Happy Valentine's Day

Working Mama

Gianna Rhys 10 months old

Playing Ball with Pops

Watching the boys play

Last morning home with Mama

Last morning home with mama.

Well our family has just made a gigantic change in our lives. Today was my first day as a working mom. I accepted a recruiter position with my old employer Randstad. I worked there for the two years prior to having Luca and deciding to be a stay at home mom. My last week or so has been an emotional one. Thanks to my WONDERFUL in laws the transition for all of us will be a bit easier as they have volunteered to watch the kids for a while until we find the perfect nanny to fit our family! I really thought today would so hard and I would be fighting back tears all day but it really a great day for me. Rob and I dropped the kids off at the Bellenghi's early and although I faught tears on the way to my car I was really excited to enjoy a drive to work ALONE in the car. Work was great, a little strange going back to my old office but it was nice to know what I was getting into and not having to worry about learning a whole new job, company, and employees. I rushed home to see my babies and just hugged them up as much as possible. We are still working on getting dinner and bed time routines done in a timely manner while still having time to play but I think this working mom thing will really be a good fit for us. I am just SOOOO beyond thankful that I was able to have 3 years with Luca and nearly a year with Gianna. Hopefully now we will just find the right nanny for our family!

My last few days at home with the kids was bittersweet. As much as I wanted to savior every moment of every last hour I found myself crying at the thought of missing so much of their lives. I didn't want to spend my last days home crying so I tried to just stay busy. We had a play date, went to the zoo, went out to eat, I let Luca have ice cream for dinner and not take a nap (HUGE MISTAKE) I literally spoiled the crap out of them and I was exhausted.

All and all I feel we made the right decision but lets see how day 2 goes :)

Erin's surprise birthday in Alaska!!!

Last weekend I flew to Anchorage to surprise one of my best friends Erin for her 30th birthday. Her birthday isn't until next month but her stealthy sister pulled off quite the surprise. I surprised Erin at her favorite coffee shop Saturday morning and she was speechless! It was a wonderful moment that a lot of work went into. From there we went and had mani/pedis and caught up since we had seen one another in a year or so (such a busy 2009) from there a limo picked us up with her best childhood friend Amanda in it with champagne. We then took Erin to the Spa she had her makeup done and we changed into our cocktail dresses and proceeded back to the limo where 2 more of her friends were waiting inside. From there we hit happy hour then a little tour of Anchorage. Our final destination was a condo where Kim (one of Erin's sisters) had everyone inside for a surprise party. Erin was beyond shocked by the entire day and it was so great to see watch her realize how many people love and adore her! Erin has such an amazing soul. She is one of the most generous and loyal people I know and I cherish our friendship more then she will ever know. We have lived together, worked together, moved together, and moved apart and through it all have remained the best of friends. It is so hard when you "grow up" get married, move away, have kids and don't have the time you once had for your girlfriends. However I feel like I have never needed my girlfriends more then I do now in my life. Having most of them live in other states makes me appreciate every moment I get with them so much more!

The rest of the weekend was spend lounging, eating out, a little Stella & Dot party, a movie, and some AK sight seeing. It was such a wonderful weekend and one that was much needed for me. Thank you to my amazing husband, mom, and sister for watching my babies so I didn't have to worry about them when I was away.

Gia is 9 months old

I can't believe Gianna is 9 months old!!! It is so hard to describe this little girl. I am pretty sure she is going to be hard work for the rest of my life. Feisty little Italian girl she is. She is walking which is crazy, she follows Luca around EVERYWHERE he goes. She LOVES to dance whenever she hears music. She screams bloody murder when I walk out of the room (lucky me.) She is sleeping 12-13 hours a night waking up once sometimes twice a night. She is eating like a champ but has been spitting up a lot lately again not sure why (time to clean the carpets AGAIN) She is in love with the soccer ball you see below, perhaps a soccer player like her daddy? She is STRONG! It is hard for Rob to pry her spoon from her fingers sometimes. She STILL hates diaper changes but will let me suction her noise with no fighting??? I am embarrassed to admit it but she LOVES mickey mouse. If she is in the kitchen and it comes on her head whips around and she halls it into the living room and gets AS CLOSE as possible. I feel guilty but sometimes I do put her in her exersaucer to watch it while I shower....whatever works at this point. As much work as she is she brings me more joy then I could imagine. She is cuddly, loves being tickled, hugged and kissed. I could cuddle with her all day.

Just for fun...makes me so emotional....

Luca3

Luca2

Luca 1

Luca age 1

Luca 3

Luca's 3rd Birthday Party!!!

Luca had a great 3rd birthday. We started the day with Rob taking him to the Children's Museum for a few hours, then they had lunch. After lunch it was my shift, I took him to a park in Lake Oswego where we took his 1 and 2 year old pictures and we spent about 15 minutes (it was freezing) snapping some 3 year old pics. We were going to go to a movie but Luca told me he "didn't want to go to a show" so instead we went to Ceramics Cafe and painted an ice cream bowl and then went and had a smoothie. When we got home Rob took him to the park to play then Aunt Andee, Uncle Dave, Maddie, and Connor came over for a mini bday party since they were out of town for his party. It was a great day and we were all wore out by the end of it...I think christmas and the birthday really wiped us out this year. Regardless Luca had a great experience and that is all we could hope for. It always amazes me to think back to before he was born and how he has changed our life. He is such a blessing and just melts my heart. He is growing so fast and I am trying to cherish our moments together. Here are his 3 year old pics (and one from before the children's museum)

We got a walker!!!

I think Gia was trying to upstage Luca's birthday party because she decided to take her first steps (without falling at the end) Luckily we got it on tape! She is 8 months and 3 weeks. Luca was 9 months and 3 weeks when he walked and I was shocked that he was so young...I can't believe Gia walked so early....i think I am in trouble...