Nico and his cousin Emery got baptized together
 |
| Nico's loving godparents |
Nico's 1st Halloween
Photo shoot in Lincoln Square...
Our trip to Madison to visit Nicole and baby Ford
Friday, November 2, 2012
Growing up so fast
Nico's 1st Halloween
Photo shoot in Lincoln Square...
Our trip to Madison to visit Nicole and baby Ford
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Just like daddy...
Friday, October 12, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Summer nights
Last weekend Jim and Nico had a "boys" weekend while I got to spend some time with my college girlfriends (Renee', Kathryn, Lauren and Jenny) in New Buffalo, Michigan. Our agenda included the same exact things we did last year: Redamak's for burgers, sunning ourselves all day by the pool, walking on the beach, shopping, grilling our dinner, building a bon-fire and drinking cocktails and assembling s'mores around the fire. We made a pact to get together and do this every summer. The weekend was absolutely perfect.
When it's not oppressively hot (which has been rare this summer), Jim and I will take Nico for a walk to "discover" our neighborhood. We have discovered many parks around our house.
When it's not oppressively hot (which has been rare this summer), Jim and I will take Nico for a walk to "discover" our neighborhood. We have discovered many parks around our house.
.jpg) |
| Serious faces & smiling/not so serious face |
Friday, July 27, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Oh BOYS!
It has been a busy month of hosting a dinner party, family birthday celebrations, house-warming BBQ, gender reveal party, baby shower, Nico and Levi meeting and chasing Nico all over the house.
I hosted my first grown-up dinner party (termed "supper club") for some girlfriends a few weeks back. Don't be impressed though, because I did none of the cooking. Caroline, a chef and close high school friend of my friend Kathryn, did an amazing job of executing a menu of seasonal, organic and party-in- my-mouth delicious 3-course meal.
Caroline's blog: http://www.carolineskitchentable.com/about/
Gender Reveal
My friend Renee' is pregnant and her due date is Nico's birthday. Renee' and her husband Rob had a small gathering to reveal the sex of their baby.
Baby Shower
My friend Nicole is due to have her baby BOY early August. Her nautical-themed baby shower (matches the theme of her nursery) was last weekend. She looks amazing. I can't wait to meet baby Scheflow!
Housewarming BBQ
I did not take pictures. We had approximately 30 people stop over. Out of 10 kids, 8 of them were BOYS... I got a little preview of what to expect when Nico gets older (it ain't neat and clean).
Family Birthday's
There are SIX birthday's in the months of June and July.
Nico & Levi meet!
My friend Tyra, who lives in Costa Rica, had a baby boy (Levi) 7 weeks before Nico was born. The house was bursting with cuteness. Tyra and I attempted to have the boys nap in the same room...Nico in his crib and Levi in pack n play. The babies cooed and entertained each other for a full hour. I opened the door they were both standing in their beds facing each other. They both gave me a big cheesy smile.
Nico is almost 8 months old!
He is on the move. He is currently obsessed with splashing in Molly's water bowl, chewing on my flip flops (before I think to hide them from him), crunching his wipe bag and playing with everything besides his toys.
I hosted my first grown-up dinner party (termed "supper club") for some girlfriends a few weeks back. Don't be impressed though, because I did none of the cooking. Caroline, a chef and close high school friend of my friend Kathryn, did an amazing job of executing a menu of seasonal, organic and party-in- my-mouth delicious 3-course meal.
Caroline's blog: http://www.carolineskitchentable.com/about/
 |
| Our new dining set put to use |
My friend Renee' is pregnant and her due date is Nico's birthday. Renee' and her husband Rob had a small gathering to reveal the sex of their baby.
 |
| It's a BOY! |
My friend Nicole is due to have her baby BOY early August. Her nautical-themed baby shower (matches the theme of her nursery) was last weekend. She looks amazing. I can't wait to meet baby Scheflow!
Housewarming BBQ
I did not take pictures. We had approximately 30 people stop over. Out of 10 kids, 8 of them were BOYS... I got a little preview of what to expect when Nico gets older (it ain't neat and clean).
Family Birthday's
There are SIX birthday's in the months of June and July.
Nico & Levi meet!
My friend Tyra, who lives in Costa Rica, had a baby boy (Levi) 7 weeks before Nico was born. The house was bursting with cuteness. Tyra and I attempted to have the boys nap in the same room...Nico in his crib and Levi in pack n play. The babies cooed and entertained each other for a full hour. I opened the door they were both standing in their beds facing each other. They both gave me a big cheesy smile.
 |
| Nice to meet you! |
 |
| Out for a stroll in Lincoln Square |
 |
| Best buds |
 |
Nico is almost 8 months old!
He is on the move. He is currently obsessed with splashing in Molly's water bowl, chewing on my flip flops (before I think to hide them from him), crunching his wipe bag and playing with everything besides his toys.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Home Sweet Home
This week I am recovering from my trip to New York from this past weekend. Kathryn and I visited Katie and the three of us relived our college days. Katie did an awesome job of planning the weekend as we got to experience a lot of New York neighborhoods. I loved New York but I was definitely ready to come back to my quieter and less congested Chicago.
I was supposed to leave New York from LaGuardia on Sunday at 5 p.m. I received an e-mail from United stating that my direct flight to O'hare was canceled (due to "equipment problems") and that I was re-booked for a flight leaving Monday to O'hare via plane change in Houston getting me in Chicago at 1p.m. I called and requested the representative to find me a flight to O'hare (or Midway) from another airline or leaving from Newark or JFK. After being on the phone for an hour, I was told that I was confirmed on an American Airlines flight leaving from Newark (I was originally supposed to leave from LaGuardia) at 8:50p that night. I take a $65 cab ride from Brooklyn to Newark and attempt to check-in on my AA flight only to discover that I will not be able to get on that flight because it is overbooked. I am screwed now because here I am in New Jersey, unable to catch a flight that night. I then had to go back to talk to United who then gave me a voucher to sleep at a Ramada Inn and booked me on a flight that left Newark at 7:50 a.m. the next morning (Monday), stopping in Houston and finally landing at O'hare at 2:00 p.m. I was livid...but what could I do? Here I am in f*ck*ng New Jersey, by myself, sleeping at a Ramada. My flight to Houston took off 40 minutes late and I had to practically run to get to get to my gate for my connecting flight to O'hare. I discover that I am the middle seat (perfect). We end up having to wait an extra 30 minutes at the gate because another connecting flight was late. Meanwhile, it's a million degrees in the plane because I am in freaking Houston and the air conditioning does not go on until we take off. We finally leave the gate only to sit on the runway for another 30 minutes (it is now an hour past the time we were supposed to take off). The pilot makes an announcement that there's something wrong with the fuel tank and that we will be taxi-ing back to the gate. Once we are back at the gate we are told to de-board the plane. Everyone from the flight congregated in the airport in front of the gate not knowing what was going on. I was thinking that I better not have to spend the night in Houston and it was took everything in my power not to flip out. We were finally able to get on the plane (after 2 wasted hours) and I did not get to O'hare until 4:30 p.m. and walked into my house at 5:15 p.m. Twenty-four hours of my life I will never get back. I called United to complain and I received a $300 voucher to use on a future flight (as if I will flight United again).
Hmmmm....let's see.....being essentially lied to about being confirmed on another flight, wasting $65 on cab fare to this made up confirmed flight, spending the night in New Jersey away from my friends and family, sent to Houston and having to put up will more BS plane equipment problems and having to take a day off of work DOES NOT EQUAL $300. I will be writing a very detailed letter as well.
I am done traveling for a while.
All my stress was erased the moment I got to see and hold Nico, my mini-me.
 |
| Happy hour on the Hudson |
 |
| Every great night ends in pizza! |
I was supposed to leave New York from LaGuardia on Sunday at 5 p.m. I received an e-mail from United stating that my direct flight to O'hare was canceled (due to "equipment problems") and that I was re-booked for a flight leaving Monday to O'hare via plane change in Houston getting me in Chicago at 1p.m. I called and requested the representative to find me a flight to O'hare (or Midway) from another airline or leaving from Newark or JFK. After being on the phone for an hour, I was told that I was confirmed on an American Airlines flight leaving from Newark (I was originally supposed to leave from LaGuardia) at 8:50p that night. I take a $65 cab ride from Brooklyn to Newark and attempt to check-in on my AA flight only to discover that I will not be able to get on that flight because it is overbooked. I am screwed now because here I am in New Jersey, unable to catch a flight that night. I then had to go back to talk to United who then gave me a voucher to sleep at a Ramada Inn and booked me on a flight that left Newark at 7:50 a.m. the next morning (Monday), stopping in Houston and finally landing at O'hare at 2:00 p.m. I was livid...but what could I do? Here I am in f*ck*ng New Jersey, by myself, sleeping at a Ramada. My flight to Houston took off 40 minutes late and I had to practically run to get to get to my gate for my connecting flight to O'hare. I discover that I am the middle seat (perfect). We end up having to wait an extra 30 minutes at the gate because another connecting flight was late. Meanwhile, it's a million degrees in the plane because I am in freaking Houston and the air conditioning does not go on until we take off. We finally leave the gate only to sit on the runway for another 30 minutes (it is now an hour past the time we were supposed to take off). The pilot makes an announcement that there's something wrong with the fuel tank and that we will be taxi-ing back to the gate. Once we are back at the gate we are told to de-board the plane. Everyone from the flight congregated in the airport in front of the gate not knowing what was going on. I was thinking that I better not have to spend the night in Houston and it was took everything in my power not to flip out. We were finally able to get on the plane (after 2 wasted hours) and I did not get to O'hare until 4:30 p.m. and walked into my house at 5:15 p.m. Twenty-four hours of my life I will never get back. I called United to complain and I received a $300 voucher to use on a future flight (as if I will flight United again).
Hmmmm....let's see.....being essentially lied to about being confirmed on another flight, wasting $65 on cab fare to this made up confirmed flight, spending the night in New Jersey away from my friends and family, sent to Houston and having to put up will more BS plane equipment problems and having to take a day off of work DOES NOT EQUAL $300. I will be writing a very detailed letter as well.
I am done traveling for a while.
All my stress was erased the moment I got to see and hold Nico, my mini-me.
 |
| Me, 30 years ago |
 |
| My mini-me today |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Sweet Summertime
Summer is here!
Jim and I have been grillin and chillin out in our backyard. I mentally have given us a bye this summer in terms of doing anything with our yard. Jim, of course, one night got a burst of energy and tore out the bushes and 1/2 the weeds that lined one fence. Weeds are growing out of the cracks in our driveway despite my weeding efforts a few weeks back (sigh). Jim wants a garage built eventually and a new driveway will come with that as well. The money pit grows deeper!
We have been busy on Craigslist. We bought a dining set and a couch for the front room (finally). Pictures to come soon.
Jim and I have been grillin and chillin out in our backyard. I mentally have given us a bye this summer in terms of doing anything with our yard. Jim, of course, one night got a burst of energy and tore out the bushes and 1/2 the weeds that lined one fence. Weeds are growing out of the cracks in our driveway despite my weeding efforts a few weeks back (sigh). Jim wants a garage built eventually and a new driveway will come with that as well. The money pit grows deeper!
We have been busy on Craigslist. We bought a dining set and a couch for the front room (finally). Pictures to come soon.
 |
| Dinner hot off the grill...al fresco! |
 |
| Street festivals in Chicago have begun: Nico made his debut! |
 |
| Still on the brink of crawling... |
 |
| Nico frequently gives me this face as if to say "whatchu talkin bout mommy?" |
 |
| Nico did not like the pool at first... |
 |
| 1st father's day |
 |
| What is Nico thinking here? |
 |
 |
| Happy Summer! |
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Milestone May
So much has happened in the past few weeks...
Jim and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary in Nashville. Grandma and Grandpa Ammirati watched Nico for three nights. One of the first things we did when we arrived was take a three hour nap. We had a blast listening to live music and drinking beer, but we missed Nico to pieces.
My sister-in-law, Alissa, gave birth to healthy and beautiful baby boy.
Emery Scott Schmeling was born on May 14th at 6 pounds, 3 ounces and 19 1/4 inches
I am excited for Nico to have a cousin so close to his age!
I turned 31 (boo).
Nico and I survived our first cold/sickness, which lasted approximately one month.
I have not done much for the house. Jim cleaned/organized the basement (we still have a lot of work to do there). We bought this chair...
Nico is 6 months old!
I can't believe that it has been 6 months since little Nico James entered this world. Time has literally flown and I can't imagine my life with out him. Nico is eating solids and sleeping like a champ. Nico is also rolling all over the place and seems to be on the brink of crawling. I love this stage!
Nico's measurements at his 6 month follow up appointment with the pediatrician:
18 pounds 5 ounces (71 percentile)
28 inches (95 percentile)
Head is 44.5 cm (76 percentile)
Jim and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary in Nashville. Grandma and Grandpa Ammirati watched Nico for three nights. One of the first things we did when we arrived was take a three hour nap. We had a blast listening to live music and drinking beer, but we missed Nico to pieces.
 |
| On Broadway |
 |
| My favorite honkey tonk |
 |
| Jim didn't want to take a photo together so I took one with this guy |
My sister-in-law, Alissa, gave birth to healthy and beautiful baby boy.
Emery Scott Schmeling was born on May 14th at 6 pounds, 3 ounces and 19 1/4 inches
I am excited for Nico to have a cousin so close to his age!
 |
| 5 days old |
I turned 31 (boo).
Nico and I survived our first cold/sickness, which lasted approximately one month.
I have not done much for the house. Jim cleaned/organized the basement (we still have a lot of work to do there). We bought this chair...
Nico is 6 months old!
I can't believe that it has been 6 months since little Nico James entered this world. Time has literally flown and I can't imagine my life with out him. Nico is eating solids and sleeping like a champ. Nico is also rolling all over the place and seems to be on the brink of crawling. I love this stage!
Nico's measurements at his 6 month follow up appointment with the pediatrician:
18 pounds 5 ounces (71 percentile)
28 inches (95 percentile)
Head is 44.5 cm (76 percentile)
 |
| Sitting with cousin Ava during the celebration of May birthdays |
 |
| No teeth yet |
 |
| Nico likes to hear himself talk...just like daddy ;) |
 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)