Apparently, I have a new title at work... ya'll enjoy my 2 seconds of fame.
"Atlantic City historians: A life that might die out?"
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Don't you want to eat her up??
We are considering becoming cannibals. NinaBell's thighs and cheeks just invite you to gobble them up! She's 20 weeks old today, weighs at least 15 lbs, and measures in at 26 inches already. She's lots of fun, and has started screeching and "talking".
She was blessed by her papi on January 2, and her Gritty and Grampa and Aunt Amy and cousins visited. Gritty brought her a beautiful smocked dress with handmade tatting, and Nina was the belle of the of ball! We also had a nice Christmas at home...it was especially nice to have good news - 2 engagements (my sister-in-law, Vero and Henry, and my 82-year-old Papa and Ruth)! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate these lovely milestones.
She was blessed by her papi on January 2, and her Gritty and Grampa and Aunt Amy and cousins visited. Gritty brought her a beautiful smocked dress with handmade tatting, and Nina was the belle of the of ball! We also had a nice Christmas at home...it was especially nice to have good news - 2 engagements (my sister-in-law, Vero and Henry, and my 82-year-old Papa and Ruth)! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate these lovely milestones.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Place for Us
We are homeowners! We closed on October 30 on a beautiful, two-story, five-bedroom, two-bathroom house near Atlantic City. The house is everything we wanted - we've got a yard and a porch and a fireplace and a kitchen with a double sink and disposal. (We don't ask for too much, do we?)
The only thing we aren't crazy about are the property taxes in the city where we live and the high school is crummy. But we are good for at least 13 years. And maybe they'll change the high school by then.
Here's a quick tour of the house...enjoy!
It was built somewhere between 1890-1930. This is the front. (Notice all of the bags of leaves that F gathered today!)
The kitchen, clean and almost organized.
The living room (looking toward the dining room)...we love the wood floors!
The dining room, looking toward the living room (with a fireplace!).
The library/office has built-in bookshelves and a reading nook.
Our bedroom is in dire need of a paint job. And a closet.
N's bedroom has purple walls and built-in shelves.
The view from the back - our porch.
The only thing we aren't crazy about are the property taxes in the city where we live and the high school is crummy. But we are good for at least 13 years. And maybe they'll change the high school by then.
Here's a quick tour of the house...enjoy!
It was built somewhere between 1890-1930. This is the front. (Notice all of the bags of leaves that F gathered today!)
The kitchen, clean and almost organized.
The living room (looking toward the dining room)...we love the wood floors!
The dining room, looking toward the living room (with a fireplace!).
The library/office has built-in bookshelves and a reading nook.
Our bedroom is in dire need of a paint job. And a closet.
N's bedroom has purple walls and built-in shelves.
The view from the back - our porch.
Monday, November 2, 2009
How big are you? SO BIG!
On the busiest Friday EVER, Miss Nina Bell had her 2-month check-up. (More on the rest of the day in another post.) She is now 9 weeks old, and weighed in at 11.5 lbs. and measured 23.5 inches. So she's staying up there, at 90% for height and 70% for weight. In the last month, she's started smiling (not just for gas) and cooing. We're enjoying our little girl and think she's the cutest baby in the world; see for yourself:
I've started smiling...but I always stop when Mami pulls out the camera. ;)
I've started smiling...but I always stop when Mami pulls out the camera. ;) 
For a Harry Potter-themed Halloween party, I went as Dobby and Papi was Lucius Malfoy.
On Halloween, my friend L visited us as a duck. (I'm the butterfly.) Papi and Mami decided not to take me out Trick-or-Treating, but we had fun anyways.
I met David Archuleta at church. He was singing in Atlantic City and came to our church. He was very nice and took pictures with us.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Hunt is Off!
We have found a house! And it's not a short sale! And the offer was accepted! And the inspector said it's in good condition! And we have a closing date!
And if that's not too much excitement for you, read on:
After 10 months of househunting (we started last December) - in which we saw more than 35 homes and had contracts on 3 homes and offers on 5, 2 real estate agents, and 2 mortgage companies, the Perez family has found their dream home. It is a 1930s, 2-story house with cedar siding. It has 5(!) bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an enclosed sunroom, a family room, a dining room, a kitchen, a mudroom, a laundry room, a back porch, an unfinished basement, and a very spacious back yard. The kitchen was recently redone and is huge.
Closing is October 30, but is dependent on the mortgage company agreeing to accept a letter from my employer rather than a paystub. (I won't have returned to work soon enough to get a paystub.) I hope to have a few pictures soon...meanwhile, keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming for us, please.
And if that's not too much excitement for you, read on:
After 10 months of househunting (we started last December) - in which we saw more than 35 homes and had contracts on 3 homes and offers on 5, 2 real estate agents, and 2 mortgage companies, the Perez family has found their dream home. It is a 1930s, 2-story house with cedar siding. It has 5(!) bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an enclosed sunroom, a family room, a dining room, a kitchen, a mudroom, a laundry room, a back porch, an unfinished basement, and a very spacious back yard. The kitchen was recently redone and is huge.
Closing is October 30, but is dependent on the mortgage company agreeing to accept a letter from my employer rather than a paystub. (I won't have returned to work soon enough to get a paystub.) I hope to have a few pictures soon...meanwhile, keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming for us, please.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Where has the time gone?
Nina is one month old! It's been a busy month...not only have we been getting to know her and figure out feeding, bathing, dressing, and sleeping a newborn, but we've also been busy buying a house. (More on that later - Cross your fingers...this one looks promising!)
In Nina's first month, she's grown a lot. She started at 7.5 lbs, went down to 7 lbs, and at last check was nearing 9 lbs. I'm pretty sure she's topped that by now! She's also really long. (We need to move the straps on her infant carrier up to the top slot, but she still needs the head support and that takes the top slot.)
Things she likes: eating, sleeping, riding in the car.
Things she doesn't like: being made to wait for diaper changes or food, red lights (when the car stops).
Things she's still not sure about: bottles, baths.
For those not on Facebook, here is a brief look at our first month as a
fam
ily of 
3.
Happy One Month Nina Bell!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Having a Baby? Get health insurance.
Cost of room and board for 2 days at the local maternity ward - $8,560
Cost for labor and delivery of the baby - $2,303
Cost of lab services for mom and baby - $495
Cost of misc. "hospital services" - $568
Total cost of hospital bill for 2 days (August 27-29, 2009) - $11,926
Total payment by me - $0
Importance of having good health insurance - priceless
Cost for labor and delivery of the baby - $2,303
Cost of lab services for mom and baby - $495
Cost of misc. "hospital services" - $568
Total cost of hospital bill for 2 days (August 27-29, 2009) - $11,926
Total payment by me - $0
Importance of having good health insurance - priceless
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