Shower Time...

A shower where I am able to wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner, and get all of the conditioner rinsed out, and maybe even shave my legs, is priceless to me right now. (I know I am not the only mom with this problem.) So I have been strategizing different ways to do this. Here is my new attempt. First, I use the first floor bathroom and wait until BB falls asleep. I put BB in her baby papasan and then wheel BP into the bathroom in her highchair (reason for not using the second floor bathroom) with something fun to play with. This almost always guarantees a full shower. Priceless in mommyland!!! So the above picture is my view from the shower.

Central Park Zoo

Another beautiful January day... is Mother Nature trying to trick us? We could not think of a better place to go yesterday than "BP's City" as she calls it. We spent the day in Central Park at The Central Park Zoo. As if the weather was not perfect, the zoo was practically empty. Here are some of the animals we saw and one shot of The Barefoot Princess taking a snack break. It was a perfect day, one I will always remember, and the girls were awesome for me, which I really appreciated since it was my first solo trip to the city. Daddy told BP she should have worn her ski helmet while I was driving, but we made it in and out without any problems. Yeah!!!

The Boat Show

The Barefoot Princess and Daddy had a special date day this past Saturday. They went to the city for the National Boat Show. BP got to climb on the boats and Daddy got to dream. So anyway, they went for the Boat Show and came home with a big red bag from one of BP's favortie stores... and in it was...

A new outfit for Bitty Baby, a new seat for Bitty Baby, and a bath set for Bitty Baby. I think Bitty Baby is quite spoiled!!!

A Quick Trip to "My City"

Just a few pictures from a recent visit to the city or as BP calls it "my city" and yes, I really do think she thinks it is her city. She loves it there! We saw the tree, the ice in Rockefeller Center, the ice in Central Park. The Barefoot Princess ran around The Duck Pond and made a couple friends there and then we headed home. It was a quick trip because The Barefoot Baby was not feeling well. Luckily it was another beautiful day. I think it was 55 degrees that day just like today. I love this January weather. Keep it coming!!!

All Ears

The Barefoot baby is "all ears" as The Barefoot Princess reads her a story. (These moments as a mother are priceless.)

Play-Doh

I am ashamed to admit, but the other day was BP's first time ever playing with play-doh. I don't know why I waited so long...I guess I was afraid she would eat it and not get the concept. She had so much fun cutting and rolling and making shapes. She sat in her high chair for almost two hours playing. We have to buy more play-doh now because she kept asking for different colors.

BP's First Ski Adventure

Yesterday was the most beautiful Sunday, about forty five degrees and sunny. We could not pass up such a great day to teach The Barefoot Princess to ski. We have been talking and dreaming about this day for quite a while. BP's Daddy and I are both avid skiers and we hope BP and BB will both love the sport as much as we do so we can spend some quality family time together on the slopes as they grow. After buying boots and a pink helmet, we rented skis for BP and hit the bunny hill. She loved it immediately! "More, More," she kept saying. And of course in true BP style the faster the better. So she preferred to go down the hill with Daddy because he was much faster than me.

After a quick piece of pizza for lunch she wanted to go to the top of the mountain on the "big chair" as she called it. And that is where she spent the rest of the afternoon. She skiied from 12 until 5 and we had to drag her off the mountain. She was exhausted, but would not admit it. What endurance!!! I wish we could say the same for us... I know I am a little sore today. Overall it was a great first skiing expereince!! Hopefully next time is just as successful.

Ready for Santa!!!

Here are The Barefoot Princess and The Barefoot Baby on Christmas Eve. BP was so excited she could barely contain herself. A friend of mine compared her to a rubber bouncy ball because of her unending excitement during the holidays. The Barefoot Baby has no clue..just wait until next year!

The Barefoot Baby

Look how big The Barefoot Baby is getting! I keep thinking... Can those cheeks get any bigger? And then they do!!! Check out my new pillow. Another Christmas gift that I love. It matches our new furniture perfectly. (I am so grateful for family who really knows me)

Thank You Kris Kringle!!!

Thank you to my Kris Kringle (I hope I spelled that correctly)!!! I love the Vera Breadley bag with the little pink elephants on it. So me!!! I cannot wait to use it. It is the size of a big purse or a small diaper bag and I am sure I will use it for both.

A New tradition???

We had a lot of presents to wrap. Or should I say I had a lot of presents to wrap. (BP and BB's Daddy is not fond of wrapping) So my sweet husband brought a bottle of very good champagne. Who can refuse a bottle of Veuve Cliquot? After BP fell asleep I wrapped until about midnight and Daddy held BB who slept like a queen on his chest. It was so nice to enjoy a little bubbly next to the Christamas tree and talk while wrapping the huge pile of gifts for BP and BB. It was a little down time during a crazy month and I appreciated it so much. I think this should become a holiday traditon for us.

The Result...

This is the result of a day of rolling, cutting, baking and decorating. We had a blast and could not believe how fast the day went. Thank you to my friend Judy and Mona for putting up with BP's meltdowns towards the end of the day. I have learned a very important lesson about skipping the nap. Also thank you to Judy for making the dough in advance which saved us some major time. What a great friend... I guess she new that the new mother could not handle too much. The cookies were delicious... Santa really enjoyed them!!!

The Cookie Inspiration...

In the December issue of Counrty Living magazine there was a whole section dedicated to baking Christmas Cookies. It gave the recipe for a sugar cookie dough and then thirteen, yes thirteen different cookies you could make out of it. My friend Judy and I often call each other when we receive the magazine in the mail and talk about things we like and see in it. So when December's issue came she called and said; "we have to try these cookies." We set a date and went to work...

A Lifesaver

I have the Nicole Miller Snugli pictured above and it has been a lifesaver!!! I use it almost everyday. I have had it since The Barefoot Princess was a baby. Unfortunatley BP grew out of it rather fast. I have used it much more this time with The Barefoot Baby. It allows me to have both of my hands free and do lots of things around the house. Yesterday, for example, while wearing my Snugli with BB in it, I was able to play Little People with BP, change BP's diaper, make grilled cheese and soup for lunch, do two loads of laundry, and clean the playroom. Then we went to Rite Aid to make picture prints and agian I put BB in the snugli. Then I put BP in the shopping cart.

I guess BP noticed that I have been wearing the snugli a lot because she put her purple monkey from Uncle T around her neck yesterday and said "Look Mommy, me too!" "My Baby" Then she wrapped the pink blankie around her baby and wore it all around the house. So funny!!

The Best of Both Worlds

The other day when we went out these were the two accessories The Barefoot Princess insisted on taking / wearing. I did not have a chance to take her picture at the time, but we laughed and I kept thinking about the pink John Deere hat and the blue Tiffany bag. What a combo...what an oxymoron? We often talk about making sure BP knows and appreciates the best of both worlds as she grows up. Well here it is right berfore our eyes!!! Stay tuned next week for blue jeans and pearls!!!

Mom's Night Out

After being canceled once because of the weather, Mom's Night Out is finally here!!! I am afraid to admit how long it has been since I have done this. So tonight I am meeting four other mommy friends for dinner and Christmas shopping this evening and I cannot wait. Even though we see each other often (The Little Gym, Musical Munchkins, Playdates) it will be nice to have an adult dinner and not worry about sharing, lost sippy cups, and dirty diapers!!!

First Cup of Hot Cocoa

The Barefoot Princess enjoyed her first cup of hot cocoa after playing in the snow the other day. She loved the hot cocoa, but as you can see was not to sure about the marshmallows.

Enough Already!!

Ok, I have had enough winter and it has not officially begun!!! We missed a Christmas party at our friend's house yesterday because of the ice and snow. The Barefoot Princess looked adorable in her red smocked dress and red velvet mary janes and then we had to break the news to her that because of mother nature she could not go to the party and would not be able to see her friends. BP's Daddy and I were just as upset. We are so sorry Jenny, Tom and Gavin!!!

The picture above I took when BP was 4 months old and we heard a snow storm was on the way. That particular time we packed our bags and headed to the city for the weekend. It was beautiful to see New York covered in snow and we were able to enjoy it without the crowds. We snuggled into a beautiful hotel room near the park, ordered some sushi and watched Will & Grace reruns after walking all afternoon. I am sure when The Barefoot Baby is a little older we will do the same thing with again!

Osh Gosh B' Gosh!!!

Ok, so I admit to having I am having sooooo.... much fun dressing two little girls. I could not resist the matching pink and white striped overalls. Maybe because I had the same pair when I was little and maybe because overalls are perfect for The Barefoot Princess. They are so her! And who could resist them in the 0-3 month size. Our local outlet center has an Osh Kosh store and I have found that their clothes fit BP well, wash well and come in baby and toddler sizes!!! Yeah!!!

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries have become a new favorite for The Barefoot Princess. She loves them and I am so happy because they are so healthy for her. I just cut them and place them on a baking sheet and then drizzle with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Rachael Ray terms) then add a little salt and pepper and a little brown sugar (if you so desire). Place them in a 400 degree oven for 20 -25 minutes or so. BP dips them in a little ranch dressing, but they are good plain too. The perfect side dish with a burger or steak!!!

For a Friend...

Blue House Mom this post is for just for you! I had to laugh when you put Munchkinetta's holiday picture from her first Christmas on your blog because The Barefoot Princess wore the same dress with the same chubby cheeks and a very similar look on her face. So funny to look back now isn't it? They grow too fast!!

Glitter Girl

Can you tell how much fun The Barefoot Princess is having? It seems she loves glitter as much as I do. It was always one of my favorite art supplies! Our house has glitter everywhere...I keep finding it on myself and The Barefoot Baby had a red sparkle on her cheek the other day, but it was definitely worth the mess to see the fun BP had with a little glue and glitter!

Peanut Butter Kisses

The Barefoot Princess and I made four dozen of these delicious little "tookies," as she calls them, the other night for a cookie swap at our Friday playdate. (Thanks to Nana for the matching aprons.) We came home from our playdate with three different types of cookies...chocolate chip, sugar with raspberry preserves inside, and chocolate nut bark. They were all delicious!!

My Three Girls...

The Barefoot Princess, The Barefoot Baby and Bitty Baby all dressed in matching shirts. Sizes 3T, 3months, and newborn respectively. BP thought this was way cool!!! I love the way BB is looking at her big sister in these pictures as if she already worships her!