Ok gang, I had too many toy suggestions to share in one post so here is part two of our favorite toys. Will be a tough call this year to select only a few to buy!
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Holiday 2020 Toy Guide
I have searched every corner of the internet for our toys that we have enjoyed over the past year or more to share with you with the hopes it will help your holiday shopping. They aren't all pretty wood, gram-worthy toys (even though a few attractive ones did make the round up). These are the toys that my three year old tot has enjoyed for more then fifteen minutes of play or things we will be gifting him this year. I wanted to mention that I included some bath time toys too as my son is part fish and loves being in a tub with his toys. I also love the idea of a themed stocking and thought a bath themed stocking could be a hit for the littles this year. Bath bombs, crayons, light up bath toys and bath paint etc. All help elevate the bath time experience and give mom a little break in the day by just getting to watch them play. We also included some of our favorite toys we keep in the car or stroller to play with on little road trips out of the city to parks and beaches.
Happy Shopping!
Friday, February 16, 2018
Summer Rental
Anyone remember the movie Summer Rental, good god I loved that movie. I even made my husband watch it recently because I talked about it so often. I live for 80's movies. They so much remind me of my childhood. Anywho...I am often asked about our rentals on Nantucket so I thought I would share them all here with links for you all to enjoy them too! We have been going to Nantucket well before being married or even engaged. I believe this will be our tenth summer this season where we can't wait to return with our mini to show him this happy little island in it's best time of year. Please feel free to ask me any questions about each home if you have them. I have provided online reviews for them but happy to be of any help I can be if you need help with planning a trip on island.
The below captain house we rented for a week during the fabulous Holiday Stroll this past year was a great location in town with walking distance to everything. The details of this home were bananas. They even decorated it beautifully for Christmas. They restored this home back to all it's glory with extreme attention to detail. It was absolutely beautiful, we so look forward to returning next Christmas. We even took our holiday card right on their porch!
The summer before we stayed at two separate homes and man both were really great. The below home is located just outside out of town but a very short drive to everything you want. Beaches, market, town etc. It is a new home with all the amenities you could wish for in a summer getaway.
This in town home is not only an amazing location with parking - holla! It also huge, great for big families. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and the living space is cozy, new and comfortable. I wanted to move in. The yard is great for BBQ's or having any meal al fresco.
Last but certainly not least, this in town home is petite with a powerful punch. We stayed here for seven summers we loved it so much. Good lord we had SO many fun times in this house. We only stopped renting it because we needed more room with baby and didn't want to have him on a separate floor from us.
Happy Vacationing!
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Welcoming John Aldrich Jr.
I have wanted to share our sweet baby boys birth story, well since he was born but that little nugget just loves to be in arms so there has been very little time to sit down and actually blog {something I miss doing & hope to get back to}. Three months ago our lives changed forever as we welcomed our much awaited son into the world. Our hearts bursted out of our chests the second we heard his sweet cry. While it's not a very dramatic story like his gender reveal it's one I wanted to document and share with you all as this little community has supported me every step of the way to becoming a mom. Below is how it all went down for us.
If we are friends on instagram you know I was carrying a big boy. I had a very large belly and my last ultrasound before he was born had indicated that he was measuring eleven pounds. So I was an automatic scheduled ceserean for October 6th at 9am. I made that week my last week to tie up all our loose ends and even indulge in a massage to help keep my anxiety at bay. I told everyone close to me that was the day I was having my boy. Little did I know that even planned births don't go as planned.
I woke up October 3rd, ready to get to my last OB appointment before the baby would be here. One last sonogram where I would annoyingly ask the ultrasound technician for another 3D shot of my baby because I just couldn't get enough of seeing him. I felt pretty great for someone who was 39 weeks pregnant but I hadn't felt the baby move all that much that day and casually mentioned it to my Dr. as we were leaving the appointment. Even though his heart rate was right where it should have been she submitted me for one more non stress test and sure enough, I failed. The baby didn't move at all. I tried juice, snacks, moving positions pressing on him...nothing. Little bugger was likely asleep but when the nurse called in the Dr to review my results I knew things weren't going smoothly. Sure enough I was sent right to Brigham & Women's Hospital where I was immediately admitted and put on all the monitors and of course my sweet boy started kicking me. The Dr. on call came in and goes, everything looks fine now but were going to have this baby today. John looked at me and me back at him and we were both silent in shock. We kinda expected that once we had movement we would be going home. Nope. Since this was now a non scheduled cesarean I had to wait for the OR to be cleared and all the snacks from the non stress test to be digested. So even though I was admitted at 1pm I couldn't get into the operating room till at least 7pm. So there I was totally unprepared to have my baby that day but alas, he was coming. Mild back contractions started happening and rotations of medical staff started coming in to prep me for the surgery. John ran home to get our packed hospital bags and return back to me in time for the birth. I made calls to my family and texts to my closest friends what was happening. Then before I knew it I was walking into a neon room of lights getting my epidural and spinal tap injected into my back and strapped into a very cold table. Let me tell you, I hated having my legs strapped down, it was awful. I tried to fight the feeling of being held down but man, I remember that being the worst feeling ever. Little tests with a needle were poked around my body to see if I still had feeling in my belly or sides. I was still feeling the needle but they assured me I was ready to go. They brought in my husband and surgery began. It was fairly quick to get the baby out thank goodness. We had opted for a gentle cesarean so I was able to see him right away and hold him briefly through a clear sheet. It was wonderful. When he didn't cry in the first second I asked the Dr. jokingly said "he was just born, give him a second" and sure enough he screamed the most beautiful cry I have ever heard. John stayed by my head the entire time and just kept saying oh my god, he's here over and over. About a minute later I told John to stay with the baby while they finished me up. I unfortunately lost an ovary and tube in the surgery due to some cysts {likely from IVF} so the remainder of the surgery was pretty awful. I started shaking, was sicker then I ever have been and was really hating all the pulling and pressure I was feeling on my insides. Never in pain but man, that pulling I will never forget. Our sweet boy was taken to the NICU for the first few hours of his life for some breathing issues where I told John to follow them and not leave his side. He then started recording sweet videos of the two of them that I will cherish forever. I was reunited with them both later that night and we brought our sweet little boy home five days later. A few photos of those previous first few moments of meeting our son and a few days later as a family at home are below.
Thanks for all the well wishes that were sent our way. We are so grateful.
waiting to meet with the Dr. & watching his heartbeat/my contractions on the monitors
"little" ol' me about to go in to meet my boy
John suiting up for the operating room
John Aldrich Jr is here October 3rd, 2017 at 8:41pm, weighing 9lb 4oz
I woke up October 3rd, ready to get to my last OB appointment before the baby would be here. One last sonogram where I would annoyingly ask the ultrasound technician for another 3D shot of my baby because I just couldn't get enough of seeing him. I felt pretty great for someone who was 39 weeks pregnant but I hadn't felt the baby move all that much that day and casually mentioned it to my Dr. as we were leaving the appointment. Even though his heart rate was right where it should have been she submitted me for one more non stress test and sure enough, I failed. The baby didn't move at all. I tried juice, snacks, moving positions pressing on him...nothing. Little bugger was likely asleep but when the nurse called in the Dr to review my results I knew things weren't going smoothly. Sure enough I was sent right to Brigham & Women's Hospital where I was immediately admitted and put on all the monitors and of course my sweet boy started kicking me. The Dr. on call came in and goes, everything looks fine now but were going to have this baby today. John looked at me and me back at him and we were both silent in shock. We kinda expected that once we had movement we would be going home. Nope. Since this was now a non scheduled cesarean I had to wait for the OR to be cleared and all the snacks from the non stress test to be digested. So even though I was admitted at 1pm I couldn't get into the operating room till at least 7pm. So there I was totally unprepared to have my baby that day but alas, he was coming. Mild back contractions started happening and rotations of medical staff started coming in to prep me for the surgery. John ran home to get our packed hospital bags and return back to me in time for the birth. I made calls to my family and texts to my closest friends what was happening. Then before I knew it I was walking into a neon room of lights getting my epidural and spinal tap injected into my back and strapped into a very cold table. Let me tell you, I hated having my legs strapped down, it was awful. I tried to fight the feeling of being held down but man, I remember that being the worst feeling ever. Little tests with a needle were poked around my body to see if I still had feeling in my belly or sides. I was still feeling the needle but they assured me I was ready to go. They brought in my husband and surgery began. It was fairly quick to get the baby out thank goodness. We had opted for a gentle cesarean so I was able to see him right away and hold him briefly through a clear sheet. It was wonderful. When he didn't cry in the first second I asked the Dr. jokingly said "he was just born, give him a second" and sure enough he screamed the most beautiful cry I have ever heard. John stayed by my head the entire time and just kept saying oh my god, he's here over and over. About a minute later I told John to stay with the baby while they finished me up. I unfortunately lost an ovary and tube in the surgery due to some cysts {likely from IVF} so the remainder of the surgery was pretty awful. I started shaking, was sicker then I ever have been and was really hating all the pulling and pressure I was feeling on my insides. Never in pain but man, that pulling I will never forget. Our sweet boy was taken to the NICU for the first few hours of his life for some breathing issues where I told John to follow them and not leave his side. He then started recording sweet videos of the two of them that I will cherish forever. I was reunited with them both later that night and we brought our sweet little boy home five days later. A few photos of those previous first few moments of meeting our son and a few days later as a family at home are below.
Thanks for all the well wishes that were sent our way. We are so grateful.
waiting to meet with the Dr. & watching his heartbeat/my contractions on the monitors
"little" ol' me about to go in to meet my boy
John suiting up for the operating room
John Aldrich Jr is here October 3rd, 2017 at 8:41pm, weighing 9lb 4oz
the moment I got to feel my son, the most wonderful feeling of my life
we are family
the day after he was born oma & opa visited along with my siblings
John with his parents
after the company left mom got some snuggles
the day we left the hospital
two weeks at home
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Baby Boy Dooley - Boston Baby Shower
This past weekend was surely one for the books! My mom and dad hosted one last celebration for baby boy Dooley here in Boston. While my NY baby shower consisted of all family, this was one was a day of friends that feel like family. Just as the Bridgehampton shower, it was a total dream where I was surrounded by incredible woman who showered me and our baby boy to be so much love. It was truly heartwarming to see so many people who are important to me take time out of their busy schedules to celebrate this precious gift we are about to receive in five short weeks. I couldn't believe that people who just had their own babies spent the afternoon with us, so many people traveled in from out of state and even a few left vacation to join in on the fun. There were ao many helpers in one room offering incredible advice, reassurance that we got this and support for the future. It's pretty awesome to know so many people are rooting you on and wishing you the best as you embark on something that feels oh so wonderfully scary. I feel pretty damn lucky to have so many women in my life who make me feel so special. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate this very loved baby boy. We are eternally grateful for each and everyone of you! xo Heidi, John
favors & place card seating for guests to take home
edible treat bags for guests to take home
signature cocktail "baby botanist"
sweet treats on the bar for anyone needing a chocolate fix
all the people who made this day super special & one I will never forget
my precious family
my Boston crew
my college roommates
baby boy getting kisses from his aunties
a big thank you to my husband for packing up and carrying home one hundred gifts
my sweet & hilarious sorority sisters
my lovely Beacon Hill ladies
Event Space: Ostra // Centerpieces & Garland: Winstons Flowers // Terrariums Place Card Holders & Favors // Succulents & Moss in Terrariums: Rouvalis Flowers // Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Emily A. Howell // Mom To Be Chair Sign & Cake Topper // Chocolate Tiles // Gold Speckled Favor Bags // Gold Mini Clips // Cake: Mayflour Confections // Gold Lace Cake Stand // Gold Wire Bowls // Gold Baby Balloon // White Tassel Balloon // Stripe Straws // Cloud Drink Stirrers // Brass Frames // Mom to Be Dress: Zimmermann
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