Lesson Learned

So I learned a very important lesson today. Not anything new, but a reminder that haste makes waste. I was in such a hurry to get a finished disk out to the couple that we shot their engagement photos, that I spelled engagement wrong on the disk label.

I was/am mortified. Thankfully it was one of Joe's friends, but it still made me feel so unprofessional. I quickly redid the disks and Joe dropped them off. I don't know what I would do without him. He is a keeper. He lets me have my meltdowns and then helps me get back up.

In light of this current event, I am now creating a checklist to go through before I release any material to a client. When you are getting a business started, mistakes like the one I made today can cause me to lose clients and potential clients.

Thankfully no major damage was done - only to my pride. I will use this incident as a learning experience and make sure that it doesn't happen again.

Well, I am going to try and salvage the rest of my day. Have a great rest of yours!

Nikki

A Day at the Park

We have been so blessed with a mild start to winter. I am really hoping we don't make up for it in spades as the winter progresses though.

Gwen and I took advantage of the wonderful weather and took a little walk to the park. She love the swings.

My big girl climbed up on the playground equipment all by herself!

The fresh air was so nice and helped Gwen fall asleep when we got home. She is getting back to a normal routine. The holidays really disrupted it. We spent a lot of time at my parents and she has a hard time sleeping there. She just doesn't want to miss a thing.

We are also currently dealing with not sleeping through the night. Gwen goes down in her crib, but wakes half-way through the night and wants to "cuddle in momma's bed." Not that I mind, but she should be sleeping through the night. Especially since she will be 2 next week.

I need to go for now. Gwen is requesting my company while watching Tangled!

Have a great rest of your day.

Nikki

Goodbye 2011

I am so happy 2012 is here. I have great hopes for this year. 2011 was a tough year for us. Gwen was plagued with ear infections, which lead us to having tubes put in. After 4 months of constant infections, we were finally able to get the procedure done in April. Joe's dad's health began failing in February and he never recovered. We said goodbye to Jack in May.

The summer heat was oppressive here and kept us indoors - a lot. Joe's new job (which he began in February) had him working most weekends, which didn't give us much family time. My job was getting very stressful.

Fall proved to be better then summer as we adapted to Joe's new schedule. Also, the weather was considerably more tolerable. Joe and I took some day trips. We went to several wineries in Michigan and spent some time in Chicago.

Fall did have its downsides too though. I was getting really burned out at work and missed being with Gwen. So after one really rough day, Joe thought it was time I put in my notice. My last day was the day before Thanksgiving and I haven't regretted quitting one bit.

Being home with Gwen every day has given me so much fulfillment. I feel my creativity returning and I am completely content. I have found purpose in my life, for once.

I have great plans for this 2012. I am excited to see what this year holds for us.

May 2012 be filled with good fortune, good health and good news for all of us.

Nikki

Christmas Recap

I can't believe Christmas is over. All the preparation and the stress, and it is over in a day. I have to admit though, this year turned out so much better then I ever imagined. Gwen was so amazing and watching her take it all in was the best gift I could have received.

We went to my older brother's house for brunch on Christmas Eve. He and his wife have two kids. My nephew is 7 (8 in February) and my niece is 4 (going on 30!). My brother and sister-in-law put out a really great spread, which included blueberry french toast casserole. Yummy.

Present opening was crazy. The kids got a lot of really cool presents, that even the adults enjoyed playing with!

Joe had to work, but met us back at my parent's. We finished wrapping presents and just relaxed.

Joe had to work on Christmas day too, so we got up early and spent some quiet time together. We had coffee and exchanged our gifts. Everyone else slowly started joining us. My younger brother and his girlfriend spent the night as well.

Mom and I prepped breakfast and present opening commenced! It is amazing how quickly all the hard work that goes into wrapping is destroyed!

Gwen received a new riding tractor, table and chairs, movies, blocks, tub toys, books, a puzzle, and a bunch more, but her favorite toy was a Play-Doh set Joe picked up on the last minute. Guess what I ordered for her for her birthday! (speaking of which, in less then two weeks Gwen will be TWO!)

Santa was very good to me again this year. I received Midnight in Paris, Paris themed stationery, photo album, Eiffel Tower stamp, Eiffel Tower decorative picture, scrapbook paper, Plate to Pixel, KitchenAid Roaster Pan, a sweater, a Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card and a bunch of great stocking stuffers! I am so blessed.

The rest of Christmas Day was very relaxing. Gwen napped and I read through my new book. When Joe got back to my parents that evening, we headed over to his mom's house. It made for a long day, but we had a really nice visit with his family.

I am actually a bit sad this year, that Christmas is over. Usually I have the tree down the day after and this year I am not quite ready. It will stay up for now, but I know I will be itching to reclaim my living room soon!

Have a great rest of your day.

Nikki

Holiday Cooking

I love cooking. It is a passion of mine. Being Italian, I think it is just in my DNA. Growing up, holidays were always filled with family and food. In my 35 years, I have only not spent Christmas with my family once.

My Aunt Phyllis has an amazing condo that overlooks Lake Michigan and she use to host Christmas Eve. She is practically a gourmet cook. We would all sit around this big table and pass plates and plates of meats, fish and veggies. I am getting hungry just thinking of it.

This year will be a lot quieter, though. We are going to my older brother's house for brunch and then back to my parents house. We always spend the night and have Christmas morning there. Then at some point in the afternoon we head over to Joe's mom's house. We are very fortunate that our parents live so close to each other and we are able to see everyone.

Last night I made homemade sauce and meatballs to take to my parents. Nothing says family dinner like a big bowl of pasta!

Talking of family dinner, my younger brother and his girlfriend came over earlier this week for dinner. I made a slow cooked pork roast with apples, potatoes and carrots. It was amazing. You know a meal is good when the there is silence at the dinner table!

The juice left over from the roast was so flavorful; I strained it and used it to make mushroom and asparagus risotto last night. Joe says I am amazing with leftovers. He always wants me to write down my recipes, but I kind of just add a pinch of this and a splash of that until it tastes right. It is really hard for me to recreate anything.

I can't wait to see what I get for Christmas. Everything I asked for was cooking related!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Nikki

Starting New Traditions

Yesterday Joe, Gwen and I went to the Christkindlmarket. We parked and walked over to State Street to see the windows at Macy’s. I was so excited to see what Gwen would think. The windows I felt were very disappointing and Gwen seemed unimpressed. She had more fun people watching.

We got to the market a little before it opened. Joe wanted to see how Gwen would do with Santa and since the line was pretty short, we hopped in. Gwen was good while we were in line, but when we got up to see Santa she would not let go of me. Hopefully next year will be better!

We met up with my friend Dolly and her husband Lee and walked around the market. Joe and I tried hot, spiced wine for the first time and were pleasantly surprised. It also came in this adorable boot-shaped mug.

Because it is a German Market, I felt it appropriate to buy a traditional pickle ornament for our tree (even though neither one of us are German!). I also purchased an Eiffel Tower ornament in honor of our trip to Paris next year.

Since Gwen is not a big meat eater and most of the food options were of the sausage variety, we left the market to find her something to eat. A block away we found this cute little Italian market/restaurant where you could get paninis, salads and pizzas. We order a Margherita pizza and two little bottles of wine. It was quick and cheap! Two great things when you have a little one.

The temp started to drop and the wind picked up, so we decided to call it a day. It was so much fun though, and it is now going to be part of our yearly Christmas tradition. I am so enjoying creating my own family traditions with Joe and Gwen.

Have a great rest of your day.

Nikki

Catching up on Christmas

We are pretty much done with shopping! Joe had yesterday off and we hit the mall. All purchased gifts are purchased. I am working on a few homemade gifts the rest of the week.

I am a little disappointed with myself though, I had great plans for all the Christmas things I was going to do this year. I didn't even get cards out and I usually do. Gwen was very uncooperative with taking a nice photo. We did not even attempt a visit with Santa this year. And to top it off I did absolutely no baking of my own.

When I was younger I had these grand visions of what Christmas would be like when I was married and had kids. I pictured huge family parties with music and tons of amazing food. I wanted it to be just like when I was a kid. I am sorry to say that this is not what my Christmas or any holiday for that matter, looks like now. After my Grandma (dad's mom) passed away there was a division in the family and it has never been resolved. So no big holiday parties any more.

I know, now that I have my own daughter, I need to start developing my own family traditions. It is just hard to envision the holidays without all my family though. It is even difficult to get together with my older brother and his family. Maybe when we get a house, we can host the big events. Until then though, I will just have to cherish the memories of holidays past. I need to enjoy the ones at hand and make them memorable for Gwen. I want her to look back and remember how wonderful they were for her. They are about her now and making memories with and for her.

Tomorrow we are heading to Chicago to visit the Christkindlmarket. I am sad to say that I have never been. I even worked on Michigan Avenue for two years and passed the market when I would get off the train. Joe has the day off, so we are going to bundle Gwen up and take her to see it. A new family tradition begins tomorrow (I will post picts tomorrow night, I hope!).

Have a good rest of your evening.

Nikki