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Dear Ari // Happy Birthday

October 16, 2016 by Rachel 19 Comments

Dear Ari,

I’m not going to say something cliché about the years flying by; because, honestly, as quickly as they do, the days sure are long, dude.

I have to say this though — Going from being a self-proclaimed “never-going-to-have-kids” chick, to finding out I was pregnant with you? That rocked my world. Your daddy and I were lucky enough to have had a lot of really fun times travelling the globe before you came along.

Speaking of me and your daddy, do you know just how much it makes me smile to hear you call me a princess when you look at pictures from our wedding? That doesn’t get old. Keep saying it.

I feel like you’ve grown up so much over the last year. Heck, maybe it’s because now I’m with you 24/7 that I feel that way! I knew being a mom was going to be hard, but I didn’t know just how hard. And then I knew being a working mom would be hard, but I didn’t anticipate just how hard. And even then, I completely, totally, underestimated just how hard it would be to be at home with you (and at work with you) 24/7.

But you never cease to amaze me.

Your heart is huge. Bigger than anyone else, I think it’s safe to say.

And you’re sensitive, which makes me happy and also breaks my heart (because I know that it means you will feel so much more deeply).

You’re also totally a boy. The guns, the Legos, the superheroes… all of it. It’s utter boy nonsense and I love it.

And who knew you would be such a great big brother?! I mean, as much of a big brother as you can be to an infant. You have been so gentle and understanding of this new little human in our lives. But, most recently, you’ve also begun to show a great deal of interest in her. You celebrate her milestones like a mini adult — right beside us!

“Look at her, Mommy! Her did it!”

Those (grammatically incorrect) words are some of which I will never tire.

I love and adore that you sing your ABCs wrong. I, too, think the alphabet should be “A B C G E F G. H I J J L N N O P. Q R X. T U V. W X. Y AND Z.” Because, YES.

I want to ask you to please, always stay little. But instead, I will ask you this…

Please always stay kind. Please always be polite. Please always treat people with respect. Please continue to be you. There is truly no one else in the world like you.

You are the Peanut Butter to my Cupcake.

Happy birthday, Ari Davis. Thank you for making me a mommy 4 years ago. ♥ ♥

Real talk.

August 12, 2016 by Rachel 1 Comment

I’ve had blog post after blog post drafted this week. But I can’t sit down and focus for long enough to finish a single one. I’m just so… so….

freaking exhausted. mentally drained. physically worn out. and one thousand percent over it.

I’m not even sure “what” it is that I’m “over.” Because truthfully, most of the time I’m totally okay.

But ever night, as I sit down for the first time all day, open my computer, and turn the TV on…

I just can’t function.

And I’ve avoided thinking about the fact that perhaps I’ve put a little too much on my plate these last 7 months.

But as I sit here, amid a two-child meltdown on a Friday afternoon, I have to acknowledge that I’ve been keeping myself too scheduled and busy. Especially these last two weeks.

And my brain needs a break.

So I’ve been a tad bit quiet around here this week. And I probably will be this weekend, too.

But the good news is it won’t be because I’m busy. Nope. We have a nearly empty agenda for the weekend (minus a work meeting I have on Sunday!).

So catch ya on the flip side of the weekend, friends. Enjoy it. ?

weekly mantra //

August 17, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

After months and months of not feeling like myself… I’m still not feeling like myself. But this morning I’m dragging myself out of bed at a reasonable time (8 am — GUYS! I’ve been sleeping til like 10 am everyday!) and I’m hitting the ground running.

Sure, there may be some speed bumps (frequent bathroom trips to throw up), but in between trips to the bathroom, I’ll get some real ish done! Like dishes. And laundry. And … let’s face it. That’s probably it! Ha!

But seriously. Happy Monday, friends! ♥ ♥

{ Tales From a Working Mom }

January 10, 2013 by Rachel 3 Comments

I knew my first day back at work would be a mixture of emotions. So I woke up extra early to prepare for my big day back.

Ari + Chad were still sleeping (did I mentioned Ari started sleeping at night?! Hooray!). I started a load of laundry, did the dishes, and prepped my lunch for the day…

I had a lot of things to remember to bring for the day: my lunch, my purse, my badge to get into the building, my parking pass, my breast pump, storage containers for the milk, and my work laptop.

Holy hell.

I looked like I was moving in.

And the fun part? I have to bring that stuff in every single day.

Once I got there, I was kind of amazed at how excited I was to be back at work. My coworkers, the environment, and the sense of purpose. I love my job and I have missed that confident working woman that I am!

And to be honest, everyday since my first has been great!

I swear going back to work and being a mom have both given me a completely different perspective.

Now I know that work may get stressful at times, but there is no stress like taking care of a human being — that is really hard work!

Luckily the work days have been flying by and when I come home and see my little guys big toothless grin, my heart completely melts. Completely!

I’m hoping to keep my new-found perspective as a learn-as-I-go working mama! I know it won’t always be pretty, but it will be authentic.

weekly mantra!

December 27, 2011 by Rachel 3 Comments

{photo}

This week will be
short, but likely busy! Which means it will fly by {thank god!}. And the
BFs cousin is getting married on Saturday evening, so we get to attend
our first ever New Years Eve wedding!

I believe in yoga!

I’m addicted to yoga!

I wish for a week full of laughter.

I’m happy because I can be!

Soundtrack/Mantra for the week: “There is nothing in your mind you did not invite in.” – a quote from yoga practice at Yoga Bliss in Akron this morning, via the lovely Juli! But I’m not certain whom the quote is from. But I love it. And I need to remember this — we all do!

november 30th.

December 1, 2011 by Rachel 4 Comments

“Friends can help each other.

A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom

to be yourself — and especially to feel.

Or, not feel.

Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment

is fine with them.

That’s what real love amounts to;

letting a person be what he really is.“

– Jim Morrison

Thank you to all of you.

Especially the BF.

Especially to my supportive family.

And all of my blogger and twitter friends.

Today was super rough.

Not only did I attend the first round

of calling hours for my aunt;

but also I witnessed something I will never forget.

Thank you for your kind words and continued support.