Focus Films: Babies

All I want for mother's day is to see this documentary.



Yes, I'm already looking ahead.

Change. Take it how you will.

With all time that passes we each have some sort of change occuring in our lives. Whether it be good or bad differs with what we put forth in our lives and what we choose to take in.

In reflection of the last month and few months prior to 2009 ending I've had a multitude of blessings and heartache occur. I'd like to the take the opportunity to use this forum as my platform to share with you the up's and down's.

My last post noted a new change in where we would be residing. We officially moved in October of 2009.

A picture of the living room during the first stages of rennovation.

We didn't purchase a credenza so to speak but we did get an inexpensive storage unit to house our enormous collection of DVDs and display our photos. We laid it on its side to utilize the length of space. It's the expedit storage unit in dark brown from Ikea reasonably priced at $70.

I'm holding off on a tripod lamp. I just havent found one that I love. However I am in the market for a double chaise lounge sofa (Double chaise, double lounge factor!) and a butlers tray table/or stylish cabinetry to hold our ever growing liquor stash.

I was also in the first stages of planning for nugget's 1st birthday party. Unfortunately we did not end up celebrating due to a sudden case of a stomach virus that left us staying in the hospital for 3 nights. A very scary and uncomfortable episode for all of us. I am happy to report that nugget is doing much better and walking around all on his own! We had his party a couple of weeks after his intial date and almost everyone was able to make it. Thank you for those who did and made it that much more special!

A week before he got sick I landed a job that I had my eye on for a few months. I have to say it's a dream job and unfortunately can't divulge too much information about it. Let's just say it's a complete blessing!

Our 2nd Christmas together as a family was just as special as the first one, one week after bringing home baby from the hospital. We purchased another fresh tree and this year he had an official stocking hanging from the chimney. We spend the day with family and couldn't have had a better time. Pictures to be posted soon.

Our 2009 ended with a delicious home cooked dinner. I got a little fancy this time around and had a full course meal complete with wine and desserts. I took the time to make this one extra special. Afterall, I wanted to end the year and begin a new one with good food, drink and amazing company.

Here's the menu:

First
Sea scallops benedict over enoki mushrooms served with country ham grits, a salad of frisee & side of pickled cucumbers

Second
Chinese 5 spice soup with bok choy & sweet potato

Third
Nobu's miso marinated black cod with flash steamed baby zucchini

Fourth
Grilled fillet mignon with freshly made bearnaise sauce topped with pan fried onions & yam mash

Final
Several choices of dessert wines, dark chocolates and macarons

As noted in previous entries I'm a bit of a party hostess whore. I'm glad I could do this for my family. I'm looking forward to more dinner parties and events to host and hold. Next up, Super Bowl! Who's in? But first brain storming a menu.

These first few weeks of this new year is exciting and our outlook is promising. We have several trips lined up; Various aquariums, LV, SD, and Maui. We're trying to squeeze in a NYC trip but we're playing that by ear.

Hope all of your resolutions are stead fast and your new year is going just as smoothly. Good luck with all of your endeavors and best of the best for you and yours!

Thanks for your readership!


xoxo

What's wrong with this picture?

From time to time I do research on the (de)increasing value of my home. I'm always looking at the value of other homes, be a bit of a peeping tom into the living rooms and bedroom of those whose homes are up for sale (is that weird?), and search 'for sale' homes in neighborhoods that I dream of living at.

I came across this picture while browsing homes. What's wrong with this picture?



Did you see the baby perched up on the top shelf? Disturbing right?

As a mother, this gives me nightmares. *shivers*

Home is where the heart is

We've been renovating our home for the last four months and we're finally ready to move in. We're down to painting our kitchen but for the most part the other rooms are ready to be decorated and vacated.

For the last few weeks I've been doing online browsing and getting inspired for nugget's first birthday coming up in December. I've decided to go with a jungle/animal theme inspired by Hefty zoo pal paper plates I bought when nugget was just a mere 3 months old. Oh how time flies by!



Aside from that major task we've been looking purchase new items for our home. From drapery, to floor lamps, to bar items and even credenza's. I'd like to share an easy picture blog post with you of some things that I admire and some that inspire.


Okay so this item wasn't on the 'to buy' list but like pavlov's dog, I had a sudden craving for ramen.


credenza


Far from your typical college dorm torchiere floor lamp

These among other items really inspired me to make our house into a home that was warm and inviting, function yet hip to our taste. I'll be sure to post up pictures noting our changes along the way.

Thanks for your readership!



xoxo

The Donato's do Disneyland with the Dingle's

Abbybee has been planning her extravaganza birthday excursion for months on end. Our nugget was just several months old when she insisted that the cousins get together and celebrate. It was a year ago that day that we last reunited.

The plan, as listed by Abs, would be to gather up at Lany and Chris' house to meet the newest edition to the family, check in to the hotel, settle in for a bit and head out to the park.




photos courtesy of Jong Jong


Nugget is happy to be at the happiest place on earth

After buying passes, upgrading and waiting on our party while the others checked in we finally entered the gates at noon. Lunch time! But first I had to feed my nugget and made our way to the family lounge.

I hadn't given it a second thought that Disneyland even had facilities such as this. Ask me prior to having a baby and I wouldn't even care but now that we have a family of our own we're all over that lounge and it's ammenities. The facilities are very comfortable offering me a semi-private room to nurse. There are several other rooms where you can change your child, potty training facilities, feeding areas and a kitchen to wash and warm any baby food. The building is air conditioned. It was perfect for that particularly hot day. For the next several feedings through the day I was one happy and cool mommy.

Next up - lunch! Everyone met up dining on fried chicken and their choice of sides. We waited here till the remaining party arrived.


My MIL snatching up Jong's chicken. He was starving and apparently so was she.








Ready to roam the park!


The birthday gal and her prince

After lunch we made our way to Tomorrow Land to get a flash pass for space mountain. A 2 hour wait!! From there weaving our way through the crowd, onward to the It's a Small World newly rennovated ride. But first, another food stop.


Corn on the cobb, giant fried chimichangas and turkey legs!!!




Sharing is caring.


My ma sure loves her fowl friends.

After everyone got their fill of food we made our way to the It's a Small World ride. We all boarded, with the exception of Ma, who stayed behind.



After feeling nauseated from the repetative singing, not the ride itself we went up to Toon Town but not before having another, you guessed it, food break! This time for ice cream and drinks. Ma, nugget and I stayed behind while the crew went to ride the rollercoaster.

Several feedings later, a couple of rides in, the Donato's called it a day. Time to go home. We were pooped! It was so refreshing seeing everyone and finding the time to get together even through our busy lives.


xoxo

Rolling the dice and shaking the rattle: Vegas with our baby - Day 2

One our last full day in LV we had a day chock full of activities. We started early, much earlier than your average Las Vegas tourist. First up, breakfast-the most important meal of the day. Since I was not able to have steak and eggs for dinner we made it a point to have breakfast downstairs at the coffee shop.

Menu prices have gone up since our last visit and we didn't notice the change until we received the bill. $20 for a measly steak and eggs plate?! Nice buttery eggs and crisp hash browns but the steak was sinewy and rimmed with gristle. I suppose I can't complain too much. At least it would hold us over until lunch.

After breakfast and numerous cups of coffee we jumped in the rental and made our way north toward the speedway to the Carroll Shelby Museum. My husby is a follower/buyer of Ford Automobiles and an admirer of Mr. Shelby. This was a must see for us while we were vacationing in LV.


Our happy faced rental for the week


As you approach the speedway exit you can immediately spot out the Ford buildings in their classic blue and white trim. Upon entering the museum you're overwhelmed with all the beautiful shelby's new and old. We participated in the free museum and factory tour given only once a day at 10:30am. It gave us a rundown of Carroll Shelby's career racing history, his current state of health (the oldest living heart transplant patient), and his philanthropic heart. Our guide took us out back to the garage where the cars were built and photo's prohibited.

The older classic Shelby's (my favorite era) were gorgeous and valued up toward the tens of millions. With less than a dozen guys working on these beauts they whip out about 100 Shelby's per year with wait list's to build-your-own also taking severals years from start to finish. From there we went into an even massive garage where the newer shelby's (husby's fav) were getting their final touches. Unfortunately we were a few weeks short of the unveiling of the 2010's. The tour was informative and interesting for someone like me who doesn't know much about automobile's and their history let alone anything about the Ford corp.













Our next stop was the Mandalay Bay hotel's shark reef aquarium. We were lucky enough to beat the crowd that had grown when we emerged from the aquarium an hour later. Guests are encourage to stay for as long as the exhibit is open that day. For about $16 dollars per adult we were led upstairs greeted by the hostess and green screen photographers. The aquarium portion of the tour had a sunken ship theme equipped with a touch tank. This was my favorite part. I have to give the MB hotel credit for having an extraordinary aquarium and all of the marine creatures and land animals present. It is afterall in the desert and their three green turtles made a long trip out to get here.






baby eater










big eyed bunch

After the aquarium we had a couple of hours to relax, freshen up back at the hotel, chill pool side and get ready for dinner. Husby took the opportunity to take a dip in the pool while I stayed upstairs to feed the little one. At the Wynn, we consumed their buffet complete with split crab legs. Why work at getting to your food especially when it costs you $45 a head? Their fish entrees were delicious but their lamb was a miss. I was disappointed when having their lamb osso buco, the succulent meat had dried underneath their heat lamps and over their steam pans. Our eyes were certainly hungrier than our stomachs could hold and we left feeling full but not satisfied. Until next time, if we still plan on doing this each time we come in to town.






Cholesterol on a plate





Husby did a little gambling while the nugget and I (with a glass of champagne in tow) walked and window shopped throughout the Wynn & Encore Esplanade. Nothing like burning off all of that food/calories and stuffing my eyes with the beauties of Chanel, Cartier, Manolo, Louis, Alexander McQueen, and others. Suddenly I had an intense urge for "dessert" and I knew they could certainly do the trick in my hankering for pretty things. I could do some serious damage to our account as I am sure my husby has already taken the liberty of doing so on the casino floor. I hold myself back.

After an hour or so of browsing and coming in under we make our way back "home" and call it a night. The next day we would check out and make our way over across the street for some tasty treats to send us off on our way and back to reality.

Tomorrow: Farewell, Hello(!!!) Bouchon Bakery & Greece in the Mojave


The Coffee Shop
Treasure Island
3300 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89136

Shelby Museum & Shelby Automotives
6755 Speedway Boulvd
Las Vegas, NV 89115
(702) 942-7375

Shark Reef Aquarium
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 632-4555

The Buffet at the Wynn
3131 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 770-7000


xoxo

Rolling the dice and shaking the rattle: Vegas with our baby - Day 1

Yes, we chose Las Vegas as our mid-week get-a-away. Prices were right in comparison to southern California and northern California locations, there were endless dining choices, and for a city synonymous for its secrets we wanted and were determined to make it work for us- finding family friendly Las Vegas.

Our deluxe room boasted views of the West, of the strip and Mirage's volcano. We also had a great view of the pool below. After putting our feet up, unpacking, feeding my nugget we decided to take it easy this evening by checking out our hotel pool, ordering a drink, walking down the strip, taking in the Mirage hotel's volcano and interior and the Venetian's gondolas before we heading back in to our room.


photo courtesy of mirage










Gin and tonic for daddy at Japonais. Mommy is still babysitting her beer.


Here's husby (cheesing it up), Sigfred, Roy and lion.


View of the stip and its expansive array of casinos.


Swingers or pimp?



We ended our night by staying in and ordering room service; a giant cobb salad for me and hot wings for husby. Tomorrow: the Carroll Shelby museum, Shark Reef Aquarium, hanging out pool side, and defeating the Wynn Buffet.


Treasure Island Hotel, Las Vegas
3300 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 894-7111

The Mirage
3400 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 791-7111

Japonais
Mirage Hotel & Casino
3400 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89162
(702) 792-7979


xoxo