Boots and Booties at the Venetian

When Jaren was pregnant with Elsie, she told me about a military baby shower through the community. When I knew this little bean was going to turn into an actual baby, I searched around, and found that it was happening in October. Boots and Booties was happening at the Venetian, and I was officially invited! I wanted to make sure that Charlie's rank as an officer would not be an issue, but I was told with enthusiasm that there were more than enough donations for us, and to please come.

A few of my pregnant friends went as well - Leah Churchill due about 10 weeks ahead of me with a baby girl, and Ariana Wethington, who is due about 3 weeks before me with twin girls! Ariana and her husband moved into the house 3 doors down from my parents! It's been so fun having a pregnant military spouse so near.

We drove together and I got a text from a really good family friend that they were volunteering and saw my name. Her daughter, Kyra, is the sweetest thing, and I was so happy to see her!


The Venetian donated the space, staff, AND food. And one more big thing I'll write at the end.

THey had a really cute cake on display:


Volunteers throughout the community donated items for over 200 expectant mothers, and rolled I don't even know how many diapers for each mom to get a diaper cake!




Very excited to see Ariana's gifts:


And then of course we had to go find mine!




Me and Ariana:


There was food for all, and an MC for all the speakers. Lots of state representatives came and spoke, as well as people involved with military non profits.

I was kind of obsessed with these:


There were raffles for some big items including 11 cribs and 5 new car seats! Since we have a crib and carseat I put my ticket into a photography package and didn't win. But that is fine by me, this event was SO ridiculously generous, from the community and the venetian.

I didn't open the gifts there because I wanted to do it at home where I could really dig in.





As if this wasn't enough, they made an announcement that the Venetian had donated a gift card to every single mother for $150 for babies r us. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Sheldon Adelson owns the Venetian and the school my mom teaches at, so I have seen his generosity with the Jewish community. He has donated millions to amazing organizations such as birthright and Yad VaShem. His and his hotel's generosity hit a personal level with this though. Mr Adelson and the powers at be at the Venetian, the thank you note that I sent is not enough. What you did for these military moms is absolutely amazing and life changing for so many of them/us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Taste of the Nation 2013

Taste of the Nation is our all time favorite charity event. No offense to galas, but they get so overdone. Yes, they are all for a great cause, they all have good food and good auction prizes and good speakers. But it's the same old thing. Taste of the Nation is what we based our wedding off of! We wanted tons of different small plates, and Taste was the inspiration.

Share our Strength is a national organization whose mission is to end childhood hunger, and Taste of the Nation is an event they have in several cities in America, where the top restaurants in the city are invited to participate. They each come with a sample off of their menu (or somethings not on their menu, special for the event). $100 for one ticket goes 100% to the charity, and gives you entry to taste unlimited amounts of 30+ chef's dishes, and pairings of drinks. It's SO MUCH FUN. Even being prego and not drinking.

Chef Carlos Guia (bottom right) from the Country Club at the Wynn is the chair of the committee, and Chef Rick Moonen (in the front in the black) has participated 3 out of 4 of the last years.


Not all the chefs made it to the pictures since this was 15 minutes before the event started, and they were probably prepping their stations!

Speaking of stations, here are some of them:




Not a station but the ice sculpture we get by one of the bars each year:


Some of the auction items:


And more stations:










See that jar with the orange ribbon at each station? I am proud to say that was my idea 2 years ago, and it's brought in over $10,000 each year in tips! We realized that even though the event was all you can eat and drink for the ticket price, that people would still tip for the service, especially at the bars! Well, I thought, what better than a friendly competition! We have the restaurants and the bars compete for the most tips, and they win a prize from us! I don't know the total tip earnings yet this year but last year it was around $14,000!!!

Press wall: thanks sponsors!


My mommy and some of her best friends - thanks for supporting the event guys!!




And some of my good girlfriends:


Thanks so much for supporting us this year. Jaren frantically searched for a babysitter, so thanks Lynsey for stepping up last minute! I am so so grateful. My friend Jill, on the left in this pic, won tickets! My amazing husband and his business partner agreed to raffle off tickets to their vanpool customers! Each winner got two tickets, and Alex (Jill's husband) was one of 2 winners from his squadron. I am SO glad they agreed to this because I think that all their members really enjoyed the even that they would not have known about or been able to attend, and it helped Share Our Strength raise a lot more money!!!

Jaren enjoyed the drinks :-) (And still maintained her weight watchers goal, you go girl!)




Why are you so tall, blonde, and fabulous? Kind of jealous here.



Babie's first Taste of the Nation! Next one won't be for 21 years! Lol.

21 week bumpdate (from philly)

How far along: 21 weeks 2 days

How big is baby: 10.5 inches long and 3/4 of a pound

Weight gained: about 7-8 pounds, I think. Visiting Eden and she doesn't have a scale. Based on how hungry I have been the last few days, it's probably 8-9, sadly.

Maternity clothes: Still fitting into non maternity clothes but not super comfortably.

Stretch marks: Just the linea negra from belly button down, and it's pretty light. I got a new cream that is super soft and smells great. I know they're genetic and cream will only help with itchiness, but it's a great product! I saw it at Motherhood Maternity and tried it, then thought I'd buy it on amazon. Yeah, can't find it there! So I went back and got it - highly recommend it! http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=933980569&MasterCategory_Id=MC20

Miss anything?: A drink here and there.

Movement: I'm feeling bubbles when I lay down, not very consistently or strong, but I know that they're baby. Last Sunday during religious school I felt a very, very faint kick, but I haven't felt that since. On Monday morning I woke up and my stomach was lopsided. Before I even looked or felt with my hands, I could tell he was on the right side. Sure enough, there was a lump and it was rock hard!

Cravings: EVERYTHING. I can't stop eating this week. Eden introduced me to "inner peas" dried peas from trader joes and I am addicted.


I also just want everything - healthy or not. I may or may have gotten that pint of half baked ice cream after all, and may or may not have demolished it (almost all by myself) in two days.


And eaten an entire container of sliced mango from Trader Jos:

Aversions:  Nothing really, woo hoo.

Other symptoms: Did I mention I'm starving? I seriously am eating so much and still feel physically hungry. Eden and I made a lentil/quinoa stew last night and I ate 3 bowls. Eden says I only had 2, but I think it was 3. And I wasn't even that full!

Best moment this week: Seeing my bff Essy!!!!
She doesn't love this pic but I don't have any others yet:

Also, waking up on Monday and KNOWING where baby was. Not yet feeling kicks or things but I love that I can feel his head or butt or something.

Most looking forward to: Feeling real kicks and having my belly get a little harder and more defined.

One year ago today...

Charlie and I stood in front of the rabbi I grew up with and almost all our family and friends, and ate the best truffle mac and cheese I've ever had.

I love you husband. Me and baby can't wait til you're back and we're in your arms!

By the way, I realized I never blogged about the wedding (way too late to do it now) or my wedding tips. I should do that. I'll make it a goal to do it this week when I'm procrastinating doing a masters assignment :-)