Could I be the Next Food Network Star? Yeah, Not So Much...

Ok, let me set this up for you:

Monday, July 23rd...6:15pm. Chuck walks into the kitchen, and sits down at the table. Dinner is almost ready. Christian is sitting in his bouncy, and is getting a bit fussy. I pour two glasses of Chardonnay.

Tina: Chuck, dinner is ready

Chuck: Ok, Pee Wee

Tina: (Placing the pre-plated meals down on the table)

"Ok, what I have for you tonight is a nice Atlantic Salmon Filet, coated with an herbed mustard cream sauce. You'll notice a hint of honey in there as well. I topped the filets with a buttery cracker topping to give it some texture and crunch. We have Smothered Yellow Squash, with lots of wonderful garlic and fresh black pepper, to bring out the sweetness of the veggie. Lastly, some lemon-rice, which I really didn't think was necessary, but I know you like starches with your meals".

Chuck: (Smirking and starting to laugh) Pee-Wee, you've been watching way too much of Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star...you just presented your dish to me like it was at the judges table.

Tina: (Taking a sip of wine, realizing that Chuck is right) Yeah, Whatever. Just Eat.

One of my passions in life is cooking and entertaining. Back when Ali and I lived in our tiny little apartment in Cleveland Park, I used to host dinners for all the girlfriends. We'd sip cocktails and watch Sex and the City. We had this horrendous Red Table (thank you Todd) that we jazzed up with zebra print placemats. I'd make a beautiful Chicken Veronique with just 1.5 sq. feet of counter space, a galley kitchen, and my Mom's old school yellow pots. I'd put together hand made menus, tied with organza ribbon. Sometimes Ali would cook, and make her famous Mannicotti. It was a blast, but I always couldn't wait for the day when I could actually cook on a nice stove, have prep space on a counterop, and have a DISHWASHER!

The first project we tackled in our new home was the kitchen. It was gutted, redesigned, and is now my favorite place to hang out(although the scrapbooking nook in the office is followed by a close second). With my amazing stainless semi-pro grade appliances and almost 45 sq. feet of granite countertop, I finally have the tools and space to really let loose. I've been trying all these new tricks and recipes that I've learned on the Food Network. Top Chef (on Bravo) is my only must-see TV show these days, and I think Anthony Bourdain is by far cooler than any other rock-star or celeb.

Chuck is so patient with my cooking hits (and misses). God knows I need some work on my knife skills (lets just say that we consistently run out of band-aids in my house), and sometimes I lack the patience needed to be a good cook (he doesn't call me Hurricane Tina when I cook because I'm fast...it's because I destroy the kitchen with my messes). But, it is true what they say: The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. And, of course, I always put a pinch of my secret ingredient in everything I make....love.

Cousins are flowers from the same garden...

I had to share these ADORABLE pic of the 3 cousins together! Our little sweeties!

Bring me the Patchouli and Hemp Necklaces...I'm making my own baby food...

I know some of you may not believe it, but I used to be a bit granola. Instead of my Tiffany & Company necklaces, I sported homemade hemp chokers. I rocked patchouli oil as a perfume, instead of my signature Chanel. I opted for Birkenstocks (with socks of course) in lieu of Via Spigas. And yes, there was a day where I was my natural hair color...

Being the hippie that I am at heart, I decided to start making my own baby food, mostly because I needed something else to obsess about. First of all, I'm turning into one of those paranoid Moms that is convinced that my kid is going to fall victim of the next food recall (HELLO VEGGIE BOOTY). It's not that I'm anti-Gerber...the company my Dad has so proudly been employeed by for the past 29 years owns Gerber, so I have the hook-up. I just figured I make fresh food every night for Chuck and I, so why not for Christian? I wouldn't want to eat TV dinners every day (although I am sure Christian is going to love Totino's Pizza Rolls as much as I do), and I don't want Christian to either. So, I got out the Cuisinart Mini-Prep and went to town. So far, the monkey likes everything that I have made. Let's just see how long this phase lasts...

Thank God for Oxyclean!

Chuck and I had a family wedding this past Saturday at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Although the wedding was very kid friendly, we wanted to have our own adult time, and didn't feel like being on parent duty when and open-bar was offered. Auntie Natalie and Auntie Jaclyn came by to watch Christian and all in the all the evening was fantastic. Me, being the detailed event planner that I am, decided to leave color-coded index cards with tips on everything from "How to Use the Bottle Warmer" to "Night-Night Routines". Jac and Nat did a wonderful job, and both Chuck and I knew that the monkey was in good hands.

We called to check in at one point, and found out that our little poop monster decided to FINALLY GO POO (he's on the every-other-day plan!) and have a blow-out on his Aunt Jaclyn (who we call Ciocia, or "Chuchie"). After feeling mortified for about 3 seconds, I had a weird sense of joy, only a Mom could feel...knowing that your kid is no longer stopped up. Thank goodness Jaclyn, being the best friend that she is, took it all in stride and just laughed it off.


Now for more bathroom talk..., At this wedding, I was completely freaked out by the toilets in the bathroom. As I made my first pit-stop of the evening, I walked into the stall and saw a bucket of mulch and woodchips. My first thought was that a worker left them in the stall on accident. I then noticed that there was no tank, and that the toilet was basically a glorified hole in the ground. After reading the directions (seriously, directions on how to use the restroom), I learned that the toilet was a composting toilet. While I do consider myself enviornomentally aware, there is something about throwing mulch into a toilet that is just a bit strange.

We have a busy week planned, with playgroup dates, library storytimes, and hopefully more visits with Aunt Jess, Aunt Kathryn, Cousin Brynn, and Cousin Alyson. I have also started working very part-time doing event and meeting planning again, and am VERY happy to be using my skills once again. Erika's wedding is in just 2 weeks, and I am excited to help her and Natalie get ready for the big big day!

Have a great week!

xoxoxo

Hey Daddy-O!

Even though Christian is almost 5 months, I still get a kick out of the fact that my Chuck is a Dad. Who would've ever have thought that the guy that I used to hang out with on the deck of The Starboard would also be the guy that I hang out with at Buy Buy Baby! It's such an amazing experience to see him with Christian. He is such a wonderful, sensitive, caring, sweet, and PATIENT father. In honor of Chuck's First Father's Day, I decided to put together a list of my favorite Chuck Daddyisms:

*The way he gets Christian ready for a bath at night is priceless. Seeing him carry our little boy naked into our bathroom singing "Here Comes The Naked Baby" melts my heart DAY AFTER DAY.

*Chuck takes Christian on an outside stroll everynight, and it's usually just around our backyard. I know it's their special quiet time together. I sometimes sneak a peak out the window to see them together...I'm telling you, it's the stuff that Hallmark Cards are made of!

*Chuck is such a hands-on Dad...he is usually the first one in the nursery in the morning to get the little monkey out of his crib. They sing and play together before Christian eats, and Chuck ALWAYS plays little games with him (my favorite is the "You've-Got-Your-Diaper-On-Your-Head" game). He is SO helpful, even when he is trying to run out the door to get to work.

*We have a mix on our iPod that had all of our favorite Dewey Beach songs on it. Christian loves to dance and hear music. Usually when he is with me, we listen to Jack Johnson and Barenaked Ladies. Christian was a bit fussy one day, and I was in the shower. While enjoying a shower long enough to deep-condition my hair (all the Moms will appreciate that, because you only usually get this "luxury" once a week), I hear this insane pounding bass coming from the living room. Chuck decided to play and dance with him and was searching the iPod for something and found out that Christian, true to his Detroit roots, is a 50 cent fan. I tried to be mad that our little guy was exposed to the F-Bomb at the tender age of 3 months or so, but I couldn't. Chuck was bouncing and "rapping". SERIOUSLY!


As a new Mom, I am so incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive and loving husband. He does more than his fair share, and ALWAYS puts his family first. He works like a dog so that I can stay at home with Christian, but he always has a smile and time for us. I had all these big plans for Father's Day. When the weather didn't cooperate, I asked Chuck what he wanted to do on his special day. He simply answered "I just want to be with my wife and son". WHAT A GUY!

Mmm...Mmmm...Good

We had Christian's 4 month doctor's appointment yesterday and we were given the green light to give him rice and oatmeal cereal. Dr. Pearl, our fabulous pediatrician who we LOVE, thinks it will help with his reflux, and possibly buy us some more hours at night. Christian is sleeping 9.5 hours straight most nights, but we do have some wonky nights where little man gets up at 4. SO NOT A FAN!

Once he figured out the spoon, he really liked it! I can't believe how fast my little man is growing!

DETROIT ROCK CITY....

We just spent Memorial Day weekend back in Detroit, and it was a weekend of MANY firsts:

*Christian had his first plane ride (also accompanied by his first airline delay), and did FANTASTIC. We sat in the VERY back of the plane, and he was such a trooper. He slept for most of the trips both out to Detroit and back home. He's such the little traveler now! I believe this was the first time I ever travelled as light as I did (even though my bag was still 6 pounds over the NWA weight limit). I only brought 4 pairs of shoes...and yes, that is NOTHING compared to what I usually travel with. I had to make the choice between my strappy silver sandals and frozen breastmilk...the breast milk won.

Traveling with a kid requires an insane amount of gear. Poor Chuck looked like a pack-mule. Between the car seat, stroller, and gi-normous diaper bag that I carry, he was seriously weighted down. Once we got to our gate, we claimed an area so we could sit and take turns going to get food. Christian was a bit fussy, so I strapped him in the carrier and went for a walk. I particularly enjoyed the sympathy looks we got from other parents/travelers when I was walking laps around the old terminal at DCA while Christian was screaming. By the way, that terminal is like Beirut. There is NOTHING there to eat, and the bathroom looks like something from a 3rd World Country. I caught myself telling my 4 month old to not touch anything...it was that bad.

*It was our first time as a family back to Detroit. The last time we were home was for Uncle John and Aunt Emilie's wedding, when I was just 4.5 months pregnant with little buddy. It was a very magical experience to be in my childhood home with my very own child. My old room became Christian's room, and my parents set it up so comfortably for the monkey. Taking him on walks in the neighborhood that I used to ride my sweet purple and pink 10 speed up to The Shindig Shoppe and Sweets and Treats (Em, remember those sundaes?) was very surreal. I can't wait to go back. We have a wedding in August, but I really want to go back sooner than that!

*Nick and Dad took Chuck to his first Detroit Tigers Game at Comerica Park. Even though they lost, they had a good time hanging out and drinking beers. My brother told me something interesting though...evidently, my Dad swears when he gets a couple of beers in him. For those of you who know Billy, he's the most mild-mannered, sweet and gentle guy. My brother and I joke and even call him Clark Griswald...he's goofy and loveable, and he always ends up doing something silly. I have NEVER heard him say something other than the "s" word jokingly. Well, ends up that Clark knows the F-bomb....and uses it well.

*Christian met many family members for the first-time, including his Great-Grandparents. I was so overwhelmed with joy when my grandmother and grandfather were able to hold my sweet boy. I know that they were too! Christian got a kick out of Papa Jim's moustache (most babies do), and his Yia Yia just cuddled him and loved him up. Uncle Ken and Aunt Lori also made the trip down from Saginaw to meet Christian. I was so excited when two of my most special friends (who are more like family) were able to meet Christian. Emilie and Kate visited, and finally met Christian. He has heard so much about Aunt Emilie and Aunt Kate. It was such a special day.

*On Memorial Day, we went out to Pat and Rosie's beautiful lake house in West Bloomfield and spent the afternoon on their boat and deck. It ended up being Christian's first boat ride. We all had a blast drinking Rosie's signature Margaritas and eatting way too much!





























**I do have to congratulate Kate one more time on her graduation! We went out on Saturday night to celebrate her Masters Degree in style! Hubby Jeff arranged for a limo to take us all around town. It was a whirlwind of a night. We ended up at two bars owned by Red Wings and a place that gives you drumsticks, encourages you to dance on the tables, and has bartenders who mix drinks a la Tom Cruise in cocktail. I wish I could say it was my first time dancing on a table at the bar....but I can't (Can I get a LULU?) IT WAS A BLAST!

*We got a busy weekend planned, with the Weeda Margarita Madness party and Natalie's Engagement party on Saturday. Chuck is busy with lots of yardwork, and I'm working on getting a scrapbook club put together here in our neighborhood. Christian is working on getting his first tooth...we're in teething H-E-L-L right now! We're anxiously awaiting the birth of Jackson Gorrie...WHO WAS DUE TODAY, and keeping an eye on Aunt Therese. We'll be finalizing our North Carolina vacation plans this week...I CANNOT WAIT TO GET TO THE BEACH!

*xoxoxo* Have a great week!

All Prepped Out....

We had a jam-packed weekend full of celebrations and friends! What a blast!



Christian attended his first ever steeplechase on Sunday. We went to the Potomac Hunt and had such a good time. Brian and The Feldman Family hosted us this year. It was perfect Lily and Searsucker weather...I do have to say that we all were extremely prepped out. Judging by the number of popped collars and pink and green gear sported yesterday, our group of friends keeps Lily and Ralph Lauren in business! As always, Brian lived up to his motto of "Go Big or Go Home". Mint Julips, Dark and Stormy's, and Bellinis were flowing. We had fabulous food, and even more fabulous company. It was a WONDERFUL DAY!

We're busy getting ready for our trip to Michigan. I'm a bit concerned about Christian's first trip on a plane. My neighbor has leant me a very granola but very comfy sling for the monkey's first trip home. Supposedly, it's the key to baby's happiness on a plane. I'm more of a Baby Bjorn Mom, so this whole sling thing is a little new to me :) We'll see how he likes it! I have more baby travel tips that I'll posting this week, care of my good friends Polly and Lynn. Both are tried and true Moms, and they have some helpful insights that hopefully work for us!

I'm looking forward to things slowing down a bit so I can focus on getting my company up and running. I'll be launching my full-service event coordination firm towards the middle of this summer. From private functions to kid's birthday parties, it's my hope that I can cover a wide range of events. I'll keep you all posted.

*have a great week*

My first Mother's Day...

Even after waking up this morning at 5am with the monkey (he get's that from his Daddy, because EVERYONE knows that I am NOT a morning person!!), I am still glowing from my fabulous First Mother's Day! Both of the boys made it so special for me, and I will cherish the memories we made always!

The day started off with Christian hand delivering me lovely card that I am sure he picked out all by himself :) After I relaxed a little while Daddy took care of things, I was called into the kitchen. And found my little man in his baby Lazy-Boy with my gift! My boys got me a beautiful charm bracelet. It has two heart lockets, one with Christian's initials, and the other says "Mom". Christian is definitely learning that you can't go wrong with gifts that come in Little Blue Boxes! :) It is such a special gift...Chuck says that additional lockets can be added when Christian has a baby brother or sister.

After church, we packed up our picnic basket and headed to Great Falls. We had so much fun! While Christian napped, we had a yummy lunch that Chuck prepared. We walked the tow-path to the overlook, and enjoyed the lovely weather. Chuck and I have visisted Great Falls many times. When we first started dating, we used to hike the paths and enjoy the gorgeous trails and views. It was so amazing to be able to bring our son to a place that we love so much.

The weather was absolutely perfect. I felt horrible though as I didn't have a hat for Christian, so I really had to limit the amount of time that he was in the direct sun. We had his stroller that had a canopy on it, thank goodness!

It looks like this week the drama that we call our basement will FINALLY be repaired. We have our carpet being installed, and hopefully the plumbing will be fixed to! We'll be celebrating Aunt Natalie's graduation from law school this weekend, and Christian will be attending his first steeple chase on Sunday! I can't wait to get him in his little searsucker outfit!

We're getting so excited for our trip to Michigan. I've already started making our packing lists, and word on the street is that Nana has converted my old room into Christian's nursery! The boys will be heading to the Tigers game on Friday night. There is a very small chance that the Red Wings will be in the Stanley Cup finals when we go home as well...however, after the loss last night, it's not looking good.

In the Club....

What a FABULOUS weekend! Christian was officially welcomed into the Catholic Faith. We had his Baptism on Saturday, and he slept through most of it. Our good friend from my CUA days baptized Christian, and it was just a wonderful experience for our entire family. My parents, brother (the Godfather), and future sister-in-law flew in from Detroit, and Chuck's sister, Jessica (the Godmother) flew in from Charlotte. Both Chuck and I were overwhelmed by the amount of love and support given to us by our family and friends. It is so comforting to know that Christian has SO many people who love and care about him!

Despite a couple of household disasters (our basement flooding the night before causing major water damage and requiring our carpet to be ripped up and our dining room table collapsing after the party), the day was fantastic. The girls helped me out so much...taking pictures, setting the food out, entertaining random family members...I really don't know what I would do without them. And major props go out to my rockstar Mom...when she wasn't taking care of the munchkin, she was cleaning or cooking something.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, and we of course had a great bar set-up (just for the Dewey Crew). We went through ALL of our beer (4 cases and then some), and 18 bottles of wine. We still have about 10 bottles left. The boys ended up playing Cricket with our next door neighbors, which was more than a bit random. And it wouldn't be a Catholic Sacrament without Uncle Joe getting a little tipsy.

And so it begins...

Christian rolled over today and I caught it all on film! I can't believe how fast he is growing! I've already had to take all the 0-3 month clothes out of his little dresser and store them for his baby brother/sister to use one day (no, don't get any ideas...not yet...not any time soon). He has onesies that he wore maybe twice. He's just like his Mommy...too many fashion options, too little time.

I missed my wingman...

We headed on up to Dewey Beach, DE this past weekend to celebrate with Claire and Marcellus. They got married April 7th in Maui and held a fabulous reception at Magnolia's in Bethany. Claire looked absolutely stunning! We had a blast with all of our friends. After the reception, we all headed down to The Starboard. Alot has changed in a year! I think Malibu put it best..."This place is so homogenized now!". He is right. It has lost a bit of it's character, but it's still THE STARBOARD.

I was fine pretty much until we got back into our hotel room around 2:30am. I thought about Christian the entire night, but not being able to kiss my sweet boy goodnight was very hard! Chuck and I have been out on many date nights since Christian was born, but we always came home and were able to give him a little smooch. It was the first time in almost a year that Christian wasn't with me at night. I knew that he was safe and sound with Gram back home, but I still missed him so much! He's become my best bud and my little wingman...and it felt very strange to be away from him. Luckily, the night went by fast (especially since we were awoken at 5am by a certain school teacher whose name I won't mention here but rhymes with Raren Kifino).

All in all it was a fabulous weekend. We got home in the early afternoon and spent the rest of the day with our little man...

Spring has Sprung!

I am so glad that the weather here is going back to normal. I was so completely sick and tired of the rainy 54 degree weather that we were having, and I know Christian was too. There's only so much of "Let's go play in your Gymini again for the 50th time today Little Buddy" that a baby can take. It's no fun when you have to stay in the house all day with Mommy!

We walked today through our neighborhood, and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Christian absolutely loves his stroller. His ride is the Bugaboo Cameleon, and is perfect for navigating the neighborhood, as well as Rock Creek Park. He's getting so big though, that we probably will have to convert his bassinett seat to the regular seat soon.

We'll be heading up to Dewey this weekend for Claire and Marcellus' wedding. Christian will have his first sleep-over ever with Gram and Poppa. He's very excited, although I'm a bit sad to leave him. I haven't spent a night without him in almost a year. He's my wingman. While I can't wait to head to Dewey and celebrate with friends, the trip will be just a tad bittersweet for me.

Christian's New Girlfriend

So, we FINALLY got to meet Marielle and Monica! The kids had a good time crawling all over eachother and playing in the infamous BALL PIT. Monica and I swapped stories, and certainly did laugh alot. It's so great to have a relationship with another Mommy that has a similiar situation as we do.

Monica posted a great recap of our playdate, along with pictures here