Time Makes You Bolder, Children Get Older, and I'm Getting Older, too...

One of my favorite lyrics from my Mom & my song, Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.  Man that song can turn me to mush.  I think of how much I miss my Mom, how she must have been feeling when she knew she was dying, and how hard it would be to look at your children and know you are leaving them far too soon.  It also makes me think of  some great times with her.  We danced to this song at my wedding, and any time we were anywhere you could request or pick a song...she'd do it for me.  Man, I love and miss that crazy Mom of mine.  

But, truly this post is about the last line in the title... I'm getting older.  Last Wednesday was my birthday, and realizing that I'm heading out of my twenty's soon is a little surreal.  I can't believe that I'm nearing thirty, am married, and have a daughter of my own.  I must say that I'm proud of where I am at this point in my life.  Proud of the woman I am, and my morals.  Proud of the home I've built with Todd.  Proud of myself as a Mother (although I'm constantly forgiving myself for my mistakes).  Some days I slip, and I do things or say things I'm not so proud of, but I've been working at becoming the person I want to be.  

I was not worried about gifts I'd get, or getting "my" birthday time to do anything I wanted, or anything like that.  I just wanted to spend my birthday with people who love me, appreciate me, and know my heart.  That's exactly what I got.

Wednesday I spent the day with my Aunt Noelle & Uncle Mike who were in town from New Jersey meeting Simone for the first time, and my Dad.  We went to Mimi's Cafe for a mimosa and some lunch.  Todd came to grab Simone & I after he got off work and we headed over to On the Border for a margarita.

Me wearing my Uncle's reading glasses at Mimi's!, Me & my Aunt Noelle, & my girl, Simone!

We ended the night doing my favorite thing at home... hanging on our patio.  We've been working on making our patio (and home in general) more fun to chill at.  We strung up some lights recently so we relaxed on the patio, under the soft lights, talking.  I opened a few presents from our family in Michigan and from Todd.

Simone was worn out by the end of the night!  Us three at dinner (her face...I'm dying!), and big girl with her sippy cup!

 Todd got me the coolest at home coffee machine ever!  It's the Verismo, so now I can have my Starbucks at home, AND I can make it with one hand... amazing & important for this busy Mom.

Perrrrrfection! 

My Mother in law made me the SOFTEST quilt ever, and it's beautiful.  I've slept and snuggled with it every night since I got it!  She's wicked talented and it's such a sweet and personal gesture when someone hand makes you a gift.

Me & Simone snuggled under my new quilt! 

After Wednesday I wasn't thinking about my birthday anymore.  We were enjoying the last few days with our family in town from Jersey.  But, Todd and my favorite girl, Amanda were busy planning for my family and a few close friends to surprise me at dinner on Friday night at one of my favorite spots, Arrivederci.  Todd asked me to go out with him on Friday, so I casually got ready (I didn't even blow out my hair!).  Todd suggested Arriverderci and I was against it until he called to make sure they had high chairs.  Ha!  When we walked in I swore I saw my brother in law out of the corner of my eye, and heard SURPRISE!  That's such an awesome feeling, and I totally was NOT expecting anything like that.  Everyone was very sweet for taking time to celebrate with us.  A big, huge, gigantic THANK YOU to my Husband who always out does himself on my birthday!  I love you so much, Todd and I just look forward to getting really old with my best friend!!  Thank you to Amanda for helping set it up, and thank you to everyone who came.  I will also say so many sweet people left me love on Facebook, texted, and called me to wish me the best on my birthday.  Makes a girl feel loved, I'm tellin' ya! :)

A few pics... we were too busy chatting to take many!  

Thank you all, I appreciate it!

Yeah, I'm getting closer to thirty... but I think I'm just getting better with time. Wink!

My New Passion...Walking

So about a month ago I decided it was HIGH TIME I got my buns back in shape.  I feel the pressure of bathing suit season approaching.  Especially in Arizona, because that starts in April, FRICK!  So I started doing my favorite at-home workout Jillian Michael's Thirty Day Shred.  It's super cheap (I got it at Walmart) and it kicks your ass.  Side note, Jillian looks like my friend Jenny!  Ha, Jenny!  I always think of you while I'm basically crying through my workout.

I started doing this twice a day.  Which was a sick joke.  The second workout was me flopping around like fish out of water.  So I decided to just do the work out three days a week.  The other days, I've taken to walking.  I'm now kind of obsessed with walking.  It's easy to do with Simone.  She usually sleeps, or watches me while playing with her toys. 

I've been walking about a mile here or there.  Then I started pushing it to two miles.... I walk up to the grocery store and buy little things I need and then walk home.  But, the other day I went for the big kahuna.  I walked a total of four miles.  I don't a light stroll either... I power walked this bia (the word I say so I'm not caught saying the B word in front of Simone...)!  By the time I got home I was totally pooped, but I felt like I worked every part of my body.  It was a great workout.  I even told Todd that I think it was harder than Jillian.

It's not like the old days where I would just hit the gym for an hour and push my body to the brink.  I have to get in my exercise any way I can.  I try to do things all day long to push my body.

What do you do to stay in shape?

That's what I'm talking about...

Five Things

Elizabeth at Get Busy Living inspired me to do a "Five Things" post.  Here we go...

1.  Todd proposed after only dating me for five months.  Now, I know that some people will say that's fast.  For other people, that's plenty of time.  We knew each other for about five years prior to getting together.  He was always such a funny and kind guy.  I never took Todd seriously, he would come into my office cracking jokes, or speaking in Spanish (like an audio book where a white guy teaches you Spanish).  We would debate on topics and I'd tell him to get off of his soap box.  He always had a girlfriend, and I was in a serious relationship myself.  After breaking free of my toxic (and way-too-drawn out) relationship I hit happy hour with a few friends... well, only three of us showed up and Todd was one of them.  He offered to drive me home after one-too-many at happy hour and let me know how he felt about me.  It was overwhelming, but the feeling was more than mutual.  Flash forward five months and he was down on one knee in Michigan.  He's my best friend, and an even better Dad.  I'm so proud of him and thankful for our life we have together.  

Michigan 2009

2.  For almost my whole childhood I was a competitive roller skater.  I competed in singles, pairs, dance, creative dance, & team dance.  I have the greatest memories of skating, and had coaches who taught me so much.  Rich & Polly were (and still are) part of my family and I consider them a second set of parents.  Skating kept me busy and I learned many life lessons in work ethic, being an honorable competitor, and getting along with others.  

Nationals 1998

3.  Before I had Simone I was terrified of babies.  Not, one & two year olds... but babies.  Give me a three year old, and I'd blow you away with my maternal skills.  But I NEVER wanted to hold my friends neborn babies.  I would sit in a chair with a pillow under my arm like I was five.  Right after the nurse told me and Todd we were about to start pushing I started to panic a little.  I was about to HOLD our daughter.  I was so nervous I would hurt her or do it wrong.  As every parent reading this knows, when it's your own it's different.  I'll tell you though, I was scared shitless!

        I got the hang of it...                                                                 

                        

4.  Scuba Steve & I are best friends.  Seriously I love scuba.  I haven't been able to dive due to being pregnant, and now being a Mom to a tiny little one.  It's a great experience, and I suggest if you are going on vacation to somewhere amazing to scuba, spend the money and get certified.  I'll tell you... if I can do it, so can you, promise!  On our honeymoon Todd & I dove to 110 (he went deeper, but who's counting!?) feet with the most amazing sea life.  We dove the wall (also called the edge of the Earth by locals) in Providenciales, TCI.  There were reef sharks, lion fish, breathtaking coral, and zillions of fish.  Being underwater is like being on a different planet.  I can't say enough about scuba.

Please note... this isn't my photo... I got it from Google Images of diving in TCI.  You think we would have been smart enough to get an underwater camera.  But, we were pretty caught up in the moment.

5.  I've changed.  I think it's part of life to change and grow.  Different times in your life will lead you to change your focus.  Of course, becoming a Mom has changed me.  But I also changed when I graduated, when I moved out of my parent's home, when I got married, when I got pregnant, etc.  To be stagnant and unwilling to change who you are is foolish (well, at least for me).  **NOTE** I am still the fun loving goofy girl I've been since (probably) birth.  My focus however is totally different.  So, yes... I don't keep up with my friends as much as I used too, I sometimes miss events, happy hours, going out, and/or other things.  That is right now...and when Simone is older and I have more freedom in my schedule I'm sure I'll "change" again.  I'm proud to say that I'm evolving every day, and I don't plan on stopping.

Life Progress

That's my five... how about yours?  Feel free to tag my blog if you're inspired to do the same! xo