Friday, January 30, 2009

I Can Do That In My Sleep

It's been a couple posts since you last saw our little bug. He's quickly becoming mobile which is a great new challenge. This morning when I went into his room he was sitting up in his crib talking away. What??? He learned that overnight? Of course he's been able to sit for awhile now, but we had to position him that way. Now...


he goes from rolling around


to crawling

to sitting back up again.

Who knew one could be so productive in their sleep?

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

But It's My Favorite!

My favorite decorating mag (and website) is calling it quits. I was worried this might happen as shelter after shelter magazine (Cottage Living, O at Home, Blueprint) have thrown in the towel. Somehow I thought Domino would be able to ride it out. It's soooo good. Total bummer. March will be the last issue.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Is it Worth it?

Can you tell I'm in a spending mood? It's this dreadful weather. Perfect for nothing except online shopping. I'm lusting after this Le Creuset cookware in Citron (color exclusive to Williams and Sonoma).



Wouldn't this set look just gorgeous in my sunny, farmhouse-style kitchen against the gleaming, white, subway tile backsplash? I know! Ok, I don't have that kitchen...yet. I also don't have the 1000 smackaroos (ouch!) it would take to make this cookware mine.... But ain't it pretty???

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Keep Dreaming

Oh Neiman Marcus, why do you tease me so?


What I wouldn't give to strut around in a pair of these lovelies...

Sigh... You can't win if you don't enter, right???

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Are We There Yet???



I just snagged two pairs of these super -clearance ($.99!!!) flip-flops from Old Navy in teal and lemon. They are a warm weather must-have for me! Now, I wait for the snow to melt...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Manu's World

I wish a had a "pause life" button I could push to really take in my favorite moments with Manu. He's growing and changing everyday. It's happening all so fast, I worry that I'll forget the perfectness of him right this moment. We're quickly approaching the 9 month mark which means his first birthday is just around the corner. Jeez.

I hope to share the following with him someday when he asks: "What was I like as a baby?"

Manu hearts:
  • Food: This kids eats EVERYTHING. Riz jokes that we're going to end up on Maury with a 200 pound toddler. While I don't think he'll have any weight issues, he does have a full blown love-affair with food; any food. When we first introduced meat last month, I thought we had discovered something he'd turn his nose up to. Nope. He also loves some very un baby-like food including daal and rice, brown rice and seaweed, and Ezekiel bread with almond butter. Also, unless you plan on sharing, you cannot eat in front of him. Poor Aunt Sameena learned this the hard way when after a long day of work she sat down on the couch next to Arman with her chicken pot- pie. Manu gave her an ear-full until she handed over some of her filling. Of course this was after he finished his own dinner.
  • Michael Buble: Faheem introduced Manu to Michael Buble during his visit to Pittsburgh in July. He's been hooked ever since and we spend a little time each afternoon dancing to his favorite, Everything. His face completely light up as soon as he hears the first couple of notes.
  • Women: He's a shameless flirt. He bats his eyes at the check-out girl at Whole Foods, the bank-teller at PNC, and the ladies behind the cutting counter at Jo-Ann Fabrics. While he'll goo- goo and ga-ga with anyone who gives him the time of day, he's particularly fond of blondes. Just yesterday, he fell in love with a (blonde) bride-to-be at Kate Spade after she asked his opinion on a pair of shoes for her wedding party. Smitten! Oh, and if you can sing too, you're golden.
  • Ladybug: His continued fascination with ladybugs is endearing. Ladybug became a favorite (his and ours) when we discovered that by dangling her from the car seat handle we could get through through a car ride quietly and with our sanity still intact. Love her!
Manu says "no thanks" to:
  • Shopping: Manu has little patience for shopping. I have a good 15 minutes in any given store before I have to whip out the fruit leather as a distraction. He's considerate enough to warn me with a little fidgety-ness and a disapproving whine. Those are my cues to get a move on. If I wait too much longer he starts trying to back-bend his way out of the cart; his fruit-leathered face pout-y and determined. We're a real sight in those moments. Regardless, I will continue to shop with him. I love it enough for the both of us.
  • Pacifiers: I've tried them on many occasions and he refuses every time. He'll hold it , look at it for a bit and then cast it aside. I thought babies love pacifiers. Instead, he sucks on his right forearm for comfort. Whenever he's ready for a nap he'll prop his left hand under his right elbow and bring his arm to his mouth and suck until he falls asleep. He's a true self-soother.
  • Bottles: He used them until he was about 3 months old. Then, no more. Like the pacifier, he flatly refused. I tried to get him to use it, but quickly grew tired of the struggle and gave up. Turned out to be a great thing. He took to the sippy cup like a pro so we just went with it. One less thing to take away from him later.
Hmm. Can't think of anything else he really can't stand. He's a good-natured little thing. When he's had it, I find it to be pretty justifiable.

It's such a joy to see him to continue to develop and express his likes and dislikes. He's not only our baby, he's really his own tiny, little person. Incredible.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Brrrrr!

Is it warm where you are?
Have a happy and cozy weekend!
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Sunday, January 04, 2009

Those Parents

We're turning into those parents. Call it parent goggles, sleep deprivation, or what you will. We think our kid is the sweetest thing ever and we've got the pics to prove it.

Go on and roll your eyes. We know what's up.












Don't worry about it going to our heads.
I'm sure when he starts talking back we'll being singing a different tune.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

The other great thing about Hhds..

Trying new and exotic foods!


Like Turkey


With herbs,


And Risotto!




So turkey didn't go over so well at first. But just when we thought Manu was going to be a vegetarian, he came around.
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I Miss Hhds.

I miss Horseheads. More specifically though, I miss being around family. Riz is working this weekend and next week he'll be heading to Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. It's really hard to do the parent thing by yourself. Some days you just need someone to say with arms outstretched: "Here. Let me take him for a bit. Go shower." There was an entire week of that when we went home for Christmas. I know I've said this before, but it's so great to have so many people anxious to entertain the little guy all day, every day. Having everyone there provided Riz and I with several opportunities to get out of the house together AND separately without the baby in tow! Must do more of that this year!

Some highlights:

Reading for leisure.



Sisters doing nothing!



Hanging out with cousins.



Food and family.




Meeting up with old friends...


...and some brand new ones!
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Friday, January 02, 2009

A New Year

New Year's resolution time. I'm great at making them, but I stink at keeping them. Of all the past resolutions I've made which have included: running a minimum of three times a week, keeping my nails in pristine condition and morphing into a glamorous desperate housewife to name a few, I haven't kept a single one. I haven't ran since I became pregnant with Manu. My nails are perpetually brittle and jagged. And while I did manage to become a housewife, there's absolutely nothing glamorous about the gig. Actually, now that I 'm thinking back, I did keep one resolution I made 2 years ago which was to eat more yogurt. I did do that. Yay for me.

My mom said to me on the phone the other day that people who really desire change in their lives will do whatever it takes to make it happen, new year or not. There's always a million reasons not to do something. That may be so, but I still can't myself. The idea of starting fresh is so exciting. I was thinking of making this year's resolution(s) like a "to-do" list. I love lists and I'm good at accomplishing things when they're in list form. And maybe smaller goals for me. Anything bigger than 'eating more yogurt' and I'm bound to fail.

Ok, so my current To-Do/Resolution List for 2009:

1. Edit and simplify- Starting in the kitchen and working my way through the house. Giving/throwing stuff away, organizing what I have, and working on making daily chores and processes more efficient. Fun!

2. Finish decorating the family room and re-do entry. I've had a serious and prolonged decorating block in regards to the family room. My problem is that I can't decide on a color scheme or even an overall look long enough to do something about it. As soon as I think I have a brilliant idea, I see a gorgeous home featured in Elle Decor or House Beautiful and I'm no longer happy with my plan. I need to stop relying on others to tell me what the chic-est shade of kelly green is, or how Kelly Wearstler-esque lattice prints are sooo en vogue and finally just do what I like. Period.

3. More me time. Now that I'm a mom, I feel like I'm always giving. It's kinda what I do and it's so easy to lose yourself in the days that seem to blend together. There are no weekends. There are no vacations. I love it, but it's awfully demanding. I'm going to work on scheduling some time out for just me and not feel guilty about doing it. I know I'll be a better mom for it.

I think that's plenty to start with. If by some miracle I accomplish those things, I'll add more. I can think of at least a dozen other things I'd like to do but I'll reserve them for fear of once again setting my expectations far too high. Wish me luck.

Here's to trying! Cheers!