Anniversary Advice

In honor of our 2 years of "wedded bliss", I thought I'd put together a little list of advice based on what we have found makes our marriage work. I know quite a few of my lady friends from back home are in long term relationships and on the verge of engagements or are newly cohabiting, so I'm thinking some of this may strike a chord with some of you. Obviously we are no experts over here, but things do run pretty smoothly in La Casa de M, so here are some of our secrets to success....

1. Separate Bathrooms. This is completely serious. I use the bathroom in our master bedroom (which is super small and would be exhausting to share) and D takes the hall bathroom as his own. We keep all of our shower things and toiletries separate...and unless we have guests, things run seamlessly. Now, I know this won't work forever, but I expect that when we do start to share, we will have a double sink and room for more than one person in the room at a time.

2. Find out who is good at what, and put it to use. 9 times out of 10 you will find D vacuuming. He enjoys it...really, he does...and who am I to get in his way? I cook. Yes, he will contribute too (he's the pancake and grill master!), but I actually have come to really love my adventures in the kitchen and he stays out of the way for the most part. He washes and cleans out our cars. Both of them. I take care of the organizing of Grace's room and closet. Random things like that have become his or mine and then there are also things we enjoy doing together. I love that D is into golf...I'm more of a putt-putt kind of girl myself. That doesn't mean we can't support the other person in things they enjoy...before Grace came along we would go golfing together and he would drive the ball to the green where I would putt it in! It was hilarious and we each had our strong points.

3. Have mutual hobbies. It makes the things you love so much more fun when you have someone you love to do them with. One of the first things we did together when we started dating was go on a run on one of my favorite outdoor trails. Working out and trying to be healthy is something that is great to have as common ground. It is motivating too! D can push me when I need it and I try to do the same. I especially love when it comes to family activities like playing outside and talking about things we can get Grace involved in once she is older. We make a pretty good team. I'd like to think we could take most other couples if some sort of physical competition were to arise. ;) How random is it that I think of things like that?

4. Have separate hobbies. Time apart is essential. There is nothing worse than a wife who is all up in her husbands business and has nothing else to talk about when interacting with other women. Have your own life! Enjoy time alone to read, or run, or be crafty, or read blogs online (haha)! Just because you are married doesn't mean that you should lose your identity as an individual.

5. Learn how to fight. When D and I first started dating we fought like cats and dogs. It was tumultuous to say the least...I felt like I never knew what little thing would become a big issue next and once it did I had trouble wrapping my head around why things escalated into full scale war between us so quickly. Obviously there was something we liked about each other, because we kept coming back for more. Eventually, we figured out that we sucked at communicating with each other when we were angry. I don't need to breakdown the specifics here, but with time we learned how to get our points across without blowing things out of proportion. We definitely still know how to push each other's buttons, but truthfully, we almost never argue anymore. Bicker? Sure. That's normal in any cohabiting situation I would guess. It's only been two years...we're still coming to terms with the fact that I have a messy closet and he still leaves the toilet seat up. ;)

6. Apologize. I don't remember the specifics of when or how this started, but after a period of the aforementioned bickering, D looked me square in the eye and said "Apologize", with a twinge of a smile. Almost like, "Give it up, this is stupid." We both end up laughing and moved on, but it has sort of become our thing now if we have a disagreement. The best is when you know you are wrong, but you get the other person to apologize first. Either way, we try to end any disagreement with a smile, not purposely, it just sort of happens that way.

7. Work together in the hard times. Being married, moving your life, having a child...things are not always rainbows and butterflies. Working together through the rough spots make coming out of them so much sweeter. It doesn't have to be a huge, dramatic reason. Grace getting horribly sick a few weeks ago was a simple reminder of how sticking together makes the sucky times suck a little less. Plus, doesn't misery love company? When Grace was a newborn and I was up at 3 am pumping away, I seriously loved having D there feeding Grace a bottle and swaddling her back up for bed while I got things in order for the next wake up call.

8. Celebrate together in the good times. Seriously. Celebrate everything. It makes life so much more fun. We still do this now, but did more so prior to becoming parents. Enjoy the time you have with just each other and don't rush into the parent thing. It will happen eventually and be wonderful on so many more levels, but you never get that newly-married couple time back, so really take it in. Once you add to your family, let the celebrations continue! Little kids make everything cool again...like going overboard for parties and holidays. Just seeing how wide eyed Grace gets looking at lit up decor when we are out running errands makes me want to turn our house into a Winter Wonderland. Excessive much? ;)

That's all I have for now. I'm sure there is so much more (and better) advice that can be added. Anyone have anything to add to the list? I could use the advice too, seeing as I hope our marriage lasts at least another 2 years! Ha! Hope you enjoyed a little insight into our crazy lives together. :)

xo,
H

Overload

Well helloooo there! So, you know how I go through phases where I have nothing to blog about and leave this little page all lonely for days at a time?

Well, this is NOT one of those situations. :)

I'm in "blog idea overload" where I have so much to spill and don't even know where to start. A few things on my plate:

• Thanksgiving recap and menu/recipes
• OMG I chopped all my hair off...before and afters
• Weekend recap with random Black Friday purchases care of my husband and the easiest recipe ever
• Christmas/Holiday cards
• Anniversary Post (Our 2 year is TODAY!)
• New (Rental) house details/pics
• Holiday Plans
• Workout Post...updates, future plans

I think that is it for now, but as you can see, clearly more than I usually have going on. I have a feeling I'll have quite the full week of posts...and hopefully can continue the kick into next week. Maybe I'll really get my act together and do some planning ahead for during and after the move...not sure how long we will be without internet on our personal computers. 

Hope everyone's Monday is off to a great start!

xo,
H

Thankful

For the jobs that put food on our table and in our bellies,

For coworkers that turn into friends,

For friends that remain close, whether they live right around the corner or states away,

For a crockpot that can cook a turkey breast (Oh yes, I did...),

For a little girl whose toothy smile makes my heart swell every day,

For a husband who makes me laugh, roll my eyes, and feel so lucky to have met my match,

For two pups who keep us on our toes, active, and semi-clean...

For even you, Major. I'm feeling generous today. :)

For a little house we can call our first home,

For the fond memories that will come with us to our next duty station,

For new beginnings that are oh so close,

For wine that serves as a reward after a day spent cooking for 2.5 people (or really after any day...),

For a little family who makes my life so sweet...

For all those things I am especially thankful. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with the people you love most! To those of you spending the day apart from your loved ones, we are so thankful for their service and wish them a speedy return home.

xo,
H

14 Months

Gracie girl,

On Monday you turned 14 months old. Just like every month, this past one brought such fun and exciting things for you. The biggest milestone of all involved you walking! You actually started taking steps right before you turned 13 months, but in the last few weeks you've gone from steps to a full fledged little walker. In fact, you've also picked up some speed and I fully expect that we will be chasing you around by Christmas.

 You have 11 teeth...I want to say 12, but your last pesky one year molar is just barely starting to break through. I'm sure we will see it in all of it's chomping glory by next week. Now that you have so many teeth, eating has become quite an adventure. We never really know what you are going to want or what you'll turn your nose up to. I think your mac 'n cheese kick is finally winding down...which is exciting because isn't variety the spice of life?! You've enjoyed apple slices, cucumber, mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and have a new found love for yogurt that is so much fun to watch. Really I think it is because yogurt is easy for you to feed yourself (when I let you...mostly on bath nights!) and you won't imagine sitting down to a meal without your "big girl" utensils. You have gotten pretty good at using them too...although most nights they eventually find their way onto the floor. Like most things, when you are done, you just cast them aside...look at me wide eyed and say, "Uh oh!", like it was all a big accident. It's pretty cute...the first 3 or 4 times. ;)

Another new found love...teeth brushing...and you do it all by yourself. I'll sit you up on the sink and we'll brush our teeth together. Sometimes you are having such a great time you throw a fit when we have to put our tooth brushes away. Other times mommy is feeling generous and lets you bring your tooth brush on our car ride to daycare...where eventually it gets the "uh-oh" treatment and is relocated onto the floor with a variety of other car toys. In fact, this reminds me that we took a clementine (or "ball" as you say) with us today and it is still in the car somewhere...

Anything circular in shape is a ball. You point out the soccer balls that our next door neighbor keeps on their porch every morning and you try to steal the dogs rubber balls that they play fetch with when we go outside. At the grocery store you favor the produce section because apples, lemons, limes, cantaloupes...are all balls. 9 times out of 10 we come home with a lemon "ball" that you hold during our shopping trip to keep you entertained a few extra minutes.

Along with ball you have really taken up trying to copy words this month. You will point out animals in your books and say "That?", asking us to tell you what it is called. We will tell you and you will sometimes try to repeat. You are a very cute little bookworm. You also have started learning body parts. You can point out noses and belly buttons. You like to pull up peoples shirts to look for belly buttons...this gets awkward in public. Haha. My most favorite thing of all is when we ask if you have a belly button. You have to really lean forward and get your hands on your adorable little baby belly to see it for yourself!

Sometimes I worry about how sweet and sensitive you are. You get your feelings hurt easily. There have been a couple of times where we have moved something out of your reach, or taken away a pen that you were attempting to walk with (cue minor heart attack for mommy) and your bottom lip will pout and start to quiver, while you take deep breaths, trying to hold in big crocodile tears. This is the saddest, most adorable thing ever. I hate to see you upset, but you look so darn cute when you are. It's okay- I quickly scoop you up for snuggles and the tears stop almost immediately. You give hugs and kisses to daddy and I all the time and if I ask you for a kiss you lean in willingly and then give me a cute little smile. We LOVE this. Don't ever change.

You are getting more hair. Still not enough to put up in pig tails, but your little curls are getting longer in the back. During bath time (which you currently hate) your hair is all the way down to the bottom of your neck! Don't let your daddy's mullet jokes make you feel bad...he likes your curls even more than mommy does. :) You are in 18-24 month clothes, but we are starting to stock up on 2Ts. It will only be a matter of time. You are in size 4 diapers and size 5 shoes. You go through shoes faster than anyone I've ever met...a combination of growth and just playing them into the ground. Good thing your mommy enjoys shopping so much...

We won't be back at the doctors until your 18 month check-up, but I would guess you are still about 25 pounds and 32 inches. You can slow down anytime you want...mommy is having a hard time believing how quickly you have grown from a little 7 pound 12 ounce bundle of baby into such a beautiful, energetic toddler. You bring daddy and I so much joy...from the moment you literally pop-up with a smile in the morning until the minute we cuddle you back to bed at night, you have made our lives so much more exciting, adventurous, and full of love than we could have ever expected.

Can't wait to find out what surprises you will bring this month.

Love you baby girl,
Mommy

Oh hey there!

Hi! We're here still, I swear. No, the stomach plague didn't take us all down, we just enjoyed some family fun all weekend since D was back from the field!

We played outside, attempted to take pictures with the puppies and Grace at Hodges Garden, visited Santa for a picture on his lap that didn't happen, lazed around and ate pancake breakfasts, met up with friends for a dinner out, and worked to finalize details on a lease off-post at Benning, rather than on-post like we had originally planned.

Things are moving at 100 miles an hour over here, people. Just how we like it.

I'll be back more regularly for the rest of the week. Starting tomorrow. Here's a cute little pic from this weekend to hold you over...

She doesn't look like a baby anymore. :(
xo,
H

Oh what a night...

Yesterday got off to a pretty "blah" start. I felt nauseous and immediately diagnosed myself as pregnant (like a crazy person)...which should be near impossible right now. I knew I was being ridiculous. Later in the day when I realized I felt worse than I'd ever felt having morning sickness with Grace, I knew something else was up. I made it through the day, 7-up and saltines in hand and even managed to make a quick 30 minute Tabata Time class at the gym. Obviously things weren't too bad.

To end a blah day on a better note, I decided to grab a Green Tea Frapp on my way to pick up Grace from daycare and made the executive decision that we could have drive-thru mac 'n cheese and mashed potatoes for dinner. I wasn't feeling up to making anything and it was our last night without D at home, so I could totally pick up take out (which we rarely ever do) and get away with it.

Poor Grace had other plans. As soon as we got home she was a fussy mess, which sometimes happens after a long day of playing at daycare, but this was terrible. She refused to eat dinner, she stood up and wailed through her bath time, and all she wanted to do for the rest of the night was lay in my lap and have a bottle. So that's what we did.


Can you guess where this is going?

15 minutes later the projectile vomiting started....and it didn't stop until around 5 am this morning. After puke session number 4 resulted in me literally cutting my sports bra off of my body as to not have to lift it over my head, I waved the white flag and called D. He was able to come home with some pedialyte and join PukeFest2011. Yay.

By the way. You think trashing a sports bra is bad? I counter that with, "at least I didn't get vomit in my mouth" like someone I know. Yeah. It was a no good, very bad, awful kind of night. Temper tantrums between throwing up were included when she realized we wouldn't give her another bottle...because DUH, she'd throw it back up 5 minutes later.

Finally at 5:15 or so, we all managed to pass out in our bed...at this point sheets had been stripped, we were a few pillows down, and I fully expected to wake up with a face full of vom about 30 minutes later, but it never came. We made it to 7:30 am and Grace and I slowly started our morning with Mickey and a tiny amount of pedialyte for her, strong coffee with extra sugar for me.

We're both taking a sick day today. Both meaning Grace and I. D was back to work this morning after hardly any sleep and a quick discussion about last night being the worst we've had since Grace was born. I think it's safe to say any conversations about Baby 2 are currently on hold (even though we actually did agree on a time frame recently...more on this later). Also, I concede that there is NO way I could handle 2 children on a night like last night with him deployed and no family nearby. Between having to actually birth my child and a night like that, I would rather go through labor again.

Parenting: Not for the faint of heart.

xo,
H

P.S. What's funny is that in about 24 hours, after I've had a solid night's sleep, this will be no longer be a big deal and we will have hopefully started to forget about it. Also, I could absolutely man up and deal with things like this solo if D was deployed...I just don't think I want to right now.

On clothes/Pinterest obsession

The weekend involved some Pinterest perusing during nap times and after bed time. I am sort of becoming obsessed. I'm sure it will get worse when I have a house of my own to decorate.

For now I've really enjoyed looking at different outfit inspiration. Spoiler alert - my spending freeze accidentally went out the window. Oops.  One of the reasons I like it so much is that you can see on outfit, link to it on Polyvore, and then see a rundown of where each clothing item is from and direct links to their websites. This has become dangerous. See the set below?

Cute right? Well I have similar leopard flats (birthday money put to use...), and a brown belt and jeans, but I don't really have anything like that cute button down and remembered I saw it on the J.Crew Factory site (Read: Sale). A few clicks later and I own it. Now I just need a cardi in that gorgeous cinnamon color. The other deciding factor on the top was that you can see other outfits put together using it on Polyvore as well. Once I saw how versatile it could be, I was sold.

I need some sort of intervention (Pintervention?!), I think. But for now, or until D decides we should have joint bank accounts (haha), I think this is actually a pretty smart way to shop! (Everyone probably thinks I am crazy now.)

Does anyone else use Polyvore or copy other people's outfit inspiration? Am I just a weirdo? Fess up!

xo,
H