December 13

Today is Connor's due date. Instead, we have a healthy, happy 3.5 week old! Connor surprised us and arrived early. My first contraction woke me up at 11:50pm on Friday, November 18 and by 1:41 pm on Friday, November 19 we had welcomed baby boy #2. Connor Drew Lederman weighed in at 5lbs, 14 ounces and 18 and 3/4 inches. So far he is just the best baby and he smells like the yummiest little thing. Nate has been a really wonderful big brother - he rocks Connor, fetches burp cloths and helps out with tummy time. This holiday season has been more exhausting and nuttier than any that I can ever remember in the past, but we are so lucky to have two healthy, happy little boys.

Just in case I don't make it on the blog again anytime soon...happy holidays!!

I love Elmo

Ok, I don't really love Elmo. But I do love this little guy. This was the first year that he was able to enjoy halloween..one of my very favorite holidays. We got a little carried away.


Nate is right on track to love candy just as much as his mommy (and cookies and cupcakes, etc.). I never offer him junk food, but somehow when it's in the vicinity he just knows it's what he wants. "Nate wants that" is a common phrase. And how cute is his pumpkin with his name carved into it? So far he has been grown his own carved pumkin every year..what a lucky guy.


Family halloween pic. The sign on my belly says "bun in the oven" and Mike's sign says, "pastry chef." He held his sign for about 10 seconds all night. Obviously, this isn't Nate's best picture, but hey, I am 8.5 months pregnant...so I had to pick my best picture, of course : )


We went over to best buddy Ben's house for dinner and trick or treating. I love to see Nate with Ben because he just gets giddy and crazy. It totally cracks me up. Aren't their light up robot fingers cool? Thanks Domi!


We hit up Burton Valley for trick or treating. These folks don't mess around when it comes to their decorations. Pretty cool.


There were some serious crowds. That cute couple in the middle way in the back is the adorable Buran family and baby Will. Obviously, I failed on the picture front, but it was Will's first halloween and he is just too adorable. He slept through most of trick or treating.

I made this Halloween treat, which I am pretty sure is from Christina Tossi's Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook. I got the recipe online somewhere, but now I can't find it anywhere. Oooops. Either way, pretty yum. I think I want the cookbook. Right up my alley. And ya'll know how I feel about Momofuku Milk Bar treats.

Domi made these little fingers out of puff pastry and roasted tomatoes. Again, yum.


LOVE, love, love Halloween. And it's even more fun now that Nate loves it too. And now that it's over, I get to start Christmas shopping (ummm, who am I kidding, I have been doing that for months).

Happy Halloween

Nate has been trick or treating since Friday. He must think Halloween is this new way of life where he gets to wear his Elmo costume every day and ask strangers for candy. Either way, he has it down and he loves it. He even told someone that the Reeses Peanut Butter cup was for daddy...since it is daddy's favorite candy.



We are trick or treating with best buddy Ben tonight. I am sure Nate will be over the moon excited. I will post some pictures of tackiest Elmo costume ever soon. Not my favorite costume, but Nate sure is popular with his peers. Everybody recognizes Elmo!

Big Boy Bed

The big boy bed has been a very popular topic at our house for the last couple of months. We ordered Nate a full bunk bed that came ages ago, but we told him that he had to wait until he was two to move on in.


So then he turned two and we realized...it was time to take the plunge. Nate's nursery is directly adjoining to our bedroom, so this was a big step for us too. We used to be able to pop our heads up out of bed and see him in his crib. Not so much anymore since he is on the opposite end of the house. We thought the transition was going to be super tough, because that's what we have heard from just about everyone...So we braced ourselves for the worst.

At dinner before his first night in his big boy bed (last Thursday), we let him open his big boy bed present...new Batman pajamas. Then we got him ready for bed, read him a couple of books and closed the door. And would you believe it...he was sleeping in 5 minutes. The next morning at his usual wake up time (way too early) we heard him through the monitor, "momma pick you up." Someone had told me to drill into his head that no matter what, he does not get out of his big boy bed. I guess we have a rule follower (you could have fooled me!) because so far he hasn't. Last night was night four of operation big boy bed and though it took him a little while to fall asleep, he still hasn't gotten out of bed. Is it really going to be this easy? Obviously, we'll take it.

The Birthday Weekend

My baby turned TWO last weekend. He was so excited for his birthday party that he was literally talking about it for weeks. We would wake up to hear him listing off all of the people he could think of that were going to be coming. It went something like this - pa pa Jerry, bamma, pa pa, mimi, gunkle sean, nina, caitlin, tyler...and so on. No offense to anyone he left out - he would randomly remember certain people (brian) and get very excited that they were coming as well. The morning of Nate's bday brunch he actually seemed a little overwhelmed, but once we were set up, he walked right on over to the food table and grabbed himself a cupcake.

Then he plopped himself down on a blanket and proceeded to get started with the feasting.

Not long after he started on his cupcake, he helped himself to a donut. Followed by some Cap N'Crunch. What can I say, it was his birthday...

He loved hanging out with all four of his grandparents and his aunts and uncles...

Nate and his buddy Ben just crack each other up. They had the best time. Here they are rolling the Thomas pinata over on the grass.

Nate's friend Casey came too! The kids table was actually a total hit. I thought the kids would be at the playground the whole time, but they were pretty content to eat and play with playdough. Nate's new Thomas tent was a big winner as well.


Nate figured out his first pinata pretty quickly. Wait, I get to swing my bat and then I get candy? This is awesome...

Here are some close up shots of my table and cereal bar. I can't really take much credit. Most of my ideas were stolen from the blogsphere.

We had to wrap up the party for naptime, but us grownups retired back to our house for more eating (oink, oink, I know) and some football. When Nate woke up he got to open his presents. He is just like his mom...he HATES opening gifts : )

We wrapped up the birthday madness with Nate's actual birthday on Sunday. Mimi came over to make Nate chocolate chip pancakes and I made him a smoothie. He really really loves smoothies.

We also took him to the park. I think he had fun, but he needs a playmate. Good thing he is going to have a little brother in two months!

What a weekend. Happy birthday to my not so little baby.

I'm a boy mom...too!

Those that know me well, know that I was a little bit surprised/panicked when I found out I was having a boy. Coming from a family of FOUR girls, girls are what I know. That being said, these last two years of Nate's life have been dreamy (except for the getting peed on part, of course). I couldn't be more excited for my second baby boy. And I am really so excited for Nate and baby brother to become the best of friends over the years.

One of the bloggers that I regularly read did a really great post on being a boy mom. I wanted to re-post because I think she hit the nail on the head. To all my fellow boy mommies - a must read.

I'm a boy mom


I mean, how could I not be goo goo ga ga over this elmo loving little monster?

My monkey

My little monkey is getting so darn big. 10 days until he turns 2 years old. We are hard at work getting his new room ready. He has been promised that he can move into his big boy bed when he turns 2. I'm getting a little bit nervous about the transition...we will just have to keep our fingers crossed.

7 months...

Wanna see my belly?

This is my belly at 7 months with Nate.


Same bathroom...cuter phone cover.


I think I am totally bigger this time around. Which makes perfect sense given the ridiculous amount of chocolate and cupcakes I have consumed. Baby is almost 15 inches from head to heels. I find it hard to believe that I have such a big baby in my belly, but it does explain the constant rolling and kicking and punching I feel. I think baby is crowded. I am getting very excited to meet him. Countdown is definitely on...

Brian & Michelle Get Married

We spent Labor Day weekend up in Hood River, Oregon for this lovely couple's (aka Brian & Michelle aka my brother-in-law and sister-in-law) wedding. They got married at Gorge Crest Vineyards in Oregon. The venue was absolutely stunning. There was a view of Mt. Hood behind the ceremony and the cutest little barn-like building that the reception was held in.

Nate was the ring bearer and since we were in Washington and didn't have a babysitter, he joined the party. This was his first wedding where he got to stay the entire night and he partied like a rockstar. He had his own high chair/table setting at the head table.

How cute is the cupcake display? Nate waited so patiently for a cupcake.

These rocking adirondacks were a real hit with Nate. I didn't mind hanging here because it meant I got to sit down. He is getting tired in this pic, but he spent a good portion of the night standing up in the chair and rocking back and forth as fast as he could. At one point, he even asked someone to get up so that he could rock.

After dancing like a maniac he was reaaaally tired.

But of course, not too tired for a cupcake. Like mother like son.

Family pic.

We went to Portland for a quick visit after the wedding. Nate loved hanging with his cousins. Megan and Avery were the best babysitters. The weather in Portland was beyond gorgeous and we ended up just kind of hanging out/letting the kids play.


Congrats again to the new Mr. & Mrs. L. Great party : )

Tiny Dancer

We went up to Portland over Labor Day weekend for my brother-in-law, Brian's, wedding to my now sister-in-law, Michelle. Congrats to the newest Mr. and Mrs. L! I have lots of pictures to post, but of course, I lag. In the meantime, I had to share this video of Nate dancing. We love this little guy to pieces and pieces.

http://youtu.be/dxogOJWy_Uc

27 hours

We made a 27 hour jaunt down to LA this weekend for a very exciting event. One of my bestest friends got married in Minnesota last weekend. Sadly, we couldn't swing the trip to Minnesota this year, but we were still able to celebrate at the post wedding festivities in LA. The gorge bride is in the middle (in her signature color, of course). Wren, Stacy and I were inseparable in high school and it's so great that we have all kept in touch even though we live in different places (DC, LA and SF). Stacy's new husband, Adam, is just the nicest guy and I couldn't be happier for them.

So fun to see friends that you don't get to see all the time. I wish I had taken a picture of all the girls!


Nate had an exciting and fun-filled weekend as well. Our little frequent flyer got to take a peek in the cockpit on his way down to LA. Since his name was embroidered on his backpack, he was on a first name basis with the pilots.


He also went to a Thomas the Train birthday party. He napped through the electric Thomas train ride portion of the party, but since he didn't know what he missed, he was happy as a clam on this train.


Nate got this train conductor hat in his goody bag. How cute is that?


Hubs had to fly out early Sunday am for work. I was lucky enough to brunch and catch-up with the bride a bit more. We then headed back to LAX to get my dad (aka Pa Pa Jerry) who was on his way back into town from his own work trip. After a yum lunch and some dessert, we headed BACK to LAX for our flight home.


Nate, cooperating as always, for a pic with mom.


This was my first time flying alone with Nate. I am not going to get into specifics (dirty diaper while we are stuck in the window seat...but of course), but it wasn't fun. When I was uploading the pictures, I came across this gem along with a bunch of pictures of the guy that was sitting next to us. Not sure how I missed Nate hijacking the camera!

East Coast 2011

We made our 2nd annual East Coast L family summer excursion last month to visit two of my favorite people: gram and gramps.

We took Nate to the Ocean City boardwalk for dinner and rides one night. He had a BLAST. I have been going to the boardwalk since I was a little kid and it was so much fun to be able to bring him to all my favorite spots.

We took a cheesy family photo in the Ocean City flip flops. Not really sure what's up with faces peeking out of the middle of sunglasses, but I still love these things.


Nate was big enough to go on quite a few rides by himself. He was beyond excited. When it was time to go eat dinner, he was literally digging his heels into the boardwalk because he didn't want to leave the rides.

We made it up to him by letting him go on a "special ride" with grandma. Who needs a stroller when you have a walker?


Of course we stopped for vanilla Kohr's with rainbow sprinkles before we left. This soft serve is my favorite and I just haven't found anything that compares in Cali. I'm not going to lie, I don't really like sharing my dessert with Nate. I guess that's what happens when you become a mom.


Nate went to pose for a picture with Mr. Taffy, but changed his mind when he got there. Luckily, I got a picture on the approach.


We also went to visit Lucy in Margate. Lucy is another one of my childhood favorites and Nate got an absolute kick out of the giant elephant. He is the tiny dot by Lucy's paw.


We spent a day at the beach in Margate. Nate and cousin Andrew went for a swim and stomped on sandcastles. Nate also did some serious seagull chasing and collected seashells.


We ended our trip with a 24 hour jaunt to NYC to visit some of our besties. Rod and Charlotte had sweet baby Adrian 5 weeks before we came. They totally have the parenting (and strollers on the subway in NYC..yikes) thing down. Adrian was a perfect angel at Otto (Mario Batali I heart you). Nate not so much.


Nate found NYC and FAO Schwartz so exciting that he decided to skip his nap. This made for a very interesting day/dinner. He perked up after dinner when we went to meet Grandpa Jerry at Momofuku Milk Bar.


Momofuku cookies are GOOD. Seriously. We bought an assortment and I snacked on them for days.


And what better way to make your toddler happy at 10pm at night after he has napped for 25 minutes all day (really!) than give him some cereal milk ice cream. I'm not sure if he was more excited about Papa Jerry or the ice cream...but either way, he was happy.


All in all, a perfect trip. I love spending time with our friends and family, eating too much food and keeping Nate up past his bedtime. Oh and the East Coast heat wave...bring it on. Such a great vacation.