Busy bee...

Well as I said before I have a lot going on. As you all know I'm moving so that creates a lot to do, I have to continue packing and give my apartment a really good scrub down so its nice and spotless. I'm sick, I left work early today because I didn't feel well. I really wanted to go home and sleep but I thought I should get Samantha who was sleepin when I got there, of course. But alas she cooperated and did give me a 1/2 hour nap when we got home and then another hour nap later. I was very happy, and starting to feel better. Overall Samantha was very well behaved today, she must have known Mommy was sick. She was perfectly content in her bouncy seat and swing as long as I was talking to her she was fine, which let me rest more. My girl can be a little spoiled at times, she likes to be held. Now she sleepy soundly, went to sleep early, at 8, what a good girl I have. We have busy plans this weekend. The infamous cook club is this weekend, my last "official" one while living in Brooklyn although I promise to attend at least every other month. I'm hoping that Jim and Lisa wil stop by tomorrow. They're thinking of coming. I'm dying to see Lisa because the last time I saw her she wasn't showing and now she is without a doubt "with child", according to her, we'll see... :) I have tentative plans with Carmen and her baby Luna and tentative plans with Tamara and family. I'm also toying with the idea of making a trip to my parents on Sunday to bring some things up there, but shh.. don't tell it's only a very slim chance. I am absolutely paranoid about not having enough room on moving day. I have made a million lists with actual diagrams of what can fit in what cars. Crazy... I know.

Well this post has been much more about me than Samantha, she is doing well, she survived the Moving Day Part 1 on Wed. with only a scratch on her face. For those who care more about Sam's life than mine:
She does this new thing where when she's tired she pushes ehr hands back and forth in her face, and she likes to pull on her bib/birth cloth/blanket/my necklace/my clothes. Basically whatever she can get her hands on she'll tug on until she falls asleep. So that is how she scratched her face, by doing her new tired thing. Other than that she's doing well. She can hold her own bottle, when she wants to. And she has rolled over but still is not doing it regularly. She twists a lot, kind of like a stop, drop, and roll kind of thing. Except she only does the roll. And she gets over at times but not all the time just yet. I'm sure in a week or so she'll be a champion roller. Oh, and an update on the laughing, this girl still does not think I'm funny. She has laughed, and will laugh, but does not do it too often either.

Bottom line is Samantha is obviously a genius, she does things early, like rolling over and laughing, but will only give you a taste of it. So you know she can and you want her to, but nope, she's holding back. She doesn't want to give away too much just yet. I'm sure she'll be a huge pain when she's 16 with this attitude...

Bathing Beauties

What do you think? Is this cute enough for Samantha this summer? Should I get it? Vote now on comments...

Bad blogger

I know I've been a bad blogger this week, I've been busy, sick, and moving. Expect better posts when I move. I haven't posted pics this week so here's some new ones.

Happy Weekend!
Look at those cheeks!

-I'll try to think of something witty to say and get back to you later.

Ch-ch-ch Changes

Wow, lots of changes going on around here. We packed up a lot of stuff my apartment is practically empty. I am sitting at my computer (on a little tv tray) on an ottoman. Besides this in the living room is: TV, 1 stool, glider, exersaucer, and stroller. That's it! Oh, and Tim's bike is in here too. And the bedroom has 1 bedside table and the mattress on the floor. Sams room still has her stuff in it but besides that there's not much more in the apartment. I'll have to take a picture. Tim and Uncle Jimmy (thank you!) and Greg (thanks!) moved out tons of stuff yesterday. We will be living the next 2 weeks minimally. Besides this Samantha has been rolling over (3 times since yesterday)! And I still have a cold. So much to do before the move, more on Samantha this weekend...
Ciao!

Almost all better

Well of course my little girl is feeling much better. She still has the sniffles but nothing major. But now I am sick! Can you believe it, she got me sick. Not so surprising. And we’re having a very big week. Monday was normal, I had a huge headache all day so when I picked Samantha up at daycare we went home, relaxed and I was asleep by 10. It is really hard for me to get to bed early these days. Tuesday Tim had a dentist appt and my in laws (Googie and Pop pop) came to watch Samantha while he went to the dentist. It was successful, Samantha was well behaved and everyone was happy. So far each of our parents have watched Samantha once. Besides daycare these are the only times she’s had someone watch her. Last night Tims parents took us out to dinner with Uncle Peter and then Tim and I went home to pack. Today my Uncle Jimmy was coming to help us move. We’re not moving quite yet but today was when he could help with a trailer so we packed up and moved a lot of stuff today. It was quite a success. I’m a little nervous to go home today because we will be living for the next 2 weeks without much in our apartment at all. It makes the whole thing seem a lot more real. I think we won’t have too much of a problem moving on the 14th because we got A LOT out today. I don’t think we’ll be having people over in the next 2 weeks. We are quite booked up until we leave, so much to do, people to see, things to do etc.

Something very exciting from last night – when I was little I loved this Xmas movie called The Christmas Toy. We thought it was such a great movie. In it the toys talk and the “favorite” toy from last year thinks he will be the favorite toy this year. If the toys get caught talking by humans they freeze forever. Well my sister remembered what it was called The Muppets Christmas Toy and I ordered it for Samantha. It was made in 1986 and Tim thinks it might not be as I remembered it. Oh well, I’m sure she’ll like it anyway. They don’t have it on DVD, it’s on VHS. Oh well, we still have a VCR. I can’t wait for it to come and to see how it is!!

Here’s a pic of Sam for you.

Still not happy...

Samantha was still not feeling well today. She was very congested and basically wanted me to hold her all day long. My plan for today was to pack a lot. I packed but not as much as I wanted to. Packing is absolutely exhausting. It is unbelievable how much stuff we have. You don't even realize it because it all away but when you start taking it out is just seems to multiply. The kitchen is the worst. We have so much kitchen stuff! And it's hard to pack b/c its breakable so you can't put too much in each box. Tim is bringing me home more boxes so that I can continue to pack (Yipee!). My Uncle Jimmy is coming to help us move a trailer load full of stuff this Wed. I can't believe that we're moving stuff out already. I think this might really be happening. We are moving in about 3 weeks. I am so excited and can't wait. I also can't wait to be done packing up the kitchen. By Tues night I should be done with that room at least.

We love Samantha...

oh yes we do, we love samantha, oh yes we do, we love samantha WE DO! Oh Samanthy we love you.

This is a song we sing to Sam often, most of the time when we sing it she looks at us like we are the best people int he world. She really likes it. For some reason this girl really likes her mom voice, and trust me, most people don't.

On another note, the doctor said we could start giving her rice cereal. I guess babies develop around 4 months when they can actually swallow food (something about their tongue). So we're waiting to see if she can do it. I tried twice so far, I wouldn't call the attempts successful.

Today Sam is congested and not her happy self. I can't put her down. And I'm having some friends over for wine & cheese, oh well. Hopefully she'll feel better. I called the dr to see what I could give her. They called me back after 1 1/2 hours. Now it wasn't a real emergency but how do they know that? Don't they know how impt little Sam is? And guess what they told me... if she can take a bottle its not that bad, she's fine. How the heck do they know? My little girl is not fine, she's cranky and stuffy and can't sleep? How do these people become drs anyway? If you heard her you would know, this little girl is not feeling well.

No more blogging for me...

... until I get some comments. Someone must read this thing. Come on, comment people, you really have nothing to say when I dish out every detail of our lives...

Saw this...thought it looked fun...

You should try it to, respond with your answers...
Four Jobs I Have Had:
1) Advertising Coordinator
2) Shelly’s Deli clerk
3) Nanny
4) Social Worker

Four Movies I Can Watch Over And Over:
1) The Family Man
2) Bridget Jones Diary
3) When Harry Met Sally
4) Mystic Pizza

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch:
1) CSI
2) One Tree Hill
3) Dawsons Creek
4) Without A Trace

Four Places I’ve Been On Vacation:
1) Paris
2) Vermont
3) Florida
4) Cape Cod

Four Tunes That Play In My Head:
1) Mrs. Oleary hung a lamp in the shed (don’t ask)
2) We love Samantha…
3) I Saw the witchdoctor by the Chipmunks
4 ) Oh baby you, you got what I need… (funny how I don't the name of any of them)

Four Favorite Dishes:
1) Sushi
2) Mushroom risotto
3) chicken cutlets and rice a roni
4) Anything Tim makes

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1) yahoo.com
2) Google.com
3) My work exchange server
4) I Love Samantha

Four Books I Really Love:
1) The Red Tent
2) The Liars
3) I Know this Much Is True
4) Book about Michael in foster care that I lent to Mom

Four Places I’d Rather Be:
1) Napping with Samantha
2) On A Beach in Bali
3) In the California Wine Country
4) Traveling Europe with no itinerary

Happy Weekends!

Horoscope Day

My horoscope (I'm not usually into this stuff but what the heck its just for fun):
What you uncover about your inner self today can make the difference between success or setbacks. Cultivate the ability to recognize and understand the more troublesome aspects of yourself and those you deal with and you will come to better know the difference between constructive criticism and intentional injury.

Sams horoscope:
Your child is an intellect. He or she is often possessive but generous with those that are close. A child born under this sun sign is hopeful and impressionable. He or she is quick, enterprising, demonstrative in affection, and loyal. This individual loves liberty and will do anything to obtain it. Because of a firm belief in freedom of speech and expression, Sagittarius children are strong in opinion. Sagittarians also have a psychological outlook on life, always trying to understand what makes people tick.

Sagittarius children love beauty and are often artistic and refined. They tend to take shortcuts, sometimes getting caught up in detail and forgetting the big things. Your Sagittarius is noble, sentimental, and impulsive.

Your role as a parent is to help your child choose friends discriminately; this will set a foundation in evaluating people that will eventually be critical in his or her choice of a mate. Sagittarians like to help people in need, sometimes to their own disadvantage.

Sagittarians are talented in art, education, dancing and ministry. Many Sagittarians are also business people, specifically lawyers.
Symbol - The Archer
Ruling Planet - Mars
Birthstone - Turquoise
Flower - Narcissus
Color - Purple

Random facts:
Gross but true: During your lifetime you eat 60,000 pounds of food, the size of 6 elephants.

Our new life...

Well the Cocheo family is embraking on a new adventure. Tim has gotten a job at a fabulous restaurant. It is very fancy, it has foie gras of course. Here are some samples from their oh-so-glamorous menu:
Bluefin Tuna and Dungeness Crab with Yuzu, Water Chesnut and Rice Cracker
Heirloom Challans Duck: Blood Orange, Cippolini Onion and Pissenlit
Rose Veal with Fiddlehead Ferns, Bluefoot Mushrooms and Comte

And along with the glamorous-ness, of course comes a very high price tag. It is one of the top restaurants in New England and it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Where is it, you may ask? Why it is in the Berkshires, Mass.
Yes, the Cocheos are packing up their Brooklyn home and moving to Mass (or maybe right over the NY border not quite sure exactly where yet).
But all kinds of exciting things will happen, we get to get a house (yipee!) a back yard (Ruff will be happy) and yours truly gets to spend more time with Samantha.
We are very excited and this craziness happens in only 3 weeks! Yes, I have a ton of stuff to do and I can't even think about it its so overwhelming. For those of you who have been to our house you know we have A LOT of crap. I can't believe we have to pack it all up. Especially since Baby Sam, she has a lot of stuff too!!

# of days to move: 22
# of days taking off to prepare: 1
Sams days of daycare left: 8
# of rooms to pack: 6
# of boxes to pack: many many
where to start: no idea

Sleepy...

# of hours awake with Sam last night = 1.5 (I think)
# of times my daughter sniffled = countless
# of times I thought she was sleeping put her down and she woke up = many many

Well yesterday at daycare they said Sam cried all day and didn't nap at all (not like her at all). She was fine with me, a little cranky. Then she woke up at 4 AM and would not go back to sleep. I could tell she wanted to. She was falling asleep and then would sniffle. She wanted her paci but I don't think she could breathe well with it in, she kept spitting it out and then wanting it again. And she would kick and move her arms around, she was really sad. I basically slept with her in my arms for a few hours. Needless to say I am quite tired this morning. Let's hope this is not ongoing and that she just had a bad night. And yes I let her sleep in the bed after that (sorry Dad). But she was very safe and it was 5:30 AM by the time we fell back asleep that is technically "morning" and so it doesn't count.

I think Sam needs a sleepy bear, maybe that would help.

Spring = shopping

spring makes me want to shop, I want new things for Samantha, of course.
Love love love this tweed diaper bag, and this pacifier would be perfect because I always just throw it in the bag.

No time for love Dr. Jones...

No time for posting this week. sorry everyone. But we have been having a great week. Yesterday Sam had a doctors appt she is healthy as a horse (I didn't know all horses were healthy but whatever). Samantha weighs 13 lbs. 12 oz, she is 25 inches tall and her head is 39.5 cm. They give us these cool charts and I'm obsessed with them. They are so cool. They have a dot for each appt. Samantha is now 56th percentile for weight, 79th for height, and only 15th for head circumfrence. My poor daughter is really tall and has a tiny head! Tim is worried she has a disease where her head doesn't grow. I'm just worried she won't be mensa as I had planned. Will she look like this when she grows up? Hope not...

Sams Easter dress

I know I'm cute...

More Easter...

We love easter...

Here's Sam in her "easter saturday" dress. I couldn't resist an opportunity for her to get 2 new dresses. She looked so pretty.

What little cuties...

This is Sam with her cousins on Easter, more on Easter later. How cute are they? Courtney is 2 and in charge, I'm sure she'll get Ava and Sam in all kinds of trouble when they're older. It's so nice that Sam has cousins close in age.

All tired out...

Friday evening I got home from work and went to LI where my parents had Samantha. My mom and I decided to go shopping and left Sam with my dad for about a half hour. They did well, of course. When we walked in my dad was about to change a diaper (imagine that!) but he quickly turned the task over to me since I made it just in the nick of time. They obviously had a great time and played too much because 10 minutes later this was the both of them.

Someone is stealing my baby...

This pic was taken this weekend at my brother in laws house. My neice Courtney looks a little obsessed and like she is stealing Samantha. I just thought it was funny.

HAPPY EASTER!

VICTORY!

A milestone happenned last night - Samantha finally laughed! It was the cutest thing ever. We were playing in ther crib and she giggled. I couldn't believe it - so I kept doing what I was doing, and she giggled some more. Tim was being loud playing with the dog so I told him to shut up b/c his daughter was laughing. And then she did it for him too! She thinks I'm funny (I knew I was)! When I picked her up from daycare today I told Susanna that she laughed and she said, oh really, that must be so cute. Ha! She does like me better than them. I was secretly glad that she didn't laugh for them yet (I know I have a jealous streak I can't help it). And as we were walking home she kept laughing at me. I just make wierd noises and kind of poke her stomach and she thinks it's really funny. She has the cutest little giggle and the cutest big smile on her face most of the time. I can't wait for her next laugh it is so much fun to hear it. You can't help but smile. Hopefully all of you will hear it soon too.

Happy Birthdays!

Well it has been a big birthday week so I thought I'd say them all at once:
April 6 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE PAT!
April 9 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL!
April 11 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT LINDA!
April 12 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA!
April 12 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWN!
April 14 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!
April 16 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE PETER!


Hope you get lots of cupcakes!
Hope your wishes come true!
and hope you have as much fun as this little boy!


Hope I didn't miss anyone! If I did let me know so I don't miss it next year!

I couldn't resist...

Pandas were my favorite when I was little. I didn't understand why we couldn't get one. How cute is this?

First Sporting Event...

Well Samantha went to her first softball game last night. She went to her Uncle Peter's game that he coaches for the Richard Green School of Teaching. They lost, but thats okay, they played really well. Then we met up with David and all had dinner. Samantha was very well behaved as always. Unfortunetely this was not documented because the camera was left at home. We also finally did our taxes last night and it was not quite as lucrative as we were hoping for. Oh well, at least we don't have to pay a lot this year. I don't have much else to report at this time. Things have been a little boring. We are really looking forward to Easter this weekend. Samantha cannot wait to color easter eggs and get an Easter basket. I have a feeling he will be very generous this being her first Easter and all. And Tim got a very exciting Easter gift for our neice Courtney. I will not forget the camera this weekend so there will be plenty of documentation.
It is so nice that its getting warmer, we are really looking forward to the spring and summer. Sam also wore her jean jacket last night, thank you Aunt Marie.

This is for Lisa: Sams favorite/must have toy list:
Fisher Price Bouncer
Fisher Price Aquarium Take Along Swing
Baby Einstein Exersaucer
Baby Bjorn
Dr. Browns Wide Neck Bottles
Puppytunes
A few rattles


You probably don't need: Jumpster, Baby Papyson seat, sling

lots of firsts...

Well this Saturday we got up bright and early and headed to Grandma and Grandpas in Ancramdale. It was a rainy day to begin with. We wanted to walk on the rail trail but it just wasn't nice enough, we'll have to do that next time. We hung out for a little and then Samantha went to her first bar. We didn't document this joyous occasion because we didn't want ACS to be called. But it wasn't that bad. It was lunch time and there were only about 5 people there and they had tables so it really was a "bar/restaurant", at least this is what I tell myself. There are rules to having kids in bars, if it is daytime and there are tables and food, it is okay. And Samantha slept the whole time anyway so she didn't even realize she was there. Then we went to the antique shop which was lots of fun as always. Samanthy saw a rocking chair that she liked (and got of course) and mommy saw lots of silver that she wanted (will have to wait until next time). We also went to the Chinese restaurant for dinner where Samantha met potential new friends. I have to say everyone who knows me knows I'm not that friendly. I don't like talking to people I don't know. And I don't like talking for no reason, I have something to say, I say it, and that's it. I'm not one of those people who is bothered by silence, I actually love silence. Well Samantha is desperately trying to get me to be more friendly. When she is with me everyone talks to me and tries to make small talk forever. Seriously they won't leave her alone. I'm glad that everyone thinks Sam is so cute but at some point they have to stop smiling at me. Seriously when I feed her or put her coat on I can feel the people staring, talking about her, and smiling at her. Will this go on forever? It's exausting... I agree she is probably the cutest baby ever but she's mine... all mine... not yours... so leave us alone...
(I'm kidding by the way)
Samantha obviusly likes it because she will smile at anyone. I think I'm special becuase she smiled at me, nope, she smiled at someone picking garbage off the street this weekend... it's true...

Monday again?

Well Samantha and I had a great weekend. We did lots of fun things. We'll post more pics in the days to come. I don't want to spoil you all and give away all the fun at once. But we did go upstate to my parents and Samantha went to some very exciting places... on Sunday we had brunch out (more details later), went for a walk, and went into the city to visit a very special visitor. I bet you guys can't wait...
For now, this picture of me and my girl will have to suffice...

Spoiled little girl...

Well you all remember last weeks post with Samanthas wish list. She has already gotten her Bumbo seat from her grandma. We're anxiously awaiting its arrival. Also, this weekend Grandma spoiled her. She got an antique silver spoon from the Antique shop in anticipation of Samantha getting to eat rice ceral this month and she got her very own wrought iron rocking chair for Grandma and Grandpas front porch. That definitely won't blow away on her windy hill. And Grandpa is working on getting Samantha her pool toy, but it was sold out. Samantha is a very lucky girl...
Thank you everyone!

Have a great weekend!

Love you,
Love,
Sam

Sams new wish List

Samantha is getting very excited for the spring and summer and has a new wish list to have fun in style.
She wants a new “boat” floatie. This is so she can go in Grandpa and Grandmas boat and be able to swim and in Googie and Pop-Pops pool this summer.

She wants this new sling so that it will be easy for Mom to carry her around. This one looks very simple and comfy.

Of course she needs a new bathing suit for the summer, this one from Old Navy looks cute (mommy needs a new bathing suit too)

We heard this Bumbo was really cool. Samantha thinks it will help her learn how to sit up. It looks very comfy. CHECK!

And pending Sams next doctors appt we are hoping to start her on some food! Hip hip hooray! Lately Sam stares at me while she is eating, I really think she wants food. So we need this seat to easily bring around with us when we’re not home.