a few days at mandalay bay

Mom and Dad were in town with the Greeks of Steubenville and Dad got us a cabana at Mandalay Bay so we could have a little R&R with Fallon. They remodeled a lot in the pool area: they put in a 3-story structure that includes an air-conditioned casino and an outdoor restaurant. They added more cabanas and they are all updated. She had a blast. We invited Ashley, Izzy and Vera. Mom even took some time to join us for a dip in the pool. Fallon got the arm floaties and loved it so much, especially in the lazy river! She was cruising by herself!

a day in our lives

7:00: Jonathan gets up or when Fallon comes bursting into the bedroom to wake us.
7:05: I get up. I have been trying to get a few extra z's since I am extra tired these days.
8:00: The morning Joe kicks in, I get on the computer, the phone or the sewing machine and start my day. I am either cutting or sewing while throwing in some laundry or some cleaning up around the house. I'll usually be busy from this time until Jon leaves around 1pm - this is basically my workday. I have until 1pm to run any errands without Fallon in tow.
10:00: Jon usually tinkers around with house stuff or runs errands and takes Fallon and the dogs out to the park across the street. Lately, they have been flying a kite which I can see from the upstairs windows. She just loves it!12:00: Fallon and Jon have lunch.
1:00: Jon showers and leaves for work.
1:45: I read Fallon some stories and play a little and put her down for a nap.
2:15: This begins my nonstop golden hour (when she is asleep). I eat lunch, get back to work, make phone calls.
4:00: Wake her up. If she is not requiring my attention, she plays in her loft or kitchen. If I have to run more errands, we leave the house.
6:00: Fallon and I have dinner - either out or at home.
7:00 Playtime/bathtime
8:00: Read books and go to sleep. I drool for a bit and get back to sewing usually.
2:30-4AM: Jon comes home from work.

our boy, poncho

Here is a favorite photo of Poncho chillin' in the new house. It is so hot in the late afternoon, but he doesn't seem to mind napping in the hot spots.

the dolphin habitat and the secret garden at mirage

Ashley, Darleen Meier and I with all our kids went to Mirage to check out the Mirage Habitat. We got to see the baby dolphin in action! It turned out to be a very humid day, which made all of us so tired. It was a nice chance to get out to do something with all the kids. Thanks to Jonathan's friend, Liam of Bare (Light Group), he got us all in for free had a private tour with a guide!

group potty!

It was Brent's (Gunson) birthday today. We hung out at their house and Fallon got to play with all the kids. It had been a while since we were over and Izzy was loving Fallon and making out with her on the couch. All the kids had a fun time. Since Izzy and Fallon are both out of diapers, they tried to teach Vera how to potty.

bye old beamer!

Mom's good old BMW finally did us in! We decided to trade her in because it was costing us too much in maintenance. It definitely served us well and still only bowed out at 75,000 miles since 1989. Jon is much happier driving to work in his new, but used Discovery - with reliable AC and a working radio. Fallon loves it and I love the third row for extra passengers!

havaianas

Havaianas are a summer must for the whole family. We are huge fans of these comfy flip-flops! Jon, Fallon and I have them in several colors and we are done with the cheap stuff! They are worth it.

+ 2 to our ever-growing family!

Fallon has been so good the past month with moving and us being too busy to dedicate more time to her needs, so I took her out and spent the day with her - we went to lunch and I told her we could get her 2 new friends at the pet store. We picked up 2 goldfish and she excitedly named them Nemo and Marlin. She thinks that she can also "pet" the fish.

out with ashley

Admist the hulabaloo of moving, pregnancy, sewing and life, Ashley urged me to have a night out. We just had a nice dinner out and got to talk without the hubbies or the girls. It was nice to catch up without being interrupted.

las vegas paperdoll now retailing plain zane

Anne Kellogg, owner of Las Vegas Paperdoll stationery boutique saw the article in LVHD and placed an order for her store. She is a big supporter of the local arts and was excited to add my line to her store. I have been to her store and it is just the place I would want to have my line in - it's modern, cool and artsy! Thanks Anne!

awesome light!

I have been admiring this pendant by German designer, Ingo Maurer. I'd love to put it in the new house over the kitchen island. It looks so simple, but it is genius and I hate to replicate it or find a knock-off. This one runs over $1000!!

plain zane asked to donate gift bags for the andre agassi charitable event

Jonathan (PR for Plain Zane) got a call today from Distinctive Assets to contribute my goods for the gift bags for The Grammy's next year and The Andre's 12th annual Grand Slam for Children Event on October 6, 2007, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Andre loves to support local businesses and wanted different items for the bags. It was an exciting day in PR for the company, but it I was a bit concerned about my time invested over the money it would cost to partake in the event. The LVHD article keeps on giving back! Anything for Andre, right??? We shall see...

our trip to the big apple... nyc! june 11-13

Fallon and I met Jonathan at the Pittsburgh airport to fly together to NYC. We were all pretty tired, but so excited for our quick vacation together. It was so nice to get on a short flight and be in NYC in an hour and a half!! It had been so long since either of us had been there, but we mostly excited for Fallon to see the tall buildings, cabs, FAO Schwartz (and Eloise at the Plaza), eat a dirty NYC hot dog, take her on the subway and see Central park, etc. It is much more different to vacation with a child. And of course, I was all too excited to hit some favorite spots like Balthazar, Soho, Chinatown, Little Italy, H&M, Century 21 and all the fun shopping (no tax!). Jon was just happy to be away from work!! Click here to see the summer slide show.

mateo's graduation from kindergarten!!

We attended Mateo's graduation in Columbus today - I can't believe that he will be in first grade! It was so cute to watch the little kids review everything they learned in a production which consisted of songs, spanish, stories, etc! They learned so much and Mateo is growing so fast. All the kids got to say all their names and when it came to Mateo, he was so loud everyone laughed, but I cried! It was so cute and I was so proud to see that Mateo had learned so much.

leaving for ohio

Dinner at Makino Japanese buffet.

Fallon and I flew to Ohio with Mom and Dad tonight. We booked a redeye, hoping Fallon would pass out in the plane before take-off, but the excitement actually kept her up a little and messed up her schedule even more. We arrived in Pittsburgh and I was instantly feeling relaxed since there was nothing I could to as far as moving, sewing or living my non-stop life!! It was great to be away! I can't wait to relax for the next few days!

happy 70th birthday dad!!!!!

I can't believe Dad is 70 today. He still looks great and does not show signs of sickness. I am so thankful for everyday that he is still around and able to be his normal self! We ate at the Eiffel Tower at Paris hotel to celebrate. It was so nice to be able to be together in Las Vegas. Fallon enjoyed the fine dining, esp. the foie gras since I could not.

congrats to alexis ferrera on her graduation!

How time flies! Alexis Ferrera - a close family friend of ours, graduated from Catholic Central High School - my alma mater. It was just yesterday that we toted her around on our hips as a toddler!! She's all grown up now and enrolled at Case Western for pre-dental! We are so proud of you Alexis. I was also commissioned again by Rita Ferrera to make her graduation invitations. Hope everyone liked them:)

last memories in our old house...mom and dad - helping us move!

Mom and Dad came into town for a visit and to help us pack up and move to the new house. It has been exhausting - emotionally and physically. The temps moved higher and the realization that we were leaving our completely settled home had begun to set in. I was definitely sad and I cried when I saw most of the stuff being moved. Most of our belongings were gone for good. We tried to take some photos of the deconstruction.Dad and Fallon playing mancala.Brushing the dogs after a bath in the backyard.Papa feeding Fallon her favorite - blue crabs!Jon and Fallon helping me bake a cake for Papa's 70th Birthday!

mother's day

Jonathan got me a Spa day at Red Rock Hotel. - I had a Maternity Masssage - she worked out that sciatic pain and I also had a facial. It was so relaxing, especially while we were in the middle of moving madness!! I'm planning to go back - it was wonderful!!

puppy by eero aarnio

I want a new puppy! Anybody remotely familiar with the designs of Eero Aarnio will instantly realize that his latest creation, the puppy, is 100% classic Aarnio. the puppy is part of the new "me too collection" of children's furniture and accessories from magis. this adorable abstract plastic dog is constructed of hard polyethylene that is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. puppy is a sculpture, a toy, a small stool, whatever your imagination wants it to be.