I've returned from The North.....

Hi friends!!

I didn't disappear or abandon blogging I promise.

Mister Baby & I went to PA to visit my parents, 

(Grandy & The Colonel)  
for a week & had a fabulous time!

It's taken me a few days 

to get back into the swing of things but here I am with
a full report on our trip.

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I was very anxious about going through security alone with mister baby. 

Taking him out of his car seat, 

folding up the snap & go, 

getting it all on the conveyor belt one handed, 

etc etc

But that actually all went super smoothly.

The only hiccup- 
After I discreetly informed to the TSA worker 

that I had 3 bottles of milk in the diaper bag,

(which is allowed if you're traveling with a baby) 

they picked up the bag as if it were radioactive 

& announced had to "test" the bottles!

For a fleeting second, 
I was sure they'd ask me to chug it but no,

"testing" consisted of me opening the bottles 

& them waving a magical paper strip over the top 
which I am sure would alert them if the 
contents were something other than milk.

Obviously they found nothing out of the ordinary 
& we were allowed to proceed.

We got SO lucky on the flight to PA, there was an empty

seat on the plane so the extremely nice gate agent

rearranged things so mister baby could fly in his car seat 

which worked our perfectly. 

He didn't make a SOUND the entire flight.

Slept through take off & landing with some sweet smiles

& giggles in between :).

The next day, my parents had a Sip & See for friends 

& family to meet mister baby. 
We had lots of fun seeing everyone

Bring on the spectators!

 With my great friends C & L

Mister baby got to meet his cousins "P" & "R"

(my cousins daughters)

mister baby & baby P

He enjoyed several cat naps on many unfamiliar shoulders

during the party but didn't mind one bit!

mister baby & my Godfather.

On Monday, we went to lunch & shopping in King of Prussia with

Cousins P, R & their Mom.

California Pizza Kitchen for lunch was delish &

then we were off in search of some sneakers for R.

I miss that mall like it's my job- sigh...
Neimans, Nordies & Bloomies OH MY!

Tuesday, Grandy & I left for the beach in Avalon, NJ with mister baby.

The Colonel met us there on Wednesday AM. 

We had lots of fun on the beach & shopping of course.

. 

I promise he didn't sleep the ENTIRE time!

out for dinner in Avalon

Found a GREAT store called 
The Preppy Palm
Where I managed to find a few souvenirs ;).

The Tummy Tub came to the beach with us &
was a source of lots of giggles 

for everyone!

Thursday evening mister baby met his Great Grandparents for the first time.

Great Grandpa is 98 & Great Grandma is 94.

She's still sharp as a tack!

On Friday, my Mom, mister baby & I stopped in to see my childhood babysitter.

She's now 80 years old & there's a good chance 

she'll outlive us all!!

It was so great to see her. 
She & I had SO much fun when I was little. 

I definitely kept her on her toes. 
Hide & Seek inside in the dark? 

Yep that was my favorite. haha!

I wish we lived closer 
so mister baby could have her in his life too.
I miss her so much.

After that, mister baby & I had lunch at Aunt A's house.

Aunt A has been my BFF since childhood 

& is the one who sent us our Tummy Tub

Speaking of that fabulous tub- 

Tummy Tub USA saw my last blog post &

posted it on their Facebook page July 31st!

We left Pennsylvania on Saturday & although we didn't get an 

empty seat on the flight home, mister baby was 

happy as a clam in the Baby Bjorn.

(The Ergo stayed home 
as it wasn't so comfy to wear while sitting)

We were both very excited to see DR when we got to Memphis but 
I sure do miss the cooler Summertime weather they were having in PA 
& the fact that it actually gets cool in the evenings!
(what a concept)


Tomorrow is mister baby's 
3 month birthday!
(No, I'm not kidding)


I know, I know- time flies 
when you're having fun.
 I've been having a marvelous time!

Bee good!
xox

A buoyant baby boy & bath time bliss!!

A little over a year ago I was on Facebook perusing some

photos a beautiful baby boy belonging to 

my best friend since childhood.

When I came across a photo of what appeared to be her child 

having a bath in a trash can full of water,

 I promptly commented something along the lines of:

"Why on Earth are you bathing your poor child 

in a trash can!?"

She wrote back and told me that it is, 

in fact, a bath tub and that her baby LOVES it!

Hmmm ok.....

Still skeptical, still think it's kinda weird but hey, 

I was at least now informed on the 

latest baby bathing phenomenon.

As if I have any reason to know 

anything about baby bath tubs.

Fast forward a year-

Just before Mister Baby's arrival,

A giant box appeared on my front porch 

containing none other than my very own

TRASH CAN BABY BATH TUB,

a gift from that very same dear friend 

with a note to mister baby saying that she

hopes he enjoys the "trash can tub" as much as her baby had. 

<3

When the time came for a first bath, 

out came the trash can tub.

I will admit, it was not very easy to bathe him 

in it when he had zero head/neck control 

BUT now that he's got superb head control 

& loves being up in a sitting position it's FABULOUS!! 

He loves to be in it because it allows him to be 

upright but he's also so buoyant 

which makes it easy for him to move himself around.

Most of all, he has so much fun while he's in it 

that it makes his bath time even more

fun for everyone!

See:

This contraption does have a name- it's called the Tummy Tub.

The tub part can be purchased alone 

or with the base which the tub locks into &

allows it to be up off the floor.

The base comes with a top so it 

can later be used as a step stool too! 

According to their website-

The Original TummyTub® is a unique womb-shaped and sized bath that eases baby’s transition from a familiar, safe place to an unknown world.  Enormously popular in Europe, this alternative to the standard baby bath makes bath time stress-free for babies and parents alike!

• Baby feels warm, safe, and relaxed within soft boundaries
• Eases indigestion, gas, and colic while calming baby
• Stimulates cognitive and physical development
• Ultra light weight, easy on your back
• Meets the most stringent safety regulations worldwide
• Phthalate, BPA, lead free
• Uses less water, energy, and space than traditional baby tubs
• The optional stand raises baby to a comfortable sitting position and doubles as a stool, with clever design for storage inside

The history behind the concept is very interesting. 

The Dutch have been bathing babies in buckets for decades!

Take a look at who else LOVES the Tummy Tub!

Take a look at Mister Baby having some fun in his Tummy Tub last night :

(& apparently pretending to chew gum at the same time ?!)

Bee Good!

xox

A Birthday outing for Hairy Winston!

Yesterday was Hairy Winston's 5th birthday.

This translates to 35 years old in dog years.

(although we still think he acts like a puppy)

Just to prove I had not forgotten about my first child-

my fur baby...

I felt as though he deserved a special treat. 

In a moment of temporary insanity, 

I decide I should take him to the dog park 

since we haven't been since before the baby was born.

I figured I could handle it. 

No problem-  It's fenced in, HW comes when I call him

(sometimes)

I apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of the child 

(no worries it's safe folks ask the AAP)

popped a sunhat on his head 

put everyone in the car and off we go!

It's 98 degrees out, at noon. 

Here I am, mister baby strapped to me in the baby carrier & 

 HW is off and running as soon as the gate closed behind us!

HA

Since it was HW's birthday, I figured I was being a 

great mom. He was having a blast, romping & sniffing.

Smooooth sailing... piece of cake!!

Hardly anyone was there since it was a Wednesday at noon.

The usual "gauntlet" by the edge of the pond was non existent.

(it's usually is crowded with large rowdy dogs 

that give HW an panic attack.)

That said....

Wouldn't you know...

Hairy Winston walked right into that pond!!

Walked in & laid right on down! 

Of course I'm thinking- 

"OMG, I have no towel in the car, this pond is 75% mud &

I have mister baby strapped to me 

how ever will I wrangle this sopping wet mutt?! 

*&#%!!

It was hilarious & he had a fabulous time :) 

& he cooled off!

Mister baby was happy as a clam.. snoozed the whole time

under his little hat

 I was unsuccessful at snapping a good pic of him but I did try.

(hey, you try taking a pic of the baby

you're wearing while chasing the Birthday Maltipoo!)

Anywhoo.. we made it back to the car, all of us in one piece.

One of us a tad wetter than the rest while

sporting the distinct "eau de pond scum"

Another of us still sound asleep

And the third, a little sweaty but very impressed

with her successful celebratory outing with her babies!

(fur & human)

Bath time for HW was immediately upon our return home.

He behaved extremely well during the blow dry part

which is very uncharacteristic for him.

Who knows... he may have had an epiphany 

while wallowing in that pond.

35 is much too old to cry while getting your hair 

brushed/blown out!

(isn't it?)

Bee good!

xox

A 2 month birthday & a striking resemblance....

Well- Yesterday was mister baby's 2 month birthday.

Time sure does fly when you're having fun! 

(In this case, fun is an understatement)

I can't believe how much he's grown & how 

his arsenal of abilities seems to grow exponentially every day!

I am sure eeeeeveryone says the same thing about their baby but it's true.

He's smiling, cooing, gooing, gurgling up a storm. 

We just can't wait for his first laugh & are pretty sure he's on the verge of doing it any day now!

We took some pictures to commemorate the 2 month milestone in his nursery this afternoon.

If you've been following this blog for a while you may recognize the outfit he's got on.

It's one that was DR's when he was a baby with blue shorebirds (not flamingos) 

on it that I affectionately call "manmingos" 

uhm.. you want me to do WHAT with this monkey??

Hello I am a ham.. a ham sammich

My babies!

The stuffed gorilla is mine from when I was a child. 

A gift from my godfather who is an antique toy collector.

Mister baby was being a little ham for most of the time,

per the usual but we did manage to get some really cute shots.

Speaking of SHOTS, 

today is mister baby's 2 month appointment 

with the Pediatrician, where he will get his first round of shots! 

I am so not prepared for this. 

I hope he's not too traumatized & that he is a trooper!!

(this coming from the girl who cried when her dog got vaccinated- oooh boy.)

Hopefully he takes after his father when it comes to Dr's offices & is right at home.

He has already proven to take after me & thoroughly enjoys shopping.

Some folks insist that he looks more like one of us than the other, 

but we think he is the perfect combination of both of us.

(moi circa 1980)

(DR in the manmingos circa 1981)

Happy Wasp Wednesday

&

Bee good!

xox

TOTE-ally to die for!

I am a self professed bag lady.

Crazy for bags of any sort-

 purses, totes, wristlets, luggage- 

you name it, I have it!

I came across these beauties & 

just HAD to share them with you-

Francesca Joy 

Palm Beach

Perfect for summertime days at the beach or on the boat..

This coral is my favorite!!

So fresh & fun!

Check out their website to see the rest of their fantastic totes

& other beautiful products. 

(For pricing info & to order, go to the form under "contact us")

Hmm I believe someone's birthday is coming up..... (moi)

Wouldn't this be a truly delightful prezzie?!

Y'all have a fab day.

Bee good!

xox

PS: 

Sites to see & some giveaways

Sooo lately I have recently found myself doing quite a bit of 

internet browsing. 

I say browsing instead of shopping because 

that's exactly what it is. 

I will spend time searching for things that I like, 

even go as far as to put them in a shopping cart,

then when I am finished I'll look 

at the contents of the cart & ask myself- 

"self, what the HELL are you thinking?!"

I quickly snap back into reality by whispering the old saying- 

"money does not grow on trees", 

I then empty the cart 

& step away from the computer 

(for the time being). 

I stumbled upon a few good sites I thought I'd share with you 

just in case you haven't already been enlightened-

www.myperfectsale.com

Lets you choose the designers you are interested in finding

good deals on and then tailors the sale to your specifications. 

I definitely just spotted several FAB Lilly deals on there!

Not to mention some Tory Burch & some lime green glossy Hunter boots!!

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www.preppyprincess.com

SO much ridiculously cute stuff. 

Of course the name says it all but you should check it out. 

There's a lot to look at.

The Lilly Iphone covers?! They're uhhh-mazing!!

Too bad I don't have an Iphone. I am strictly a Blackberry girl.

Check out The Preppy Princess Blog for a sneak peek of what's new 

*Be sure to peep the new Lilly personalized Home Collection! (gasp!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aaaaand it's time again for the Vineyard Vines 

Do be sure to pop in & check that out too. 

Good deals people!

(I confess that I had a cart full of goodies until just moments ago- sigh....)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK on to some fun bloggie giveways-

 Fried Pink Tomato is having her first & second giveaways this week!

giveaway #1

Sara of Hip Hop Hippos on Etsy, will be giving the winner  

a $30 credit to her shop! What a deal! 

Her specialty is very fun, affordable, 

customizable sterling silver jewelry like this:

*my personal favorite*

giveaway #2

Chris of My Woobie and Me on Etsy will be awarding 

the lucky winner one of the following-

  Sensory Ribbon Blanket  

(think Taggies)

Mini Ruffle Blanket

Hurry up and enter! 

Why wouldn't you? 

:)

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OK as you all know, I can't post

without a photo update of my little C monkey-

here are some of

mister baby's first 4th of July weekend.. 

 *all smiles* 

    

so handsome!

first dip (not so sure..)

         

ohhh grasshoppa'

  hahaha!

Bee good!

xox

a day of blogging silence...

For more information:

www.inthiswonderfullife.com