Oh, Monday!!

What a Monday!! 

I am ready to drop but not before writing my last daily gratitude list for November!

1. Finally being able to work out again at Orange Theory. It has only been 3 weeks but seemed like a century for this cardio addict! I took it slowly at the 5 am class and modified as needed. What a great feeling to be back!

2. Puking 4 different times this morning and still smiling. Just another good sign that all is well with the baby. After all we went through having Will, I will not take a day of my pregnancy for granted. It is waaaay too much of a blessing!!

3. Baking cookies for my colleagues and Greg's coworkers. I clearly need to make more next time! They went in record time.

4. Will insisting on walking outside, despite it being disgusting and raining tonight. Like his parents, he finds solace and peace in the great outdoors. I love it.

5. Greg being able to stay home with Will tomorrow, since the daycare is closed for teacher in-service. Will's friend Andrew will also be joining them, so they are bound to have a blast!

6. Realizing spring break is a bit earlier this year, so it will be early enough in my pregnancy to fly! Woo! I booked a flight to FL for Will and me to visit my parents for 5 days Easter week. Yay for sunny FL!

7. Will is OBSESSED with naming and sorting all animals, especially farm animals. He has mastered their noises and can even name them in different places. It's so fascinating seeing the connections his brain is making ... and so quickly! #babygenius #ha

Thanks for being such a wonderful and memorable month, November!

Sunday rainy day!

I was stressing out yesterday over what kind of day trip to do with my patents today. The National Aquarium? DC? Frederick? Annapolis? 

Thankfully, Greg encouraged me to chill out, stop worrying, and enjoy our date night last night. I did. I decided to leave it up to whatever we all felt like doing in the AM.

This morning, we all slept until after 8 (Will included, a Mommy's dream), and it was gross and raining. We decided brunch at Bennigan's was in order and to then see how the day unfolded. Here's a bit of what I'm grateful for from today...

Day 29's list:

1. Will being an angel at brunch. This is no small feat, considering he almost knocked over an entire bar table and 20 glasses the last time he was at a restaurant back in September. Toddlers + restaurants = usually a dangerous combo.

2. Enjoying a relaxing morning decorating our Christmas tree and house, toddler-proof style. That also proved to be so small feat.

3. Singing and dancing along to children's music and Christmas songs. Will has mastered the hokie pokie. No joke.

4. The rain stopping to allow Dex and I a chance to escape the house for a walk during Will's nap. This is also always my treasured audiobook time. I'm currently enjoying a light fiction piece, Carry Her Heart. This is very necessary after finishing the heart-pounding psychological thriller, Bad Games, yesterday.

5. Organizing all of my maternity clothes and donating 2 bags to charity.

6. Will being an endless source of smiles and entertainment.

7. Truly enjoying time with my parents, as it is already their last night here. 

We didn't end up going anywhere today, which ended up being perfect. Sometimes, all you need is quality family time and laughs (and NY style pizza, of course), especially on dreary, miserable Sundays. 

Yay Small Business Saturday!

Another awesome November day! SO much to be grateful for too!!!

Day 28's list:

1. Another awesome Pure Barre class to start the day. I may have puked twice during it, but it's all for a good cause. 😉

2. Family time picking out our tree and designing our Christmas wreath at Butler's Orchard. It definitely helped having my parents there to assist and help watch Will this year!

3. William's constant good mood. We really hit the parental jackpot.

4. My dog's neurotic inability to let me out of his sight. It's actually quite loyal and endearing, most of the time.

5. My parents graciously offering to watch Will to give us a date night tonight.

6. iPic theaters. Totally worth the splurge and experience once in awhile!

7. Matt Damon's acting. His face isn't too bad to look at either. His movie, The Martian, was also pretty sensational.

The dog ate one of Will's dirty diapers while we were gone. In his defense, it was left out and probably looked pretty darn tasty....to a dog. Mmmmm.... poop.... 😜😜😜 

Black Friday success!

Black Friday this year was all about making fun family memories. Yes, there was a bit of shopping involved, but nothing too crazy, thankfully.

Day 27's list (one day late):

1. Starting off Black Friday the right way with an awesome Pure Barre class. 

2. Will's adorable new haircut, despite him screaming and crying throughout. The barber was outstanding.

3. Finishing ALL of my Christmas shopping AND wrapping before December 1. #mommywin

4. Enjoying a nap while Will napped. #bliss

5. Walking around the neighborhood with my Dad and both dogs.

6. Thanksgiving leftovers. I think they're even better the day after.

7. Greg finally decided to replace his wedding band, which he lost months ago. #sillyhubby #betterlatethannever

Grandparents!

4 months is equivalent to 4 years in grandparent-hood. My parents literally could not believe just how much Will has grown, changed, and learned since they last saw him in early August. He's like a new person now, walking, talking, signing, and so present!

Yes, lots to be grateful for on this Thanksgiving Eve.

Day 25 list:

1. My parents arrived safe and sound early tonight. Despite all they've been through this past week and horrible traffic, just seeing their grandson made everything better. It was pure joy to witness.

2. I decided to change up my hair a bit and love my new cut! I am also grateful to have had the BEST stylist ever for the past 9 years.

3. Some creative thinking allowed me to still have my weekly therapy session over the phone, due to Will's school closing early today. It all worked out, and Will miraculously entertained himself almost the whole hour! 

4. Bob the Train. A toddler YouTube sensation and the reason I could get anything accomplished with my therapist today. Check it out. ;)

5. Being able to satisfy today's pregnancy craving: sweet and sour chicken. Mmmmm....

6. Seeing my parents with Will. It really makes me wish they lived closer!

7. Ending the night with an awesome prenatal yoga class with Laura. Pure bliss.

Here's to a wonderful Thanksgiving to you and yours! You deserve it, WW!! 

Be grateful!

I've hit a new level of exhaustion, but alas, this too shall pass. 

You know it's bad when colleagues and parents comment on how exhausted you look. This, despite getting 8 hours of sleep last night. Yes, pregnancy with a toddler is a WHOLE new level of tired.

But still so much to celebrate and be grateful for today, thankfully!

Day 24 list:

1. After a solid night's sleep, my Mom felt well enough to begin making the long drive up to MD with my Dad. They are staying over tonight in NC and in very good spirits. They have about 8 hours of driving left tomorrow, traffic permitting! I really am excited to see them.

2. Asking every teacher today what they are grateful for. Sharing this in a small group is valuable and reminds us just how blessed we are. Let us never take for granted the basic necessities of life we enjoy, like a roof over our heads and food on our table. Too many go without every single day...

3. Deciding to "adopt" two more girls in need in our community and play "Santa" for them. I love shopping, especially when it's for a child who will truly use and appreciate the items!

4. My husband, whose life's work is to help keep our country safe from all the evils of the world. He is still hard at work now, making for long nights for Will and I, but I am beyond proud of him and all of the amazing work he does for us all. 

5. Recognizing the importance of self-care. I enjoyed lunch actually sitting down with colleagues today, got a massage after work, and loved my Pho chicken noodle soup for dinner.

6. Turning a traffic jam into something positive by talking on the phone with an old, dear friend of mine, Kate. She became a Mommy this year, also to a sweet baby boy.

7. Being proud of myself for actually listening to my doctor and avoiding intense cardio. I'm allowed to reintroduce it on Monday -- let the countdown begin! 

Yay!!!

It may be Monday, but there is already SO much to be grateful for today!

1. Having found no blockages or abnormalities in her heart, my Mom was finally discharged from the hospital tonight. She is now home resting comfortably in bed, thankfully. She is still heavily sedated and has a board attached to her right arm, as it is very weak after all the injections of the past 48+ hours. To say I'm a bit nervous about she and my Dad driving 17+ hours up here beginning tomorrow morning would be an enormous understatement. Sigh....

2. First trimester blood tests results came back, and they are perfect! We are at the lowest risk for everything, thank God. The neural tube measurements were normal too. Still too early to determine gender, though! Booooo!!!

3. Treating myself to some Mickey D's for lunch after my appointment. And call me disgusting, but it tasted damn food. Sometimes, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. And when one is pregnant, well, that's another story entirely. Step away from my fast food, or suffer severe bodily injury... 😜😉😄

4. Today's after school staff meeting was cancelled. And yes, the world may now just end...😜😜😜

5. AMAZON. What the hell did we ever do without Prime 2 day shipping?!!!!

6. Will being a TOTAL sweetheart and charmer tonight. He's started liking and preferring me again, which naturally annoys Greg. Buwahahahaha...😉😉😉

7. Ending the day with a long, awesome girly chat with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Mary. Motherhood has only brought us closer, and I am forever grateful for that. 💞💞💞💞