The Fabulous Life of Stefanie

Something you may not know about me is that I love to take surveys; I take them online for reward points to get magazines and Starbucks cards, but even if someone calls my "unlisted" number for a survey I will sure as shit talk to them. Maybe because it was my first job (telesurveyor - not to be confused with those terrible telemarketers), or maybe it is the sociologist in me who loves to gather data. Anyways, the point is, for most surveys I am now entering another age range to click. That's right, no longer will I be lumped in with people in their twenties, I am now thrown in the back of those in their forties. Yikes! But hey, such is life, that whole getting older thing, and I really. truly believe that a woman in her thirties is a hell of a lot more content than one in her twenties, so I assume it just keeps getting better. I feel so much more confident in my skin, with my voice, in my talents and even in my shortcomings. Although I still feel devastated when people...

It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since this little human came into our lives. Two weeks early and at first the calmest little baby that ever did live....now we have a walking, talking, screeching, eating machine! Oh what a difference a year makes! Although it is tomorrow, Mama has to run 22 miles and then get your birthday party together, so here is Annabel at one (minus one day)! At one year Annie is: Walking Laughing (this forced deep laugh that cracks us all up) Saying 'Dada', 'kitty' and 'Mama' (finally! this JUST started!) Sleeping about 11 hours a night in her own space (we stopped cosleeping about three weeks ago when it stopped being the best way for everyone to get a good night's sleep) Nursing and eating at least three meals and two snacks a day (tank baby!) Around 20 pounds and still pretty short (compared to me and sister) Her favorites: People: big sister (who gets the biggest smiles and most attention), her nanny He...

Last night after I tucked Maddie in and whispered "goodnight, my three year old" she told me "and tomorrow I am four and it is going to be awesome" and I don't doubt it for one second. Our Maddie is a lover of life, of friends, of fun and EXCITEMENT. She is the least shy person I have ever met and makes friends wherever she goes. Everyone knows her - at school, at church, at the local breakfast diner - because she is quite unforgettable with her big smile and need to talk to and hug anyone she meets. She is kind and funny and smart beyond what I could have imagined and although raising a big personality doesn't come without some big exhaustion I would not have it any other way. Maddie Jane, you light up our family's life like a meteor storm. You get the biggest smile out of Annabel and have taken this year of change and chaos and run with it (quite literally). We love managing your busy social calendar just as much as we love snuggling with you ove...

On Saturday we hosted Maddie and a group of her friends (and parents!) for a day at the Boston Children's Museum. Winter birthdays can be tricky and being 5 months pregnant with a city-sized dwelling meant that it was better to outsource, and the Children's Museum was the perfect venue! Everyone got full-day admission and we had a party room for crafts, cake and presents; we were there a little over four hours and I am still recovering from all the fun. I was so thankful for the party-planner and other staff who ran around like crazy to make sure everything was perfect. It was really fun to see Maddie and all her little friends running around the museum and enjoying the exhibits together; there is so much to do and we didn't even see everything. It was my first visit (Maddie's third) and now I am definitely going to be asking for a membership from Santa so that we can go back a bunch this winter! The theme of this year's party was dinosaurs, as you will see in ...

My baby burrito! The first time we met. My smart, hilarious, energetic, snuggly little lady turned three today; happy birthday Madeleine Jane! She has brought her family, friends and every single stranger she encounters such an unbelievable amount of joy and I feel so lucky to have a front row seat to her life. In true Maddie fashion she woke us up at the crack of dawn (like, before 4am) wanting to party, just like she did in those sleepless nights of her first couple of years. Sometimes, you just gotta stretch this birthday girl situation out as long as possible, am I right?  In honor of three years of Maddie, here is a little post on all things Maddie Hammers like I did last year ! Favorite activities: She has become more of a homebody lately and prefers to play with her trains, making huge tracks on the living room floor (with a little help from Daddy) and doing her new favorite thing: "artcrafts". She loves to paint, cut paper into animal shapes (or at ...

What a day to be a Princess! I woke up at 4:30 (on my own) to watch the wedding of William and Catherine and I was really glad that I did. It was beautiful and the hats and fashion were off the hook. Since my Mom was pregnant with me while Di was pregnant with William I have always felt a fun little connection to him (my Mom was happy that I got Matty for my Prince when she realized Wills was not going to do it for me) and his wedding was almost as fabulous as mine! I do love that he and Catherine were cracking jokes to each other on the altar just like Matty and I did (even if we did do it first). So speaking of being a Princess; I am the birthday girl! Well, my birthday is on Sunday, but I really like to spread it out for at least a few days so that everyone can enjoy my big day and give me proper love and presents :) I love that I am about the be 29, but still spoiled rotten like a little kid by my loved ones , especially on my birthday. I knew Matty was the one for me when he accep...