Baby's Got a Brand New Bag

It finally arrived!!

After much web-surfing, local shopping, and seeing what others are using, I have found a diaper bag. WHEW! We bought one (a spendy one) before Ellie was born - it's OiOi, black, messenger bag with all the specs that a bag is supposed to have, and I don't like it one bit. The strap is too long (and not adjustable), I don't like how the outer pockets stick out, and it's a little masculine.

I figured out after Baby Girl arrived that rather than have a diaper bag to carry in addition to my regular purse I really would be served best by having a larger tote that LOVE the look of and could carry as an all-in-one, purse/baby bag combo. Sure I loved what Kate Spade had to offer but couldn't really wrap my mind around the price.

I was also worried that the color might not please me through the seasons. Thank goodness I go to Mom & Baby Yoga and saw the bag I ended up ordering, just in an older color combo. It is large enough to hold all the stuff I now find myself carrying that wasn't necessary when Ellie was an infant: zebra blankie, nursing cover, teething ring, etc. There will only be more items when she begins eating solid foods in two more months and again when she stops nursing and needs sippy cups and snacks. It is also cute enough that I could just be carrying a large tote and not schlepping diapers.

(yes! those ARE my old pants - they fit again!!)

The brand is Bella Tunno - it's called the Beautifully Basic Baby Diaper Bag - and I already love it!! It was empty when I took the pictures - the bottom doesn't fold up like that now that it has my stuff inside. Hopefully we'll still get to use the OiOi bag when Ellie starts going to day care (at an unknown time in the future) and needs a bag to stay with her during the day. In my infinite pregnant wisdom I removed the tags from the bag and don't have the receipt.

Stay tuned for Ellie's 4-month-old post! I'll get it written eventually!!

As you watch this, sing "Proud Mary" in your head

Because that's the audio I had on this video for about 30 seconds before I got caught for violating copyright laws and had to remove it. Boo.

So.....yesterday was my birthday. I turned 31. Pete got me a camcorder. He says we need one since our little one is so mobile these days and will only get more so :)

weeks 9-16

Today Ellie turned 16 weeks old! I last shared weeks 1 - 8, here are weeks 9 - 16.

Quite the Party Trick

So Pete's little birthday cake has gotten quite the response on Facebook. Confession: of all the cakes I've made for him, this was the least complicated.

I saw the recipe in the July issue of Martha Stewart Living - you can find it here. All you really do is make a double-batch of chocolate chip cookies (I used my own recipe from Cooking Light in 2007), whip some heavy cream with mascarpone cheese, sugar, and a tablespoon of bourbon (obviously optional), and layer the cookies and cream on a cake stand. Nine cookies in a circle with two in the middle, topped with a cup of whipped cream mixture, repeat till you end with a cookie layer. Refrigerate overnight and before serving top with one additional cup of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Certainly not as time consuming as this little number from '09:

So for your next cookout or gathering, give it a try - your friends will be amazed and you can graciously accept all their praise :)

Thirty-onederful years old!

We've had a relaxed day at our house - took Pete's Prius in for some work, took the dogs for a walk, went out for lunch, etc. I started on Pete's cake yesterday and after it chilled in the refrigerator overnight, finished it this evening. With ingredients like these, how can you go wrong?

I think Pete was happy with the end result - and Ellie loved the candles!

It's been one year since I found out I was pregnant - I don't think we ever could have imagined this would be our daily life now.

She seriously loves her daddy - Happy Birthday Pete!!

3 Months Old!!

Look at her!! In the blink of an eye - our baby is 3-months old!!

As a big 3-monther, Ellie tried her Jumperoo...

and loved it!


She continues her love affair with overhead fans...

and daily tummy time.


Ellie produces copious amounts of drool, smiles all the time, and converses with anyone who will listen. She sucks on her fingers incessantly, but they soothe her when she is upset, so we can't complain. She is also one mobile burrito! Though we still swaddle her each night, it does not prevent her from wiggling to the far corners of her crib and wedging her head against the rails. Ellie and I continue to attend mama & baby pilates and yoga twice a week, she seems to love all the stretches and baby yoga moves!

We love you baby girl! Don't grow up TOO fast!!