headed to Carrabba's for a nice lunch.



Then we made our way over to the Verizon Wireless Arena for Mickey and Minnie's Magical Adventure - Disney on Ice! We had fantastic seats in the second row. As all the characters skated by we could actually feel the wind.




Here are the 2 year old girls starting with Alayna the youngest, Annelina, and Eden the oldest.

My sister and Eden.

Alayna's favorite parts were those with Mickey and Minnie and Ariel.

It was a really fun show and we all loved it! Thanks to Anita for sharing these pictures with me. I forgot my camera in the car!

Happy Weekend!

Well the weekend is already half over. But tomorrow will surely be a great day. I will tell you about that later.

Paul's appointment this week went really good. He gained 2 pounds and found out we may starting going every other week as of February. The doctor also told him he could eat take out pizza if he wanted. We haven't done that yet - Paul is still a little leary. He is especially so because it seems he is somewhat lactose intolerant now - he wasn't before. But he is doing good, keeping busy with his new favorite show - Dexter. We watched season 3 on Showtime but I had ordered the first 2 seasons for one of my Christmas gifts. Great show.

It has still been quite cold up here but we haven't had a snow storm in over a week! :P

My sister and I have been in talks planning Eden and Alayna's birthday parties. For those of you who made it to Alayna's 1st big shindig - this years is right up there! It will definately be a celebration for her turning 3 and for Paul being 1 year out from his transplant. So mark your calenders - 10/10/09!

I will be back tomorrow with info about our exciting day...

Shops like mine may become extinct...

I have been hesitant to post about this subject - just for the mere fact that there is so much about it I don't understand. Essentially, due to the overwhelming amount of recalls affecting items our children come in contact with, CPSIA has passed a law to protect them. While that is a good thing in itself, like a blanket it covers everything they come in contact with - toys, jewelry, clothing, etc. Testing for lead must now be performed on every component that goes into a product.

Take this $45 outfit of mine for example...

Under the new law total cost including testing will be ... $2985.00 That's $70 per component for lead and $350 per component for phthalates.

$70 Shirt
$70 Jeans
$70 Polka dot fabric
$70 Swirl Fabric
$70 Ric Rac trim
$70 Grosgrain ribbon belt
$70 Thread
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$350 Shirt
$350 Jeans
$350 Polka dot fabric
$350 Swirl Fabric
$350 Ric Rac trim
$350 Grosgrain ribbon belt
$350 Thread

And that is just for one outfit of mine! Obviously large corporations can afford to be compliant with this new law, I can not. So unless there are some amendments made, February 10th Alayna's Closet will be closed for business. Thereafter it would be illegal for me to sell my clothing. There is alot more info on this subject that affects everyone. If you would like to see many more links click on the bear.

I've been bad...

Real bad. I have to confess I haven't kept up at all with any kind of baby book for Alayna. I think it may be in a closet downstairs. Sometimes I will watch Alayna doing something or saying something really cute and I'll think to myself - I don't want to forget this, I need to write it down. Inevitably, I never do. I didn't really think about any kind of New Year's resolution. But I think that will be mine. I will make a concerted effort to resume her baby book and start scrapbooking again. I have fallen too far behind.

Today's memory...

As I sit in my room typing away... Alayna is awake in her room talking to herself. My sweet baby girl is counting to 10 and then clapping after she gets there. So adorable!

in the middle...

Here are some pictures from Alayna's photo session at the Picture People. These aren't the best shots - but they aren't the worst ones either! She was having a bad hair day, so pardon the funky bangs and crooked pig tails. :P

Have a great day!

Almost Valentine's Day!

Hello everyone! Apparently I have been on a little bloggins break. It has already been one week since I posted last. Time flies!

I will start with Paul. Yesterday was his appointment in Boston. Everything is well except that he lost another 2 pounds. He is just about at his lowest weight that he's been at throughout this while thing. Yesterday I made pizza and he ate a small slice of that. This morning I made pancakes and sausage. His had extra butter and syrup. He finished more than half so that is good. I just took this picture this morning. He is all snuggled up on the sofa watching tv while it is below zero outside with the windchill!

On Monday I took Alayna to the mall to try and get some Valentine's pictures taken. After our last outing and failed attempts at nice shots, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of ones that turned out super cute. While we were waiting for them to print up - she took her weekly train ride. She is starting to get daring and go from the front seat to the back seat while it is moving.

And I am busy working on orders in Alayna's Closet for Valentine's. While I am still trying to put away Christmas stuff! :P

Just say cheese...

So first of all, Paul's appointment went well yesterday. They are still waiting for the second portion of the testing from the biopsy to come back so we don't know the results of that yet. He lost 3 pounds. His stomach has been a little queasy this past week. Most meat products (chicken, pork) are not agreeing with him. So we need to try and make up those calories elsewhere. I found some power type bars at the supermarket that are over 400 calories each. So if he can just add one of those per day in addition to his ensures and stuff he can make up some of the difference. And, at this point, they have him scheduled for weekly appointments through February. I think I am going to call the doctor to see what is up with that. Paul asked the nurse who he saw but she just told him to ask Dr. Koreth next week. ugh.

Today I got the itch to get going on Alayna's Valentine's Day cards. She doesn't like to cooperate when I try to get her to smile. It is just about a miracle if I get one on cue. It mostly goes something like this...

Or this...

I take what I can get before she runs away. :P

It's about time..

That we joined the 21st century!

Paul, Alayna and I finally got cable installed today. The 4.5 years we have been living here we just had the basic 5 channels you can receive with an antenna. But with Paul being homebound for awhile it seemed like a good thing for him to have. That plus I was tired of hearing all the court shows he would watch! :P He has already been setting the DVR for all his favorite shows.

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The other exciting thing I wanted to share --- Paul's hair is finally growing in! It has taken a very long time but it's coming back. He is really proud of his "cop mustache" he has on his upper lip. It really is just extra dark looking 5 o'clock shadow. :o) I will try to get his attention long enough from the tv to snap a picture to show.

Tomorrow is hospital day. Talk later!

Bring it on!

So we hope that you have all had a fantastic beginning to 2009. Paul and I both agree that this will be a great year. It has to be, right?

It has been bitterly cold here. With the wind blowing we have been in negative numbers. Brrr.

I happened upon a gem of a song by one of my favorite groups. I can count on one hand how many concerts I have been to in my life - including The Wiggles! After I graduated high school and lived with my sister in Albuquerque for a short while, I had the chance to go and see KISS (with makeup). Loved it and had a fantastic time! This is one of my favorite songs from Ace Frehley... This is for our favorite family members in Long Island! :)




Enjoy.

My eyes are really heavy...

And I don't know if I will be awake at midnight to wish you all...



I am hoping that 2009 brings my family and yours - peace, health, love and happiness!

Family and Friends!

Please visit my shop blog and tell me what you think on my newest design. Thank you!

Paul's appointment went well today in Boston. No weight gain - but no loss either. I will have to keep trying to feed him whatever I can. :)

Everyone is doing good here in NH. We are expecting another snow storm this week. Most of the snow from the last one is gone.

Talk soon!

Back to my craft room...

So my self imposed vacation from Alayna's Closet is over. I took a small much needed break from thinking about my shop and what to make next. I will be reopening with some new Valentine's shirts and outfits. Who doesn't love hearts?

Yesterday my sister and I took the girls to the mall so they could run around a bit and we could check out any after Christmas bargains. Of course we had to visit the train again. The girls love it. And lately they love walking around holding hands. It is super cute.

We were told by the "conductor" that they will soon be offering frequent traveler tickets. I think we will have to invest in one of those.

If you noticed our new countdown banner at the top of the column - you will see how long it is until our vacation next December to Disney. We are starting off with a 4 day Disney cruise and then go to the park for a few days after that. We are really looking forward to it. The last time Paul and I went on vacation was in February of 2000! So we are really overdue. And I have never been to Walt Disney World so I think it is about time. And I have been thinking about really important things... Like what I am going to dress Alayna in! :P Jenn should appreciate my efforts, being a Disney fanatic herself.

Have a terrific week everyone!

Not a kid anymore...

Christmas is always a magical time. But not as much as when you are a kid yourself. Alayna was finally able to open as many presents as she wanted. Everything she opened was her favorite -until she opened the next one.

We ended opening gifts on Christmas Eve so we could spread it all out. My sister had more presents down at her house and those were opened on Christmas Day. The biggest hits for Alayna were her Mickey Mouse digital camera and her piano. Now she can jam out with her dad on his keyboard that he received.

Paul loved his Lego set from Santa. There are tons of pieces in it so it will help to fill all of his free time. If put together correctly it should actually move!

As for myself, I love the birdhouse that I got from Paul (you can see it on my mantle in the first picture). And I can't wait to use the Cricut Expressions I received from my sister and Eden!

We hope that you all enjoyed a joyous Christmas Day as well!

Only one more sleep...

And then it's Christmas! But for us, the fun begins tonight when we open our stockings. We always open them on Christmas Eve. I am making a really yummy Mexican stew for dinner tonight, Posole. Traditionally it is served on New Years - but it also is traditional to use pigs feet and other yucky parts! :P It is basically pork loin shredded in a red chile broth with hominy. It is very good and something my sister and I grew up eating. My mom always made mine without the red chile, just as I will do for Eden and Alayna now. Tomorrow will be our turkey dinner we didn't get to enjoy on Thanksgiving.

Also, Paul's visit went really well yesterday. He gained 2 pounds and so far all the results from the bone marrow biopsy have returned negative! That in itself is a wonderful Christmas gift.

Paul, Alayna, and I want to wish all of our family and friends the best holiday possible. Merry Christmas!

Buried...

I don't know the official measurements of the snowfall but it is alot! After the first storm Friday and Saturday we had another large one on Sunday. I would say atleast a foot and a half total if not more. All I know is it was knee deep and higher than the door sills on our cars. If you can tell anything by this picture - there are 2 steps up to the front door which are completely covered.

The weather was pretty windy and not good to be playing out in - but I bundled up Alayna so we could walk down to my sister's house. Hannah is loving all the snow! Buttercup - not so much. It is definitely more than wiener dog high.

We hope you all had a nice warm weekend. Christmas is only 2 more nights away!!

The snow has started to fall...

By the time this storm is over we are supposed to have 12+ inches of snow on the ground. It looks really pretty until you have to shovel it! :P

Since we were housebound this afternoon my sister and Eden came over so the girls could paint some ornaments. They both had alot of fun painting several masterpieces each.

And then they enjoyed Alayna's new favorite snack - crinkle cut carrots.

I can't believe that Christmas is just about 5 days away! I didn't get all of my decorations out, and I haven't yet baked the cookies we exchange with our neighbors every year. But I have mailed out all gifts, everything is now wrapped and under the tree, and our house is nice and toasty warm thanks to my darling husband and his vigilance with the fire. :) Alayna can't wait to get going with all of the gifts. Everyday a new one catches her eye and she unsuccessfully tries to open it. Soon baby girl, soon.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!