One thing I love about living here is the fact that we have a neighborhood. We have neighbors we know and see on an *almost* daily basis. We talk to them, play with their kids and pet their dogs.
This week is the annual Wilson Lion's Club Community Fair. It's at our local park - which is within walking distance from our house (BONUS!). It's your usual small carni - food, rickety rides and obnoxious people yelling at you to "TAKE A SHOT!! WIN HER A BEAR!!!"
We went last year, but Syd was just too little to really enjoy it. This year was a whole different story.
We walked over on Monday night and Sydney was just wide-eyed at all the lights and people and loud music. We had a cheesesteak. Yum. There's just something about a cheesesteak from a carni-vendor. Especially a Pennsylvanian Carni Vendor. It was truly soggy, cheesey piece of deliciousness.
After our clogging our arteries, Corey & I took Syd on the Merry-Go-Round. I went with her first. I sat her on the pony and she instantly grabbed onto the pole. It was like she had done this before. The ride started and Sydney just ate it up. The combination of the fair sights/smells/sounds, the carousel going around, the horse up and down and the wind in her face - she was shaking with excitement. I'd say "Weeeee!" and she'd laugh out loud - one of those good deep baby belly laughs that just melts your heart.
Corey took her next and I was glad he got to experience her glee first hand.

On a less happy note, yesterday was not a good day. I made Sydney an appointment with an allergist - "the best on the east-coast" they say. It was for yesterday at 10 am.
So, I took a vacation day from work, filled out the 10 sheets of paperwork, loaded up all her asthma medicines and drove Miss Nee 30 minutes to this doctor.
I go to check in and the receptionist informs me that my appointment has been canceled because "the doctor isn't in today."
What? What do you mean is isn't in???? I had a 10 o'clock appointment!!!
They explain to me that they called me and left me a message at home and at work - at 8 o'clock that morning.
They have a $100 no-show fee if you don't cancel within 24-hours. I asked the receptionist when I can expect my $100 since they didn't give ME 24-hours notice and I had to take a vacation day from work AND drive all the way there.
She just glared at me.
So, when can I schedule another appointment
SEPTEMBER.
I left there in tears and promptly made an appointment with a different doctor.

So, here I had a day with Miss Nee all to myself so I took her to the office for a few hours and then home to make red-velvet cake balls and sugar cookies.

Thanks to Dawn, I found a new way to make the cake balls and they came out great.

Then I experimented with rolled fondant as a way to cover my sugar cookies. A little time consuming but they look so nice and professional. I think this might be the ticket.

Okay - I'm gonna go cram one of those cookies in my mouth now.

Yay! Spring! Hooray!


Boo, rain, booooo....





Hm. It's bit about a month since I've blogged, so let me update you on our little world.





Talladega. Wow. That is all I have to say. It was amazing. We flew into Birmingham late Friday night. Saturday I was treated to a massage and facial followed by a wine tasting while Corey talked business with the boys. Saturday night was dinner at the Barber Motorsports Museum. On Sunday, we headed out to Talladega to watch us some NASCAR. It was pretty awesome, I have to admit. I am not a NASCAR fan and I had a pretty good time. I just have to remember not to ask my husband for wardrobe advice next time - wide leg jeans and flats DO not do will in Alabama after it's rained.





Sydney got sick about 2 weeks ago. She was doing her usual weeze and sniffle routine and the nebulizer wasn't doing the trick. An all night affair in the ER diagnosed her with pneumonia. She's much better now - thank goodness.





Sydney got BIT at daycare. Yes, BIT. Some toddler (from hell) wanted a toy that Syd had, so he or she bit her on the eyebrow!! First of many, I'm sure. I'm just dreading the day she is the BITER not the BITE-EE.

I'm hoping the weather clears up a bit around here this weekend. There's a Greek Food Festival at the Orthodox church around the corner and I'm craving me some lamb! I'd also like to head to Home Depot for plants & such. We'll see.

I've also been toying with the idea of adding recipes to this here blog-a-rooney. I'm so inspired by food-bloggers like The Pioneer Woman, Suzanne and Cupcakes Takes the Cake. I just have to post some of my yummies.

But, that requires time and time is something I don't have a lot of these days.

Off to kiss my baby girl....

give me my f---ing diet coke

Created by OnePlusYou

Happy belated Easter. Happy Spring!! Yesterday was such a tease - 60 degrees! It was so nice not to leave the house dressed up in the confines of my winter coat. Sydney was glad not to have a hat on, too, I'm sure! But, alas, this morning it was in the 40's - back into my prison of down-filled nylon. Sigh...

Not much else going on in our little world here in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Sydney is FINALLY FINALLY off of baby food completely!! This is SUCH a HUGE step for us! She had been fighting the table food for months now - wouldn't feed herself & gagged if you gave her something she had to chew. Then I noticed that she had been turning away at anything on a spoon (except her favorite cereal and yogurt, of course). She just didn't want it if it was on any utensil. I was trying to feed her macaroni and cheese and she was turning her head from me and crying. I was tired and frustrated (this had been going on for a week now) so I got up and went in the kitchen to get her something else to eat. I came back to find her feeding herself the mac & cheese!!!

I was amazed! So now, Sydney feeds herself like a big girl - mac & cheese, green beans, grilled cheese, tortellini, peas, french toast, pancakes - everything!! Its FANTASTIC!!! Corey, Sydney & I actually all site down and have dinner together now.

Well, that's all the news I have for now. I'm praying for a nice weekend....

So, I've been tagged by squillen (whose blog will not be featured in my sidebar). She's got an awesome blog that features some awesome recipes that make me hungry.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my 7 random facts:

1. I have a passion for lolcats
2. I have 'oil spots' under my nails that cause my fingernails to separate from my nail beds (gross, I know) so I have to keep my nails super short.
3. I have to brush my teeth in the morning BEFORE getting in the shower so I can rinse my mouth with water from the shower head. I can't do it the other way around....I just don't feel clean then.
4. I've never see the Godfather.
5. I have to pull my socks on so their tight against my toes - I can't have loose floppy socks. Gives me the heebie-jeebies.
6. I don't like Diet Pepsi from a can - only from a fountain or bottle. (I actually prefer diet coke)
7. I have a small amount of webbing between my fingers.


Now, I have to tag 7 people:

Kelly
Beth
Jamie
Dawn
Corey
Ryan
Joe

Good news, good news. Since Sydney's occupational therapist is out on maternity leave now, Early Intervention had to find us a new therapist - at least until June. The new therapist, a physical therapist, started seeing Syd at her daycare last Monday.
When I picked her up, there was a note asking me about Sydney's movements, etc. The usual therapy questions we've been answering for months now. I wrote the therapist a detailed note explaining everything. What she does, doesn't do, our goals, what motivates her, etc. I tried to cram every detail about her onto a sheet of steno paper.
When I picked up Syd yesterday, there was another note from her therapist. It was so encouraging.
She said Sydney is exhibiting the signs of early creeping/crawling and transitions well from sitting to all fours and back again. We knew this, but it was nice to have someone else tell us how good it is.
The best part of the note? The therapist asked if we were using signs with Sydney because she seems to know some and used them during her therapy session!!
Why, yes!! YES WE DO SIGN WITH HER!! YAY!!! It's working!!!!
We sign "more," "all done," "again," "eat," and "milk." While she isn't a master of ASL, I know when she's trying to do the sign and what she's trying to communicate. I can't tell you how good it made me feel that someone else was able to recognize the signing. Score for momma-cat!!
I brought her home and gave her tons of hugs & kisses.
With the new therapy being at the daycare, I've had to adjust to a new schedule, too. She needs to be at the daycare before 8:20 am. I'm so afraid of being late, I'm getting up extra early and finding that I get a good deal done during that time. I'm not rushed and when I come home at night, I don't have TOO much to do.
She's doing so good since getting the tubes placed. She talks more and more everyday - mama, dada, buh-buh (bubbles). Unfortunately, she's also developed this scream. It's not a bad scream, just a "Hey-pay-attention-to-me-scream." Sometimes it's not so bad. Sometimes it leaves a ringing in my ear its so loud and high pitched.
Along with the screaming, the separation anxiety has gotten worse and I or Corey can hardly leave the room without her shrieking.
It's so funny to see her go through moods, too.
The other night, all she wanted was her Daddy. She wouldn't come to me at all. I would put my hands out to her and she'd latch onto Corey's shirt for dear life. Last night, all she wanted to do was lay in my arms. I'd put her down and her arms would go up for me. Since that's a fairly new trick, too, I can't resist it and instantly pick her up. I'm sure I'll kick myself for this later. There's just something about her laying her little head on my shoulder.
So, onward into spring we go. St. Patty's day is next week and I'll be busy this week making Guinness ice cream and Irish Soda Bread for our trek to Albany this weekend. Easter is the following week and Mom's birthday & Shel's party the week after that. There's not peaceful weekends in my immediate future. Secretly, I don't mind so much. :)

I'll close with a happy picture of Sydney a few days after having the tubes placed.

Happy Leap Year!

Couldn't let this day go by with out a post!

We did it!!

Sydney made it through her procedure!
We were in and out in less than 2 hours. The procedure only took about 20 minutes.
Everything went well. Miss Nee was a big girl and didn't cry. At least until she came out of anesthesia and was a little disoriented.
Now she's home with Grandma and I'm back to work.

Looking forward....

Sydney gets tubes put in her ears on February 25th. She had her hearing tested again and there is so much fluid in her ears, the ear drum hardly vibrates. So, tubes it is.
I'm secretly holding out hope that this will be her miracle cure. That after she gets the tubes she'll start talking and walking and doing all that other good stuff.
She's doing much better, though. This seems to be the way she is. She'll go for what seems like forever without making an progress and then WHAM! She does 3 or 4 new things in a few days time.
Syd started a new day care, too. As much as we loved her old center, the cost was just getting a little high for us and I needed to look elsewhere. I found a great center and it just so happens that one of the gals from my Women's Club takes her little guy there, too.
It's been a relaxing week at work. Doc is out of the office all week, so it's just me and J holding down the fort. Good thing, too, since it snowed on Tuesday/Wednesday. I was able to bring Nee in the office on Wednesday to hang out with us so I didn't have to schlep her to daycare in the bad weather.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I made my Valentine a yummy dinner of shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, spinach gratin, gorgonzola mashed potatoes and chocolate fondue. Hope he's not limping at work today with the gout. Miss Nee came home from daycare with a Valentine for Mommy and Daddy and a report that she L-O-V-E-S Jell-o. I'll have to make sure and get some this weekend when I go shopping.
I think that's it. I have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of weeks. I'm keeping myself pretty busy.
I've got:
*brunch at our place on the 24th for some of Corey's friends
*our unofficial "Oscars Party" that night. (really just my mom and I lazing on teh couch staring at the TV for 6 hours!!)
*Sydney's tubes
*our fabulous 80's party on the 8th.

....again....much to look forward to.

Dealing with Sydney's developmental delays is weighing heavy on my shoulders lately. More than normal.
I don't know why.
Maybe it's that all the babies her age in day care are "graduating" from the infant room. Maybe it's that the babies 5+ months younger than her are practically crawling already.

Maybe it's that I'm comparing her to all them.

I have to try and concentrate on the things she IS doing:
*she started saying da-da-da-da last week
*she claps her hands
*she's trying awful hard to pull herself up to stand

In addition to her occupational therapy with B every Monday, Miss Nee started working with a speech therapist last week, too. J is so sweet and Syd seems to love her. J wants to see her use her tongue more. Whatever magic J carries with her seems to work. Syd started saying da-da-da-da and pushing her food out of her mouth (yay.) shortly after our first session.

There are some days where I think all this Early Intervention is doing wonders! Then there are the days when I feel like Sydney is never going to catch up.

We've been doing everything they ask us to. I told B, her OT, that if they told us that we had to stand on our head for an hour a day to help Syd - we would. When B goes out on maternity leave in March (if she makes it til then!!) we're going to have visits with a physical therapist. I just don't understand why Syd won't get moving!! She seems to have backwards down really good. It just breaks my heart when I see her get frustrated becuase she can't seem to get moving forward.

At the recommendation of J, the speech therapist (who is also prego and due the day before B), we're having Nee's hearing tested again next week. She had mentioned something about Syd possibly having trouble hearing certain frequencies of sound.

So, for now, I sit and and wait and worry and pray.

So, finally I get to post some pictures from Christmas.


Christmas day was so relaxing - much better than last year (which we spent in the NICU).



We woke up around 9, which for us is late. It was nice to sleep in a bit. I was happy to find the Yule Log on tv! Corey has never *really* experienced the Yule Log. I, on the otherhand, have fond memories of it from my childhood. My parents annual Christmas Party and the Yule Log on Christmas Eve.



We unwrapped presents and Santa Corey did good by bringing me a nice, bright and shiny red KitchenAid mixer! Yippeeee!! I almost immediately made peanut butter cookies with it (after taking a nice long nap).

Tomorrow brings Christmas Celebration Part IV. We're heading up to Suffern to see Grandma Diane and Aunt Kelly.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that Santa was good to you. :)

Here are some pictures from our early Christmas dinner with Pappy Dave, Grandma Sharon & Aunt Allison.

Let me give you some background on this dinner: I recieved my December copy of Everyday Food Magazine in the mail sometime in November. The holiday menu looked delicious - standing rib roast with rosemary garlic roasted potatos and a chocolate-nut buche de noel for dessert. Yum. The second I saw it, I knew that this was the dinner I wanted to make for Christmas.

I would read the recipes over and over again - I could practically recite them.

Well, Saturday, I made my Holiday meal.

Standing Rib Roast, garlic rosemary roasted potatos, spinach gratin (courtesy of Ina Garten) and the buche de noel for dessert.

It was the most amazing Christmas dinner ever. The food was so yummy. Corey & I even uncorked our wine from Tarrara that we got in Virginia when we went to visit friends.

Allison helped me make the buche - complete with marzipan mushrooms. I was quite impressed with myself. It looked so beautiful I didn't want to cut it!










Christmas Eve, I had to work until 1. Corey, Syd & I went to the children's mass at church. It was adorable - they had the kids act out the nativity story. It was so stinkin' cute - I was tearing.

We came home & I made ham & mashed potatos and we vegged on the couch watching the Simpson's Movie.

Christmas Day, we lazed around the house after opening presents. I napped, installed the new carseat and cleaned up. It was the perfect Christmas day - nice & relaxing.

Happy Holidays!!

So much going on in our house, where do I begin?

First Sydney's birthday party on December 8th. She had a great time. Enjoyed visiting with her Aunts and Uncles. It also was the start of having Grandma Diane for a whole week! She came to bake Christmas cookies. It was nice coming home from work at night and having my mom there.

I made the cupcakes for Sydney's party. I knew exactly what I wanted and knew that I'd never be satisfied by ones from a bakery, so I made them. They came out PERFECT. I made little sugar-cookie flowers to decorate them and frosted them with yummy pink vanilla frosting.



That following weekend, I got initiated into my Women's Club as treasurer. We had a holiday party and all our members brought their families. I, of course, brought my Mom, Corey & Miss Nee.

Since then, I've been busy making gifts for Christmas. I made cookie trees for some of Sydney's teachers and our mailman, reindeer food, ornaments for Syd's Grandparents and other holiday yummies.









For Sydney's birthday celebration at school, I brought in #1 shaped Dunkin Donuts. Too cute.



Miss Nee even came home with a Christmas present for Mommy & Daddy. An adorable snowflake ornament with her picture on it. It's front & center on our tree.



That's all for now. I have pictures from last night's "Christmas" dinner with with Pappy Dave, Grandma Sharon & Aunt Allison, but I'll post those later.

Merry Christmas!

Busy, busy, busy.

So much to do and so little time to do it in.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. It was so nice to get to spend a week with Corey and Sydney and not have to worry about work, the house, etc. It was some much needed down time for the three of us. Corey & I even got a date night out of it. We went to the Wheeling Island dog track for dinner & to bet on the greyhounds. It was a blast!

Now, the holiday preperations begin. This weekend is Sydney's first birthday party. I feel like I have so much to do! Clean the house, cook, decorate...phew. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

We did have a mini-party for her WV family Thanksgiving weekend. I wish everyone could be here this weekend, but the distance is too great for everyone to travel.

I'm sitting here at work, it's slow, not much to do, but my head is spinning with all that I HAVE to do at home. So, I'm making lists: To-do lists, to-make lists, to-buy lists (Corey's least favorite), to-decorate lists.

Time to get back to my lists. I'll be sure and post birthday pictures asap. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, tomorrow we leave for wild & wonderful West Virginia for the holiday.I won't be back until next Monday.

I've been running around like a chicken, er...turkey, with my head cut off trying to get everything ready. Tonight I made Pilgrim Hats, acorns and turkey cookies (see below). I even went to the grocery store - big mistake. It was PACKED. Though, I have to admit, seeing the crowd really got me in the holiday spirit.

Sydney came home from daycare with a turkey made from her handprint. I LOVE it and promptly hung it on the fridge. There's nothing like baby artwork.
I wish you all a very, very happy Thanksgiving!

November snow...

Woke up this morning to big, chunky flakes of white stuff falling outside.
The first snow of the season made for the perfect day to stay in my jammies and bake cookies.
Corey went into the office for a few hours, so Sydney & I hung out.

Inspired by the start of my subscriptions to Bon Appetit, Gourmet & Everyday Food, I made some yummy ginger cookies to take to West Virginia for Thanksgiving. I think there was a bagel pizza in there somewhere, too. Mmm.

So, now I prepare for our week in West Virginia. Making my lists. I'm such a list maker, but I don't want to forget anything. Who knew something so little, like a baby, could require almost 2 duffel bags worth of stuff to go away with! Diapers, formula, baby food, clothes, more clothes, toys, blankets....phew! Even with my lists, I'm sure I'll have to hit up WalMart for something I've forgotten.

So, for now, I leave you with pictures of today and a very special message:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!! :)

I'm back.

Blog? What blog? I have a blog?
Oh yeah....that old thing.
Well here I am - back at it.
Life has been quite hectic in these past 8 months.
We bought a house.
I got a job, quit a job and got a new job which I like MUCH better.
Sydney is growing fast. She'll be 11-months-old next week!
I turned 30. Let's not mention it again.
I've reconnected with some amazing chicks and I couldn't be happier.
Unfortunately, I don't think my future blog posts will be nearly exciting as those of long ago. I've changed so much as a person, it's unbelievable. Sometimes I don't recognize myself.
For example, my weekends now are filled with housework and Sam's Club as opposed to karaoke and brew-fests.
I love being a mom.
So, here is my promise: I promise I will update my blog more often. I promise I will not fill it with the mundane details of my everyday life. They'll be no long, rambling posts about Hot Pockets or rants about the cashier at WalMart. I will, in fact, offer the more interesting aspects of my life right now: the new things Sydney does everyday and the wonderful discoveries I make as I continue to explore my new hometown.
Winter is quickly approaching and it's quite chilly in our old house. I'm off to snuggle under a blanket on the couch with my hubby and some popcorn and watch Food Network. :)

I'm still here...

So much has happened in the past month, I don't know where to begin.
Here's a minor snippet:

1. Moved into the new house & started renovating. Pulling up carpet, scraping 90-year-old wallpaper and *trying* to settle in. What an ordeal moving was. We ran out of boxes, we broke our boxspring and I STILL can't find the stereo remote.

2. Started the new job which means Sydney started daycare. I cried that first day, but each day gets better. *Not* easier - just better. It helps that her teachers are really nice & seem very loving.

3. Sydney's hearing scare. She's fine - her hearing is okay, but it was scary there for a while. Every day she does something new. Her latest thing is saying "Boooooo." When we get home at night she sits and tells us 'stories' which are basically a long string of boos and goos. It's the cutest.

4. The Virginia Tech shooting. A sad day in the Hall household. My heart broke for Corey on Monday. Say a prayer for the Hokies.

5. Sydney has bronchitis. Took her to the pediatrician on Wednesday night and he sent her home with a nebulizer and prednisone. She seems to be doing better. Of course, I got to call in sick to my new job. Yay!

So anyway - things are coming along - the house, the job, the family life. I'm finally starting to relax.

Happy thoughts

When I woke up this morning, it was a rainy, dreary day. Now, the sun is out.
Since the first day of March was less than thrilling for me, I've tried to come up things that make me happy in order to overshadow the bad.

-Sydney only got up ONCE last night & I got to sleep until 7-ish.
-I have ALL our CD's & DVD's packed - FIVE boxes worth.



-The yummy shrimp & spinach pasta Corey brought home last night
-The new knitting project I've started
-The weekend is here. :)

In like a lion...

Happy March...

I can't believe it's March 1st. Time is flying by.

22 days until the new house. So much packing to do.

Sydney's over 8 lbs now and smiling!

So, to ring in Spring, I joined Jaime's newest venture: a Celebration Journal.

As this progresses, I will be posting my work here on my blog. I'm hoping this will help me relax and inspire me as well as provide a much needed creative outlet that I can do during this hectic time.

To start things off, here is the cover of my journal as well as the first two pages:

The cover is very simple - MAMBI patterned paper that reminds me of spring. It's one of my favorite patterned papers. I just love the colors. Wordsworth letter stickers and a silk flower. I have it bound together with twine at the moment. Until I can get to Staples to get binder rings, it will remain that way.

For the second page, I just washed it with ink and decided to write down the definitions to the three words that form the heart of this journal: inspiration, celebration & life.

Page three is actually the 'first' page of the journal. It explains my reason for keeping this journal. I simply tabbed the beginning of March with some cardstock and stamped on a flower border.

Finally, I found these great Ziploc storage bags hiding under my sink and I thought it would be perfect to hold my wee album & the bits of inspiration I may come across.