Friday, December 20, 2013

5 on Friday- Last Post for the year!

{one}

Had a blast with this little one at her school Christmas Party. She is such an amazing little girl and I hope one day she remembers how although mommy goes to work every day I try my hardest to always make it to her special parties, etc. She is my #1- her, her brother and daddy!


{two}

Geesh. When it rains, it pours. This girl took a nasty fall Saturday while dancing in the living room, she is recovering now, but we have to keep an eye on her tooth. It didn't chip or come lose, but did have a tiny bit of bleeding at the gum line, so may turn dark. I know it is just cosmetic, but all I want for Christmas is my baby girl to keep her pearly whites!


{three}

My baby boy turned 6 months old this week. Time surely does fly, even faster with my 2nd. Man, I was meant to be a mommy, it is the best!

{four}

I cannot believe Christmas is now less than a week away, I am just dying with excitement and kind of sad it is all going to be over soon. .

{five}

I wish you all the merriest of Christmas's or if you don't celebrate just a very Merry December/Holiday! I hope you all have full hearts and are surrounded by love, peace, hope and joy and I hope and pray 2014 is a great year for all  of us!

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Happy 1/2 year birthday to my baby boy!

Dearest Miles,

I can't believe you are already 1/2 year old!  You are such an amazing little guy and I just love you more than words could ever describe.

You are babbling like crazy, even said da-da! You are catching up on your milestones, rolling belly to back like a champ! You can even sit up on your own for like 5 seconds, so that you are doing amazing with! You are doing a fantastic job in physical therapy, the Therapist even said and I quote, "better than she anticipated."

Sleep. Sleep my boy, it's a beautiful thing and you are doing pretty darn good with it. You occassionally wake up wanting your noni (paci) and mommy gets up right away to give it to you. I want to start this week weaning you off of your 10:30 pm bottle and maybe even letting you be for a few minutes before I run to give you your noni, but soon you will be able to grab them on your own and stick those suckers in your mouth which will be awesome.

Speaking of mouth, your bottom two teeth are going to pop through any day now, the pediatrician even confirmed this. You just started eating cereal and have tried peaches so far. Sweet potatoes are going in the oven this weekend to be pureed.

You love cuddles, baths and being held. You love, love your mommy too and your sister, she makes you laugh like crazy.

You are 14lb 2oz, the 3rd percentile on weight and right at 25 inches or 6/7th percentile, but mommy knows you are catching up and you are every bit of perfection!

Most people still say you look like daddy, but I see quite a bit of mommy too. EVERYONE is obsessed with your eye lashes, they are gorgeous! Sister's are pretty darn long too, but your's are even longer and have the most amazing natural curve to them.

You love playing with your Sophie or little toys you can hold and stick in your mouth.  I am so happy I get to be your mommy. Your personality shows more and more everyday and it is truly the greatest gift to watch you and your sister flourish! Your first Christmas is next week and you get to play baby Jesus in the church christmas program- you are a star already, but now you are really going to be famous! :)

Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back my sweet boy!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

One of my darkest hours

Tonight at dinner, my husband and I were reflecting on this year.  I can't believe a new year is upon us already.  We spent NYE 2012 with a Dr. visit to my Obgyn, because I was bleeding for the 2nd time after being on bed rest and only about 12 weeks pregnant.  After we had an ultrasound to confirm the baby was ok, the nurse proceeded to give us the results of our 12 week nuchal screen that we had the week prior.  Her exact words were, "You failed your 12 week nuchal screen for downs syndrome."

My heart sinks.  Thoughts rushed my brain and then I came to for a moment. I asked her for more information, this wasn't my first rodeo and I know there is a scale.  She said she didn't have any more information other than we failed and we would need to go to a specialist for more information. Ummm, really? It is New Years freaking eve, there are NO doctors in the office and the specialist is closed for days!  What in the world made her think it was a good idea or a good time to deliver this type of news?

We left the office in tears, calling our family and thinking about our unborn baby, how our lives were going to change, what his life would be like and the sacrifices we would make in order to give him the best possible life. You name it, our minds went there. We cancelled our New Year's eve plans, clung to our daughter and after moments of coldness to each other, clung to each other as well. Clung to hope, prayer and love of each other and family. It was all we had.

Later, we learned that yes our pregnancy is high risk, our baby did not necessarily have down syndrome and we barely failed our nuchal screen and the only thing that caused us to fall right below that "fail" line is something called Papp-A. This is a measure of my placenta function and showed that I was at an extremely, extremely high risk to have my placenta fail me and my pregnancy could be terminated, result in pre term labor or a baby with special needs. We were asked to consider what we would do if our baby did have special needs and how we wanted to proceed. We made the decision to go with a very expensive blood test to determine with 99% accuracy if our baby had downs. It didn't test for all of the trisomy diagnoses, but downs it did test for. The results of that test were favorable, which was a major blessing.  Whatever the results were, I would have loved my baby to the moon and back I just wanted to prepare. I needed to prepare.

We proceeded through my pregnancy with many doctor's appointments, ups and downs, times we didn't think we would make it to 30 weeks to times when we thought hell, we may make it to 39. Ultimately, through it all we made it to 37 weeks by a hair and Miles decided he would wait no more and I went into labor on my own as my pre eclampsia struck and my blood pressure sky rocketed. Yes, I had pre eclampsia which led to an intrauterine growth restriction, but I delivered a beautiful healthy boy with the lowest papp A that my very highly specialized doctor had seen.

This year has been one of the greatest years of my life. We welcomed our son, completed our family and conquered many obstacles. We have come out of the year stronger, but I must say I am hoping and praying for less doctor visits in 2014. We are blessed beyond words and while our obstacles have paled in comparison to others, I pray that 2014 brings our family (and yours) good health, love and good fortune. I can't believe 2014 is almost here!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Friday, December 13, 2013

Five on Friday

{one}

Miles rolled over!! Front to back AND he is almost sitting up by himself already. His rolling was delayed due to his torticollis, but I finally feel like wow, he is really improving.

{two}

Wow, only 12 days till Christmas! I am 95% ready, waiting on 1 more package to arrive and have some more baking for the neighbors, mail lady, trash people, etc.

{three}

Holiday baking, The best. It started and it continues!

{four}

Having a toddler and putting wrapped presents under the tree doesn't work. I tried it. LOL. She is doing great with not messing with the tree though. Very proud of her and very impressed.

{five}

The world is a crazy place. I was all pro gun until I went to the range and it freaked me out, but then I got the husband one and now I am thinking I need to get in there and really learn to use it and get my own too. I know everyone has their own strong views on this, so don't judge mine, but the world is getting more and more crazy!  People are cray cray and unfortunately around the holidays even more. Sad to see the news. Everyone out there stay safe.

Happy Friday!!!





Thursday, December 12, 2013

My Toddler's Wish List


This year is so exciting for Christmas, Gianna isn't 100% grasping the concept of Christmas, but she is definitely loving all the lights, music and Santa. She is at such a fun age and I probably went way over board on shopping, but I am so excited to see her face on Christmas morning! Here are some of her wish list items:





1. Doc McStuffins Doctor Kit
2. Dora toy with stable and pony
3. Mickey Mouse
4. Mike the Knight Play set
5. Little Mermaid DVD & Toy
6. Christmas Books & more books
7. Pottery Barn Chair to replace her beloved Minnie Mouse Chair that gets so dirty
8. Monster's University
9. Princess Sofia Shoes
10. Clothes

Stocking Stuffers:
- Bubbles
- Light Saber
- Coloring book and crayons
- Necklaces
- Detangler
- Wash cloths

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is such a magical time of year, I just love it and I love it even more now than ever. Why? Of course because of my family.  I am married to an amazing man and our family is now complete {I think}. I am a mommy to 2 beautiful children and this is the first year where Gianna is starting to get the whole Christmas thing. I can only imagine that from here on out it will get better and better.

As our family is getting into the holiday spirit we have several traditions that Allan and I have started, or carried on from our childhood and we have some that are only now beginning and more that I am sure will come.

Every year we put our tree and decorations up the day after Thanksgiving. This is something I always remember doing as a child and something Allan and I have continued and have now made a family tradition in our home. This year with losing the week in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I contemplated putting it up early, but I couldn't do it...why? Because it is tradition!

Elf on the Shelf is something new we are doing with our kids. Something neither of us have done before, but something I especially am looking forward to. We introduced Gianna to our elf this year and have done a few activities, but she is still a little bit young to fully get it, so next year it is on and popping. Sparkles is going to be a busy elf!

Something new we will also do next year is an advent calendar. We got the kids these fun, disney ornaments that are numbered and have treats inside, so we will decorate their little tree and each night they can find the number and open it up as we countdown the days till christmas. I remember making the pull apart rings and we will most definitely do those as well.

Baking. Christmas is all about baking and this is something I always want my kids to remember, I want them to help me, us to have matching aprons and for it to be fun and messy in the kitchen.

Christmas morning, we wake up and open stockings first then presents, love on each other, watch Christmas shows and Allan cooks green and red french toast, yum! Another tradition we have started as a family and I love it.

To me, the best part about the Christmas season are the traditions, because they are what memories are based off of and I hope and pray to provide some amazing experiences and memories for my children to carry on through their lives. What are some of your traditions.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year."

"Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!"

Monday, December 9, 2013

My boys 6 month old Christmas Wish List

Ok, so 6 month old's don't need too much, especially ones with older siblings who already have it all. Walker- check, exersaucers- check, play mat- check, bouncy chair- check, rock-n-play, again- check. This little guy really has everything you can imagine. so his wish list is short and sweet.





1. Pottery Barn Kids Regular Anywhere Chair, I think Mile will be getting this one, Santa told me so!
2. Cars and trucks
3. Leap Frog My Pal Scout - big sister loves her Violet so hoping he will love his too :)
4. Little Noses, Sippy Cups & pacis

Friday, December 6, 2013

Five on Friday- Tis the season to be Jolly!

{one}

Thanksgiving morning the husband and I woke up to ice and 19 degree weather to run our 2nd half marathon and we ROCKED it. My lips were numb and I literally couldn't talk, my camel back was frozen, but I did not stop and shaved 10 minutes of my time. I completed the course in 2:17 and my husband killed it with 2:02!!


{two}

We also hosted thanksgiving, it was awesome, everything tasted amazing and went off without a hitch. I still can't believe it is December. Our lights are up and our tree. We went fake this year, but every bit as awesome!!


{three}

We had our christmas edition pinterest party this week and made these cute wood christmas signs, hand painted!! Mine is the "Tis the Season to be Jolly" one



{four}

Our elf, Sparkles, was introduced to the kids, they still don't get it, but they are getting to know one another without touching each other of course and this week Sparkles delivered cookies from the North Pole for us to decorate. Such fun!



{five}

Oh. My. Gosh. Do I need this weekend. Wrapping, cleaning, finish addressing Christmas cards and so much more. Oh and baking a million coookies! It is going to be a busy one, but as always a great one. Cheers to December Ya'll!



THE GOOD LIFE BLOG


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Mommy's Christmas Wish List

I can't believe we are already 3 days into December, wow! This year has flown and the past few months especially. Christmas is almost here and I am doing pretty well with my shopping, would say I am 90% done and starting to wrap them.  I am getting super excited, but still have so much to do like getting our cards out, baking, baking and more baking.  I thought I would join in on some of the Christmas Wish List fun, so I am starting with some of my wish list items for this year.



1. Victoria Secret Satin PJ's
2. Gap G fast Leggings
3. Victoria Secret Loafers
4. Gap Jacket

Some other items I am hoping are waiting for me on Christmas morning are brown boot polish (haha), a new personalized iphone cover, maybe some new jeans and I always love an annual christmas ornament.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Today, I mourn the loss of my biggest crush

So we all know at this point that Paul Walker passed away tragically this weekend and I am sure some of you are tired of hearing all about it, but we all have our celebrity crushes and he was on the very top of my list.  For any of you out there in the 25- early thirties, you probably grew up watching his movies, I know I did and the Fast series have been some of my all time favorites.

Not only have I enjoyed watching his dreamy blue eyes on the big screens, but I have also heard him in interviews several times and let me tell you, Paul Walker seems like a really down to earth guy, despite his fame.  It is so sad that him and his friend passed away, the way that they did, so close to their families.

This just goes to show you life is short, it can happen to any of us at any moment despite good health, happiness, or anything else. Tragedy happens, it is scary and although he was just a dreamy crush, it hit home because he is someone who is famous, who stays out of the public eye, who lives a pretty private life considering and while hosting a charity event, he took a joy ride in a fast car, probably just around the block, and now he is gone, just like that and while I will miss seeing his movies, his family and friends are going to miss him more and for them I pray. For all the people out there dealing with tragedies, I pray.  I also pray that I never have to live through something as terrible as this.  It scares me deeply.


Sunday, December 1, 2013

House Tour- part 1

So I am starting a series of posts that I have seen on other blogs and that I have enjoyed- My House Tour. I am starting with one of the most special rooms in my home, my baby boy's room.  This room started as Gianna's room and we just kept everything in place and switched out the bedding to the boy version. When you walk in you see the crib and the teddy bear decal above it. I always loved teddy bear's when I was little and I love that I was able to incorporate them into my kids nursery.


On the wall next to the crib, we had some newborn photos made into canvases. One is a collage of all his little baby parts- Mouth, Hands, Feet, face, etc.




Excuse the mess here, this is real life, wrapped christmas pictures on the dresser and all, lol.


Above the chest of drawers is a boston terrier photo that we picked up in Chicago with a starry night behind it. The chair is the Pottery Barn Grand Glider and is super spacious and comfortable. 




And here is a peak into his bathroom, simple white and jungle theme.