Merry Birthday to my Sister

Jelena and her amazing hair.

Yep, the boy smurf is me.

Best buds.

Halloween 2011

Bellezza crew

Jelena's bday 2011.  Barbie cake by me.

Jelena's bday 2012.  Sister, sister, yeah!  (inside joke)

Merry Birthday to my younger sister, Jelena.  Stan, Maksim and I love you dearly and wish you the best on your special day.  My sister is the one person I can vent to without judgement, will honestly tell me if I look fat in something, and will not hold a grudge against me (we are sisters after all).  She is the best aunt to Maksim.  He is absolutely nuts about her.  He calls her "Teta" which is aunt in Serbian.  She has a way with him too (baby whisperer type thing).  He is incredibly calm around her but they do play.  He loves when she grabs his feet while he is trying to get away or plays him videos of himself (he is a total narcissist).  They are best buds that I catch spooning all the time.

A little about the amazing Jelena:

• I can look at her and know what she is thinking.  Its probably a sister thing.  Especially when we are checking someone out with some questionable choices in fashion.
• Her hair is always done.  Its the kind of hair that every girl wishes she had.  Trust me you would envy her if you could see it.  Long, wavy, and not a hair out of place.
• She likes things clean.  Just like I do!
• She has totaled 3 cars.
• Do not have the non-resemblance between sisters full you.  Jelena and I have the same parents.  You don't know how many times we get asked that.  
• She put up with all the crazy 80s music I played over and over plus all my crabby tantrums over the years.
• She is incredibly good and making desserts.  They turn out so pretty.
• She was in the delivery room with me when I had Maksim.  She was the second to meet him after Stan.  I guess when you meet someone coming out of a hoo-ha its a bond that is forever!
• I can count on her for anything. 

Happy Birthday Jelena! Love, Natalija, Stan, Maksim, and Munchkin in my Womb

Love,

First Gen Fam

Craving....but it's not food

I don't do lots of shopping during pregnancy for clothing at least because its just a hopeless cause when your body starts to resemble Buddha.  These are my current cravings (not food) that are tucked away on my Pinterest board under "Products I Love," should have just named it "Want."

Bright Baseball Tee:

I love the bright sleeves.  Great for cool nights and can be worn casually with jeans and tennies. I have a white/red one currently and pre-pregnancy I loved dressing up it up with some high heels and a girly clutch.

Dainty Quirky Jewelry:

I love the idea of laying the tough but edgy shark tooth necklace with my other pieces.  The kiss earrings are just smoochable in rose gold (which I go cray for) and remind me of the 80s.

Lips Sweater:

Messy top knot and red lips is what I would pair with this adorable sweater.

Munchkin stuff:

A tee for Maki to get into when he visits the hospital to meet his little brother.  A mustache blanket to wrap the new munchkin in (isn't it presh?)

Something for Papa:

Matching bike tees for Papa and munchkin.  

For the Home:

Vintage style step stool so Maki can reach the faucet and things he shouldn't touch.

Good to put these cravings out there.  Will they be fulfilled?  If I get the itch or the go on sale they just might end up in my possession.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Weekend Concert in the Park

Yes, you can call me Slack-talija.  I have totally failed on taking pictures and posting. This post comes better late than never.   The weekend was a busy one.  Friday night we headed up University Heights to enjoy some food truck grub, free summer concert at Trolley Barn Park, and exuded lots of energy at the playground.  We ended the night early since we were super tired with some Bahn Thai food.  Wow, was is spicy but fantastic (we ordered hot, next time medium will do fine).  Mental note to self: make sure to revisit them soon when the craving for Thai hits.

I regretfully did not take any pictures of my Saturday which was spent with Ollie, my bestie, at Glen Ivy Spa.  We enjoyed our day without hubbies, baby (well for me at least), or iphones (crazy I know).  We lounged in the sun and mud like two BV housewives minus the plastic surgery and $$$.   It was just what the doctor ordered.  Sunday involved swim lessons, working on call, and catching up on errands.  Very typical and not too exciting except the fact that Maksim is excelerating with his swimming.  Enjoy all the photos from Friday night.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Don't even think about taking a fry.

Maksim checked out the local ladies.

Maksim ran into his best bud, Van, too.

Happy Weekend and Maki News

In Aunt Jelena's tennis shoes.

My belly 21 weeks.  I can still see my shoes at this point!

The weekend is finally here!  I live for the weekends.  I am looking forward to going to Glen Ivy Spa with my bestie, Ollie tomorrow. The plan is to roll around in the mud baths like pigs and lounge around the pool and pretend to be one of the ladies from the Housewives reality shows sans the flat tummy for me.  

Some new things our Maki is doing as of late:

• Some new words we have heard as of late:  push, boat, and even the word throw (in Serbian).  It surprises us each time.
• He is a real swimmer.  Kicks, blows bubbles, and splashes water on command at swim lessons and even shows off in the bath tub.  Maki even pushes us away in the water so he can swim on his own (ahh, no way he's not ready for that yet) and wants to jump in by himself.  Fearless I tell you!
• He started kissing us randomly without being asked.  Its a true heart melter.
• He is constantly trying to put shoes on himself.  He tends to like his Aunt's tennis shoes the best.  Did I mention he has huge feet!  Size 7 already!
• Maki can name all the Disney characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now.  I thinking he is understanding more and more because he laughs at the right queues.  
• Hitting?  Yeah, we are in that phase now.  He doesn't like sharing Mama with Papa. Papa gets a territorial slap from Maki and it's so hard not to laugh.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love,

First Gen Fam

The 4th

Pepto Bismol inflatables?

Pepsi for the prego (I needed the caffeine bad!!) and a real drink for Papa

We discovered that someone really likes vanilla cones.

We were able to add a quick game of baby basketball too.

Well, the celebrations for America's birthday really did not go down for the Krimerman clan.  I woke up with lower back agony.  Our intended plans did not happen but we did not feel so bad because it was the worst day weather wise in San Diego in like 2 months. Overcast and gloomy is not what I picture the 4th of July to look like.

So we stayed in primarily but did make a trip to the grocery store in our red, white, and blue gear.  We plan to bbq on the 5th instead.  We followed that up with a trip to our local park so Maksim could get some much needed energy out.  No live fireworks for us this year due to the little guy falling asleep crazy early (7pm!!!! when he normally goes to bed around 9pm).  This whole 4th of July falling on a Wednesday was just too weird.  The whole middle of the week thing should be banned and the holiday should automatically default to a weekend.  Yeah, that would be much better.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Easy (& Affordable) Summer Maternity Style

From the top:
Easy no fuss carry-all bag: Forever 21
Tank top:  Old Navy
Hat for bad hair days: Forever 21
Tinted balm: Sephora
Shorts: Old Navy
Scarf: Old Navy
Rose gold sandals (metallic sandal can be dressed up or down) : Forever 21
Striped dress: ModCloth

If you are like me the last thing you want to do is throw done some $$$ on maternity clothing.  I try to wear (stretch is the better word for it) my non-maternity threads as long as possible.  If I buy new pieces I always consider if I will be able to wear them post baby.  The above pieces are my summer maternity go-tos.  The shorts are the only maternity item up there.  My waist line has passed the point of no return and elastic waists are my only choice.  I like to keep my summer maternity outfits and makeup simple for summer (hence the tinted balm).

My helpful hints for dressing your buddha-esque body for the summer (yet avoiding "maternity" clothes):

• Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.......scarves, jewelry, hats.  They are your friends and you will still enjoy their company after the baby comes.  Accessories are the easiest way to dress up an outfit.
• Buy long stretchy tanks/tops that are long enough to cover your growing belly. Once the belly fades the tank will still look good.
• Dresses with stretch or empire waists.  Make sure they are long enough too.  That hemline creeps up as that belly grows.  For me, maxi dresses are a must!  
• Don't pay big bucks on maternity clothes.  If you must buy maternity wear buy wallet friendly pieces from Target, Old Navy, Asos, to name a few!

I have been super behind on blog posts.  Busy life = less posts.  I plan on ramping things up this week!  Happy 4th of July!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Busy Weekend and Updates

I should have posted on Monday but with having family in town (Stan's sister and her two kids) we have been have been busy having too much fun therefore blogging was not the top priority.

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant (half way done!) and officially graduated out of my zip and button up pants.  Maternity pants and flowy dresses are in full rotation.  I have been good about dressing up so prego fashion challenge is still on a go.  I hope to post photos as soon as I find a minute!

The baby is now the size of a banana and Stan felt the baby kick for the first time last night.  Maksim is in heaven having his older cousins in town so I can't wait until he has a little brother to keep him company.  Everyone told me once he turned 18 months you really see how quick they start developing.  He listens to directions and knows exactly what I am asking him for (unless he is ignoring me or throwing a tantrum), he is starting to repeat random words and I swear it still throws me off guard (I do a double take and think "did he just say that?", he kicks and blow bubbles during swim lessons on command (melts his swimmer Mama's heart).  We have been spending so much time outside I noticed a flip-flop tan on his little but huge feet and it put the biggest smile on my face last night.

The pictures below are from the weekend where we attended Maksim's BFF's (Van) birthday party at the San Diego bay.  Some photos leaked in from Thursday prior and Monday with our trip to the San Diego Zoo.  Did I mention that Maksim's cousins are master hoola-hoopers?

 Maksim and Van sharing a man to man hug.

The bday boy, Van!  Happy 3rd Birthday big guy!

Zoo time!

San Diego Zoo hoola hoop champs!!! 

Some more cousin fun.  

Maksim and his 2nd cousins.

Love,
First Gen Fam