My "Happy Things"

So, lately I have been feeling down. I don't know if it is baby blues, stress, or hormones, but I havn't been able to shake it. Sometimes I feel like I have lost myself amidst my mama duties. I have lost track of what makes me me. But, the other day my mom gave me some great advice. She said to try to do something everyday that makes me happy. Even if it is something little like reading my favorite magazine or taking a bubble bath. So, I'm going to take her advice. I am really looking forward to discovering myself again. But for now here are a few pictures of my sweet, beautiful children, who are my ultimate "happy things."

My celebritiy look alikes!

I found this fun website off of my freind Becky's blog. It's totally funny to see who your celeb look a likes are! I'm laughing so hard because growing up people always said that I looked that girl from Full House (Jodie Sweetin)! Hopefully I'm looking more like Kate Hudson these days! See who you look like, you'll get a kick out of it! (Apparently I'm married to Jared Leto and Richard Gear!)

Got Milk (allergy)?

I am freaking out!!!! When Alexis was about six months old I found out she had allergies to wheat, eggs, and tree nuts. I was devastated. I soon found out how hard it is to feed and take care of a child with food allergies. I have to bring her own food to most places we go IE: restaurants, family parties, outings, nursery, birthday parties (not to mention she can't eat the birthday cake like all of the other kids). I love to bake, so it breaks my heart when I make cookies and I have so say no to her.

When I became pregnant with Thomas I crossed my fingers that he would not have any allergies. Now that I am introducing solids to him I am very cautious. But the other day Nate gave Tommy a bite of his milkshake, thinking "this should be o.k. because we don't have any milk allergies in the family." Tommy proceeded to break out in hives all around his mouth. Then yesterday I had Tommy on my lap while eating a bowl of cereal and accidentally dropped a little milk on his ear. His whole ear became red and broke out in hives! I'm not 100% sure that he is allergic to milk, but it sure is looking like it! Oh man, here we go again!

Does anyone out there have a child with a milk allergy? Do you have any insights or advice?

Messy Eater!!!

Tommy is starting to eat baby food, and loves it!! It is so hard to keep him clean while feeding him though. He has a hard time keeping it in his mouth because of his tongue constantly hanging out! He also tugs at his bib and tries to eat it which just makes a bigger mess! So I've resorted to feeding him naked!

Family Fun!

Here are the latest pictures of our little family spending time together. The first are of us at my Sister-in-law's parent's pool. We had so much fun swimming! I put Alexis and Tommy in floaties, and they spent the whole time just hanging out in them. Tommy loooved sitting in his floaty-he would kick his legs a million miles an hour then stop and giggle, and start all over again! I'm so happy that both of my kids love the water!

The next pics are of our fam at the Cherry Hill miniature golf course. It was so funny to watch Alexis try to putt the ball. She would swing and miss for awhile, and then just put her ball in the hole. Nate and I would putt, and before we could try to make it into the hole she would pick up our balls and put them in for us! Tommy had a great time being pushed around in the stroller and watching the spectacle! After the raging game of golf, we enjoyed pie and ice cream at the good old Pie Pantry. I love spending time with my little family!!!

Swimming: ( I love the picture of Tommy eating my face!)

Golfing: ( I love the one where Nate is showing Alexis how to putt!)

Happy Birthday Nate!!!

Yet another birthday post! I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my awesome, handsome, smart, loving husband! Nate isn't much of a b-day person, ( he doesn't use the day as an excuse to indulge like me!) but I hope he has a great day. I love you Nate!

3 years away from 30!!!

Monday was my 27th birthday, and thanks to all who made it a great one! I started off the festivities on Saturday at a birthday party that my sister-in-law Lara threw for my sister, brother, and myself (we all have July b-days). We had a BBQ, swam, and had a cannon ball contest at which I failed miserably! My little niece Sophia picked out the Birthday cake, and let me say she did a fantastic job! On Monday my mom took my sister Kim and I out to lunch at Cucina, while the kids stayed at home (heaven!!). We also consumed our annual birthday treat, chocolate mint cookies from Schmidt's Bakery (double heaven!!!!). My mom also threw in a little treat of our choice from JCrew (thanks Mom!). Latter that night Nate took me to dinner at Biaggis, where I had more excellent food and more dessert! Overall, I had a wonderful day. It is so nice to have one day of the year where you can milk eating good food, consuming large amounts of dessert, and receiving special treatment for all it's worth ( oh come on, you know you do it too!)!

The Duffin and Preston clan in the pool.

(notice my nephew Matthew's fingers in his nose, nice!)

The beautiful princess birthday cake!