Facing my Fears

Motherhood is many things, but one of the most valuable things it has been teaching me lately is to face my fears head on.

 

I’m a nervous nelly by nature, so it wasn’t surprising to me that I fall into the category of "moms that worry about everything". Although I’d love to be a completely chill and relaxed mom, it’s just not me.

 

Each day I pretty much have to overcome my worries though- because life is moving ahead and I need to move and adapt with it. Some of my recent worries have involved traveling with the baby.

Since our family is all out of town, I knew we’d be on the road a lot with Olivia. Seems fine in theory but once it was time to actually do it, I worried about whether or not she’d be comfortable in the car, would she poop the minute we got on the highway? If we leave in between feedings will she be screaming to eat when we are stuck in traffic? What if we are on a bridge and she’s hungry? How will she be when in a new place? Will she sleep? Will she nap well? (and so on and so forth).

 

But we’re not going to stay home all of the time- it’s so important that Olivia knows her grandparents and extended family. Joe and I made a choice to be together and as a result away from family, so this is the life we will live. We need to embrace it. And we have.

 

Visiting my Dad and stepmom in NJ

Visiting my mom,sister and nephew in CT

Visiting Joe’s family in Pittsburgh

Then there are the everyday fears. These may seem ridiculous to you, but they are real to me!

 

I worry sometimes that I will dress Olivia wrong and then she will be too hot or too cold. I did this the other day when it looked grey and cloudy and cold but was really humid. She ended up being very hot and I had to strip her down to her onesie. But the next day the weather changed again, and we suited up and headed out.  This time I remembered to step outside first.

 

Both times I ventured to the new Wegman’s in town, Olivia has been in rare form. The first time we made it in, but she was very cranky and upset the whole time. Then earlier this week we went back and she was so hysterical that I had to put my groceries back and leave. For whatever reason, it wasn’t working. I realized later that I was going to the store during her nap time. It was over stimulating and she was getting upset. This time, I fed her, she napped and we went out when she was rested. Additionally, I wore her this time (another fear that I faced because I never put her in a carrier outside the house before).

 

I haven’t had much luck with babywearing although I really want it to work for us. I can’t get the Ergo quite right (I think it will be easier when she can spread her legs across my body instead of froggy), and she hated the sling, mei tai, and moby. I have a Bjorn Air, that was my sisters but I wasn’t sure about using it because there are articles about it affecting baby hips. However, Olivia seemed to like the Bjorn and it is easy to use. I see a ton of people using them and figured that 30 minutes once a week is not going to do anything to hurt her. So yesterday we went for it.

 

And she loved it. And we got the shopping done.

 

Being a mom is so rewarding for so many reasons and I love it. But one of the more unexpected upsides is seeing what I am capable of. From labor to the initial pain of breastfeeding, to the every day ups and downs I am getting stronger each day. And it feels really, really, good.

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Sharing Holidays

Hi everyone!

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was very nice- and certainly jam packed with a lot of traveling and fun. We spent the holiday with Joe’s family in Pittsburgh and Erie, PA. On Saturday, my mother in law also threw me a second baby shower in Pittsburgh and it was a blast. It was really nice to be able to see so much family all in one weekend. Since we don’t live close by, I loved getting to visit with everyone that was there.

I have a bunch of pictures to show you from the holiday and the shower- but they are actually on my Mom’s camera. I’m hoping to get them soon and follow up this post with a picture post.

In the meantime, here’s a picture of last year’s turkey at my mom’s house.

Traveling for the Holidays

Do you travel to see family over the holidays or do they come to you?

For Joe and I, holiday season means a lot of traveling. We both value family time immensely and are very close with our families. I think it’s part of what we love about each other, but it also makes splitting time a bit challenging.

Here is our family situation.

Joe and I live in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Most of Joe’s family lives in Pittsburgh. (4.5 hours from us)

My mom and sister live in Connecticut, and most of our extended family is in New York. (about 3 hours from us)

My Dad and stepmom live in New Jersey (about 2 hours from us)  my half brother is at school in Michigan (plane ride)  and my half sister lives in Minneapolis (plane ride).

For Christmas, we split the holiday between Joe’s parents and my Mom. My Dad’s family is Jewish so we celebrate Hanukkah together. What we’ve been doing the past few years is trying to take a week of vacation to share among the families. We celebrate X-mas Eve and Day with one family (a shorter visit but they get the actual holiday) and then spend a few extra days with the other family. Some years we spend the extra days before the holiday and some years it is after the holiday. It depends on everyone’s scheduling.

For Thanksgiving it has been a bit trickier because we are juggling three sets of extended family. The past few years we have been rotating like this:

Joe’s family

My family (mom)

Joe’s family

My family (dad)

It was hard at first to get used to the rotation for everyone, I think especially for my parents since they were used to seeing me every other year. But they both understand the stress that we feel trying to see everyone as much as we can.

One of the best things about this year’s Thanksgiving was that my Mom joined us. This is the first time we’ve combined families. It was Joe’s year for the holiday but I had the best of both worlds by spending the day with my mom as well. My sister was sick, but she was planning to come as well.

Next year we will spend Thanksgiving with my Dad’s family- but that is the only plan we really have at this point. We will have a baby, so we’re pretty sure we’d like to cut back on the holiday traveling and spend some holidays at home. We’re going to play it by ear and figure it all out as we go.

Fortunately our families are very loving and understanding and they all get along well, so I have a feeling that more shared holidays will be in our future.

How was your Thanksgiving? Where did you spend it?

How do you split holidays with your significant other?

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Summer Plans

How is everyone doing this afternoon?

 

I’m doing great. I decided that today would be a stress free day. I’m not job searching today- I’m just enjoying the fact that I am done with graduate school!

 

I’m also trying to enjoy the fact that I DO in fact have a summer position lined up.

 

This summer I’m going to work for an educational summer camp. I’ll be working in charge of a fun group of 8-9 year olds! It’s a great way to get experience and meet other teachers. Most of the staff at the camp consists of certified teachers.

The pay isn’t stellar, but hey, it’s money! Plus, the hours are fantastic 8:30-3:45.

 

Another thing I have to look forward to? Joe and I are going to Barcelona in a little over 2 weeks!

We are so excited! We’re staying for 8 days- and just going to enjoy the city and take some great day trips!

I haven’t been to Europe in about 8 years, and I’ve never been to Spain.

 

Sometimes I forget to just focus on the present and enjoy what is. I know that finding a job for the fall won’t be a breeze, but there is so much good in my life right now! I don’t want it to pass me by.

 

Thanks to Lynn over at  The Actors Diet for helping me put things in perspective!

 

Have you been to Barcelona?
What are your plans for the summer?

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Uplifted

Although I’m not actually being lifted up on the mountain today, I must say that I do feel better this morning.

 

I set my expectations for sleeping comfortably very low and they were exceeded. Once I got in a good position, I pretty much stayed there all night.

I certainly didn’t hop out of bed this morning, but I was able to get out of it without yelling in pain.

 

Last night we went to the bowling alley again to actually bowl since the first time they were booked. I couldn’t actually bowl, but I still had an okay time watching everyone else. At least there were TV’s.

 

We like stripes strikes.

Today I’m getting a head start on packing, going to the lobby to print everyone’s boarding passes, and meeting Joe for lunch and some window shopping in Vail Village.

 

Just going to make the best out of the vacation days I have left!

 

What are you guys up to this weekend?

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Feeling Sorry for Myself

I’m not going to lie. I felt really sorry for myself today.

 

Here I am in beautiful Vail, CO having an awesome time snowboarding and now I’m left behind while my husband and the rest of my family are off enjoying the mountains.

 

I felt lonely. I felt angry. I felt sad.

I just pictured everyone coming back to the condo in the afternoon all tired, satisfied, and full of stories from the day. I was upset that I wouldn’t be able to share in them and on top of it all, I’m in really bad pain.

 

Needless to say, there were more frustrated tears today.

 

I decided after a little bit of studying and some lunch at the condo that I needed to get outside. Sitting was becoming very uncomfortable anyway, so I decided to go for a walk.

 

 

It was snowy but actually sunny, and the walk felt good right from the beginning.

I did have a moment where I thought maybe I should drown my sorrow in sweets, but I just kept going.

I decided I would head to LionsHead Village where there was a small grocery store. My hope was that I could find an ice pack and maybe some benadryl to knock me out for the 5 hour plane ride that may be pretty uncomfortable.

The walk was about 1.2 miles each way, but at the time it just felt so good.

I even passed this place and knew I didn’t need to stop in.

On my walk I took lots of pictures and just enjoyed the scenery.

Can you spot the bird?

 

Before I knew it, I was at the store and they had exactly what I needed.

 

So I headed back. Feeling somewhat accomplished.

 

And as I rounded the corner back towards our hotel, I saw Joe and my family heading back to the condo. It was ridiculous timing.

 

And it was exactly what I needed.

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What a Difference a Day Makes?

I come to you this morning with some not so fun news from Vail.

 

Although yesterday morning started out like this….

I took two major falls and really jacked up my tailbone. Both falls were on ice and each time I fell on the exact same spot. It took me at least 30 seconds to get up and I honestly had to catch my breath from the pain.

I stuck with the group until about 3, hoping the pain would get better. By the time I got back to the condo it was awful. For some reason, when I got back and started talking about the injury, I started to cry! I was just so frustrated that I did this. It was such a stupid fall and on an easy mountain too.

 

After a very uncomfortable night trying to sleep, I am today, sidelined.

I plan on icing and ibuprofening it up so I can be back out tomorrow for our last day here.

I hope.

 

 

Does anyone else cry when you get frustrated or is it just me??

Ever bruise your tailbone?

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Snowboard School

Wow, what a day!!

 

After a great dinner last night at a chic bowling alley/restaurant called Bol, we got a good night’s rest.

 

We didn’t get to do any bowling, but plan on heading back this week when we aren’t so tired.

Even the bowling balls are cool!

 

We started out this morning with breakfast at the hotel at 8am. The spread was awesome, but I didn’t have my camera.

 

I ended up eating an omelet with ham, tomato, onion and pepperjack cheese, a piece of whole wheat toast, a small yogurt and a banana.  Got to fuel up! I also took a bunch of granola bars and fruit for snacks back in our room.

 

Then we got ready to hit the slopes (I do wear a jacket too, and helmet, and goggles, and gloves and one of those face cover things)

Me and my awesome snowboarder brother

I got to my lesson at 9:45 am and spent the whole day with 4 other people and an instructor. We had such a great time!! I got much better at tightening my turns, getting off the lift, and improving my form.

 

We stopped for lunch around 12:30 and I had a cup of buffalo chili, another yogurt and a banana.

We’re making dinner at our condo now- grilled chicken and salad and then cozying up in front of the fire with some beers before bed.

 

I plan to call it an early night though- I have day two of lessons tomorrow!!

 

G’night!

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Mountain High

Just arrived in Vail today. There are no words to even describe the beauty!

The resort ain’t bad either

Plus, it’s still X-mas in the lobby and they had free hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookes. Yes, please!

I feel very luck and blessed that my family took Joe and I on this vacation. It is truly beautiful here!

I’m all signed up for lessons and ready to hit the slopes bright and early tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

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Gone Boardin’

By the time you read this, I’ll most likely be on my way to Vail, Colorado!

We’re spending the week snowboarding with my family.

 

I have my laptop, so I’ll be blogging when time allows!

 

Wish me luck, I’m not the most talented winter sportswoman to put it nicely.

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Greetings from the Steel City

Happy X-mas Eve Eve!

We arrived safely in Pittsburgh yesterday and are all set for X-mas number 2 with Joe’ family.

 

Before we got on the road yesterday, I made sure to pack lots of snacks. Including a new idea that I loved.

 

Introducing- celery sticks with peanut flour paste!

I can’t believe I just figured this out now! It was a great on-the go snack.

 

I also grabbed some string cheese, cereal, a yogurt, an apple and some crackers and a bar for Joe. And a diet Dr. Pepper for a treat. I’m a big believer in long car ride snacking.

 

So, because I like to actually follow my own tips, I made sure to get in some activity yesterday and today.

 

Yesterday Joe’s mom and I hit the streets for a 3.5 mile walk. And today, even in the snow, I headed out for a 4.25 mile run.

 

Not going to lie, I felt pretty cool running in the snow. And honestly, it gets pretty warm once you’re out there long enough.

I was pretty happy with my pace considering the hills and dodging ice and snow patches. Pretty much the opposite of negative splits though. Oh well.

Mile 1 – 9:26/mi

Mile 2- 9:38/mi

Mile 3- 9:45/mi

Mile 4-9:59/mi

Mile 4.25- 9:44/mi

 

Now I’m just hanging out, but tonight I’m going to my first ever Steelers game at Heinz field!!

 

I couldn’t be more excited! But it’s going to be coooold!

 

In the next few days I’m not sure how much I’ll be blogging, so I just want to wish you all safe travels and happy holidays!

What are your plans for the next few days? Are you working or on vacation?

What family traditions do you have?

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