The scale is NOT my friend!

I weighed myself yesterday morning and to my dismay...I DID NOT LOSE ANY WEIGHT! I am very upset by this. Not only have I been very well behaved on my diet, I have started taking Jazzercise classes. What more does my body want me to do? I am going to see what the scale says next week before I do anything drastic. By drastic I mean 'start taking fat burners'. I was going to try them before I started Weight Watchers, but I am afraid of them, so I thought I could lose the weight with a diet. I even went as far as to research each ingredient in the pills I was considering online. I really do not want to have to resort to the fat burners, so I sure hope the needle on the scale moves next week.

Pictures as promised!

Look at those cheeks!

First we weren't too sure...
But in the end we liked it!

Chubsy Wubsy

Ava had her 4 month check up this morning. She weighs 15 lbs, 3 oz and it 25 inches long!! She is in the 75% for both weight and height. She is so cute and chubby. You could just eat her up. Her ear infection is all gone, as is David's. Everything else was good and she can start eating Rice Cereal! She is going to LOVE it. I'll post pictures of her first bites...they will be nice and messy, I'm sure :)

I brought my car for a long over due oil change before we went to the pediatrician. I went to pick it up after, and got bad news. My brakes, shocks and tires all needed to be replaced. There is also a leak from my transmission. YIKES! I left the car there for the brakes and tires. I am not looking forward to the bill when I go to pick it up later. If you hear screams at about 5 pm, it's me paying for my car :(

Orajel to the rescue!

Ava was pretty good last night. When I got home, she was sleeping in her carrier in the snap n' go stroller and my Grandmom was rocking it. When she woke up, she was smiley and giggly. After a diaper change, I tried to feed her, but she was not hungry. Once my Mom got back from the hair salon, I left to get my nails done. Ava took a bottle while I was gone. We ate dinner when I got home and then she took her 7:30 pm bottle and was sleeping by 8 pm. At about 9:30 pm, she was screaming in her crib. This was a first. I went up and got her, but nothing was helping. I noticed she was pulling at her ear/face, so Steve got the Tylenol. She took that and was still screaming. Next, we put Orajel on her gums. Finally - relief!! Looks like our little girl is cutting some teeth. Although I feel bad that she will be in pain, at least now we have a reason for her crankiness and we know how to help her. PHEW! I feel much better. Hopefully, tonight she'll be just as good as last night and if she wakes up, we know exactly what to do.

P.S. I am taking my first Jazzercise class tonight. I only lost 2 lbs this week, so I want to see if some exercise will do the trick!

Crying like a baby

Yes, that's right...Ava is a very cranky baby. When she wakes up in the morning, she coos and gagas in her crib and it sounds so cute. She is even happy after her 1st bottle and nap. Once 3 pm hits, it's all down hill from there. Sometimes, it's even earlier than 3 pm. This weekend was horrible. After working 8 hours a day for 5 days, I usually love my weekends. This one, I could have lived without. I cleaned the house Saturday morning while she napped and that was the only good I did all weekend. I had a Dermatologist appointment on Saturday afternoon and Steve said she was awful while I was gone. I sure saw what he meant when I got home. For the rest of the day, she was miserable. My cousins Mike and Laura-Ann came over and we grabbed a bite to eat at the Grove. I felt SO bad for them, having to sit through a dinner with a crying baby. When we got home, she was no better. I was so relieved to put her to bed. Sunday Steve let me sleep in and he said Ava was a doll while I rested. I got up around 9 and she was still a happy girl. Then, the afternoon hit. We went to Home Depot and she screamed. We drove in the car and she screamed. Again, I could not wait till it was her bed time. I know that David was an exceptionally good baby and we were probably spoiled, but I really feel like I am going to lose my mind. Sometimes I wonder if we spaced the kids out too far and Steve and I are just over the 'baby' stage. But than again, if she was a happy, giggly baby - I think we'd be enjoying it as much as we did when David was this age. Ava has her 4 month check up on Monday the 12th. I am going to talk to the doctor about her crankiness. Maybe she/he knows some tricks. They will also be starting her on cereal - that might help her. If not, I might end up needing something to help me :(

New Information

I have decided give my blog an update and give my readers some extra information. You'll notice off to the left hand side, I have placed my favorite links under Links I Love. Here you will find links that I visit everyday as well as links to my business website and the scrapping store I will be teaching at. Hop on over to each of those sites and see what else I am up to. I am sure you will not be disappointed :) Under the heading of Info:, I have given you an ID # so you can grab 20 digital prints for FREE! Now I know everyone loves FREE stuff, so use it!


Totally unrelated picture, but I love it!

Proud Loser

Yup, you read it right...I am a very PROUD loser! I started Weight Watchers last Wednesday and weighed in this morning to find that I lost 6 pounds!!! As you can see, I am VERY excited. I am so glad that I started the diet. I am doing the Flex Plan version and can eat anything I want, as long as I stay within my points for the day. Then, I get an extra 35 points to play with for the week. I used 10 of those points last weekend at my Uncle Tom and Aunt Carol's to enjoy a Margarita. I look forward to weighing in next Wednesday to see how much more I lose. My goal is to 30 lbs. Now I only have 24 more to go :)

Mi Bambima esta enferma!

My poor baby girl, she went to the pediatrician today and was diagnosed with a right ear infection. I made her an appointment due to a cough that she has and it ends up being her ear. I had no idea. Both my kids must be very pain tolerant which means they do NOT take after their Mother in that department. I HATE pain and even the slightest bit makes me complain. David has had 2 ear infections and neither time did he complain and according to the doctor that checked his ears, they were BAD. Ava was a bit crankier than normal, but nothing horrible. She still gave us big smiles and slept through the night. I heard her fuss twice in the middle of the night, so I put her bink back in, but she never really woke up. I can't wait to go home and cuddle her up to make her feel better.

Present Report

I received a beautiful diamond heart necklace from Steve & David and Ava gave me a onzie that reads "My Heart Belongs to Mommy". I love them both very much. I took pictures of my gorgeous necklace, so I'll post them later.

We ordered chinese from Sunny Palace and it was a VERY quiet night. David did not feel good at all, so he slept. Steve worked a very long day, so he fell asleep and I needed to get some work done, so I got Ava to go to sleep.

Steve and I plan on going to the movies to see Hannibal Rising and grabbing dinner one night soon.

Hope you all had a nice V'Day!

Happy V'Day!

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day! With the weather here in NJ, it's the perfect day to cuddle up with the one(s) you love. I gave David his little red bag filled with treats before I left this morning. Poor kid is sick with another ear infection. Unfortunately, he got that from me. I am the Ear Infection Queen! His treats were: skittles, marshmellow filled chocolate heart, fun-dip, stuffed animated dog and Go Diego Go video. Ava, Steve and my parents will get their stuff when I get home. I am looking forward to my gift :) Steve picked it out all on his own without any hints from me! This way I can be totally surprised. We're going to order chinese food from Sunny Palace for dinner and I'll pick up a dessert on y way home from work. Not quite a typical Valentine's Day, but spending it with the kids and Steve makes it even better!

Check back to see what I got...

Back to the old grind

Believe it or not, the day has come for me to return to work! Yes, today is my first day back. It was HARD to get up and out of bed, but I did it. It was even harder to kiss the kids good-bye. I know, thanks to my mother, that they are in great hands, but I miss them. So much goes on during the 10 hours I am away from them and I feel that I miss so much. Instead of it getting easier, I know from experience - it's only going to get harder. Ava will say her first words, take her first step, get her first tooth, etc. all while I am at work. The same things happened with David. I felt it then and I have heartache knowing it will hurt again. I truly wish there was some way to make money and be with them. It's just not practical. However, I am going to try my best to build up my Creative Memories business this year. You never know! I could be one of those ladies making the big bucks doing something I love.

Overall this day was not terrible. I got to see some people that I missed and catch up. Hopefully tomorrow I will meet my new boss and things will get rolling. There are a lot of new things in my department to get caught up with. BUT, I can't wait to get home to the kids! I hope they missed me as much as I missed them!

P.S. Here are some pix that I had taken Friday at Kiddie Kandids.

Our little girl is blessed

We have the privilege of having our very own Deacon in our family, my sweet Uncle Jack. He married Steve and I in 1999 and baptised David in 2003. This past Saturday was Ava's turn. She was christened at St. Bart's Church. My sister Amy and our brother-in-law Rich stood as the Godparents. The ceremony was beautiful and very intimate. My uncle gave a very inspirational homily and included myself and Steve in the ceremony. It really made me feel so proud to be catholic and so proud to be Uncle Jack's niece. After church, we had a reception at the American Legion in Milltown and our friend Nick did the catering. The food was delicious and we all really enjoyed ourselves. Once that party ended, we kept it going back at our house. After all, there were 1 1/2 cases of beer to finish! Did I mention we're Irish?

God bless our Little Ava Marie.

Back from Orlando!

Due to some illnesses, this post is late.

Orlando was great! The place we stayed (Orange Lake Country Club) was beautiful. There was a lot to do there, but we only had time for 1 dinner, 1 swim and a round of mini golf. Otherwise, we were at the theme parks. Steve's parents met us when we arrived. They were excited to see David and meet Ava. We had dinner with them Saturday and went to Universal Studios with them on Sunday. My parents came to Orlando Monday and met us in MGM. They did Epcot with us Tuesday and stayed home with Ava on Wednesday when the rest of us did Islands of Adventure. Thursday my sister came up and we hung by the resort. Her husband Andrew met us at The House of Blues for dinner that night. Friday EVERYONE was with us and we did the Magic Kingdom. We had 2 character dining experiences that day. I love those. Saturday we went to the Animal Kingdom before heading back to NJ. It was a lot to do, but we did it and had fun. I think John enjoyed his first trip to Disney, and we really enjoyed having him. He was a HUGE help. Love that kid! Here are a few cute pictures.

David and a pharro

John, David, Stormtrooper and Darth Vader

Steve's 34th Birthday

Mommy, Ava and Alice

Wolverine

And away we go!

We are leaving for Orlando on Saturday afternoon. I am so excited - I LOVE DISNEY! This will be Ava's first trip, but also my cousin John's. When we decided to take this trip, I thought it would be great to ask John to join us and I am so glad he decided to come. I planned a lot of fun days and he'll get to see it all - as will Ava and David (who's been there 4 times already in his 3 years). Steve's parents will be with us a few days and this will be the first time they'll see Ava. I am sure they are looking forward to that. My parents will be spending Monday through Saturday with us and my sister and her husband will join us Thurs and Fri. I am also hoping that my cousin Christa and her 2 girls can pop over too. As you can see we'll be very busy. Look for a LONG post after we return!

A year in review

So much can change in a year, here is how mine went:

January:

• Start new position in new department at work
  


• Celebrate Steve's 33rd birthday and Grandpop's birthday



• Attend Kelly's baby shower

February:

• Travel to Kansas for training



• Conceive child



• David's 1st trip to dentist



• Celebrate Thomas' 1st birthday



• Rosaleen is born



• Happy Valentine's Day

March:

• Celebrate 7th wedding anniversary



• Host Memoranza scrapping event



• Celebrate Rich's Birthday

April:

• Announce our pregnancy



• Have first ultrasound and see beautiful baby



• Happy Easter!



• David starts Vo-Tech Nursery School
  
  
  
  May:


• Attend Jill's bridal shower



• Happy Mother's Day



• Meet Tray, Ally and Ty at Phillie Zoo



• Celebrate Kathy G's retirement



• David graduates from Vo-Tech Nursery School

June:

• David turns 3!
  


• Celebrate Ty's 6th Birthday, Tracey's Birthday, Mom's Birthday



• Jill & Joe get married



• Steve attends golf outing with Rich



• Catch a Phillies game with Tray and Rich



• Go to Great Adventure



• David takes swim lessons



• Find out we are having a GIRL!

July:

• Happy 4th of July


• Go on vacation to FL


• Celebrate Mom B's 60th Birthday


• Take a day trip to Magic Kingdom


• Spend time on the beach

August:

• More trips to the beach


• Celebrate My 31st and Dad's birthday


• Attend Kenny Family Softball game


• Steve work at Middlesex Cty Fair
  
  
  
  

September:

• David starts Gateway Christian School


• Celebrate Ally's 9th birthday in NYC


• Celebrate Grandmom's birthday


• Attend Mar's Baby shower


• Hurricane passes through Jersey
  
  
  

October:

• Lizzie Rose is born
• My baby showers


• Begin Maternity Leave


• Decorate baby's room


• Happy Halloween


• Pick pumpkins


• Attend David's Halloween Parade


• David gets his 1st bike


• David gets a new car seat - now a booster seat

November:

• Ava Marie is born
  
• David has school pix taken


• Rutgers beats Louisville
  
• Go to Rutgers vs. Syracuse game


• Get new couch


• Happy Thanksgiving


• Amy home for a visit
  
  
  
  

December:

• Merry Christmas


• Celebrate Amy and Dad B's birthday


• Night out with cousins


• Breakfast with Santa


• Lots of shopping


• NYC to see tree


• Pt. Pleasant boardwalk


• Attend David's Christmas concert


• Ava's first tub bath


• Steve gets a promotion
  
  
  

As you can see, I was busy once again. Hope next year is half as good as this one!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

It's been a long time since I've posted, so I thought this was a good time to do so. We will celebrating a very special 1st Christmas with our little doll baby Ava and David's 4th Christmas, which he is really looking forward to. Tomorrow we'll head over to Aunt Mary's to enjoy our Christmas Eve with my Dad's side and before heading back home, stop over at my cousin Barbara's for a night cap. After we put the kiddies down for the night, Steve and I will be busy little elves. I am really looking forward to that - we've never had to hide much from David before. On Christmas Day we'll be busy. I am sure David will have us up bright and early opening gifts and then asking us to put them ALL together. Once we play a little and shower up, it's over to Aunt Kathy's we go. That is where we have fun with my Mom's side. We'll eat dinner and then dive into our guessing grab bag. This part is great. Everyone has to try to guess who their Secret Santa is before they can open their gift. There is always some joke gift that gets given - like John's blow-up doll girlfriend. I hope she makes an appearance this year!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and as much fun as we will.

P.S. Here is a recent picture of Ava...

SHE'S HERE!!

Ava Marie Boettger was born Saturday November 11, 2006 at 12:20 am. She weighed 7 lb, 12 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. Like any fine young woman, she entered the world with a bit of drama - the umbilical cord was around her neck. However, my wonderful doctor fixed it and Ava was just great. When Steve saw her face, he said to me "I think you just delivered David again". I had to agree. She is absolutely beautiful. To my surprise she is light, just like her father. I thought for SURE, she'd be dark like me. Her cheeks are huge, just the way we like them. We feel so blessed and proud.

Once again, Steve was awesome. He is so supportive and calming. Two things that are a must in the delivery room. Never once did I feel alone or scared, because I knew he was there behind me 100%. Even when I thought I could not push anymore, he knew I could do it. I am so very lucky to have him as my husband and even more so to have him as the father of my beautiful children.

David came to see Ava and I bright and early Saturday morning. He was so cute when he walked in the room. I video taped it, cause I want to be able to replay it over and over. I was so happy to see him. He looked like such a big boy. He climbed up on the chair and looked at her in the bassinet. Next her gave her a big kiss. He was a real good boy. He'll be a great Big Brother!

Sunday we were able to come home from the hospital. I could not wait! I showered and got all ready while the pediatrician checked over Ava. She got a clean bill of health. David and Steve came to pick us up and we were home by 2 pm.

Her first night was ok - she was awake alot, but nothing my Mom could not help me with. Lucky for me :) Since then, she has been getting better and better. We can not ask for anything more.

She has had LOTS of visitors and let each one hold her. David loves to kiss and snuggle her, but then again, so do her Dad and I.

Don't get your hopes up...

however, I've been having contractions since 5:30 am this morning! They've been spaced pretty randomly, until about 1/2 hour ago. They've become about 10 -15 minutes apart as I type. In fact, hold on....

ok, better now. So, keep looking back to see if our Baby Girl has graced us with her presence.

Nothing to report...

my appt went the same as the others. I am exactly where I was 3 weeks ago! The only difference was my BP. I am usually 110/70, today I was 130/80. They are not worried about it, so I won't either.

My sister arrived from FL this afternoon. She's here until Saturday night. Right now she is visiting my cousin Mar and her baby girl. We're meeting up for dinner in a few minutes.

Tomorrow is the Louisville vs Rutgers game, so we are having a mini party. I hope Rutgers can pull it off - that would be awesome! Almost everyone is coming over - Mark and John are going to the actual game, so we'll look for them on TV.

That's all I have energy for now. I'll leave you with a picture of my guys.

Buzz and the Babe

Happy Belated Halloween! As previously posted, David was Buzz Lightyear and we spent a lot of time trick or treating. Last year he only had enough energy for 1 street, this year we did the whole neighborhood! My Mom, Steve and I took him around, while my Dad played treat giver. When David was finished gathering treats, we came back to our house for pizza and some of my family joined us. Aunt Carol and Uncle Tom came and Aunt Carol was dressed at the Energizer bunny! Every year she dresses up for work and wins 1st prize. Then Kate came too. Next Laura-Ann and Mike showed up, followed by Jill, Joe and Auny Judy. We ate pizza, had some drinks and chatted. It was a great night. I really do enjoy Halloween.

This afternoon I had another Dr. appt. Once again, I have no news. I am the same as last week, which is the same as the week before. Next check-up is Wednesday afternoon.

After my appt, my Mom, David and I took a ride over to my cousin Mar's to see her new baby girl. Lizzie Rose is her name and she was born last Sat. morning. She is beautiful! Perfect skin, gorgeous dark hair and nice big eyes. Mar looks fantastic. You would never even know she had a baby if she was not holding her. When we first got there she was sleeping, but after a little while she woke up to eat. I got to hold her while Mar made the bottle. I forgot how small babies are! She was so light and made the cutest little cry. David could not get over her. He held her hand and rubbed her head. When she made a noise, he asked me what it meant. I think he is ready for his sister's arrival. Mar showed us Lizzie's room - too cute! It is the perfect little girls room. I am glad we went over for a visit, all 3 of them are so happy!