Finding Toys

As Joe and I were updating our fantasy football teams this morning, we heard a new sound coming from the swing.
As I looked over, Erin was actually reaching out and playing with the toy that was attached to the swing. She was in such a state of concentration and determination, some of the pictures came out so funny! It's amazing the little things that come as a joy each and every day!

Girls Weekend

We have been gearing up for my sister-in-laws wedding in October! Of course, no wedding is complete without the girl's bachelorette party! What a fantastic weekend we had in store for Cristin. We traveled up to New York to the fingerlakes which are known for the beautiful and plentiful wineries. I had never been there before so I was definitely looking forward to our stay.

We left early Saturday morning for the three hour trek north. Upon our arrival, we didn't waste much time getting started once everyone arrived. The group included myself and Cristin, her three other bridesmaids, her mother and three aunts. We all jumped in a limo and began our tour.

Starting at noon, we had the limo until 6:00PM. That gave us enough time to visit quite a few places. We successfully were able to visit seven wineries.  It was absolutely fantastic! I am a sucker for Reislings and come to find out, the finger lakes are known for their Reislings because of the cooler climate and soils. I was in WINE HEAVEN!

After our tours, we headed back to the Inn where we were staying for a nice dinner and bedtime! After a day of drinking, we definitely needed some rest. But to true girl fashion, we stayed up until the wee hours chatting! :) I'm sure Cristin had a fantastic time as I know that the rest of us did.

First Stop

Look at those views

Brand New Winery that was absolutely stunning inside! Private tasting rooms and the modern look that my husband would love!

The Bridesmaids

The Crew before dinner

TV to the rescue

I have always said that I wouldn't be one of those mothers who sticks their child in front of the television. What if you have a 10 week old that will do anything to get her eyes on the TV...even cry! I have never seen anything like it. It's understanding that I am not using my television as a babysitter. That she just likes the bright lights and movement. But what am I supposed to do when the poor child tries to break her neck to catch a glimpse of that bright shiny object against the wall? And football? Forget it! At least I know we will always have someone to share college football and fantasy football days with. Here is a glimpse of how content she is....

Never Forgotten

For the husband who told his wife I love you one last time before his plane went down in a field, for the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say I will love you forever, for the mothers and fathers who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died,for the policemen who rushed in with the firemen to help get others out only to die themselves, for the soldiers who fought back and lost their lives. Today, tomorrow, ten years from now, we will remember ♥

Mother Nature Strikes Again

For those of you who follow my blog, but don't know quite where I live -  I live in Northeast Pennsylvania where we recently have had a lot of mother nature's events.

Last weekend, we suffered some severe weather from Tropical Storm Irene. We were pummeled with storms, high winds and rains. This raised our water levels pretty substantially, but we didn't quite understand how this would effect us later that week. Throughout the week, we again had a tremendous amount of rain. In most cities, they received 3 months of rain within a 24 hour period. Here in Mountain Top, we got 8 inches of rain in one day.

Where we live, we have many lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, tributaries that run all over the Northeast portion of PA into New York, New Jersey, etc. With all of the rain we received, there was no where for the water to go, except up and out; causing our surrounding area to become saturated and now: FLOODED. I fortunately live high on a mountain and out of harms way, but many colleagues and friends have been afflicted by the flooding of their homes and businesses.

http://m.citizensvoice.com/levee-system-holding-but-incredibly-stressed-1.1200614

We have a levee system that is made to hold up to rising waters to 41'. Unfortunately, the water finally crested at 42.66' and other areas that weren't protected by the levee system were undoubtedly hit and are now in a state of emergency. Evacuations began Wednesday night and are still being carried out through today as the water levels are finally slowing falling. Joe and I both are fortunate that our work locations were not affected. Kraft allowed all employees to work from home if eligible and Erin's daycare shut down on Friday.

It will be a slow recovery for our area and my thoughts go out to those who have lost their homes and businesses in this devastating flood.

Fantasy Football Is Back

And Erin has her game face on!

What a day

Joe and I had a conversation last night about why I don't go out and do more things with Erin. I asked him what he meant, and he said that he was surprised that I don't venture out with her more often: going to the food store, shopping, etc. I explained to him that the timing never seemed to be right and that on days where I work and she is home with me - I am EXHAUSTED to go run around afterward.

So, today, I decided to venture out and do some errands. Joe was away at a bachelor party (Golfing)  and I needed to get a few things done. To say the least, what would normally have taken me ....oh say....two hours...turned into 5 hours. Here is a look at my day:

5:00AM - Erin woke up. Ate and went back to bed about 6.
7:00AM - I decided to go back to sleep for just a little bit
9:00AM - Joe left for the gold outing and Erin got up for the day
10:00AM on - Shower, grab a small breakfast and try to finish getting ready to get out the door
12:00PM - Aunt Marion calls to go for a walk
12:40 - We finally get out of the house for the walk because someone decided she wanted to eat again right before we left
1:15 - return home, pack up the baby and get in the car to run errands. Get down to the post office and realize that I left the diaper bag in the family room and have to return home. Someone wakes up in the car and starts crying for some more food. Into the house we go.
2:00 - we FINALLY leave the house
2:30 - Get to Babies R Us to exchange some diapers. Literally popped her car seat into the cart, ran inside to do the exchange. Realize while we are in line that Erin had decided to have a LARGE explosion in her pants. Run outside, drop the diapers off and grab the diaper bag (which I had left in the car because we were just RUNNING in). Go inside for the clean up.
4:00 Run to the mall. Once again - just running in for one small thing. Erin: Hungry again! Go to Nursing room for feeding.
4:30 - Finally get to MY food store for groceries.
5:00 - HUNGRY!!! Sat in Pharmacy department for 30 minutes
6:00 - In check out line. Pull away from the register and realize that I forgot the most important thing at the food store - FORMULA! Seriously?? Back into the store we go and back in line to wait some more.
7:00 - We arrive at home just in time to unload the car, unpack the groceries and have little Erin wake up from her nap :)

At least someone finds me amusing

College Football is Back!

This weekend marked the first weekend for college football! Fortunately, and unfortunately, we sort of root for two teams! Graduating from OSU..I of course Bleed Scarlet and Gray, but I have always been a Notre Dame fan at heart as well! When I met Joe, that was one of the first things we found in common as we are both HUGE Irish fans!

When we found out we were having a girl, the first article of clothing we bought for her was a pink Notre Dame onesie as I knew we wouldn't have any problems supplying her with Ohio State gear! Of course, she is stockpiled with OSU onesies, cheerleading uniforms, sweaters, sweatsuits, socks, t-shirts..you name it, she has it! It was important for us to represent both teams yesterday, especially since they played at different times!

Good news is that Ohio State won...(but of course they were playing a smaller school...Akron!) We were at home for this game and I got to play dress up...he he he!

TOUCHDOWN!!!

Oops! I just did a ..."M*chi*g*n in my pants...twice!! GO BUCKS!

Doing her best impression of the Heisman

Second try

She is so silly...trying to watch the game behind me and smiling at me when I was trying to get her attention

Falling a little sideways

A little Buddha Belly goin on

She was happy because I rotated her chair so she could see the TV...she was straining her neck...I'm not kidding...to watch the game!

After the Ohio State game, we need to get a late lunch/dinner...so we headed to our favorite place, Lucky's Bar and Grill for some Irish Action! Of course, we all had an outfit changes..including the Misses. :) We had a wonderful time spending the afternoon as our little family watching some college football. Unfortunately, the Irish didn't come out as lucky. With two rain delays, the 14th Ranked Team in the nation lost to the South Florida Bulls! Maybe next game guys...but at least we enjoyed watching you!

Oops...doing another Michigan...maybe BC or Navy...in my pants again! :)

So stinkin cute

There were a lot of different noises going on at Luckys..I'm not sure she knew what to think of them...doesn't she look terrified?

Proud Papa

Go Irish!!! #1!!

Hut! Hut! Hike!!

I don't get many opportunities to get a picture with Erin :)

I could just gobble her up!

She's my little lady...

Holding on to her toy...and not letting go!

Happy Family

Absolutely.Worn.Out.

Happy Happy Baby

After I took Erin's "2 Month Photo"...she was sitting in the chair next to me while I was getting some work done! Her smile just melts my heart and I get so much joy watching her be the happy baby that she is! I caught her smiling and laughing at the mirror and little animal that hangs above her.

2 Months Old

2 months...9 weeks old!

Today marked Erin's two month check up and she is growing like a weed! Although this was the dreaded visit for shots, she was a trooper and only screamed for a few minutes :) Thank goodness we had a bottle to help soothe her over.

Here are the monthly stats:

2 Months:
12 pounds 2 ounces
23 Inches Tall

First day at Daycare

Yesterday was Erin's first day at daycare and my first day back in the office! Let's just say that I was a lot more upset than she ever was! Joe and I arrived at the Daycare around 7:30 AM and boy do you know that she just laid down in the crib and went right to sleep! Didn't even care!

I stopped over at lunch just to check on her and see how she was doing. I couldn't resist! I walked into the classroom and quickly noticed that it was nap time as the lights were turned off and there was music playing and all of the little ones were fast asleep in their cribs.

I look over in the rocker and there she is..sitting with one of the teachers! Smiling and cooing at her like she has known her for years! Made my heart melt knowing that she was at least happy at that moment while I was there!

We both survived our first day and I'm happier knowing that I can take her back and not have any worries!