Baby Pictures 12/25

Not that anyone is around to go anyways, but Baby Pictures has been cancelled this week due to the holiday.

I really enjoyed going to Baby Pictures when Hunter was younger but these days I just can't see him sitting through a 2 hour movie. For that reason (as of the first of the year) I won't be posting the Baby Picture movie of the week.

If you want to check out what's playing, go here: link then select "NJ", then select "Schedule" under the Edgewater Mulitplex listing. 

Date Night Update

Ahhhhhh...recharge. :) 

I am still laughing from our date-night tonight.

The show (mainly Eric) was funny but the laughs at dinner afterwards were even better. 

It's great having friends in the neighborhood who all understand the new parent lifestyle and can appreciate a night of freedom out on the town. 

Eric performed splendidly -- I wish I could say the same for the other comics although out of 11 there were 3 funny ones. 

Dinner at Rockinghorse Cafe was delish.

The weather was cold, wet, snowy, rainy, icy, and bleak but we didn't let that stop us!

Our nannies and sitters were scheduled and we were determined to make a night of it.

*Note that Rena & Eddie were there too but left before the dinner pics were taken...next time we hope more of you guys show up...Karaoke in January will be funnnnnnnnn!*

Christmas Spirit

I miss Christmas.

By this time last year, the living room smelled of fresh pine, I'd been singing Christmas songs since October, and the lights were all aglow on the tree.

This year, we opted out of decorating since our plans included being away for the holidays and since Hunter pretty much eats anything 3 feet off the ground.

But I miss the lights, the decorations, the Santas, the little Christmas village with the ice-skaters and the train that circles the tree...

Okay so maybe we didn't have ALL of that.

It's just that I never celebrated Christmas as a child since I didn't grow up Christian and we celebrated Persian New Year in March (a non-religious, cultural celebration of Spring).

Now that I married into a Christmas-celebrating family I like doing it BIG.

Go big or go home, right? Isn't that the American Christmas tradition?

Whatever it is, I am ALL about it so I feel kinda cheated this year that Hunter's 

first Christmas is non-existent at his home. Hopefully Grandma won't disappoint in Florida. 

Remembering back to last year, I was HUGE (kinda like this year) with baby in belly and loving the frigid weather. Until, like, February. When I was OVER it already! 

SO in Christmas spirit, I'll post a pic of our tree last year. And my belly. Well it's mainly my belly with a little bit of tree... 

Happy Holidays! Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas! Seasons Greetings! Feliz Navidad! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!

I'm sure it's just the pregnancy talking...

...but this is the first year I am ready for a 2nd Thanksgiving less than a month later.

Here are some pics from my Family's home in Orlando last month.

I look at them anytime I get really hungry and then I eat a bowl of cereal. ha 

Cocoa is Contagious...

Just like a smile...

Roni made me hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream last week and ever since I have Ghirardelli cocoa, ReddiWhip, and JetPuffs stocked in the house. 

I told Rebecca about my newest craving and she's been indulging as well -- but naturally in the lower-fat version since she's a Skinny Minnie these days. ;) 

So I wonder how many of you will read this post, see my iphone pic, and make one for yourself?

Picture Share

Here's a Before and After of Hunter...

Before referring to him being sicky last week.

After referring to his usual silly hammy self. :)

I'd also like to point out that he's the only kid I know who still managed to GAIN weight during the Bird Flu or whatever the heck he had that everyone's been suffering from. 

Date Night Reminder

Eric's Big Night at Gotham is this Friday, Mommas! 

If you want a fun date night, join us for a night of comedy in NYC and dinner to follow.

1st Birthdays

We are planning Hunter's First Birthday party and when I say "we" I mean "me"... :)

I started 4 months ago and then decided it was WAY too early however I had already priced venues, found a bakery, selected decorations, etc. 

When the Clubhouse Drama happened in late October, I realized I would definitely have to pay to have his party somewhere else since there is no room in our tiny apartment and we didn't have any on-site options.

Next week I was planning on putting a deposit down for a room on River Road however in light of the new developments with Roseland, I may wait on it and rent the room in Building 28 instead since it's more convenient for my neighborhood guests. 

We've decided not to go overboard so we will have just an intimate gathering. 

This was decided after attending about five 1st Birthdays in the past three months.

Trust me, I know how easy it is (as a Mom) to want a spectacular first shin-dig for your tot...however that being said, it's been increasingly more evident to me that the kiddles are

 TOTALLY clueless to the occasion being in their honor and therefore they aren't always as cooperative with the "plans". 

Besides, aside from a few key pictures, there will be no memory of this party for our little Hunter and while I will make sure it's fun for our guests I don't believe I'm going to rent a Petting Zoo and a Moonwalk Bounce House quite yet. 

Here's a pic of Hunter at his friend Luka's First Birthday party today. This captures the overall theme of the party :) --->

Pregnancy Hormones

This is a pic I took while we were in Bermuda this year. I'm posting it because it's my "happy place". 

Some of you know Hunter got sick last week and Trav is working crazy hours again...so it's been a tough week for me since I am pregnant and tired to begin so being a single mom to a sick baby is doubly tolling on me...but this post isn't about the negative stuff...it's about the fact that even when I feel nothing is going the way I hoped (temporarily), I have blessings around me as constant reminders of how lucky I am. 

I am lucky to be a mom of a loving baby boy with another miracle baby growing inside of me.

 I am lucky to have a husband who works so hard for his wife and family.

 I am lucky he has a job at all right now in this economic climate.

 I am lucky to have friends who bring me groceries on days like today when I couldn't leave the house with a sick child. 

I am lucky to have the Mommy Group to empathize and vent, to make memories and have fun.

 There are many little things in life that make the current situation of helplessness feel like a passing moment. 

I appreciate that.

I saw this quote today and it made me smile inside because it's exactly how I feel:

"She said she usually cried at least once each day not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful & life was so short."

Yoga, Mommy & Me

I haven't updated the calendar (down below) in forever. Is anyone attending the classes in the neighborhood? Can someone please send me updated times for them if they've changed?

Thanks!!

Baby Pictures 12/11

For those of you brave enough to go out in the Brrrrrr weather:

Edgewater Multiplex Cinemas
Film: FOUR CHRISTMASES
Rating: PG-13
Price: $6.50
Date: 12/11/2008
Time: 10:00 am

Trav & I had a "Date Night" in Orlando 2 weeks ago and chose this film -- very cute! I recommend it if you want a fun, non-serious, romantic comedy. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn play the main characters whose Fijian flight is cancelled on Christmas Eve and they are forced to go to their parents' houses for 4 Christmases in one day. Hilarity ensues.

Fun Waste of Time

For little girls (ok, or me)...

PaperDolls

Management Dictatorship

For those who have been asking: NOPE -- Management has yet to resolve the Clubhouse issue. 

When I originally sent them the email, Brenda Cioce of Roseland Property accidentally sent me an email that was directed to the rest of the staff stating that a letter should be sent to us in response. She then attempted to recall it when she realized I received it as well.

While I was out of state, Trav received a message from Dan Mogolesko asking to meet with us. I called the office and he was not there so I emailed him stating that I was not around and wouldn't be until December so I was requesting a written response to my written complaint in order for the issue to be resolved.

I received NO response from them. Of course.

SO then I emailed them again a week+ later to find out why no one had contacted me and Aysha Leak-Saunders of Roseland Property replied. Her response was that Dan had contacted me and they awaited my phone call. Her tone was accusational (real word? probably not) to say the least so I responded AGAIN and await their response.

Since we just returned home and aren't settled yet I haven't scheduled a meeting but will probably do so for next Saturday. By then the petition will have been completed and received by their office and Trav should hopefully be available from work. If any of you would like to also attend the meeting, please let me know. I think our strength is in numbers and I'd like to show them that it's not just one person who is complaining. Not that they care about their residents anyways.

In addition, I am in the process of sending my original complaint to the BBB of Trenton NJ and while doing so I noticed that they already have a complaint filed against them. Hopefully they will receive the BBB's letter soon as well.

Present Ideas

Did any of you see Oprah's Favorite Things last week? 

It was a disappointment to those expecting extravagant giveaways but there was something that stood out to me.

She asked viewers to write in about their less costly holiday gifts and one young couple said they give each other the "Twelve Days of Christmas". To those who celebrate, you know that's a traditional Christmas song. However for this couple the month of December had 12 activities they planned together. For example, one afternoon they'd go hiking, one evening they'd go bowling or bake cookies, etc. 

I thought it was so sweet and so much more meaningful than buying each other something. Especially in my marriage where I rarely see my husband...twelve days of Christmas sounds amazing!! I think the last time we were together or even saw each other for 12 days in one month was when we got married in Bermuda...sad but true.

Oprah's show focused on giving sentimental gifts from the heart versus being a Consumer-Crazed society and buying all the newest, latest, and greatest. At a time where we all should be tightening our belts to prepare (or react) to the economic climate, this show actually really appealed to me. I wonder if Trav could live without a velvet-lined cufflink box from Saks? I'm sure he could...and I know this is one Christmas my maternal-y eternal-y growing baby bump won't be asking for clothes! Hmmm...something to think about. 

Adding to the Blog

If there is anything newsworthy in the Mommy World and you want to share it, please feel free to email me and I will add it to the blog. :) This can be anything regarding the kiddies, events and activities, Pediatrician and babysitter/nanny info, etc...

We're Hooooooome! And Random Updates

WE'RE HOME:

Hi Moms!

Hunter, Trav, and I are finally home from FL!

Hunter was showered with smiles and love and attention from everyone down there so now that it's just him and I at home, he's not so impressed with just me. 

It's good to be back but it was hard to say goodbye to family and friends and the warm weather. 

Now we are busy working, unpacking, doing laundry, cleaning up the house, grocery shopping, catching up on DVR'd shows, and all sorts of other fun chores. ;)

RANDOM UPDATES:

I hope to see you all soon! We are going to Eric's Show (See the Gotham Comedy Club Post below) so hopefully we'll see some of you there. Dinner afterwards, as well.

In January we are planning a Karaoke Night so I'll keep you posted.

We will be leaving again in less than three weeks to go back to FL so things are a lil' hectic for us this month, otherwise I'd plan a December Mommy Event.

I had an Ultrasound yesterday and all is well with our 2nd pregnancy -- we find out the baby's gender in mid-January. I'll update you all then.

For those of you who are still buying Holiday Prezzies, www.babystyle.com has a sale thru Sunday -- 30% off if you enter promo code HOHO30 when checking out. I think we're getting Hunter's rocker from there. Still not sure...

As far as the Management Office goes, they have done NOTHING in response to our letter -- I still need some of your signatures so I plan to get on that next week. 

Music class (for those of us who attended) is over so we are looking into another class for next semester to try something new. We'll let you know where we end up.

While in Orlando, we took Hunter to the Science Center and he LOVED it so maybe we should plan a day trip to the Children's Museum in Paramus for the stay at homes...this was Justine's idea. I think it sounds awesome and would love to do it once the morning sickies go away.

Okay I am off to do more housework...woohoo!

Talk to you all soon,

Az