Ogunquit 2014

We had a wonderful week in Ogunquit back in July.  The weather was fabulous, we loved the house we stayed in, we had a great time as a family, and of course, the girls LOVED the beach.  I wish we were still there.  For some photos, click  HERE.

July 4th and Ogunquit

If you'd like to check out some photos from July 4th weekend and our vacation in Ogunquit, click here.  

The weather turned sour while we were in Maine so we didn't get much beach time in. Even so, Evelina had a wonderful time at the zoo and the beach, as well as spending lots of time with Grandpa.  Daphne is smiley where ever we go...with the exception of sleeping in a room that isn't her own!!  

Ogunquit 2012

If you'd like to take a look at a selection of pictures from our week in Ogunquit, ME a few weeks ago, click here. 

We had a wonderful time, the weather was perfection and it was so nice to spend a week with Auntie KK, Mimi and Grandpa.  Evelina was in heaven!!  

We hope to make it a Summer tradition every year.  

"I chase seagull!!"

One of Evelina's favorite activities at the beach last week was chasing seagulls. When she would see one close by, she would shout "I chase seagull!!" and then get up and go. This one had half a brain and flew away.  

Summertime Yums

Fun Times on the Farm

We've had the opportunity to visit a few farms over the past month or so and Evelina has loved every minute of it. She LOVES observing the animals, reaching out to touch them (when we think it's safe), or even attempting to feed them.  I think the best part is visiting the farms with her favorite family members. 

Davis Farmland with Grandpa, all the way back in August.  Unfortunately, my point and shoot suffered a fatal accident (no worries, no animals were involved) during our trip to Davis Farmland so we missed out on some other great photo opportunities.  That means, we will just have to go back again soon. 

Belkin Family Lookout Farm with Mimi and Auntie K.  A beautiful farm with grapevine covered paths, orchards full of fruit ripe for picking, a fun children's play area, hay pyramid, burlap maize and animals. Evelina loved riding on the train underneath the grapevines and feeling the wind against her face.  We will definitely visit this farm again.  

Beautiful grapevine covered path

Hmmmm...what does a sheep say again?

Red Apple Farm to celebrate a special birthday boy.  Such a beautiful farm, quintessential New England, and the perfect place for a birthday party. Evelina got to visit with friends, go on a hay ride, "feed" animals, enjoy apple donuts and cider slushies...YUM!!  We brought some apples and peaches home from the orchard and they are truly delectable, Evelina thinks so too.  

Mama, I LOVE balloons!!!

Soon enough we will be putting on sweaters to protect us from the crisp fall air, picking out pumpkins for carving, and dressing up Evelina for Halloween.  So much fun!! 

Summer Vacation Week - 2011

Back Lake in Early Morning Fog

Here I go again with a delayed post...oh life, why are you so busy?  

A couple of weeks ago Chris and I took the week off for some family time and a vacation up north...way up north.  We I had grand plans of a beach vacation, something we could turn into an annual tradition (similar to my childhood...but not at Hampton Beach), but I didn't leave us enough time to find something affordable so Chris and I decided to introduce Evelina to the Tall Timber Lodge in Pittsburg, NH.  The same lodge that Chris (and sometime me) ventures to in the winter months for his weekend snowmobiling adventures.  It is such a beautiful and peaceful location nestled in the Grand Bois du Nord, surrounded by lakes and the Connecticut river.

Evelina and I started out the week with a trip to visit the New England Aquarium with "Auntie" Debi.  The highlights for Evelina being the different species of penguins and the top of the huge fish tank.  If she had her way, she would have taken a dive right in.  

 
We headed up to Pittsburg a few days later, on the way stopping at The Basin in Franconia Notch for a little break.  Toddlers and long car rides aren't meant for each other. 

Typically, when we visit the Tall Timber, we rent a cabin, but this time we rented a 2-bedroom apartment with views of Back Lake.  It was the perfect spot for us and allowed Evelina to have her own room...thank goodness since I haven't slept in the same room with her since she was about 3-weeks old.  We weren't sure how Evelina would do sleeping in a pack 'n play overnight because she had only slept overnight at the hospital after she was born and then our house, but she did surprisingly well...minus her typical 1 wake-up that has been plaguing us these days.  One of the best things about the room was that one of the walls of Evelina's bedroom was a shared wall with the Tavern (very sound proof though), so once she was asleep for the night, we would slip over to the Tavern for dinner or drinks with the baby monitor.  SCORE!!   

We spent a lot of time gazing out at the lake, feeding the ducks and ducklings, walking along the dock, loon watching, kayaking and fishing.  Our two big activities were taking Evelina out in the motor boat for the first time and bringing her on her first hike.  

All I can say about the boat ride....she HATED the life preserver.....and sitting still of course.  We putts around the lake until we thought she would lunge overboard.  We hiked the Falls in the River trail in Pittsburg that followed the Connecticut river ending at some beautiful falls.  We were looking for a semi-easy hike, on a flat trail, with beautiful scenery.  What we got was an easy-moderate hike on a very windy, bumpy trail with lots of roots, spider webs and bugs.  It was great exercise...especially for Chris who was wearing Evelina in a back pack.  All of the walking and movement lulled Evelina to sleep and she missed our reward, seeing the waterfall.  We heard that in the fall when some of the lakes are lowered in preparation for winter, that you can actually see Salmon jumping up stream.  

 Overall, we had a fun trip and enjoyed being away from it all, which is easy to do in the middle of nowhere.  Vacationing with a little one is quite exhausting though and it was nice to get back to Casa Ciano.  I'm looking forward to next summer already!!  

1st Trip to Charlestown Navy Yard

Cooling off in the soft grass

We've been busy, busy these days and I've had some serious low back pain to contend with soooo the blog hasn't been high on my priority list.  Photos of our vacation in northern NH will be coming soon, but first, Evelina's 1st trip to the Charlestown Navy Yard a couple of weeks ago.   
 
We couldn't let a beautiful Sunday pass by without taking the opportunity to introduce Evelina to one of the most historic spots in the city, a place that used to be our "backyard".  She even got to experience her first taste of ice cream...yum-o!!  

Pretty archways and blue hydrageas

Old Ironsides

1st taste of ice cream at Emack and Bolio's

Now that's a big ship!!

Fun!!  I wonder how big Evelina will be next year?

The Garden in the Woods

I had been eager to visit Garden in the Woods in Framingham with Evelina since last summer, so when it was featured as one of the Free Fun Friday locations last week, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out on such a beautiful day.  

Lily Pond

Pretty flower, I forgot to look at what it was

It is a wonderful location with lot of flowers and foliage, along with a beautiful lily pond.  Since admission was free, it was PACKED, but it was still peaceful and a great place to have a bench lunch in the shade.  

Enjoying lunch

Curtis Path, Evelina under the arbor, pretty flowers, garden statue, cactus

We will definitely visit again and I will plan to leave the stroller behind so we can explore some other trails.   

Chillin' in the Ergo

Deck Dining

We've been having so much beautiful weather lately (finally!!), that I couldn't bring myself to feed Evelina inside on such a gorgeous evening yesterday. So outside the high chair went.  

Perfect Evening

I love eating outside, especially when the neighbor's dogs come over for a visit

Yummy, veggies

Very excited about peas, carrots, green beans and Lima beans

Fish face

Maternity Leave

This has officially been the best Summer of my life!!  I got to have my favorite season off from work and got to spend everyday with my favorite new person, Evelina Bambina.  Before Lina's birth I thought that I would be bored and lonely during my maternity leave but I have been anything but.  Weeks have been filled with visits from friends, attending mommy and me groups, running lots of errands, going on walks, getting things done around the house, taking the occasional nap...all in addition to feeding, changing, playing and getting to know the newest addition to the Ciano family.  

I knew the day would come for which I would need to go back to work but I didn't think it would come so quickly.  I have 3 more weeks of freedom to spend with our dear daughter and I wish I could stop time for a little bit since I know I won't ever get it back.  

Of course, being a stay-at-home-mom would make me nutty so a part of me is looking forward to going back to work but if I could just be there 3 days a week that would be perfect.   Luckily, MedVentive is being supportive and allowing me to work a 4 day work week so hopefully it works out.  It will be an adjustment but this whole new world of parenthood is and so far we seem to be adapting pretty well.  

In the meantime, I just have to take it day by day and enjoy every second without tearing up each night when I lay her down to sleep. 

Happy Birthday Violet!!

A year ago today, our first child Violet the Pug, was born to Belle by a crazy breeder. We never imagined what the next year would bring or if we (or Violet!!) would make it through, emotionally or financially, but despite its challanges we love our little Violet and are happy that she is a member of the Ciano (and Fisher) family. In between the frustration and tears she brings joy to our lives each day.

What we love most about Violet, other than how cute she is......she is a little clown and makes us laugh everyday.

What we would change about Violet, other then her OCD/craziness......her ability to be housetrained!! Uggh!!

Violet has improved over the past year but still needs lots of work and takes a lot of patience. Even though Cashina isn't born yet, I can imagine that it will be like having twins during Violet's high maintenance moments. Let's hope she gets better with age.

Inaugural BBQ

Summer arrived for a few brief days last weekend so Chris and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to, as I like to call it, “grill and chill”. Our new grill was just screaming to be fired up and just waiting for steaks to sizzle on its virgin grates. We also got to enjoy our new patio set with the company of great friends!! Thanks Ang, Jeff, Aimee and Sean for joining us for our inaugural BBQ. Hopefully we can do it again soon….with a patio umbrella the next time so we don’t sizzle.

Photo courtesy of Angela Malone