The Babybook

My girls just turned 8 months, and I've yet to add a single picture or word to their baby books. I've purchased the books (1 for each girl, the same book of course!). I've printed out pictures. I've been trying to keep up a milestone list/journal in my Google Drive of important events and firsts. But I just haven't found the right time to start making their firsts official. It's different with a blog or a google doc, I can change wording. Add or delete. But what I'm writing in their baby book is... definite and special. When they are all grown up I want them to find these books and love how organized and thorough their Mama was! These memory books can be a really great piece of family history.

My dad's baby book and the baby book my mom made for me are meticulously complete with records of baby and childhood. Dad's baby book even has notes/stories up until his college years! (filled out by his grandmother- verrry interesting details, like failing French lessons!) Reading my Dad's book was helpful to learn names of family and family friends, especially for recognizing names in letters and documents I found throughout my research. My baby book has all the details of my first words, foods, and major milestones- even the hospital bracelets and a lock of hair from my first haircut. I can only hope to complete such a detailed history of each baby in a complete succinct book. Right now I have notes, pictures, hospital bracelets, and birth announcements all over the place.

So until I have the time, organization, and confidence to fill out G&G's baby books- I made a photobook via Shutterfly of their first month. I know it sounds silly, the first month?! But with 2 babies and so much happening from the birth, home coming, family visiting, etc...there was a lot to pack into 20 pages. The next photobook I'll try and tackle the first year.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

I can't find the power cord to my printer/scanner- I'd love to add pictures from abovementioned baby books! It's on my to do list once the cord has been recovered. Might not happen for a while- but they are precious pages I'd love to share! Did I mention that I really need to get organized? :)

Barbie's 1959 Debut and a New 2012 Royal Debut

The Barbie debuted in 1959For me, barbie is synonymous with childhood. I would spend hours alone or with my sister and friends playing with my barbies, changing her clothes, driving in her hot pink convertible, and setting up a dream house for her and Ken. Always losing those little shoes though :) On March 9, 1959 Barbie made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York City. This year marks her 53rd year of glamor and imagination.

Barbie was invented by Ruth Handler. She was inspired to create an adult female doll when she observed how much her daughter enjoyed playing with grown up female paper dolls. And what was her daughter's name, Barbara of course! The mother/daughter beginnings have helped keep the Barbie tradition alive and continuous 53 years later. As I've previously shared, I am expecting twin girls later this summer and I'm already looking forward to a big box of barbies, barbie clothes, and accessories! I'm a big believer in pretend and encouraging kids to use their imaginations and I just remember spending hours playing with these dolls.

While I did play with Barbie dolls, I didn't have the fancy dolls or collector dolls you weren't allowed to play with. But when I heard of the new Prince Charles and Kate Royal Wedding Barbie Collector set to come out in April, all I could think was- my daughters have to have these!!

This past year I've read and learned a lot about the Royal Family and their role in the English culture. And I find it all very fascinating. Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year (60 years as reigning Queen) and next month is the 1 year anniversary of Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding. I have to admit, I did stay up/get up early last year to watch the royal wedding! A story I will for sure share with my girls, as William and Kate will most likely be the King and Queen of England during my girls lifetime. Not sure if these will be play time toys or something I'd like to give them to keep and collect. But hopefully something they will someday love! I don't know how in love Steve is that I'm already buying dolls to collect for our unborn girls, might need to start clearing some room in the storage unit :). Pre-orders for the set have already sold out, but Mattel will begin selling the sets on April 7, 2012.

A Giant Family Tree: The Mara and Rooney Families

Congratulations to the NY Giants for their big superbowl win this past Sunday! I'm not a huge sports fan, but you gotta love it when your hometown team wins the championship. One thing that intrigued me was the family aspect of the Giants team. I found this famliy tree from the NY Daily News and it breaks down how the team has been passed down the Mara family tree from the original owner, Tim Mara. So interesting that the original owner's grandson, Chris Mara, and Art Rooney's granddaughter, Kathleen Rooney, married! Art Rooney had great respect for Tim Mara, even naming his son Tim after him. Take a peek at their tree to see the connections.

Cold Weather Recipes: Spiced Hot Apple Cider!

After hearing the weather forecast for today (snow in October!) I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make some yummy spiced hot apple cider. It's so easy, tastes amazing, and makes your whole house smell sooo good.

My husband and I have a bit of a laugh whenever I make this tasty drink. We first met while working at a restaurant in upstate NY (real upstate, 1 hour north of Albany) that served "hot apple grog" and we were well versed in it's ingredients and how to entice the customer to order it. "Wouldn't you love some spiced apple grog that we've had simmering over cinnamon sticks and orange slices all day, perfect on a chilly a day like today!" Ha, good times.

The recipe I use:

• 1 gallon of apple cider
• cinnamon sticks
• whole cloves
• nutmeg
• cardamom
• allspice
• 1 orange
• 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 lime
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (only if you want it really sweet, I omit this when I make it)

Put the cider and spices in a large pot on the stove top and turn the heat on medium to bring it to a boil. Cut the orange in half, squeeze into cider, and slash the rind of one half and drop it into the cider. If you don't have an orange, you could substitute some OJ. When it just starts to boil, lower the heat and continue to simmer. Squeeze in the half lemon and lime. I leave it on for a couple of hours- taste it every so often to see how you like it.

If you're feeling extra chilly, add a shot of rum or whiskey to your cup! Enjoy!