Category Archives: life

B A H A M A S

February 11, 2016

Bahamas-19

Vacation. Ahhhh. I relax just saying the word. And this vacation was perfect. Relaxing and fun in the most gorgeous setting I’ve ever seen. The BAHAMAS.

John and I booked this trip about three weeks ago after talking about it for months! We usually do a ski trip but this time we wanted HOT weather! I couldn’t wait to see some turquoise water and white sandy beaches. I’ve only ever been to Tulum Mexico so I am a tad sheltered!

(Abundance of pictures coming up. Sorry! I loved them all! It’s just so beautiful there!)

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Bikini Top // Bikini Bottom // Cover-up Bahamas-1

We stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamian right in Nassau, Bahamas. It was a reaaaaally pretty all-inclusive with ten restaurants and seven pools, and even it’s own separate island! THAT was the best part! Absolutely gorgeous. I love all-inclusives. You don’t even have to THINK! And I am a fan of trying foods so I order just about everything on the menu! ;) I ate a lot of seafood. YUM.

Pools

The best restaurant was Gordon’s on the Pier. It was FABULOUS. We ate there our last night and definitely savored the romantic setting with a few glasses of wine and a delicious grouper dinner.

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Two of the days we spent time on the island. You took a boat over there and it was very private and so gorgeous. We got to snorkel in the water and we saw sea turtles and tons of fish around the coral reef! I LOVE to snorkel!

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Here are some more pictures from the island

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Fruity frozen cocktail #101 ;) Bahamas-53 Island

And not to mention those sunsets tho… WHOA.

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One of the days was not too great of weather, so we headed to downtown Nassau and the Fish Fry to see the town. I got my coconut drink and the best piña colada I’ve ever had with REAL coconut that I scooped out myself! That was cool :) Downtown Bahamas has a TON of jewelry stores and a neat market with lots of homemade gifts and decor. People are really talented down there!

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Overall it was AMAZING. Difficult to leave the kids, but very very nice to have a little getaway and some alone time with the hubs. That was much needed! Plus the SUN!! Hallelujah!

I missed Ivy and Leo so much! But the grandparents sure had some quality time with the kids. I was so happy to see them and get them in my arms again! Leo didn’t take the bottle the whole time we were gone (YIKES!!) Even though he took it for John the whole weekend two weekends ago, what the heck! So that was nerve-racking, but thank goodness he’s good at feeding himself with baby-led weaning, so he survived! He was certainly ravenous for the boob when I got home though! ;)

Ivy even got to go to a Princess Ball with my friend Shannon. She LOVED to see all of the Princesses and gave lots of hugs! SWOON! I was kind of jealous I didn’t get to be there to see her all giddy!! : /

Princess Ball

Until we meet again, Bahamas. XOXO

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Fantastic February!

February 1, 2016

(Valentine’s Day felt balls)

February is HERE!!! And today is quite lovely as we kick off another month closer to the spring season! (Before the snow hits again tomorrow : / ) This February is SURE to be F A N T A S T I C. I’m really looking forward to this month! It’s always nice to get bitter January out of the way. Here are some things on our agenda for the month!

| BAHAMAS |

We leave this Thursday! Just John and I :) We haven’t had a trip with just us two for quite some time, and we haven’t been out of the country together since my sister’s wedding in Mexico in 2010! So we are pumped to be splurging a little to say sayonara to winter and hello to summer while we bask in the sun at the Sandals Royal Bahamian. They have about every water sport imaginable, but I am most excited for snorkeling and paddle boarding. I got myself this and this (in seafoam glow) swimsuit with this super cool cover-up. I pretty much want to live in a suit the whole time we are there!

via Sandals

| Super Bowl|

BROOOONCOOOOSSS!!!!! I am a huge Peyton Manning fan (yes, I made the switch from Colts to Broncos when he did #bandwagon), so I am PUMPED they’re in the Super Bowl! I really hope they win it this time!

We will be in the Bahamas hopefully downing some margaritas at the swim-up bar TV, but I can’t help but browse the internet for the yummy recipes for food out there, bc really, the food at parties is always sooo good! I’m loving The Pioneer Woman’s round-up of food. I’ve made her Mexican Layer dip before and it is such a good recipe! Or this recipe for baby bloomin’ onions looks SO good! We are at an all-inclusive, so you better believe I’ll have my fair share of food too! ;)

Mexican Layer Dip

| Valentine’s Day |

I am anxious to celebrate with Ivy this year now that she kinda gets it. One of my friends is having a Valentine’s Day party for kids so that will be sure to be a total SWOON fest with all the adorable kids handing out Valentine’s! Are you having a party? Look at these totally cute DIY hats!

I also love the all of the gifts, outfits, and pink everywhere! Here’s my round-up of cute outfits for you and your babes (see post here). If you’re still looking for a gift for your hubs, this is a really great shaving kit, (it even says “Hey Handsome” on the inside!). For your date night outfit, match these pink stud earrings with this blouse for a little spunk. Here’s a cute gift for your little girl. And lastly, here are 50 Valentine’s crafts, each one sounds like so much fun!

via Oh Happy Day

A lot to look forward to this month! The last couple weeks of the February should have less commotion. And did you know it’s Leap Year this year? Pretty cool! Have a great February! xo

Toddler Talk

January 24, 2016

Ivy has been RI-dic-u-lous lately. The things she says, I’m like, either, embarrassed, speechless, laughing hysterically, totally smitten for her, or straight-up concerned #momlife. But one thing is for sure, no matter the emoji I’m feeling, it NEEDS to be documented.

So she’s been all curious about poop lately. Everytime I change Leo’s diaper or if she happens to be in a diaper or goes on the potty, she asks, “Can I see the poop?” And like, literally, gets MAD at me and cries if I tell her no. So I end up showing her and EVERY TIME she goes, “Yuuuuuck.” Well then Ivy, WHY do you keep asking?!?!? #wtf #gross

Naps are basically done around here in her world. Maybe one or two times a week she will actually go to sleep if I lay with her in there and hold her down in her bed. Nonetheless, I put her in there daily and each time I say, “Ivy, it’s naptime,” or “Ivy, it’s bedtime,” she’ll respond “not quiiiiite yet.” I chuckle each time :) #socute

Ivy likes to categorize things as “big” and “tiny.” For example, my friend Shannon is “big Shannon,” our neighbor girl Shannon is “tiny Shannon.” And many other things are “big” and “tiny.” Including my nipples and her nipples that she points out often as I’m feeding Leo : / #goddamnit #thetruthhurts

I got my . last month (so mad! I didn’t get it with Ivy till she was nine months! Leo’s only seven!) and was in the bathroom doing you know what, and she walks in (note to self, LOCK DOOR). Literally in the middle of it and she goes, “What’s that in your body?” I’m like, “UMB.” Thinking, how the HELL do you explain a . to a two year old? Also thinking, how can I dodge this till you’re thirteen! So I am fumbling my thoughts and she asks again, “What’s that in your body? Mama got a boo boo?” I’m like YES, go with THAT!!! “Mama got a boo boo!” #saved

Potty training. Yup. Still working on that. I’ve heard the words, “I’m going pee pee!” A hundred times and it was quite embarrassing when she was at Skyzone last Tuesday sitting on the mat and yelled it too. #oops #sorryskyzone

Another potty training. It is going well. 90% potty trained I would say. And when she needs to go, she’ll say all frantically (probably bc my voice usually is during potty training), “I better get to the potty chair!” #YESPLEASE #andhurryup

Yesterday morning she woke up an hour earlier than normal and came into our bedroom. I asked her, “Why’d you wake up so early?” She responded, “Because I need a bow in my hair.” #WOW #totalgirl

She’s learned, “UGH.” In the really annoyed drawn out tone. Who’d she learn that from? #guilty

Everything is “TA DA!!!!” #soproud

Total goofball. And totally loving this age #two

Ivy27months

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Life lately & Looking Forward To

January 13, 2016

This week has the whole house in the ruts. The cold has ricocheted its way through the entire family starting with John, heading to Ivy, and now ending with Leo and I. Thank god for Ivy being able to blow her own nose now, because it’s one last nasty disgusting suction that I have to do. I’ve always used the NoseFrida, but I got this NeilMed Oral Suction Aspirator from my friend, also our Pediatrician, and it’s WAY better than the NoseFrida! So that’s helping with my poor little Leo :( Hoping we can all just call it a cold and it doesn’t escalate to anything worse. The good thing is, Ivy has ACTUALLY taken naps the last THREE days in a row! I can tell she’s been hit hard with this cold so I’m glad she’s getting some extra rest in there.

While things have been a little slow around here, I’ve had some random things on my mind…

Battling the colds – We got this humidifier for everyone’s rooms and it’s awesome. Ivy loves the LED lights and it also has a diffuser with it. I’ve never used essential oils, but I opted for this Breathe Blend and it smells amazing. It’s like Vick’s Vapor Rub in an oil. It fills the room and really helps us breathe at night. Loving it.

Eating right – I’m getting better at meal planning. Trying to plot out the week has made it easier with grocery shopping and having a plan. I came across this Gathered Table website and it looks like a life-changer. You can choose your primary diet, for example if you eat anything, or paleo, or pescatarian, etc, then it offers customized weekly meal plans, grocery lists, and optional grocery delivery. The recipes look really good and you can even import your favorite recipes from across the web, like all the Pioneer Woman recipes I love! The app looks super easy to use also. I think I’m going to give it a shot!

Working out – I’m sticking with my New Year’s resolution (see post here) and have been running and doing yoga. Happy that we are going to have a couple of warm days so I don’t have to bundle up like an eskimo to get out there! I’m totally in to yoga sculpt right now and last night’s session (I go to AMT) involved rings, THAT was intense! I’m like, TOTALLY inflexible, so yoga is pretty tough for me, but I like the intensity of yoga sculpt. I really like to see everyone’s cool yoga clothes. A girl had these awesome pants on and I really like my shorts that I wear. Have you seen H&M’s sports line?! This tank looks sporty and hip.

Vacation – I’m heading to Minneapolis this weekend for some girl time and leaving the kids with John (EEEEK!). Hoping they’re both healthier by Friday! And John and I just booked a trip to the Bahamas!!!! Headed in February to this resort and I CANNOT WAIT. So that means… SWIMSUIT (dreaded word right now). My ta tas are so veiny from breastfeeding and it’s winter = I’m PASTY WHITE, so they’re not too attractive right now (I hope you can relate, if even with the pasty white part). I’m looking at swimsuits like this and this that kind of hide the ta tas a little more. And this and this cover-up are totally pretty. YES. Now can it just be February? So excited!

Sandals Bahamian Resort

New Year, New Me

January 6, 2016

New Year’s Resolutions. Do you even remember yours from last year? So much hype then wait till February and the gyms have emptied and it’s all like resolution? What resolution? I even had to reread mine from last year on this post – all about finding balance between my husband John, caring for Ivy, and caring for the new baby Leo that was coming into our lives, all while keeping my own morale high. BALANCE. That was my key word last year. Reflecting on that resolution, I think I did pretty good! John and I started going out more, Leo fit effortlessly into our lives, and Ivy, well, is Ivy. I’m just trying to hang on for dear life with her endless energy and inquisitive behavior. So I’m giving myself a pat on the back for last year. But this year… well, it’s a different story. This year. It’s all about ME.

Confession: I’ve joined the masses. And by that I mean the masses of people who have the New Year’s Resolution to GET IN SHAPE and LOSE WEIGHT. I’ve turned into one of those people. One that hops on to “buy this gym holiday special package!” and “eat right and get fit!”and “lose weight!” – these reminders are ringing in my ear left and right. But first things first of how I got to this low point, let’s play a little icebreaker game called “Two Truths and a Lie.” Which is the lie?

#1 – I have never been on a diet

#2 – I have not worked out in a year and a half

#3 – I have lost all of my baby weight

If you guessed the lie to be #3, then you’re a WINNER!! Baby weight… curse you.

So yes, #1 and #2 are the truths – And now you hate me because I have never been on a diet. Ok but really, let me explain. Yes, I am blessed with a high metabolism and good genes I suppose (thanks Mom and Dad!), but also, I’ve never had to be on a diet because I have always been in shape with running throughout my whole life. Furthermore, I don’t like chocolate, coffee, pop, or desserts really (unless it’s creme brulee, so help me God…), so the bulk of unhealthy things, I don’t eat anyways. Unless it’s chips. Give me ALL THE CHIPS and dip! Otherwise, we eat fairly balanced, and yada yada, I don’t know, I’ve just never had to really watch what I eat. But you can always eat better. Eat healthier. So I could still improve on this one. And that would help with losing weight. I just need to NOT buy that Top the Tater ranch sour cream dip. Or back down on my portions. All that diet crap. It’s the little things there that I could get better at.

#2 – I have not worked out in a year and a half – Ok so, I’ve been an athlete all of my life. Playing every sport and then finally focusing on my running career throughout high school and college. I became an All-American in cross-country in college and just recently got inducted into my high school’s hall of fame! So yeah, I am a “has been,” I guess you could call me. I kept up running throughout my pregnancy with Ivy and continued to run afterwards, but with Leo, I didn’t do jack shit. I don’t know why. Winter hit, I was pregnant, and just wasn’t as motivated to get out there and waddle with a gigantic belly. Hence a year and a half. 9 months of being pregnant, and now Leo’s almost 7 months. Haven’t really found the time or motivation (that damn motivation, a recurring problem :/) to get my ass in gear quite yet after Leo. That’s where that New Year’s Resolution took shape…

#3 – And lastly, I have NOT lost all of my baby weight. Damn it. With Ivy, I had it all gone at my 6 week appointment. Well now with Leo, I still have 5 pounds, oooooor maybe 10, who’s counting, that JUST WILL NOT SHED. Prooooobably because of #1 and #2, but my argument has been that with Ivy I relied on breastfeeding and was hoping that would help this time around too. But NO. I guess not. I guess I actually have to do something. Like run. Or workout. Or diet (boring).

So that leaves me with my blog post title, “NEW YEAR, NEW ME.” Time for a change. Time to feel good about my body again.

Starting with getting my ass in gear – I started running again about a month ago and damn, I missed it. The fresh air, the QUIET (no kids saying something on repeat till you respond), the burning of your legs and lungs, I missed it all. I thought I would just do a couple days a week, but I’m soooooort of on the verge of obsession and have been going about 4-6 days a week. It JUST. FEELS. GOOD. I want to see my abs again and not have this dreaded extra skin or fat or whatever it is from having babies around my stomach. And that song by Selena Gomez “Good for ya” that makes me wish for my 18 year old body again, ya, ugh – I suppose that’s a small factor as well. Listen to it. You’ll know what I mean. Oh and I started hot yoga sculpt with Amy Miller Training, heck ya. I hope my muscles have not completely left the building! My shoulders and arms are certainly feeling it today.

Getting my ass in gear = fitting into my clothes again – I can’t just wear oversized sweaters my whole life and hid this belly (although I wouldn’t mind wearing this sweater forever). And my jeans in my closet are only collecting dust. I basically live in leggings. It’s like MY HIPS. My hips got larger with baby two. Grrr. Anyways, maybe I can dodge the jean thing and upgrade one step to jeggings? I’ve been eyeing these denim jeggings and they just went on sale! But, but, leggings are too comfortable. Umph :/ Either way, lose weight and firm up = get back into my jeans

Year 2016 is all about me, myself, and I. Getting in shape, losing weight, and feeling confident in my body again. What’s that saying? Happy wife, happy life? :) BINGO

Who’s with me???!!!!

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