Momma "Minute" Monday

it's true that being a mom means a lot of running around, constantly changing diapers, wiping running noses, endless amounts of laundry, etc.

However, I think it's important to find time to relax, think, read a book, watch a favorite tv show, etc. It helps you unwind and gives you a chance to recharge.

One of my favorite morning weekday routines is the free time I have when Sophie (sometimes) takes a nap in the morning. The mornings can be pretty busy from the time we get up....there's milk to be drank, clothes to change, breakfast to make, and a lot of chasing after a fully energetic one year old.

Sophie usually goes down for a nap about 10am....just in time for me to make a cup of coffee and sit back while watching my morning indulgence....The Wendy Williams Show. I love the celebrity gossip and I think Wendy Williams is hilarious and fabulous.

Nothing helps me recharge like coffee, once in awhile biscotti and Wendy Williams.

What I Wore Wednesday

For Christmas, Dan got me this fabulous coat from Anthropology (no longer available...sorry) and at first I was hesitant if I liked it because it's so big and not fitted. But if I pair it with skinny jeans I absolutely love it! It's so warm and unique that I love it.

My apologies for the picture, it was a last minute "can-you-take-spic-real-quick-before-I-change-into-comfy-clothes kinda thing.

Step It Up (taking it to the streets)

Congrats to those that recognize the title of this post (hello fellow teen dance movie lovers!) This is my first Fitness Friday post!

One of my main goals is to lead an active lifestyle....rather than just have a generic goal of losing weight, exercising, eating healthy, etc. I'd prefer to just work on making fitness and health just an ordinary part of my everyday life.

Dan got me a Fitbit awhile ago and I've been using it everyday the past two weeks to really see how active I am throughout the day.

For those that don't know, a Fitbit is a small pedometer like device that tracks steps, calories burned, miles walked and then it wirelessly sinks up with your computer or phone to track progress. You can also enter foods eaten and active minutes of exercise to give you a picture of your fitness health each day.

The goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day. Before wearing the Fitbit I thought for sure I was walking at least 10,000 steps a day. After three days I realized I only average about 3,000 steps per day!! 

I really like the Fitbit because it's super small (I clip it onto my bra each morning when I get dressed) and it automatically sinks to the Fitbit App on my phone so I don't have to upload data, etc. 

So far it's been eye-opening at my lack of movement during the day and has also really helped me to fit in activities that help push me towards my goal of 10,000 steps a day. I started off at about 3,000 steps a day and now I am up towards the 5,000 steps a day mark. 

I better Get To Steppin'

Thankful Thursday

Today, as my commute took me just about 2 and 1/2 hours this morning, I am thankful for a car. I drove past many people in the city that were scurry about going to/from the subway, bus stops, etc. 

I'm so thankful to be able to sit in the comfort of my car with the heater on blast, my seat heater warming my booty, my podcast morning radio show playing and my cup of coffee. 

(photo courtesy of google images)

Trying to remember to enjoy and be thankful for the things in life we often take for granted.

Try It Tuesday

Let me just start off by saying: I do not consider myself a crafty person

Like most people, I often see something online (hello....pinterest) and think to myself "I could totally make that". Fast forward a few hours later and you'll find me covered in paint/glue/glitter/sawdust and on the verge of tears because I'm just not crafty.

However, that doesn't stop me from trying. Hence the "Try it Tuesday" category was born. My weekly dish on attempted crafts, recipes, etc. Be warned this includes the good, bad and the downright ugly.

Here is this week's inspiration:

This week's inspiration came from this website http://www.thecreativityexchange.com/2012/09/diy-gold-leaf-vase-how-to-paint-on-glass.html

I saw these gold leaf vases on the website and figured I'd give it a whirl. I had a bunch of large, plain glass vases sitting around and felt they could use some jazzing up.

Here is what I started with:

A plain glass vase, valspar metallic gold spray paint (at any local hardware store) and painters tape.



I placed the painter's tape on each vase where I wanted to clear lines of the design to be. I then filled up the center of each vase with newspaper just to keep any extra spray paint out of the inside of the vase, then wrapped the top with paint.


Then you just go to town spray painting the areas not covered by the tape.

Let it dry for a few minutes and peel off the tape....viola....cute gold vases. 

 Pretty easy...cheap and fast to make. I think this one was a WIN!

Bye Bye Baby (Momma Monday)

On Saturday, our little Sophie turned the big O-N-E! I am still amazed even as I type that out. She is no longer a baby and we've now officially moved on to "toddler". Someone get me some tissue (and a glass of wine)...I can't believe it.

In lieu of a big birthday party bash, Dan and I decided we'd rather celebrate her birthday with our little (but mighty) family...just the 3 of us. At first I felt a little guilty about not having some big, most likely pinterest-inspired birthday bash with all our family and friends but we had such a great time celebrating her birthday in a more intimate manner that I now know that foregoing a party was the right decision for us.

We really tried to plan the day to be "sophie-inspired". We went to a children's museum in Berkley called Habitot....super cute place with all these different themed areas for kids to play. Sophie had a blast. Then we went to an early dinner and came home for cake and presents. 

Looking back over the past 365 days of being a mom, I've really learned a lot and come to terms with many things about being a parent that used to bother me. It'a  melancholy celebration, I'm excited to have survived (and I think thrived) the first year of parenting and am looking forward to each day that comes, but it's kinda sad to think this year flew by so fast. 

Here are just a few things off the top of my head that I have learned the past year....

1. Every single cliche about how much you love your child from the moment they are born are 100% true! It's unexplainable

2. I never thought I could talk so much or have so many conversations revolve around poop

3. Tough as it is, I'm coming to terms with the fact that Sophie is going to get hurt. Nothing major, but she constantly gets scrapes, cuts, bruises, bumps her head, falls down, etc. But that's how she learns. I can tell her a million times not to climb onto the Sophie, but nothing quite works as well as her stumbling when she tried it and then she never does it again.

4. I feel no shame in admitting there are days when I pretend I have to go to bathroom simply so I can lock myself in a room for 5 minutes for some peace and quiet. 

5. I couldn't have survived without family and friends babysitting Sophie. As hard and as scary as it is to leave your kids for the first (and second, and third and fourth) time, I think taking time to still have strong relationship with dan (such as date night) has made us better parents. And now Sophie is great at having family/friends watch her.

6. Those designer purses that I used to covet now get left home a lot in place of a diaper bag that doubles as a purse or that expensive purse now holds bibs, pacifiers, cheerios and misc toys. 

7. Everyone has an option  of how they think you should raise your child. Most mean well (i.e. family that is only trying to help) but strangers are pushy. Sometimes you just have to smile, say thank you, then call up your fellow mom friends and vent about what a stranger just told you.

8. Cheerios are a god-send!!

Content Chaos

I always had a hard time when sitting down and trying to think of what to post about each day (er.....each day is wishful thinking! more like each month). So, in order to really help me organize my thoughts I thought I'd try something new.

I'm going to try and following the weekly topic schedule below....
Momma Mondays
- My chance each week to dedicate to all things related to being a mom

Try It Tuesday
- Dedicated to posting about a new recipe I've tried, pinterest inspired craft project, new product, etc.

What I Wore Wednesday
- Outfit post of an outfit I put together that week that I liked or simply something to ensure I put some thought into my outfits on my stay-at-home mom days

Thankful Thursday
- A sounding board designed to simply ensure I am taking the time each week to reflect on the positive and truly give thanks for something that week

Fitness Friday
- Update on any nutrition/fitness related topics. Health is important people!!

I hope this outline helps me keep up with this blog. I'd love to hear your thoughts or any feedback as I go thru a couple weeks.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Xoxox