Thursday Thoughts

::: Well, I made my first trip to urgent care this week as an adult with a pretty nasty cut that ended up needing 4 stitches. I was making Pumpkin Turkey Chili and had opened one of the cans of northern beans and had been draining them in the sink. I popped the lid up and then went to go help the kids. Came back to the sink, went to grab the can, and sliced the crud out of my thumb. I knew instantly I had to get stitches, so I called my mom and about 20 minutes later was driving myself to the doctor. Thankfully it was really fast, not horribly painful, and I was back home before the kids were even up from naps. It could've been much worse! 

Only problem with it - it totally ruined my bowling plans for Friday night! Joel and I had planned a bowling date, but that went through the window unfortunately. 

::: Before I had cut my thumb - I did make Natalie's Broccoli Ceaser salad - and it did not disappoint. I've had it almost all week for lunches. I ended up buying pre-made chicken from Trader Joe's and added shredded carrots and kale to her recipe to beef it up a little. It's a great salad if you're in need! 

::: I've had my gym on a 1 year maternity leave and for the most part it's been great. I wasn't working out in the early part of the year, and then this summer I was really lucky to be able to play tennis and get plenty of walks and runs outside. Now though, it's cold out, and I'm missing my gym something FIERCE! I only have to wait 6 weeks, I an know I can do it, but it's driving me nuts lately to not be able to get solid workouts in.

::: If you follow me on insta (@teatimewithtess) you probably see my insta stories for the damn Deer farm we live on right now. It's mating season and we have had our FAIR share of mating righttttttt in the backyard. These boys are not shy and not very polite either.

::: Joel is trying to convince me to get ride of our cable package. We really only watch about 6-7 channels, and he claims there are plenty of other services we could be using. Do you have any that you recommend? My number one concern is Bravo, naturally. 

::: Speaking of that - major shout out to Jodi who commented to tell me that Freeform wasn't playing this year on Freeform. I had no joke been looking for it for days on my DVR. I did find it - it'll be on AMC and from what I can see will first show on 11/26 at 7pm! 

:: We are decking the halls this weekend! If you couldn't tell from my last post - I'm ready to officially get into the spirit!

Hope you are having a great week and with an even better weekend forecast!

Catching Up

How this is the last week of summer is TOTALLY beyond me - but a tiny little part of me is ready for the fall and the routine that it brings.

These last few weeks, we've packed in A TON. I'm going to bounce around from good, bad, interesting, and boring, but when Leo starts back at school, I am really hoping to get into a more routine posting mode. I've said this at least 18 times in the last year, so who knows if it'll stick, but that's the goal.

To pick up from the last catch up sesh here:

::: We decided to scrap potty training for a bit. It was not progressing, I don't feel like Leo was emotionally ready, and I put way too much pressure on him to have it "mastered" before school, and that was just silly on my part. We will try and again when HE is ready. 

::: Speaking of back to school, last week the elementary schools in our neighborhood started back up. For the last 12 years, our neighborhood has hosted a driveway breakfast party for all of the kids in the hood. Tons of moms and kids showed up, had breakfast, took pictures, and then all took the bus together. It was nearly the cutest thing I've ever seen. 

 

::: We also celebrated Joel's 31st birthday! On the day of his actual birthday, we hit up the last beach concert of the season and had tons of snacks, cookie cakes, beer and just enjoyed the perfect evening. 

 

 

 

 

::: We leave for Steamboat tomorrow and I wanted some kind of sneaker-y shoe that I could wear with jeans. I found these Dr Scholls shoes at Tj.maxx and they were exactly what I was envisioning for about half the price. They're crazy comfortable and I think I will get a ton of use out of them this fall.

 ::: My good friend Sara came to CL for the day with her little baby Emma. She is on maternity leave for the next few months so we had a fun day just hanging together - we literally folded my laundry while working our way through a bottle of champagne ;) 

 

20 minutes after this picture was taken, Emma started to cry. Sara thought that she must have dropped her pacifier on the ground during our walk.....but no - sweet and silent Drew had ripped it from her hands and was happily sucking on it! It was too funny. 

 

:::  I inherited some of my Grandma's furniture - and this table is the most recent addition. The top needs to be refinished, and I need to find a bench for it - but I love having it at home with me now. 

 

 ::: We had a back-to-school BBQ at our friends house which was so much fun. All of our kids are the same age, and just watching them play together is beyond heartwarming. 

 

All of August, a few of us have been having happy hour play dates on Thursday which has been really, really fun for everyone. 

::: At least once a week, a group of friends and our kids have been walking around Crystal Lake. I think it's about 4 miles....so it takes us about 90 minutes to do it - but it has been SO fun. People think we're hilarious, literally beep and wave at us, but it's literally the only way us mom's get to talk because the kids are all strapped in! 

After a walk last week, we went to our friends mom's house and Leo got to catch his first ever fish!! 

 

and he was scared out of his mind when it came flapping out! hahaha

 

::: My mom helped to host a baby shower for a family friend over this past weekend - which kept me out of the house all day on Saturday. The shower was beautiful, the mom-to-be looked spectacular, and it was really relaxing to just sit with friends outside enjoying the day. 

 

 

A very random stream of information

 

::: Somehow my children both have amazing hair, but that clearly did not come from me because my hair sucks. It's really fine and really prone to breakage. I will say, I don't do much to help its cause, but I have started to use this spray before I straighten it and while I'm still seeing some breakage, it gives my hair a really pretty (and very low key) sheen to it. I found it at Target for super cheap if you're looking for a little sheen and some heat protection.

 

::: Game changer for me? Grocery delivery. If you live in Illinois, Jewel now delivers. And it's free if you don't mind giving them a 4hr delivery window. Plus, the first time you do it you get $25 off an order of $100 or more. It takes some time to pick out your products but I couldn't be happier with it and seriously love not going to the grocery store with two kids. I also love that I can store my grocery list online during the week....if we run out of wheat thins, instead of writing it on my "list", I just add it to my cart and it saves it for me! Pure genius.

::: Are you listening to Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Podcast? It's really good. Her voice is just like a sweet song and I've really enjoyed the recent guests she's had on. If you are looking for an easy, enjoyable podcast, check it out.

::: Question - do you have house plants? I have two and one of them this weekend we discovered had like a disgusting amount of ants on it. So disgusting. We obviously tossed it, but the corner is desperate for a big plant. Do you have a particular plant that's easy to maintain and not prone to bugs in the house!

::: I am so ready for summer. We are all so much happier when we can be outside, so I'm really crossing my fingers that spring is easy on us and gives us much more sunshine than rain. If it's 30 degrees or warmer, you will find us bundled up and outside for at least a short walk. I cannot stand being in the house all day long.

::: We booked our first family vacation to Steamboat! Our friends are getting married over Labor Day weekend and so we decided to make a whole trip out of it. We are going to stay almost a week and I can't wait to visit Colorado. It's been about 10 years since Joel and I have been, and neither of us have been in the summer, so we are so excited. I really think it will be the perfect trip as a family since there should be so much to do outside. Plus, we are bringing a babysitter with us so Joel and I are going to be able to get some solo time too.



::: I will say next year, I really want to try and sneak away to somewhere warm in February. It's a long month to be in Chicago! Holy shit! 

::: I've been thinking about updating our outdoor light fixtures and have been on the hunt for the last few weeks. I think it would make a huge improvement on the overall curb appeal, because the fixtures we have right now are very much so builders grade and just don't add anything to the house. I'm hoping we can find some big, modern, black fixtures to give the front a little facelift.



::: Spring shoes are constantly hard for me. I ended up buying these Lucky Brema booties from Nordstrom (not sold in this color right now) - and I looove them - but they're a microsuede that I don't really want to wear when it's raining. 

 

I know Hunter Boots are coming out with a line a target, so I'll be curious to see if there is anything in that collection that is waterproof and cute...I don't need giant rainboots. I don't find them comfortable at all, so I'm still on the hunt!

::: I could probably keep this list going but it's 50 degrees, both of my kids are napping and I'm going to have a beer on my front steps (I'm writing this on Sunday).

The First Two Weeks

To be honest - these last two weeks, overall, have been great.

I have much preferred the 2nd time mom thing - all of the fearful thoughts, anxieties, emotions and hormones are still there (for me, at least) - but I have found peace (at times) knowing that they do slow down, that eventually they do go away, and life does have a way of getting back to normal eventually.

And because of that, everything has moved onward and upward at a much quicker pace than it did with my first baby.

Really, everything has been faster.

We left the hospital faster, my milk came in faster, Drew nurses faster, she has gained weight faster, I've healed faster, we bathed her faster, we've figured her out a little faster, we've gotten into a tiny groove faster, and most of all......time seems to be moving faster.

Of course, because babies can't just be a cake walk, the issue with 2nd time mom-ing is you have one older kid.

Add a new sibling, Christmas, tons of presents, treats, and lack of schedule with zero outside activities because its freaking freezing, having your dad home for two weeks, and your mom not being able to do much because she is nursing a baby and recovering from a C-section = some trouble.

We've heard "no" more than ever, we are seeing lots more opposition (even to fun things), we're not eating well, we're using more attitude then ever, AND we climbed out of the crib for the first time.

All things I've been assured 100x over are totally normal, somewhat get better, and are just par for the course.

But they still suck. And I miss my relationship with Leo too. It's been a tough 4 weeks for us, and not being able to hold him or play with him like we are used to is heartbreaking. 

But that will pass too.

So, that's where we stand two weeks in. We're getting by, we're having some fun, we're adjusting, and we're so, so thankful. 

[really] rambling thoughts

::: Is it the gym day care? Is it Leo's age? Who really knows, but Leo is going through a majoooor mommy thing right now and it's tough! Not only does it seriously pull on my heart strings, I know it hurts Joel's heart too when he runs into the house after a day of working and Leo throws a fit and only wants to be held by me. This too shall pass, and I'm not going to lighten up on the kidzone thing either, but its going to be a tough six week transition for us I have a feeling.

::: I just started Leo's baby book....and thank God I blog. I 100% would have forgotten everything about these last 16 months! It feels like this has been equal parts an eternity and a week. I'm basically copying my blog posts and sticking them into a shutterfly album - really only touching on his monthly updates, big firsts (like Christmas, his baptism, etc.), and calling it a day. 

::: I flirted a few posts back about going back to work, and I think it's pretty much a done deal. It looks like I'll be doing some part time, work from home, consultant work for a company I used to work for. It's going to be about 18 hours a week, 4 days a week from 12-4pmish each day. My mom and Joel's mom are going to help keep Leo during the afternoons which is the reason I'm going for this. It's going to be a transition for us all, but its such a great opportunity, and I'm hoping it makes me better in every facet since I'll really have to stay organized and on schedule. 

::: Now that the house doesn't have any boxes in it and we've *almost* done all of our phase 1 projects, I am sort of "house-ed out". There's a lot of gaps that need tending too - like an almost empty sitting room - but I've lost some of my initial motivation. 

::: Back to the gym day care thing....even though its a bit of a situation right now for Leo and I.....it's pretty friggen amazing. To take Leo to this kidzone in the morning, get a workout in AND get him some active playtime (all for $1.75/hr) is like an absolute dream come true. It feels incredibly indulgent and I honestly feel spoiled while I'm running on the treadmill! 

::: My mom, sisters and I are going to see Hamilton this weekend! We got the tickets back in November for my mom's birthday and the time has finally come! I can't wait to see what all the hype is about and we're going to stay downtown and enjoy a really fun girls night.

::: I was at Nordstrom Rack this week when I spotted a pair of ugg boots (the high style in chestnut). I had a pair like 7 years ago, but when I moved to LA, I vowed to never own a pair again. Pfff......didn't stick to that. I couldn't resist! They are so comfortable, and I know they're pretty ugly, but I don't hate them with leggings and a sweater and I honestly haven't taken them off since they became mine. 

::: We have like $100 dollars in gift cards to movie theaters because there just hasn't been a movie (since Bad Moms) that I have wanted to see. I think I might drag Joel to see Fifty Shades of Gray 2 when it comes out next week.

::: When we moved into the house, my number one priority was to just get the boxes OUT. While I was successful at that, and the house looks pretty put together, the insides of the house are just not. I don't like the way anything is organized - especially the kitchen - but I don't know what formula to follow. I went from having 4 cabinets and ZERO drawers, to like 40 cabinets and 14 drawers, and I don't know what to do with them all. There's lots of empty space and the spice cabinet makes me break into hives every time I open it. Is there an article on how to set up a nice kitchen? What are your tips? 

::: Everyone has scratched their head when we tell them that we moved from LA to Chicago, since most of the time its typically the opposite, but as far as weather is concerned, we have been seriously spoiled. It's been warm, nice, and easy since we moved here! In fact, a few days it's been warmer than California!  I'm actually a little bummed, and I'm hoping we get at least one or two snows before spring decides to arrive for good.

::: I am not typically a huge online shopper, but with needing lots of house stuff, I've done my fair share. I have to say, Joss & Main has impressed me ten fold. Not only has their stuff shipped quickly, but it's all exceeded my expectations as far as quality is concerned and been somewhat "easy" to assemble. Since it's a sight that prices can change pretty quickly, I noticed that our headboard's price had changed by $75 dollars overnight - I sent them an email and they refunded me the difference!

 

I have about twenty more random thoughts, but it's time to turn in! Happy Wednesday! 

Life Lately

::: This is our last week in LA until we pack up and head to Chicago for a month. I've tried to soak in as much time doing our favorite things like walking to the park, seeing friends for happy hours, morning hikes and cooking dinner at home. We're going to have a blast in Chicago, but I know I'll miss our routine at home too!

::: We did our civic duty and took Leo to the polls on Tuesday! He was the hit of the show, and has been proudly rocking his "I Voted" sticker all week.

::: My sisters sent me this article about "14 things that happen when you are a long distance aunt" and it made me smile, cry, and laugh. Buzzfeed nails it again.



::: On a VERY different note, if you haven't watched this CNN video that has gone viral, it might be worth a watch. It is a news anchor who reads "A gut wrenching letter from Stanford Rape Survivor" I'm not even going to leave my two cents on it, but its powerful, heartbreaking, important, and very likely worth a watch. 

 

No appropriate transition.

::: I'm in need of new sunglasses. I haven't bought a new pair in more than a year so I think I'm overdue. I'm leaning towards this popular Celine pair...although I haven't tried them on, so they could be a little harsh.

:::  A few of my girlfriends and I had an impromptu sushi and wine night this week with a bunch of little kids. We were all holding, feeding, playing, and managing everyone's babies....bouncing from kid to kid, just trying to keep everyone happy and trade off taking bites of food and sips of wine. Girlfriends like that are a dime a dozen - to take in your kids like their own, and do the same with theirs is a very, very, very important thing and I feel really lucky to have friends like that. 

 

:::: It's been a big week for Leo! He started to say Dada (not necessarily at or for Joel, but we're pretending!) and has been exploding in every other area. He's eating like a champ (we tried peanut butter and eggs this week!), is really trying to crawl, and is coming into his flirty, funny, and adorable little personality.

::: When I get back from Chicago, I have a few sprucing things I want to do to our house. We need a little refresh in some areas - new pillows, new pictures, new plants and pots, and other little touches that are ready for an update. I love this idea for showcasing artwork in a playroom for down the road.

 

Did anyone else think today was Friday??