we are moving

so, I decided to change the blog name, if you want to keep following us -

www.raisingoandm.wordpress.com

shop Etsy & help Japan

there are so many great sellers on Etsy that are contributing a percentage of sales to earthquake relief.
if you are as obsessed with Etsy as I am, there are some great items for sale. here are a few i have my eye on. (just click the image to link to the etsy shop)

Tags: earthquake relief, japan

Dear Marco and Olivia…….

I have been writing this letter to you both in my head since before you were born. All the things I wish and hope for you. It’s funny how I would daydream about what you would be like, what you would look like. The two of you just blow me away. In every way possible you have enriched our life more than you know. I love our little family. Watching your dad with you, listening to him read to you and the way you laugh with him. Every morning is such a blessing, walking into your room and seeing you both with such smiles on your face, it makes me melt every time. I never knew that my heart could be filled with such pure happiness and love.

I love the twinkle in your eyes when you both smile, I hope you never lose it. Marco Bello the way you have discovered your voice, it cracks me up. You love to “chat” and you mean it. You have the sweetest smile and the way you look at your sister is just too precious. I love to see you snuggle with your cobija, the way you bury your hole face in it, it’s exactly how you would be in the ultrasounds!

Olivia Jade you are such a little actress! The way you scream until you are RED and then in a flash you are smiling and laughing. It’s like you are just making sure we are paying attention. You have turned into such a little giggler and I love it! I love the way you reach for Marco when you are in the crib together just to rub his head and the way you are always reaching for each other’s hand. I love that you are buddies and I hope you always will be.

Everyday is a new adventure for you and I am just so blessed beyond words to be your mother.

I still have to get this framed for your room but I hope you both always remember:

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

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Tags: dear babies

Sassy Baby Pack Give Away

I just recently bought a few Sassy toys and found this great giveway to share.

Enter the give away at Babyrazzi.

One (1) lucky BabyRazzi reader will receive a “Sassy Baby Pack” valued at $100 including:

• Rock Star Developmental Gym: 15 developmental activities in one emphasizing gross and fine motor skills.
• Rock Star Guitar: Inspire touch with through familiar children’s songs with a rock twist to help baby discover cause & effect.
• Rock and Roll Ring Stacker: Baby is challenged to learn how to crawl.
• Teething Feeder (2-pk): Perfect for home or travel, the Teething Feeder is a great way to give your baby whole, fresh, age appropriate foods while reducing the risk of choking.
• Stay-Clean™ Silly Squirts™: Winner of the 2010 JPMA Innovation Award, these bath toys have a unique 2-piece design that helps prevent mold growth.

http://www.babyrazzi.com/2011/02/01/enter-to-win-sassy-baby-pack-2/

Tags: babyrazzi, giveaway, sassy

Favorite Things

I have been meaning to sit down and write this for awhile but of course just haven’t had a minute to do it. The days just fly by with the babies! Some days I am lucky if I get to finish my morning coffee or eat! I have to get better about making the time to do eat though.

Now that’s it’s been two months, I wanted to share some of the things that we love. I would roll my eyes when my mom’s friends would laugh at my long-ass registry and now I can see why. There were so many things that I thought would be a necessity and wound up never even using. I am learning that less is definitely the way to go.

1. Amazon Mom/Subscribe & Save – Hands down the best thing ever. It’s such a huge relief to just have diapers, wipes and formula shipped home. 30% off and 2 Day-Free Shipping, can’t beat it.
2. Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher – I have 4 of these pitchers and it’s such a time-saver. Having bottles and formula ready to go at all times makes my life easier. If only they could make the pitchers a little bigger to reduce the spilling.
3. The First Years Babypro Quick Serve Bottle Warmer – At first I didn’t think we needed a bottle warmer, I just kept warming them up in a bowl of hot water. I had the Tommee Tippee warmer and hated it. We had to switch Olivia’s formula and it was so thick it wasn’t warming up as fast. This is quick, cheap and I love the handy water dropper.
4. Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack – I have 2 of these on my counter and love them. They don’t take up too much space, look nice and I can pile it up with bottles and their million pieces. \
5. Fisher-Price Deluxe Infant-to-Toddler Comfort Rocker, Alpha Fun – Originally we had the Bright Starts Comfort Bouncer but the mobile never snapped in and as they got older I knew that 1) they would pull on the mobile and 2) would get bored. This one goes up to a higher weight and they love all the colors.
6. Seventh Generation Diapers & Wipes – We switched to these pretty quickly after Olivia developed a burn from the Dry Max diapers. They have been great, no more diaper rash issues.
7. Munchkin – seriously everything I have purchased I love.

• • • ARM & HAMMER™ DIAPER PAIL BY MUNCHKIN
    • Warm Glow Wipe Warmer
    • Diaper Duty Organizer
    • Deluxe Dishwasher Basket
    • Powdered Formula Dispenser Combo Pack – If they just make one that holds more formula. I can only get about 3 scoops in it and I know that’s going to be going up soon.

I have a few more things to add when I have time.

Tags: Amazon, Amazon Mom, Boon, Dr. Brown's, Fisher-Price, Munchkin, The First Years

How did we get so lucky….

The holiday craze is finally over, literally just finished taking down the tree. This Christmas was such a special one to have O & M here with us. I just kept thinking back to last Christmas and how we were struggling with the decision to do IVF or not. I think at the time, we were close to losing hope that we would ever be parents. It’s true that little quote, “We were praying for a miracle and we were BLESSED with two”.

Here are a few pictures that Photographer Tatiana Breslow did and we used for our Holiday card. I love the one of Martino and I holding the babies. Maybe it’s all the leftover hormones but it makes me tear up every time.

The B&W and the pics in the pack n’ play are when we were snowed in at great-grandma’s house.

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Favorite Things…LittleLittleMissMatched

I had never heard of this brand until the babies were gifted with a few outfits and I L.O.V.E. the LittleMissMatched collection at Babies R’ US. First off the the clothes are just so soft and the patterns are just too cute. I love the mix of stripes, polka-dots and the colors. Just too cute! I have to add a few more pics of the babies in their outfits as they wear them. I don’t know why  BRU doesn’t have the collection online. I did make it into the store and the entire collection was on clearance for under $5 each. SCORE!!

Tags: Babies R' US, baby boy clothes, baby girl clothes, LittleMissMatched

Introducing Olivia Jade and Marco Alfonso….

They are finally here!  I had almost given up hope that they would show up on their own. Early October 24th, my water broke and we were on our way.

Marco Alfonso was born at 8:23 and Olivia Jade was born at 8:24.

I can’t believe they are finally here! These two little people that each have their own personalities. Marco is just as I imagined. A calm little boy that just looks around and takes it all in (just like his dad). Olivia came out screaming, this little girl has quite a set of lungs and is not afraid to use them but is such a sweet girl. I love their little faces and watching them sleep.

The past 3 weeks being home with Martino have been great but today he went back to work.  Today we are on our own but we got this. Luckily, we have my mom and sisters and some good friends who have all offered to stop by.

So now the adventures really begin! These two little people have opened my heart in a way that I didn’t know was possible. xoxo

Here are a few pics that Tatiana Breslow took at the hospital. Can’t wait for their photo shoot this week!

www.tatianabreslow.com

Etsy Love

Sorry for not posting more, you would think being home on leave that I would have more to say but I have been a slacker.

What better to post about than my new favorites on Etsy.

At the last ultrasound, the tech joked that both babies had more hair than Martino. Now I can’t help but think of all the bows and frills I can put in Olivia’s hair. I love both this little cocoon and headband. I have a feeling she is going to come out with a head of dark hair just like her Aunt Stephanie did.

beautiful vintage green headband sizes newborn and up – $18/Little Diva and Dude Design

Of course I had to find something equally as cute for lil Marco

GREY SKULL AND CROSSBONES KNITTED BEANIE HAT – $20/Charlie Mae

32 weeks

I have officially been home on Dr.’s orders since August 9th. This in itself has been a challenge for me. It’s for a good reason and so far so good. Yesterday, I went in for an ultrasound and the babies look great!

Lil’ Marco is 4.9 lbs and curled up in a ball since his sister is somehow curved around him and weighing 4.10 lbs. The belly is already measuring 40 weeks!!  I still have another 6 weeks to go!  I can’t imagine how much bigger this belly is going to stretch. )

I have to say that for each day these babies continue to cook I am grateful. I am grateful for a body that may have had a hard time getting pregnant has managed to carry these 2 babies and for the most part I really have not had any issues other than the normal pregnancy aches and pains. It’s definitely getting harder to walk around and trying to sleep is torture but all in all things are moving along.

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 29 lbs.
Maternity clothes? yes and no, but now that I am under house arrest, it’s yoga pants and tee’s
Stretch marks? no and no. Mama Mio boob tube & Bio-oil everday
Sleep: Not really. It’s hard to get comfortable and my hands hurt with pins and needles.
Best moment this week: Getting to see the babies at our ultrasound!
Movement: Movements are not as strong as before since these two are pretty cramped in there but I love playing music and feeling them dance around.

Food cravings: not many, my belly is in my throat and the heartburn pretty much squashes all cravings. I have been eating my new fave cottage cheese with cinnamon and honey

Gender: Boy& Girl
Labor Signs: NO
Belly Button in or out? It’s still an innie but barely.
What I miss: SLEEP! I miss being able to feel my hands.
What I am looking forward to: Hopefully, getting to visit a friend who just had their baby girl yesterday!
Weekly Wisdom: Going to try and increase the fluids and protein to hopefully help with the swelling in my hands. Even though I don’t know how much water I can drink!