High Five Friday!

I'm linking up with Lauren again from From My Gray Desk for High Five Friday. Here are my 5 favorite things from this past week.

1.  It's 7:35am and my kids are still sleeping.  Seriously????  I never get this lucky! 

2.  We took Mia to her first Orioles game Tuesday night (post coming about it).  She loved the Oriole bird and had a lot of fun.

3.  Chris's Dad's surgery went great and he is home from the hospital.  We are so thankful. 

4.  I got my first birchbox this week!!!  So excited.

5.  I found new Sandals for both kids....at a great price!!



I found these on shoebuy for $30

Mia's shoes $6 from the childrens place

What are your 5 favorite things this week?

3 years ago today

Three years ago today my world turned upside down for a 2nd time.  At 8 weeks pregnant, I lost "new baby".  Since I have never written about it before, here's new baby's story:

In March 2009, when Mia was 6 months old, we decided to start trying again.  Losing Parker had left a major whole in my heart.  I knew another baby would not fill it, but I desperately wanted 2 babies in our home.  We decided to try on our own for a few months before doing IVF again and guess what happened????  The first month of trying, I got pregnant!  I could not believe our luck!  Dr's told us it was only a 2% chance of this ever happening.  We were so happy. 

During this time, we also decided to plan a trip to NY to visit Chris's family.  Chris's grandmother was 96 at the time and had never met Mia.  We wanted to make sure that she got the chance too as I know traveling at that age is not easy.  We decided to go visit her for Mother's Day. 

On a side note, when we found out I was pregnant, we decided not to tell anyone (except Chris's brother and sister, and my mom). 

At 6 weeks, we went in for my first Dr's appt.  Everything was perfect.  We even got to see and hear the baby's heart beat.  It was amazing.  I left feeling on top of the world.  Two weeks later, at 8 weeks, my world came crashing down for a 2nd time. 

I went back to the Dr for my 8 week ultra sound and unfortunately, this time, no heartbeat was detected. 

We were devastated. 
The next day, we decided to stick with our original plan and head to NY.  Although I felt horrible, I realized it was also important to take Mia to meet her Great Grandmother (and afterall--we had not told the family).  I also thought this might be a good distraction for us and in many ways...it was.  Since that weekend, Mothers Day has become an especially difficult holiday for me.  While it is a reminder of the sweet babies that I have lost, I also want to make sure that I celebrate the amazing children I do have with me. 

I am so grateful for Mia and Paxton.  They have brought such joy and love into our home and make me smile each and every day. 

Mia's first Orioles Game

Chris got free tickets and free parking for an Orioles game on May 8th and we were so happy to get to go!  We decided to leave Paxton at home as the game was late and he does not like to sit still :). 
Mia did great though....She loved the Oriole bird the most.  Camden yards is definitely kid friendly.

They had a playset which she immediately ran too. 

Next, Mia played a little t-ball.  She did really well!

I, of course, insisted on a picture with the Oriole bird.

This was our view.  We were sitting outside on the club house level.  It was great! 

While the O's lost to the Rangers 10 to 1, it was a great night and we had so much fun together.  I can't wait to do it again and maybe bring our little man next time.  We definitely missed him. 

I'm linking up with the pleated poppy again for What I Wore Wednesday. 

I wore this last Saturday.  Obviously in this picture, I'm at the grocery store.  Awesome background, right? 

So anyway, I'm wearing:

White t-shirt:  J Crew Factory 2012

Red and White Seersucker shorts:  J Crew (old)

Shoes:  Target

Bag:  Coach

Bracelets:  Silver bangles from the limited Spring 2012

Sunglasses: Mall Kiask :)

What did you wear this week?

Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

I just finished reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford and I really liked it.  While it took me a while to get into the book, I loved the sweet love story between Henry, a young Chinese boy and Keiko, a young Japanese girl.  It took place during WWII.  Keiko and her family we taken to a Japanese Internment Camp while Henry was left at home with his parents (who were against the Japanese).  I found this especially interesting as History was my minor in college.  I actually wrote one of my papers on Japanese Internment Camps in America.  Overall, I thought it was well written.  I loved the love story and thought it accurately described what happened during that period of time in American History.

Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend hanging out as a family and doing stuff with the kids.  Friday, I was able to scratch the first thing off of my summer "to do" list.  The local farmers market opened so after gymnastics, we headed to the beach. 

1.        Fly a kite

2.       Go on a nature walk/scavenger hunt

3.       Have a picnic on the beach

4.       Build a sandcastle

5.       Go on a wagon ride

6.       Set up the slip and slide

7.       Play Frisbee

8.       Sidewalk Chalk

9.       Ocean City

10.   Catch Fireflies

11.   Visit the local farmers market

12.   Make Popsicles

We walked around looking at the old cars, I did a little wine tasting, and then we got ice cream.

Mia saw her friend Elizabeth from school so we hung out with Elizabeth and her mom and sister for a bit.  It was fun to get to know her family a little. 

Paxton had fun running on the boardwalk.

 

The kids had a great time and we are so happy it's open again!

Saturday, was Cinco de Mayo and we celebrated by having lunch at the local Mexican restaurant.

This may have been the strongest margarita ever.  Shew....

Meanwhile....

Paxton decided that sitting in the high chair was not cool, therefore, he ran around the restaurant (yes, I took him outside until they finally gave him a balloon to keep him occupied).  I never learn my lesson-taking kids out to eat just sucks.  I need to remember that when I get the bright idea to go out to eat. 

Saturday afternoon, the kids painted.  I tried to make the picture cool but sticking tape on the paper to spell out their names and use circle sticker for polka dots.  Note--masking tape does not work.  Mom Fail #5465421987984

Sunday, we went to church and Sunday school and back to the beach to walk around for a bit.  Mia was exhausted by the time we got home and decided to nap on the floor.

After that, we headed to Chris's softball game.  They lost, but we had fun watching.  Great end to a great weekend. 
I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well.

High Five Friday

Today I'm linking up with From My Grey Desk for High Five Friday.  So, here are my favorite 5 things from the past week:

1. My little man seems to be feeling a little better.

2.  This is my Friday off work so I actually have time to run errands.  Yay!!

3.  Today is the start of the Farmers Market, which means....wine tastings, fresh produce, and an old car show.

4.  I found some great party favors for Paxton's birthday party in the $1 section at Target (buckets and shovels, kites, and beach balls). 

5.  Today is the Make a Wish party for my favorite little girl who will be going to Disney World next week.  I can't wait to see her face when I bring her the itenerary, cake, and balloons today.  Seeing her smile will definitely be the highlight of my week. 

Link up with Lauren and tell us what you are saying high five to this week.