2016 In Review

I am a little bummed because people are so anxious to move on to 2017...why because David Bowie died? Your candidate wasn't picked? Did you get to get up every morning, stretch and start a new day for a whole year? Yup!

It is obvious why I am so Holly GoLightly on this subject, but a year ago around this time on New Year's Eve day I cried to my husband and begged to go without me to a friend's party. Just a year before we were doing cheers at friend's same party to the adoption that never happened got extorted failed six months later

For two weeks I laid in bed whenever I didn't have to 'real life' and sobbed because I could not believe the world could be so cruel to two good people. Safe to say, I was very much ready to see 2015 in my back mirror.

And then 2016 came. And it was a great year, Yes, we know the best thing about 2016 and my life ever....that's a given...but I also have learned a lot. About life. Family. Friends. And Miracles. I wouldn't change it for the world.

I am a little busier this year to do a full recap like Megan and I do each year (she has hers up already, damn her!) but here is a quick recap of what also made my life complete:

In January, I had the great opportunity to go to NYC on Jet Blue for the first time, it was a blast and I will never forget that trip and the memories made! AND we got our first Today Show appearance!

I was fortunate enough to travel to NYC a couple more times, and go to Austin and Chicago with my AJLI people, and help start the process of working out the deets for social media strategy for this wonderful company! It is such a gift to work with them.

I also got to travel to DC with one of my favorite people and go on a week long vacation to New Orleans with my best half. Even with a pumpkin, I can not wait to find what neat places 2017 will take me and us!

My business continued with much success, I have enjoyed consulting and stepping in to help when needed (and being paid for it). It sure is nice to take the next step in your business and make it bigger and better. Plus I have some new ideas stashed ready to go this New Year!

One of my great friends sung the National Anthem at the Daytona 500....this is not exactly true, but it is one of 1000 belly laughs this year with a bunch of wonderful friends, new and old.

I was also brave enough to say this year, that doesn't work for me....it is very powerful-at work, in life with friends and with family. Putting you and your family first should never be something to be ashamed of.

I lost this year. My dear sweet kitty Felicity. Prince, who was a musical hero. Family that can't get out of their own way. I also lost the will to feel guilty about a lot of things. I choose Joy.

I am thankful for my sister and my niece which makes us the smallest family ever. Big Hair, don't care...we make it work! Who needs a big family!  It is super amazing to see them share our joy with Lilly, they are so important to me.

Steve and I and my best friend Suzie went to our 25th High School Reunion! Isn't that what old people do?! What a fun event!

Speaking of my BFF, who may or may not read this ever...I am very grateful to her and her husband and little boy for consistently giving us strength and courage to keep going down this journey. Allegedly, I did this for her but I really don't remember. Even miracles take a little time is our mantra, well that was our mantra...We did it!! seems to have replaced that one. My gosh, we did it.

And of course, our amazing daughter...my goodness what to say? Even though we are both down with the sickness for our first New Year, I can not wait to show this baby girl what the world is all about!

Let's go 2017, I can not wait to see what you will bring. Ok, fine let's see those nine punkin pictures!!

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The Very Basic and Honest List of Needs for New Moms

I have been holding on forever writing this, really for no reason except for time or lack thereof. I had dreams, you know, to be this great blogger that would instill all wisdom on the daily of what was very much needed as a new mom! It would be so fun to be a consistent mommy blogger!

Sadly, what is really on my mind is to write an entire blog post on my google search. I really want you to see is the most ridiculous things I have googled since my LO (yup that is a forum term and it stands for little one! I have arrived!) was born.

Today, for instance I googled...how close can you put the dehumidifier...because really...should the smoke consume her entire face so she def gets it or am I looking to achieve overall room comfiness?

I am really smarter about all this nonsense. My main goal in this journey is  I really don't want to pile my house and new life with a bunch of stuff. Says the girl who has no nursery set up...(I will get to it I promise....)

Here are five things I think you will need in order for life to move forward.

A set up and a sleeping plan.

This is pretty basic, but you will need a dedicated area to change the baby and a place where she will sleep. It may be an elaborate nursery...all set up and ready to go or you could set up the changing table and leave everything else that needs to go in the nursery in the garage like some people.

Hopefully, you have someone to share this journey with, please note on day 3 or 4 without a plan and a set up you might want to kill them. Yes, watching the baby together holding hands cooing 24/7 is very sweet, but eventually you will come to your senses and realize ain't no one is gonna get any sleep or sanity this way.

What worked for me and my DH (another forum term, to bring you up to speed....I thought it stood for designated husband for quite some time instead of dear) is that because I am used to getting up the earliest and need the least amount of sleep, it made the best sense for him to have the last feeding and for me to go to bed around 8p or 9p. This sounds early but some nights I find myself praying the clock says this time instead of what time it actually is (6p).

A Rock N Play
My best friend suggested this and it saved our life. It is elevated so it eliminated a lot of gas issues and she really loves it. I may never take her out of it.

A Boppy Lounger
The Boppy pillow is pretty great, but the Lounger! The Lounger is like the penthouse suite of pillows, we feed her on it and she takes her naps on it. It is great because it also distinguishes between the rock and play which is only used for the final night sleep.

An Amazing Diaper Bag I am actually very passionate about this. Most diaper bags are very ugly. Very. Ugly. I bought a Kate Spade diaper bag which should have been sufficient but it really is a better pack and go to Nana's bag. It wasn't very user friendly...sad to say. After searching passionately for a gorgeous bag, I started looking at what the stars were carrying...I hope you are not judging me, if they say they are good then they are good. I came across the brand Timi and Leslie and can not tell you how impressed I am with the quality and I love that it comes in a variety of colors...yes it is a little pricy, but Poshmark has a ton of them.



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Food

The first couple of days we were home, Steve said "I don't really think you need to have your friends do the meal train...my mom and our family will cook for us!" After a couple days of...well, we forgot to call his Mom or any family and pizza delivery was on the menu.

It is not a bad idea to ask for a little help and get a friend to help organize a meal train for you. Just so you know, it is also not in bad taste to ask them to leave it out in the cooler on the front porch...it seems like that is not kosher but I am told it is completely acceptable. Although once Steve went back to work I welcomed the company!

Another amazing idea is the fun deal that Carrabba’s has for you!!

Family Bundles saved our lives more than once during the first couple of weeks. Great for new moms and busy families and anyone who is looking for family meal solutions that are quick and convenient but don’t sacrifice taste and freshness to feed their family in the evening.

Carrabba’s solves dinner (or lunch) today with a menu of Family Bundles perfectly portioned for 4 people

Family Bundles Menu has 6 options starting at $34.99

• Spaghetti with meat sauce, meatballs or sausage
• Cavatappi Alfredo
• Lasagne (requires a 4 hour call ahead notice) 
• Cavatappi Carrabba
• Chicken Marsala
• Chicken Parmesan

·         All Family Bundles are made fresh when you order
·         Entrees bundles with choice of soup or salad
·         Comes with a side dish (except Pastas)
·         Bread, herb mix and olive oil included
·         Customers can order and pay on line or over the phone
·         Delivered to your car when you pull up at the restaurant

This was a lifesaver and delicious, we had so much amazing food!!! It was also convenient to order! Find out more information here.

What other tips are a MUST for a new mom? Leave them in the comments!

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All I Want For Christmas Is You

True story, every Christmas song has made me misty since God was a boy. I feel when I finally launch my movie star career and I need to have an emotional scene with Ryan Reynolds as he begs me not to leave him, all the studio does is play Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and here will come the water works.

Hell, even as I hear the Mariah version of All I want for Christmas, I take a peak in my backseat at my little angel and burst into tears. Probably something to speak to my therapist about this month, but I am fully exercising in the practice of happy tears. It is almost a little embarrassing how many times I have gotten choked up happily over very little.

Except for This is Us.

Dear God! It is one of those shows that Steve makes a face before we watch (it is slight, but I still see it) but then rewinds something that is said because he missed it. Aha! But dear God, those are some heartstrings shit, huh? And it really isn't the whole adoption thing, to be honest...but it well written, reminds me of Parenthood (same writers) and every one needs a good ugly cry once a week. Cleansing or whatever.

Speaking of cleansing, having a baby acquires a LOT of extra stuff!! I find myself straightening all day long and she just sits there and looks cute! When she starts getting on the go, I am in a lot of trouble. I am kind of excited that this year, we just get to enjoy the spirit of Christmas without worrying about getting a bunch of stuff....as I write this I see my UPS, Fed Ex and Mail Persons hysterically laughing. Well, we are trying to keep it to a bare minimum.

Maybe we will work on her room finally...does this horrify you? It should!! I have an almost five month old and even though the perfect nursery is in my head, I have yet to pull the trigger. I know that she doesn't need the space yet, but we have got to start making decisions! We delusionally bought a new dining room table this week, as a mad swipe at deference, so I guess worse case scenario she can always sleep on that! It extends like a big girl table!

A little prattle, A little babble but I wanted to say hello!

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