I can safely say that 2011 has been the most AMAZING year of my life. It has brought me so much happiness, change, challenges, frustrations, and a love for my son that has made my heart feel bigger then I could’ve ever imagined. On top of that, I have found Captain Awesome to be the most spectacular partner and dad (although I already knew he would be), and our families have just reaffirmed how lucky we are to have them in our lives. When I think back on 2011 it’s hard to fully be able to reflect on all that has happened. I never believed I could watch someone grow and change so much in one year. Of course I am talking about my son, but that statement could also apply to both me and Captain Awesome. Did we finally grow up?

The word amazing can translate to so many things. As a matter of fact I am amazed every single day. I am amazed at how easily I learned to take care of my son, I am amazed at how easily Captain Awesome took to being a daddy, I am amazed at how long I continued breastfeeding, and of course I am amazed at how much my son has grown and changed over 1 year.

The Captain is the most amazing father. He comes home to see us almost every day for lunch so that he can play with his son, and he makes a point to be home right after work so that he can be with him before bed. Who would’ve thought that he would turn down some “whiskey Fridays” so he could sit and watch Wonder Pets (hmmm maybe I shouldn’t have told that one!). My husband would would mainly only grunt to me in the mornings, now chats, and plays with his son before work. What a transformation! We have been together for a VERY long time and I am always so happy to find that he never lets me down. He is still my rock, and my best friend. Now the word “partner” has a new meaning. He truly is just that.

I am truly blessed to be able to stay home with my son every day. People tell me that I should go out more, or get someone to watch him while I run errands, but I don’t want to. I always knew that I was meant to be a mom, but I always wondered if it would be everything I had dreamed. I was so happy to find that it truly was and more. I could’ve NEVER imagine how much I love being home with him every day. Part of that privilege is thanks to Captain Awesome. Of course I work, but I am happy we  both are on the same page about our goals to allow me to continue to do so. I will do whatever it takes to be able to stay home with him for years to come.

If I learned anything this year it’s to “go with my gut!” No one can teach you how to be a mother, and no one else can tell you how to raise your child. You have to do what is right for you and your family. To do so you may have to put your foot down and make others unhappy, but remembering that you child comes first is all that is important. The second major lesson was that “it’s not about me anymore”. No matter how much I want to go somewhere to do something doesn’t matter. Christian may have different plans and I just have to go with it. Schedules change, as does the weather or temperament. When that happens my plans are forced to change too. You gotta just go with it.

For a girl who hates change, that is what 2011 was all about. I have learned to embrace it, and even love it. I have a feeling there will be a lot more change in my future. 2012 is a new year and a new beginning. My favorite part is that I get to watch the world through the eyes of my son, and as he grows so will the world that he sees. I have so much I want to show him, and I plan to start right away. I’m not sure how anything can beat 2011, but we can sure try to do it in 2012.

Happy New Year!! I hope yours was fantastic!

What was your favorite part of 2011??

I can’t believe we have come back around to Christmas. It is my most favorite time of year, and last years Christmas, although different, was so special because my son was in my life. Now, this year, we are back to celebrating in the ways that I know and love with an added addition, and I could not be more excited. On this Christmas Eve…Eve…I get to wait in anticipation for my son’s SECOND Christmas. Such a magical time of year!

Finding out the “truth” about Santa Claus pretty much destroyed me. After that I still had my brother and sister to bring the magic to, but after that I have to admis some of the Christmas magic was lost. But a child changes everything. Having a child brings everything that is wonderful about the Christmas season back again.

My dad cracked jokes about all the presents I wrapped so that Santa could be good to Christian. I put little stickers on them saying “To: Christian From: Santa”. He said that he wouldn’t know the difference, but you know what? I would. Maybe alot of it is for me, but whatever. Christmas is about the kid now. I told my family that I didn’t want any presents for me and I meant it. Any money that they would’ve spent on me should go to my son. Does he “need” anything? NO! But I get so much joy out of watching him get things that that is more of a present then I could ever get! Christmas needs to be all about him and and I couldn’t be happier.

This Christmas will be spent with me or The Captain opening all of Christian’s presents, with him being most excited about the wrapping paper and boxes they came in. That’s OK. I know that it will be a Christmas that I will remember forever. Hey, even last year when he was 4 weeks old I made The Captain sit there with Christian and open all of his presents from Santa Christmas morning. Can you imagine next year?

So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I hope you have a fantastic holiday and that Santa treats you well! I know you all deserve it!

Those that know me know that I love anything Christmas. It is my favorite time of year, and I pretty much turn into a 6 year old every year. Now that I have my little man in my life I get to relive all of the magic again. That is why when I saw the Huggies Little Movers Santa Diapers I got super excited.

For a limited time, Huggies is offering their little movers diapers with a “santa” theme! The festive design of these Christmas diapers lets you spread holiday joy—and make your little one the coolest and cutest around.

Some may say that it’s winter, so no one will see them…well take it from someone who’s little guy hates to wear pants. People will see them! And if no one else, I get to enjoy them every time I put them on! They make me smile!

So help get yourself and your little one in the Christmas Spirit with the Huggies Little Movers Santa Diapers. If you buy them through Sam’s Club you even get free standard shipping if you order online. Sounds easy to me!

I was provided with samples of Huggies Little Movers Santa Diapers for the purposes of this review. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A lot of people ask me…”how do you split up the holiday?”. I am sure many of you can relate that holiday times can be stressful due to trying to make everyone in your life happy. I actually felt very little stress this Thanksgiving because everything has been settled and I think everyone got what they wanted. Best of all I got to share the day with my little man for the first time.

Here’s how we split it. On Thursday..actual Thanksgiving…we go to my in laws house and celebrate Thanksgiving with them. For those that don’t know they live 5 minutes away. We spent the entire day with most of Captain Awesome’s immediate family and got some great quality time in with them. Then, on Friday morning we hopped in the car to travel to PA to spend the weekend with my family. My family then celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday. To me, it’s not about what day you spend together, its that you find the time to spend that day. So, I felt very blessed that both my brother and sister came to my parents house so that we all could be together. I always love to have us all under one roof again. It certainly makes for some good laughs!

Last year I wasn’t able to travel to PA due to the fact that my son was due a few weeks later…who would’ve thought he would’ve surprised me 6 days later!? But that’s for another post. I was just so happy to be able to celebrate with both families so that everyone could be together. Like I said…stress free! Now that’s how the holidays should be!

Happy Thanksgiving! What did you do?

Last  year we celebrated Christian’s first Christmas and it definitely was a special time. I couldn’t wait to have a baby to bring back some of the magic of Christmas. It shares such a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t wait to share that. Granted, he had no idea what was going on, but The Captain and I still left cookies and milk for Santa, and was sure to open presents Christmas morning with our little man.

Mr. Cheeks also joined us for New Years Eve…you can imagine how I felt that night with a 4 week old! He wouldn’t go to sleep…he wanted to party with mom and dad!

I spent Valentine’s Day with my 2 men…

Next there was St. Patrick’s Day!

Then Easter…

Mother’s Day (my day!)

Father’s Day…

The 4th of July…

Halloween….

And next will be Thanksgiving! His last first holiday! Wow! Can it really be? A year full of holidays gone by? So many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever….Time to get excited for this year of 2nd holidays! I can’t wait for Christmas with a little boy who can’t wait to rip up paper and play with boxes. Bring it on!

Ahhh memorial day weekend. A weekend that used to consist of too much beer and partying, now was spent showing my little man tons of new things. It was a weekend spent with my little family, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Do I miss the parties? Nah! I feel kind of “been there done that”. What I did love was the beautiful weather, the beach and my boy. Let’s hear it for the long weekend!!

The weekend began with a little mommy and daddy time at happy hour. My mother in law was nice enough to babysit, and The Captain and I took some time to relax. We met some friends who have a boat, and hit up some bars/restaurants by the water. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Long Islands main redeeming quality is the fact that it’s by the ocean. I do love the ocean!

This year we went in with my brother/sister in law and 3 other couples on a cabana at the beach. Before you get too excited, no it’s not like the ones at the Beverly Hills beach club (90210 reference). This one is more like a place to keep your stuff. I never saw the benefits of it before, but having a kid changed my mind. I can’t imagine lugging all our beach stuff to the beach each time. Now we keep all our towels, toys, chairs, and anything else we may need right at the beach. Needless to say we spent Saturday and Sunday there. What did our guy think of the beach? Kind of indifferent, but he did so well! He loved the sand and napped so well. We rolled him in his stroller right into the shaded cabana and he slept. Thus giving mommy some time to relax in the sun! (we may have to implement more naps at the beach!) I will admit though that it’s very different going to the beach with a baby. No more relaxing in a beach chair that’s for sure!

Sunday we embarked on what may become a Memorial Day tradition. We went to the Belmont Raceway, where the horse races are. It wasn’t the stakes (which isn’t a place for kids), but it was extremely fun! It is an inexpensive family day. We packed food…admission and parking was cheap…and we even got right down in front of the track. Was the kid impressed? Not so much, but someday he will be. I probably was more excited about seeing the horses run past than he was, but that’s ok. I had fun showing him all the new sites. It’s amazing how much I enjoy showing him things. It never gets old.

I prayed that we’d have nice weather this weekend, and God delivered. I really needed the sun and the sand after this horrid winter and spring we had. This mommy needed some time outside, and boy did I get that. I am officially ready for the beginning of summer. When I had our little man I knew I just had to make it till Memorial Day. It seemed like a milestone for me since I hate the winter so much. And I made it here….it’s time for summer, and I ready to enjoy all that it has to offer!

I can not believe that it is July already! The summer months go by way too fast for my liking. Especially since I’d be happy with this type of weather throughout most of the year. (well maybe not this hot)  But that’s not the case for us North Easterners…so we have to take what we can get….June, July and August. For some reason I see July 4th as the beginning of the end of the summer. From here on out I have a feeling things will be going pretty quickly! My weekends are filled with plans, and I have lots to look forward to with little Pooh Bear, so I am sure that the next time I turn around it will be September. But like it or not July 4th weekend has come and gone, and that means it was a nice long weekend  filled with great outdoor weather and BBQ’s! Not to mention it’s The Captain’s FAVORITE holiday! His family hosts a large 4th of July BBQ with fireworks and all. What a nice weekend!

I decided to make it a very long weekend and took Friday as well as Monday off. The joy of my job is that I can do that, but still take care of any work that needs to be done. I knew there would be nothing needed since the 4th of July week is usually dead work wise. So Friday afternoon I met up with some friends, grabbed some lunch and ate and hung out out by my little community pool. Summer is a bit different this year without being able to indulge in cocktails. My neighbors were ready for a little happy hour around 5:30, and although I could sit and partake in the chatting, I could not partake in the nice beverages. Definitely a little different than summer’s past. I have a long way to go so I better get used to it!

Saturday was spent running errands with The Captain. You are right to think that it doesn’t sound very exciting, but to be honest nothing else was going on! Our pool was totally packed out which made it not really worth going, and our friends seemed to be doing their own thing. So we did the responsible thing and ran some much needed errands. (look at us being all adult!) Saturday night I had a real nice dinner out, and outside with The Captain. Afterwards we met up with some friends for drinks…in my case water….on the water. It was so pretty there! Lots of nice boats! I’ll give Long Island a little credit here (which won’t happen often), it does have some great places on the water in the summer to enjoy food and drinks.

Sunday is the annual 4th of July party hosted by my inlaws. Although it was hot, anything is better than a rainy 4th of July. This is Captain Awesome’s favorite holiday. The BBQ is filled with food, fun, people, and fireworks. They definitely do a great fireworks display (although to be honest I’m not the biggest fan of fireworks…they kind of freak me out).

Monday I was kind of bummed because The Captain was able to go on a friends boat and I elected not to go. I personally feel it’s not safe for a pregnant woman to be on a fast moving boat. Especially one being used for water skiing…so I got to stay home instead. But I gotta protect my Pooh Bear right???? Instead I spent the afternoon poolside in the heat with my friend. It was a nice afternoon, but boy was it HOT!!!

The nice long weekend has now come to a close…on to the rest of the summer!!! I hope the weather stays sunny!!

As I write this, I have just sat down after running around like a crazy person getting packed up for my trip to Pennsylvania to be with my family for the holidays. Recently, all my trips out of town have been weekend trips, but since I will be gone from Tuesday-Sunday, with many different types of outfits required, the packing time took a little bit longer.

Holiday packing takes a little more effort than normal. Holiday packing not only includes clothes, it includes all the wrapped presents that I got for my family and husband. I am not sure what will happen once we have children, because just the amount of STUFF that is needed for me, The Captain and Tinkerbell fills up a car!

 I am leaving a day before The Captain, but that doesn’t mean I get out of packing for him. Some may ask why I pack for him…and sometimes I ask myself the same question. I think the answer is that I  pack for him to save him from himself. I think it actually saves me from the headache of dealing with the stuff he FORGOT to pack once we get to our destination. I may regret that I started this trend in the future…I think I already regret it now.. but at least I leave with the knowledge that he will be well overpacked!

So tomorrow me and Tinky jump in the car and begin our holidays a bit early. We have a busy schedule lined up over the next couple of days. Then Wednesday night I get reunited with my Captain Awesome. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband, and I can’t wait to spend our 2nd Christmas as a married couple together. Christmas time 2009 here I come!

My siblings and I with our family dog Lexi

 Every year my parents host a Christmas party for family and friends. This past weekend marked the parties 21st year. When I was a little girl, my job was to collect the coats from the guests as they came in, and retrieve their coats when the left. I was not allowed at the event until I was 18, so you can imagine how great it was the first year I was able to attend as a guest. Thinking of the Christmas party has always brought such wonderful memories, and last weekend didn’t disappoint…there was certainly a ton of shenanigans!

My parents started this party at an age that is only 5 years older than I am today! When I look at it that way, I can imagine how the craziness ensued during those times. I used to sneak down in my pajamas because I always wanted to be part of the fun. Sometimes they allowed me to sit and watch as the carols were sung. You can imagine the scene when alcohol and singing are combined. I know I can imagine it because it’s the same scene that goes on 21 years later!

When I turned 18 I rushed home from college so that I could attend. Each year I brought some friends from school to my home so that they could participate in the fun, and see where I came from. Then in turn my sister turned 18, then my brother and today the whole family gets together for the party. You’d think that over the years things would calm down, but there is no such thing when it comes to my family. Everyone still knows how to party! I always admired how my parents and their friends knew how to have such a good time. They are always laughing and carrying on, and I hope that when I have a family I don’t forget to let loose every once in a while.

So to kind of show you how things go, I wanted to share a video from last years party. The man who provides the music and entertainment for the party wrote a song for my parents called “20 Years, and 2000 beers” in honor of the party’s 20′th anniversary. (He’s so talented you can see his website here) The clip is a little long so if you want to get straight to the song fast forward to 3 minutes 30 seconds. If you want to watch the whole thing then that’s just wonderful too!

Click here to view the embedded video.

 My parents threaten every year not to host it since it’s such a large undertaking, but I know deep down they love it, and they love all the memories the party brings. To this day we laugh at old videos that I took from the party…21 years brings with it lots of hair styles, fashion choices, and wacky dance moves. It’s a blast to watch. Now I am just happy I get to be a part of it, and hope to be for years to come!

Christmas Shopping the Easy Way!

If you have any trouble getting into the holiday season mode early…start by walking through the malls come November first…the Decorations come out earlier and earlier every year! Soon you will see mall Santa’s in August! I understand that there are huge Christmas sales that go on around the holidays, but just think how wonderful it would be to get something on sale say during a Labor day sale??? Then just put the gift away!

I ALWAYS laughed at my mom for buying us Christmas presents early. We would be shopping in July and we’d want something and she’d say “I’ll buy it for you, but it’s for Christmas” We’d always roll our eyes and agree…but now fast forward to today, when I only have to shop for immediate family, and I totally get why she did it! Who wants to battle the crowds??? The holidays are supposed to be a happy time…why get miserable spending your weekends getting pushed and shoved in the aisles??

So my answer to you is…think ahead. You are going to be buying the presents anyway! Plus how great is it that you don’t have to spend a lump some of money if you spread out your gift buying. It won’t seem as much of a financial strain! It’s a total win win situation all around!

Buying Christmas presents BEFORE Thanksgiving Works for me. If you want to see what works for others check out Works For Me Wednesday over at We Are That Family!