No more "2 under 2"

Well, its official....as of Saturday, I no longer have "2 under 2" My baby boy, has grown up into a little boy!! Its so amazing to watch his daily discoveries, and he surely keeps me on my toes!

I think I was more emotional for this birthday, then his first. At his first birthday, he still looked like a baby....he still talked like a baby...and he still walked like a baby. Now, I look at him, and I see this little boy, no longer a baby! He's got this "big boy look" and an even bigger "big boy attitude"!

I know that the next year is going to bring so many more wonderful memories, that I will cherish forever. He will continue to learn, and grow, and amaze me every day. But I long for the nights he slept on my chest after I nursed him to sleep. Now his bedtime routine consists of me giving him a kiss, and him saying "Love you. Niiiiiiiiiiight" and if I linger a little too long after that, a very drawn out "Byyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeee"

He's still my little cuddle bug though, and it just warms my heart when he comes up and lays his head on my lap, or plants a big kiss on me out of the blue. He's also really started becoming a sweet big brother. He loves to bring his "Nena" toys, and has finally grasped the concept of "share" The other day they were both sitting on the living room floor, when Jadon pulled of Angelina's sock, grabbed her toe and said "Ittle Piggy....wewewewe HOME"

I look forward each day, to see what he will learn, and how he will grow. And no matter how big he gets, he will always be my little "Jadon Bug"

The official "sprout" of BabyBlooms - GIVEAWAY

So with the loads of free time I have on my hands (not) I've decided to start an online venture selling baby/little girls hairclips. It actually started with my own obsession over my daughter's hair-clips, and after playing around with the idea of making her hairclips myself, I found that I actually enjoyed it, so much so that I sit here looking at the 100+ hairclips I've made with my Sister-on-law!!

And thus began the "sprout" of our online store - "BabyBlooms"

Each hairclip is handmade and covered with soft ribbon so its delicate on your baby's head. The clips range in sizes, from 2 inches, to 5 inches, and a wide array of colors, so you can find one to match any outfit! Clips are priced $3 for individual clips, or 4 for $10 and 10 for $20

I also sell mini clips $4 for a pair

Shipping is a flat $1 per order, regardless of how many clips you order!!

I also make hairclip holders -- The perfect way to organize and display all of your BabyBlooms! Hairclip holders are customized with your child's name, and your choice of colors for only $20 with a flat $5 shipping rate.

Here's a link to the etsy store -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7981788

So to kick off the official "sprout" of BabyBlooms, I am giving away one flower clip (your choice) to two lucky winners!

Here's how to enter :

1) You MUST be a follower of this blog
2) Leave a comment below of your favorite flower (1 entry)
3) Blog about this give away on your blog (1 additional entry, must provide link)
4) Tweet about this give away or post a link on your facebook status (1 additional entry , must provide link)
5) Entry deadline - Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 11:59pm

Good luck!!

**I'm still in the process of listing items to the store, so if you would like to see the full collection of clips, click the link below.

http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll189/deenahmarie/Hairbows/

A few good friends

My mother always told me that if you could count all your friends on one hand, then you were in good shape...that it was better to have a one or two really close friends, than a a few good friends...well I must say that I certainly lucked out in that department....I don't have a "few good friends"...I have about 40 really great ones!!

Three years ago, during a very difficult time in my life, I met a group of women through an online support group. These women and I shared an instant bond, as well had all just experienced a terrible loss. The loss of a baby. We swapped stories, shed tears, and offered each other virtual support.

As the time passed, and we grew to know each other more and more. When one of us became pregnant, we were all there to congratulate each other, and share our fears of our new pregnancies. We were with each other every step of the way, and celebrated through the births of our babies.

We are a very diverse group, but through this common bond, our friendships grew so strong. Whenever something happens in my life, whether it be good or bad, happy or sad..I think "I have to tell the girls"

A few of us have even been fortunate enough to meet in real life -- and let me tell you, I have never met someone for the first time, and felt like I have known them all my life, until then. I can talk to these girls about anything without judgement, and know that I have their love and support.

So on the anniversary of the tragic circumstances that brought us all together, I can't help but be grateful for the wonderful friendships I gained.

Happy Angelversary!

The Power of *innocent* Prayers

If you've ever doubted the power of prayers, then you must read this story. It proves that the innocence of a child, combined with the powers of prayers, can work miracles, and touch the hearts of many....

A few months ago, my bestfriend's little brother (Tippy) was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He was traveling down a busy street, when an unexperienced driver pulled out right in front of his motorcycle. Tippy was critically injured and rushed to the ICU of our local hospital. He suffered a broken arm, a broken leg, and bleeding and swelling of the brain.

During this time, family a friends gathered together to pray for Tippy and the safe outcome of his inuries. The extent of his injuries were severe, and the outcome was grim, but through it all, we remained hopeful.

My friend (Brandi) also had the daunting task of telling her 4 year old son, Damion, that his beloved Uncle was in the hurt and in the hospital. She explained it to him the best she knew how, and told him that the Doctors were going to do everything to make him better. Damion looks at his mommy and said with such vindication "Jesus is going to make Uncle Tippy better!!" "Thats right she said, so we should pray to Jesus and ask him to help make Uncle Tippy better"

The next morning when she dropped Damion off at school his class was already sitting in a circle getting ready to do their morning prayer. She asked the teacher if she could join in on the paryer this morning, and if they could all pray for Tippy. So little heads bowed and tiny hands clasped together, as they all prayed for Tippy.

With tears in her eyes, Brandi left the classroom and headed to the hospital to be with her family as they awaited news from the Doctors about Tippy. As she reached the ICU floor, she saw his Doctor walking into their family waiting room with an update. It was a miracle - The bleeding had completely stopped and the swelling was reducing!!! They were all so over joyed that it looked like Tippy was going to make it, and Brandi couldnt help but smile thinking of all those tiny hands, praying in a BIG way!

Tippy did end up making a full recovery, against all odds.

Fast forward to just last night. Brandi's Nana, has been fighting a loosing battle with cancer. It was just a matter of time before she let go and went home to be with Our Father. Brandi was tucking Damion into bed, and telling him that Nana was going to be going to Heaven soon, and that we needed to pray for her. Again his little hand bowed, and his tiny hands clasped, and he prayed to God to bring his Nana home to heaven and take good care of her.

Nana died peacefully that night.

Goodbye Summer Days...Hello School Days...

So we are winding down our last week before school starts on Monday. I swear summer was only about 2.5 seconds long! The kids are anxious to get back...I'm anxious to have groceries in my pantry longer than 5 minutes! Although not so excited about the 6am wake ups! Also, I know Jadon will miss his big brother and big sister - He's really been enjoying having all day long to torment them ;) haha

Alexa is gearing up for her last year in Elementary School! I can't believe that she is a 5th grader already! It seems like just yesterday that I dressed her in a purple Bratz outfit, braided her hair, and drove her to he first day of Kindergarten~! She was so cute, wanting me to walk her to class every day and show me all of her projects. She hasn't changed one bit though. She asked me the other day if I was walking her to class this year ;)

JJ is another story though. He's going into 2nd grade this year, and looking forward to counting money and cursive writing! I think it was the 2nd or 3rd day of Kindergarten when I got out to walk with him and he said "I know where it is" and took off running for class. Typical boy, right? He's also the class clown. He's promised this year to try and focus more on his school work, and less on trying to make his classmates laugh. ;)

So we have big plans this weekend to celebrate the end of summer. School supplies shopping on Saturday, and the pool on Sunday (and an early bedtime) I'll let you know how that one works out -hahaha. Hopefully we will all wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed on Monday morning, ready to start another exciting school year!!

Wish us luck!

Family Picture Day ---what goes on BEHIND the scenes

Ever see those pictures in the magazines of the happily smiling family, with 2.5 kids, all looking perfectly at the camera....Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes, BEFORE the photographer snaps that pose? If its anything like my family picture experience, then they deserve a medal!

I remember before my son could walk, or run for that matter. We would sit him down in front of the backdrop, and he would STAY. And all we would have to do is make a few funny noises, or wave a few toys in front of him and his face would light up with the biggest smile, and snap, snap, snap - Perfect Pictures!

Nowadays, my picture experience requires a bit more finesse, and some restraining devices! (just kidding about the restraining devices...although I might need to remember that for future reference!) All I could think about while my son was running through the studio shrieking as I chased after him was "OMG --- I'm one of THOSE mothers!" You know, the mothers who get the sympathetic looks from passing strangers, and the whipered "Glad that's not MY kid..."

But in the end, when you see all of our smiling faces looking perfectly at the camera, it makes it all worth it. And besides, its not like they took pictures of what went on, behind the scenes! ;)

Cakes, and Cookies, and Tutu's....OH MY!

So not too long ago I started experimenting with cake decorating, and aside from finding it a lot of fun, I actually found myself pretty good at it! So naturally, when my bestfriend's daughter's first birthday was approaching, I volunteered to make her cake! My bff decided to do a "tutu" theme for the party, complete with


a custom made tutu for the birthday girl.
The idea's really started flowing from there!! My bff was on the hunt for the "perfect" birthday shirt for her daughter to wear with the tutu. After searching many stores, and coming up empty handed, I said to her "Why don't we just MAKE her a birthday shirt" I decided on a fiting number "1". But wait....she's wearing a tutu...so how cute would it be if the number "1" wore a tutu too!


We also decided that in additon to the cake, we should make number "1" sugar cookies and individually package them for favors. We baked and frosted 40 cookies, half white with a pink border, and half pink with a white border, and individually packaged each of them with a note attached ...

'No "1" could have made my birthday any sweeter! ♥ Bailey Jo'



But wait...there's more! We're forgeting about our original project....THE CAKE! Ok, so obviously the creative juices are flowing. We already decided that we wanted to do a number "1" out of fondant....but how to decorate it?! And what to do with all that extra tule we have left over?! Why put it around the cake, of course!

And what first birthday would be complete with out a very own smash cake for the birthday girl?
All in all, we were very pleased how everything turned out! It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun with a very good friend!! We've already started planning out the next "cake party" for Jadon's birthday in Sept!

A look at everything....

Busy as a Bee

Wow~ The last few weeks have been an absolute whirl wind! I thought having 4 kids was a lot of work, but SIX kids - now they can give me a run for my money! Now that I finally have a chance to sit down and catch my breath, I thought I'd give you all an update :)

July 17th we got our two week vacation with my step-kids, Alexa and JJ. My niece and nephew came down from NJ to spend the summer with us. So my household consisted of two 10 year old girls, 6 and 7 year old boys, plus Jadon - 22 mos, and Angelina - 6mos. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun!! I don't know how people manage with that many kids on a permanent basis though! I'm sure with anything, you end up finding a routine and a system that works for your family, and we did make do for the time I had all of them. I will tell you though, the saying is true - A full house makes a full heart!

We jam packed the time we had with lots of trips to the beach and the pool, visits to the park, family movie nights, and lots of laughs! The kids made a lot of great memories with their "favorite cousins" and we were all sad to see them head back to NJ.

Now its back to reality. I'm sitting here enjoying the last moments of my "mini-vacation" , smiling while I listen to my kids playing together in the other room, and dreading getting up for work tomorrow!

Being a working mom has its perks though. Sure I miss my kids like crazy when I'm not with them -- But I know they are in good hands! (My husband works nights, so the kids stay with him during the day while I am at work) And I must say, I truly enjoy my "quiet time" in the mornings while I drive to work and sip my coffee (I say sip, but I should say "wear", since I do end up wearing some of it most days!) And a little "adult" conversation is always nice (not having to count to three to get your point across!) Not to mention a few hours with no diaper duty!! But nothing beats the smile on my sons face when he comes running up to greet me after a long days work! :)

6 months ago....

I swear it was just yesterday I was sitting in labor and delivery watching our president's inauguration on CNN as I anxiously awaited to meet my baby girl - And now, in the blink or an eye, its 6 months later! The past 6 months have been such a whirl wind, that I realized that I never had a chance to write her birth story. So today, feeling nostalgic about my sweet Angelface, and in a desperate attempt to make time go slower, I'm going to reminiscence.....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


I was scheduled to give birth by planned c-section on January 23rd, as my son was previously born by a c-section after a failed induction. I remember finding it so weird to know the day she was going to be born, in fact I even knew when she was going to be born, before I knew she was a she! I also remember feeling a little disappointed that I would never get to have that "Honey, It's time" moment.

Little did I know, that my little princess wasn't about to have anyone tell HER when SHE was going to be born! Three days before my scheduled c-setion, I went into labor. I had a lot of braxton hicks throughout my pregnancy, and when I started having contractions on Monday night, I chalked it up to the busy weekend we had and decided to drink some water and head to bed. Except my contractions never let up, and continued on through the night, waking me up several times. Each time, I told myself "they're just braxton hicks" and rolled over to try and get some sleep. Finally, around 7am, I decided to take a hot shower and get ready to go, just in case. I woke my husband, a little too excited, and said those imfamous three little words...."Honey, it's TIME"

I called my DR to let her know we were on our way to the hospital, found a sitter for the kids, and we were on our way! When we got there, I was sent back to a room and hooked up to the monitors. My contractions were already 2 minutes apart, and I was 4cm dialated. The nurse called the on call DR and let him know we would be doing the c-section a little earlier than planned. When I got up to Pre-Op, I called my mom to let her know where I was. She was actually just on the other side of the hospital with my dad, who was having a heart catherderization.

The next part was a waiting game. We sat in the pre-op room waiting for the DR's schedule clear and an OR room to become available. We passed the time watching the inaugeration of President Barrack Obama, or my husband and my mother watched while I labored. I thought the whole fun of the "planned c-section" was that I didn't have to labor?!

Finally around 12:30 the DR met with us and briefed us for the surgery. Was it a coincidence that it was just after lunch time that we finally got to see him? Probably not! ;) They prepped me for surgery and took me back to the OR. Everything went very fast from there. They administered the spinal, and my husband joined me in scrubs moments later. I've never experienced a natural birth, so I don't know what to compair it to, but nothing is more magical then the DR holding up my baby for me to see and hearing her first cry.

She was so small, and so perfect. A mountain of jet black hair. The nurse brought her over to me so I could kiss her before taking her to clean her, weigh her, and do her apgars. She was 6lbs 5oz, and 20 inches long, and her apgars were 9 and 9 :) An image of perfection. After they finished stitching me I joined her and my husband in recovery where I got to hold her for the first time. It doesn't matter how many children you've had before - it's still a completely amazing feeling holding that tiny being for the first time. I was in awe of her tiny fingers, and big blue eyes.

I wish I had a remote so I could rewind time and relive those first precious moments again and again. To smell her sweet newborn smell again, and nurse her until she fell asleep sated in my arms.

The past 6 months have been truly amazing watching her grow. Her first smile, and first laugh. The way her eyes light up when she sees me. I know the future holds so many more beautiful memories, but I will always still cherish those first few moments.


January 20, 2009 - 1pm




♥ I love you always Angelface! ♥

Brotherly Love ♥

There is by far, nothing sweeter in life, than seeing your two children together! Jadon was just 16mos when his baby sister Angelina was born - But the love he had for her was instantanious, and it over flowed from his heart into mine! I remember being so nervous for Jadon to come up to the hospital and visit "his baby" for the first time! For several reasons: 1 - I had only one other time spent the night away from him, and I was afraid he was going to be "mad at me" for leaving him (umm, can we say post pardum pregnancy hormones?!) and 2 - I was worried that he would be jealous of his new baby sister.

So I told my husband to make sure that he called when he was on his way up, so I could put Angelina in the bassinet. I didn't want the first thing Jadon saw when he walked in the room was me holding another baby! So in walks my first born (who all of the sudden looks like such a big boy!) looks at me, glaces over towards the bassinet, smiles the biggest smile I've ever seen, and says "BABY"

And there began the start of a life long bond they will always have!! (I will be sure to remind them of this when they are 16 & 17)

♥ Jadon's first kiss for his baby sister ♥

It's good to know that the feeling is mutual though. Just the sound of her big brother's voice will bring a huge grin to Angelina's face. Seeing them interact with each other, and the unspoken love between them, melts my heart! I can only hope that the bond they have will continue to grow through the years! But I know, that "Nena" (as Jadon calls her) will always be "his baby".

"Dude, where's my cape?"

As a mother of 2 biological children, under the age of 2, and 2 stepkids, ages 7 and 10, I often feel like each day is an "adventure". And more often than not, I end the day feeling "defeated". If only each Mom was given a "Cape" with magical powers, like "Energy" , "Patience", "The ability to make time stand still" and "to prepare dinner and clean the house all in the blink of an eye"

But the truth is, cape or no cape, we as mothers, DO have magical powers. The powers to mend a scraped knee, or sooth a broken heart. The powers to juggle work, kids, and a husband (who can, at times, feel like another kid). To similtaniously cook dinner, and fold laundry, all while bouncing a fussy baby on our knee. And don't forget about those handy "eyes in the back of the head" that we all had installed after Labor and Delivery ;)

But be weary...all those "super powers" can turn to mush, at the mere sight of our "kryptonite" . One simple smile, from my Mystevious little Man, or the ringing of laughter from my Precious Princess, and my world stops spinning. I forget about the dinner, burning on the stove; and the basket of laundry left unfolded on the sofa - and suddenly, nothing else matters. They make every second worth its while, and even when I feel like collapsing from the exhaustions of every day life - they give me the strength to keep going. Maybe they aren't the "kryptonite" at all, but the center of energy where all of our "super powers" come from. After all - I couldn't be a "Mighty Mom" without them!