Virginia Vacation - Long Overdue

Last month we took a trip to Woodbridge VA for our nephew's high school graduation. This marked our first official trip as a family, with our little girl!
To say I was a little nervous would be an understatement. The thing that most concerned me, was the 3 1/2 hour car ride from Philadelphia to Virginia - with a toddler who has horrible car-sickness.

Knowing we were going to be in the car for quite some time, I talked to her Pediatrician & they recommended giving her a small dose of benadryl. Reluctantly, we gave it to her on the way there and the way back, and she did great!
The H and I both hated having to give it to her, but I didn't want her to be sick and uncomfortable the whole time! It worked like a charm.

On our way to Virginia, we decided to make a quick stop at the Baltimore Harbor to check out the Baltimore Aquarium.

I have to say, growing up in DC and MD, I had been to the Baltimore Aquarium many, many times - but this trip was underwhelming for me. We didn't see half of what we wanted to see because the areas weren't handicapped accessible (my husband brought his wheelchair to get around, since we knew we would be doing a lot of walking!) and the exhibits were sub par. Maybe we went on a bad day, but I left feeling a little dissapointed. After we left we walked around a little, they were having some sort of Boat show that day, so the harbor was filled with old naval ships. It was gorgeous!

We stopped and had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe - Sophia was like another person. Screaming, throwing fits - definitely not herself. We couldn't wait to get out of there and head back on the road!! After horrendous Baltimore traffic we arrived in our room around 7:30. At this point we were wiped out. Sophia was hungry and kept asking for "pancakes", so we went out in search for a diner closeby, the closest thing we could find was an IHOP. SOLD! We ordered breakfast for dinner (the best in my opinion)! Sophia couldn't be happier when her pancakes came out. After a long, trying day - it was nice to have my happy girl back!!! We finished up and headed back to our room. Which was not bad right?? I expected much worse. We stayed at a Holiday Inn, it couldn't have been nicer!

The next day we had plans to go to the Washington Zoo & meet up with The H's brother and Sister in law, and our cutie pie little Nephew!

The zoo was fun! But SO hot!!! At temps around 92 degrees that day, it was a steamy one. There weren't a ton of animals out (they were smart!!) but the kids had fun checking everything out and going to the petting zoo. That was a hit! I wish I got more pictures!

After a long day in the sun, my girl clearly had enough:

We packed it up and headed back to our room to unwind.


Friday by far was our favorite day there! We decided not to plan anything, and just go with the flow and have fun! Sophia clearly needed a "break" as did her mama and papa!! Luckily there was a Chuck E Cheese across the street from our Hotel, so we decided we would spend the afternoon there and let her run around and have fun!! SUCH A GOOD IDEA!

Friday night we headed over to my Brother In Laws, his daughters also made the trip with us from PA (although not together), and brought their kids. The cousins had a blast running around and playing together. So much so that this is what the living room looked like later that night.

Sleeping babies. MY FAVORITE!! Love how they are all sprawled out in every direction. The cutest!

Saturday was the big graduation party day!
It was so nice to have all the kids (minus a few) there together, and get to see family that we don't see all that often. I wish we all lived closer together, but I guess it helps us appreciate those moments when we do all get together!

We had a blast. While we couldn't wait to get home, it was sad to say goodbye to everyone.

When we finally walked in the door Saturday night, it was like Christmas Morning!

The only thing better than coming home to your own bed, after being away for 4 days, is coming home to a PERFECTLY cleaned and organized house and a new shelving unit for Sosie's toys courtesy of her big sister. I'm telling you - I hit the jackpot in the step daughter department! This girl is so thoughtful and caring! The fact that she took the time out of her crazy busy schedule, and neglected her own house for 4 days, to take care and clean ours??!! Well, what can I say! She is the best and I love her!

Jewelry Swap Link Up

So, so excited for today!! I signed up for my first (ok maybe second) blog swap, and this one was SO much fun!!! A few weeks ago Melissa hosted a jewelry swap, awesome right??? The rules were - pick one piece out of your jewelry collection - worth no more than $10 - Melissa picked partners for us & voila! Jewelry Swap!!

I received this little beauty from Carly.

SO CUTE!!! I wore it to work twice and have gotten SO MANY compliments!!! Thank you Miss Carly!!! I LOVE IT!

Melissa will be doing another swap soon so make sure you sign up!!

Happy Monday Friends!

Sophia's Second Birthday (A week late)

Our girl turned TWO last Saturday. T-W-O. Can someone explain to me, HOW that happens again?? How does one go from this:

To this:

It still blows my mind.

We had a great day Saturday, complete with yummy cake that her papa slaved worked on all day.
Didi, Uncle Tommy & Ian came over to celebrate with us.
Then - the best part - PRESENTS! This girl wouldn't quit about her presents. Every 5 minutes, "I'm gonna open MY presents".
TOO CUTE! It looked like Mickey Mouse clubhouse exploded in our living room, we pretty much bought out the Disney store & the MMCH selection. She loves her some "Mimi".

Then Sunday was her big "Yo Gabba Gabba" party at the lake & my first official "big birthday throwing bash". Dude. It's a lot of WORK! Making all the cupcakes, icing (or ICNING) as my friend Nina says....them all, decorating, setting up the food - wow. All the while a crazy little toddler in the background screaming because "I want PRESENTS". What did I sign up for?? Luckily we had a lot of help (this is where having two older step kids comes in radther handy). Thank God for them, and their cute Papa or else - I would have been lost. The party was amazing. All of our friends and family came, the kids played & had a blast. It was a great day, we honestly couldn't have asked for anything better. BUT damn, am I so glad it's over!!

Afterwards we packed up and headed home. Little Miss was so pooped out from the day, she literally fell asleep at the table - in her dinner. Where was my camera??!!

Happy birthday month baby girl! Mama loves you more than all the stars in the sky!

Friday's Letters

Dear Husband - Thank you for those yummy cupcakes last night, and for remembering to DVR No Doubt on GMA this morning. You're pretty great!

Dear Little Miss - 4:30am is not an acceptable time to wake up and cry for "gabba, gabba, gabba". Seriously girlfriend, GO TO SLEEP.

Dear August - You are not my friend. With too many birthday's to count (including a big one for the H) - you are bleeding my bank account dry. Aren't you over already??!!

Dear Pregnant Lady on the train - I love you, and the fact that you make the trek through the city everyday in in the dead of summer.....well you lady are my hero.


TGIF my friends! IF this wasn't the longest week ever, SO HAPPY it's finally over!

Truth or Dare Tuesday

I'm linking up over at An Organized Mess today for Truth or Dare Tuesday.

Today's choices are:

Truth: If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend it?

OR

Dare: Post a photo or video of your bedroom as is. Tell us about what we see.

Since I'm at work (shhh....don't tell the boss) and have no pictures of my bedroom, I'm going to go with Truth. This is an easy one for me. I would spend my last day with those closest to me, my family & friends. Maybe a nice meal or two, some quality time with everyone that means the most to me, and then end it with a quiet evening with my favorite girl. If that doesn't sound like the perfect day, well - I don't know WHAT is!

Bloggers 411

I'm really loving this link up! What better chance to get know some of your favorite bloggers you read everyday?? Love, love, love this! Here's a little bit about me:



1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?
Since 2008, actually a little before through Wordpress, but officially moved to blogger in 2008. I started blogging initially because I had a few IRL friends who blogged and thought it would be fun! Once I got pregnant I thought what a great way to keep track of my girl growing up! While I don't keep up like I should, it's still fun to look back on and see just how life has changed in these four short years.

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
Yes, 1 year of Holy Family, Philadephia and 1 semester at Community College - Business Management. I wish I would have taken it more serious, applied myself more, and actually graduated - but that's life right??

3. Where have you traveled?
Not far! DC, MD, VA, PA, NJ and NY. That's it! Sad to say this girl has never been on a plane (I know! Crazy right??!!). But we are hoping to change that next year.

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
A home, nothing fancy - just big enough to fit my little family. Would def pay off all our debt and then stash the rest away!

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
People that are late (although since the baby I have become one of these people)
Inappropriate train behavior as a commuter this is a big one! no loud talking, clipping your nails, or painting them either! gross!!

6. What is your favorite movie?
The Notebook, cheesy I know - but it makes me swoon everytime!

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
UGH. Diet Coke is my kryptonite! I'm trying to cut it out, but it's so darn hard!! As for as alcoholic drinks I love me some Jaeger but those days are far and few!!

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
Crafting, reading, or shopping!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be? Target. That store slays me every time or Homegoods.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
Today while we were at the grocery store, there was a little person that was shopping next to us and Sophia said "Mama that's a tittle lady". I seriously could have died.

11. What day would you love to relive again? Being pregnant. I was so, so sick and really didn't enjoy it much. I'd love to do it over again and really just appreciate it more.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?
Well I've never really thought about that one! I'd say either Emma Roberts or Jessica Biel. A girl could dream right??!!


13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
My first job was at Giant food stores as a deli clerk, funny I know!

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.
See below. Omg! I was so young and skinny! I'm in the middle next to two of my BFF's from HS!

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
Greece or Italy without a doubt!

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you.
My girl. She makes me complete.

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?

Happy, and healthy. Don't think there's anything more we can ask for. Well there is but......I won't be greedy!!

Mom Fail

This weekend was not one of my favorites. In fact, I think I can honestly say, it was one of the worse.

We are approaching the terrible twos rapidly. And – seriously, they are NO JOKE. People aren't kidding when they use that expression.

Saturday started off great, we did some errands - went to visit grandmom, even went to Target and picked out a new "Brave" doll.

We didn't even make it to the check out line before things started to go terribly south. Sophia wanted to sit in the back of the cart, then she wanted to sit in the front, every time I would move her an meltdown ensued. She wanted a "cookie jar", she wanted to go "that way, not this way", seriously the list went on and on. She has become quite the demanding diva. We ended up leaving with half my sanity, and no "Brave" doll. When we got in the car she said "Mama I be a good gull next time". UGH. Heartbroken.

Sunday was much of the same, only we didn't step foot out of the house. By the time 11 rolled around I was sobbing for an hour straight. With a husband needing "air" and a toddler testing every ounce of patience in my body, I just cracked. It wasn't one of my finer moments - but we all have them right?

Things finally calmed down, I fed Sos some lunch and we headed to the park for some air of our own. It seemed to do the trick. After we came home I made it a point to play, and spend as much one on one time with her as possible. And hubby had a good point....he mentioned that all week, all day he is home with her - when I am home on the weekends (or at night) I take over that time. Maybe she is having a hard time adjusting? It’s been 2 years though.... I would think she would be adjusting by now. Maybe it is truly just the terrible twos rearing their ugly head.

Another area is discipline. The H says I am too easy, I think he is too hard.

Somebody please tell me, HOW do you discipline a two year??? We've just introduced time outs, and so far they seemed to help in the short time we've tried it. Other than that, I just don’t know what to do. We try to be consistent and not sweat the small things, pick/choose our battles. Somethings gotta give.

I need some advise on dealing or getting through.... My God, if this is a cake walk compared to the teenage years, I may need to take up drinking – or cupcakes. Yep, cupcakes seem like the perfect remedy.

Put your records on

Music heals me like nothing else - some of my earliest memories include dancing around to Michael Jackson or Prince (who my mother loved!).

From rocking out with my uncle who loved hair bands (guess that explain my love for Bon Jovi) to discovering Dave Matthews Band and Third Eye Blind the summer after I graduated high school, music has always been a huge part of my life and also a therapy of sorts.

Aside from coming home to my beautiful girl, nothing beats a crappy day like blasting my ipod and just getting lost in music. For me it has the power to heal like nothing else. Some people do drugs or drink, they shop or gamble - I turn on my headphones and am transported to my happy place.

Here are some of my favorites lately:

Matchbox 20 - She's so Mean - Perfect for Summer!!!


Maroon 5 - One more night - Adam Levine and babies?? Do I even need a reason??


Mat Kearney - Ships in the night - I've been a fan of his forever!


Brandi Carlile - Dying Day - Her voice is so raw and captivating. LOVE HER


Tristan Prettyman - Marry You - She wrote this song about her split from Jason Mraz, heartbreakingly beautiful.



These are a few songs, I can't live without right now, tell me what are some of yours??

Currently V4

Happy Belated 4th of July! From my little firecracker!!


Inspired by Pinterest. But I mean really, who isn't??!!! Everything from do it yourself manicure ideas to yo gabba gabba inspired birthdays, to organizing your home - Pinterest is taking up the majority of my time. Now if I only I can start doing, instead of pinning....

Devouring tons of watermelon! Nothing says summertime like a nice, fresh, juicy watermelon. We have been eating it so much around these parts, that my little miss is now requesting it for breakfast as well! This morning, I was getting ready to leave for work & she was crying "mama get some watermelon". HA! Love that girl.

Thankful for my beautiful family. This last week has brought us some not so great news. We could use some prayers, hopefully it's nothing to worry about but some medical tests are in order.

Watching Sophia become a full fledged little girl. I feel like I say it constantly but she is learning in leaps and bounds lately. She is repeating everything (not so good sometimes) and discovering new things everyday.

Starting to officially plan, and organize Sophia's party in two weeks, and The H's birthday in a month. Decorations have been ordered, invitations are mailed out & a menu is picked. Hopefully the weather is beautiful and not too hot (or rainy) as both parties will be outside! Fingers crossed!!!


Ok folks, you know the deal. Linking up with Wendy and Randalin - please go check out both of these amazing mama's & sign up!