Saturday night with the Matrales!

We had a great time Saturday night at cousin Tracy's new house. AJ got to see her cousins Nicholas, Christopher & Matthew, Aunt Marie, Grandma & Grandpa and Great Grandpa! Tracy cooked a yummo chicken dish with mushrooms & prosciutto in a butter creme sauce and Grandma made a awesome salad with almonds, cranberries & mandarin oranges - everything was sooo good! For dessert we had this awesome custard pie with fresh fruit a top, complements of Aunt Marie. Thanks to some hilarious stories from Great Grandpa we laughed the night away!

Swim Class!

Saturday Alex took AJ to her very first swim class at NYSC! They both really enjoyed themselves and Alex seemed really happy to have some special father/daughter time. AJ did really great in the water - she was kicking her legs, she did some floating on her back and even put her face toward the water when Alex was showing her how to blow bubbles. Cousin Christopher and Uncle Bill were in the class too which made it even more special! A really good time was had by all!

A special thank you to Aunt Michele for finding the class!!

Flowers!

I know I just posted about my great husband but then he went ahead and out did his #1 daddy/husband status! Today I got a special delivery of Gerber Daisies (my favorite flowers) for no reason at all except to tell me what a wonderful mother and wife I am! AJ is just getting over her 1st cold and almost ear infection (which means for all the soon to be moms the past week has been challenging and very tiresome). Anyways she is feeling better slowly but surely (thanks to moms love & patience) and thanks to Alex, mom feels rejuvenated! A win/win situation for all!

Baby's Got Hair!

After 8 1/2 months AJ FINALLY has enough hair to mohawk in the tub!

March of Dimes - March for Babies

Alex, AJ & I are participating in the March of Dimes - March for babies.

The money we raise helps save premature and sick babies. Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn death and the biggest threat to babies’ health today, and through March for Babies, the March of Dimes is funding important research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it.

To sponsor us you can go to my personal web page and make a donation-

http://www.marchforbabies.org/laurenmatrale

Thanks!

A "Shout Out" to the BEST HUSBAND EVER!!!

I just wanted to give my Alex a "shout out" and tell the blog world how much I love him! Not only does he work two jobs at least 3 nights/week to support me & AJ, he walks in with a huge smile and happy attitude every single night! On the weekends he is the first one to jump up to get AJ with the first sign she is awake. As I struggle to get out of bed the two of them are already downstairs enjoying the day! All weekend long he is so happy spending all his time with us - dirty diaper, bottle time, play time, fussy and want to be carried in the stores - NO FEAR, DAD IS HERE!!!!!!!

Alex, not only do you get the #1 DAD award, you get the #1 HUSBAND award!!!! AJ & I love you tons and tons and couldn't be any prouder to have you as ours!!!! Thanks for being you!!!

Christopher's 1st Birthday!

On Sunday we had the pleasure of going to Nero's to celebrate Christopher's 1st Birthday! The food was amazing - for lunch we got to fill up on penne vodka, chicken francaise, filet of sole stuffed with spinach, roasted potatoes, garlic string beans, fresh mozzarella & tomatoes and a yummy salad! For desert there was a tray of fresh fruit and an amazing white cake filled with chocolate pudding and topped with chocolate icing - it was delish!

I really can't believe he is 1 already - this time last year I was about 5 months pregnant and although that time (my prego days) seems ages away, I can't believe my little AJ is going to be 1 herself in 4 months! Where has all the time gone? Certainly on more then one occasion I have used the phrase "time fly's by" but until now I really never realized how quick! Alex and I really do treasure each and every moment with her!