WINTER STORM ADVISORY

The snow found its way to Raleigh, I couldn't be happier about it!!!! Growing up in Connecticut, snow is something I am very used to and think is so pretty and fun! Carson and Dean joined the other kids in the neighborhood for sledding and enjoyed T-Pop and Nonna pulling them around. SO glad T-Pop and Nonna were here to share in their first snow!!!!

MUST HAVE ITEM!!!

Fellow mothers and expectant mothers - - you need this! Carson and Dean received these booster seats as gifts when they were born. We are so caught up with them being newborns, you never think of all the things you will need as they get bigger and bigger. These booster seats are great. Carson and Dean are still taking 4 bottles a day, with 3 meals of food as well. They are still too small and unsteady for most restaurant highchairs. Not to mention, they have to then eat their food off of the table tops which are hard to reach and are such a mess. With the booster seats, they are lightweight and easy to travel with, snap right on to the chairs, have a tray they can eat off, and have a toy snap in that keeps them busy and happy. Dining out is much more manageable now. Eric and I are actually able to eat without having one or both of them on our laps!!!

The Art Project

Sorry, yes, here is "The Art Project" that Whitney and I worked on for their bathroom. I posted this in the past, their bathroom "theme" is Dr. Seuss - - mainly ONE FISH, TWO FISH -- but Dr. Seuss in general. The curtain, towels, and accessories are all from Pottery Barn Kids. From there, I needed to get some things on the wall. So, there are three new additions. . .


** Whitney and I did this Dr. Seuss alphabet board. We bought a large canvas, decorated it with fabric and ribbons, and went to town! Its fun and looks great over the potty! **


** My sister in law Courtney is a fantastic artist. Check out these unbelievable paintings she did! They are exact! **


** I painted this lovely little fish at Anna's birthday party two weeks ago! We had a great time at her birthday party and Carson and Dean have a new item in their bathroom from it! **

Aunt Laughter

As I mentioned in an earlier post from Christmas, Carson just thinks Aunt Whitney is so funny! She laughs just looking at her! Whitney came to visit this past weekend. It was a nice, relaxing weekend. We made Sangria & Tapas, took the babies on walks (not after the Sangria), went to Chapel Hill for an outing, and worked on art project for Carson and Dean's bathroom. Thanks for your help Aunt Whitney. Its always fun when you visit, so please come back soon!!!

5 Days Late

Eric,

Happy 3 Year Anniversary!!! Can you believe it? 7 1/2 years together and 3 years married?! Together we've done it all, had some fun and laughed along the way, and are truly a great team. This past year brought us our greatest gifts, Carson and Dean. They make us better, tired, happier, more stressed, and give us more love than either of us knew we could have. Here's to 97 more years together . . .

I love you.

PS. Hawaii next year?? Just an idea. . .

We are 9 months old!!!

Where has time gone???





9 month facts:

* Dean is crawling - - EVERYWHERE! He started this right after Thanksgiving. He also just learned to pull himself up on the coffee table, couch, drawers, everything!!

* Carson weighs 17 lbs 3 oz, Dean weighs 18 lbs 8 oz

* We are introducing real foods. Carson is all about it. Dean just cries with confusion. They've had cheerios, pizza, lots of fruits & veggies that I've steamed and roasted, bagels etc.

* They are in the bath together and out of the baby bathtub. It is alot of fun! Water is everywhere!

* They are both currently battling bad colds. Sweet Carson is even on a nebulizer every 6 hours :(

* They both babble lots and really look like they are trying to tell us something very important.

* Cribs have been dropped since they pull themselves up - -ahh!!

Ringing in the New Year ...

New Years Eve we had our dear friends, Daniel & Abby, come and visit from Chicago. Carson & Dean (and Meurice) loved having new friends to play with! We had such a great, laid-back weekend. We spent New Years Eve together with friends downtown for dinner. Abby & I bailed on the group when they decided to go to the bars and instead rang in New Years in my living room with the babysitter!!! We spent the weekend taking C & D to the park, watching The Hangover 14 times, cooking and eating, Eric took them to Chapel Hill for lunch, and Mimi & Grandpa baby-sat so we could get 1 more dinner out together.

Uncle Daniel & Aunt Abby - - COME BACK, WE MISS YOU!!!

NEW JOB!

Today, Monday January 4th (is my best friend Meredith's birthday), but it is also a brand new day and chapter in my life and the lives of Eric, Carson & Dean.

I am officially a STAY-AT-HOME MOM!

I gave my notice right before the holidays and today is the day. I could write a million words on the back and forth of this decision, but for those of you who are mothers, you understand. Part of you wants to be home full-time, part of you actually enjoys your job and wants to be there, the financial sacrifices etc etc etc. The economy finally caught up with my company and I feel like I am stepping away at a good time. I am very grateful to have Eric's 110% support and encouragement. My kids are only young once and I want to see and do everything with them. I just couldn't get the thought out of my head, having someone else tell me they took their first step or this or that. Carson and Dean had a terrific nanny! (Natalie, if you're reading this, we miss you and good luck with the new job)! So, this was never about us worrying about the care they were receiving, but more for me to have no regrets later on in life about missing out. With that, my suits are hung and tucked away. Bring on the sneakers and scrunchies!!!! In all honesty, I am very much a career oriented person. I am embracing this opportunity and time with my children. I have many ideas and plans for myself professionally in the future and will absolutely pursue those, when the time is right.

Sincerely,

Lauren Margulies
COO of Margulies Incorporated