Bonus day!

A Leap Year day on a Monday?! How'd we ever get so lucky? 😂😂😂

I kept trying to think of today as a bonus day and extra opportunity to make the most of a Monday. This mindset proved especially helpful today, as it was the first time I really started to feel a bit uncomfortable this pregnancy. I guess it's about time, considering we are almost at the third trimester. My waddle is back too! 👶🏻👶🏻

In honor of this special bonus day, I offer you a simple list of 10 reasons I'm glad today existed and happened:🌟

1. My growing baby bump. It makes its appearance known quite quickly these days.💗

2. Will's adorable collared shirt outfit. Who says little boys aren't fun to dress?!!👶🏻

3. Another absolutely gorgeous day, which was very unexpected after seeing a predicted forecast of rain last night! I even got the chance to get outside for a short walk with a colleague in the middle of the day.☀️☀️☀️

4. No meetings after school! #aleapyearmiracle😈

5. Leftover sushi.🍣

6. Awesome coaching conversations with teachers throughout the day. I love my job!!😍😃😊

7. Smiling when a student asked if I was disappointed I wasn't having a girl. "Not at all," I said. "I love being a boy mom!"🚎

8. Will's obsession with Dada and our doggie.🐶

9. Finding an almost brand-new bike with training wheels from an online neighborhood yard sale. I'm addicted! Both boys will have a ton of fun growing into and using the bike for sure.🚴🏻

10. A family walk to end the day! Will adores them too.🐾

Hope you all made the most of your extra day too, Warrior Women!! 💪🏻💗💪🏻

Oh, toddlers!

What a fun weekend! Great house guests, Oscar-nominated films, Barre, walks, parks, family time, cooked sushi, and an absolutely gorgeous day outside on Sunday. We loved every moment together! 🎟🎉🍽☀️🍣

Will continues to be a ham and usually a joy. Like all toddlers, though, he certainly has his "special" moments. 🌟🌟🌟

In tonight's edition of "Reasons my toddler is crying," Will offers a few of his own things that recently caused him tears and hysterical meltdowns:

1. I asked for milk. Mama gave it to me.

2. I asked for my "fuscia" (fruit bar). Mama gave it to me.

3. I asked to be picked up. Dada did.

4. I asked to go outside. We went outside.

5. The sun was shining.

6. My stroller approached a real life bulldozer (I am obsessed with them).

7. I said "Night night" and Mama and Dada listened to me.

8. I asked for milk, got it, and then threw it at Mama.

9. There was no airplane in the sky. There always should be.

10. Because I like to keep Mama and Dada guessing. It keeps things interesting this way.

Toddlers. Such precious creatures. Good thing they're adorable most of the time. 💗👶🏻😜😂

Girlfriends rock!!

Sometimes the best recipe to close out the end of a long week is quality girl time. 💪🏻💪🏻

While Greg got some much-needed guy time in DC, my dear friend Ally made the drive up to the 'burbs to visit Will and me. Her boyfriend will arrive later tonight with Greg from the city, and we will all get to spend the weekend together. What fun! 💞

Ally is a natural with Will and was a huge help with his bath and bedtime routine tonight. And what a ham he was in charming and entertaining her! He's still quite the flirt.👶🏻💗

She is even joining me at an early Barre class tomorrow morning. Now that's commitment! I'm excited to see how she likes it. 💪🏻☀️💪🏻

Ally may be a bit younger than me, but I've always been impressed with her maturity, drive, and intelligence. I'm beyond grateful our paths crossed through mutual Colgate friends back in 2010. She helped inspire the Warrior Woman within me and continues to be a positive and powerful force in my life. She's a fiercely loyal and devoted friend with wisdom well beyond her years. 

Here's to a lifetime of Warrior Women friendship, Ally! You're the best!! 

#wwforever #girlfriendsrock 

The Alphabet of Living Right!

Thankfully, today was a MUCH better day, as I hoped it would be. 🌟🌟🌟

I worked closely with several teachers today and realized that I'm not ready to leave the staff at my school yet. They truly are amazing people and so dedicated to our students' success. I feel honored to work with them every day. 💞💞💞

My birthday celebration continues. I continue to receive beautiful cards and even had a delicious Chipotle lunch -- complete with birthday cake -- today with my work lunch crew. Nom mom nom!🌯🍽🍴🍰

One of the touching cards I received continues to stick with me. It's entitled "The Alphabet of Living Right," and I love it! Here it is:

Appreciate yourself 

Bounce on the bed

Create a poem 

Declare world peace 

Explode a myth 

Flabbergast a neighbor 

Get up late 

Hell yourself to seconds 

Imagine it and do it 

Jump at the chance 

Kindle a flame 

Leave your troubles behind

Meet someone new 

Nourish your soul 

Opt for ice cream 

Play all day 

Quench your desires 

Revel at random

Sing loudly, smile widely 

Touch the sky 

Uncork the champagne 

Vamoose 

Watch whatever you want 

X-ercise your right not to 

Yearn for the best 

Zip, zap, zing, and zone out 

Go out there and grab life by the horns, Warrior Women! 💪🏻💞🌟☀️🎉

#makeyourselfapriority #choosejoy #livefully

Horrible day!!

It's not often I say this, but today was a horrible, no good, very bad day. Ugh.

I should have known the day was getting off on the wrong foot when my contact split in my eye on the way to dropping Will off at school. Then the replacement lens bothered my eye the rest of the day. It got lost in my eye on the way home tonight, causing me to drive in the dark and heavy rain with working vision from only one eye. Damn contacts. 😡😡😡

It didn't help that the weather was horrible today, and I had the pleasure of driving across the county several times for various meetings and trainings. Thank goodness Debbie the Dodge minivan rides so well in inclement weather! 🚎🚎

I also felt exhausted and with Jeb Bush-like energy. All day.😫😫

Later this morning, I learned that my hopes of working at the new middle school in my neighborhood were dashed. I wasn't even granted an interview. Neither were two other highly qualified colleagues. It doesn't make any sense. I was angry and hurt at first but then tried to convince myself that things happen for a reason. This is a process...albeit slow...😕😔😞

I worked straight from 7:20 to 6:10 today due to an after school training. Thank God Greg picked up Will and I could bean to Barre afterwards. 💪🏻💪🏻

Then Greg and Will got stuck in a small tornado on the way home. My Yoda hubby was calm throughout, but how terrifying!! I'm just relieved they are OK. You should see all the crazy debris littering our neighborhood!!⛈⛈⛈

So, I'm eager to say goodnight and goodbye to today. I'm determined to stay positive and need to remember that tomorrow is a new day. Life may not always be sunshine or puppies, and it's the crap that can oftentimes teach us the most.

Here's to a fresh start tomorrow!

#ugh #maketodayend #staypositive 🌟☀️💗💞💪🏻

Calm IS strength!

A dear friend told me tonight that I've come a long way with my mantras. I agree.

I find myself repeating "Calm is strength" in my mind multiple times per day. I often utter it to other teachers and sometimes even to students. There is SO much wisdom to it. I only wished I had embraced it sooner! 💪🏻💪🏻

The greatest teacher of this calm mantra has been parenting. Hands down. Nothing will teach you how to have more patience, more flexibility, and more love than the little being that you created and is ALL yours, as terrifying as that realization may be. Kids teach us to love and give in ways we never thought possible and to so profoundly care about someone else that you put yourself second, happily. 😍😍😍

Parenting is a constant emotional and exhausting roller coaster, with its share of unpredictable highs, lows, and ever-changing landscapes. Parenting makes you tired in a way no one can ever explain to you. Parenting teaches you who you are, what love is, and what really matters in life. 👶🏻👶🏻

For years, I always loved my students like my own children. Now, with an ever-moving toddler and .75 of his brother developed, I know that having your own children is the greatest gift of all. We learn more than we could have ever imagined from them, and it's a wonder our hearts don't explode with love. 💗💗💗

Yes, calm IS strength, and parenting has made me into an even stronger warrior woman capable of appreciating and living every day to the fullest. I am sad that this may be my last pregnancy but just trying to enjoy every day with my baby bump and feel blessed that I have yet another precious life growing inside of me. 

Life is truly such a miracle.

#sappymama #soblessed #childrenarethegreatestgiftofall 💞💞💞💞

Remember your roots...

Fish start to smell after 3 days. So do house guests. 🐟🐟

While we very much enjoyed the 10+ days we had with my parents, we were also eager to get back into our routine as a family of 3 (plus BBL2 and pup). I'm not the biggest fan of Mondays, but getting back into some semblance of normalcy was a blessing today. ☀️☀️

Greg even beat us home and started dinner! With his ridiculous commute, this is rare. He's at trainings all week that end at 4, which allowed him to just barely beat traffic today. We will see what the next few days bring with rain! 🌧🌧🌧

I was showered with birthday love at school today too, from yummy Einstein bagels and tea to cards and pashmina scarves. I even had one colleague said that he thought I was older because of all the responsibility I had and how cool my job is. "I want to be you when I grow up," he said. Ha! 😂😂😂

Another awesome part of the day? It being warm enough to go for a full family evening walk! This is a ritual that the bad weather stole from us in recent months, making us appreciate it all the more now. Will was thrilled too! He always LOVES walks and just being outside in general. Outside, outside! 🌿🍃🌻

I think Greg is still amazed I turned out at least somewhat "normal" after seeing how irrational, intense, and crazy my parents can be in moments of parenting stress. I'm a firm believer in learning from our past, being grateful for those experiences, and taking those lessons to carve out your future, just as you want to design it.

No, my parents may not be perfect, but they loved me unconditionally and gave me the best life they could. We will do the same for Will and hope he takes our lessons and family values to lead an extraordinary and honorable life of his own. 

That's all any parent ways -- to see his or her child be happy, fulfilled, and complete, leading life in the best way they can. 

#soblessed #gratitude #rememberyourrootsbutdontbeafraidtofly 🕊🕊🕊

I'm 33!!

In honor of my 33rd birthday, I offer you 33 things I've loved about my birthday and subsequent celebrations thus far:

1. Amazon gift cards. 😀

2. Purple jewelry. 💗

3. Getting time at the Barre the last 2 mornings. 💪🏻💪🏻

4. A Boston creme donut from Dunkin. 🍩

5. Kisses from Will. 💞💞💞

6. Beautiful cards. Nothing like real mail! 🌟

7. My parents being here (by and large, a huge blessing!). 💗

8. A new sparkly blue manicure. 💅🏻

9. BBL2 sounding and measuring great at his latest appointment on Friday. He even kicked the doctor. #thatsmyboy 👶🏻👶🏻

10. Cooked sushi. 🍣

11. Feeling SO much more comfortable driving my "magic bus" Mommy van. 🚎🚎

12. A huge chocolate eclair. 🍽

13. Will bring a great sleeper. 💤💤

14. Greg coming home! 💞

15. Fun calls, messages, and posts throughout the day from near and far. 🎉🎉🎉

16. My Gatorade. 

17. Seeing Will have a blast at Port Discovery this afternoon.

18. The amazing Italian food in Baltimore's Little Italy that followed!🍴🍴🍴

19. Cream puffs.

20. Catching up with one of my oldest and dearest friends on the phone.

21. Sneaking in some time away to get outside alone and walk Dexter.🐶

22. Seeing how comfortable -- and adorable!! -- Dex and my parents are.🐶

23. Will's new adorable bunk beds. We can't wait to paint his new room!

24. Will being an angel at dinner.

25. Being remembered and thanked throughout the day by several former students.

26. Evil Girl Scout cookies.

27. Seeing Greg work his magic with Will.😀👶🏻😍

28. Seeing him do the same with my parents.

29. More Girl Scout cookies.

30. Loving my age.

31. Loving myself.

32. Loving life.

33. Being beyond excited about what the year ahead will bring! ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

A new day!

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 33. Is that considered mid-30s? No, not until 35, I've decided. 😜

I asked my 4th and 5th grade Saturday school students to guess my age this morning. Their responses ranged from 25-100. I'll take 25. 😂😂😂

In all seriousness, though, I don't mind getting older anymore. In fact, I love my 30s a heck of a lot more than any other decade so far. I can't wait to see what the future holds. 💪🏻💪🏻

Today was a MUCH better day than yesterday. I cleared the air early this morning with my father, and we approached the day as a fresh start. It helped that it was gorgeous outside, allowing us all to go for a walk together and take Will to the park to play for the first time during their visit. Sunshine and warmth do wonders for the soul. 

☀️☀️☀️

We are trying to determine a rain-friendly family activity to do tomorrow. The Baltimore Aquarium seems pricey for all of us to go, while my original choice of Annapolis seems a bit off now with the forecast. Any recommendations from DMV folks? 🌧🌧🌧🌧

The most important development of the day = Greg is now home! Allelujah! Yoda is back. I couldn't be happier. 🏆

Now if only Yoda and I could help spread our mantra of "Calm is strength" to other people currently under this roof. Here's to dreaming and hoping! 💞💞💞

Oh, those poops!

Calm is strength. 💪🏻💪🏻

It took me a LONG time to live by this motto, but 11 years of teaching have certainly helped. As has being married to such a calm, cool, and collected hubby. This adage has most definitely translated well to parenting too. 😜

I did not know what this was like growing up, though. Emotions were either held in until they exploded or pushed to the side in the form of passive aggressive "white lies." It took a heck of a while for me to learn of another alternative. 

Sometimes, my calm demeanor can get me into trouble. Take, for example, tonight. Will was hysterical, since he was extremely constipated. He's had this issue since being a newborn. It's gotten better with more fiber and medication, but there is usually a really bad episode every few months. Unfortunately, Will chose tonight for his worst "back up" in a long time. Instead of having my calm, level-headed Greg here, my parents immediately escalated the situation to a crisis level. They hovered, felt sorry for Will, screamed at me, and even insisted I take him to the hospital with wild eyes.

I knew better. With lots of leg "bicycling", more medication, and a warm bath, six beautiful poops eventually emerged. Poor kid. Needless to say, I haven't spoken to my parents since. I tried to clear the air downstairs, but they were already fast asleep. 💩💩💩💩💩💩

I just wish they would trust my mother's intuition. We've been down this road before with Will, and I'd like to think I know how to best calmly handle the situation without losing my cool -- or mind.

Maybe this all points to the fact that my parents and I are best living apart for now. They may frown upon our more relaxed, laidback, and calm parenting style, but you know what?! It works for us. I happen to think little Will is thriving too, poops and all.👶🏻

Beyond blessed!

I'm getting a cold, and Will has already been up three times tonight. This could be a long night. 😫😫😫

I then imagine life with two little boys and can almost picture the chaos of it all. 😳😳

Someone asked me today at school how I feel about it all. The honest answer? Excited! I know life with 2 under 2 (briefly) will most likely be one hell of a hot mess and probably result in more than a few moments of "Why on earth did I sign up for this?!!" But if there's one thing Greg and I have learned from raising Will so far it's to appreciate every single moment. Time flies by way too fast, and there will be a day soon when I wish I could hold my boys in my arms, read to them in the glider, and push them in their strollers. 👶🏻👶🏻

Another colleague told me today that she never knew it was possible to love a second child as much as your first. She explained that that all changes the second your new baby is born. 💗💗

I honestly cannot wait for that moment -- and all the insanity, hilarity, unpredictability, and love that will abound every day afterwards. I'm one lucky Mama, sleepless nights and all. 💞💞💞

#soblessed #momofboys #outnumbered #tryingtotreasureeverymoment

Oh, grandparents and their spoiling!

Will is beyond lucky to have two devoted, loving, and extremely generous sets of grandparents. They are very much present in his life and want to shower him with as much love as possible, despite not living close by. 💞💞💞

We have had a blast with my parents since their arrival on Friday night. They are getting such a kick out of Will and all of his energy and unpredictable toddler antics. Combined with his easy-going nature, constant smile, and darling curiosity, he really is a blast to be with. Such a fun age (most of the time)! 🌟👶🏻😳😉

Grandparents are meant to spoil and "love 'em and leave 'em," and my parents really are taking this role seriously. Here are just some of the ways they have spoiled Will since their arrival four days ago: 👏👏👏

1. They pick him up whenever he asks (Ahhh!). 😳

2. They attempt to please him at all costs (double ahhhh)! 😳

3. They are happiest when around him (Awwwww!). 😍😍😍

4. My Dad helped us negotiate a fabulous deal on the Mom van to ensure Will -- and his brother -- had more room. 💸

5. They allow him to eat cupcakes I made (ahhhh!). 😫

6. They helped buy both brothers a bunk bed set to grow into. 💤💤💤

7. Will now owns his own recliner (complete with two cup holders)! Ridiculous, I know. 💗

8. They allow him to try to negotiate his bedtime (Don't worry; Mommy interferes here). 😳

9. They think him pooping in the bath is adorable. 💩💩💩💩

10. They do this ALL out of love. 😇😇😇😇😇

And I'm beyond grateful. I never had grandparents like this and am so thankful Will and his brother do. 💞💞💞

#soblessed #familyfirst #spoiledrottengrandkids 

Time to get a minivan!

I never thought I could be so excited about owning a minivan. I always assumed it was the UNcool soccer mom thing to do. Ohhhh, how times have changed! 😂😂

We had SUCH a different experience at a dealership today compared to yesterday. We immediately clicked with the salesman, he went out of his way to make us happy, AND he was honest and straightforward throughout the process. SUCH a welcome change from the skeezeball yesterday!! 👏👏👏

We traded in my 2013 Ford Focus for our new silver 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and couldn't be happier. We paid for much of the car with savings bonds I received from family and through academic scholarships as a child. Many have been fully matured for years! I can't think of a better investment to put them towards. 💸💸

Driving a minivan is certainly a new experience for me. I need to get used to being up so high and actually getting to see above the cars in front of me. I am a bit nervous with it right now but am sure I will adjust in time. 🚘🚘🚘

I named our new van Debbie, and I'm sure she will bring ALL of us years of memories and good times. Traveling will be SO much easier for our growing family with her -- ohh, the sheer space! What a joy! 🌟🌟🌟

Yea, I am officially a van-owning Mommy and couldn't be more proud. 😍

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day, as you deserve to be spoiled! 💞💞💞

#soblessed #haveminivanwilltravel #vroomvroomvroom 

Focus on the positive!

We are in the market for a mini van. Yes, the moment I've always dreaded is on. Future soccer mom in the house! 😫😫😫

Unfortunately, we had a horrible experience at a local dealership this afternoon. The salesman was basically a sexist, lying, and manipulative pig. It was awful, and I still have a sickening feeling from the whole experience. I'm not sure why the car buying process has to be full of such BS and mind games, but this was awful. 😡😡😡

So, instead of focusing on our wasted afternoon there, I shall mention some wonderful things that occurred today: 😍

1. Not losing my cool with my 4th and 5th grade Saturday school students were particularly impossible this morning. 😇😇😇

2. Will actually enjoying his swim lesson.🏊🏻

3. Roses, daisies, a stuffed hedgehog, and baked treats for Valentine's Day. 💞💞💞

4. Being warm inside. 💅🏻

5. Seeing how happy my parents are being with Will. 👶🏻

6. Them baby-sitting so Greg and I could enjoy a date night out. 😍😍

7. An amazing dinner with an amazing hubby!🍽🍽🍽

8. This frigid cold will finally end by Tuesday... Hopefully!

Stay warm, Warriors!! 👏🎉🌟

The toddler life!

Toddlers can be evil monsters, but they also are darn adorable cuddly things. 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻

I have been in love with much of this age so far, surprisingly. Here are some ways toddler Will continues to melt my heart this Valentine's Day weekend: 💞💞💞

1. He always knows how to smile and say "Mama" to make everything better. 😍

2. He loves making nests and resting into his blankets, saying, "night night", even if it as odd times on the kitchen floor. 💤💤

3. His love for and devotion to our "doggy" is beyond precious. 🐶

4. He says "no" so much that an actual "yes" response seems like a miracle from God. 👏

5. His day is made if a yellow school "bussy" is behind us in the car. 🚌

6. He still wants to be held when going from place to place. 😍😍😍

7. When we walk to the car, he is beginning to love holding my hand. 🍃

8. There are SO many bizarre YouTube toddler channels, including Bob the Train. I don't understand the appeal, but it is educational and a great calming tool for Will at times. 😳😳

9. He could listen to books all day. We've got a bookworm on our hands, and the English teacher in me couldn't be more thrilled. 📚📚📚📚

10. A recent sweet development -- Will using my baby bump as a ramp for his extensive car and truck selection. Hey, maybe this can be considered early brother bonding?!! 🚙🚑🚕🚓🚚🚒

Happy Friday, Warrior Women!! Here's to a great weekend ahead!

#welovetoddlers #bepresentandgrateful #cherishthelittlemoments 

I applied!

Well, I applied.

Not a shocker, I know. I feel an odd sense of relief now. It's no longer in my hands. If it works out great. If not, that's OK too. At least I know I tried.

I am NOT looking forward to my awkward conversation with my principal tomorrow morning, though. I know he will not be pleased, but I'm hoping he will understand and be supportive. Fingers crossed!

Don't be afraid to take chances that scare you or seem crazy. Don't settle for the status quo if you don't want to. Challenge yourself. Go outside your comfort zone. Who knows what you will discover or what opportunities will arise.

After all, as one of my favorite classroom posters says, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take."

#wearewarriors #embracetheuncomfortable #livewithnoregrets 💞💪🏻🌟🎉😀

A work in progress...

Thanks to the Timehop app, I am reminded daily what exactly I did and posted on social media on this same day every previous year (since such frivolity existed, of course). To be honest, I'm often appalled with the sheer amount of photos I posted on FB, especially in 2012-13. It's a wonder I still have any FB friends at all! 😳😳😳

I did some more thinking today and found it interesting that I over-put myself -- and my photos -- out there at such a fragile time in my life. Three years ago, Greg and I were dealing with a painful fertility struggle, punctuated by two devastating miscarriages. I was also dealing with depression and anxiety, as I have throughout my life, this being a particularly dark case and time. ☁️☁️☁️

I wish I could go back and tell the Kay then that everything was going to work out and be OK, that we would soon be blessed with two amazing boys (I'm assuming I'll feel this way about BBL2 once he makes his appearance -- hehe😉). I wish I could tell her to stop being so hard on herself, stop feeling so guilty, stop trying to please everyone, and stop trying to strive for perfection -- and control -- over everything. 👏

It's been one heck of a journey since then. I am still in weekly talk therapy and really look forward to my sessions every week. I'm continuing to learn so much about myself and understand why I am how I am. I've been lucky too. 🌟🌟

Since Will was born in 2014, I have definitely changed for the better. Greg immediately sensed a calm acceptance and sense of relief come over me once he arrived, something he had never seen before (and he's known me since 2001). Close friends and family noticed the same phenomenon. I began to too. 💞

Will has been such a gift to our family and has brought me a new way of living my life and viewing my self-worth. He has greatly helped me in my journey of self-love and acceptance by demonstrating what unconditional love can be, just as Greg has time after time throughout our marriage. Will has made me more into a more kind, patient, easy-going, laidback, and calm person, who is at peace with herself and what she has to offer to the world. He has helped me not be afraid to stand up to injustice and speak my truth, especially at work, even when it is hard to do so. And most importantly, Will helps me keep life in perspective and understand what is truly important at the end of the day: love, family, faith, and happiness. 👶🏻💞😍

Yes, Mommyhood has changed me for the better. I know I am still a work in progress but strive to live the best life possible every day -- for my family and myself. I am proud of how far I've come and not afraid to admit it hasn't been easy. I try to forgive myself, stay positive, keep things in perspective, and take things one day at a time. And this is easier said than done some days. 😔

I encourage you to explore your own journey to self-fulfillment and happiness. Find someone to talk to about it. Take time to listen to your own truths, even if they are difficult to admit to yourself. The more we know ourselves, the happier we will be and the better chance we will have of living our best life every day. Go to it, amazing Warrior Women!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

#acceptwhoyouare #loveyourself #speakyourtruth

I've popped!

It appears that BBL2 has finally popped. BIG time. It took awhile, but he seems to be making up for lost time quickly. I am starving and thirsty CONSTANTLY now. I feel like a wild animal. Ahhhh, pregnancy. 🍔🌮🍣🌯🍟🌭🍕🍝🍲🍧🍰🍮🍭

An esteemed friend and colleague told me I was starting to look "huge" today.!Such a thoughtful guy. Thanks, Chris. 😜 Another told me I looked bigger this time. And then another said I looked nowhere as big as I "should" be. Clearly, I can't win, and everyone has their own opinion. And honestly? That's OK with me. I'm secure enough in my own skin and confident that BBL2 is happy, healthy, and cozy in his temporary home. It's GOT to be pretty awesome in there! 💤💤💤

I've been proud of myself for really listening to my body throughout this pregnancy. As I continued into my second trimester, the Orange Theory workouts I loved were no longer meeting my needs. I decided to freeze my membership (for the remainder of my pregnancy and until I'm able to workout again postpartum). Now, I focus solely on Pure Barre, low-impact pregnancy workout DVDs at home, long dog walks, and prenatal yoga. Running has become uncomfortable, especially now that I have to pee every 5 seconds. 🌟🌟

I know the most important thing is to take care of myself and have a healthy pregnancy, so I try to align my fitness and nutrition choices to meet those goals. At my anatomy scan, my doctor said I hadn't gained much weight but wasn't concerned, as she knew my appetite was about to increase. And oh, has it ever! 😳😳😳

Each pregnancy has taught me to slow down, take care of myself, and BREATHE. After all, you can't take care of anyone else -- especially a newborn -- if your needs are not met first and foremost. 💞💞

Aim to be good to yourselves first and often, Warrior Women and Mamas. Anything less is cheating yourself of an essential life nutrient -- solace and balance. Aim to get a healthy dose today! 😍😀😘🌟

#youmatter #priorities #dontforgetaboutYOU

What a Monday!!

I survived our first day back and had good energy throughout the day. That's what I call a #mondaywin. 👏👏

Several things continue to perplex me: 😬😬😬

1. The Iowa caucuses. They continue to confuse and amaze me. 😫😫

2. Cars that STILL have not been dug out over a week after the blizzard. I mean, what's the point of even having a car then?! 🚗🚗

3. At the same time, our warmer weather has allowed lots of snow to melt, exposing patches of grass. Juxtaposed with the 6+ foot huge piles of snow on street corners, this is very strange to see. 😳😳

4. How adults are often more difficult to deal with than children, even middle schoolers. 🙄🙄

5. Ted Cruz. I have yet to understand his appeal and am shocked he pulled out a win tonight. #notthatshocked 🤐🤐

6. Speaking of which, I can't wait to see how Donald Trump reacts to losing. THIS should be entertaining. 😂😂

7. Why DMV drivers still haven't figured out how to drive in the rain. Come on, people; this isn't the 3+ feet of snow we got last week. Grow up. Drive your car. Shut up. And STOP texting while driving!!! #ugh 😡😡😡

8. How bad I am at predicting what genders other pregnant women's babies are. Congrats on your baby GIRL, Linds!! 💞💞💞

9. How adults have such a difficult time cleaning up for themselves. #worsethanchildrensometimes 😦😦

10. Toddlers. They are crazy manipulators who can thankfully turn into lovable cuddle and giggle monsters in a second. Thank goodness they're cute. And I'm beyond lucky to have such a charming one. 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻

Get some good rest, Warrior Women! Morning comes way too soon. #snoozebutton #howisitalreadyfebruary #election2016madness #caseofthemondays 💤💤💤💤