Turing 28... Wasn't So Great...

So, I'm back, finally! All the travels have been put on hold for a few weeks, so I finally have time to get back to my bloggy. Yesterday was my big birthday... another year closer to 30- yikes. I decided to give you all a rundown of my birthday weekend. Let this be a great example of why making plans are usually a waste. 

This past Friday (6/6) I planned a small birthday dinner, I had sweet friends come in from out of Lexington, my sister traveled up from Knoxville, and hubs and I got my mom to watch Baby Girl overnight. I was SO EXCITED. Harper had been battling an ear infection... the same one from 3 weeks prior... and had a small fever earlier that day. The fever broke, the ear infection seemed in control, and mama needed a night out. I got all dressed up HUGE DEAL and we headed out the door. 

We made it to dinner, had a great time with laughs and long stories, then I got THE phone call. My mom called and told us we needed to come get Harper, she was throwing up and running a fever. Cue the dramatic flip out by yours truly. Our amazing friends picked up the dinner tab so we could rush out. We got to my mom's and decided that it was best to take her to the ER and have her get looked at by another doctor. This was all around 10pm. When we got to the hospital Harper's fever was 104.8... to say that was scary is an understatement. We were seen by an amazing doctor who said she had been misdiagnosed with her latest ear infections and actually had an upper respiratory infection. (They look the same in babies) 

AT 3AM WE FINALLY LEFT THE HOSPITAL. So in all fairness, Harper did want to make sure I got a full night out for my birthday celebration. The rest of the weekend was spent nursing Stinker back to health. Today is her last day on the antibiotic and she is just a spoiled as ever. Although my birthday was ruined, having a healthy baby was the best gift I could have gotten. 

The only picture from my birthday extravaganza.

Snuggled up with Boo on a hospital bed. 

Catch Up!

It's been so long since I've tended to my sweet bloggy, I don't even remember my last post! Yikes!! So since Easter Weekend, we celebrated my first Mother's Day, went to North Carolina, Boo Bear got pink eye in both eyes, an ear infection and croup. We haven't had much going on except for life!! Here are some pictures of the past month. I promise to catch you all up more, but probably not for another couple weeks. May has been a whirlwind of a month but I wanted to check in and let you know I'm alive and well... just sleep deprived, on family overload, and a little crazier. :) 

Hubs and me at my cousin's Confirmation

Sweet Girl at the Confirmation. She was not feeling

the greatest. 

Us with the Confirmandant

Boo Bear and her namesake, my Gram :)

At a petting zoo on Mother's Day (full post to come)

It was almost 90 degrees outside. Boo was soaked in 

water, not sweat ;)

My whole reason for being. She's the best in the world

even when she's cranky. 

It's been a crazy few weeks, well over a month since I've blogged. I promise as summer progresses I will write more. I hope all my sweet readers (all 3 of you) have had a great start to the late spring/ summer seasons. Pools open this weekend, Yay!!!

Grateful

So last night I made this my facebook status: "I'm always tired, constantly covered in baby goop, and usually don't have time to blow dry my hair. That being said, I have a beautiful, smart, and healthy baby girl that I would do anything for and a husband that has embraced my new sweatpants wardrobe. I've definitely hit the jackpot in being blessed."

Everything about this status is true. I neglected to mention; I haven't dusted in I don't know how long, I only spot clean my house now, and I often opt to spend time with my little family during the week instead of doing dishes. The laundry is piling up (both clean and dirty) but I am so happy I could care less. 

Welcome to parenthood, readers. I would love to have a spotless house, I often envy the pictures I see on Instagram and FB of peoples' beautiful houses while I have a list of important things I would like to get done. Spring cleaning and de-cluttering desperately need to happen in my house, but I keep putting it off. And wouldn't you? When your baby girl wants to be by your side and play with you, cleaning can wait. I personally am so happy living in my den of clutter with my little family. 

Yesterday I saw this article about a baby, a nine month old little boy, who can't open his mouth. Doctors are baffled by this poor little boy and my heart broke. I have this amazing, healthy little girl at home and I sometimes worry about what people will think of our house or what we have? That is so dumb. So yes, my house is a mess, I drive a Honda, my clothes are usually discounted and messy looking (I do clean up nicely), I rarely dress for my husband (he insists he loves my sweats), my kid sometimes stays up all night, and I couldn't be happier. To say that I am so grateful for this life is an understatement. I am so blessed and happy. 

One day I'll get our house presentable. I probably should sooner rather than later since Stinks is mobile. But for now, I'll just keep looking at those pictures of clean houses and compare them to my little clutter castle and smile. Our house is lived in, it's a home, and the stories the walls could tell are enough for me. 

I'm stepping off the soap box for now. I just want other mommies to see this and realize that as long as our babies are being loved, cared for, and are happy we can't be doing a bad job. A lot of us are taking on 2 full time jobs and when we come home after being away from our babies all day, it's perfectly fine to neglect folding that dryer full of clothes for some snuggles. Folding clothes, having to clean, and doing dishes will ALWAYS be there, the time our kids want us around all the time will be gone before we know it. Ugh!

This Past Weekend...

Was HUGE in our house... Boo started crawling! I am trying to figure out how to post the video, but I'm technologically dumb so once I figure it out I promise an adorable crawling baby movie. Until then, here are some Easter pics. Easter is pretty laid back in my fam. My little fam (Hubs, Harper, and myself) went to church then lunch at a Mexican restaurant. After lunch we went home for a hot minute and went to my grandma's and then Hubs' aunt's house. It was a long day but it was a great one. Although I failed at all my Lenten promises this year, the importance of yesterday was not lost on anyone in my little fam. 

We also celebrated Stink Bug turning 8 months old. 

She was over the picture taking portion of the day. 

I hope you all had an amazing day yesterday! Spring has finally sprung in the Bluegrass!

Flashback Friday!

I've been slacking on my #tbt posts so I decided to throw in a little #fbf today. I'll treat you all to pictures of my awkward youth. Thank me later ;)

If this video loads, it's baby Harper

kicking the beejesus out of my stomach!

I was an 80s baby through and through. Happy Friday!

All About Me

I figured I've been doing this bloggy thing for about a month now and I should let you all in on some random facts. I know most of my readers know that I love all things Maryland, the beach, my husband, and baby girl. I feel like I owe you all more than that. So here you go 20 random facts about me.

1. I love Bruce Springsteen. Like I'm totally obsessed. I've seen Bruce 11 times in concert. I've gone as far as Washington, DC to see him (and family). 
2. I've met Bruce Springsteen. Thanks to my bestest friend, Lauren, I stalked him down at his daughter's horse show and got a kiss on the cheek and this picture: 

3. I've been on "Ellen" at the Inauguration for Obama, I was dancing. It was awesome. 

4. I had my chance to meet the President before he became the President. It didn't work out, but I still got to stand on stage behind him and because of that I can now say I was within spitting distance of Barack Obama (woo!)

5. I love my job. I work in Admissions for my Alma Mater, Transylvania University.

6.  My gram is my best friend. She and I are ridiculously close. I can't imagine my life without her. 

7. I've been with my hubs for over 10 years.

8. I took way too long to graduate college.

9. I'm a proud member of Chi Omega Fraternity

10. Because of number 9 I force all owls on my daughter (legacy)

11. My sister is my other best friend. She lives up the street from me. Not for much longer

12. I've known my best friend (not by blood) since we were 6. We transferred into grade school 4 months apart. All total flukes. 

13. My husband and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and talk about going back almost daily. 

14. I used to still do say I would be on SNL when I grew up. I idolize the women that have been on that show. 

15. I majored in history in college.

16. I do nothing related to my degree now, other than enjoy it. 

17. Gettysburg, PA is one of my favorite places in America.

18. Harper came 11 days early... I loved her impatience. 

19. I took a personality test and my top trait is "Woo" it means I have an easy time making people love me... hehe

20. I am the oldest of 20 grandchildren. I like to run the show. 

So there you have it. 20 facts about me. More to come on another day. Also, one more day until the "Scandal" finale. Fun fact #21: I LOVE "SCANDAL"

Anniversary!

Hi my sweet friends! I am sorry I've taken some time off. I just haven't been in the place to write lately. Nothing too shocking... just sheer laziness. :) I'm finally back today with the mindset to make an honest effort to write more AND to wish my amazing hubs a happy anniversary. We've been married for 2 years today (together for over 10.. yikes) and I can't think of a better way of letting him know how appreciative I am of him other than blasting it all over the interwebs for the world to see. Monks, I love you more and more each day and I am so SO blessed to be your wife. You have been an amazing husband, my best friend, and the best daddy Harper could ever ask for. You keep your divas so happy. We love you. So in order of celebration I'm going to give everyone a little flash back of what our first 2 years of wedded bliss have entailed! Enjoy ;)

Lately...

Lately I've been crazy busy. It's all been good but I definitely took a "Spring Break" from my bloggy friends. I actually wrote a blog last week because I had HUGE news: Boo Bear has learned how to talk, everyone! She said "Dada" last Sunday and followed up with "Mama" this past Saturday. It is seriously the cutest noise I've ever heard in my life. I think it's safe to say she is going to be a chatter box like her momma. Click here for a preview of Miss Harper chattering away. 

In other news, yesterday, I actually broke out of my mommyhood for a hot minute and went to celebrate my friend, Chioma's bridal shower! It was so great being able to catch up with my sweet friend that I don't see enough. 

The beautiful bride and me! Don't you love her outfit?

She is truly the biggest fashionista I know!

How cute is this cupcake display?! They were as delicious as they look!

Lastly, it's March Madness time! My bracket got completely destroyed this weekend. Like I'm still kind of fuming about it. I may have thrown a fit when Hubs' beloved Kentucky won last night! Oops. I hope everyone else is enjoying the end of basketball season and all the craziness that comes with it! I am personally a little excited to go out this coming weekend with the BBN being out in full swing praying for number 9. Have a great week. I promise my life is more interesting than it seems. Last week was just a normal hectic life of a mommy! 

#tbt

It's my favorite time of the week, everyone! #Throwbackthursday. While I'm sitting in my cubicle loving the view of Stinker and Hubs' pictures I have everywhere there is one view I am missing today.... A HAWAIIAN VIEW! Hubs and I went to Hawaii in April 2012 for our honeymoon. While I hate the flight I threw 2 major tantrums in air on the way back I did love Honolulu, world famous Waikiki Beach, Hilton Hawaiian Village and most importantly a romantic week long trip with my hubs. Seriously, if there are any families, couples, or single gals looking to book a trip, look at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was amazing. I shopped daily there and we never had to leave the resort for any meal. I am dreaming about it right now. Ladies- there were luxury stores on site such as Louis Vuitton! We were just a half mile away from a great shopping and restaurant strip in Honolulu, I referred to it as Honolulu Rodeo Dr. Of course we saw Pearl Harbor and paid our respects to the men who lost their lives for our country but other than that we were resort bums and LOVED every minute of it. Hawaii was magical and I can't wait to escape there with Hubs for our 5 year anniversary (it's in our 5 year plan... if I keep saying it will happen it will.. just let me think that :)). Anyways, enjoy the pics as I sit here and day dream about the Hawaiian air from my Kentucky cubicle. 

This was the night of the Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian 

Village :)

There were beautiful rainbows all over Hawaii. This was at

Pearl Harbor.

You all.. .I present you Hilton Hawaiian 

Village. Take in all the beauty!

My stud muffin of a hubby. He's the best.

These precious penguins were at our hotel.

We saw them daily while walking to the beach!

How amazing are these trees?!

Part of the USS Arizona. It is still leaking oil to this day.

The memorial over the USS Arizona.

The USS Arizona memorial. I can't really explain how sad

Pearl Harbor actually is. I felt weird smiling in pictures there. 

It's a very somber place, the magnitude of death and hurt is still

felt today. I haven't had a chance to go to Ground Zero yet, but I 

imagine it's the same feeling. I am honored as an American and

a history lover to have been able to go to Pearl Harbor. 

Side note: Hilton Hawaiian Village hasn't paid me a dime or offered me anything for this post. I really was just that in love with it! Again if you're planing a trip to Oahu, I can't stress how much I love it! Hilton Hawaiian Village

Working Out: The Struggle is Real

So I have been pretty low key and boring lately. It may have something to do with the fact that my Stinker won't let me sleep more than 3 hours at a time. Did I mention she's almost 7 months old?! At this rate I figured I would get my 8 hours back. I haven't. Other than that I haven't been very exciting. I've been doing horrible at keeping my Lenten promises, I've been to the gym once and have eaten meat like 6 or 7 times. It sucks. I suck. Oh well. I'm also human. On that note, today's post: working out. 

Yesterday I decided to get my butt in the gym. I literally only had time to run a not so fast mile, but progress is progress. I'm planning on doing a spring tri in September so I need to get on my swim- run- bike game. Hopefully the weather will permanently turn into Spring in the Bluegrass and I can get outside to train. To be honest, working out isn't easy for me. To say I hate it would be an understatement. My sister loves fitness, I strive to be her, but come up very short. It could be that the exhaustion has taken over my body, it could be that I have 1 hour for lunch and I have to choose to eat or workout and usually eating (and socializing) takes priority, it could be that if I wait until the end of the day, the guilt builds up that I'm not home snuggling Boo Bear for the few hours I get with her before bed. It could be all those things combined. At the end of the day, I need to do this for myself. I have noticed my self esteem is horrible. I look at myself and hate what I see. I need to make the change and I am. Today. I feel like if I write it on the blog, I'll have all my non- existent readers to hold me accountable. 

Anyways, I wanted to get some writing in today. I wanted to vent my struggle because for some, the struggle is VERY real when it comes to working out. I hope that I can become a better, healthier version of myself. I still have this damn baby weight plaguing my thighs and stomach. It's almost bathing suit season and even though I'll be working a one piece suit thanks melasma line I need to be able to have a body that will still turn my hubs head. :) Happy Tuesday everyone. I promise #tbt and my other Thursday post will be a little better. I'm lagging here. 

#tbt

For #throwbackthursday today I am going to throw back to my FAVORITE places in the whole wide world: Cherry Grove Beach and My Maryland. This girl is a Maryland girl (and OBNOXIOUSLY proud of it). I visit any chance I get. I love hanging out with my cousins, Gram and Bob, sight seeing the same sights over and over again, and just relaxing. Being from Maryland is the biggest blessing in my life. I truly believe it shaped me into the person I am today foul mouth and all and beam with pride anytime there is something positive written about my home. If you ask me where I'm from I tell you Maryland without blinking. Then when you ask how long I live in Kentucky, again without blinking I'll tell you 21 years. It doesn't matter to me. I've never claimed to have roots in Kentucky, Kentucky is just where I live, Maryland is home. I have my amazing little family in Kentucky, but if I had it my way (and believe me I try) my happy little family would ship up to Maryland and continue setting our roots. So here are my Maryland #tbt pics!

I have a million pictures I could add, but these are my most precious. I love my family so much, it's ridiculous! Now onto the second installation of my #tbt post: Cherry Grove! Ever since I was born (literally 6 weeks old was my first beach trip) we've gone to Cherry Grove (NMB) every year. Sometimes as a huge family, sometimes just my fam and hubs, sometimes just hubs and our friend Austin. It's always amazing. The memories make for years of laughter and sometimes tears. It is my piece of Heaven. I have been to Hawaii (I loved it so SO much) and I know there are more glamorous beaches but when given the chance to getaway, I will always chose NMB. I love it there. So here are pics from past vacations. Again, there are a million pics I could post but here are some of my favorites over the years! I can't lie, I'm dreaming of Smith Family Vacay today when it's a blistering 19 degrees outside!!! 

All of the cousins! There are 20 of us!