11 QUESTIONS

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

So first off thanks to our pal Marcella over @ Mar and Peej for tagging us in this little blogger game going around!  We've been slacking a bit at blogging so this was a nice little kick in the pants to actually post something! -Craig

11 QUESTIONS
There are five rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you've tagged them.



11 random things:
1. I am portuguese... and extremely proud of it!
2. I hold a degree & license to be an art teacher but I am a graphic designer instead - which i never went to school for and don't hold a degree in.
3. I grew up in New Bedford, MA - a town that is most well known for being the whaling capitol of the world and still had a very busy / working fishing port.
4. I am vegan
5. I don't own or want a television or microwave
6. I have an irrational phobia of stickers. Adhesives really (stickers, band-aids etc) it grosses me out and I refuse to use / go near them.
7. I got a tattoo of the  logo as a bet when I was 18. Easiest 100 bucks I ever made!
8. I used to smoke about a pack of Camel Lights a day. (I quit over a year ago though!)
9. My favorite place in Boston is the Museum of Fine Arts.
10. I have moved 7 times in 6 years (all in Boston). I'm sort of indecisive.
11. I really really (really) hate Rick Santorum.


Questions from Marcella:

1. Whats favorite color?

My favorite colors are black, gray and white, boring I know!



2. Whos your favorite Celebrity and why?
My favorite Celebrity is David Hockney. He is a internationally famous artist - if you don't know him you need to get on that asap. Quick story: I used to work at a big museum here in Boston. Hockney had an exhibition going up and while they were setting it up I caught a glimpse of him smoking a cigarette inside the gallery. He was surrounded by tons of people (including the museum director, security, curators, etc) and he just didn't give a shit. He's been my hero ever since. David Hockney is above the law!


3. Whats your favorite kids clothing brand?
I love Sierra's clothes from Nico-Nico & Tea

4. Whats your  top 3 favorite blogs?

5. Whats one childhood memory that you'll always remember?
One of my favorite memories from my childhood was going to Florida: just me and my Dad. It was Thanksgiving vacation and we flew to Florida and he brought me to Disney, Orlando Studios, and tons of beaches and other attractions. We made our Thanksgiving dinner on the grill and spent the week jet skiing and going on rides. We didn't have a lot of money so I know it meant a lot of saving and sacrificing on him and my mom just to make me happy. My parents and that vacation rule.

6. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
My waistline? 

7. Whats your favorite vacation spot? 
I have to say NYC. I've been a bunch of times and between the galleries, museums, vegan restaurants, and just the general vibe of the city it's a place I love / could see myself living eventually. (Also a big fan of Maine!)

8. Are you happy?
Yes I am. I have a beautiful family, a good job and I love where I live. Thats more than a lot of people have and I consider myself very very lucky!

9. If you had a chance to do whatever you wanted for one day, WHAT would you do?
I would go to England with my family and see a Newcastle United game in real life. We already have our shirts ready to go:

10. Favorite TV show?
My favorite show of all time would have to be LOST. It's amazing. But sadly it's over so my favorite current show is Breaking Bad. If you're not into it get into it. Now.

11. What kind of car do you drive?
A few months we go we purchased a 2011 Rav 4! Love it:


11 Questions for Adriana of Just By Living & Liz of Husband Dear Husband | Dear Wife | Dear Baby:
1. What is your favorite musician / band?
2. What is your favorite thing about being a mom?
3. If you could have any job (besides being a Mom) in the world what would it be and why?
4. What are your main goals for 2012?
5. What would your child's name have been if he/she were born the opposite sex?
6. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
7. What are your top 3 favorite stores to shop (for yourself) at?
8. What will be your next big purchase?
9. Is your life how you pictured it being when you were a child?
10. Top 3 Favorite movies (or books)?
11. Your 5 must-read blogs currently?

Thursday Tunes #11 / "Don't Go" by Letterday

Thursday, February 23, 2012

This week's Thursday Tunes is "Don't Go" by Boston based indie rock sensation Letterday. Made up of some of my best friends + ex-roomies I've been a big fan. This video is off their newest EP titled "READY" and is a funny / awesome video set to an even better song. Check out the video below and if you like the song stream the whole EP free here: http://letterday.bandcamp.com -C

Weekend in review. (Instagram Style)

Monday, February 20, 2012


So we had a busy weekend complete with visits to grandparents, hang outs with some good friends and even a punk rock show. Fun was had by all <3 -Craig

Descriptions under the photos!



1. Sierra is feeling under the weather again! She has a vicious cough that won't let up and doesn't want to do much besides lie around, snuggle or sleep :-(

2. On Sunday we had No Problemo for lunch which is an amazing little burrito shop in Downtown New Bedford (My hometown! Which we visited this weekend).

3. That street sign reads "SUMMER ST." and is on the corner of where I grew up  in New Bedford.

4. Daddy celebrated getting a long weekend with a bit of Maker's Mark on Friday evening :-)

5. Family Movie Night or should I say "Family Toy Story Night" as thats all Sierra ever wants to watch.

6. Sierra getting her PB&J on at Gramma's house (who creates "Smuckables" (aka Uncrustables from scratch instead of buying them! Mo Betta!)

7. My new favorite coffee mug from Solstice Skateboarding in New Bedford. Support your local shop!! BUY HERE

8. Michael and his son Christian getting their adorable on this morning.

9. Hendrix LOVING his new cat 2 Pac Shacat. (Im not joking thats really its name)

10. Sierra wanted to drive home (we didn't let her)

11. My Dad, myself and my grandmother sharing a big group hug on our visit to her this weekend.

12. Hendrix and Christian sharing some robotic brotherly love.

Thursday Tunes #10 / "Just Pretend" by DIVORCÉES

Thursday, February 16, 2012

So Today's "Thursday Tunes" is a song off DIVORCÉES debut EP "Live at the New Bedford Elks #73" which will be released on vinyl by Croon Recordings on February 24th.

Not Only is this song and the entire record amazing but the band is made up of two people I have known and loved for a long time Ross Nunes and Aaron Alves who between the two of them have been in too many talented / awesome bands to count. To top it off one of my best friends Trevor Vaughan owns  the label which is putting it out and it's his first vinyl release so it's a big deal for him too. If you live in MA make sure you check out the show if not make sure you order this album when it comes out Feb 24th you wont be disappointed! Enjoy:


 

Look who got featured on Dani Hampton's Sometimes Sweet feature "Love Stories"

Wednesday, February 15, 2012




Q & A: Fill in the Blanks Blogger Tag Game



1. We started my blog because... 
The concept for the blog started sort of as a joke in a conversation Michael and I were having once but after the conversation was over we decided why the hell not? Figured we could try to show Dad's in a positive light and show people that some Dads actually are really hands-on, involved and just as into parenting as the mama's out there.

2. One thing I love seeing on other blogs are... 
I really dig when people blog about other stuff than just their children. Don't get me wrong I love posts about kids, parenting etc (I mean it's a Dad blog) but It's cool to get a glimpse at other parts of people's lives whether it's what they do for work, a date night they had with friends, etc.

3. Something I love about blogging... 
My favorite part about blogging is that one day I'll be able to share this with my daughter. She can see photos of things we did and my struggles / thoughts on parenting as a new / young Dad.

4. A favorite blog post of mine is...


5. Something my friends in real life know about me that I've never before mentioned on my blog... 
Hmm thats a tough one. I don't think I've ever written about how badly I want to move. I love Boston but I don't want this to be the only thing I've ever / will ever know. Vacationing is great but I truly want to experience what it's like to live somewhere else even if it is only for 1 year. This needs to happen!

6. My new favorite blogs to read are...
I don't really ready any "new blogs" I guess? But my favorite parenting blogs to read are: Before I Was A Mom, Just By Living, Adeline's Daddy, DadAnd, Smonk You & How To Be A Dad.

7. Some things I tend to avoid doing on my blog are...
Posting "photo dumps" too often. AKA those posts where it's just 40 photos that people most likely don't care about.

We tag Don Naylor.

Child Abuse : Just Don't Do It.

Monday, February 13, 2012


When I woke up this morning I did what I do every morning: I walked to the stereo and turned on the radio to listen to my favorite morning show: Jim and Margery. On Thursdays they have a segment called "DAD CHAT" with Hank Morse, a local Dad and radio host with two teen daughters.

Today's topic was based on a recent article published in The Boston Globe titled: Spanking may worsen children’s aggression: what works instead?. The article presents facts based on a new study by the Canadian Medical Journal that suggests it's counter-productive and actually leads kids to hit, kick, or bite even more. It goes on to state that physical abuse isn't the only culprit but that forms of punishment such as belittling, humiliating or embarrassing a child can be just as harmful in terms of damaging a child's psyche. You might want to read child psychology books to better understand child development and how to properly discipline your child without resorting to physical violence.

When listening to caller after caller call in and say "Oh CMON! I got hit as a kid and look at me I'm fine!" or "I have to hit my kids! Time out doesn't work and I don't hurt them!" my blood began to boil. Are we cave men? It's 2012 people -- physical and emotional abuse to ANYONE let alone your children is not okay. One female caller called in proudly stated "I'm Portuguese! It's not abuse - it's tradition!". I may have to take my portuguese flag down off my porch in fear of being associated with people like that. One caller said "He's two. He doesn't understand talking! What am I supposed to do when he runs into the street! I have to show him it's wrong" .......... Um. Wait what? So you're TWO YEAR OLD runs into the street so you have to hit him? Sierra has tried to run into the street too. I stop her and explain that it's dangerous and how a car can hurt you. When she did it again I did the same. Know what? She now reaches for my hand when we go near the street and doesn't run into the street. Bruise free!

Now do I think everyone who spanks their kid is a horrible person or parent? No. I personally think it's wrong but people are brought up certain ways and it's hard to break "traditions" as the Portuguese woman clearly stated. I was never hit as a child and in turn will never hit my children. In addition I fully understand spanking and truly hitting are two different things (sort of)... both are abusive and both are unacceptable. I think it's ignorant, abusive and teaches all the wrong lessons to a child. Hurting someone to prove a point or teach a lesson is not something I want my daughter to think is okay. It's a scientific fact that punishing your child physically has detrimental long term effects on them. Just don't do it.

Helpful Links:



Check your states laws on child abuse and neglect here: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/can




10 Reasons Not To Hit Your Kids:  http://www.naturalchild.org/jan_hunt/tenreasons.html
Positive Discipline A to Z:: I've personally read this and think it's great - Anyone who wants my copy feel free to email me your address and I will send it to you! http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Discipline-Revised-Expanded-2nd/dp/0761514708

Time Magazine: Why Spanking Doesn't Work: http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/06/why-spanking-doesnt-work/


Overreact much Dad?

Saturday, February 11, 2012

While browsing YouTube I stumbled upon this video that has gone pretty viral at this point with well over a million views between the many times its been uploaded. Basically it's a Father who saw a post his daughter put on her Facebook where she complains about having to do housework and being woken up early by her little brother. The Dad decides to print it out, read it and then SHOOT her laptop with a handgun. Did I mention he recorded the whole thing and put it on YouTube? Hey I wouldn't like my daughter complaining about me on the internet either but welcome to being a Dad cowboy. You're supposed to be the adult here. You have publicly embarrassed her in a way that I'm sure will hurt her on many levels both socially in school and mentally for years to come. Congrats Dad! -C



SICK SICK SICK >:-(

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Sierra is SICK! No not in the good way either :-(


Tuesday morning I dropped Sierra off at daycare and the first thing she did was say "My belly hurts" and want to lie down on the couch. I covered her with a blanket kissed her and told our day care provider that if she wasn't feeling well to call me and I'd come get her.


Well 30 minutes later and halfway to work I get a call "Sierra has vomited twice already you need to come get her" so I hopped back on the subway and headed back in the oppisite direction. I walked in scooped her up and she seemed happy / fine. While trying to put her boots on BLARGHHHHHH all over my jeans, shirt, coat and backpack. Nice. So I clean her up and we head home and spend the rest of the day alternating between throwing up, sleeping and snuggling. Poor baby.




The worst part is all she wanted to do was sleep but every twenty minutes she was throwing up so she couldn't stay asleep. Vomiting herself awake. Eventually she was able to stay asleep long enough to actually get some rest thankfully. After a long nap she woke up and I tried giving her some Pedialyte and saltines but she couldn't hold it down.


I feel so awful - theres nothing I can do! Nothing worse than feeling helpless when your little one is feeling so terribly. Today Mama stayed home with her and from the texts / tweets I've been getting she doesn't seem to be doing much better. We called the doctor earlier so hopefully we hear back.


Wish Sierra luck in beating this stupid stomach bug! -Craig

Weekend in review.

Monday, February 6, 2012

We had a lovely weekend. It was over too quickly unfortunately but here's a little of what we did. What did you do?





We started our weekend a little early and went out Thursday evening for "First Thursdays", a night once a month when galleries have new show openings. We started the night out at the Aviary Gallery, a great little art gallery / boutique in Jamaica Plain right off of Centre St. The show was "Process Objects and Instrumentation", Homemade instruments and paintings by Jason Sanford. It was a really nice show and Sierra fell in love with a little painting of a cellphone.





After Aviay we headed over to Yes.Oui.Si, Boston's multi-sensory exhibition space. The opening there was named "The Salon" and featured an artist that I graduated with from MassArt, Kira Leigh - Congrats Kira! There were 5 other artists along with Kira and the show was awesome. If you live in the area make sure you see it before it comes down March 9. Sierra was very interested in this little circular painting.




After work on Friday we had planned to meet up with a great friend and artist named Toai and do First Fridays, same as First Thursdays but on Friday go figure. Unfortunately Sierra was not feeling up to it so Toai and I adventured out just the two of us. We went to The Harrison Ave Galleries which is virtually a strip mall full of galleries, vintage markets and  cafes. It's awesome. So although it was a bummer Lauren and Sierra couldn't come with - it was nice seeing an old friend for a nice night of free wine, pretzels and art.



These "The Next One Will Be So Much Better" paintings by Joe Zane were by far my favorite pieces of the evening. So awesome:















Saturday morning we went to brunch with our good pals Liz (http://www.lizisfoodie.com) and Stephen at the Otherside Cafe. The Otherside is the best place to grab a bite in the city w/ vegan / meat-eater combos. Delicious for all involved! Stephan and Liz are both old co-workers of mine so it's great to catch up once in awhile as I don't see them as often anymore! Plus vegan ranchero breakfast is pretty awesome. You may also want to check out online culinary classes for tips on how to create your own vegan ranchero breakfast!








Sierra took this photo ^ (she's been obssessed w/ "take pick-churrs" lately.

After brunch we headed down to New Bedford to visit my grandmother who isn't feeling so hot. We figured a visit from her awesome grandson and awesome-er great grand daughter would cheer her up! I think it worked even though we did get the "Are you married yet? Please do the right thing for Jesus" speech - but that's OK she rules anyway. Her house is a treasure chest to any antiquer by the way. Check out her awesome kitchen (pics by Lauren of course that antique hound!).


After visiting with mémé we headed to my parents, ate dinner and headed back to Boston where Sierra went quickly to sleep and Lauren and I had a few drinks to unwind and listened to Brand New and Taking Back Sunday like we were 16. All in all a pretty great day.


Top Picture: Us sitting in the car for 30 minutes outside my parents house because Sierra was napping and we didn't want to wake her hah.
Bottom Left: A piece of my parents house
Bottom Right: Sierra playing with her Valentine's Day Gift from Gramma & Papa <3




Sunday morning we woke up watched Newcastle United beat Aston Villa 2-1 and take 5th place in the Premier League (WHAT! I COULD WALK ON AIR RIGHT NOW) and then Lauren and Sierra headed to Nana & Pépé's while I stayed home to get some work done before we headed out to our friend's Andre & Liz's house in Newton for some Super Bowl action. (That was the best run on sentence I have ever written!)


By "Super Bowl Action" I mean tons of baby kisses...



Sierra loves Eila! You should too follow her Mom and Dads blog at http://husbandwifebaby.wordpress.com !!! ADORABLE.




Sierra decided the sour cream (vegan) and hummus was just for her? Needless to say we got to bring the hummus home after she stuck her entire fist into it... Whoops.


Here are the men watching the game... 




And here are the girls 'watching' the game... Could we be any more stereotypical? Whoops.


I may add Liz actually does watch football I just caught her on an off moment. I may also add she is a New Yorker and wanted the Giants to win...




Her husband Andre? Not so much... this is him drowning his Super Bowl loss sorrows in beer, guacamole and twitter... Boo Giants!


Well that was our weekend. Hope you had as much fun as we did! xo -Craig


Got 2 seconds? Vote For Us!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

If you guys have 2 seconds and love us even a little can you plz click the banner below and then click the little brown speech bubble to cast a vote for us on TBB? We <3 you long time - C & M


Thursday Tunes #09 / "Maps" by The Front Bottoms

I can NOT get enough of this band. My pal Matt showed them to me a little bit ago and they have been in heavy rotation since. They are a two member indie outfit from New Jersey and have been around since 2006 (can't believe I slept on this so long!). Their whole album is amazing but this is the only one that has an official video so enjoy.


For fans of: Matt & Kim, Tigers Jaw
 


Links:


Like them here: http://www.facebook.com/thefrontbottoms


Buy their album here = http://www.bar-none.com/store.php
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