Growing Up

Once again, Arabella is growing up right before my eyes...and too fast! For a while, it would take her a long time to fall asleep and sometimes she would tell me that her bed was not comfortable. We decided to let her try sleeping in the guest room where we have a queen sized bed. Sure enough, with more room to spread out and get comfortable, she fell asleep much quicker and slept longer and more soundly. So this past weekend, we decided to change out her toddler bed into the full-sized bed that her crib turned into. (Before we moved, we decided to purchase the conversion kit and I am glad we did.) When we got home from playgroup on Friday, her new mattress was still on top of Jay's rep car...and when she saw it Arabella got so excited! She couldn't wait to get out of the car and go get Jay to "make her big, big girl bed"!

They got right down to work taking apart her toddler bed. Arabella loves to help and could hardly contain herself!






Me, being the anal one, had to let the mattress "out gas" and even hooked up the heavy duty air purifier in her room to help it along before she could sleep on it. Yesterday was the big day, she helped me make her bed and she loves her big, big girl bed and is so happy! I am still not used to her bed taking up so much of her room, but it is time for this change. She looks so little in the bed, it is so cute and she loved sleeping in it last night and even slept in a little bit! Now all I have to do is figure out bedding...but that is going to wait until we are back in the States for Christmas!

Happy Birthday....To Me

Maybe the reason I love Autumn is because I am an Autumn baby. Tuesday was my birthday and it was a great day. The first thing I heard in the morning was "Happy Birthday Mommy" from my sweet Arabella. She jumped in bed and gave me the best Birthday card ever...she had decorated the inside of a very cute card for me (she also gave me Jay's card)! After Arabella woke up from her nap, Jay took her shopping to pick up dinner and a cake. Since he admits he is cooking challenged, he brought home a menu from an Italian restaurant that we had not tried. It was a good choice...everything was delicious. Arabella even enjoyed her pasta! I had a great pizza and for an appetizer we shared poached pears stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto with a balsamic glaze...to die for! I would go back to the restaurant for those alone!


When Arabella and Jay got home from the store, she was so excited about the cake she picked out...it was a chocolate cake and she couldn't wait to MAKE it for me!
She also picked out beautiful sunflowers for my. They are one of my favorite flowers and they were are so pretty, great job picking them out Little Bean!


Arabella had so much fun making and decorating my cake. It was warm, right out of the oven and so good. She was so excited to try it and have me try it as well, that I couldn't even cut it! All the manners flew out the window and we just dove right in with forks on the serving plate.






I was even able to enjoy a glass (or two) of my favorite cupcake wine, Red Velvet, after dinner! Thank you for a great Birthday Jay & Arabella! I love you both!

Chilly Morning

Last weeks the mornings were cool, but the days warmed up nicely. I love the autumn chill in the air, but I am not sure that I am ready for the colder weather. Thursday morning, it was pretty chilly, 44 degrees and there was a very light coating of frost on the grass. It looked so pretty in the early morning sun, but I am not sure this picture does it justice...

BMW Show & Shine

Last Sunday, despite heavy downpours of rain and overcast conditions, Jay & Mike made the drive Portsmouth, New Hampshire to attend the BMW Show & Shine. The BMW Show & Shine is a yearly event held by Bavarian Autosport to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year the event raised more than $7,500 for the Foundation. Jay, Mike and over 1,000 more BMW enthusiasts from North America attended the event. There were many different BMW and Mini models on display - everything from the vintage models to more current models. Even though the weather did not cooperate, Mike and Jay were like kids in a candy store and had a great time. They were so excited about the event when they got home and are both looking forward to next years event...looks like it will become a tradition! Nothing wrong with that, it is a great time and it raises money for a great cause. I happy they were able to do some bonding and have fun taking part in something they both enjoy...CARS!

Anniversary Weekend

Last weekend, we took a road trip to Boston for our Anniversary. Actually, it wasn't all for our Anniversary...Jay and Mike had been planning to attend the BMW Show & Shine in New Hampshire for a few months now and since it was our Anniversary, Jay asked Arabella and I to tag along for the drive. The weather on the drive was not that great...rainy and overcast for most of it, but since I was just along for the ride, I was able to take a few pictures along the way. This one is of the sun trying to peek out as we crossed Pont Champlain while leaving the island.

I had not planned on going since I thought it would be a good guys weekend for Jay, Mike and Jeff...full of "car porn" and no girls. However, it was nice to get away for a little while and spend some good quality family time together in the car...nothing like 5 1/2 hours in the car to bond! And if you know anything about me...I hate long car rides, especially if I am not driving and this time around I wasn't. But it wasn't that bad...Arabella had her DVD's,

I had had my school work and Jay just drove his new toy (which I have to admit, I really like the seats in the new BMW - they are very comfy and really supported by back)...we made a few stops along the way, were stuck at the border for 45 minutes,

started to see the foliage changing in Vermont


and then sat in some Boston rush hour traffic so we were very excited to see Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff when we arrived. We actually surprised them when we got there which was fun. Arabella loved telling Uncle Jeff all about her ride and couldn't wait to have fun.


And she was even more excited when she spotted the cupcakes the Uncle Mike made for her on the kitchen island!

Arabella, Macy & Rocco...looking for "trouble"!

Jay and Mike had fun doing car "stuff"...I think they made a few trips to the BMW dealer and then played around on the cars for longer than I can count...but that was really what last weekend was all about.



And despite a few "hiccups" on Friday, we had a great Anniversary.

Jay and I were able to go out to dinner at Burton's...thanks Mike & Jeff for the great recommendation! Jay had steak and some type of seafood and I a had yummy vegetable risotto. I also enjoyed a delicious Autumn Apple Martini! Jay also surprised me with a trip to Verizon to pick out a new cell phone and I am SUPER EXCITED about it...I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my iPhone!!! Thanks Jay!!

Saturday was a very busy day. I had to drive to Connecticut to pick up a few pieces of furniture from my Aunt Rose. She has moved into an assisted living facility and there were some things that she wanted Mike and I to have. It was a difficult day and I am thankful that Lori was able to help me - Jay, Mike & Jeff stayed with Arabella in Boston since it was easier with less people around to go through things and decide what we would like to have. I still don't like the idea of "taking" things since she is still alive, but I am happy to have some items that I remember growing up. Having my best friend with me made it better and I am thankful that Jeff let me use his SUV to bring things back to Boston. Now all I have to do, is figure out how to get a few of the larger pieces to Montreal!

Sunday was a busy day for Arabella and I as we did some last minute errands while Mike and Jay attended the Show & Shine. It was a good weekend, that went by too fast! Thanks again for all the fun Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff, we can't wait to come back!

Autumn Scenes

A few weeks ago, it really seemed as if Autumn had arrived, but by the weather this weekend, you wouldn't know that it is the 10th of October. It feels more like the 10th of August - we have been very lucky to have a little return of Summer, but it won't last long. At the end of September, the days were overcast and grey and the trees were starting to change color.


Needless to say, the weather this "Thanksgiving" weekend has been a very welcome change!

Arabella & Betsy

Arabella's preschool class has a "class mascot" - Betsy the Cow. Each week on Thursday, one student gets to take Betsy home for the weekend and then on Tuesday morning, Betsy returns to the classroom. Over the weekend, Betsy gets to do whatever you do and then, before returning to school, each child gets to draw a picture and write in Betsy's journal. The journal entry is written by Mom/Dad in the exact words that each child speaks. It is a a very cute exercise and Arabella enjoyed having Betsy for the weekend, so much so that she is looking forward to Betsy's next visit. They had fun together and Arabella and Ted liked having another friend to play with.
Betsy getting ready to go back to school and Arabella's journal entry.
Playing with Betsy!