Sunday Social.

1. What is the most difficult thing you have been through? Losing my Pop.  I truly believed that man would live forever.  The day that we got the phone call that he was being put on hospice, I was in shock.  I didn't believe it.  The only thing that weakened the blow was having him with us for the last month of his life.  There wasn't anything left unsaid, on either parts.  It will be two years on July 30th, and it oddly feels like it's been an eternity since he's been gone, but I also can't believe that it has been that long already.  Make sense?  I still have voicemails from him that I play regularly.  The happiness in his voice helps take the sting away.

2. What was your best birthday? I've had a bunch of really great ones, but I'd say my 30th has been the best so far.  It's the first one I've celebrated with BOTH of my girls, and then had a great night out with my family and friends.  I may also be partial to it because I am loving 30. 

3. What has been your favorite thing you've done in your own city? There's a couple that I can think of. 1) I love the 4th of July fireworks here.  They are so well done, and the town has a fun bad playing and slides and stuff for the kids. 2) There's a super exclusive golf club here in town, that like celebrities fly in to play on and this past month, we got to have dinner there (a work function for Hubs).  They had a cake from the Cake Boss (it was even filmed for the show), and the views were amazing.  It's fun to say that we've been there.  3) I love that we've found "our" little restaurant.  I used to always push Hubs to try new places and usually we weren't impressed.  So we stick to our favorite now. They know us by name, and have known us since before we were even engaged.

4. What is your idea of the perfect date night? Dinner and drinks, preferably on the water around sunset. With a live band.   

5. Have you ever been to a blogging conference? No.  And I don't plan on it any time soon.  The next chance I get at a getaway will be with my husband, a beach, and a big ole' umbrella drink!

That's A Good Plan.

We are now in the second week of preschool for Gwen, and {knock on wood} it's going great.

Last week, when leaving Gwen, we told her that we were "going to the store" and that we would be coming back for her right after.  She accepted our offer, and has been great since.

Today, when walking into her school she said to me...

"Mom, I'm going to school?"

"Yes, baby."

"And you go to the store?"

"Yup."

"Then I'll miss you, and then you come get me in a little bit?"

"Of course, I'll come get you in a little bit."

"Ok, Momma.  That's a good plan."

Ugh. Heart. Melt.

She's so excited to go, and I am excited to let her go, but it's nice to know that she's just excited to see me when I pick her up.  Good thing college is a loooong ways away, because I need to get it together before then!

Gwen celebrated her birthday at school today with cupcakes and Sophia the First party napkins that she picked out herself... and she was extra smiley when she walked out today.  She wore her birthday crown proudly, and was even more proud of the "I was a good helper today" pinned to her shirt.  

I couldn't be more proud.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday Baby Girl!

You are such a smart, sweet, beautiful, loving, funny, little girl with the BIGGEST personality.

You amaze us every single day, and we continuously feel blessed to have you in our lives.

You bring more joy to our world than we could have ever imagined...

You are simply amazing.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than anything in the whole wide world.

Happy Birthday Princess!

Saturday Randomness.

I can't believe that Labor Day Weekend is already here, and honestly?!  I couldn't be happier.  I'm done with summer, and ready for fall.  Maybe next year when I am 30, hot, and not knocked up I won't want to see summer go... but for now, I am fine saying goodbye to it.

We are staying home this LDW, which is pretty unheard of for us, but Hubs has to work, the weather is supposed to be crappy, I haven't been feeling the greatest, and we need a break.  Sounds perfect to me.

So, let's be random...

I passed out on Monday while getting Hubs lunch.  Awesome, right?  I think that my blood sugar was low, as I hadn't eaten my own lunch yet, but who knows.  I was scared only for the fact that Gwen was with me, and I didn't want to NOT know about her safety.  So, I locked us both in the bathroom when I felt it start to come on, and called Hubs.  No answer.  At this point I was profusely sweating and starting to lose control so I texted, "Help." He quickly called back, and I told him what was up. 

Thank God he works so close to home.  Seriously, he was there in FOUR minutes.  I started to feel a little better, and ordered myself something and ate while he sat with me.  

I HATE feeling that out of control.  And to be honest, I haven't felt exactly the same since.  I got to the Dr. Tuesday, and am hoping that I am not Hypoglycemic or something.  Cause that would suck.

*****

I am super jealous and kind hatin' on you that already have pumpkin coffee in your life.  I asked my Dunkin if they had it the other day, and you would have thought I asked them for the winning lottery numbers.  Just give me my pumpkin and no one gets hurt, m'kay?

*****

I took my nephew's birth announcement pictures the other day, and I can't wait to share some of them. {I can't share before my sis in law sends them out, that's just rude, lol}  They came out so great, and even though she got pooped on...TWICE, I think she and her husband love them too.  Here's just a little peak:

*****

Not that I want to give her any more attention then she has gotten this week, but can we talk about Miley Cyrus for a second?  Wtf is wrong with that girl?!?  I am sorry, but that "display" she put on at the VMA's was not talent, and frankly, I would have felt more comfortable watching soft core porn on Cinemax at that moment.  And what the hell is with the tongue shit?  Put it back in your mouth child, we all think you look stupid.

Moving on...

*****

Hubs and I are going to do another {small} registry for baby Addison.  I hope that doesn't seem like too much, but people have been asking us what we need/want, and what easier way than to just register.  And that way we can get a discount on whatever isn't bought.  I think it's kinda genius, actually.

*****

In 10 days, I am going to NYC to see Bethenny Frankel's new talk show!  Pretty pumped, not gonna lie.

*****

Next week, I will be in Potty Training Lockdown.  We are not going ANYWHERE until we have mastered the potty.  We are half way there, but we need to buckle down and FOCUS.  My goal was before her 3rd birthday, and that, my friends, is quickly approaching.

*****

Speaking of the birthday... in 16 days, my baby will be THREE years old. {pause for tears}.  I am in shock and denial that she is 3 already.  It's so bittersweet, because she is at an AH-mazing age... yes, there are tantrums and days where I wish I could drink wine with my cereal, but she is so smart and interactive and responsive to the world around her.  She really is just a joy, and honestly my tiny best friend.  Can't wait to celebrate her big day!

Where did the time go?

Because.

Today is my husband's 35th birthday! 

He's spending the day working, boo, but we are gonna spoil him with love when he gets home.  Today is a day that I think needs to be celebrated by us as a family, because without today, we wouldn't have this amazing man/husband/father in our lives.

Jason, I hope you know just how special you are to us, and how we wouldn't be the family we are without you.  There are so many reasons why I love you.

I love you because...

...you love Gwen more than you love yourself.  And I know so without you even saying the words... I just know.

...you allow me to be me.  In every form.  Which isn't always the prettiest.  And all the while, not loving me any less.

...you have the biggest heart out of any one I have ever known.

...you wear said heart on your sleeve.  Your emotions are not something that one has to "guess" you put it all out there, and I think that is such a strong characteristic.

...you're pretty fearless.  Ok, maybe not always my favorite quality lol, but I love and admire that about you.

...of the man you've become.  Let's face it, we were both somewhat different people when we met, and I can't say that I knew you would evolve into this completely devoted family man, but you are.  You've exceeded my expectations of you... by far.  I am a proud and lucky wife.

...of the way that you love me.  Nothing's perfect, neither are we, but our relationship and love for each other is not one to be messed with.  I AM sure of that.  My hope is that you feel as loved as you make me feel, which is A LOT ;)

So, happy birthday, old man. Your girls are waiting for you to come home and celebrate.

Love you.  

Last Day

Well, today is my last day of 27...

tomorrow will be a whole new year of my life.

And, to be honest, my life couldn't be any better.  Seriously.  You may think that I am being cliche' or even exaggerating, but I'm not.

No, life isn't "perfect," but I don't think that I could ask for anything more {ok, except the winning lottery ticket, lol}.

Let's think about this...

I am married to my BEST friend.  Who ADORES me.  He really does.  I know that my happiness means the WORLD to him, and that it why I love him. {Love you Jason}

I have the most beautiful daughter, whom I get to spend every single day with.  She is my BFF and I couldn't imagine not being her Momma.

I have friends and family that are so supportive and loving.  Who I can always rely on.  And I hope that they know they can always rely on me.

So, I am beyond excited to begin this next year of my life with my amazing family.  We are headed out to dinner tomorrow, just us three, and some cuddles in bed.  

Buuuuut... I had my "adult" bday Saturday at Lucky Strike in the city {NYC} and it was FABulous!

We bowled, drank, ate, drank some more, took pics, and oh, drank some more. {What?!? It was my night out!!!} 

I don't know what my scores were... and I don't care! lol.

Seriously though, it was such a great time.  Thank you to my hubs, bro, sis-in-law, and cousins-in-law, for making my night so special. Love.you.all.

Here are some pics from our "cray" night out:

My love <3 

Yummy Margaritas!

Love these girls! 

My brother and I :) 

The Future Mr. & Mrs.

So cute!

He totally thinks this turns me on... it doesn't. lol. 

Ok, so I had a few drinks... 

They bought me a "birthday" pin & all signed it! 

I was so touched. They wrote such nice things!

I love him, with all that I have. 

Breakin' rules, lol.

The boys. 

Drinks kickin' in. 

Love them! 

Danger! {Sherri, I could only think of you!!!}

:)

Thank you for such an amazing night out!  You guys mean SO much to me... it was a perfect celebration.

Hope you had a great weekend.
xoxo.

Birthday Wishlist Item - Fulfilled/Pinteresting

In case you didn't know, my birthday is a mere, 26 days away, and just so that everyone was "prepared" {lol} I put together a nice little wishlist for anyone who loves me enough to buy me a gift. {Chillax, peeps, I am kidding, it's mainly for the Hubs, bc he did SO WELL with my Santa WishList! BUT, if you want to buy me a gift, feel free to email me and I wish send you my address ;)} Haha.


Anyway, I found out that I will be receiving a gift on Friday... a sewing machine!!! {It's being handed down to me, but that is fine with me!}


I can't begin to tell you how psyched I am!


I know that I have a TON to learn, but I can't wait to be making Gwen pillowcase dresses!  Or anything else that I can put together!


One thing though, I don't know where to start.  I haven't even ever sewn a button on, but I am so determined.  I see all these amazing creations made by moms, just like me.  And believe me, I don't need to get fancy, just the basics.


I CAN do this, right? 


Either way, I am ready to take on the challenge.


If anyone has any suggestions on how to get started, I would be very grateful! 



Now on to some Pinning!

Source: wannasmile.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via SeanandDenise on Pinterest

Source: fashionworship.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Brooke on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Angelique on Pinterest

Source: zulily.com via Kelly on Pinterest

xoxo.