Recipe of the Week - Homemade Fish Sticks

I found this recipe in Everyday Food magazine from Martha Stewart and tried it tonight. It was SO yummy! Hunter loved it and so did my picky eater hubby. :) *I added a little Seafood Season-All to the fish after dredging them.*

INGREDIENTS
..Serves 4..

4 large egg whites
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound skinless tilapia fillets, cut into 1-by-3-inch strips
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup vegetable oil
Ketchup, for serving

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil; fit another with a wire rack. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; add fish, and toss to coat. In another large bowl, combine cornmeal and flour; season with salt and pepper.
Working in batches, lift fish from egg-white mixture (letting excess drip off), and dredge in cornmeal mixture, patting to adhere; transfer to foil-lined sheet.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Working in batches, cook fish until golden brown and opaque throughout, 4 to 6 minutes, turning once (if fish is browning too quickly, reduce heat). Transfer to wire rack, and keep warm in oven while remaining fish cooks. 

Fun For All

This week, Trav's schedule permitted time off to spend with us. Yay! :) 

Since he never attended Hunter's Music Together class or Baby Swim class last summer, we decided to do a few drop-in activities. 

These days it's difficult for me to take Hunter to classes alone anyways, since my tummy is large and I have little to no energy for chasing tots. 

Yesterday we attended The Little Gym in Jersey City. (Ghetto location but a great place for them once you are inside.) Hunter LOVED crawling all over the mats and beam and even hung from the parallel bars for awhile. They offer a free trial class (which we've already done) and then drop-ins are $19.50 thereafter.

Today we dropped in on a Puppetonia Show in Hoboken. Again, totally fun for Hunter. He impressed everyone with his pelvic thrust dance moves and then crashed in their papasan after class was over. It was nice seeing Alexarya and Alina - who we've missed since Music Together ended last session. It's interesting to see how much further along the little girls Hunter's age are in their motor-skill development. Alexarya's walking everywhere and Alina started twirling in circles, mimicking the older children, during one of the songs. Meanwhile Hunter was clapping and making out with the girl-puppet, Mary. Their drop-in fee for the first class is $10. 

Next week we're checking out the Library Lap-Sit on their new day: Wednesday. Hope to see some more of our group there!

Central Park Shenanigans

I was going through some old photos this morning and came across these:

They were taken a week before I became pregnant with Hunter.

 Trav & I went to brunch at Parea in the city: 

and then walked to Central Park for the afternoon:

 That's where we saw this fellow and his painted dog and head-parrot:

As a parent, I now wonder how on Earth I would explain this sight to Hunter and Kingston...?

Monkey Bread -- Mmmmm...2

I made this recipe again this morning...we were out of eggs and Hunter had already eaten some applesauce and orange segments for breakfast. I wanted something sweet and naughty and I recalled making this before -- it's SO easy and really delish!! Monkey Bread

PB&J

Most of you know and all of you will learn that feeding a baby/toddler is a challenge. 

EVEN if you have a super-eater like Hunter (totally not bragging -- it's the only thing he's really good at! haha) it's a challenge just to come up with healthy, inventive, easy menus.

Once he proved ready for table food I decided to HECK with making a separate meal for him -- he would eat what I eat. Except I was eating like a typical mom -- cereal and milk for dinner -- PB&J for lunch -- you get the idea. 

I resolved to start cooking -- which aligned with Trav being home more often anyways -- and these days I really enjoy not only cooking what I know is good for him but eating like a real person instead of a college student. :) 

I use all organic ingredients, as long as they are available, and most of what we eat is Vegetarian though I do make some meat for Trav & Hunter. 

To give you an idea of what Hunter eats, this week's breakfasts consisted of a spinach and havarti omelette, scrambled eggs with cheese, pancakes, and oatmeal (all different days of course). With breakfast he always eats one banana and sometimes some additional grapes or a sliced orange if he's still hungry. 

This week's lunches and dinners were spinach linguine with pesto and parm, sticky rice and curried shrimp, roasted red pepper soup, and a black bean and cheese quesadilla (again all different days). With lunch and dinner he will also have either a fruit (sliced pear, cherries, etc) or veggie (carrot sticks, cucumbers, etc) and some crackers or cookies (like Annie's Bunny Grahams). He really enjoys eating dessert (a little too much) and since I've been craving desserts and baking every day, Hunter has sampled banana bread and carrot cake this week as well.

Since he eats so well, I didn't at all feel guilty about giving him his very first PB&J on whole wheat this week. He LOVED it. It was too cute. He had peanut butter all over his face and preserves stuck in his hair. I monitored him closely to make sure no allergic reaction sprung up but after reading all of these articles recently about how withholding peanuts could cause allergies, I felt like I shouldn't keep him from my all-time fave snack any longer. 

Just writing this post, though, confirms what I was fearing while I made him his sandwich...I actually DO feel guilty for not cooking him something! What is with this Mommy Guilt?

Is it not enough that we carry them for 9 months, go into labor, have c-sections, nurse them, feed them, stay up all night with them, lose our lives for years at a time to focus on raising them, spend our days trying to teach them the alphabet and watching musical cartoons, forget what our pre-baby bodies even LOOKED like, .... etc .... I could go on .... but the point is, we do it all for them. Selflessly. Without a second thought. Because we LOVE them and want our babies and children to be happy and healthy and have nourished bodies and souls.

So when I make a friggin Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich I should be HAPPY that I am not spending an hour on lunch while Hunter is napping. And I shouldn't have to justify my decision to you other Moms either but here I am. :) It's uncontrollable, this Mommy Guilt, and I need to reign it in before Kingston arrives because I think it'll just double with 2 kids, won't it?

Or maybe I'll be one of those tried-and-true Moms that lets everything slide and starts making Kraft Mac & Cheese 4 nights a week just to get a 15 minute break to watch a celebrity gossip show. Maybe I'll just go straight to solids with Kingston so I won't have to bother with nursing, pumping, and formula.

But -- oh -- who am I kidding? I already cleaned out the Medela Pump In Style and the BabyCook is on the counter, waiting for its first batch of organic carrots to steam.

In the Motherhood

I'm anxious to see if this is any good.

Should we plan a screening? :) 

In The Motherhood

Recipe of the Week - Banana Bread

Mmmmmm-mmm!

I made this for breakfast because we had a bunch of bananas that were too ripe to eat & I didn't feel like making a smoothie since it's so cold out.

SO easy! Hunter had his own piece. Mainly b/c Trav & I didn't want to share ours. :) 

Enjoy:

Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS 
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas (3-5 bananas)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Edgewater Public Library Programs - Lapsit Change of Day

Lara advised the Lapsit on Fridays is changing to WEDNESDAY as of March. 

The meeting time is still the same. 

I'll update the calendar after this week.

It's a free program and fun for the kids! :)

A Great Class Resource

Granted, this is a Hoboken list of classes but let's face it ---> most of the activities we attend are Hoboken-centered anyway since they have such a large community of new families.

This website is AWESOME!! Check it out. :)

Hunter's Birth Labor CDs

Last night I went to see Mollie (Bollers), my Doula and Massage Therapist. 

I had an Integrative Prenatal Massage with Aromatherapy and it was AMAZING to say the least.

I highly recommend checking her out: HBM

While I was there, she reminded me that I forgot to send her the playlist we listened to throughout the 2 days of labor leading up to Hunter's birth. She had enjoyed the music we listened to and I thought you all would to. :) 

Here's the playlist -- I spent a lot of time creating these 2 CDs leading up to his birth because I wanted my birthing experience to be relaxing and comforting. I hope you enjoy!

CD 1
1. Desafinado - [Bebel Gilberto]
2. Wicked Little High - [Bird York]
3. Magic - [Colbie Callait]
4. See You Soon (Acoustic) - [Coldplay]
5. The Blowers Daughter - [Damien Rice]
6. The Look of Love - [Diana Krall]
7. Strangers in the Night - [Fausto Papetti]
8. The First Taste - [Fiona Apple]
9. Blue Would Still Be Blue - [Guillemots]
10. Hide and Seek - [Imogen Heap]
11. I Miss You (Acoustic) - [Incubus]
12. Naked As We Came - [Iron & Wine]
13. Cry - [James Blunt]
14. Blindfold - [Morcheeba]
15. The Long Day Is Over - [Norah Jones]
16. Apologize - [One Republic]
17. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - [Eddie Vedder]
18. Strange & Beautiful - [Aqualung]
19. Retour a Vega - [Stills]
20. Release Me - [Pearl Jam]
21. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - [The Postal Service]
CD 2
1. When I’m Thinking About You - [The Sundays]
2. This Woman’s Work - [Kate Bush]
3. Fade Into You - [Mazzy Star]
4. In The Waiting Line - [Zero 7]
5. Calvino Ray - [Sunny Paxson]
6. To Ulrike M - [Stephanie Popmpougnac]
7. I Wish You Love - [Rachel Yamagata]
8. Flood - [Tori Amos]
9. Sweet Jane - [The Sundays]
10. The Cosmic Gate - [Thievery Corporation]
11. Caring is Creepy - [The Shins]
12. My Finest Hour - [The Sundays]
13. Falling From Grace - [Sneaker Pimps]
14. Hurry Up and Wait - [Stereophonics]
15. Ligeia - [Team Sleep]
16. How Can It Be - [Forever Thursday]
17. Here’s Where the Story Ends - [The Sundays]

Baby Loves Disco - March 15th

It's on! 

We've already purchased our tickets for Baby Loves Disco on March 15th at NYC's Le Poisson Rouge.

The event is from Noon to 3pm on Sunday. We're planning to grab a bite to eat while in the city as well.

~Come join us & buy your tickets here~

Recipe of the Week - Cornbread

Here's a super-easy side to your hearty winter meal:

Classic Cornbread ---> A Southern, slightly-sweet treat!

INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs, lightly beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar and baking powder. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the cream, oil, honey and eggs; stir to combine. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of pan comes out clean.

**When it's out of the oven, I like to butter it and drizzle honey on top**

Baby Loves Disco

Has anyone ever heard of this?

I think it would be fun to try it out. It's for babies 6 months and up. Who's in? 

Baby Loves Disco North Jersey

Baby Loves Disco Manhattan

Tell me which you are more interested in and we'll make it a date!

Crazy iPhone App

Baby Monitor by CodeGoo

Check it out!

Real Simple Family Magazine Article

This was published late last year and I've been meaning to share it with you all:

The Best Parenting Websites
It’s a dot-mom world — and you’re speeding down the information superhighway. So slow down and pull over at these new, not-to-be-missed sites

Best for Practical Information
www.thecradle.com
What It Is: An all-questions-answered primer for the newly pregnant and the newly parenting, with eco-friendly undertones.

Why It's Worth Your Time: No need to troll multiple sites when you can get one-stop shopping here: parent-to-parent advice, cool baby gear, and green-living guides.

Don't Miss: The useful and easy-to-navigate baby-name database: more than 50,000 names tailored to the origin, the level of popularity, and the letter you desire.

www.pluggedinparents.com
What It Is: A comprehensive cyber-world that offers advice from a pediatric nurse-practitioner, reader-approved recipes, and even family-dog pros and cons.

Why It's Worth Your Time: You can quickly put to rest many anxiety-inducing issues, like language milestones and food allergies. Find all the answers here.

Don't Miss: The movie reviews. Never again will you suffer through a mind-numbing kids’ movie, thanks to the honest critiques of family-oriented films.

www.kidfriendlyguide.com
What It Is: A cross-country handbook of restaurants, resorts, after-school activities, and services that cater to kids, complete with reviews by parents.

Why It's Worth Your Time: Those steely glares from the no-children-welcome zone? Steer clear of them forever.

Don't Miss: The handy link to the extensive list of toy recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Best for Networking
www.totspot.com
What It Is: Part online baby book, part social site. Parents create secure MySpace-like profiles for their kids and share pictures and milestones with loved ones.

Why It's Worth Your Time: You can save the hours calling Aunt Fran about baby’s first word and e-mailing Uncle Joe about tot’s first soccer goal. They can see it all here.

Don't Miss: The growth-chart application, which allows you to monitor your child’s development without marking up the walls.

www.raisingthem.com
What It Is: A six-degrees-of-separation site where you get together with parents you know and the people they know.

Why It's Worth Your Time: Because having a playdate with a parent you don’t know can be just as awkward as a blind date.

Don't Miss: The online support groups for people in the same boat (parents of multiples, parents of special-needs kids, parents of more than four children, etc.).

www.motherhoodlater.com
What It Is: A cyber powwow for the over-35 set, with encouraging info about fertility and surrogacy, plus lots of local chapter information for playdate planning.

Why It's Worth Your Time: You risk embarrassment by admitting your teenage crush on Donny Osmond to a bunch of 20-somethings. These women can relate.

Don't Miss: The hilarious blogs. Waxing poetic on everything from menopause to dealing with the cringe-inducing “Are you his mom or his grandma?” inquiry.

Best Daily Destination
www.babble.com
What It Is: A veritable safety net of we’ve-been-there advice and keep-you-in-the-loop news to help you during that gigantic leap into the world of parenting.

Why It's Worth Your Time: You’ll get smart, timely conversations. In other words, a break from goo-goo ga-ga sounds that can be the only talk you hear all day.

Don't Miss: The Health and Development section, where experts weigh in on 36 controversial topics, such as co-sleeping, cord-blood banking, and spanking.

www.thefamilygroove.com
What It Is: An online magazine that touches on such topics as autism awareness and fitness ideas on shedding the baby weight, all in a chatty, tell-it-like-it-is forum.

Why It's Worth Your Time: With the Power to the People e-mail, a quarterly e-blast for readers, you can save 10 to 20 percent off certain purchases at mom-friendly stores.

Don't Miss: A burgeoning local resource guide that tips you off to the best take-the-kids restaurants and bring-the-baby resorts.

www.ohdeedoh.com
What It Is: As the founders so aptly put it, “a site for people who care about good design but just happen to have children.”

Why It's Worth Your Time: There’s a wealth of trust-worthy resources for home improvements, saving you the trouble of gathering word-of-mouth advice.

Don't Miss: The Nursery Tours: voyeuristic, behind-the-scenes glimpses of real-life children’s rooms, including those decorated on an itty-bitty budget.

Best for Kids
www.zookazoo.com
What It Is: A site that takes kids on educational adventures through a make-believe world. (There’s an annual fee of $58. Best suited for ages 6 to 12.)

Why It's Worth Your Time: Because Zookazoo charges a membership fee, it comes armed with every online security precaution — meaning no inappropriate ads or pop-ups.

Don't Miss: The Hiphopolis world, where kids can listen to musical beats and play a musical memory game.

www.kidstube.com
What It Is: A YouTube-type forum (think video sharing, but more heavily monitored) that elicits both parents’ approval and kids’ interest.

Why It's Worth Your Time: You can rest easy that the content is age-appropriate and spend less time policing the TV for kid-friendly viewing.

Don't Miss: The Random Channels, where pint-size viewers can click on the wildly popular Webkinz-related videos.

www.handipoints.com
What It Is: A destination that transforms ho-hum chores into an opportunity to earn points.

Why It's Worth Your Time: You get a break from the bad-cop aspect of parenting. When kids willingly help around the house, you don’t have to nag.

Don't Miss: The chore charts. A tally-and-reward application that encourages kids to make their beds, brush their teeth, and clean their rooms.

Ladies Night Out - SHOPPING at Ambience

I spoke with Dorothy & Grace at Ambience in CityPlace.

They are hosting a fun evening of refreshments, promotions, and shopping for us Mommas.

Please RSVP by commenting on this post -- YES RSVPs only please. :)

Date: Thursday, March 12th

Time: 6pm (will last until about 8pm)

Hope to see you there!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Bankruptcy Sadness

Most of you know, there are MANY retailers closing their doors (who haven't already) due to the flailing and failing economy.

Sadly, one of those stores is babystyle. :( 

I loved ordering from them online and I'm feeling blue. 

Their stores in Jersey and NYC are already closed and they aren't accepting any giftcards.

Let's take a moment of silence.

Happy Friday the 13th!!

Friday the 13th is here!

Yay!

This day will forever have a special place in my heart b/c a little over 3 years ago (1 month, to be exact) Travis & I met each other on a very lucky Friday the 13th.

Ever since, I've celebrated each Friday the 13th with pep in my step. 

If I wasn't pregnant, I'd get a bottle of champagne and toast to our good fortune of finding each other -- but since I am pregnant, I'm making chocolate fondue instead. :) 

How Long Will It Last?

I am THANKFUL today (and the past few days) for the "warm" (relatively) weather.

Today is a sunny 41 out and I was actually able to take the Bugaboo out (Hunter included) for a brisk (as brisk as a pregnant woman can get) walk and it's sooooo nice not being confined to the house.

I don't want to curse myself but I would LOVE it if the Winter was over and Spring was upon us. 

Please, Mother Nature? 

From Bella Bellies Studio in Hoboken

Bella Bellies Group Exercise 

Prenatal Pilates & Yoga!

When: Saturday Mornings, 9:45 AM
Where: Monroe Center for the Arts, 720 Monroe St. Studio 514 C (Movement Space). Free parking in back off Jackson St.
Provided:Yoga/Pilates Mats, Pilates Circles, Therabands, Yoga Blocks, Yoga Blankets and More!
Description: A perfect blend of core stabilizing exercises and stretching. Modifications are included for each trimester.

-------------------

Stroller Moves & Momilates 

Indoor Gymnasium!

When: Thursdays 9:15 AM
Where: Hoboken Multi-Service Center 124 Grand St. Elevator to 2nd floor gymnasium.
Provided for Mom: Therbands, Weights, Pilates Mats, Pilates Circles and More!
Provided for Baby/Toddler/Child: Boppy Pillows, Boppy Loungers, Pilates Mats and More.
Description: Due to popular demand we are adding another Stroller Moves and Momilates Class! With the cold weather here, we are excited to use the indoor gym. With all the space the gym offers, you are sure to get a great workout!

------------------

Stroller Moves & Momilates Group Exercise Room!

When: Tuesdays at 11:30 AM
Where: 333 River St. 4th floor group exercise room and courtyard.
Provided for Mom: Therabands, weights, pilates mats and more!
Provided For Baby: Boppy Loungers, Boppy Pillows, Play Mat, Toys and a Play Room .
Description: Exercises designed to lean out your lower body, tighten and tone your core and upper body.

-------------------

Momilates!

Pilates for Motherhood! 

When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM
Where: 720 Monroe St., Monroe Center for the Arts Building, Studio 514 C (Movement Space), Free parking in the back off Jackson St. Take elevator to 5th floor, turn right walk to end of hall.
Provided for Mom: Pilates Mats and Pilates Circles
Provided for Baby: Boppy Pillows and Boppy Loungers, must register in advance to reserve swing/bouncer.
Description:
Tone your stretched and weak abdominal muscles. Strengthen your back muscles. Stretch and tone your upper and lower body. This class is designed to strengthen women for motherhood. Babies are optional. If you bring your baby, your little-one will be incorporated into the routine. This class is a great opportunity to integrate strength and flexibility for a renewed sense of well-being. This class will take you through a series of modified Pilates exercises. The class includes modifications for beginner-advance.

--------------------------

Prenatal Pilates DVD!

Can't make it to class? Take the DVD home.

"Perfect for all fitness levels and trimesters, this DVD provides a foundation for any prenatal pilates workout....This DVD illustrates the movements that must be avoided, especially during pregnancy, and provides a safe and effective pilates routine to practice."

---------------

Media Opportunities

From time-to-time, I am contacted by various media sources interested in featuring women for their upcoming presentations. Below is a current list of companies/individuals looking for participants.

Discovery Network: Interested in filming a birth in New York City and Northern New Jersey Region.

Tyra Banks Show: Interested in featuring a pregnant woman and her partner to discuss how relations change during pregnancy.

Reporter for International Paper: Interested in contacting women who in the past have left their job, for maternity purposes, and are now trying to attain their job back.

Martha Stewart Show: Tickets for upcoming shows.

Please email me (below) if you are interested and I will forward your email onto the appropriate contact. I cannot provide you directly with phone numbers or email address'.

Bella Bellies Studio, 223 Bloomfield St. Ste. 101 Hoboken, NJ (201) 253-0426, info@bellabelliesstudio.com

Please continue to check our website at:

www.bellabelliesstudio.com or www.momilates.com for sign ups, seasonal holidays, cancellations or rescheduling. 

Join our mailing list!

Prenatal Yoga Class

Our community offers Prenatal/Beginning Yoga at 7pm in the Clubhouse.

I was finally able to attend last night and wanted to give it a recommendation.

The instructor, Karen, was great. She guided me as best she could through the poses that were already a little awkward with my growing belly.

The class was made up of 6 students, 2 of us pregnant, and all women. 

It's a meditative Yoga with lots of stretches and it was sooooo relaxing.

It would be a good choice for the Mommies, too. If your hubby or neighbor can watch your little one from 7-8 on Mondays, it's a nice deviation from the typically hectic evening schedule.

Hope to see you there!

Puppetonia

Something fun for the babies:

PUPPETONIA in Hoboken (Click for the link to their site)

Madeleine and Alexarya both give it a 2 thumbs up! :) 

The good news is, if you are looking for a Birthday Party idea, Symposia rents out their store for 1 hour for only $50!! That's the most inexpensive I've found around here. They will perform for your party guests for $225. 

Aside from the party idea, your first puppet show is free so it can't hurt to check it out. They have shows in a few different locations so browse their site for more info.

If and when I have energy again, I'll attend with Hunter because it looks like something he'd really enjoy.

FREE Class -- that is, if you're awake

Check it out:

Free Stroller Strides Class

Date: Friday February 13, 2009

Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am

This event repeats every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

Location: Hoboken Historical Museum

Street: 1301 Hudson St.

City/State/Zip: Hoboken, NJ

Phone: 201-783-3371

First Class is FREE! Please register at strollerstrides.net/northeastjersey.

Or just show up with a mat or towel, water, and a toy for your little one!

Hoboken Moms

Heya Moms!

Just wanted to make sure you've all visited the Hoboken Moms Yahoo Group to see what they have to offer. It's not an intimate group, like ours, so their membership includes LOTS of Mommy Activities in Hoboken.

While it's not necessarily convenient to trudge out to Hoboken with our little ones, it's nice to know there are some alternative options for classes & such.

Here's a sample of their monthly calendar. Brace yourselves:

A Typical Day in February 2009 

9a Adult Tap
9a Preschool Arts Camp
10a Music and Puppet Show
10a Puppetonia Show at Monroe Center
10a PLAYDATE MUSIC: Mini-Concert Series for Toddlers
10:30a Music Time with Karyn Kuhl (1 to 3 year olds) - drop-in class
11a Music and Puppet Show
11:30a Stroller Moves & Momilates
11:45a Music Time for Babies (0-12 months) - drop-in class
4p Music and Puppet Show
7:30p Adult Ballet
7:30p Bella Core Fitness Prenatal and Postnatal

If you're interested in seeing more, join the Hoboken Moms Group on Yahoo. Once approved, you'll have access to their message board which is a great place for buying/selling baby items, seeing what events are coming up, and reading debates between some emotional moms. :) 

A Drink Is In Order

Ha ha!

I saw this today and could relate...

Those who know me also know I rarely drink...but there is something about not being "allowed" to drink for almost two years now (2 pregnancies and nursing) that is making me want a drink, like, NOW. 

A couple of sips of champagne usually knock me out (and up) so I'm a lightweight by nature, too...but everytime Trav so much as grabs a beer out of the fridge I feel a pang of envy. 

Maybe it's because I'm not allowed to have one, maybe it's because I've had a drought, maybe it's because I need something to calm me down so I can relax and stop being so "mommy" all the time. 

Whatever it is, I'm asking my Doula to bring me some vodka and olives to the birth so I can celebrate before baby starts nursing. (Ok not really -- but a girl can dream can't she?)

Pamper Yourself!

I am THRILLED because my salon (CARU in Hoboken) now shares their building with my FAVE waxing & pedi spa (AS U WISH). 

If you're looking for an experienced stylist, schedule an appointment with William, Heidi, or Jay at Caru. See for yourself ---> great reviews on Kannekt. 

They also do make-up for special events and carry the entire SmashBox line for purchase. The salon is beautifully modern and clean and they cater to their clients. 

As U Wish Spa is where I went before my wedding to get all of my spa services done and Skyy was amazing! Their reviews ---> Kannekt.

They've been highlighted in a few reality shows on MTV and VH1 and while I was there, Charlie Baltimore and Faith Evans both came to get their pedicures done. (They're both well-known R&B singers.)

I believe I saw As U Wish on the 2nd floor (I haven't visited their new spot yet) and Caru on the 3rd floor of the building located at 104 Hudson Street in Hoboken. Caru validates parking in the garage on 2nd and Hudson and there's an added bonus of a Sushi Lounge on the corner. The staff at Caru will order for you (esp if you're preggy and need to eat) or you can pick up on the way home. Yum! 

Ladies Night Out - SHOPPING! :)

I'm going to set this up for us in the next couple of weeks. Let me know if you're interested...

Here's the email from Ambience Boutique at CityPlace:

----------------

Azie,

Hi there, we hope that you had a great holiday season and that 2009 has started out well for you and your family. We are excited to begin a partnership with West NY City Mommies and have a few ideas:

Yummie Tummies, amazing shape wear, is a “hot” seller with our mommy groups and we wanted to extend a promotional offer of 20% off the retail price at the store and on our website www.shopambience.com. We set up a code “mommy” that they need to enter in the coupon code when checking out to get the 20% discount on the website. If they visit us at the store they simply need to mention that they are part of your group to receive the discount.
We have amazing sales happening at the store right now that your members will love. Sales Items have an additional 20% off the sales price. We have a selection of designer jeans on sale for $49.99, sizes are limited and they are going fast as well as tops for the mommy-on-the-go reduced to $20.
We should have a quick meeting to discuss a West New York City Mommy’s night out. Our idea is that we will have refreshments, promotions and an amazing selection for your members. They can relax shop and have a great night out. We will make the night special and fun for all that attend.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please call us. In the meantime please let your members know about the promotions….Oh one more thing, we are in the process of finalizing plans with J Brand Jeans to have a trunk show in April…we will keep you posted on the details.

Have the best day,

D

Hoboken Prenatal (& Postnatal) Massage

Some of you know that the owner of HPM, Mollie Bollers, was my Doula for Hunter's birth. She is AWESOME and I highly recommend her for Doula Services and Massage. 

She's running some specials for Valentines Day so send the link to your hubbies! :) 

Valentine's Day Gift Certificates

60-Minute Massage with Mini Facial Treatment..................................$110

Series of 3 60-Minute Massages and a $30 for skincare .........................$325

Series of 5 60-Minute Massages and $50 for skincare............................$545

These specials will only be available for purchase through Feb 19th 2009.

Gift certificates may be downloaded or mailed. 

Gift Certificates may be redeemed up to one year from date of purchase.

Click here to purchase online.

or call us at (201) 420-6988

Hoboken Prenatal Massage

223 Bloomfield Street Hoboken, New Jersey 07030

Another Birthday? Yikes!!

Our group is steadily growing, as is the opportunity to buy another "1st Birthday Present."

Since it's fun to shop but sometimes overwhelming to decide or difficult to choose a gift for the kid who has it all, I'd like to share a few sites for gift ideas. 

If you are in the area, check out the Metropolitan Museum in the City. If not, check out this link. 

Again, the city boasts the well-known FAO Store (which is TOTALLY fun to go to on a snowy Saturday with the fam) but their site also breaks down gift-buying by gender, age, and top toys 10 of the year: FAO. 

Another NY Native to the toy scene: MT. I love their whimsical characters. Hunter likes their chewy bits. 

For sweet, soft gifts and cute clothes, parouse the pages of TinyMcSmall.

Need a practical gift that travels light? Little Jet Set is your site! :) 

Most of you know my predilection for Plan Toys' eco-friendly gifts. 

For buying on a budget, you can never go wrong with a good book! I LOVE receiving Children's Books for Hunter. Some classics are listed here and new releases each month are highlighted here. 

You're welcome. ;) 

Also, I don't condone being a die-hard trend-follower for our little ones because usually it's just silly stuff us Moms do to attempt to impress eachother. However, there are sites that I once in awhile visit to find a new "gem" of a product that I think is an unusual or unique gift. Here are two of those sites for your viewing pleasure: 

TotTrends

ChasingFireflies

I could post shopping sites for hours, but it's time for Preggy Mamas to go to bed. Tomorrow is a busy, blustery day and I have a lot to do *as we all can relate to*.

It was great seeing a few of you in the Playroom today! :)

Good Friends

I've said it before on here and I'll say it again ---> I'm lucky to have such good friends within our Mommy Group.

This may sound silly or trivial but I'm going to share anyways.

Last night, a friend offered me a rather large, delicious Red Velvet Cupcake even though she knew I "had leftover Birthday cake at home." 

It was EXACTLY what I needed and I'm still smiling, thinking about how perfect the timing was of that little treat. That little gesture made my evening. 

Thank you!!!

Playroom Schedule

**Updated**

Just wanted to extend the offer out there to all you Mommas: you should really come try out the Playroom downstairs in Bdg 25. 

All residents of both Riverbend and Hudson Club have key fobs that grant access. 

It's a great alternative to an energy-zapping evening alone with your littles. 

Hunter and I frequent it in the evenings for about an hour or so at least 3 times per week.

It's also great when the weather is icky and you want to go "out" without driving on black ice. 

Come play with us! 

*But be forewarned: Hunter may eat your snacks and possibly tackle your toddler.*

Recipe of the Week - Minestrone

I made this today and it was yummmmmmmy! :) ** Btw, I added WAY more salt and also some fresh ground pepper to give it zest.**

Minestrone Soup I
"All the food groups are represented. Serve this hearty soup with lightly toasted bread to get every last drop. Recipe can be doubled."

INGREDIENTS 
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans
1/2 cup shredded cabbage
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/2 cups cubed potatoes
1 quart vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch fresh italian parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
1. Melt butter or margarine in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; saute for a few minutes.
2. Add beans, cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, potato, stock, garlic, parsley, and salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer for approximately 1 hour until vegetables are barely tender.
3. Add pasta, and simmer for 30 minutes more. Correct seasoning, and serve hot with grated cheese.

My Monkey

This is reassuring... :)  LINK 

I've always said Hunter's a little monkey. 

Damn You, Groundhog!!

6 more weeks of Winter since Phil saw his Shadow... :(

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, MONCHICHI!

"Sitting there in your pajamas & all the time in the world & if I could keep any moment it would be this: watching you & holding my breath with the wonder of it all." (sp quote)