{WHW}: Labor Daying

I'm a little late with my weekend recap because well, life. But for what's hap-"pinning" Wednesday I'm recapping our Labor day weekend:

~Got home with Ella and started packing to head up to Philly. Unfortunately, my in-laws came down with some cold/sickness that they were recovering from but we didn't want to risk staying with them, so we had to stay at my two SIL's places. 

~Getting packed up after a full work week (and the idea of being nomads for the weekend) got me into a bit of an anxiety attack because I just feel like I've been going and going non-stop, then the prospect of packing and moving around the whole weekend was just overwhelming to me. We decided to still go up to PA, but to come home Sunday night so we'd have a full day at home.

~We made it up to New Jersey to my SIL's house without any traffic and miss Ella slept the whole ride, and then went down to sleep as soon as we got to their house.

Cooper gets the front seat all to himself these days

~my BIL was having his fantasy football draft and ended up going out with his guy friends and MG got peer pressured into going too, so my SIL and I just stayed home and sat out on the porch drinking wine, eating and catching up until after midnight. We called it #porchtherapy haha

~Saturday morning was super crappy--overcast, cold and rainy. We decided to go to a local indoor farmers market which ended up being kind of a bust because it was insanely crowded barely any room to maneuver a stroller, and no place to sit and eat any of the goodies that they were selling. Boo!

~Early afternoon we packed up and headed to PA to my other SIL's house where we unpacked (again) and just hung out for the afternoon.

~Ella giggled for the first time which was amaaaaaaaaazing! She's done little laughs here and there but the giggle was the best!

~My SIL's friend's surprise party was Saturday night so we got Ella down, my MIL and niece watched Ella (while she slept basically) and we headed out to have some adult time which was so much fun!

~Sunday was a laze around the house kind of morning and then getting ready for a cook out where a ton of people came over. None of which was conducive to a baby napping lol

~Around 7 we packed up the car and baby and made our way home with no traffic and a sleeping baby--got home and put her to bed and she slept until 5 when I fed her and then she went back down until 745. ALLLLLLL the praise hands because mama needed that sleep!

~Monday we ran errands and little miss was so good. She loves looking around at everything even from her car seat in the stroller--she's so alert now that I think everything is super stimulating for her

~Got in some snuggles with Ella bear while she napped in my arms

~MG and I made pesto grilled cheeses for lunch which were heavenly and then we took a walk down/around the lake by our house and picked up a cold brew on the way.

~Ella was super tired around 6 because she didn't get a third nap in for the day so we got her ready for bed early and she was down and out by 6:30pm

It was definitely nice, and much needed, to have a full day at home and to wake up in our own beds instead of spending a good chunk of the day driving and hitting traffic. Thankfully this is a short work week too, so the weekend is that much closer!

Now it's your turn to link up and share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

Weekly Wins: It's Already September

Haaaaaaappy Friday! And Friday before a long weekend makes it THAT much better and sweet!!

I'm coming at you with some wins from this week!

~Ella and I both survived our first full week of daycare with minimal crying. I only teared up a bit on Monday when I drove her. Not to say I like dropping her off, but knowing she's being loved and well taken care of by my friend has given me such a sense of peace. Plus, she is getting so much interaction from her two boys (getting the big brother experience), and the other girl she watches. Which has also made bedtime really easy because sister girl is tiiiiiiiired come bed time.

~Speaking of bed time, Ella slept through the night, with no wake ups three times this week in her crib in her own room. And I've gotten myself down to only checking on her 400 times a night instead of 4 million. #progress :)

~I managed to put together a therapy schedule for my kids that also included two pumping breaks during the days. I'm seeing kids right up until dismissal, but I made it work #flexibility

(Now we'll see if it actually works when I go to implement it next week! ha!)

~We are heading to PA this weekend to see MG's family who haven't seen Ella in about a month since we left the shore. It's always nice to have extra helping hands, and to just get to spend time with the fam since we live far enough away that get togethers just don't happen frequently enough. 

Also on the agenda--going out for a surprise birthday night out for a friend up there--she totally doesn't know and I'm super excited to see her reaction!

~I managed to get out of the house on time every single day this week--something that's not normally an issue for me but because MG leaves for work early, I'm the one responsible for getting myself together, Ella up, changed, and have all of her things packed and put in the car. It's a lot and the mornings go SO fast, but we've got a routine. I'm sure some off days are in our future, but for the first full week, I'm happy with how we've done!

babies in PJ's are simply the cutest thing ever!

~Everyone I know in/around Houston seems to be safe and sound which makes me so relieved. I still can't believe what's going on there and almost feel like the scenes I see are fake because it's SO devastating. Praying for Texas, and sending money to help!

Before I go, can I just rant for a second?

I can't stand when people who you haven't talked to/heard from in YEARS all of a sudden reach out to you via social media (facebook, instagram, etc), feigning an interest in your life ("Congratulations on Ella, you guys look happy...."), to follow it up with:

"I started representing Rodan and Fields...." or whatever other company, etc. 

I had a girl from grad school do this recently and I just didn't respond. You haven't taken an interest in my life in the past 10 years, but NOW that you want to make some money, I'm good enough to talk to? Thanks, but no thanks. 

Ok, rant over....let's get to the weekend! Happy Friday friends!

{WHW} Currently....

Currently, I'm....

Reading ...

Well, I started another book by Diane Chamberlain weeks ago, and I think I only read the first chapter. And that's still where I'm at several weeks later...I'll get back to reading at some point soon hopefully.

Watching ...

Game of Thrones! MG and I got HBO this past weekend and got all caught up on everything just in time for the season finale. Wowza! I heard that the next season isn't until 2019!! What the what!

{via}

And of course watching all of my Bravo shows, plus Bachelor in Paradise which is its own little s-show and I love it. I feel like this season hasn't been as interesting as previous seasons though.

Eating....

On the menu this week:
Monday: Spicy Sriracha Shrimp lo mein
Tuesday: Baked Queso Tacos
Wednesday: Crockpot Meatballs (with Spaghetti)
Thursday: Tuscan Chicken Bake--recipe to come!
Friday: something quick and easy, just not sure what yet

Looking forward to ... 

heading to PA for the long weekend and getting to see our family who we haven't seen since our trip to the shore in early August. And a long weekend in general because that means more time with my girl!

Enjoying ...

that my friend's sons at daycare (my friend watches Ella if you don't remember) LOOOOOOVE Ella. I get pictures through the day of them loving on her, and when I walk in to drop her off in the mornings, they get excited and the oldest says "I LOVE her!" He promised me yesterday morning that he'd take good care of her. Melts my heart!

Drinking...

water and lots of it--with pumping during the weekday while at work, my supply goes down throughout the week so I'm trying to up my calorie intake and my water intake to help. 

Loving....

my mom for taking pity on me and buying a mini fridge for my office at work. My new place in the building was a 5-10 minute walk to and from the teachers lounge where the fridges are in order to get my pump parts and/or store my milk. Trying to fit pumping into my schedule is hard enough without adding those precious minutes of just walking in--so my mom had a mini fridge delivered to me and it's now set up in my office, making my life easier. Gotta love moms! 

perfectly fits my little cooler bag of pump parts and milk!

Dreading....
dealing with some helicopter parents that I'm already hearing about through the grapevine. Parents who have lawyers and advocates....I just want to do my job and get kids better. I don't want to deal with the attacks and nit-pickiness of lawyers and advocates. It really drains me and makes me feel icky about my job sometimes.

Wanting ... 

the temps to stay where they've been the last couple of days. High 70s and low to mid 80s are my jam!

Needing ...

a paycheck. It's been months and babies ain't cheap, y'all!

And I need to write my lake house, shore, and best friend's wedding recaps. #slacker #momlife

Wearing ...

my pre-pregnancy clothes which means I'm tapping back into my Loft clothes that I hadn't been able to wear much of last school year--score!!

Grateful For...

this little baby girl who turns 4 months old today! I seriously can't believe how quickly it's gone by, and how much she has grown in these past 4 months. Love her to pieces...but I'm sure you could tell that without me saying it ;)

Now it's your turn to link up with Jessi and I to share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

6 Years Ago...

Six years ago yesterday, MG and I went out on our first date!

I was reminded of it when Lindsay posted about it being her 14 year date-iversary yesterday too (the days escape me lately especially going back to work and having every day be kind of a blur).

MG and I talked about it in bed last night, how crazy it is that it's already been 6 years together.

Our first photo together

I remember our first date was almost interrupted by a hurricane (although nothing like what's going on in Texas right now), and I think there had been an earthquake in DC a few days before that had ruined our initial plan at a first date since I was working in the city at that time.

I certainly didn't know then that this guy would be my husband one day, and the daddy to a beautiful little girl, but I'm sure glad I took a chance on that guy from Match ;)

Pardon the sap for today...:)

Catch you tomorrow for What's Hap-"pinning" Wednesday!

First Day of School+Weekending

Well, for the kids anyway!

I'm coming off of a great weekend at home with my little (and MG too)--with a slightly later than normal post,  but I'm here nonetheless!

Friday night MG had his fantasy football draft so Ella and I spent some snuggle time together before her bedtime, and then I stayed up and watched Sex and the City 2 before hitting the sack myself.

Saturday MG and I went to Old Town for a stroll with Ella--hit up a farmers market and then grabbed lunch. The weather this weekend was perfection!

Saturday afternoon we got miss Ella all ready to head to our friends' cook out where she got to meet several more of MG's friends who she hadn't met yet. She looked quite cute (and chunky) in her little dress and headband!

Saturday night we also decided to let Ella sleep in her crib in her room the whole night and she did great! We had one wake up around 4am and then she slept until after 7! Luckily her cold seems to be getting better and only a cough here and there is lingering.

Sunday we had pancakes for breakfast, ran some errands and then went for a walk with Ella in the Ergo carrier (got my added weight in for a more challenging walk). We spent some time out on the deck because the weather was still so gorgeous, picked up Thai food for dinner, and eased into the work week....my easing involved falling asleep on the couch around 9pm lol

As we speak, Ella is starting her first full week at daycare (last week was a mix of daycare at my friends' house and 3 days of daddy daycare). I know she's well loved, and well cared for (and am already getting pics of her today)...but dang it's still hard to not be with her all day long.

Hoping your weekend had some nice weather--and for those of you in Texas, particularly Houston--I'm sending my thoughts and prayers out to all of you, hoping you're safe and sound!

{WHW}: Back to School/Work edition

So, today will be my third day back at work, but today I'm leaving my Ella bear at home with MG--his first full day being the sole caretaker! It should be interesting!!

Going back to work has been an adjustment for sure especially making sure that I have everything for each day for Ella at daycare. The first day I had about 400 bags of different things and ended up leaving without her milk for the day. #mombrain  Luckily MG was still home and drove to where I was and dropped it off so that I didn't have to turn around and drive back and forth again.

It's SO hard to leave her--I know she's in great hands with my friend/babysitter. Her two sons love Ella so much and I get pictures throughout the day. But the start of the school year always brings so much stress and anxiety, and coupled with breastfeeding/pumping, daycare drops offs and pickups, and trying to sleep (plus getting the cold that Ella got this weekend)....it's just a lot. 

Lots of tears have been shed the past couple of days, and I'm sure more are coming too. I know in my heart that this feeling isn't forever (it better not be!!), but for right now, my feeling is overwhelmed!

So for now, I'm just trying to figure out what my "new normal" is going to be. All while prepping to get a school year off and rolling by Monday!

Distract me and share what's hap-"pinning" with you all!

Back to Life....

"....back to reality"

Today I'm heading back to work, tearfully.

It's been 16 weeks at home with my girl and I'm not sure what the day will be like leaving her in someone else's hands for the day (thankfully it's someone who we know, and trust).

In addition to all of that, our little peanut came down with a cold on Saturday night and was up just about every hour that night with sniffles, coughs and some super sad cries.

She teetered on having a fever during the day Sunday but thankfully didn't quite reach what's considered a fever for her age.

Needless to say, yesterday was filled with exhaustion coupled with all of the feels associated with watching your baby feel sick....and then add in the feels about going back to work and leaving her behind. Lots and lots of tears. I basically felt like I was on the post partum rollercoaster all over again!

Ironically enough, it was a year ago today that we had this one tiny perfect embryo transferred....who now is our cuddly, adorable little girl (even when she has a cold). It's crazy how different things are a year later! 

Anyway, send some love this way today...and perhaps a gallon of tissues, because this mama is gonna need them! You can find me staring at this beautiful face and getting 0 work done today...

Hoping you had a nice, cold-free weekend!