Fluffing for Fall....

The pumpkins are out in the Alford house....Aida and I had so much fun decorating for fall. She counted all the pumpkins...and helped me unwrap each one and placed each one in the perfect place. We even found my Halloween witch hat in the boxes. We had so much trying it on and being silly.

Hope you are getting your house BOOTIFUL for Halloween...

Flower Girl Debut!!!

This summer Aida was in her first wedding. She was the flower girl in Christine and Tom's wedding in Philadelphia, PA. The wedding was beautiful and Aida was perfect. She was so well behaved all day...she did everything I never thought she would do...she had her put up, she smiled for several official wedding pictures, she slept through the cocktail hour, and partied during the reception and dancing. She loved being in her "princess dress" and kept saying "mommy, I am a princess." We had so much fun...I never want to forget how great she was that day...these pictures say it all.

It's a Boy!!!

On Friday we found out the great news that it's a boy! Alex, and I are very excited about our new healthy baby and Aida reminded me she asked for a "baby sister" :) I know she will love the baby as soon as she meets him. For now we are at 20 weeks and over half way done and looking forward to this cooler weather. I have some brushing up on "boy" things I need to do for the next 19 weeks until our baby boy arrives...I think it's too late for me really learn anything about sports (or to pretend I really care about them) but I am about to jump in to planning his nursery and purchasing his new clothes and can't wait to get our new baby boy all ready to enter our family...

We have been totally blessed and are so looking forward to welcoming our new baby boy into the family...

Diaper Bag Dilemma

Soooo I am well into my second trimester now and really trying to begin to prepare and to do something for the arrival of the new baby. So of course the only logical place to start in week 19 is with the Diaper Bag right? I think so. Since this will be my last pregnancy I want to enjoy all the aspects of being pregnant that I didn't enjoy so much or put that much thought into the first time. So toiling over which diaper bag is the place I am going to start. My first question is do I go "designer" or not? leather or vinyl? Black or color...too many choices. Here are some of the bags that I think are super stylish. Of course if my super savvy mom friends have any advice on the diaper bag must have...please let me know I am all ears.

My top three choices...

#1 Kate Spade Nylon Mary Jane Bag

This chic nylon baby bag is ideal for moms about town. it features a waterproof lining for fuss-free cleaning, a changing pad, side pockets for toting bottles and a roomy interior for mom's magazines or spare diapers. we finished this bag with a polished patent trim and gleaming gold hardware, so it's as appropriate window shopping on fifth avenue as it is at the sandbox.
nylon with black crinkled patent cowhide trim center zip divider interior changing pad, bottle pockets, additional pockets, and pacifier pouch hidden stroller straps in exterior side zip compartments custom woven waterproof solid black nassimi lining 14-karat light gold plated hardware kate spade new york light gold staple
imported style # PXRU1943 11.1"h x 16.2"w x 5.9"d

#2 Petunia Pickle Bottom Licorice Pudding Cake Cosmopolitan Carryall

Petunia Pickle Bottom Licorice Pudding Cake Cosmopolitan Carryall Diaper Bag Vintage style meets current-day functionality for the sophisticated mom on the go.Indulge your senses with this spicy, show stopping European-inspired floral design on our luxurious Italian cut-velvet.Black European cut-velvet featuring a blooming tulip design bordered in Swiss dots and coordinating black wool tweed and black water resistant lining Vintage inspired doctor style fashion bagDouble headed YKK antique brass zipper with signature Cake zipper pullsExterior Pockets: * 1 Front patch pocket* 2 Back easy access pockets* 1 Back cell phone pocket* 2 Bottle pocketsZippered changing pad pocket in base of bagInterior Pockets:* 2 Easy reach & grab pockets* 2 Bottle pockets* 1 Zippered mommy pocketInterior antique brass key clipChanging pad: Located in the base of the bag in the exterior zippered pocket. Changing Pad Dimensions: 14.5"x17" Embossed plastic Cake wipey case in coordinating color Dimensions: 13"H x 16" W x 5" D

This one also comes in some cute colors....

#3 Juicy Couture Baby Tote

Juicy Couture Baby Tote
Convenient, stylish bag comes with bib, diaper cloth and Juicy changing pad.
Contrast "Juicy" print on side and interior
Removable shoulder strap, 8¼" drop
Top handle
Two outside pockets
One outside zip pocket
Five interior open pockets; one zip
10¼"W X 6¼"H X 1"D
Tote: Nylon lining; cotton/polyester; cowhide leather trim
Bib: Cotton/polyester
Diaper cloth: Cotton/polyester
Changing pad: Nylon

Soooo what do you think? Are there other cute ones I need to be considering. Let me know what your favorite bags is...

Aida's Official Start to Golf Lessons

Thanks to a very generous gift of real golf clubs for her birthday, Aida started golf lessons today at school. She did great...here is an an email we received from her Golf Coach after her first day of lessons too cute :)
_______________
I just wanted to let you know that Aida did a great job today. She started out a little shy, but warmed up tword the end of class. We went over parts of the golf swing, and worked on control putting. I also wanted to thank you for signing her up for golf. She will do great in the class. Again thank you for allowing me to work with Aida. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at any time.
Thanks,
Coach Chris

The Jersey Shore....

So this year our fun summer vacation was a relaxing week at the Jersey Shore with my family. The trip to Sea Isle, NJ was so much fun. Aida had a great time and loved the beach. It was exactly what she needed after her flower girl (pics to come soon) debut. We had so much fun taking her to the beach, playing with her, going for ice cream, checking out the boats and building sand castles. Here are some of my favorite pictures from our vacation...
Aida loves to ride on the Airplane. Here she is "taking off" and looking out the window mesmerized.

The last 20 minutes of the 3 hour flight she fell asleep both times. But she behaved like an angel both times and has turned into the best traveler. We are so proud of her.

Here she is one of our first nights at the shore at a local ice cream shop eating ice cream with her cousins Jack and Carter. All three of them were so funny together. She ate Sponge Bob's eyes off this ice cream cone and then lost interest....

Happy Girl with Sponge Bob Ice Cream...

One of our first days at the beach...she loved having each one of us take her to the water about 150 times a day to fill up her bucket.

Relaxing at the shore house.

Hanging out with Uncle Michael and Courtney.

Loving the Ocean...

Grandpa and the puppies were worn out after a few days of 3 year old toddler energy...

Donna and Aida...

Making silly faces :)

On our last night there we went to dinner and then to a local carnival. Aida wanted to ride every ride...the more it spun and the faster it went, the more she liked it. Here she is looking over the side of the Ferris wheel with Daddy...I think she outlasted all of the adults that night. She had a great time.

On our way back home Sunday morning.

We had such a great time and are so thankful to be able to spend such great time with my family. Thank you Grandpa and Donna for a great week at the house and for hosting such a special family vacation. We loved it!!!