Finding balance

Once again, it's been almost a month since I've last blogged.  And, I'm struggling here, people...I really am. I know you've probably heard/read this many times over the past couple of weeks.  Blog-land and Twitter talking about finding balance.  Trying to juggle everything -- work, mom duties, wife duties, house duties, etc, etc, etc.  It's HARD.  And lately, it's really been taking a toll on me.  Hence why I haven't blogged in forever.   The Hubs and I had a long talk one night last week, and it really hit me how much time I spend online.  Twitter, Facebook, blogging...you know what I'm talking about.  It was getting a little out of control.   And, it really got me thinking. WHY am I so worried about checking FB/Twitter, and why aren't I on the floor playing with my baby girl instead??  Seriously?  She's only this age for such a short period of time, and I really need to start getting my priorities straight and soaking up every moment with her that I can. So, that's what I've been doing.  I started a 'No Computer' rule for myself.  While Isabella is awake, all my time/attention goes to her.  No matter what.   And then, after she goes to sleep, it's husband/wifey time.  That's a whole other issue.  We've gotten into such a rut lately.  We eat dinner, and then he watches his shows and I either sit on my computer, or go in the other room and watch my shows.  It's gotten bad, and it's finally coming to a stop.  We're spending more time together, being husband and wife.  Cuddling.  Talking.  Playing games.  All that stuff that we used to do all the time when we first started dating.  I didn't realize until now how much I missed all of that.   It's just so easy to fall into a 'blah/boring' routine, and that never ends well.  So, we're working on it.  It's not always easy, and sometimes that means I don't have much time to myself...but, it's worth it.   And, unfortunately, that means my blog has but put on the back burner.  I'm not sure for how long, but I really am trying.  I miss blogging a lot...especially all the friendships I've made along the way.  And I hope to be back at it, full time, soon!  

The Nail Files

I'm sorry I've been such a crappy blogger this week.  It's been one of those 'I'm-SO-exhausted-I-don't-even-want-to-shower/clean/blog' weeks, and all I want to do when I get home from work is sleep.  I hate that.  My eyes have literally been burning by 5pm every night, and I have to fight myself to stay awake to do dishes, clean, and take care of all of the house crap. Anyways, so that's why I've been MIA.   But, I have my picture ready for this week's 'Nail Files' post!  I've slowly over the past year or so become quite obsessed with nail polish.  I don't know why.  I don't really even paint my nails that much, but, I love buying new colors.    

 Oh, and, I picked up this quick drying polish (thanks to my friend Melissa!  How did I not know about this stuff?!), and my nails were dry in like, 5 minues.  No joke.  Isabella was napping, and, of course, she woke up as I was painting my nails.  Go figure.  But, by the time I finished putting this quick dry stuff on, and sat for maybe 5 minutes, it was dry.  I couldn't believe it!

  

So, needless to say, I'm pretty sure I'll be painting my nails a LOT more from now on.  :)   



New look!

What do you think?? It was definitely time for a change, and I needed to add Isabella into my header, of course.  I wanted something simple, but pretty.   I think it's perfect!  :) A big thank you to Katie @ Loves of Life for my new look!  She was very pleasant and easy to work with, so if you're looking for a new design, head on over there!  

The Nail Files

I'm a little late on this, but, I wanted to link up with Tara and her 'Nail Files' post! 

I'm a little obsessed with nail polishes, but not actually painting my nails.  Makes sense...no?  So, anyways, I finally was able to put on my Sally Hansen nail stickers that I bought a week or so ago, and I had to show them off!  ;) 

So, I LOVED the way it looked and how easy it was to apply.  I mean, no drying time??  Perfect!

And then, about an hour or so later, when the stickers started peeling up and wouldn't stick anymore?  Yeah.  That.  Not a fan.

I'm hoping it was just a bad batch or something, because I really do love how easy this 'polish' is.  But, for $10...I don't know if it's worth it.  I'll be sticking with my regular old 'wait-three-hours-for-it-to-dry' polish from now on.  :-/

*Our Love Story*

I'm posting today on behalf of Becky @ From Mrs. to Mama for her latest link-up!  Such a cute idea!

Our Love Story

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

Our 7 year dating anniversary (holy crap!  7 years already!) is on February 19th.  And, our 3 year wedding anniversary will be on September 6th of this year. 

2. How did you meet? {What's your  "love" story?}

Ha, not very exciting at all, but...he was my manager when I was working at Chili's as a server/bartender.  We were the 'forbidden couple', I guess you can call it, since managers aren't supposed to date their employees.  Something about favortism or whatever.  Which, actually, is crap, seeing that Hubs was harder on me than anyone else we worked with.  Ha!  The nerve.  ;) 

One of my favorite engagement pics

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

We've been married almost 2 1/2 years now.  September 6th is our wedding anniversary. 

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We got married at one of my favorite venues in our state, outside, over-looking a lake, and had about 130 guests at our reception.  So, a pretty decent size wedding, if you ask me.  Now, if it were up to me?  I would've had a destination wedding, somewhere tropical, with just our closest friends and family.  But, unfortunately, we had to make everyone happy.  And, all in all, it was the most perfect day.  :) 

 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Our one and only nickname (that we actually call each other more than our actual names)...Babe.  

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

He's the best daddy to Isabella that I could've ever asked for.  He loves me for ME, and still gives me compliments, even after 7 years!  (Hey, it's nice to know he's still attracted to me, even when I'm feeling like a frumpy, old mama these days.  ;) )  He's pretty damn funny, and knows how to make me laugh...a lot.
 

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

He actually proposed to me at one of my favorite places on Earth (2nd to Disney World, of course)...Fenway Park...home of the Boston Red Sox!  It wasn't cheesy or anything, like on the jumbo screen...but, it after the game was over, while we were taking pictures, with just us and his brother/SIL there--to document the whole thing, of course.  :)

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

Hm, I'd probably say neither.  He's brought me home flowers on random occasions, that's for sure...but, more often than not, we're usually just relaxing together at home, with a movie and a few beers/glasses of wine.  :) 

Our 1st anniversary

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
Haha, see answer above.  If we were on a romantic vacation (aka - our honeymoon), I'm definitely a sunset dinner on the beach gal.  But, not for everyday romantics.  

Us before dinner on the last night of our honeymoon

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Travel.  Most definitely.  I've been dying to go to many places together, and hopefully we will one day once our babies are a little bit older.  Hawaii, Mediterranean Cruise, Aruba...and the list goes on and on.  

Disney World 2008

Universal - City Walk 2009

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. 

Nothing too fancy, I'm sure.  I think we're actually going to get a babysitter and go to a nice dinner, and maybe a movie.  Exciting stuff, I know. 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

I wasn't going to, actually, but, this mama just informed me of a great sale on Lightroom 3 on Amazon!  I may or may not have to beg ask nicely for this.  ;)

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. 

Open communication, laughter, and affection.  Ok, that's three things, but I couldn't choose just one.  Now, when I say affection, I don't mean sexy time...holding hands, a good hug at the end of a long day, a nice kiss.  It's the little things that keep that spark.  :)

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

One of the first family photos we have together  :)

Random-ish

It's been forever since I've babbled on about random crap stuff.  Wait, don't I do that every day??

Anyways...who doesn't love a little mid-week randomness??   I know I do.  ;)

~  The Hubs bought a new car!!  And?  I loooove it!  He had a Jeep Wrangler 4-door before, which was fine, but not super safe with a baby.  His new ride?  Total family mobile!  Big, roomy, 3rd row seating....all the amenities!  Here she is:

It's a Hyundai Veracruz, and he got it in white.  It's so pretty!  :)  I can't wait to take family roadtrips in this bad boy!

~ So, remember when I quit Diet Coke a few weeks ago??  It's been over three weeks since I've had any soda!  I think that's honestly the longest I've ever gone in my life without it.  Go me.  :)

~  How am I doing with my blogging lately?  I think I've been doing pretty good, compared to last year, at least!  My new thing to help me blog more/better...as soon as I think of something I want to blog about, I log on to my Blogger app and start the post right away.  Even if it's just one sentence, I put it in there so I don't forget about it, and then I add the rest of the post later.  It's been working, so far!

 ~  During my long blogging hiatus back in December, I totally missed my two year blog-a-versary!  December 5, 2009 was my first blog post ever.  I honestly can't believe it's been over two years now since I started this fun little chapter...but, at the same time, I feel like I just started yesterday!  Thank you to all my awesome readers, and for all of you who stuck around through all my ups and downs of blogging.  I appreciate each and every one of you so much.  :)

~  Totally random, but, does anyone else hate showering as much as I do??  No?  Just me?  Let me clarify, I love the feeling of being clean and fresh after I'm all showered, but, I just hate the process of actually getting in the shower and all that jazz.  It's just so annoying to me.  I don't know.  Ha.  I swear I'm not a dirty, smelly girl. 

~  For the first time in almost all the seasons of The Bachelor/Bachelorette (I didn't watch Season 1), I'm not watching.  I'm sorry, Ben just does NOT do it for me.  He just seems so...boring?  Blah?  Just not into it.   And, for the first time ever, I read the spoilers on Reality Steve and know who he picks.  It's kind of fun, too....listening to everyone rant/rave about episodes each week, all while knowing exactly what's going to happen.  I kind of like it. 

~  I'm watching the finale of Tori & Dean right now, and watching the birth of baby Hattie is totally making me bawl my eyes out like a baby.  It reminds me so much of Isabella's birth, and I still cannot believe my baby girl is going to be one already.  And, it makes me want another baby just a little bit more.  ;)

And, with that, Little Miss is waking up from her nap now.  Time to play! 

Only one more day and then it's Friday!

Oh, AND, it's the Superbowl this weekend!  I hope you're all rooting for my Patriots!!  ;)

Noreply-comment@blogger.com

I'm re-posting this post I wrote a while back, since I've recently gotten a few comments and wasn't able to reply back to those people.  :(
 
Have I told you guys how much I LOVE getting comments from you all??  Like, love.  I really do.  I get so excited when my phone vibrates, and I check my email to see it's a comment from my blog.  I get all giddy.  (I'm a dork like that, I know.)

But, the worst part about getting comments, is when I go to reply to that comment, and I see 'Noreply-comment@blogger.com' as the email address.  :(   Boooo.  
 
Sooo, here are the easy! step by step instructions on how to change that!  (Ahem, *Kate*)  ;)

And, while you're at it...leave me a comment!  Please!  I want to hear from you!  Even if it's just to say hi...I don't care.  :) 

You never know, maybe we're meant to be BFF's and you just don't know it yet.  :P

 

1. Click on the Customize link in the upper right hand corner of your screen.

2. Click on the Dashboard link in the upper right hand corner of your screen.

3. Click Edit Profile, which in on the left hand side of the screen next to your profile picture.

4. This will take you to the Edit User Profile screen.

5. Look in the Privacy section.

6. Click on the box that says, "Show my email address."

7. In the Identity section, enter in an email address.

8. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on Save Profile.

And, that's it!  I hope to hear from you all soon!!  :)