Archives for June 2013

Liebster – to inspire and be inspired

Grammys, Oscars, Tonys, Liebsters… talk about elite awards!!

For those of you (likely all of you) wondering what the heck a Liebster award is, pull up a chair and grab a sippy cup…

                   

The Liebster Award is an award given to the little guys by the little guys. You have to have less than 200 follows to be eligible.  I was nominated by a friend and fellow bobcat, Shannon at Smile & Write.  Go check out her blog!

THE RULES!
1) Each blogger should answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
2) Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award on to and link them in your post   (I’m a super rebel because I didn’t tag 11)
3) Create 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers.
4) Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5) Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
6) No tag-backs!
Questions For Me
1. If you could only eat 1 food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The same incredible dinner I just ate… Yummy, awesome Picasso’s Pizza.
2. If you won a million dollars, what would be the first thing you would buy?
I’m pretty lame because the first thing I would do is pay off our student loans.  But that’s technically not a purchase, so then I’d pick up a Picasso’s pizza and book a month in Aruba with our families.
3. What is your inspiration for writing?
My blogging started because I wanted to remember our pregnancy with Makenzie, but then one thing lead to another and now I’m in love.  It’s become my escape to grab my laptop and write, and I think maybe, just maybe my rambling might occasionally offer some insight or support to a fellow Mom.
4. Are you an appetizer or a dessert person?
Dessert, hands down!
5. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
I think I already mentioned that I’m pretty lame, but, I did spend 4 years in a little town called Athens, Ohio.  It was the land of Bricks of Beer, and the home of Ohio U.  And I would classify those years as slightly crazy.  I once went to a bar wearing a pan on my head… I skipped down Court Street signing Stand Up and Cheer… I sprayed glitter all over myself, on purpose.  Eeek, it was four crazy years!
6. Who is your role model and why?
Leslie Knope!  Fictional, yes.  Passionate, hilarious, super smart – yes, yes, yes!  She’s pretty cool.
WWLD: What Would Leslie Do?
7. What do you do to de-stress?
De-stress?? What does that mean?
8. Favorite guilty pleasure on tv?
Say Yes to the Dress & pretty much anything on Friday Bride Day.  Thanks TLC, what would I do without you?
9. What is your dream in life?
Don’t puke from reading this, but I kind of feel like I’m living it.  As a little girl this is what I hoped for… good husband, cute baby, cute house.  Perhaps a little less distance between family would be good and maybe an annual Mediterranean cruise, but otherwise things are good.
10. What is one thing that makes you amazing?
It’s pretty amazing that it’s 11 pm on a Friday and I’m still awake.
11. What is the best thing you have recently read?
E-Myth.  A good little book about understanding small business challenges.
My nominees
Drumroll Please…..
Melissa at The Bix Blog
Laura at Beirne Boys
Questions for the next round of Liebster Winners:
  1. Tea or coffee or mimosa?
  2. How many stamps are in your passport?
  3. Who is your favorite TV character?
  4. What would you do if you had a million hours?
  5. What was your favorite childhood memory?
  6. Would you rather to perm your hair or wear headgear the rest of your life?
  7. What is your biggest fear?
  8. Who is your favorite late night talk-show host?
  9. What percentage of time do you think about chocolate?
  10. What was your high school mascot?
  11. How cool is your blogger friend that gave you this Liebster award?
  12. If you could go to dinner with any public figure what would you order to eat?

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I’m honored for such an award.  Thanks to the Academy and to all the little people that made this possible!  Hope to see you all at the Liebster after-parties on the Sunset Strip!!

Exploring and More-ing

I know I say this all the time but one of the coolest parts of being a parent is seeing Makenzie explore new things.  She’s SO interested in touching and discovering everything she can get her cute little baby hands on.

This past weekend we tried out a new activity with Makenzie.  It was a cold and rainy start to Father’s Day so I scoped out an indoor kids museum called Explore & More in East Aurora and we headed over there.

explore and more logo

The museum is nestled into an office building in a cute part of town and the inside was so much fun!  It isn’t the biggest museum, and it didn’t have loads of fancy exhibits, but for an 8-month old it was perfect!   Makenzie loved the Baby Garden full of mats and soft toys, and we even ventured into Culture Corner exhibit, Food for Thought exhibit and Make it Go exhibit.

We stayed about 2 hours but we probably could have made it a longer trip if we were better prepared with more bottles and some puffs.

As a bonus, the admission is only $5 per adult and free for babies!   SCORE!!

For $10 the McGee’s give it 6 thumbs up!

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Hey WNY mommies, here is their Website.  It’s definitely worth checking out for a rainy day.

http://www.exploreandmore.org

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Mommy McBlog

Explore & More the Mommy McBlog Facebook Page

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A few extra quarters in the meter

Lately I’ve been battling a huge (sometimes) losing battle with time.  I feel like there’s not enough.  Perhaps I set my expectations of myself too high, perhaps I overbook myself, or perhaps it’s a combination of both.

I think I’m (mostly) doing okay at juggling it all, but I can’t seem to remember a day when I haven’t wished for just a few more minutes.  A few more minutes to devote to a work project to make it really good.  A few more minutes to sleep.  A few more minutes to play with my baby girl while she’s still a baby girl!   A few more minutes to hang out with my hubby so he knows just how much I appreciate him.  A few more minutes to chat with a good friend.  And especially lately I wish I had a few minutes to spend more time with family, especially those that are a few exits away on Route 90.

I know it’s silly to stress over because I can’t do much about the number of hours in a day.  No one can.  A few more minutes can’t be bought, can’t be sold, and can’t be preserved.  Or so I thought…

Then today I went out to grab lunch (since I didn’t have a few more minutes to make one), and as I searched my purse for quarters I thought about parking meters.  They sell time to people.  In fact, that’s their sole purpose.  Sell time to people and then stand by and tell the rest of the world that they are fully committed during the duration of the purchased time.  Such a simple concept… and it got me thinking that maybe we can learn from it.

We can’t exactly put parking meters on the people we love to lock in time with them.   If we could I’d dig through my purse and my bank account for days if it meant a few more meaningful minutes with those people I love and miss so much.   But perhaps I need to meter myself.  Maybe I need to really park myself into each thing that I do for a committed time period, and during that time focus on nothing else.  When the meter is done, I move on or risk being ticketed.  All too often I’m at too many places at once; often I’m just getting to work and already stressing about dinner, or I’m picking up Makenzie and stressing about stuff on my desk.  So maybe it’s time I focus on parking myself… in the moment, in the task, in my relationships.

It doesn’t mean I have to be rigid but I think it will help me feel better about how I’m spending my 24 hours each day.  And if I find myself parked somewhere really good — maybe all snuggled up with Kenz, or maybe on a hilarious phone call with a friend — then maybe I’ll drop a few extra quarters in the meter.

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Picture of the Week *Happy Fathers Day!*

Melissa and I grew up with some of the best!

Best Dad, Best Grandpas, Best Families

I can’t say Thank You enough to each of the wonderful men in my world who helped me become who I am today, but Father’s Day is a pretty good opportunity to do it, so here goes.

Happy Father’s Day to…

Grandpa Quilty —  He was always full of wisdom & kindness, and he played a mean game of Chinese Checkers.

Grandpa Synk — I wish I was in Cleveland today to celebrate with him.  So many fun memories with him from camping in their backyard to games of Sandlot Slugger to trips to downtown Cleveland

Melissa & I with both sets of Grandparents.

Melissa & I with both sets of Grandparents.

Dad – The best Dad ever!!  A true Dad of daughters.  Dad conquered everything from dance lessons to dance parties with the Grease soundtrack and everything in between.   Dad we Love you so much!  And Makenzie is very lucky too!   She’s pretty excited to grow up having you to hold her hand.

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Makenzie and Papa

Dad (in-law, Gene) – Thank you to a wonderful father-in-law for welcoming me to the family.  I’m thankful that you taught Denny to be a wonderful husband.  And Denny and I are very glad that you are a wonderful Pap Pap to our sweet girl!

I love PapPap too!

I love PapPap too!

And last but not least, Happy Father’s Day Denny!

Watching you become a Dad is better than I could have imagined.  There’s no one that can make Makenzie giggle like you can, and there is no one that she looks at the way she looks at you.  It’s true love and I consider myself to be very lucky to be able to watch you two together.   Thank you for ALL you do to make our world as happy as it is.  We Love You so much!

10_21 Kenzie with Denny

Snuggle buddies

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Makenzie and her Daddy!   This picture makes my heart smile

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True buddies – Makenzie watching her favorite guy

Picture of the Week! *8 Months Update*

Our girl is EIGHT MONTHS old!  WOW!  It’s crazy to think that we need to start planning her first Birthday.  We can’t believe how much happiness she brings to our world.  We’re crazy about this little peanut.

I know I saw this every month but this has been 4 of the most fun weeks!!  I could type about it, but this month I’ll let the pictures tell the story.  Makenzie Ruth is on the go.

Check it out!

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On the day after Makenzie turned 7 months, she was Baptized! It was great day because Denny and Cousin Jack were also baptized. So special!

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She’s been rocking the backwards hat look! (My guess Is that she snuck out of her crib and caught some old Fresh Prince episodes. She’s so cool!)     In West Lancaster born and raised, at Doodlebugs is where I’ve spent most of my days…

Makenzie has been loving the new views of being in high chairs in restaurants!

Makenzie has been loving the new views of being in high chairs in restaurants!

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1st Mother’s Day! I’m the luckiest 🙂

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Lots of playing! She’s got my nose

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Lots of picnics! And fun times with cousin Jack Jack

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Baby’s 1st Memorial Day Parties! She’s pretty excited to check out the bounce house next year.

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Baby’s 1st Zoo trip!! She and Ryan had lots of fun.  Kenz liked the sea lions but the best part of her day was eating puffs in her stroller.

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And the best part of the month is that Kenzie girl is now CRAWLING and STANDING!!!! We’re such proud parents!

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Join us as we countdown to one year!

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Happy Birthday to you…

June is a great month in my family!  It seems like everybody has a Birthday.  And who doesn’t love an opportunity to eat cake and enjoy the ones you love.

In my pre-baby ambitious days I would have probably done a blog post for each person, but that ship has long sailed.  So welcome to the June Birthday blog post spectacular.  Let’s get this party started!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to…

Mom!   You’re the best, we love you lots!  I strive to always be a positive and upbeat Mom like you were to Melissa and me.

Uncle Bill!  Hope you’re partying hard in the Villages!  See ya round the campus.

Les Q!  My awesome cousin who I bonded with over our fake ID stories on a rainy night in NYC.

Uncle Jim S!  My super cool NYC Uncle who first introduced me to sushi

Melissa!  My first friend and my best friend.  What would I do without you?

Jenn!  My incredible piano-playing, amazing Mom cousin.

Uncle Jim Q!  You’ve always been so supportive and so interested in all we do.

Aunt Lorraine!  My wonderful, zany, hilarious Aunt Lorraine.  There is nothing like your holiday light-up shirts or the long lazy days spent at your house in the summer.  I hope you know just how much I admire your strength and courage.

Connor!  My little buddy!  You always crack me up.  I can’t believe how big you’re getting.

PJ!  My cool tech-savvy cousin in the Big Apple.

Happy Birthday to you!!!

My buddy Connor (and Thor licking his glasses)

Aunt Lorraine & Uncle Jim with Baby Ryan (when he was still Baby Ryan)

The NYC crew – PJ and Uncle Jim

Beautiful sisters (that I’m lucky to call cousins) Jenn and Leslie

Uncle Bill and Aunt Joy with Ry-Guy

Kenz girl, me, Mom & Melissa

What’s a Birthday post for my big sis without one of my favorite pics of all time… “Where’s the Beef” jammies from the 80’s.

Happy Birthday to all the wonderful Q’s and S’s!  We’re Lucky to have such good people in our little world.