Home sweet home!

It's good to be home. 😄😄😄

Five days was the perfect amount of time to spend away. It was awesome to have Greg with us this time too. 👏👏👏

Some tips for traveling with toddler boys: 💗

1. Overplan * 1000.

2. It's not possible to pack too many cars or trucks.

3. The same goes for cereal bars, milk, and other favorite snacks.

4. Keep crayons in your purse at all times.

5. Have a bib, change of clothes, and freshly stocked diaper bag on hand at all times.

6. Boogie wipes and regular baby wipes are Mommy's best friends.

7. Favorite books are a must.

8. Do NOT have your toddler try any new foods at the airport. I learned my lesson the hard way a few months ago. 😂😂😂

9. Comfort objects -- like favorite blankets -- can help your toddler relax and maybe even take a nap, if you're lucky.

10. And when all else fails, the Wheels on the Bus song on repeat on your iPhone or iPad can work wonders. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

What are your traveling lifesavers, Mommas? 🌟🌟🌟

Off to bed I go, at last! 💤💤💤

Live like a toddler!

Toddlers can teach us a lot.

Yes, I said it. 😜😜😜

Watching Will play, explore, and get to know his surroundings on our trip so far has been a true joy. His innocent and endless wonderment is contagious and priceless. Everything is new and exciting, full of potential. There are not enough hours to see and play with everything you want to. There is no a worry in the world. Isn't it a shame that we lose SO much -- if not all -- of this once we reach adulthood?!! ☹️☹️☹️

Toddlers are endless energizer bunnies who make the most of their time and also take the time to fully live in the moment. Yes, this may have its issues, but it also leads to an ultimately simpler, happier, and more fulfilling daily existence. Will is no exception. 😎😎😎

Will continues to teach me to slow down a bit and appreciate the beauty and possibility of every moment. He shows me the endless joy of play and discovery. He challenges me to see the world through new eyes, those of a young child. 🤓🤓🤓

Isn't it time we ALL took the time to embrace our inner child? Life is too short not to. 🌸🌺🌻🌹🌼💐🌷🍃🌟

#bepresent #livejoyfully #havenoregrets 

Glucose test love!

What started as a horribly monotonous day turned into something pretty awesome. 😎😎😎

My first day of spring break began at Quest Diagnostics lab, where I had the privilege of having my blood drawn four times over three hours for my extended glucose test. Apparently, I failed the one-hour one (barely), due to being sick and probably also due to the bad decision of eating a donut right beforehand. Whoops! 🍩

While in the waiting room, I managed to catch up on all my trashy magazines, to-do lists, calendar updates, and even read a whole book, The Martian (I highly recommend it and the movie!). By the third hour, my intense sugar rush crashed, and I barely managed to keep my eyes open while listening to an audiobook. My last blood draw couldn't come soon enough. 💈

Thanks to a protein-loaded lunch at Panera, I regained enough strength to head to the noon Barre class and then a much-needed prenatal massage. Glorious! 🍽🌞💪🏻

Of course, the beautiful afternoon called for plenty of quality time outside with my boys. I love the later subsets so we can all take full advantage of family time outside after work! 🌤🌤🌤

Fingers crossed for good results from the test! I find out tomorrow morning. 🌟🌟🌟

#thejoysofpregnancy #itwillallbeworthit #grateful 💞💞💞

Soul Sisters!

As an only child with only one brother-in-law (who lives in ND), I truly value all of William's honorary aunties. They love

him like he was their own nephew and never hesitate to make the trip to see him. 💗💞💞💞

One such person is my friend Ellen, "Auntie Polster." Since Will was a newborn, she took great interest in him and always makes a point of thinking of -- and visiting -- him. It was such a treat to watch her and Will interact tonight, especially when walking and holding hands on the way home from the neighborhood playground. Too sweet! 😍😍😍

It's been easy to maintain a friendship with Ellen since Will was born. Even though she is sans children, she "gets it" and always goes out of her way to ensure she's making things as easy -- and convenient -- as possible for me. She genuinely enjoys being around Will and watching him change and grow by leaps and bounds. I'm grateful for her friendship.!👏👏👏

Yes, Ellen is one of my soul sisters, someone I'm lucky to have in my life and have Will get to know. She too is an only child and someone who values family, relationships, and finding what truly makes you happy. 🌟🌟🌟

Take time to thank your honorary aunties and soul sisters today. They help us stay sane, be more grounded, and ultimately put things in perspective. Thank you, Ellen, and happy belated birthday!! 🎂🎂🎂

#soblessed #soulsisters #maketimeforgirltime 😎😎😎

Time is flying!!

It's official! I now eat everything in sight like some sort of wild animal! 🍽🍽🍽

Ahhh, the third trimester of pregnancy. Such a joyous time but also such a nuisance simultaneously. I'm lucky to not yet be that uncomfortable at 30 weeks and still have (relatively) lots of energy. I definitely feel more exhausted at the end of each day, though, and constantly think about two things: where the nearest bathroom is and where I can get my next meal or snack. 😂😂😂

I'm not ashamed of my appetite. In fact, I know it's healthy at this stage of pregnancy, when BBL2 will continue gaining about 1/2 pound per week until he is born. That's a lot of quality body fat, and I clearly must provide for him. 😜😜😜

Dexter the dog definitely knows something is up, as he is even MORE possessive of me these days and tries to lay on my belly constantly. This has also become an issue at night when he wants to sleep as close as possible to me. This is not the greatest combination when I already wake up several times during the night to pee or try to get comfortable again. But alas, I love my sweet Velcro dog. 🐶

It hasn't hit me that I will be a Mom of 2 VERY soon. Time continues to fly by, and I wonder if BBL2 will come early, just as his brother did (2 weeks early). We shall see. Babies certainly have minds of their own! 👶🏻👶🏻

For now, I will continue to enjoy all of the kicks and jabs this little guy offers in utero. This may be my last pregnancy, so I am trying to cherish these moments. I know I will miss them dearly one day too soon. 💞💞💞

#wherehasthetimegone #bbl2prep #sograteful 

Yay for this weekend!

This weekend was exactly what I needed, the perfect combination of family and Greg time. 💞💞💞

Top 10 things I loved about it and am grateful for: 🌟🌟🌟

1. Greg finally finished painting Will's new bedroom! I am so in love and hope Will loves it too! Next step: construction decals and a theme throughout his new big boy room! 🏆

2. Barre both days -- and my ridiculous new shirt! See collage. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

3. Baking for my boys. Will loves his muffins! 🍰🎂🍪

4. Seeing Will in all his glory at the neighborhood playgrounds. 🌤 He can now go up the stairs and down the slide on his own!

5. Wet Hot American Summer on Netflix. Enough said. 🎟🎭🎼

6. The smell of a fresh and clean Dexter post-grooming. 🐶

7. The wet snow not really sticking to the ground. OK, winter, you're done now! ❄️

8. 2 beautiful baby girls being born to good friends, one in MD and the other in CT!! 👶🏻👶🏻

9. BBL2's adorable hiccups. I've missed them! 💗💗

10. Spending time with great neighbors and fellow boy parents tonight. I got such a kick out of seeing Greg entertain 3 toddler boys at once!! 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻

Bonus celebration -- 3 school days until spring break! 👏👏👏

I'm also not sure how it's possible I'm already 30 weeks pregnant. Where has the time gone this pregnancy?!! 😳😳😳

#momlife #familyfirst #boymom

I am OK!

It's no secret that I'm a naturally competitive person. 🤓🤓🤓

But no, I don't need other people to be competitive. I'm really a long-time expert at competing with myself ... and always have been. 😳😳

When external competition is added to the mix, though, intensity can result. One such example is the March Madness Challenge at my Pure Barre studio this month. Members were divided into teams, and each member aims to complete 20 classes in 31 days. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Normally, this would not be an issue for me. However, with the studio being 20 minutes from my home, being sick, pregnancy, and upcoming travel to FL at the end of the month, it doesn't look like I will accomplish this goal (despite my strong start at the beginning of the month). Instead of beating myself up about this, I am at peace. I will continue to go to classes when I can but refuse to kill myself over it. Do I really need to be going to 5:45 and 6:00 am weekday classes? No. Do I need added stress at this point in my pregnancy? No. Will I do the best I can? Of course.💞💞💞

Slowing down and not going full speed ahead may still be difficult for me, but I believe I've come a long way. I am kinder and more patient with myself. I try hard to also give Greg time to pursue his passions and get time to himself, especially before BBL2 arrives. I am much more balanced and calm than I used to be. I am human snd have limits. This is OK.🌟🌟🌟

Call me a recovering Type A perfectionist, but I am proud of how far I've come. Not even a silly March challenge -- or epic norovirus -- will cramp my style this time. I value myself -- and the amazing life growing inside me -- far too much. 💗💗💗

March on and be strong, Warrior Women. Tomorrow IS Friday (Thank God!). 👏👏👏

Ahhhhh!!!

William is 21 months old today. How is this possible? And how is it also possible that his little brother will be here in just over 2 months?!!! Insanity!! 👶🏻👶🏻😳😳

I was a good girl today and stayed home and in bed like the doctor ordered. I must say I have a newfound respect for anyone on bedrest. I barely lasted 3 days. And I have a confession. I had major Dogmom guilt about not being able to walk Dex the past several days, so later this afternoon, I caved and decided to walk him. This was a mistake. It took a lot out of me, and my nose was running (and protesting) the whole time. At least Dex enjoyed it! It did feel nice to be outside, at least. ☁️☁️

Two perks of bedrest? Netflix binging and catching up with my audiobooks. I LOVE New Girl and am really into Unfinished Business: Women Men Work Family, which I mentioned last week. It always gets me thinking, maybe too much...📚📚

Apparently, the birth of the second child is the tipping point for many working women. With one child, they can still handle it all, but the second tips the scales. This has me wondering -- what will the reality of a second child be like? Will I be able to handle it? Or, will everything start to fall apart? Will I regret having my sons so close together? Has Will had enough time with me as an only? 😫😫😫

See what I mean? This is a dangerous path, all of these questions. One inevitably leads to 20, then 40, then eventually a million. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

I'm going to calm down now. I still have some recovering to do from the vilest virus ever and must sleep if I have any prayer of making it to work tomorrow. Rest up and stay healthy, Warrior Women!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💤💤💤

Stay present!

"You'll want to try for a girl next."

Yes, I heard this THREE times today. 😂😂😂

I find it amusing. Even if we do stop at two boys, I have no doubt I will feel fulfilled. I've always seen myself as a boymom. Sure, a daughter would be great too, but I'm interested in focusing on my two soon-to-be wonderful sons first and foremost. 👶🏻👶🏻

I remember when I was first asked when we were having our next child. Will was two WEEKS old. Yes, two weeks. I remember laughing hysterically. 😂😂

Anticipating and planning for the future is such an epidemic and obsession in our society. We are constantly striving for more, to be better, to aim higher, to be MORE than we currently are. And WHY?!! 😫😫😫

Why can't we just BE and live in the moment? Is it a crime to simply love where we are currently and not feel a need to be more? Whatever happened to being satisfied and fulfilled -- and that being OK?! We are a nation of overachievers who are never satisfied. 😬😬

As mothers, it is up to us to break this vicious cycle and show our children a different way. Show them how to appreciate the present. Show them how to find their true passions and be themselves, regardless of how it matches -- or goes against -- what we think they should be. We need to teach our children to be well-balanced and fulfilled while still finding inner peace and daily gratitude for what they have. 💪🏻🌟👏☀️

There HAS to be a better way. Let's help ensure the next generation recognizes -- AND acts on -- this.🤗🤗🤗

#staypresent #begrateful #forthechildren 

Gorgeous out!

I haven't done a gratitude list in awhile, so this one is long overdue. Lots to be thankful for today!

1. It got up to 81 degrees and was absolutely gorgeous and sunny. #illtakeit ☀️☀️☀️

2. Will's love of food. I can only imagine how much he and his brother will eat as teens! 😂😂

3. I had the opportunity to help lead an awesome all-day training for fellow third year Staff Development Teachers. Nothing like being surrounded by committed, positive, and like-minded school leaders and equity warriors again!! 👏👏👏

4. Getting a few walks in outside to enjoy this gorgeous weather. 😎😎😎

5. Daydreaming about living abroad somewhere in Europe with all my boys, which could be a distinct possibility in the next few years. #onlyaweebitexcited 😜

6. Sneaking in a Barre class before having to pick up Will. #myhomeawayfromhome 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

7. Greg being able to grill out delicious steaks in this crazy weather! #nomnomnom 🍽🍽🍽

8. My Dad responding well to his radiation so far. 3 sessions down, 42 to go! He's such a positive fighter, and I know he will beat this!! 💞💪🏻💗💪🏻

9. Seeing my Dad's face light up when FaceTiming with Will tonight.👶🏻

10. Will immediately being in a better mood after seeing all the new books that arrived from his school's Scholastic book order. He is SUCH a little Greg and loves to be surrounded by books constantly. He even brought 3 to bed tonight, all of which are about fish. He is obsessed. 🐠🐟🐡🐬🐳

What am I currently reading? I just finished Thornwood House by Anna Romer (eh -- just OK) and started Unfinished Business: Women, Men, Work, Family by Anne-Marie Slaughter. I'm definitely hooked with the latter!📚📚📚

In other news, I really like the questions Univision is asking the Democratic Presidential Candidates. It's about time we focus on REAL issues!🤗

#doyourresearch #ourchildrenourfuture #focusonwhatmatters 

  

Great weekend!

Apparently, BBL2 doesn't like cheese ravioli. He decided it would be amusing to have Mommy throw it up multiple times. Sweet boy. 😂😂😂

Puking aside, it's been a great weekend. 3 Barre classes, a Wegman's trip, family walks, one morning of teaching, a fun baby shower, a date night where Greg and I finally got to celebrate my birthday just the two of us (only 2 weeks late!😂), brunch with an awesome fellow Warrior Woman and friend, a great phone call with a dear friend in France, playground fun, and some significant BBL2 prep! 🌟🌟🌟

Today, we are officially in the third trimester. How is this even possible?!! Time is flying by WAY too fast. And I know there is SO much left to do to prepare for Will's little brother's arrival. Thankfully, Greg has done a wonderful job with beginning to paint Will's new bedroom. I help by entertaining Will and keeping him out of the room.😜😜😜

We also decided on a preferred tandem stroller today, the Joovy Caboose. We also have a double Bob stroller coming our way, which I am more than a little excited about.☀️☀️☀️

I was going to start writing a long list about what else needs to be done prior to BBL's arrival in May, but it's too exhausting to mention right now. We will get there. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

But right now this Mama needs sleep. Desperately.💤💤💤💤💤

#BBL2prep #preparingfor2under2 #happychaos #onedayatatime 

TGIF!

It's finally Friday. Amen.

I am about to collapse but not before I share an amazing roast of Donald Trump. I try not to get political here and consider myself very much a moderate. However, there's a ridiculous aspect of Mr. Trump I can't get past. 

John Oliver did his research and is quite hilarious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGc2nN9OguQ 

Regardless of your political views, I hope you'll find some part of this at least somewhat amusing.

Let the weekend begin!

#momlife #istillthinkwillshouldrunforpresudent #sigh #exhausted 😜💤💞

Oh, my bladder!

Let's talk bladder control. 💦💦💦

As any mom knows, after giving birth, nothing is the same. Jumping rope, jumping jacks, coughing, laughing, and even sneezing are no longer innocent acts. You will leak. It will surprise you. And then you just plain get used to it. 😜

Add to this subsequent pregnancies, and the floodgates seem to open further. It got so bad tonight that I thought my water had broken. Don't worry -- not at all. But apparently, my Kegel muscles no longer exist, and I'm no where near the worst of this. 😫😫😫

In other news, I should have been in bed awhile ago, but this debate is too damn entertaining. I will say John Kasich remains the adult on the stage for sure. I wonder if any of them need a potty break. I know I would. I take about 10,000 a day now. 😂😂😂

I wish this snow would stick so I could be guaranteed more sleep. Dream on, Kay!! 💤💤 Hey, at least BBL2 is no longer dancing on my bladder and preventing me from being able to pee. I'm MORE than making up for that now! 

#ohtheirony #sillybladder #itsallworthit

Hellish commute!!

I have reached a new level of exhaustion....and it's becoming increasingly difficult to bend down and pick things up. Will is obsessed with throwing things currently, so this is becoming a bit of an issue. 😫😫😫

On another topic entirely, I often wonder what it would be like for both Greg and me to have short commutes. I commuted from DC to MD for 6 years, but that was against traffic and sans kids. 🌟

Today marks our 3rd year anniversary living in Clarksburg. Since moving here, Greg has dealt with his horrific commute to VA with grace and little complaint. The price is not being able to see him much during the weeknights. I become the lead parent, which is fine, but I often wonder how long is reasonable for him to continue such a hellish round trip drive 5 days per week. Since his work is classified, he can never telework, and the possibility will never exist for him to work any closer to where we live due to the top secret nature of his work. 😫😫😫

Currently, it takes him about 1-1.5 hours to get to work and 1.5-2 to get home. Add traffic and any kind of weather to the mix, and that average easily increases -- even doubles some days.😡😡😡

Tonight, Greg was actually home before 7 pm and got a lot of good play time in with Will. Both loved it.👶🏻😀😘

I want this to happen every night. I crave quality family time that's more than just an hour or two. But, unfortunately, we live in one of the most expensive regions in the country. Moving closer to DC is no cheap feat.😪

For now, we will deal and take things one day at a time. I know we will find a better place for our family long-term, but it's not going to happen overnight. I must be positive and patient. Why is that do damn hard to do?!! 😫😫😫

In other news, Will was a normal sweet boy tonight and enjoys using his animal figurine container as a hat. #adorable 

Will for President

"Are you limping?"

"No, it's just my pregnancy waddle." 😂😂😂

Yes, it's back and in full force. And I'm proud. I happen to love this waddle. It's comfortable and natural. I think ALL preggos should be proud of their waddles and baby bumps. Flaunt them, Mamas!! 💞💞💞

It's like Will knows. He knows change is a'comin, and he will have to share me. In protest, Will threw an epic meltdown for over two hours tonight, which began as a horrific toddler tantrum meltdown and culminated with a momentous, difficult-to-exit poop. By the time Greg got home later, Will, of course, was back to being his sweet, charming self. Sweet boy. 😫😜😈

Despite this meltdown, I still think Will should run for president. It seems like toddlers like him have more decency and common sense than many of the candidates these days. It really is sad. I fear for the country Will and his own children will grow up in but am trying to stay positive. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Toddlers are exhausting. Tantrums are exhausting. And Lord knows these primaries are beyond exhausting. I need a nap. Oh wait, I guess it's time for bed soon. Woohoo! #momwin 💤💤💤

#staypositivemamas #keepfighting #ohthetoddlerlife #will2016 🌟👶🏻🎉💞