New Jogging Stroller

Since mommy and Carmella have been working out at Stroller Power for about a year now we decided to get a running stroller. 

Mommy found a good deal on Craigslist and Carmella approves.

Loving her new ride!! Can't wait to take it out for a run.

My New Chair

Carmella got a special new chair for her birthday from auntie Jenn, Uncle Mike, Sophia, Tyler, Auntie Cindy, Uncle Mark and family.

She has figured out how to slide in and out of the chair.

And since mommy wasn't feeling very well today Carmella sat in her new chair and watch some Baby Einstein so mommy could rest.

She looks like such a big girl yet still so small sitting in her chair

So happy and content.

Thanks for the great chair, looks like Carmella likes it too!

Helping Mommy Grocery Shop

I have discovered that grocery shopping (or any shopping) with Carmella is a challenge. I have to come with snacks, water and any other distraction I can think of just to get through the store.

And if that isn't enough she will find whatever she can reach and think it is hers.

Enjoying a cucumber while mommy shops

Well at least she was entertained for a few minutes til she threw it down.
And yes I did purchase this cucumber even though we didn't need it

Da Da

I believe her first word was mama but she sure has been saying DA DA a lot and very clearly.

So maybe I will have to change her baby book.....

She says da da and looks right at Chris so she knows exactly what she is saying but the next day she will be playing and start saying da da with her toys. So I am not too sure if she knows what she is saying but it is so cute to hear her talk. 

Now I just have to catch her on video, so stay tuned.

Carmella's Luau First Birthday

Carmella is ONE!!

To celebrate our baby turning one we decided to have a first birthday luau. 

Love the invitation and Carmella is the perfect hula girl.

Welcome to the Luau party!!

A home made "Happy Birthday" sign for her first birthday and many more years to come.

Thank you grandma Lulu

Her birthday cake, a hula island number one and oh so tasty

(oops its sideways)

Carmella's smash cake

Auntie, Hu, Kevin, Nana and Andrea ready to celebrate the birthday girl

Julio and Great Grandma all dressed up with baby C

Alayna and Sophia made long trips to come help Carmella celebrate turning one.

Happy mom and dad, our BIRTH day too. 

Yeah we made it through the first year and so did Carmella.

Sweet baby girl turns one, oh my!!

Look at that smile and she is so happy to have all her family and friends here to help her celebrate.

A luau outfit for the birthday girl, too cute.

New birthday chair, Thank you Nielsen and DiFiore Familys

Carmella wasn't so sure about her birthday cake so mommy helped her out a little.

(I love the look on her cousins faces in the background, they want a bite too)

Once she figured out how tasty the cake was she wanted more...

and more.

Here are some picture collages of fun day

We even had a pinata to honor daddy birthday tradition.

Look at those kids swing away.

 Sleepy girl at that end of the day, but she did so great the whole time.

First birthday party was a hit!!

Thank you Aunt Cindy for all the decorations, it was a great first birthday luau.

Carmella is ONE!!

People always say the first year flashes by and I didn't want to believe them. Carmella has gone from a skinny, scrawny newborn to a gorgeous, lovable toddler. I’ve marked off many milestones along the way; her first smile, first giggle, first meal, first time sitting, and crawling. Her personality is already shining through and I can see she’s a perfect mix of both of us.

But looking back at this year I truly have no regrets. I feel so blessed to be Carmella's mommy and not only that but to be a working mom. I have had the best of both world, I work 3 days a week and spend the rest of the week playing, laughing and helping to raise our daughter. Some might say that going back to work is a drag but truthfully I think it makes me a better mom. I go to work and have an outlet, I have adult conversations and feel filled up because I enjoy helping people. And then I get to come home to that sweet face feeling refreshed and ready to spend time with our daughter. I miss her when I am away and it helps me to appreciate her when she whines a little more and reading books and rolling around on the ground has so much more meaning to me than before.

Watching Christopher's relationship develop with his daughter this last year has touched my heart. He truly is a hands on dad, he knows her routine from morning til night. On the days that I work he is Mr. Mom, getting her up and ready for Rose's house, and then picking her up feeding her dinner, having some play time as well as bath time. On the weekends that I work he is on all day, taking walks to the park, entertaining her all day and finding relief when nap time rolls around. I couldn't have picked a better partner and he is such a great dad. If  it is fair to say he provides Carmella with many things that I can not offer her and just because he doesn't do things my way doesn't mean they aren't getting done. Carmella gets the best of both worlds, a daddy who is present and ready to play and a mommy who gets to be at home 4 days a week.

Not to mention that she is a social kid thanks to her days at Rose's house. She interacts with the kids and is learning so much more than I could teach her. Throughout this first year I have watched her vocabulary grow and her conversation skills improve, she loves to talk. And when kids walk in the room she just lights up and gets so excited, it could be her cousins or even kids at the grocery store. We are so blessed to have found  balance in our lives and how that is already beginning to impact Carmella.

It’s cliche to say that she’s changed our lives but our life will never be the same again and that is just fine with me. Carmella has grown up into a cheeky, happy girl with chubby little arms and legs and a big smile that light up the room. She shows so much love for all her friends and family that my heart just swells with pride.

Happy 1st birthday baby girl!!
Mommy and Daddy love you soooo much

That's a wrap... no more pictures.

52 Weeks Old

We made it to 52 weeks!! That's right we all survived, ha.

So hard to believe that our baby is a year old. My oh my the time flew by but I have loved and cherished ever minute of it. And I must admit that I love looking back at the weekly pictures to see how she has grown but the last 10 weeks have become a lot more work to take them.

What you want me to sit in front of the sign but I want to hold it...

 
Mom since this is the last weekly picture can I please have it.
How can I say no to that face.