I Heart the Spring

(Photo: Peonies in my backyard)

Spring is my favorite season of the year.  Mainly because the weather is not too hot or cold.  In my opinion, the weather is just perfect.  Here are some other reasons why I love the spring:

Flowers are beginning to bloom

Time for BBQ's

Opening our house windows to experience the fresh spring air

Hearing outdoor sounds such as the birds chirping
Peaceful walks 

Nice weather brings on happier people
Summer break is no longer miles away

Tea and hot chocolate gets replaced with refreshing lemonade

Delicious hot fudge sundaes

Pink, mint green, and other pastels are chosen for manis and pedis

A dress with a pair of sandals is an easy decision in the morning

White pants are allowed to be worn again-lol!

Songs sound so much better in the car with the windows rolled down.

What do you love about the spring?

So Proud!

Tom took on the challenge of running the Soldier Field Ten today.  Not sure if he chose to run this particular race because:  A. He wanted to see if he do it or B. He wanted the chance to finish on the 50 yard line @ Soldier Field.  I'm going more with option B because he is a HUGE Chicago Bears fan!  Either way, I am so proud of him.  Here are some pics:

7am shot of the field:

Tom waving to me after finishing the race: 

35 weeks pregnant supporting my man: 

 People are scared to challenge themselves.   Or simply to try something new. Give it a chance!  You might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it.  (Tom is now planning on running a half marathon!) 

A Brief Break

Taking a month off has seriously been one of the best decisions I've made in a long time.  On most days, I woke up with a clear agenda.  How often can we say we have absolutely nothing to do?  For the first time, I took really good care of myself and didn't make too many plans. 

Here's a little peek at some of the things I chose to do:

JUST FOR ME:

Spent time playing with our dog Frankie:

Cooked healthy recipes-thanks Pinterest!

Read books.

Slept in--no alarm clock what-so-ever!  (Totally necessary for a mother to be because sleeping in will soon be a thing of the past). 

I got rid of clothes--like my size 24 Seven and Citizen jeans (doubt I'll be squeezing into those suckers ever again!)

Went on relaxing walks.

Organized Jake's gifts.

Blogged more and checked other blogs more frequently.

Worked on three photo albums--finally have my Puerto Rico pics in an album!

Watched old and newer movies (that I have been meaning to watch) such as The Vow.

Downloaded music that was in some of the movies and shows that I watched.

KIDDOS:

Lunch at Nordstrom with Araceli and her girl Lyla.  

                 Visited the zoo with Nicole, Tori, and her son Landon:                

Lunch with Vasavi and her girls Alaina and Nola:

**Hubby painted nursery! (Pictures coming soon.)

FOOD:

Pulp Kitchen w/friends (check out my two plates of breakfast!)

Maestro's for a girls night out.

The Goddess and the Grocer in Bucktown.

Coopers Hawk with my sisters and mom for Mother's Day. 

Need time to unwind?  Schedule a day just for you!

Thanks Betty!

I wanted to publish this super sweet email that I received from my friend Betty:

Your style has changed!!! You were a good writer before but I can see you glowing through your words now...you are at peace, in this amazing state that it is honestly radiating!!!! You are just writing...not thinking hard about it and I love the pics you are posting. Like I said, it was good before but now...WOW!

Thank you Betty, without you I would've never created this blog! 

Maternity Pictures

I believe being pregnant is a blessing and you should embrace all of the changes your body is experiencing.  I think there is nothing more beautiful in life than a woman who is carrying a tiny little life inside.  I called upon my friend Nancy to take some pictures at our house so that I can remember what I looked like at almost 32 weeks.  I loved how she was full of ideas and captured pregnancy from a more glamorous and artistic angle than traditional.  

 She took over 200 color and black & white pictures.   I navigated through all and chose some for Facebook for friends and family to see, framed some, and made a photo album on Snapfish.   I am not good with decisions so these tasks have taken me forever!  Here are some of my faves I chose for my blog:

(Click on an image to enlarge)

 Posing with my scarves in the pictures below:

 Lots of kicking! Uploaded two of the same so that you can see movement from within:

 Love, The K's

Chocolate Chip Frap

(Pic: iphone)

The world is filled with useless information.  

However, I happen to think the fact that today is National Chocolate Chip Day is quite fun and delicious!

( I know...leave it up to me to find this fact online.) 

Only me ;)

ENJOY!!!

Bliss

(Pic: iphone)

This morning I woke up to pink flowers, a card, and a collage frame from my husband.  Apparently, on Friday night after I went out to dinner with some friends, he secretly picked out some of his favorite maternity shots for the frame he purchased.  I must admit, I was pretty shocked about the creativity behind this gift/project that may be very tedious for a man.  After the surprise, he took me out for a delicious breakfast.

Yes, please.  I'll take more mornings like this!

This rest of our day was spent choosing and planting flowers for our backyard.  

Have a great Mother's Day everyone and thanks for the texts messages and cards!

And yes, I will be sharing some of my maternity pictures soon....

XOXO

DWTS

(Pic: Yahoo images)

As I've explained here, I took the opportunity to put everything on hold and watch hours of my favorite television shows.  Dancing With the Stars is one of my faves because of the mere fact it is an uplifting show. Pictured above, are my current favorite dance partners, Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas.   She is a beautiful classical singer who is (in my opinion) a flawless dancer and her autobiography is on my list of books to read.  Every time I watch the show, I have this sudden urge to take dance classes. Don't even get me started on how much I want to learn the Argentine Tango! 

If someone were to ask me what the word dancing means to me, I would define it as a way to experience pure delight, romance, or in some cases a pure adrenaline rush. I come from a family of dancers. Before your mind begins to wander... let me set the record straight-we are NOT professional dancers! I'm just saying if an opportunity were to arise, we will get up and shake it! Whether we are at a wedding or elsewhere if there is music we are not shy and refuse to just sit there.

This show brings back memories of how dancing in front of an audience used to make me feel. There was nothing more that I loved to do and it all started in high school. I joined the pom squad and looked forward to dancing in front of the entire school. Throughout this experience, I gained confidence and lifelong friendships, thus leading this to be my most cherished memory of high school. Dancing then proceeded to take on a new form when I reached my 20's and transitioned into dancing for fun at bars or clubs with good friends.

I tend to drift when I write so back to the show I watched! This particular show was brilliant because it was dedicated to Motown music.  Motown is some of the best music that has ever been around. My parents listened to it and it was awesome to see The Temptations and Smokey Robinson singing live on the show and Gladys Knight as a dance contestant. Music and dancing is such a wonderful combination because it can truly bring out the best in people. Certain songs can change your mood and easily transport you to a different place and make you reminisce about the past, think of the present, and sometimes the future.  As an example, yesterday I was driving and listening to a good country song and I thought of taking a trip to the Kentucky Derby in the near future with friends.  Anyone in?  :)

Which songs make you want to dance?

The song Footloose still makes me want to "boogey" and laugh at the same time.  Tom and I went to Cabo San Lucas and watched this random man invest all of his energy into this song.  He was doing sidekicks, sweating, and dancing by himself among the crowd.  It was hilarious for us to watch but I have to give the man credit for at least trying.  Sugar Pie Honey Bunch will always be one of my Motown favorites.  Shout by the Isley Brothers will always be a wedding favorite of mine!  This should be on the must play list at every wedding! Why? Not only does this song get everyone moving, but if you take a moment to look around EVERYONE is smiling and so happy while dancing to this song. 

I'm going to give you a helpful tip:
When you have a bad day ( & no one is home) put on one of your favorite songs and dance your "you know what" off! :)  This may sound silly...but it helps and you will smile.  I promise.  

Taking Charge

I am a sweet lover.  The sweeter the better has been my motto for years! Sugar was my best friend along with unhealthy foods.  When a cashier would ask me "chips as your side or baby carrots?" That was a no brainer for me-chips, of course!

Who did I think I was all of those years?!  Did I seriously think my bad eating habits and not working out wouldn't catch up to me?? Yes, unfortunately I did.  I always took for granted the fact I am thin and my doctors would tell me that I was a "lucky girl with a high metabolism." We all know doctors can be wrong...

About three years ago, I was told I have congestive heart failure.  This probably stemmed from my lack of exercise and my poor intake of water.  For years, my way of socializing with friends consisted of  many cocktails. I probably suffered from years of dehydration since I never wanted to drink any beneficial fluids the next day.  My normal routine consisted of two soft drinks the next day and maybe some juice.  That's it!  Post cardiologist, I slowly started to change my ways.  No salt, little to no alcohol, and SOME work outs. Fast forward to the present...  

I'm pregnant and began drinking (what I think) is tons of water, quit drinking soda, started eating more fruit, some sweets, and every once in awhile I would "visit" Portillos or Chipolte.  Pregnant women are supposed to indulge every now and then right?!  Not me. A few weeks ago, I learned I am borderline diabetic and had to make an appointment to see a dietitian because my baby is on the "chunky" side.  Exercise and eating right has to be in my life full-time not part time. No more excuses...

I'm a strong believer in signs and things happening for a reason.  Even though I've changed some unhealthy habits--I could be doing a lot better.  We all have something that we need to improve right?  No one is perfect, but I've learned that doing something at 80% is just not good enough.  Yes, I've improved, but I can do better and I FINALLY realized I need to give it 100%!

I'm currently following this meal plan given to me by my dietitian.  I have one to follow for each meal of the day.  Now that I'm off of work, I have been researching diabetic friendly meals (thanks Pinterest) and I'm learning a lot. Did you know bananas are loaded with sugar and therefore should be avoided?  I always thought ALL fruit was good for you.  I also have been taking advice from people in my life that have been extremely supportive throughout this entire process.  Ann has given me advice on what to order at certain places when I'm on the go and she sent me many links that provide healthy tips.  Vasavi told me about The Belly Fat Cure book that helps me choose meals/condiments that are not loaded with sugar.  Tom has also been cooking healthier meals and has been helping me make healthy choices. The other day, I had a craving for ice cream and he took me to an Oberweis store and told me to order the sugar free frozen yogurt. Yuck! I sat there gazing among all of the lucky people around me who had the sugar loaded FUN ice cream.  I wanted to cry. This is not going to be easy.

Just read this quote and perhaps you can apply it to your life as well:  

"What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while."


XOXO