Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life, my husband Tom. We've been married now for 8 years and it has been a whirlwind experience. As with many couples, we've had our ups and downs but we've fought through the obstacles and conflicts to come out, together, on the other side.

A few years ago, I think I had a very idealistic and naive view of what a relationship (both marriage and friendship) was suppose to look like. Life has a way of putting all things in perspective for you if you live long enough. My life experiences have matured me in so many ways and while many of the lessons were difficult to swallow, I am thankful that I endured and lived through them. I am a stronger person today because of what I endured yesterday and I believe the same applies for any relationship. If you can weather the storm together as a couple and harness your emotions so that they work for you instead of against you, I believe that any relationship can come out of conflict stronger than before it went in.

In our 8 years together, Tom and I have experienced many things as a couple; we've been on the brink of destruction just to turn it around and walk hand-in-hand on cloud 9 (the birth of our daughter). I could not see going through it all with anyone else other than him. He has been my strength when I was weak, my common sense in the midst of anger, my comfort in sadness and despair. He is my husband, the father of my child, my lover and best friend. Seeing our relationship change and grow has given me a renewed faith that maybe there really can be an always and forever.

I love you honey; Happy Anniversary!

The #1 Greatest Dad!

We celebrated Father's Day yesterday; this will be Tom's second Father's Day as an official "daddy" and he's done a great job for a first time father. I could not ask for a better father for my child; he is everything a father should be...patient, encouraging, loving...etc, etc, etc. During my pregnancy, I went through all the normal stages that a mom-to-be goes through. I had the hormone attacks, the unusual eating habits (midnight runs to the store for ice cream) and Tom bore it like a champion. He went to almost every doctor's appointment and if I ever forgot something the doctor had told me, I didn't have to worry because Tom always kept the best mental notes. He would rub my feet and back after work even though he should have been the recipient considering his laborious trade was much more taxing on him physically that mine was on me. During my labor, a time that some men cannot handle, Tom was by my side the entire time, coaching me, holding my hand, telling me that he loved me and when Sophia was born, Tom was there to cut the cord and be the first to embrace our child. There was not a day that went by that I was not absolutely sure that he was happy and exciting about being a dad and now almost two years...I still have no doubts.

I tell Sophia everyday how lucky she is to have such a wonderful man be her father. Tom's love for his little girl is so powerful and it is reflective in everything he does and says daily. Parenthood, as any parent knows, is not easy but it is so much easier when you share it with someone who has the same hopes and dreams for their children as you do. Tom and I, don't agree on everything (who does), but we share a belief in the core ideals and values that we want to instill in our child.

So, this Father's Day we celebrated my awesome husband for being a magnificent father. I know so many kids who are fatherless or whose parents are separated or divorced and the father is not in the home and it makes me feel so blessed...not just for myself but also for Sophia. There are many single parents out there who have the incredibly difficult job of raising a child or children alone and they deserve serious kudos for what they do. It is not easy to raise a child with both parents in the picture, I can't, and hopefully will never have to know, what it's like to raise a child alone. I'm sure, for those who have had to, they would not choose to do it alone but because of some unforeseen circumstance this is the hand that they were dealt. So, Happy Father's Day to all those dads and moms out there who are raising their kids together or alone...you are amazing. Oh! and don't forget those wonderful grandparents who are raising their grandchildren....kudos to you; you, too, are AMAZING!!!

To my husband, Tom...I love you with all of my being. You are a great father and wonderful man. I am so happy to be spending my life with you and raising our daughter together. I look forward to our future together and the many adventures yet to come.

Happy Father's Day to my daddy, Rudy and to Tom's dad (also my daddy), Ed. We miss you and we love you. You are always in our hearts and minds.

Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle

Sophie loves Yo Gabba Gabba; she loves the characters, the music and Tom and I love the fact that the show actually tries to spread positive messages to kids. The show teaches children about such things as the importance of getting enough sleep or how to clean your room and it does it in way that children, including children Sophia's age can relate to. You can tell that the creators probably grew up in the 80's because the show has many elements that are "totally" byproducts of the 80's, especially the music...not to mention the host, DJ Lance Rock who is dressed in a frothy orange outfit. I love the show and so does Soph...this is the show that taught her how to wiggle wiggle wiggle.

Growing Up

It never stops amazing me how my daughter is growing and turning into this amazing kid who is trying so hard to be independent. She is saying new words everyday, trying to put on her own clothing, climbing on and off chairs and couches... It seems that with every passing minute, my "kid" is learning something new and growing up before my eyes. I know...I know...she's only 16 months but she went from cooing to smiling to giggling, pointing, singing, walking, running and dancing all within a blink of an eye. Part of me wants time to slow down, stand still even, so that I can embrace and hold on to my little baby forever, while the other part of me is getting a kick out of watching her grow into this cute kid who will eventually grow into an amazing woman. Wow! I feel so fortunate, so blessed, so lucky to be a mom to this precious little being who has changed my life forever.

HOT! HOT! HOT!!!

Well we are on the brink of summer and the days are already getting hot, hot, hot. Sophie is now old enough to get in a pool (a toddler's pool of course) to keep cool from the heat. She has been swimming practically  every hot day we've had and loving it! I've known since she was an infant and we started giving her baths that she was a lover of water. I've never seen a baby want to live in water the way my child does.

Speaking of hot days and water, parents should take the proper precautions with their infants/toddlers during the summer to keep them safe from over exposure to the sun or dehydration and other possible dangers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have some really helpful tips to keep your children safe while enjoying those hot summer days. Here are a few that I'd like to share:

FUN IN THE SUN
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/tanning.htm

Babies under 6 months:

• The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For All Other Children:

• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN
Source: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9845.html

• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
• Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

I hope this helps a little, especially with those first-time parents who need all the information that they can get to ensure the safety of their little ones. For a complete list of helpful summer safety tips, visit AAP's website at  http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.cfm.