Denver and San Diego

June and July have been very busy months for us. Mike’s brother got married in Denver, CO and we went on a work trip/vacation to San Diego for a week. Mike was there for work but we ended up staying the weekend for a little vacation. I really fell in love with San Diego. It reminded me of back home…Chicago. It is so amazing how you have ocean (lake in Chicago) a few blocks from high rises. We had so much fun. It was also nice just focusing everyday on Mia and fun activities instead of housework etc. But like some people say a “trip” is with your kids. A “vacation” is with your significant other. I thought it was pretty darn close. Mia is a great traveler!

Mia and her cousin, Blake playing. Cuties!

The groom!

Mia and her uncle, Joe. She was the flower girl!

Hiking! Mia loved the hike. She didn’t make a peep the whole time. Just lots of smiles.

San Diego view from our balcony! I recommend staying at the Marriott Marina Marquis. It was a gorgeous hotel and in walking distance to EVERYTHING fun! They even have shuttles that will take you to the zoo, water parks, etc.

San Diego New Children's Museum. Amazing museum! Mia fell asleep in her stroller right after and mommy and daddy got an hour of R&R by the pool!

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Blogger 411: Link-up!

I am linking up with From Mrs. To Mama and telling a little bit more about myself! What a great way to find other blogs around here. So go link-up! There are lots of fun questions, but I chose to answer just a few because toddler is waking.

My family and I are in San Diego for the week and I am blogging from our hotel room. Baby is napping and my husband is here for work. Mia and I are enjoying this beautiful city! I will blog about our adventures towards the end of the week!

Questions

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed? I have been blogging on and off for a little over a year. I say on and off because sometimes life gets in the way and I choose to do other things than blog (like watch the real housewives, etc.) hehe or….clean. But my sister and I are starting a fashion blog which will be really fun. She has an insane closet and we just have to document it. Here is a preview! My beautiful sis and one of her many dresses.

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study? Yes! I went to Loyola University Chicago. I love Chicago and it was so fun living in the city.

3. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy? Retail space to start a bake shop/boutique.

4. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea? Wine. I love a crisp white wine especially in the summer. Pinot Grigio, Sav Blanc. They are all my friends.

5. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time? Workout, girls night, reading, watching Bravo.

6. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be? Neimans. Chanel Bag among other treasures. I love the idea of investing in pieces to one day hand down to my daughter.

Source: weheartit.com via Kristina on Pinterest

 

7. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years? High School: Hair Salon Receptionist. College and Post: Chicago Steakhouse hostess, Public Relations Intern, Software Trainer

8. Show us a picture from high school or college. Some of my best high school girlfriends.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go? Italy, France, Spain

10. Show us the most current picture of you or you and your family. Love my little family!

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SAHM Confessions

I have to laugh at myself some days to stay sane. Since being a stay-at-home mom my view of the job has changed completely. It is greatly underappreciated, underrated, often criticized, and largely misunderstood. I actually had a girl about my age who wasn’t married and no babies say to me…”wow a SAHM sounds so glamorous, you must be able to workout and get your nails done a lot.” HUH? I felt like I was slapped in the face. The last time I had my nails done was before a wedding and workout? Yea, you try throwing a 15-month old in the gym daycare and see how it goes for you. Ok,I’ll step off my proverbial soapbox now. But not until I share some random confessions.

Sometimes…

• I only have time to shave one leg.
• I run my tongue over my teeth to see if I brushed them that day.
• I tear up when a certain toddler song plays and Mia starts dancing.
• I count the minutes until naptime.
• I count the minutes until bedtime.
• I forgot a nursing cover and whipped my boob out in front of strangers at the park maybe on the airplane, in the airport, at church. Yep, no shame!
• If I wasn’t a wino before, I am now.
• I don’t miss my corporate job one bit.
• I do miss the money, although meager.
• My daughter pooped in the bathtub this week and I picked it up with my bare hands.
• I let my daughter play with large sex saying dice. (I got it as a gag gift for my bachelorette).
• I secretly love being a SAHM.

That’s all for today folks! Hopefully I’ll have some more gems next time!

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ABC’s of Me

I have seen these posts going around in the blogosphere…

A. Age: 28.

B. Bed size: Queen.

C. Chore you dislike: Making the beds. I know it makes the room look nice and I do it every morning, but can’t help to think it will get messed up again at the end of the day.

D. Dogs: No. And not anytime soon. The shedding hair, I couldn’t do it.

E. Essential start to your day: Shower. Decaf coffee.

F. Favorite colors: Pink, navy, grey, orange.

G. Gold or silver: I love rose gold and silver.

H. Height: 5'2.

I. Instruments you play(ed): None. I took piano lessons as a kid..does that count?

J. Job title: Currently SAHM, soon to be part-time working mom.

K. Kids: Mia, 15 months.

L. Live: California dreamin’

M. Mom’s name: Mary.

N. Nicknames: Kris.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Giving birth to Mia.

P. Pet peeves: lackadaisical people. Bad manners.

Q. Quote from a movie: There’s too many out there! Anything from Clueless I guess…

R. Righty or lefty: Righty.

S. Siblings:  Sister, 27.

T. Time you wake up: 7:30. 8:00. Waking up earlier now that Mia is sleeping better at night.

U. Underwear: Hanky Panky lowrise thongs, sooo comfy! When they go on sale I stock up!

V. Vegetables you don’t like: None really. Wish I could say the same for Mia.

W. What makes you run late: My hair.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Teeth.

Y. Yummy food you make: Italian food. Pasta. Meatballs. Crockpot concoctions.

Z. Zoo animal you like: Pandas.

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The Time We Slept Through the Night

Mia, my darling you are finally sleeping in your own crib…after 15 months! We are so proud of you. You slept through the night last night! A whole 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep. We love you so much.

I’m writing this post for all you googlers out there who type “15 month old still waking every two hours.” “15 month old won’t sleep in crib.” “15 month old still nursing to sleep.” I have googled these sentences every month of Mia’s life since she was 6 months old. Co-sleeping wasn’t working for us anymore. Nursing to sleep wasn’t working. It was time for Mia to sleep in her own crib and stay there ALL night. This was for her safety and our sanity. We have tried other methods, which I failed because I felt like they were too hard or cruel or just not working. Sometimes it would take me up to two hours getting her to sleep with the no cry method.

So this is what we did. I will get down to it. Straightforward.

First find one or two “lovies.” Transitional objects as the experts call them. They work. But in this way. After your bedtime routine—bath, books, bottle, whatever you do. Look your child in the eye and explain the two lovies. “Mia, here is puppy dog and baby lion they are going to watch over you tonight and sleep with you. They will protect you all night. They love you so much and I love them too.” Something along those lines and say it over. Then say “I am going to put baby lion and puppy dog in your crib. The crib is where you are going to sleep with them, ok?” Believe it or not toddlers do understand a lot more then we think. At this point your toddler may get a little upset, but that’s usually a good sign because they are listening! After you put the lovies in the crib, put your toddler in the crib and give her a big hug and sing a soft song if you wish. The “wheels on the bus” worked for us. Then say goodnight and walk out of the room! There may be tears, but let it happen. If you want, and if they aren’t already asleep after 15 minutes or so go back in and see if they need a diaper change, etc. If not sing again and then leave the room. Mia hugged her puppy dog and went to sleep all on her own!

Now, if your toddler is stubbornly sweet as mine they will wake up again after an hour or two. Let them cry for a bit or walk really slowly to their room. In the past I would run into Mia’s room when she would give the slightest whimper. Now, she fusses for a few minutes and is off to sleep. Do this same routine every night! I hope it works as well for you as it did for us.

I thought I would be a bad mother by letting her cry. I thought I had failed by not putting this into practice earlier on. If you want a change, you the parent has to implement it. You aren't a bad parent for wanting some sleep at night. It’s best for everyone involved. A few nights of crying are worth it in the long run. Trust me. I promise, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

P.S. For all you new mothers to be or mothers with newborns I suggest you ditch all the doctor sleep books and purchase Bringing Up Bebe. Skip to the chapter “doing her nights”--I wish I had known about this earlier!

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