long weekends are for lovers

I am so ready for this weekend even though I don't technically have a long weekend.  I'm working tomorrow morning.  I had a 3 day weekend last weekend though and this will be my third Monday off in a row.  Mondays are awful terrible things and I'm really feeling like everyone should have Mondays off to stay at home in their pajamas.  Saturday and Sunday should be set aside for doing fun things or catching up on necessities, while Monday is simply a day to prepare your soul for the work week, all the while in your jams and most likely laying in bed or on the couch.

I spent yesterday preping for Memorial weekend.  Really good stuff.  Between pretending to work and watching a gaggle of geese waddle past my office window on three separate occasions, I did some googling to find something red, white and blue to make or bake.  I was hoping to find something outside of the strawberries-and-blueberries-arranged-to-make-a-flag idea or the jello-whipped-cream-layered-look.  This was a tall order if you can imagine.  I did find a few cute ideas though.  Pancakes that are super patriotic are most definitely getting made and eaten in a super american fashion.

In other news I got the iPhone 5 finally.  It's super sleek and sexy the way iPhones should be.

Isn't it the cutest the way Bella is all up in Hank's business.  I think he might start calling her "mama".

Happy weekending to you and be sure to remember those fallen heroes that gave their lives for us and our country.  We will be getting our bums to the zoo on Sunday.  Fingers crossed for good weather and a happy baby!

easter...spring cleaning...vacation prep

I have so many posts stacked up that are "drafted" but need photos (or "gasp" videos) added before they are officially posted, so it's not for lack of trying that my posts lately have been few and far between.

Last weekend was Easter and Sunday was the hoppiest of days.  Us Bloomingburgs' went over to my mama's house for linner (between lunch and dinner) and I basically walked in, Hank was promptly passed to my grams and from there on out he was in the possession of my family all day.  He is quite a social butterfly so he's happy to hang with just about anyone.  I forgot to bring the cookies I made.  Darn it.  My Aunt V had given me a great idea to make these Easter sugar cookies with frosting between, so I made them and then forgot them on the counter.  Normally I would be thrilled to have a bunch of cookies on hand, but I'm workin on my fitness peeps.  Easter was lovely regardless of my cookies being forgotten.  My mama made lots of pinterest inspired desserts and Hank had a GIANT Easter basket waiting for him.  He got movies, clothes, toys and it was all sitting in a baby floaty for the pool.  So cute. 

In total Hank received 4 Easter baskets.  One at our house, one at each of my in-laws houses and one at my mamas house.  That Easter bunny must really love him.  Maybe Hank would have been more happy to meet him had he known that he would be treating him so well just a week later.  He looks so nervous in Mr. E. Bunny's arms.  Oh well, at least he didn't cry...

This week flew by the way weeks usually fly by when there is a to-do list a mile long.  Next Saturday we are leaving for Florida to see my brother in law and his fiance.  Much preparation needs to take place in order to take a six month old to another state for a week.  My little sister in law came over and stayed the night Tuesday, I worked 10+ hours most days and the time that I did spent at home was spent deep/spring cleaning our house.  Now it's all done though. Friday has arrived and almost just as quickly gone, tomorrow we have a wedding to attend and Sunday Hank and I have a baby shower to go to while, DJ goes to the Tigers game.  Next week will surely drag though.  That's just how it works.  My mind will already be out of vacation which will make works days terribly long.  Ho hum TGIF.

xmas and new years

Yes, I am quite behind on my holiday posts.  Time is moving so quickly I just can't catch my breath.  So in lieu of recapping all the details of Henry's 1st Christmas I'll just shower you with adorable photos.  Deal?

New Years was only a few days ago so I feel okay about telling you how we rang in 2013.  We spent New Years Eve doing some shopping.  We went to Ikea.  They were having an awesome sale on a wardrobe.  Between DJ and I our closets and dressers are overflowing, despite the fact that I donate about 4-5 garbage bags of clothes twice a year (my clothes alone) and putting away cold weather clothes during warm weather months and vise verse we just don't have enough space.  Hence the attempt to purchase a wardrobe with three doors and two drawers.  We travel the Ikea maze, pick up lots of stuff we don't need and go to find the wardrobe only to discover it's already sold out.  Figures.  We licked our wounds and took Henry to his first trip to Kabuki, our fave sushi restaurant.  He laughed and laughed at his daddy and then promptly fell asleep as our food arrived.  Good boy, Henry.  Good boy.

After Ikea and sushi, I curled up with Henry on the couch and napped along side him while DJ and his brother did some running around.  Plans for our evening included dinner at home, a visit to a friends house and then back home to ring in the New Year as our small little family.  Dinner began late because of a meat fiasco of epic proportions when my brother in law, Jason Steakums the connoisseur of meats, couldn't find a perfect steak.  I'll tell you though that our dinner was well worth the wait.  I would have waited until the next day for that dinner.  My hubby and brother in law grilled outside in the cold while I cooked the asparagus, twice baked potatoes, lobster and crab legs inside while sipping champagne.  Henry watched the movie Hook, ate and conked out around 9pm.  We dined as three's company and busted at the seams from all the good food.  I kid about my brother in laws fascination with finding the perfect steak, but the guy sure can cook a delicious steak.  I swear it was better than dinner at any restaurant.

We packed the babe up in his car seat and drove over to our friends house.  I much prefer a friend's house to those awful hall parties.  It always feels so cheesy and lame.  Last year we went to a theatre with tons of people which was a lot of fun and I love dressing up, but dinner with family and drinks with friends in a cozy home is far superior.  We set Henry under the Christmas tree at our friends house and he slept soundly.  He was a perfect gentleman.  At quarter to midnight we hugged and waved good bye to our friends and rushed home.  We quickly poured drinks and Henry woke up at the perfect time.  We counted down and hugged and kissed.  Minutes later, Henry fell fast asleep and I quickly snuggled up into my pajamas and joined him.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I'm ready for this year like I've never been before.
Enjoy your weekend!  I'm looking forward to loving on my baby every minute of each day!

is it really friday already?

I can't believe xmas has already come and gone!  Is that even possible?  I had so many adorable posts planned for this week, but with my maternity leave coming to an end I am soaking up all the time I can with Henry.  I've been off now for almost 4 months and I suppose it's time to go back.  (one month before Henry was born and 3 months home with my sweet boy)  I can at least take comfort in the fact that I will be leaving him home with his daddy and then eventually my mama.  He will still get all the love and attention he needs and deserves. 

So next week I will tell you all about Henry's first xmas, but for now I will leave you with the song I sing him every night as his lullaby.

Happy last weekend of the year!

random acts of kindess

Yesterday was a very unexpected day.  The mail came and there was a letter addressed to DJ.  I was a little confused because there was Chinese writing on the outside.  He opened it and as he did, small cut out hearts started pouring out.  Now we were both confused.  As he opened the letter I could see it was a love note and signed at the bottom was MY name.  It then dawned on me that last month I had participated in a project called Snail Mail My Email.  I emailed a note to my love and one of their many volunteers turned it into a unique hand written letter.  The emails from back in 2011, when the project was first started, were actually turned into a super cute book.  This year the project only ran for a week and is set to run again next fall.  It was such surprise for DJ to get it in the mail.  I can't wait to participate again next year and surprise someone with a very cool handwritten note.

At the end of the day we came home from more Christmas shopping and started making dinner.  We heard a knock at the door and both looked at each other as if to say, "Are you expecting someone?"  After we finally realized both of us were clueless I snatched up Bowie (the runner) and opened the door to see two young girls that did not look familiar.  I said hello and waited to hear what they were selling or whatever.  They introduced themselves as our neighbors that had just moved in over the summer and they just wanted to drop off some holiday treats! WHHHAAT?! They just came to be nice? Just to please my sweet tooth?  Out of the kindness of their hearts?  Does this even happen anymore?  I was so shocked I couldn't stop saying thank you.  I couldn't even stop snacking while on the phone with my mom, and we hate when people eat when you're on the phone, but she forgave me when she heard the story.  I can't wait to go over there today with a thank you card and a small plant. 

Kindness is most definitely contagious.  In the words of Ellen Degeneres, be kind to one another.

legend of the bird nest

I just found out this year that an old German legend states that if you find a bird's nest in your Christmas tree, the following year will be full of health and happiness.  This was awesome news for me.  When DJ and I got married we didn't want to go the traditional cake topper route.  We decided to do a bird's nest with two little birds inside instead.  ("If you're a bird, I'm a bird.")  After the wedding I kept the bird's nest out because I knew I wanted to put it in our Christmas tree.  I thought it would be nice to always have a reminder of that day, especially around the holidays.  I had no idea that a bird's nest in your Christmas tree was a German legend, but it makes perfect sense now.  The past two years have been so full of happiness.

our wedding cake - photo credit marianne worlow photography

the bird's nest in our tree

 more favorites around the house

Wishing you all lots of health and happiness in the upcoming year!

weekend inventory

I'd like to first start by acknowledging the tragedy in Connecticut on Friday.  I have not yet gone a day without crying about those poor sweet angels that had their lives taken from them.  I have felt completely wrecked.  It is something that I, nor anyone else I'm sure, have the capacity to make sense of.  I can't seem to shake the sorrow off and I can only imagine what that community and those families are feeling.  It makes me want to hold my son and never let him go. 

Friday I was thankfully with DJ when I read the news on my phone and he held me while I wept, just trying to get the words out. We spent most of the day shopping for Christmas before we went out on our date.  Once we got home and saw all the images of the day and listened to more and more details we just couldn't go out after the movie.  We saw the Hobbit and it was excellent, but we came right home to be with Hank again.  Hank was fast asleep and it took every ounce of self control I had no to grab him and hold him.  He woke up at 4am and I couldn't get to him fast enough.  I held him and sobbed again as I fed him.  I am so grateful for him.  He looked so small and innocent at that moment and I was happy that I didn't have to explain such an evil man to him.  If I was not already grateful enough, I am now oozing grateful from my pores for my perfect son.  He is the greatest gift.

Mustache Monday - You can't be sad when you see this face

Saturday was a busy day.  We had little sister Natalie's birthday party and my work holiday party.  Zap Zone for a little lazer tag and some kiddy casino type action followed by bowling with my coworkers.  Hank was so good! He is such a social butterfly.  Happy to hang out with anyone and everyone.  No crying, no fussing, just in complete amazement of the world around him.

Hank and his Grandpa

3 generations of Bloomingburg men

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and that you gave your loved ones lots of love.  That is what's important.

my clan, my tribe, my family

Yesterday was a good day.  Not only was husband home all day with Hank and I,  but we got two special deliveries in the mail.  One was from my Aunt V & Uncle D in Tennessee and the other was our family photos that my dear friend and Hank's BFFs mommy, Marianne took while she was here visiting from Texas!  I practically leaped at the mail man to grab everything out of his hands.  So here for your viewing pleasure are some of the amazing photos Marianne took of my little tribe & I.

This isn't even half of the stunning photos she took.  I hope you can see the love that my family is wrapped in, because that is exactly what I see.  Happy weekending, I'm going on a date tonight with that sexy hubby of mine and I have the biggest smile ever!