Reflecting on a Year

K3 turned one yesterday. One!  I'm having all the emotions about it because it feels like he was born yesterday and forever ago all at the same time. It's one of those "the days are long, but the years are short" things,  but sometimes it feels like the days just aren't long enough. 

We aren't celebrating with a big party until next month because we are in the middle of moving hell, but all the boys are enjoying little celebrations of everything we have accomplished as a family this year. We adapted to being a family of 5, we planned and enjoyed a big wedding, we traveled, I returned to work, Keith changed jobs, we sold two houses,  and next week we will buy our dream house.  It's been a whirlwind of good things happening, which I have not taken for granted, and I feel is reflected in the super joyful disposition of K3.  

so many of my pics of him are blurry- but I still love this one

He knows how to work a room, and everyone who meets him falls in love.  We have had so many laughs this year because of this little guy, and the happiness he brings to our family is immeasurable.  As much as I yell at JD and O to be kind to each other and play nicely, when it comes to K3, I have only had to remind them to give him some space and don't smother him with snuggles.  They adore their baby, and I hope that doesn't wear off once he gets tall enough to reach all the toys.

I will have posts about the wedding (so many fun projects!) and the move (the projects will never end), but right now that can all wait so I can enjoy this summer at home with my boys.

Parker Time Potions Review & Giveaway

I'm not going to lie.  I rubbed the Parker Time Relax Potion on myself more than I did my infant.  The last month has been NUTS.  We got married (MARRIED!), finished up a school year, and are going through all the processes involved in selling two starter houses and buying one big forever house.  Anything that helps anyone in this house relax is priceless!

Parker Time Potions Pediatric Massage Oils showed up at my door at the right time!  It's specially formulated, all-natural body care that offers numerous moisturizing properties.  I love that it's a mom-created product born out of necessity, and also that a portion of all proceeds funds autism research.  

Each bottle contains a blend of sunflower oil, jojoba oil, calendula oil, and Vitamin E that work to safely moisturize even the most sensitive skin.  The gift pack comes with three varieties: Original, Play  (infused with sweet orange essential oil to not only promote the parent child bond but to also promote play) and Relax ( with Lavender Rose essential oil to promote calmness). 

    

And now you have a chance to win a set of your own to try out.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

**Disclosure: Park Time Potions sent me products to review and is providing products for the giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Sunday Funday in NYC

This past Sunday, the boys and I took a drive into the city to attend the New York Baby Show and enjoy a sunny day.  With all the stress of house buying/selling and wedding planning, it was great to have a day that consisted of nothing but fun things and quality time.  

Most of our favorite things in the city are on the west side- including big boats with water slides.

When I asked the big boys about their favorite part of the day, they said the treats- because almost every booth had cookies, candy, or cupcakes for them.  This meant they wanted to stop and talk to everyone to see what sweets they were offered.  That worked for me because it gave me time to learn about a lot of new products and make some new friends.  I ended up buying a new baby carrier from Bitybean (I saw that Suzanne bought one the day before, and I figured she certainly would know a good baby carrier when she sees one) and the BiteSizers from Mixed Pears.  

My favorite part of the day was the Momtrends Blogger lounge.  It was great to see a friend from Mabel's Labels and snack on the yummy food.  But selfishly, it was great to leave the bigger boys with The Nanny League to enjoy some pampering from the Glam Squad.  They are expanding to Long Island soon, so check it out!  

The thing that made my kids the happiest was their time with East Side West Side Music Together.  At first, just JD and O were sitting for the class while I fed the baby, but K3 is mighty proud of his new clapping skills and demanded to be included.

It was such a great, family-friendly day, that I made Keith promise that we would all go together next year.

Can't leave without hitting up at least one playground.

*Disclosure: I was compensated for this post and provided with free passes for the show.  All opinions are our own.

Wordless Wednesday: Baby School Pictures

Feltman Brothers Review & Giveaway

(Don't worry.  We lowered the mattress after we showed him how to do this the pics.)

K3 is ready for Fleet Week!  And his cousin's First Communion.  And any other occasion that calls for more than his usual onesie and sweats.  

His fancy new threads are thanks to Feltman Brothers and their handmade,  heirloom-quality baby clothes.  Since 1916, this family-owned business has been designing special occasion wear that can be passed down through generations.  Their special embroidery techniques are still performed on machines that are almost 100 years old!

K3's knot romper is 100% cotton and machine washable. I found it true to size, soft, and snuggle-able.  I can't wait to have a reason to buy a friend with a baby girl one of their precious dresses.  

Find more beautiful designs from Feltman Brothers by visiting their website.

And you can win an outfit of your own for a sweet little one in your life.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Disclosure: Feltman Brothers sent me a free outfit to review.  All opinions are my own.

April Update

Half way through April? How? Less than two months until the wedding? No way!  
SO MUCH has been going on around here.  We've been so occupied with showing/selling our house, finding a new house, checking out new school districts and neighborhoods, and getting wedding details taken care of, the long spring break just wasn't long enough.

K3 turned 8 months.  He is pulling to stand and speed crawling all over the house.  He loves the recent nice weather since we've been going for walks and spending more time outside.  It's a whole new world.  And he is LOUD.  Babbling like crazy to anyone who will listen.  He has two tiny, new babies in his daycare class, and the baby fever is real, people.

O and JD started Little League.  Well, games don't start until this weekend, but they had a parade and practices.

I had a birthday and was spoiled to death by Keith.  I'm a lucky girl!

The older boys have become obsessed with this #disneyside app that turns your face into a Disney character.  What they don't know is that the app saves all their selfies to my phone.  It's pretty awesome.

Keith and I enjoy spending time with our friends and family at a couple's shower at a local brewery, but I'll post lots more wedding stuff as it gets closer.

March Update

We are STILL having snow days here, but hopefully I will be talking about SPRING in the next update.  Hopefully.

O had a special time at school as Star of the Week, and I was very happy to be able to visit his classroom. They were also celebrating Chinese New Year, so I read a book about what kindergarten is like in China and we practiced eating snack with chopsticks.  It was ADORABLE.

K3 passed his 6 month tests with flying colors- except for the hearing test because he didn't let them put the thing in his ear for long enough to get results.

The paper did not stand a chance.

The boys and I had a great February break from school, and although we didn't venture out in the cold often, we did visit the Cradle of Aviation Museum with my mom. 

All three boys continue to do well in their swimming lessons.  K3 is kicking on his own, O passed his level four test, and JD is getting more and more competitive.  

And just this past week, K3 turned 7 months!  He is silly and happy and curious and fast.  He is on the move and getting into things already. One of his favorite times is when I put him on the floor with a basket of toys that he can pull out and spread around.  

Yo!

A serious pose

As far as Keith and I, there are exactly 101 days until the wedding!!  We have a bunch of offers on our home, and we are house hunting like it's our job.  It's like we are doing every stressful thing all at once, and then the rest of our lives will be cake.  I can't wait!

Pish Posh Baby Review & Giveaway

I was not familiar with Pish Posh Baby, so I was very excited to get to know them and get my hands (and K3's hands) on these new products.  

With our big move getting closer and closer, we have been packing boxes every day.  I am pickier than ever about what I'm keeping, packing, and moving to our new home.  Even though the Blooming Baby Bath will take up some box space, it is definitely a keeper!

I have never done baths in the kitchen sink with any of the boys, but we will never go back to bathing a tiny baby anywhere else.  And even with a 17 pound 6-month-old, it was wonderful to stand and wash him.  The Blooming Bath is handmade and very cuddly, safe, and adorable.  I plopped it in the sink, washed the baby, and then cleaned it in the laundry with a load of towels.  Easy peasy!  K3 loved it just as much as splashing in the tub, and I wish I could be snuggled in something so cushiony and soft in my bath!

Skip Hop is a brand I have bought in the past, but the Hug and Hide Activity Toy was a new addition to the baby toy basket.  There has been a lot of playing and learning since we took this sweetheart out of the box, and the monkey or bear will probably make an appearance in K3's Easter basket.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, K3 took his time testing (and tasting) each feature of the toy.  There are 10 (TEN!) activities including a mirror, crinkly and squeaky things, and teething pieces.  It's my go to keep-the-baby occupied while I make dinner/make a phone call/do homework with older kids/empty the dishwasher.  

And, thanks to Pish Posh Baby, you can win these two products to love in your home as much as we do! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Pish Posh Baby

The dream of PishPoshBaby was born out of a desire to find the more reliable baby products and advice available to real moms just like you.  Their high-quality store supplies facts and advice to parents who are completely lost in the whirlwind of baby gear. 

**Disclosure: Pish Posh Baby sent me free products to review.  All opinions are my own.