While Bella spent the day with Grandma Ruth, Ian and I ran errands all day. We left the house around 11am and didn't return home until 6pm. It was a long day, but it was a productive day.
We went to Regions Bank and Bank of America to close out several accounts. We've been meaning to do this for quite some time, but we've never both been available to take care of it during normal business hours. We have been members of a credit union and would like to consolidate our checking and savings accounts. We opened a savings account for Bella, using the money we received when we closed our other accounts. That little girl has a pretty nice chunk of change for only being 18-months-old, what a lucky girl!
We stopped and had lunch at the Italian Kitchen, a favorite restaurant of ours. The food is always delicious and the service is always great. I actually prefer their lunch menu over their dinner menu and we devoured the sandwiches we ordered. It's not that I don't like their dinner menu, it's just that you can't find a decent meatball sub or Italian cold cut sub around here.
Our afternoon consisted of registering for a few items for Bella and baby #2 at Buy Buy Baby. Normally I wouldn't have registered, but Buy Buy Baby offers a 10% completion coupon which can be used on brands not covered by their normal coupons. The double stroller I want is available at Buy Buy Baby and the normal 20% off coupons exclude the Baby Jogger brand. I registered for the stroller and a few other things we need, which turned out to be a lot of fun. There's something about walking around a store with a tagging gun that is such fun. I don't expect nor do I want a baby shower, but family members will ask what we want or need for baby #2 and it will be nice to have a few necessities on a registry for them to buy.
I was planning on getting a pedicure today, so I took Ian with me and we got pedicures. At first, he wasn't too keen on the idea, but once his feet began soaking in the warm water, he was sold! It was fun having Ian there with me and we both left feeling refreshed and relaxed. I'm not sure if Ian will be returning for a pedicure any time soon, but he seemed to enjoy himself today. He said he liked the massage chair and the foot massage he received. Not to mention, his feet look so much better! It's amazing what a little pampering can do to a person's feet!
We went shopping after our pedicures. We headed to Pearle Vision to buy a new pair of sunglasses for Ian. He bought an awesome pair of Oakleys, using our insurance and paid only $85! He had LASIK done several years ago, so he doesn't need prescription sunglasses. It's pretty great that our insurance will still cover a percentage of the frames. We love Pearle Vision and love the service we receive there. The ophthalmologist, Dr. Pierce is awesome and the optometrists are also awesome. I have a feeling we will be patients/customers for years to come. We then went to the mall so I could buy a few pairs of new flip flops with a Groupon a purchased a few months ago. Papa needed a new pair of sunglasses and mama needed a new pair (or two) of shoes.
We had an early dinner at a new Japanese restaurant called "Sakura" in Riverview. They offer an unbeatable happy hour special and since we were Bella-less, we decided to give it a try. It was AWESOME! For $25.95, we each had a crab rangoon appetizer, miso soup, ginger salad and teppanyaki steak with fried rice, noodles and vegetables. The food was plentiful and delicious, and the price was great. We will definitely be going back to "Sakura" in the near future.
Our day was busy, productive and fun. It's very rare that we actually have fun while running errands. Tomorrow Ian is scheduled to get a massage and I plan to sleep in. Being on vacation (while at home) is so relaxing! We will pick up Bella tomorrow afternoon and I can't wait to see that little girl! We spoke with her on the phone several times today and she was so cute! But until then, I'm going to make the most of my toddler-free evening and enjoy some mindless television.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
Halloween is finally fun again! Having a child who can participate in all of the festivities is so much fun. We actually went trick-or-treating this year, which is something neither of us have done in many, many years. Last year, we dressed up Bella as a bumble bee and visited with a few neighbors but we didn't go trick-or-treating. When we were finished visiting our neighbors, we sat in our driveway with Bella and handed out candy. It was a perfect 1st Halloween for Bella
We dressed Bella in her lady bug costume (a.k.a "buggy") and went to Beef O' Brady's for dinner. The restaurant was running a special in that kids in costume ate for free. You can't beat a free meal for your child! We even tried a new location and ended up loving it, which is awesome because this location is much closer to our house. Bella had a blast and enjoyed the attention she received from the waitresses and other customers. And a funny little story, when given the choice between fruit and broccoli, Bella chose broccoli! I love my healthy girl!
After dinner, we headed back home to meet up with some friends of ours. We took pictures and handed out glow sticks, so we'd easily be able to see our kids when it got dark. Those glow sticks came in handy because we were separated from our friends a few times and the glow sticks made it so easy to find them! We live in a pretty large subdivision, but only went around our block. We even hit up the really cool neighbors who have a pop corn machine and a really spooking looking house. Despite not trick-or-treating at all 200 houses in our subdivision and Bella not taking all the candy that was offered, Bella had quite a bag of candy by the time we were finished. And being the mean mother that I am, Bella's candy has been confiscated and will be taken to work by Ian. I guess I'm not that mean of a mother, because I let Bella have a lollipop.
After trick-or-treating, loaded up the car and headed to Grandma Ruth's house. She offered to keep Bella for a few days, so we could get some things accomplished around the house (i.e. organizing and clearing out the bedroom that will be the new nursery). I know it doesn't sound much like a vacation, but it needs to be done and it needs to be done before my dad arrives in 3 weeks. We have an ultrasound scheduled and we should know the gender by then, so my dad will be helping us paint the room! There is such much to be excited and thankful about in November... our big gender reveal, Pop arriving for a 10-day visit and Thanksgiving!
It was a great Halloween to say the least. The weather was fabulous, the company was good and the smile on that little lady bug's face all evening long was priceless! Can't wait until next Halloween, when we will have two little ones to take trick-or-treating! Happy Halloween, y'all!
We dressed Bella in her lady bug costume (a.k.a "buggy") and went to Beef O' Brady's for dinner. The restaurant was running a special in that kids in costume ate for free. You can't beat a free meal for your child! We even tried a new location and ended up loving it, which is awesome because this location is much closer to our house. Bella had a blast and enjoyed the attention she received from the waitresses and other customers. And a funny little story, when given the choice between fruit and broccoli, Bella chose broccoli! I love my healthy girl!
After dinner, we headed back home to meet up with some friends of ours. We took pictures and handed out glow sticks, so we'd easily be able to see our kids when it got dark. Those glow sticks came in handy because we were separated from our friends a few times and the glow sticks made it so easy to find them! We live in a pretty large subdivision, but only went around our block. We even hit up the really cool neighbors who have a pop corn machine and a really spooking looking house. Despite not trick-or-treating at all 200 houses in our subdivision and Bella not taking all the candy that was offered, Bella had quite a bag of candy by the time we were finished. And being the mean mother that I am, Bella's candy has been confiscated and will be taken to work by Ian. I guess I'm not that mean of a mother, because I let Bella have a lollipop.
After trick-or-treating, loaded up the car and headed to Grandma Ruth's house. She offered to keep Bella for a few days, so we could get some things accomplished around the house (i.e. organizing and clearing out the bedroom that will be the new nursery). I know it doesn't sound much like a vacation, but it needs to be done and it needs to be done before my dad arrives in 3 weeks. We have an ultrasound scheduled and we should know the gender by then, so my dad will be helping us paint the room! There is such much to be excited and thankful about in November... our big gender reveal, Pop arriving for a 10-day visit and Thanksgiving!
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| Enjoying dinner before trick-or-treating. |
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| Lady Bug Bella and her friend Reese as Minnie Mouse. |
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| Love this girl! |
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| Bella and her daddy, making their way around the neighborhood. |
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| Bella carried her candy bag the entire time. |
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Cheers to the freakin' weekend!
It's Sunday, but for once, it actually doesn't feel like the end of the weekend! Knowing that Ian is on vacation for the next 2-weeks makes it feel like a super long weekend. There will be plenty of family time and plenty of fun. We have a few things planned, but for the most part, we will be taking it day by day.
This weekend was a busy weekend for us. We joined our friends/neighbors to celebrate their daughter Reese's 2nd birthday. It was a "Yo Gabba Gabba" themed party, complete with a Foofa cake and boom box party favors. Bella had a great time playing with Reese and Aidynn (as usual) and the adults enjoyed conversing while the kids played. It's awesome taking your kid to a friend's house where you know you can let down your guard a little and actually enjoy yourself. Bella plays well with most children, but seems to really get along with Reese and Aidynn. We gave Reese a kid's laptop by V-Tech that she LOVES to play with at our house. When she comes over, she will seriously play with Bella's laptop for 30-45 minutes. The gift was two-fold, in that I knew Reese's parents would appreciate the toy just as much as Reese!
We went to the mall in an attempt to run a few errands, but failed miserably. I forgot my coupons and the leggings I needed to return. We walked around and looked at some maternity cloths (yuck!) for me. I didn't end up getting anything because I thought everything looked hideous and screamed, "I'm pregnant!" I think I'll stick to wearing dresses and the maternity clothes I saved from when I was pregnant with Bella. I hate being so particular, but for something I'm only going to wear for such a short period, it needs to be really cute. We also grabbed dinner at the mall and returned home just in time for our bath, book and bed routine with Bella.
Speaking of pregnancy brain... it has really gotten the best of me, especially recently. I seem to forget everything these days and unless I write it down immediately, I've usually forgotten it within 10-minutes. For example, I thought Bella had her follow-up appointment with the allergist this Tuesday, but learned that her appointment was not until December 1st. Oops! I walk to the kitchen to get a drink of water and often forget what I went into the kitchen for. Duh! Like I mentioned above, we went to the mall yesterday for two specific reasons and I ended up not being able to do either because I had forgotten my coupons and the item I needed to return. And to think, pregnancy brain will be carried over into mommy brain once baby #2 arrives. I think I've forgotten what it's like to remember things! Some day I will have my brain back... just not any time soon.
I have my 16-week appointment with the OB tomorrow. I can't believe I'm almost half-way through this pregnancy. And if this baby knows what's good for him/her, he/she would arrive a week or two early, like Bella. Bella made her debut at 38-weeks and I wouldn't mind if this baby made his/her debut at 38-weeks either. I would be lying if I said it has flown by and been an absolute breeze, because it surely hasn't. The nausea and vomiting still plague me every so often and I'm still waiting for my energy to return. I remember feeling absolutely amazing during the 2nd trimester with Bella! This pregnancy has been so different than my first. I almost wish I didn't have expectations of how I should be feeling. But for what it's worth, I'm so excited to be expecting baby #2 and cannot wait to meet this little dude or dudette.
Well, today has been relaxing and filled with lots of football. By the grace of God, the Ravens managed to win after recovering from a 24-3 deficit. Have I mentioned how much I love the NFL Redzone on Verizon Fios?!? It is awesome! We enjoyed spending time and watching football with our dear friends, Paul and Lisa, today. What a nice way to wind down a busy weekend!
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
This weekend was a busy weekend for us. We joined our friends/neighbors to celebrate their daughter Reese's 2nd birthday. It was a "Yo Gabba Gabba" themed party, complete with a Foofa cake and boom box party favors. Bella had a great time playing with Reese and Aidynn (as usual) and the adults enjoyed conversing while the kids played. It's awesome taking your kid to a friend's house where you know you can let down your guard a little and actually enjoy yourself. Bella plays well with most children, but seems to really get along with Reese and Aidynn. We gave Reese a kid's laptop by V-Tech that she LOVES to play with at our house. When she comes over, she will seriously play with Bella's laptop for 30-45 minutes. The gift was two-fold, in that I knew Reese's parents would appreciate the toy just as much as Reese!
We went to the mall in an attempt to run a few errands, but failed miserably. I forgot my coupons and the leggings I needed to return. We walked around and looked at some maternity cloths (yuck!) for me. I didn't end up getting anything because I thought everything looked hideous and screamed, "I'm pregnant!" I think I'll stick to wearing dresses and the maternity clothes I saved from when I was pregnant with Bella. I hate being so particular, but for something I'm only going to wear for such a short period, it needs to be really cute. We also grabbed dinner at the mall and returned home just in time for our bath, book and bed routine with Bella.
Speaking of pregnancy brain... it has really gotten the best of me, especially recently. I seem to forget everything these days and unless I write it down immediately, I've usually forgotten it within 10-minutes. For example, I thought Bella had her follow-up appointment with the allergist this Tuesday, but learned that her appointment was not until December 1st. Oops! I walk to the kitchen to get a drink of water and often forget what I went into the kitchen for. Duh! Like I mentioned above, we went to the mall yesterday for two specific reasons and I ended up not being able to do either because I had forgotten my coupons and the item I needed to return. And to think, pregnancy brain will be carried over into mommy brain once baby #2 arrives. I think I've forgotten what it's like to remember things! Some day I will have my brain back... just not any time soon.
I have my 16-week appointment with the OB tomorrow. I can't believe I'm almost half-way through this pregnancy. And if this baby knows what's good for him/her, he/she would arrive a week or two early, like Bella. Bella made her debut at 38-weeks and I wouldn't mind if this baby made his/her debut at 38-weeks either. I would be lying if I said it has flown by and been an absolute breeze, because it surely hasn't. The nausea and vomiting still plague me every so often and I'm still waiting for my energy to return. I remember feeling absolutely amazing during the 2nd trimester with Bella! This pregnancy has been so different than my first. I almost wish I didn't have expectations of how I should be feeling. But for what it's worth, I'm so excited to be expecting baby #2 and cannot wait to meet this little dude or dudette.
Well, today has been relaxing and filled with lots of football. By the grace of God, the Ravens managed to win after recovering from a 24-3 deficit. Have I mentioned how much I love the NFL Redzone on Verizon Fios?!? It is awesome! We enjoyed spending time and watching football with our dear friends, Paul and Lisa, today. What a nice way to wind down a busy weekend!
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Friday, October 28, 2011
Making the most of a rainy Friday
It's Friday... woot woot! Bella and I spent the morning with Grandma Ruth at Citrus Park Mall. We had an appointment at a photography studio for a reshoot of Bella's 18-month pictures. Grandma Ruth wasn't satisfied with how the first set turned out, so she demanded a reshoot. Bella was definitely not in the mood for modeling, but still took some pretty cute pictures.
We left Grandma Ruth after lunch and headed back to our side of town. Bella fell asleep on the ride home and so I ran a few errands while she was asleep in the car. I ran to the bank and got gas while she slept and she ended up sleeping for a little over an hour. I was bummed that I knew her normal 3-hour nap would not happen because I was in desperate need of a nap myself.
When we got home, it was still raining so we headed outside to play in the rain. Bella loves playing in the rain so when the weather permits (i.e. no lightning) we try to go outside. I strip her down to nothing but a diaper (which is doable in Florida). She giggles as she jumps in puddles and squeals as rain falls on her. It's adorable. We had a fun, rainy afternoon on our lanai (a patio/verandah/porch for all you non-Floridians) and I even took a few pictures.
We had a blast and kept ourselves entertained until Ian returned home from work. This weekend marks the beginning of Ian's vacation!!! I am so excited he is finally able to take some time off from work to spend with us. We've missed having daddy around and we're looking forward to some fun day trips as a family. Hopefully Ian doesn't have to work too much (or at all) during his vacation, but unfortunately his job is pretty demanding so I'm sure he'll have to do some work. It's better than no vacation at all! Happy weekend y'all!
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
We left Grandma Ruth after lunch and headed back to our side of town. Bella fell asleep on the ride home and so I ran a few errands while she was asleep in the car. I ran to the bank and got gas while she slept and she ended up sleeping for a little over an hour. I was bummed that I knew her normal 3-hour nap would not happen because I was in desperate need of a nap myself.
When we got home, it was still raining so we headed outside to play in the rain. Bella loves playing in the rain so when the weather permits (i.e. no lightning) we try to go outside. I strip her down to nothing but a diaper (which is doable in Florida). She giggles as she jumps in puddles and squeals as rain falls on her. It's adorable. We had a fun, rainy afternoon on our lanai (a patio/verandah/porch for all you non-Floridians) and I even took a few pictures.
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| A close up of my little cutie. |
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| Sitting in a puddle is such fun! |
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| Examining a puddle. |
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| Getting up after a face plant... my poor girl! |
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Halloween Play Date
Bella and I have been participating in a weekly play group with a small group of friends. We have 10 (well, I guess now 11 with the birth of little Tanner on Monday) kids and 10 moms. Most of the time we have about 8, due to two moms returning to work. t's a small enough group that we've gotten really close over the past year. Bella knows her little friends and she enjoys playing with them. I enjoy chatting with the moms and having adult conversations... even if it's intermixed with conversations with toddlers. We meet each Thursday, around the same time and we rotate the hosting responsibilities. If no one is in the mood to host, we sometimes even meet at the zoo or aquarium. I like knowing that one day a week we meet with our friends and play for a few hours.
This week was our turn to host and so I hosted a Halloween themed play date. I made treat bags for each of the kids and personalized a mini-pumpkin for each kid. The kids even dressed up in their Halloween costumes, which was super cute. We managed to take a few pictures, which is a rarity for a group of 18-month-olds.
Last year Bella dressed up as a bumble bee and this year we decided to stick with the bug theme and Bella dressed up as a lady bug. She refers to herself as "Buggy" when in costume and actually enjoyed wearing the dress, tights and shoes. She did not enjoy wearing the antennae, but I cannot blame her. I tried to take her out of her costume several times and she refused. By the way... how cute is she?!?
This week was our turn to host and so I hosted a Halloween themed play date. I made treat bags for each of the kids and personalized a mini-pumpkin for each kid. The kids even dressed up in their Halloween costumes, which was super cute. We managed to take a few pictures, which is a rarity for a group of 18-month-olds.
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| Bella, Logan, Gia, Layla, Luke, Connor and Lily. |
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| Uh oh, and the melt downs begin... |
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| My little lady bug. |
It was a fun play date (as usual) and it wore my little lady bug out, as she took a marathon 4-hour nap! I also napped, but only took a little power nap for an hour. I really do think I enjoy nap time more so than Bella. What am I going to do in April, with two on two different schedules?!? I better rest up now because come April, I am going to be one tired mama... but the sleep deprivation is definitely worth it though!
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
P.S. Our play group is growing, slowly but surely. My friend Sarah H. gave birth to a daughter, Tanner Lillian, on Monday. I am expecting, as are 3 (yes, 3!) other moms in the group. I'm due first, with another due a week after me, another due 2-weeks after me and another due a month after me! It's crazy to think that our group of 10 has recently grown to 11 and in another 7-months will grow to 15 little ones!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Favors
Do any of you have a difficult time telling people, "no"? I certainly do and always find myself telling people "yes." But you know what? My days of being a "yes" woman are over. I am finally putting my foot down and I have resolved to tell people "no." In fact, I've been practicing saying "no" and I will only get more confident with time.
We all have different types of friends... we keep different types of friends around for various reasons, but the one type of friend we should rid ourselves of is "the taker." We all have friends like this and for one reason or another, we put up with their selfish behavior. I have a friend (or two) who are takers. I bend over backwards for these people time and time again, but it never seems good enough! Even when I try to say "no" I end up feeling guilty and eventually say "yes." It's almost like an abusive relationship and I keep coming back for more... over and over again.
This past weekend, I think I said "yes" to a friend for the last time. I'm tired of being taken advantage and it's time I stood up for myself. I don't mind doing favors for people and I enjoy helping people, it's just that I cannot continue to put my life on hold for other people. And I wouldn't mind so much if the times when I attempted to say "no" I wasn't always guilted into saying "yes."
Doing favors for people is similar to feeding a stray cat... if you feed a stray cat once, they'll keep coming back for more. The same can be said about doing favors for people... if you do a favor for someone once, they'll keep coming back for more.
The kitchen is closed... the fat lady has sung... the "yes" train has left the station. I've resolved to learn to say "no" to people and feel confident in my answer. Enough is enough and I refuse to allow myself to be taken advantage of from this moment on.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
P.S. If you need a favor, please don't hesitate to ask. You probably haven't taken advantage of me yet... hehe! =)
We all have different types of friends... we keep different types of friends around for various reasons, but the one type of friend we should rid ourselves of is "the taker." We all have friends like this and for one reason or another, we put up with their selfish behavior. I have a friend (or two) who are takers. I bend over backwards for these people time and time again, but it never seems good enough! Even when I try to say "no" I end up feeling guilty and eventually say "yes." It's almost like an abusive relationship and I keep coming back for more... over and over again.
This past weekend, I think I said "yes" to a friend for the last time. I'm tired of being taken advantage and it's time I stood up for myself. I don't mind doing favors for people and I enjoy helping people, it's just that I cannot continue to put my life on hold for other people. And I wouldn't mind so much if the times when I attempted to say "no" I wasn't always guilted into saying "yes."
Doing favors for people is similar to feeding a stray cat... if you feed a stray cat once, they'll keep coming back for more. The same can be said about doing favors for people... if you do a favor for someone once, they'll keep coming back for more.
The kitchen is closed... the fat lady has sung... the "yes" train has left the station. I've resolved to learn to say "no" to people and feel confident in my answer. Enough is enough and I refuse to allow myself to be taken advantage of from this moment on.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
P.S. If you need a favor, please don't hesitate to ask. You probably haven't taken advantage of me yet... hehe! =)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
"Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same..."
Have you ever been put in a position where you had to do something that was extremely difficult, but you had to do it, because it was the right thing to do?
Today I was put in such a position and struggled to make the right decision. The who, what, where, why and when are not important. And regardless of the all the details, I was forced to choose between a friend and an acquaintance. Initially, I chose the acquaintance because it was the easiest thing to do. I immediately questioned my decision because something did not feel right and my heart felt very heavy. After several minutes, a brief discussion with Ian and a very insightful text message, I quickly realized what I had done was not right. Rather than live with my initial decision, I worked just as quickly to remedy the situation.
As soon as I completed my necessary phone calls, I immediately felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I knew I had done the right thing and I felt confident in my decision... even if it wasn't my initial decision. I had done the right thing, which was also the hardest thing and I was okay with that.
It's not always easy to do the right thing, especially when it's difficult. I am so thankful that I had the conscious and confidence to right my wrong. It wasn't easy and it definitely wasn't pretty, but in the end, it felt right. I don't know what got into me, but I'm sure glad I was able to right my wrong.
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same... but it's up to us as human beings to do what is right, even when it's difficult.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Today I was put in such a position and struggled to make the right decision. The who, what, where, why and when are not important. And regardless of the all the details, I was forced to choose between a friend and an acquaintance. Initially, I chose the acquaintance because it was the easiest thing to do. I immediately questioned my decision because something did not feel right and my heart felt very heavy. After several minutes, a brief discussion with Ian and a very insightful text message, I quickly realized what I had done was not right. Rather than live with my initial decision, I worked just as quickly to remedy the situation.
As soon as I completed my necessary phone calls, I immediately felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I knew I had done the right thing and I felt confident in my decision... even if it wasn't my initial decision. I had done the right thing, which was also the hardest thing and I was okay with that.
It's not always easy to do the right thing, especially when it's difficult. I am so thankful that I had the conscious and confidence to right my wrong. It wasn't easy and it definitely wasn't pretty, but in the end, it felt right. I don't know what got into me, but I'm sure glad I was able to right my wrong.
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same... but it's up to us as human beings to do what is right, even when it's difficult.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Friday, October 21, 2011
Some well-deserved R&R!
Bella and I had a VERY busy day yesterday. So today, while Bella is with Grandma Ruth, I am going to relax! Unfortunately, I have a house that needs to be cleaned, laundry that needs to be put away and a huge pile of mail that needs to organized. Why is there always so much to do when you return from being out of town?!?
Our day started with Bella's first dentist appointment. The child as all of her teeth, with the exception of her second molars. The dentist said we should be expecting those any time between now and the age of 3. She also said that Bella is advanced for her age in terms of teeth so we should expect to see those molars sooner rather than later. I asked the dentist if we were crazy for bringing our 18-month-old to the dentist and she was adamant that it was a great thing to do. She said early exposure to the dentist will help alleviate the fear associated with going to the dentist for children. Bella was a trooper and allowed the dentist to do everything she needed to do, which included an oral exam, a little scaling, a thorough brushing, a quick flossing and fluoride application. We just need to improve our brushing efforts and pay more attention to Bella's gums. Other than that, Bella's teeth are just great and we'll take her back in 6-months.
On a side note... I arrived at the dentist 15 minutes prior to our appointment to ensure the front desk could get Bella into the system and process our insurance. So much for arriving early because we waited for a long time. Our appointment was at 10am and we didn't get called to go back until almost 10:30am! I was on the verge of walking out when we were called to go back. Luckily the dental technicians and the dentist were amazing and Bella's first dental exam was a success. She received a new pink toothbrush, toothpaste and she was able to select a toy out of the treasure chest. They were so lucky the actual exam went so well because I never would have returned to that office. I just know for next time, not to show up early for an appointment.
We then drove to Apollo Beach for a play date at Stephanie and Connor's house. It was our usual Thursday play date and I was really looking forward to it. We haven't been able to attend a play date in almost a month because of doctors appointments and our travel schedule. Bella must have missed all of her little friends because she quickly began playing and talking with everyone. I must have missed all of my friends because I was so chatty! I had so much to catch up on with everyone and I think I talked pretty much the entire time we were there. I guess that's what happens when you don't see your friends for a few weeks! Next week Bella and I will be hosting a Halloween themed play date and we're really looking forward to it.
After the play date, we hit the road and headed to West Chase. I had been selected to participate in a diaper survey at Heakin Research at Citrus Park Mall, so that was our first stop. Fortunately, the 45-minute drive allowed more than enough time for Bella to catch up on some sleep. Too bad, I couldn't have napped because I was exhausted! After her nap, Bella was in a great mood and enjoyed walking around the mall for awhile. After picking up the diapers, we had some time to kill before we met Grandma Ruth. We walked around the mall and then headed to Grandma Ruth's house. Silly me forgot the keys to Grandma Ruth's house so we waited for a few minutes in her driveway. I caught up with Grandma Ruth and then headed out. A long day of running around made for one tired mama!
Since we were Bella-less, Ian and I went out for dinner. We wanted to go somewhere we haven't been in awhile, so we went to the Italian Kitchen on 301. Obviously we won't be bringing Bella to an Italian restaurants any time soon, so we made the most of our dinner with delicious Italian food. We ordered a caprese salad and it was probably the best I've ever had! In fact, everything was really good... and I can't wait to go back.
Well, I'm going to finish watching the Today Show and bum around the house this morning. On a positive note, I found a (normal) buyer for my steam mop and I'm supposed to meet her late this morning. At least that's productive, right?
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Our day started with Bella's first dentist appointment. The child as all of her teeth, with the exception of her second molars. The dentist said we should be expecting those any time between now and the age of 3. She also said that Bella is advanced for her age in terms of teeth so we should expect to see those molars sooner rather than later. I asked the dentist if we were crazy for bringing our 18-month-old to the dentist and she was adamant that it was a great thing to do. She said early exposure to the dentist will help alleviate the fear associated with going to the dentist for children. Bella was a trooper and allowed the dentist to do everything she needed to do, which included an oral exam, a little scaling, a thorough brushing, a quick flossing and fluoride application. We just need to improve our brushing efforts and pay more attention to Bella's gums. Other than that, Bella's teeth are just great and we'll take her back in 6-months.
On a side note... I arrived at the dentist 15 minutes prior to our appointment to ensure the front desk could get Bella into the system and process our insurance. So much for arriving early because we waited for a long time. Our appointment was at 10am and we didn't get called to go back until almost 10:30am! I was on the verge of walking out when we were called to go back. Luckily the dental technicians and the dentist were amazing and Bella's first dental exam was a success. She received a new pink toothbrush, toothpaste and she was able to select a toy out of the treasure chest. They were so lucky the actual exam went so well because I never would have returned to that office. I just know for next time, not to show up early for an appointment.
We then drove to Apollo Beach for a play date at Stephanie and Connor's house. It was our usual Thursday play date and I was really looking forward to it. We haven't been able to attend a play date in almost a month because of doctors appointments and our travel schedule. Bella must have missed all of her little friends because she quickly began playing and talking with everyone. I must have missed all of my friends because I was so chatty! I had so much to catch up on with everyone and I think I talked pretty much the entire time we were there. I guess that's what happens when you don't see your friends for a few weeks! Next week Bella and I will be hosting a Halloween themed play date and we're really looking forward to it.
After the play date, we hit the road and headed to West Chase. I had been selected to participate in a diaper survey at Heakin Research at Citrus Park Mall, so that was our first stop. Fortunately, the 45-minute drive allowed more than enough time for Bella to catch up on some sleep. Too bad, I couldn't have napped because I was exhausted! After her nap, Bella was in a great mood and enjoyed walking around the mall for awhile. After picking up the diapers, we had some time to kill before we met Grandma Ruth. We walked around the mall and then headed to Grandma Ruth's house. Silly me forgot the keys to Grandma Ruth's house so we waited for a few minutes in her driveway. I caught up with Grandma Ruth and then headed out. A long day of running around made for one tired mama!
Since we were Bella-less, Ian and I went out for dinner. We wanted to go somewhere we haven't been in awhile, so we went to the Italian Kitchen on 301. Obviously we won't be bringing Bella to an Italian restaurants any time soon, so we made the most of our dinner with delicious Italian food. We ordered a caprese salad and it was probably the best I've ever had! In fact, everything was really good... and I can't wait to go back.
Well, I'm going to finish watching the Today Show and bum around the house this morning. On a positive note, I found a (normal) buyer for my steam mop and I'm supposed to meet her late this morning. At least that's productive, right?
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Thursday, October 20, 2011
2nd Trimester... time to start planning!
I've reached the 2nd trimester (woo hoo!) and the weeks seem to be flying by. I'm beginning to feel so much better and I hope this feeling continues! For me, the 2nd trimester goes by the quickest. When I was pregnant with Bella, I felt great and I accomplished so much during this time. That being said, my nesting instincts are kicking in and I'm beginning to plan.
We don't know whether or not Bella will have a little brother or a little sister just yet, but we will hopefully know in less than 4-weeks. We've opted to have an elective ultrasound at Meet the Baby once I'm 18-weeks. I know, we could wait 2 more weeks and simply find out the gender at the 20-week anatomy scan, but what's the fun in that? I've never been a patient person, but more importantly, my dad will be in down for 10-days in November and I'd like to have the new nursery painted while he's here. And so the planning begins...
We ordered the furniture and most of it has been delivered. It was on sale, so we couldn't resist. The furniture really sets the tone for the room. I momentarily considered white furniture, but opted for classic cherry furniture. In fact, the only difference between Bella's furniture and the new furniture is the finish and the dresser. Bella's furniture is chestnut and she has an armoire. The new nursery furniture is cherry and will have a dresser. We purchased a 4-in-1 crib, so the cribs will convert from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a day bed and to a full size bed. I love the fact that we purchased such great furniture and it can grow with the kids.
I've even begun to narrow down the bedding options. If Baby #2 is a girl, I'm partial to the Scarlett bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. If Baby #2 is a boy, I'm partial to the Bradley bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. Either bedding will go with the cherry furniture and can be used for the toddler years. In fact, it kind of makes me want to re-do Bella's room, but I think we'll cross that bridge once we transition her into a toddler bed (and we are by no means ready for this). I love PBK and all the super cute stuff they make for kids.
I just need to figure out what color to paint the new nursery, which will be decided once the gender is determined. I'm thinking a cream or khaki for a little girl's to set a neutral background for the dark furniture and pink bedding. And I'm thinking a light blue or khaki for a little boy's room would work well with the bedding I'm considering. Either way, the room isn't going to be painted a bold color, like Bella's room. I think a more neutral color palette will accent the dark cherry furniture and light, neutral bedding with either pink or blue accents will look adorable.
Oh, all this planning gets me so excited about my pregnancy. Nesting is so much fun and I can't wait to really get started. Only 25.5 weeks to go! Oh wow... time is really starting to fly! By the way, I was discussing baby names with some girl friends today, but we have absolutely no idea what we're going to name this baby! We definitely have some wonderful options, but we haven't narrowed our list down to any less than 20 or so names per gender. All of this planning really makes me excited to meet Baby #2!
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
We don't know whether or not Bella will have a little brother or a little sister just yet, but we will hopefully know in less than 4-weeks. We've opted to have an elective ultrasound at Meet the Baby once I'm 18-weeks. I know, we could wait 2 more weeks and simply find out the gender at the 20-week anatomy scan, but what's the fun in that? I've never been a patient person, but more importantly, my dad will be in down for 10-days in November and I'd like to have the new nursery painted while he's here. And so the planning begins...
We ordered the furniture and most of it has been delivered. It was on sale, so we couldn't resist. The furniture really sets the tone for the room. I momentarily considered white furniture, but opted for classic cherry furniture. In fact, the only difference between Bella's furniture and the new furniture is the finish and the dresser. Bella's furniture is chestnut and she has an armoire. The new nursery furniture is cherry and will have a dresser. We purchased a 4-in-1 crib, so the cribs will convert from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a day bed and to a full size bed. I love the fact that we purchased such great furniture and it can grow with the kids.
I've even begun to narrow down the bedding options. If Baby #2 is a girl, I'm partial to the Scarlett bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. If Baby #2 is a boy, I'm partial to the Bradley bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. Either bedding will go with the cherry furniture and can be used for the toddler years. In fact, it kind of makes me want to re-do Bella's room, but I think we'll cross that bridge once we transition her into a toddler bed (and we are by no means ready for this). I love PBK and all the super cute stuff they make for kids.
I just need to figure out what color to paint the new nursery, which will be decided once the gender is determined. I'm thinking a cream or khaki for a little girl's to set a neutral background for the dark furniture and pink bedding. And I'm thinking a light blue or khaki for a little boy's room would work well with the bedding I'm considering. Either way, the room isn't going to be painted a bold color, like Bella's room. I think a more neutral color palette will accent the dark cherry furniture and light, neutral bedding with either pink or blue accents will look adorable.
Oh, all this planning gets me so excited about my pregnancy. Nesting is so much fun and I can't wait to really get started. Only 25.5 weeks to go! Oh wow... time is really starting to fly! By the way, I was discussing baby names with some girl friends today, but we have absolutely no idea what we're going to name this baby! We definitely have some wonderful options, but we haven't narrowed our list down to any less than 20 or so names per gender. All of this planning really makes me excited to meet Baby #2!
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Baby #2
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The NEW iPhone 4S
I am a technology junkie. I love having the latest and greatest new gadgets and especially love things that make my life easier. One of the things that has made my life easier is my iPhone. I've had an iPhone for over two years and I can't imagine life without it. It's manages everything, my calendar, email, text messages, phone calls, music, social networks and pictures. I carry one device and it does everything. I love that.
After a much anticipated wait, I waited patiently for the new iPhone to be introduced. The iPhone 4S was introduced the day before Apple founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, passed away. It was truly bittersweet, especially for an Apple fanatic, like me. So, after waiting... waiting... and waiting some more, I finally have an iPhone 4S in my hands!
I went to my local Apple Store because that's the only way to purchase any Apple product. The authorized retailers (i.e. Best Buy or AT&T) just don't have the customer service that Apple offers. Apple will set up your new iPhone (or whatever you purchased) and answer any questions you have. The staff is very knowledgable and you can't find that kind of service at just any store. I was not alone in my quest for the new iPhone and so I waited for a bit. While I waited, I played with the new iPhone and even made my final decision as to which iPhone to get. I decided to get the iPhone 32GB in white. I upgraded from my old 16GB iPhone and I've never owned a white phone before. So why not?
I'm excited about the upgraded camera (with a flash and HD video), faster processor and the new Siri assistant. The better camera will mean better quality pictures and I will be more likely to take more pictures. The faster processor makes my life easier because there isn't a delay in the loading of applications and other basic functions. And Siri... oh, where do I begin? It's like having a personal assistant in my phone. I can talk and text, I can talk and surf the internet, I can basically talk and the phone will do whatever I need it to do. It's pretty cool. I'm also excited about Facetime, but that's not new to the iPhone 4S, but it's new to me!
I also purchased AppleCare+ which will cover my phone from defects and accidents (only 2 accidents) for two full years. It also gets me free sessions with the Genius Bar, which is basically an in-person help desk. I can make an appointment to learn about my new phone or get assistance with figuring out a new application. The additional accident coverage is a necessity when you have an 18-month-old. Hopefully I won't have to make a claim, but it's nice to know that the phone will be covered if an accident does occur.
So I'd better go sync my contacts, music, pictures and everything else I used to carry on my old iPhone so I can feel more at home with my new iPhone. I also need to order a case from Otterbox to protect my investment. Otterbox makes some great products that really protect your valuable electronics. Until I get my Otterbox case, I bought a temporary case to do the job. Let's hope it holds up for the next week or so!
I know it sounds so silly to be so excited over a damn phone but this is something I rely on every day. This phone will probably take Baby #2's first picture, provide hours of entertainment for my children and keep me connected to my family and friends. Be on the look out for new pictures, courtesy of my new iPhone! If Bella were awake, I'd take her picture and post it, but she's napping. I guess that will just have to wait.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella and Baby #2
After a much anticipated wait, I waited patiently for the new iPhone to be introduced. The iPhone 4S was introduced the day before Apple founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, passed away. It was truly bittersweet, especially for an Apple fanatic, like me. So, after waiting... waiting... and waiting some more, I finally have an iPhone 4S in my hands!
I went to my local Apple Store because that's the only way to purchase any Apple product. The authorized retailers (i.e. Best Buy or AT&T) just don't have the customer service that Apple offers. Apple will set up your new iPhone (or whatever you purchased) and answer any questions you have. The staff is very knowledgable and you can't find that kind of service at just any store. I was not alone in my quest for the new iPhone and so I waited for a bit. While I waited, I played with the new iPhone and even made my final decision as to which iPhone to get. I decided to get the iPhone 32GB in white. I upgraded from my old 16GB iPhone and I've never owned a white phone before. So why not?
I'm excited about the upgraded camera (with a flash and HD video), faster processor and the new Siri assistant. The better camera will mean better quality pictures and I will be more likely to take more pictures. The faster processor makes my life easier because there isn't a delay in the loading of applications and other basic functions. And Siri... oh, where do I begin? It's like having a personal assistant in my phone. I can talk and text, I can talk and surf the internet, I can basically talk and the phone will do whatever I need it to do. It's pretty cool. I'm also excited about Facetime, but that's not new to the iPhone 4S, but it's new to me!
I also purchased AppleCare+ which will cover my phone from defects and accidents (only 2 accidents) for two full years. It also gets me free sessions with the Genius Bar, which is basically an in-person help desk. I can make an appointment to learn about my new phone or get assistance with figuring out a new application. The additional accident coverage is a necessity when you have an 18-month-old. Hopefully I won't have to make a claim, but it's nice to know that the phone will be covered if an accident does occur.
So I'd better go sync my contacts, music, pictures and everything else I used to carry on my old iPhone so I can feel more at home with my new iPhone. I also need to order a case from Otterbox to protect my investment. Otterbox makes some great products that really protect your valuable electronics. Until I get my Otterbox case, I bought a temporary case to do the job. Let's hope it holds up for the next week or so!
I know it sounds so silly to be so excited over a damn phone but this is something I rely on every day. This phone will probably take Baby #2's first picture, provide hours of entertainment for my children and keep me connected to my family and friends. Be on the look out for new pictures, courtesy of my new iPhone! If Bella were awake, I'd take her picture and post it, but she's napping. I guess that will just have to wait.
Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella and Baby #2
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