Everyday Cori By Corine Ingrassia

Look, Feel and Live Your Most Well-Lived Life

Cori

So, My Kids Want A Dog…

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Dog lovers are known to be the most kind hearted people in the world, so it comes as no surprise that Delaina instantly lights up at the sight of puppies. I don’t just say this because she is mine, but this child in all her glory exudes nothing but sweetness and love. She melts my heart on a daily basis.

But you know what else she’s started doing on a daily basis that does not melt my heart? Rallying for a dog.

Dogs have become all she talks about lately. Every once in a while Ryan jumps on the puppy-bandwagon too, but Laina is for sure the leader of this campaign- and the girl is good.

She has tried the straight-shooter approach, but after being denied for the 5th time she quickly learned she was going to have to be more creative and subtle about it- like when she threw a ball past her Go-Go-My Walkin’ Pup and yelled “FETCH!”. Go-Go did not obey, and she dramatically sighed with obvious disappointment.

Then there was the puppy-picnic….

And the puppy princess birthday party…

Unfortunately, for my kind hearted little girl- if there has ever been one rule her parents have always wholeheartedly agreed on, it is that this Complicated Chateau nestled away here in the middle of suburbia, is a DOG-FREE-ZONE.

It’s not that we don’t like dogs, per-say. I mean, everyone knows that only the cruelest of people utter the words “I don’t like dogs”, we just…. don’t like dogs… in our home.

Dogs in many ways are more high maintenance than kids– the wee wee pad training, the “puppy teething” gnawing on furniture, the walking in the dead of winter, the impossible task of trying to vacation and line up a dog-sitter…. OR the fortune you have to pay to put them in “doggy daycare” to go on vacation. The list goes on.

But campaigning efforts here in the house are really starting to pull on the heartstrings. I’ve found myself considering little “purse dogs”.

Couldn’t she just want a baby sister or brother?

Must. Stay. Strong. 

Then this morning I woke up to this scene–

Argh! FINE  {Waving my white flag}  I give in.

The little doggy on the end there?

I’ll take her.

Have your kids ever tried to guilt you into getting a pet? Did you give in?

Style Your Little Man’s Summer Wardrobe For Under $100

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Shopping for my daughter is easy! My son on the other hand, is always a challenge.

It just always seems like a lot of the same. Moms of boys- you know what I’m talking about.

This week Old Navy has 15% off kids clothes [enter code: OnSave15] …  and they have some really cute selections for boys this summer. With a little mix, match and layering these items can definitely liven a little man’s wardrobe.

Below ware some pairings that I’m looking at for my son this summer.

Boys summer faves from Old Navy

Ryan LOVES those ($8) slip on shoes. We bought a pair from Old Navy last year that he wore out and we recently bought 3 more pair. He likes them because they’re easy on- easy off , but I love them because contrary to what most men believe- sneakers DO NOT look good with everything. The slip ons are a fun alternative for boys.

With the 15% off coupon code, all of the above pairings I put together with 1 pair of those awesome kicks shoes- total up to just 97.89!  …  and shipping is free!

Old Navy also has a lot of great graphic t’s for boys to show off their latest obsessions.

These boys beach-ready sets that I put together are an average of $32 (board shorts, graphic tee and flip flops) I’m debating between the Marvel set on the left and the Diary Of a Wimpy Kid set on the right… decisions, decisions.

boys bathing suits
Set 1:

A Night Out At The Plaza For The RBaby Foundation

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Last week, I shared the very real and scary statistic that only 6% of our countries emergency rooms are equipped for babies and children, how my local emergency room is one of them and how the RBaby Foundation is working hard to change things for the future of our children.

This past week, RBaby celebrated 5 years of  improving pediatric emergency care and saving babies lives. The charity gala was held at The Plaza hotel in NYC and I was honored to be in attendance, supporting this extremely important cause.

The venue was gorgeous and it was a full house!

In addition to live and silent auctions, a giving tree set was up in the back of the ballroom offering wine tastings and selling bottles for the charity.

Julia Beck, whom helped introduce me to RBaby was  awarded the RBaby Champion Award for all the hard work she has done over the years with this amazing foundation.

I’m a sucker for baby pictures, and Julia was one adorable baby – wasn’t she?

My friends and I, who were all there as RBaby Moms, enjoyed a night of getting glammed up– which we don’t often- or ever- get to do together.

It was a night that wont soon be forgotten.

At the gala, Rbaby shared even more shocking statistics I wanted to pass along-

  • 75% of all infant deaths in emergency situations can be prevented with proper child/infant equipement and training
  • Pediatric Emergency doctors who specialize in PED ER receive 6x’s the training in pediatric care than what the average ER doctor is required
  • 90% of parents are not aware their hospitals may not be equipped for pediatric emergencies

90% ! Up until a few months ago, I was part of that number. It’s so important that parents are made aware of this issue.

So PLEASE continue to share the RBaby petition. We are our children’s #1 advocates and they deserve the best medical attention possible.

Girls Style: Transitioning Tweed Into Spring

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When the weather and your wardrobe are still transitioning between seasons, it can be hard to decide how to dress for the day. Is it too cool for shorts? It is too warm for pants?

What I love to do during this time of year is mix a little bit of both seasons together.

My daughter has a really cute pair of tweed shorts that she wore in the winter with tights that I wanted squeeze one more use out of, so the other day I paired it up with a long sleeve peasant top and sandals.

I LOVE pairing long sleeve tops and shorts and it is perfect for the spring transition or a cool summer night.

All of the items Laina is wering in the above picture are last year’s styles so unfortunately you probable wouldn’t be able to find them- but below is a an even more summery version for light tweed shorts. Most of the items are on sale… and how ridiculously cute are these feathery sandals??

Tangerine peasant top, Children’s Place $10

Black tweed shorts, Lands End $14.99

Union Bay sandals, DWS $26.95

Beaded stretch headband, Tilt $7.99

My Emergency Room Is Not Equipped For Babies

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We moved to the neighborhood we currently live in, when we were expecting the arrival of our little girl.

When we met the neighbors, one of the first pieces of advice we were given was “Do not have your baby at the local hospital, they are not equipped for babies”. Not equipped for babies? I had never heard of such a thing.

Our son, had been an NICU baby and the thought of a hospital not being equipped to handle such situations was beyond scary.

Ryan 2 days old- 2005

Thankfully, Ryan’s NICU experience was fine. He was home within 1 week of delivery. And When it came to the delivery of our daughter, we did not deliver at  hospital we were warned about and we were blessed to have Laina enter the world without any issues or need for the NICU. Still, we were thankful for the advice and always keep it in mind should we ever have some emergency situation with the kids.

I was sure that our local hospital was a rare case- until this year when my friend Rebecca introduced me to the R Baby Foundation. Turns out that my local hospital was not the rare case I thought it was. Rebecca shared with me a horrifying story about her experience with a hospital in NYC and the statistics about pediatric emergency care in this country are down right SCARY.

R Baby PSA Ad 160x600


(From rbabyfoundation.org)

FACT: Many drugs and medical devices have not been adequately tested on, or dosed properly for, children – including babies.

FACT: Although pediatric skills deteriorate quickly without practice, continuing education in pediatric care is not required or is extremely limited for many prehospital emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

FACT: Emergency medical services and emergency departments are not well equipped to handle pediatric care. Most children receive emergency care in general (not children’s) hospitals, which are less likely to have pediatric expertise, equipment, and policies in place for the care of children.

RBaby is working every day to get emergency rooms around  the country to set a standard in pediatric care and become equipped for our babies.

Wednesday, May 8th I will be attending the R Baby Gala here in New York City, and I could not be any more honored to be part of such an amazing cause.

 

If you have children, have friends and family with children, this charity is about them and the babies they will have years to come.

 

Here are some simple ways you can help

 

The Celebrity Cheat Pass: Do You & Your Hubby Have Them?

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When I said “I do” almost 6 years ago,  I meant every single solitary vow- and still do. I love that man more than life itself. But I am a reasonable gal and like many couples I have a single-use celebrity cheat pass for my husband– primarily, because celebrity cheat passes have a solid history of  never being cashed in. Should he ever have the luck of the waitress who wooed Clooney… it may be time to renegotiate said pass- but for now, I’m totally cool with it.

Though never said out loud, Carrie Underwood is without a doubt on James’ short list of candidates for the cheat pass. And because I am a loving and supportive wife, this week I sat in 2 1/2 hours of traffic for a date night with my husband’s “other woman” for a 45 minute show.

As we waited in line for the show, I joked with my husband about the swirling rumors about Carrie sporting a baby bump- But, within 3 minutes of Carrie taking the stage in her short dress shorts and sequined booties, my husband quickly dispelled those rumors-

“Look at those legs. There’s NO WAY she’s pregnant!”

Huh? What? What does that even mean? Did I carry our children in my legs? Apparently so.

{text message from James’ co-worker who was also at the show}

“Her legs are AMAZING!”

Fine, Fine. She’s gorgeous. I get it.

Preparing for her final song, she said with her sweet southern charm:

“Whew! You guys,  It’s been a while since I sang song after song… I need get back to the gym.”  {as she gestured to her perfectly fit body)

The crowd went wild “Carrie we love you!” “You look amazing, Carrie!”

{insert eye roll}

{Facebook comment from another co-worker}
“Does Corine mind you spending the evening with your celebrity girlfriend?”

Pfft! Absolutely not.

Because I have a list of celebrity boyfriends myself, and my list is way more justified than his– which, Carrie Underwood- fine– but he also has a spot held for Shania Twain (yes, for real).

(left to right: Tony Lucca, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Ian Somerhalder)

And…. I totally just accidentally sent  the above collage to James while preparing this post. Whoops! 

For the record honey, I switched out Ryan Reynolds for Ryan Gosling. What can I say? I am of the Mickey Mouse Club Generation.

Do you have a celebrity cheat pass? Which celebs are on your short list?

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