Uh Oh! Here we go....

Both Luca and Olivia like to look at themselves in the mirror together.


Here's Olivia looking at her reflection.

Sticking her tongue out at herself.

As I have mentioned several times on my blog, I am so nervous when Olivia starts moving because it will be extremely difficult to have two kids under two that are on the move. Well, Olivia isn't crawling yet. Luca started army crawling at 7 1/2 months so now he can tell his sister he beat her on that! Since I don't want her to crawl yet, I don't give her as much tummy time as I gave Luca, today as she was sitting she got herself into the crawl position and I caught it on tape! I'm hoping it will download b/c it is over a minute long and those usually take forever to upload and sometime won't upload at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCUwV__3ggY

Music Class

I took Luca & Olivia to another music class today with the moms group. I think they love music classes but it's so hard for me to take both of them especially when they want you to sit down and stand up and do things like getting your kids to clap their hands and follow directions - kind of hard when you have a baby in one arm and you're trying to get your toddler to pay attention. I think I need to enroll them on the weekend so I can have Corey help b/c by the end of the class I was exhausted and I just wanted to leave. They also have separate classes for different age groups so that might work, too. They did a story time at the end and brought out the blanket for the kids to sit on but one of the boys laid on his belly and they all decided to lay down.



My friend Jackie came over this weekend and we made 4 batches of waffles and pancakes! Corey recently bought a deep freezer from one of the teachers he works with for $30 and it's HUGE! My friend Jackie has really taught me a lot about how to read the ingredients that are in the foods we buy. I never really thought about it or looked at some of the stuff we eat - it's awful. Basically, she said if you can't draw the ingredient then it's probably not good for you. We eat so much stuff with chemicals and preservatives in them no wonder why so many Americans have cancer. It's super hard to make everything fresh but I really want to try to take the time to make more homemade stuff for my family. There is no way we can go cold turkey on the stuff we buy but things like Eggo's and even pancake mixes have things like "pyridoxine hydrochloride" what the hell is that and why am I giving this to my son to eat? I even look at the formula I give Olivia and feel bad that I didn't give her wholesome breastmilk. I just want to make a more conscious effort on what we are eating and hoping that we can start some better habits. I'm looking forward to the book Jackie bought me written by Jillian - the coach on The Biggest Loser. It was so sweet, Jackie bought me the book and bought Luca a valentine monkey and Olivia a valentine teddy. We are going to bring Ms. Jackie some homemade valentine cookies and treats for her since she was so generous. I hope she doesn't read this! ;)

It's Official...we are gym members!

I can't explain how much Luca LOVES tools. He's actually obsessed with them. It's so cute because he watches his dad so intently and really knows how to use the tools. The only way he would sit to take the pic was that I told him he could hold the drill if he sat next to his sister for a pic.


He even laid out the tools like this himself. Corey put the extra wire shelving from our Master closet in the kids closets so they have more shelving. Luca helped as always.

He will actually put the screw driver in the screw hole.

Then he hammers it in. Maybe instead of a monkey cake for his birthday I should get him a cake shaped like a drill or some type of tool. He would love it but I already ordered his cake. Maybe next year.

We've finally joined a gym. It's been a long, long time. The last time I joined a gym was when I quit Centex Homes and took a 2 month break of not working and joined the YMCA. That was probably 4 years ago. I went 5 times last week and I loved the daycare - Luca gets excited to go b/c he has so much fun. Olivia doesn't seem to mind it. She actually fell asleep today when they put her in the swing so she got a nice little one hour nap. I also love the classes, especially the dance ones. They have great music and I feel like I'm having fun instead of working out. The Body Attack class on Mondays are hard and they are a work out but I'm hoping to lose a couple of inches around the waist since I still have some ugly baby fat that needs to go away! I also like that I can take a break from the kids for an hour - I think you need a little break for your sanity and this helps, alot. Iwill post some pics later since my camera has no more memory and I need to download all the pics and video. More to come soon.

My lil Monkey

Luca being a little monkey during bathtime.


Corey gave him the mohawk at bathtime and said bring the camera!

It's so funny that he still uses the baby bath - but it's so much easier for us. When we put him in the regular bath tub he slides all over the place and wants to stand up. He's able to sit still in the baby tub but he's definitely outgrowing it.

He's such a cuddler, I love it! This morning he's been cuddly all day. He would wrap his legs and arms around me and put his head on my shoulders. Even though I had so much to do this morning I ended up cuddling with him instead and enjoyed every minute of it.

Entertaining his sister during belly time. I don't put Olivia on her belly as much - I really am not looking forward to the crawling stage. It will be really hard when taking them out to keep my eyes on 2 mobile kids. Today I put her facing me and she turned herself around to face the wall which means she's getting stronger and stronger.

Here's Luca patting Olivia's back. You can do it Olivia.

More hugs!

White Elephant Dinner

Last night I went to J. Liu with my moms group and we had such a great time! We had an White Elephant Exchange where you bring a gift that you got from Xmas that is kind of bizarre and you "re-gift". It's supposed to be funny and it definitely was when we opened up the gifts. I love that I get a ladies night once a week. Corey has Darts every Tuesday nights with his college buddies so it's nice that we both get a night out with our friends once a week.


Angie got one of the worst gifts - it's like a gingerbread statue - no one wanted her gift!

Salwa got Series 2 DVD of The Dead Zone - who buys someone a Series 2?

I got pretty lucky and liked my gift! I picked this one b/c it had chocolates on it but I ended up giving the chocolates to my friend Amy who is having her baby next week!

I got straws, a wonder bread box and kitchen towel set.

Everyone wanted Heathers gift the braid machine.

Jen got a Wentworth Miller 2009 calendar! No, I didn't forget it's 2010, she got a 2009 calendar!

Melissa got some hand stitched Xmas ornaments that were really ugly!

Sam got my gift that I brought - Bath and Body lotions. I know, he's not a mommy but he is a stay at home dad. I remember when I first joined the group I thought it was a little weird that he was in a mommys group but he is like one of the moms - he's super nice and we've become good friends.

Amy, the blonde in the pic who is having a baby next week took Sam's lotions. Natsha took Heathers Braid machine. So much fun!

Wee!

I am so happy how much Luca and Olivia are playing with eachother. Luca was about Olivia's age (7 Months) when I found out I was pregnant with her. I stopped breastfeeding Luca at 6 months old so when mother nature was a little late I didn't think anything of it - just thought I was little off b/c of breastfeeding. As I started to feel nauseous I decided maybe I should take a pregnancy test. I remember watching carefully at the pregnacy stick as the blue line was appearing. I was in total shock! Luca was actually sitting in this bouncy chair that Olivia is on and I remember thinking how am I going to do this? Have another baby so soon? We definitely wanted another baby but I am a planner and the plan was to try to have another when Luca turned two! I am so happy that my little surprise came when she did. I LOVE them being so close in age and I know that they will be best of friends growing up.


Luca started to swing Olivia on his own and would say "Wee!" which is what I do to him when I put him on the swings in the park. Olivia LOVED it and they were both giggling and laughing at each other that I had to grab my camera and capture this moment.


We had our 1st official playdate at our new house yesterday. Corey and I were a little nervous and talked about how we wouldn't have playdates at our house b/c it's so new and I have a hard time telling other peoples kids what not to do. I felt bad because I was the only one in the playgroup not hosting so I decided to try it and told everyone the rules - no food or drinks on the carpeted area. Everyone respected our rules and the playdate went great! I didn't take any pics but it was a PJ playdate so all the kids came in their pj's and I made mini quiches, coffee cake, and fruit.

The Thief Strikes Again!

I put my wallet in the office today because I was ordering supplies for Luca's Birthday Party and needed my American Express handy. The next thing I know, Luca is walking around "jingling." He took my wallet and went through it looking for change! Here's proof! What's funny is he didn't even take the cash - just the change so he could put it in his piggy bank! He's so funny! Lately, his new thing is hiding things. He likes to hide his monkey (mimmi) and then says "Mimmi?" while shrugging his shoulders. He's so funny and he knows it!



I can tell Luca really misses his nonna and nonno. He asks for them everyday. He'll either pretend shaving like my dad and will say nonno or he'll say "Deo, Deo, Deo" which my mom always says. Even though the Italian translation of Deo is God, it's kind of like saying "Oh lord help me" which is funny that Luca walks around saying that. He loves talking to them on the phone. They call probably every other day because they miss him so much they don't want Luca to forget about them since they don't live close by. I'm really sad that they won't be here for his Birthday, either will my sister and my brother might not be here, too. I guess I rely on them a lot to help and most of the time they just help without me asking! I'm not sure what I'm going to do without them and sad that they won't be here.

Day Care

Here is Miss. Olivia - the bouncing machine! I forgot I had this for Luca. He used this all the time - it would entertain him long enought for me to get showered and ready. He would bounce, but mostly spin and play with the musical toy that's attached to it. Olivia is a bouncing machine. She loves this thing. Don't mind her hair it's growing like crazy! The clips can't even hold her hair to the side anymore b/c she has so much of it. I'm seriously considering a little trim already - it's just out of control but she's still as cute as can be!



So today I finally went to work out at the gym. I recently picked up a trial pass to see if it's something I can actually do before I join a gym. It's really tough having two kids and bringing them into the gym. Even though the guy warned me that January/February is their busiest time b/c of New Years resolution the place was packed. It was very hard to find parking so I parked way in the back - got the kids in the double stroller up the hill. Then I had to basically go a very long way b/c the entrance has stairs so I needed a ramp. I felt like I already had a work out before getting into the gym. Then to get to the day care they had like 7 stairs! I couldn't take the stroller up there with me! So, that was a little frustrating... but they told me about a new program they are starting a "valet" where you can just drop off the kids at the front entrance and someone will take them to the daycare and then you can park your car, etc so I won't have to deal with the stroller which is always a fiasco.

I wasn't sure how the kids would do in daycare since they are always with me. They recommended that I try it for only 30 to 45 minutes so I took a cardio class called BODY ATTACK & my body feels like it's been attacked. I'm definitely way out of shape - I was dying. My arms are definitely going to be sore b/c she made us do a ton of push-ups. I only stayed for 45 minutes b/c they daycare recommended not to leave them a full hour the first time. Anyway...the kids did FANTASTIC. Luca actually didn't want to leave and started crying when I put his coat on! I was more worried about him than Olivia. The ladies were all really nice and they definitely gave the kids lots of attention and there was about 5 women in the daycare. I am looking forward to taking a dance fusion class tomorrow night - I might just take Luca since Corey will be home. I would love to keep this going especially in the summer. This place has an outdoor pool and the daycare will watch the kids for up to 2 hours if they are walking. So I'm hoping to swim in the pool w/o kids then after 2 hours they can play with me in the pool! I'm also reading a book - Twilight. I'm almost half way done with it. Not sure if I'm a fan, I'm just not into fiction books but I guess I'm looking forward to watching the movie as my reward. My goal was to finish it by end of month and it's already the 25th so I have about 7 more days to finish it to reach my goal.

Before and After

BEFORE...what an unorganized mess! Corey started moving things before he took the pic so it really didn't look this bad.




AFTER....


Corey did an awesome job putting these all together all by himself, well, Luca helped him, too. What a huge difference this made. Plus, these were all on clearance at Lowes so we got a great deal on it that we couldn't pass it by. One project off the list. Two more projects to go - the study bookshelves and the patio this summer. Corey also wants to put a workshop in the basement since he has been doing so many projects. I'm so lucky that I married a handyman. If only he could cook...just kidding! I guess that's the part where he is lucky b/c I am the good cook! ;)

Sophie's Bday Party

We had our normal weekly playdate today AND a Bday party afterwards! What a long day for mommy! Our friend Sophie, turned one today! I remember when she was born - it was the day that President Obama was sworn in and Jenny (Sophie's Mom) watched as she was in labor!


Her Bday Party was at Graeters - yum - one of Oprah's favorite Ice Cream places and one of mine, too!

I normally don't give Luca Juice b/c of all the sugar and I'm lucky b/c he is a good fruit eater. We occasionally will give him some orange juice b/c he sees us drink it but we dilute it with some water. Well, he had 2 fruit juices today and he was lovin it!


We love Graeters and probably go every week because they have this HUGE play area that is enlcosed so this was a great place to have a party. No pics of Olivia b/c she was strapped on me in the Baby Bjorn the entire party. She did get to try a taste of Luca's strawberry ice cream and she LOVED it.

Here is Luca at his playdate climbing up the stairs to check up on Olivia - she was napping in Nicole's crib.

Sometimes I wonder if I am overly excessive on posting stuff everyday on my blog but after I watched a little clip today of something called "The gift of an ordinary day." I almost cried and realized that I am so glad that I am capturing all of these moments and will be able to reflect on these when my kids are teenagers and don't want to cuddle and give me kisses like they do now. I LOVE this age and all the love and laughter my kids bring into my life. Of course, life isn't perfect and you have your days but I guess it's what you make of it and focusing on the positive. The moral of the clip was to cherish the ordinary days with your kids because they go fast and before you know it they are off to college. I can't believe how quick 7 months and 22 months went by. Everyone told me that it goes fast and you don't believe them until it actually happens.

Princess Playdate!

Luca has a weekly playdate on Wednesdays with his pals - Filippo, Croy, Cameron, Maguire, and Nicole is the only girl. I feel bad because poor Olivia has to hang with the boys so I decided to sign up for a Princess Playdate! Luca was a charming little prince but he refused to wear his King crown.


Here he is playing the piano for all the ladies.


Here is the princess castle with THREE little girls in there and here he is shutting the door for privacy!!

Poor Olivia was exhausted - her naptime is normally at 10am so she fell asleep on the drive there and wasn't so happy when we arrived. In our weekly playgroup I will just put her down in one of her playmates cribs so she will still get some rest but I didn't for this one and she just wasn't her normal happy self. She ended up taking a nap on the way home and another nap from 1:30 to 5:30! She was tired.

Here is the hostess - Sarah and her HUGE Pony that she got for Xmas! It moves it's head AND you can sit on him. I tried to get Luca to sit on it but he was afraid.

Here is Izzi - she is expecting a brother or sister in June!

Sarah is such a cute lil princess!

Here is Nicole trying out Sarah's potty in her princess outfit!

I did another Market study today - we talked about laundry detergent. They made us draw a picture of certain laundry detergents or fabric softners. It's so interesting b/c I guess I'm just used to using Era all the time that I never really pay attention to the others. I had to draw GAIN and Downy. I got Downy right b/c that is the fabric softner I used...but I just couldn't think what Gain's bottle looked like other than picturing the capital bold letters. I also did one last week and we talked about Breakfast foods. It's crazy, I made a total of $175 for 3 hours! Not bad just to tell someone my opinion and draw some pictures. I love doing these! I wish it was a permanent part-time job with that hourly rate.