Baby Steven's Christmas Wish List

A lot of people have been asking for ideas for baby Steven for Christmas so I thought I would post a wish list on here. Here are some things that other kids his age have enjoyed and that will take us through till his birthday in May. I am working on turning at least part of the basement into a play room for him when he gets more mobile so having some toys that can stay down there would be great for that.

I've seen these cube things with different toys on either side like this one around a lot and I think it would be good for Steven. They can get pretty pricey so we are not opposed to a used one.

As an alternative to that, he was really into the bead mazes they have had in a couple waiting rooms so I think something like this would be good for him. He is also really into those pop up toys like this one. We don't have one of those yet, so that would be a good gift too.

He's pretty into this light up ball we got. Its a cheap version we got used so a better one may be nice for him to have. One like this one.

A shapesorter thing would be good for him at this age. Something like this or this or this He's also into stacking cups we have so this might be fun.

He really likes toys that he can push and pull around so some trucks would be great too. They don't have to make noise or anything, just basic boy trucks like this or this.

 

He is also really into balls so any balls to play with would be great like these. We have one little one and he loves pushing it around. As he gets older I think he will like bigger ones as well. Also, along those lines I saw an idea to turn your pack n play into a ball pit. I think that would be great when he's a little older so a set of balls like this one would be great to have.

He is going to start working on standing up soon so toys that encourage that will be helpful. This activity table toy is really neat, or this one.

Sometime in the future we will want to work with some educational, interactive books. This might be a good one to start and he can grow into it. Of course we always need more good, old fashioned books to read to him. He's pretty into board books right now and we have all of my old Dr. Seuss books, which he likes too. So any books we would love to have as well.

We are definitely going to need some kind of blocks set in the next year so one like this or this would be good to have.

There are some toys that people I know with babies have recommended to us as well. They are here, here, here, or here.

We could use some lullaby cds like this one or this one

Well, hope that helps! We are so excited to celebrate Steven's first Christmas with our family. Love you guys!

Kris and Zach's Wedding Weekend

I have mentioned a few times that my beautiful cousin, Kris is getting married. Well the weekend finally came! She got married October 22nd in Springfield, IL. I got to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. It was such an honor and I love her to death! We got an opportunity to spend some quality time with family that weekend and that was great. It was also our first trip away from the house with Steven so that was an adventure. It made mommy very nervous but turned out all was well! He didn't sleep hardly at all in the hotel but oh well!

Anyway! The weekend started off with the wedding rehearsal. Here are Kris and Zach at the rehearsal. Aren't they such a cool couple? I have never met a more laid back bride and groom. I think I was more nervous than they were! Don't you love her ribbon bouquet we made at her shower? Lol

Of course, after the reherasal is the rehearsal dinner! Yay! They had it at this awesome restaurant called Marios! The food was amazing!! (And don't we look nice?!)

My cousin, Mike and his wife Lauren's 3 daughters were in the wedding. They are always so much fun! Its crazy being around them but always hilarious. They love Steven too so that is pretty cute. Here we are with Addie and Courtney. Aren't they cute? (makes me want to have a girl someday :)

They also had this crazy thing at the restaurant called a Horseshoe. I had never heard of it but apparently it is a Springfield tradition. Steve had it and it was delicious! I think it was like garlic bread with meatballs and spaghetti sauce, topped with french fries and cheese sauce. Yum.

So the next morning, was Kris's wedding day! We started getting ready in the morning at my aunt's house. I could not believe how cool, calm and collected Kris was. She didn't seem nervous or anxious at all! Here is the bride getting beautiful.

We had a little drink to calm nerves in the morning, mostly mine since she wasn't nervous at all! ha ha!

After we all got ready, we headed over to the church. When family started arriving for the ceremony I got to see my little man all dressed up! Doesn't he look so cute? Daddy did a good job getting him ready!

Here is our little family all dressed up. I love this picture! Don't my boys clean up well? (And mommy doesn't look so bad either!)

I don't have any pictures from the actual ceremony because I was in it! ha ha! Here are a few from afterwards though. Here I am with the bride! She just got married! Doesn't she look beautiful?

3 of the 4 bridesmaids on the party bus! Kris's friend, Erin, me and my cousin (bride's sister) Cindy. I had a lot of fun with these awesome ladies!

The new Mr and Mrs Valenti!

Fun at the reception. Thank you so much to my wonderful parents for taking Steven so we could have a fun night! 

We had so much fun at the reception! Congrats to Kris and Zach. It was a great wedding! We are so happy for you both!