quotes

Weekly Mantra //

November 21, 2016 by Rachel 4 Comments

Oh, hi, Monday! On Friday night I happened to find myself alone, with my laptop for, like, an hour. So I started drafting some blog posts — the first of which was this here Weekly Mantra. Since I was riding on a high from our fun zoo day on Friday (holla, 73 degree day in Ohio — in November!), I assumed the rest of our weekend would follow suit.

Spoiler: it didn’t.

With the exception of one thing — Remy slept through the night Friday night. Like, actually through the night (!!!). The first, and only, time she woke up was at 6:45am.

Yes, after almost 10 months, she slept through the night for the very first time.

And that, my friends, is exactly where our carefree spirit ended. See, it turns out that the reason Miss Bea may have slept through the night is because she was in the midst of coming down with some sort of virus.

Chad took Ari to see the movie Trolls Saturday morning while I put Remy down for a nap. I assumed it would be her usual 20-minute morning nap and then she and I would be able to go run some errands. It wasn’t. She napped the entire time they were gone. So, 2 and a half hours? Yep. Unheard of.

Well, when she woke up, she was running a fever. Which, even through her several UTIs, has never happened. It was really low-grade so I really wasn’t overly concerned, but enough so that I decided to not go run my errands. And then around 5pm she started getting really, really, warm. And all she wanted was to be held in a cradle position — which is something she usually hates!

Sunday morning things just got worse. Her fever kept going up and up, but still considered in the ‘safe’ zone; especially since she was still wetting diapers. I had planned on sending just Chad and Ari to a couple of birthday parties that we had on the calendar, but, at the last minute, Chad said he would just give Remy some coconut water from a medicine dropper (because, girlfriend still isn’t taking a bottle or a sippy cup — and all she has wanted to do is nurse this weekend). And it worked out. I took Ari to the parties and he had an absolute blast!

And, knowing I’ll be stuck in the house all day today with a sick kiddo and restless toddler, it was good for me to get out for a bit while I could!

But when I got home, Miss Bea was a wreck. Don’t get me wrong — Chad did everything a parent could while I was gone. But, gosh, there is something to be said about Mommy-guilt. And all girlfriend wanted to do when I got home was to snuggle, nurse, sleep; snuggle, nurse, sleep. Which was fine by me. But we’ve had a rough night, y’all. Like, really rough. And her fever has come down (and she’s still wetting diapers!), but I hate seeing her like this.

This week I just really want my whole family to remain healthy. Seriously. Because this week is also my absolute favorite holiday! Seriously. Food, family, and turkey-induced sleep. It’s perfection. But it will be miserable if we aren’t healthy for it.

I’m grateful to be able to spend my favorite holiday with my little family. The ups and downs? They happen. Am I right?? But I’m so grateful to have a husband that supports me and our family. And for a husband that will help me with a sick baby. I know it seems silly, but seriously. This is everything.

I’m content knowing that I don’t have to get anything specific on Black Friday. My mom found a Hatchimal last week (hooray!), which is Ari’s ‘big’ gift; so all I have to do is go for a ‘leisurely’ Black Friday run for whatever I might find!

I wish for my family and friends to have a week full of food and happiness. I have a few friends that are going through some terrible losses right now, and it’s kind of shaking me. So, while I totally count my own blessings, I’m constantly thinking of them.

Happiness is having family and friends that you can truly rely on. Whether it be for help with a sick baby, coverage at work, or a laugh (and glass of wine) when you need it most. These people are my tribe.

Weekly Mantra:

Regardless of what life throws your way this week, make it a good one. xo

do what you can // it takes a village. still.

July 15, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

After Moosh was born, it became crystal clear that the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” is 100% true. I was, and forever will be, eternally grateful for everyone who brought over a meal or sacrificed their time to come clean our house and do the laundry. We even had several family members donate a few nights to staying with us overnight and hanging out with a very colicky baby while we slept.

And I’m already noticing this again during this pregnancy. In just the littlest ways, it has helped tremendously.

My Husband // It’s no secret that I’ve been sick and less than human over the last few months. I’ve slacked on everything. Obviously, it’s not on purpose; but there is still a huge amount of guilt over disregarded housework, laundry in piles, and a toddler disheveled. Not to mention my inability to go into work. He’s been incredibly supportive and has picked up my slack.

My Doctors + Pharmacist // They have all seen a lot of me lately. I’ve been in to see my doctor biweekly and the pharmacist about the same amount, if not more. My doctors (yes, the practice has multiple doctors that I rotate in seeing) haven’t batted an eye at trying different methods to help my extreme morning sickness. They’ve been patient and accomodating.

And as odd as it sounds, my pharmacist has been a huge supporter. Not only have I seen him on the regular over the last few years, but he was one of the first people to find out I was pregnant both times! The first time — with Moosh — I literally went one week to picking up my birth control pills to filling and picking up prenatal vitamins the next. This time around he had to go behind the counter to get me some B6 vitamins, which are made pretty much for combating morning sickness. Ha! Well over the course of this pregnancy, my dear pharmacist Patrick (yep, we’re on a first name basis — LOL), has told me about how his wife had a terrible time with both of her pregnancies. This last time I went in to get a new morning sickness medication Patrick offered an additional piece of advice… He told me not to feel guilty about the multiple doctors visits and not to feel like I was wasting their time. That all of them were happy to help and get me to feeling better. ♥ THANK YOU PATRICK!

My Family + Friends // Everyone has been so supportive. My mom calls in to check on me everyday. I know she wishes she could be here to help me through this time, but times like this last weekend she WAS able to come up and help out. And I totally appreciated having her take on a super crazy toddler for me.

My Coworkers // I’ve had so many people ask me how I’m doing on the daily. And there are so many women, so many mothers, who have been so incredibly supportive. Not really offering advice, ’cause let’s face it — there’s nothing a pregnant woman loves less than advice — they’ve just been consoling, comforting, and a shoulder for me to cry on.

So yeah. This quote. I’ve gotta remember this. I can’t change my situation; I’m simply waiting for the situation to change in my favor. Thank you to everyone who is respecting where I am. I’m going to use what I have (and that’s my resources — YOU!). And just know that I’m doing what I can. ♥ And I will forever be grateful for my village.

Blogging // Authenticity // and the Truth

May 19, 2015 by Rachel 5 Comments

I created my blog years ago as a space and an outlet for me to share the happenings in my life with myself and a few people who may actually read it at the time. Over the years it transitioned from me being single and living in Syracuse; to Chad and I dating; to us living 6-hours apart and dating long-distance; then to us moving in together; and then to us getting married and starting a family.

Along the way it’s remained a place where I share my hopes and my dreams; my passion for creating a healthy lifestyle (while being completely honest with myself and the world about continuing to seek balance throughout the process); local events and happenings; and the everyday hum-drum of my life.

One thing that has changed over the last 7.5 years is opportunity. Blogging has created enormous opportunity in my life. I’ve met some incredible people in-real-life thanks to friendships created over the internet and social media — because I put myself out there. I’ve been around people from all different walks of life that I wouldn’t have met otherwise; and for that I’m incredibly grateful.

Blogging has also brought me a teeny bit of financial opportunity via sponsored and reviewed posts. And while that hasn’t quite been a life-changing amount of extra income, it certainly has helped. I don’t do them often and they seem to come in waves where I have months without an offer and then two at a time.

However, this is really and truly none of anyones business. In fact, the great thing about the internet and social media is that we are all free to share what we want. But we are also free to see what we want. We can follow whoever we’d like on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; and we choose to follow those that we don’t align with. When you open a blog, follow a person on twitter, or engage in social media, YOU ARE PROVIDING CONSENT TO WHAT YOU ARE SEEING, whether you agree with the subject matter or not.

I received a nasty comment in regards to losing my authenticity of blogging with my recent sponsored posts yesterday. I have not yet approved the comment; but I’ve also not yet denied it. (Sidenote to people who leave fake or anonymous info: IP addresses don’t lie). It hurt. It shouldn’t have, but it did. The words didn’t exactly hurt; but the idea that someone would go out of their way to be nasty to another person? that is something that in my 30 years I have YET to wrap my head around.

Here’s the truth: I’m not always authentic. None of us are. But — dammit! — I try my hardest to do so. I put myself out there — the good, the bad, and the ugly parts that no one else has the balls to talk about. I’m a hard working mom. I’m a full-time employee for a huge company (to which I’ve been employed for the last ten years). I am a partner to my husband. We run a household together. And we try to work in some fun in our spare time. And in addition to that? I share parts of it here on my blog. Because each of us chooses what and with who we share things; each of us crafts an online persona; and that isn’t being inauthentic — it’s simply just a piece of our true selves.

So basically thanks for the perspective on my blog, commenter. 🙂

choose it.

June 6, 2012 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Just this. I’ve interrupted my regular post because this is what I need today.

And maybe this is what you need today, too.

Let’s control our own happiness today!

{ monday mantra }

January 30, 2012 by Rachel 5 Comments

This week I will smile; I will breathe; and I will stay positive.

I believe in taking time to do things you want to do. This weekend I had some quality ‘me’ time and it was well worth it. I cleaned, I cooked, I baked, I crafted, and I loved every second of it. Yes, even the cleaning part. It felt good to check it off my to-do list!

I’m addicted to Pinterest. I know I’ve said this before, but seriously everything I did this weekend was because of Pinterest. Every craft, every meal, every dessert…. thanks to Pinterest. Ahh! Pinterest, you’re taking over my life! I seriously couldn’t cook just one meal for dinner on Saturday; I cooked two entrees. Two desserts. Two post-dinner crafts. It would have been three, but I forgot something at the store.

I wish to win the lottery. What? A girl can dream, right? A few of us from work go in on the mega millions. And then for days we dream in ‘what-ifs.’ For instance, my “if I won the lottery” story goes like this: If I won the lottery, I’d pay off my student loans and our house, and I’d do something with my life that I actually want to do (like get teacher trained in yoga) and move somewhere. Sigh. Dreams…

I’m happy because I have a job; I have an amazing family; a loving boyfriend; and a lovely life.

Mantra for the week: “Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. Asking for what you want and need from others. Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.” — Barbara De Angelis

weekly mantra.

January 3, 2012 by Rachel 1 Comment

This week is another short, but very likely busy, week! But I’m staying in the present moment, so that I don’t stress

I believe in the promises of a brand new year — yay, 2012!

I’m addicted to blogs. And Pinterest {surprise, surprise}.

I wish for a week of being present. That’s it. I wish it for you, too!

I’m happy because the holiday are over. Don’t get me wrong; it was fun. But wayyyy too busy. I’m ready for more at-home time.

Soundtrack/Mantra for the week: “Create healthy habits!” – The Daily Love {check it out here!}