Tales from Astoria: November 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 and Baby Update

We have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving it is actually a bit overwhelming when you sit down to make a list! This Thanksgiving we will be spending the holiday with the hubby's parents and then heading back to NY on Saturday to spend the day with my family. This is the first year that my brother will be spending Thanksgiving in Rome, Italy at the Pontifical North American College (aka the Vatican). We got to Skype with him for a little while before the rest of my family in NY called to talk to him.

Yesterday, my boss told the faculty and staff that Dave and I are expecting our first child. We announced it on Facebook. I guess it really is happening!

On Wednesday of last week, my good friend from high school gave birth to her sweet baby boy, James Henry. I got to spend sometime with them on Sunday. it was wonderful! He is just so tiny and cute!

Tonight, the hubby and I have a doctor's appointment so hopefully all goes well there and we'll have some new pictures to show you. I've been feel pretty good. Most of the morning sickness is gone however I still am definitely turned off by some foods that I wouldn't have batted an eye at before. We've started researching baby products using friends reviews, consumer reports, and other online sources. If anyone has advice regarding baby products, I'd gladly consider it! I'm finding it all overwhelming which is why I thought I would start early.

Memorial Service Marks 10th Anniversary Of Flight 587 Crash [Full Program] - NY1.com

Memorial Service Marks 10th Anniversary Of Flight 587 Crash [Full Program] - NY1.com

Astoria Symphonic Choir's performance 11/12/11

City Marks 10th Anniversary Of Flight 587 Crash - NY1.com

Survivors, Family Members Remember 10 Anniversary Of Belle Harbor Plane Crash

This plane crashed shortly after 9/11 in the neighborhood where I grew up. Tomorrow, the Astoria Symphonic Choir will be singing at the memorial service. We need to be there bright and early in the morning!

7 Quick Takes Friday

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I'm off from work today! I am thrilled to be able to enjoy a day of freedom. I love my job but, sometimes it gets tiring. My plan today is to relax in bed for the morning and then head to Staten Island to visit my cousin and her daughter. I haven't seen them since August! It should be lots of fun.

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I've been neglecting our blog because we've been busy with a bunch of personal stuff going on.

Like this!

We are expecting a baby due on 5/22/2012!

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I feel like I've lost most of Fall. A few Friday's ago, I made a list of things I'd like to do this Fall unfortunately NONE of it got done. I barely took my summer wreath down and got a Fall wreath up before Halloween. We spent Halloween at my parents house, handing out candy to the little people in their neighborhood.

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Several weeks ago the hubby was honored at his high school by being inducted into the Hall of Fame!

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We've decided that we will be going to Maryland for Thanksgiving. We will celebrate with my family on Saturday. The holiday are always a bit difficulty since the hubby's family lives in Md. and my family lives in NY. We seem to work it out though! Next year, I'm sure everything will be different again!

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We have been spending weekends with my family. It is nice to be able to relax a bit and forget about work. I've been catching up on TV since we don't have cable at home. I've become obsessed with Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice! The good thing is I can catch up on the internet too!

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Tomorrow, the choir I am part of will be singing at a memorial service for American Airlines Flight 587. Please pray for all of the families that were effected by this tragedy.

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters (Repost)

I thought this was a beautiful posted shared with me via facebook. It was originally posted at http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/50-rules-for-dads-of-daughters.

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

Photo Credit :: Danielle Rocke Toews

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.