Vacay Prepping!

::: We've been preparing for our big trip to Mexico! We are renting the condo next to my parents in Punta Mita, and bringing the kids, and we are so excited for our first tropical vacation as a family four.

:: We're carrying on - but sort of cheating. My parents are flying on the same flight with us, and checking a bag, so we are including two puddle jumpers in their suitcase. Since my parents were done in Mexico a few weeks ago, they also stocked up on diapers and wipes for us.

::: Otherwise, everything else (monitors, snacks, 2 sound machines, loveies, outfits, toys, etc.) is coming with us. We have 3 seats, 4 people, 3 carry-on suitcases, 1 purse, 1 backpack, 1 LLBean tote bag, 1 ergo baby carrier, and 1 double stroller. Hot Damn!

::: We are parking at the airport here in Chicago, and being picked up in a car that will have two car seats to take us to the condo.

::: My purse looks like this for the flight. I purchased this purse organizer from Amazon, at the recommendation of Alex and I have been LOVING it. It keeps my bag so much better organized - I can't believe I've been living without it for so long.

::: In my purse, I have some snacks handy, some diapers and changing pad, my headphones, my ipad, my kindle, the kids passports, my wallet, everyone's sunglasses, some CBD oil, tic tacs, and my medicine kit for the kids.

 

 

::: In the LLBean tote, we have....everything else. Toys, kids lovies, games, so many snacks, bottles for Drew, hand wipes, a blanket, Leo's kindle fire and head phones.....probably a few more things that I'm already forgetting.



For snacks, we have pouches, gold fish, raisins, animal crackers, and fruit snacks.



It's hard to know what toys to bring, but for Drew, I brought a few light up/table toys. I borrowed a few from friends so that they're new for Drew, I brought a few mini books, a few trucks and match box cars, a few things for Drew to chew on, and a few sea creatures for Leo to play pretend with.



I bought most of these art supplies at target, but did pick up this water pen thingy on Amazon. We haven't used it yet, but hopefully it's a hit.

::: As far as other things that I am bringing on our trip - I'm going to try out this little floatie for Drew. It's handy because it deflates, and I think it will be nice for her to have on when we are at the little splash pool. I'm also bringing a life vest for her, and a puddle jumper for Leo. I bought this on Amazon but haven't used it, so I'm happy to report back if you are curious.

::: The kids were pretty easy to pack for - Keens for shoes for both of them for the most part, one nice pair of shoes for dinner, and then easy and light clothes, lots of hats, swim suits, and they're pretty much set.



::: We have downloaded plenty of movies and shows for the flights, and we're going to just have to go with flow and get it done!

Here goes nothing! 

Reading, Watching, Listening, Cooking, and Doing

Reading: We just finished When Life Gives You Lululemons for our book club. I really enjoyed the easy breezyness of it. If you're looking for a beach read, give it a go. I'm taking Girl Wash Your Face down to Mexico, and want to bring one more with me since I haven't heard great things about the book. Let me know if you have a recent beach read I should grab!

Watching: The Bachelor has really made my Monday nights much more fun. A bunch of my girlfriends have been trying to get together to watch most Mondays. We bring wine, wear sweats, and just watch the craziness together.



Plus, of course, I'm enjoying Real Housewives on NJ - and I can't wait for BH to start back up again.

I had a "personal" day a few weeks ago - I went shopping by myself, got a massage, and then went to the movies alone (it was seriously my #bestdayever) and I went and saw Second Act. It might be out of the theaters now, but it's a really cute movie if you need one to rent. Not winning any Oscars, but a brainless chick flick.



Listening: I mentioned on my "Day in the Life" post that I started listening to "It Sounded like a Good Idea at the Time" podcast. It's darling and I really like the two women who record it - they're very relatable and cute.

It's not a good podcast, so I'm going to be straight, but I had to downloand "Weekly Dose of B.S." which is Brandi and Stephanie from the RHODallas. It's not going to last long.

I really, really liked #momtruths. Have I shared that podcast already? Its Cat and Nat, and they talk about their journey to being self made millionaires.

Otherwise, if we're hanging around the house or driving in the car, we have been listening to the Steve Tyrrell pandora station which makes me feel like I'm in a Nancy Meyers movie.

Cooking: Nothing majorly new, but this week we've had Greek turkey burgers from Natalie's blog here, oven baked chiken fajitas, and Korean chicken bowls. 

 

 

I watched Cooking with Liz (Hello Adams Family) live instagram last night, (I think they're adorable), and they made a caprese spaghetti squash dish, and when we get back from Mexico, I'm sticking that on the menu stat!

Doing: I've been doing a ton of working out. I've been at the gym almost 5 times a week since the new year. I can totally feel myself getting stronger, even though the scale is still in the same place as it was when I started. I will say too, I tried on a few pairs of jeans last week and my normal jean size was starting to feel a little bit loose, so that's gotta be a good sign.

I love our gym. A lot of my girlfriends go to the same one, they have classes in the morning while Leo is at school, and both of my kids having been doing great at the KidZone - so it's like two birds with one stone. And honestly, I was sort of joking that being back at the gym has been saving us a ton of money, because last year when my membership was on hold, I would find myself at Tj.Maxx or Target WAY more often! 

We are also putting up drywall in our basement. We're not investing tons of money down there, but just trying to do a few things to clean it up and make it more enjoyable to spend more time down there. I think the drywall will make a really big difference, and we also have a few painters coming this week to give us quotes to spray paint the ceiling and poles black.

 

For whatever reason, I've been able to catch some of the cutest sleep stalking pictures of all time of the little ones. I just die!  The only time Drew sucks her thumb is when she sleeps and I think it's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Day in the Life - [ of Nellie! ]

Nellie is my baby sister. She is 25 and lives in Lincoln park in the city. She lives in a really cute walk up with two of her girlfriends and works downtown in sales. Here's a view of her day on Wednesday, January 23rd. 

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 6:15am: Up and at them. I like to have Good morning America on my TV while I get ready for the day.

 

Today it's freezing - and snowing a ton - do I'm dressing as cute as I can. 

 

7:25: I leave the house and put in a mobile order for my coffee 

 

7:40am - I take the bus in the morning to get to work. My ride is normally 25-30 minutes. I either listen music (top 100 hits normally) or read the Game of Thrones book. 

 

7:50am: I pick up my coffee at Joe and the Juice and then head into my office. 

 

8 - 4pm: I work at my desk from 8-4. I try to walk around at lunch, sometimes meet friends, and just try to get some fresh air.

 

4pm: When I get home from work, I normally have a snack or salad and get back on the computer. I'm taking some online classes right now, so my roommate and I sit and work for a few hours. 

 

7:15pm: Tonight for dinner, I'm meeting my cousin Luke for dinner. We ended up meeting at Gemini which is just a few blocks from my apartment. 

8:00pm: They have a specialty drink called squirtski that I love. It's vodka, Squirt, bitters, and ginger beer (I think). It's really good if you get a chance to visit.

 

We ordered a few things to eat and share - crab cakes, tomato soup with a grilled cheese, and a side of their brussel sprouts - so good. 

And we had to top it off with dessert. Ice cream and warm cookie.

9:20pm: We walked back home, I'm rewatching Game of Thrones (I'm obsessed) and fell asleep around 10:30 before doing it all again the next day!

Thanks for following along :)

Day in the Life - [ of Hannah! ]

Hannah is my middle sister. She's 28 - lives in the city with her boyfriend Sammy - and works in the city as an event director for an awesome hotel. She's on a little health kick right now - but other than that - this is a pretty clear view of what a day in her life looks like. This was Wednesday, 1/23!

 


7:00AM - - Morning! Starting the day with 16 oz of Celery Juice on an empty stomach. I
made some Green Juice for the day. This GJ contains; Kale, Cucumber, Cilantro, Blueberries,
Lemon, Wheat Grass Powder, Spirulina

7:30AM - I start getting ready for work. My absolute favorite products pictured here;
Marie Veronique Oil Cleanser and the Barrier Restore Serum.

8:00AM -Me, Fresh Faced! Shouts @MarieVeronique

 

8:10AM  - Just got this new hair product; protects from heat tools & makes your hair
smell good

 

8:20AM -  OOTD “Outfit of The Day” #Zara #Gucci # DPTR # Nordys  (editors note - not sure what DPTR is....)

 

8:28AM - Werk werk werk | My car clock is an hour off

 

8:45AM - Fail, GJ on my white fur gloves #C.C

 

8:47AM - - Office vibes

 

9:00AM - Frutas, Agua, & my To Do list

 

12:00PM  - Lunch Errands

2:00PM  - Back to work

 

6:00PM  - Dinner Date with Besties Sean and Teddy Tyrrell

 

 

7:00PM - Jan 30th tree is still up

8:00PM -- Gnight from Hannah & Sammy

 

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