Cosmo's Newborn Shoot!

I'm alive! I promise!

I have been super busy with school, H, birthday parties, photography and all that jazz. Photography being a big part of my absence because I did a newborn shoot on Sunday!!!! To fulfill that baby fever I know so many of you have, here is Baby Cosmo:

He was born on St. Patricks Day!

 

That was just a little taste of my day with Cosmo & his family. It was fantastic and the little peanut is such a good boy (once he is fed and clothed!) ;-)

and here is where I beg you to make sure you go HERE and 'Like' Rambling Photography on FB!

Why a Big Birthday Party?

I spend a lot of time thinking about Hayden's birthday party. I put a lot of thought into a theme, the food, the place, the decorations and the overall event. A lot of people think this is ridiculous and obnoxious..and those people don't understand why I do it. Hayden's birthday party is the one party we throw a year (living in a 1 bedroom condo isn't exactly conducive to having get togethers or parties.) So this party is for her birthday but it is also the one time a year Anthonys family, my family and all of our friends get together and have a great time. It is a rare, memorable, special occasion that I like to really celebrate.

SO judgers that is why I make H's parties a big event.  

AND that is why Haydens party this year will be at a gymnastics studio!! I am SO excited! The girl loves Gymboree but the ones by me aren't able to accommodate our size parties comfortably so I looked into gymnastics and the place is fabulous! Its an awesome price and the kids will have the whole place to themselves to tumble, jump on trampolines, jump into pits and do all sorts of fun stuff with instructors! My favorite part is the upstairs balcony that overlooks the gym. This is where we will eat and open presents but also where people can hang out if they don't want to be down on the floor with the kids. Its perfect!! I am now in full on planning mode and so excited to get out invitations so that we know which of our favorite people will be in attendance! I don't want to seem too psycho so I wont be sending invites out until late April...but if it wasn't frowned upon Id send them now!

On another note, Hayden is awesome. She is getting so big and smart and talking so much-we simply love it! We had some veggies in the fridge and decided to teach her how to cut with a real knife (a la Montessori) and she loved it.

and then the circus arrived

New2YouKids has arrived!!

Raising kids is expensive so New2YouKids is trying to. . .

"Keep Down the Cost of Growing Up!"

New2YouKids is an insane consignment sale that goes on in my area. 

Its huge..and when I say huge I mean it has over 30,000 items all tagged and organized over 2 full size indoor basketball courts!

It is held twice a year and has things like Coach diaper bags for $20, clothes for ALL ages (including maternity stuff), strollers, furniture, outdoor play houses, bedding, books, toys galore, formula..I could literally go on and on. 

I am always amazed at not only how much they have but what a variety! 

If you live in the area (and by "area" I mean tri-state because it is worth the travel) you have to check it out! 

They accept credit cards on purchases over $30 and everything is computerized so the consignors always know exactly where their stuff is. Another thing to love is that everything is in fantastic shape. 

They inspect everything for quality- no messing around.

OH and if you didn't feel lazy enough, a SAHM of 3 girls under 6 (::bow down::) put this sale together and runs it. AMAZING.

If you aren't able to attend the sale go to their facebook and check out the pictures of the sale AND show a SAHM support by "liking" them!

Free Fabulousness!

In February I was contacted by Melissa Pont from BuildASign.com. She asked me if I saw anything on their website that I would be interested in customizing and if so to please do so and let her foot the bill. 

WELL! I am not one to turn down free stuff (seriously, I am one step away from lining my pockets with zip lock bags and hitting up a hotel continental breakfast) so I went to their site and immediately emailed her back. I let her know I was super interested but I needed some time since I didn't know which item to pick..and then Melissa said the words that made my day "Actually, you don't have to choose JUST one."

So kiddies- I present to you my customized FREE fabulousness!

I was going to put H's picture on it (yup, you can do that!) but once I realized that their banners were hard core, long lasting vinyl I decided to not make it age specific so that we can use it for years and years! ..and yes, its as big as my couch!

Clearly shes a big fan!

These car magnets were the other item I ordered! I have it on my car and LOVE that I am self promoting all over the place and what I love even more is that its free!! The quality of these magnets was shocking-those babies aren't budging, I don't care how hard it rains! 

I really cannot say enough positive things about this company.
I love the quality of my products, I loved my easy ordering, I loved the fast shipping and I loved how sweet Melissa was. 

If you want to contact Melissa you can email her at Melissa.Pont@BuildASign.com

New Additions

Every now and then I come across a new item and feel like it is my duty to share it with whomever I can. This is sort of one of those times..and I say sort of because I'm really just bragging about the first thing.

I decided I was stepping away from my diaper bag and moving back to a big girl purse. After lots of looking I saw this Dana Buchman online and thought it was the one:

I went to Kohls and couldn't find it in a good color. I felt that sense of loss you feel when you try something on, love it but need a different size and they don't have it..until I realized that this was all part of the universes plan. A plan that would bring me to this little beauty:

It's a little bigger with a better shape (for me.)

I do not have a bag in my bag graveyard that is this color and that is what helped justified this pricey purchase..plus, its gorgeous!

SO excited!

Now, onto the helpful product.

Not many want to admit it but we get some unsightly facial hairs that are...just not cute. I even get a sexy little chin whisker every now and then-HOT! I hate getting waxed and I cannot wax myself because when I get to the pulling part I chicken out which results in me spending 20 mins trying to get the wax off. I purchased this on impulse and tried it last night

I have relatively sensitive skin (when I get waxed I am red for hooours) combined with stubborn hair so these types of things are always a crapshoot. 

I initially got this because I wanted to try a new one and i loved the idea of the brush on. 

I didn't notice that horrible rotten egg smell a lot of these creams have. It was so easy to put on with the awesome attached brush and then I left it on for about 5 mins (recommended times is 3 but like I said, stubborn hairs.) When I wiped it off all the hair was gone. My once hairy upper lip was now smooth and hair-free. Today I had a little redness in the area near my laugh lines but thats pretty inevitable for me. 

I always dread getting my lip waxed so this is a very exciting discovery!

Hayden also found something she liked at Kohls

we got her a pillow for her crib instead..

Simply Vera Tote

Hair Removing Cream

I was not prompted or paid to do a review on any items.

TGFI Part 2

If you missed part 1 a while back check it out.

Here are more reasons to say Thank Goodness For Iphones!

Mommys 1st failed attempt at piggies

Always rocking someone elses shoes.

Shes such a shoe whore..(hmm..too precocious of a word for my 1 yr old? perhaps.)

Somehow Blankie (and paci) made it into the bathtub during an overtired crying fit

Do you look this cute while shopping at Target? Doubtful.

a 2nd -more successful- attempt

Did you really think there wouldn't be a food pic? Superbowl Potato Skins!

The 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' Section

 

...and some non-iPhone fun

Who knew a room dividing curtains were this great!

MIA

Where have I been? DYING! Ok..thats a little dramatic but I feel horrible. I had what felt like strep for a little over a week when it finally got bad enough that I went to the walk in clinic. Turns out its not strep (I was praying for strep since its easy to cure) but bad post nasal drip or some sort of sinus thing..i guess thats the kind of diagnoises you get when you go to the walk in. The following day I was welcomed by death..also known as morning sickness minus the baby. I had all the nausea, lightheadedness and lack of appetite that reminded me of those lovely first few months...turns out its an evil little virus. I keep thinking Ill be better and ready to return to work tomorrow when the chills, dizziness and nausea come back full force. Its so frustrating! My MIL asked to take H for 2 nights so that I could relax and work got me covered for the rest of the week if needbe. I hate calling out of work, I hate not being able to pretend to be be supermom and I hate feeling like crap!

Since I have been MIA for so long I promise you a picture post but for now just eat up this cuteness!

H and her younger man, Dino, have a splashing good time in their first boy/girl bath!!

Time to LOL