Kitchen makeover

Hi friends!
It's been awhile since I've blogged, for no reason other than life! The kids are at fun yet busy ages; Gabriella has play dates and activities and Elliot is all over the place and into everything... especially everything that's not safe like climbing unsteady furniture and trying to unplug all the things within his reach. Childproofing is not enough for this one!

In any case, one of the more exciting things we've had going on here is a little kitchen makeover. Our kitchen was veryyyyyy dated and the thought of doing a remodel seemed overwhelming and pricey. We were torn over what to do; do we put a ton of money in and do a full demolition? Or just leave it? Or find something in between. We complained about it and dragged our feet for years. Until a few weeks ago when we just had to make a decision.

Our sink was also really old and the faucet was starting to fail. Finally it gave out and we had to replace it. Well because the sink was also really old and some rust was starting to show, we knew this was the moment to replace both. As we were talking, we knew that the countertops should be refinished at the same time.  And just like "If you give a mouse a cookie" it became, "Well if we redo the countertops, might as well fix up the cabinets". And so our mini kitchen makeover started!

We headed over the Home Depot and discovered Rustoleum's cabinet transformation kit. We chose the shade of Winter Fog and Gianni got started. It did take him several days of working after work to get it done but boy oh boy was it worth it! For less than $80, our cabinets were seriously transformed. The directions were clear and easy to understand and because we opted not to use the decorative finish, he was able to use a roller which sped things up. We added some brushed nickel knobs and were blown away at how awesome it looks.

For the countertop, we went back to Depot and chose Rustoleum's countertop paint. We chose to tint it with the color "Putty" and are really happy with our choice. They also make kits that are pricier and allow you to add other features but we opted for the paint alone to keep it clean and a solid color. This was also super easy to use but had a really strong smell when it was wet. Gianni wore a mask and we kept all the windows open and the bedroom doors shut. I would say that was the worst part of the whole project but the smell did go away pretty quickly.

Total cost was about $600! That includes the new faucet and sink, both sets of paint, hardware, as well as new paint brushes and rollers. It was time-consuming (about a weeks time, working 4-5 hours an evening) but so so worth it. We are loving the new look!! Final step is to paint the walls a nice, crisp white but I'll let Gianni have a few days off!!

2018 March for Babies

Today we were proud to take part in the March of Dimes Annual March for Babies. The cause is near and dear to our hearts and we thank everyone who made a donation in Gabriella's name. Our NICU experience changed us forever and is a huge part of who we are as parents and as a family.

The weather wasn't great but so many people still came out for a wonderful event. This year Gabriella took part in the Superhero dash, which is a short run for the kids. It was adorable and she rocked her cape. We were given purple leis because we are micropreemie parents and I started crying the minute we arrived and didn't stop until halfway through the walk :) Seeing so many families that had been through similar journeys as ours is so emotional. I still can't believe how far she's come and how much she went through. When she's being a three year old and driving me bonkers, I try and remind myself that it is that fight and determination that helped her survive. Our favorite superhero :)

It was a wonderful but rainy day for a great cause! Thank you for all who supported us!!

Elliot is one!

Our sweet guy turned one at the end of March! Where did that year go?? The quote "The days may be long but the years are fast" has never been more true for me than this past year. It seems like just yesterday that he was born but at the same time those long colic filled nights seem like a lifetime ago. We had a small celebration for him with family which was just perfect. Pizza and cake and he was a happy camper.

Big sister took  care of opening his presents and our families spoiled him with lots of new toys and clothes. He clearly loved his smash cake and we had to peel him away from it after a few fistfuls to avoid a massive sugar rush (and crash).

It's fun to watch him move from a little baby to a toddler. He's exploring constantly and loves figuring out how things work and what things can do. While Gabriella has always been content playing with toys and doing crafts, he loves to see how loud things are, loves to open and close cabinets, pull cords out of outlets (and give me  heart attacks!), and climb. He's not walking yet but once he does, I know we are in trouble because he will be all over the place.

He loves anything that Gabby loves and is happiest outside in the dirt. We've had a few tastes of spring recently and when he's able to be out crawling in the yard he is thrilled. He's much bigger than she was at a year but he's definitely leaning out now that he is mobile.

His personality is great; when he's happy he has the biggest smile and is so sweet but boy, oh boy, when he's mad he wants the whole world to know. He loves to make people laugh (especially his big sister when he blows raspberries with his food) and is very cuddly. He officially has 3 teeth now- one of his top teeth finally broke through last night after being right below his gums for weeks.

Happy Birthday to our sweet Elliot!! We are crazy about you!!

Friday's random thoughts

Happy Friday! This week was longggggg.....dreary weather combined with long work days for Gianni made for whiny kids and a Mom who is excited for the weekend. We are supposed to get several inches of snow on Saturday night but then a few 70 degree days next week... typical New England! We are going to take full advantage of warmer weather next week and spend lots of time outside.

 Just like that Elliot is truly on the move. He is crawling so fast and pulling up to stand wherever he can. He can walk fairly well with his walker so I know that independent walking is just around the corner. A few weeks ago I would have said that he would be a late walker but everything has just clicked for him so quickly that now I think he'll be doing it in the next month or so!

This was the best $3 I have spent in awhile. Crayola makes these bath crayons (I found them in the kid's soap section of Walmart and  they can write on the bath tub or on tile. Super easy to wipe off and Gabby has been practicing her letters while in the tub. They would make a great Easter basket gift!

And on a serious note; to hear about another school shooting is just heartbreaking. I don't know what the answer is but things need to change. All of my siblings are teachers and they go to work and would do everything in their power to save and protect their students. To the teachers out there, thank you.

Our week in photos

 I don't know where this week went. It was as normal of a week as they come but it has just flown by. Gabby had a playdate here at our house yesterday and it was the cutest thing ever. We had 3 of her friends from school over, two boys and a girl and the four of them play so well together. They are all similar in personalities; a little reserved at first but once they open up, they are giggly and funny. They were dancing around the house in costumes and there were cookies and popcorn everywhere but it was worth the clean up to see them having so much fun. 3 1/2 is worlds different than 3; it was the first time that as moms we felt like they didn't need constant supervision and interaction; they were beyond happy to be off playing together and doing their thing. At 3 they still were very independent in their playing; they would parallel play but each with their own toys. Now they interact, make up games and silly voices, and truly play with each other. It was going to be a short playdate because of snow but we all lost track of time and 3 hours later we had 4 very tired kids!

Elliot is in to everything now. I mean every. single. thing. he can get his little hands on. Now that he pulls himself up to stand, nothing is safe. If it can be pulled down, knocked over, pushed, grabbed, or opened, this kid is on it. Gabriella was never like that, maybe it was her prematurity, maybe just personality, but Elliot can not be left alone for a minute with out him getting into something. He gets so proud of himself when he discovers something new. It's really adorable but my goodness he can move fast!

Figured out the stairs

Loves watching himself in the camera

When Reese was born last week, Gabriella became so excited that there is another little girl in the family. She asked  told :), my mom that Reese needed an Anna dress and she needed an Elsa dress so they can play together (she definitely is in denial that Reese is a 6lb newborn!). My parents found an Elsa dress for her and she wears it every possible minute that she can. She's in Elsa costume at the store, for play, while jumping, basically everywhere but school. 

Facetime Elsa

Jumping Elsa

Running Elsa

 She also loves playing hospital and has just discovered that Elliot makes a perfect patient for her. She listens to his lungs, his heart, and  her favorite, gives shots. She honestly loves everything medical so it will be interesting to see if that's where her life leads her!

Have a happy Thursday!

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday! I love linking up with the other Five on Friday bloggers. It's a great way for me to write about the little, day to day things that wouldn't necessarily get their own blog post but things that I want to remember.

1. Pointing out the positive. 
Gianni sent this to me the other day after stumbling across it on a friend's facebook feed. I was having a tough day with a certain 3 year old and felt like all I was doing was disciplining and reprimanding. It's so easy to just enjoy the peace and quiet when kids are behaving and it's easy to forget to point out to them that you notice the good things and not just the bad.

2. Meal planning successes.

A big part of my New Year's goal of keeping things simple and less hectic this year involved meal planning. It doesn't work for everyone, but for us it is hugely helpful. Not only has it made the dinner time (AKA witching hour) a million times easier, but it is certainly saving us money. I have been planning 2 weeks at a time; it helps with shopping and allows us to do 2 bigger shops and then a smaller shop in between for produce and milk. I have also been using Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, for inspiration to hide a few extra veggies in our meals. Some of our biggest hits have been Chicken and Ramen salad, Lasagna (with lots of hidden veggies pureed into the sauce including pumpkin, carrots, and peas!), Sloppy joes (made with ground turkey and tons of veggies), Barefoot Contessa's Italian Wedding Soup, and Chicken tacos. Most of our meals I am able to prepare in the morning and either toss in the crock pot or make in the morning and cook later. (Side note... I am using our crock pot for the first time since last week's This Is Us and I have had slight anxiety all day...)

3. Superbowl weekend

Can't say I'm a huge football fan but the Superbowl is a must for the snacks and the ads :) So I'll just leave this here...

4.Valentine's Day
I like doing little things to celebrate the little holidays so Gabriella and I put up a few Valentine's Day decorations and I am putting little notes on their bedroom doors each morning. They are doing Valentine's Day crafts and notes in preschool so she is all about it this year. Besides, any holiday that she can use glue, glitter, and stickers is a win in her book :)

5. Welcome to the world baby girl!
And finally, Sandy and Thierry welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Reese, this week! She made her debut a couple of weeks early but Mom and baby are healthy and happy. We are staying away for a couple of weeks just to make sure that all of our germs are far, far away but I can't wait to snuggle her!!

Have a wonderful weekend!! 

Weekend (not so much) fun

Boy oh boy what a weekend we had here. Gianni and I had big plans to go away, (overnight!), for the first time since having Elliot.  Gianni did all the planning and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. He booked a small home in Vermont; we had plans to go hiking, site seeing, and just relax. Maybe even sleep past 6. Diane was all ready to take on the kids for two nights and we were so excited.

And then Wednesday night happened.

I think every parent knows the sound of their kid puking. It wakes you up and you just know. I heard that God-awful sound and then heard the pitter patter of Gabriella's feet come into our room. And then heard her say, "Mommy there's throw up in my hair".

Ugh. I knew we were screwed but tried to be optimistic and thought to myself, well she's in a great mood so maybe she just coughed or something. Nope, not so lucky. The rest of Wednesday night was spent changing her bed a countless number of times and slowly realizing that our dream weekend was slipping away. And then just to add insult to injury, I got it as well.

The stomach virus she ended up with was just horrible. She was terribly sick, high fever, and just run down. Our pediatrician told us that the strain going around hits out of nowhere and is rough on the little ones. By Saturday she was up and playing again but still exhausted and not eating very well. It wasn't until Monday that she really was acting more like herself and even then was still cranky and tired.

Knock on wood, the boys seem to have avoided it so far! I knew if Gianni got it he'd be okay but I was really worried about Elliot so I'm grateful that he's remained healthy so far. I really hope that the virus has left our house and he can stay healthy!

Speaking of Elliot, it turns out all he needed to figure out crawling and moving was for his big sister to get violently ill.  Out of necessity he had to just hang out in his crib while we cleaned up messes and he figured out over the course of the weekend how to crawl, pull up to stand, and start cruising. This is great and exciting except for of course he's into everything! And when I say everything, I mean everything that isn't Elliot-friendly :) Small toys, outlets, cabinets, etc. It's funny to watch because he'll be slowly moving around and then he'll spy something that he just knows is off limits and he makes a beeline for it, crawling as fast as his chubby self will get there.

As January wraps up, we are one month closer to having a 1 year old, waiting for Sandy's baby to make her arrival (hooray for new cousins!), and anxiously awaiting the spring!