5.

Today marks five years that I have been married to my amazing hunk of a husband. I seriously couldn't feel more lucky…lucky that he chose me all those many moons ago…like 'please pinch me now' lucky. He is the ying to my yang, and most days I truly don't know what I would do without him by my side. He is patient and endlessly supportive. He makes me feel beautiful and loved each and every day. He is seriously incredible with Alec. Watching the two of them together makes my heart swell and I cannot wait to see him with our new little one in November. I am seriously hella proud of my man and I couldn't feel more honored to have him by my side as we walk through this wild ride we call life.

I love you Kiel Drake. And a special thank you to Smyth dining hall for sparkin that flame over ten plus years ago. 

How Could I Forget?

As I sit here, during Alec's nap time, and make lists and lists of presents to buy for family and friends for Christmas, I started to realize that I have totally bypassed another very special holiday all together! Maybe it's because I have to work Thanksgiving this year, or maybe it's because I want to stay ahead of the rest to avoid mall crowds at the end of December… but either way I have decided to pump the breaks just a tad and refocus my energy on next week's holiday of thanks. 

As I reflect back on this passing year, I become overwhelmed with joy just thinking of all the amazing things that I am so very thankful for. It has been one of the best, and most challenging, years of my life. As many of you readers probably know, our son, Alec, has a very serious heart condition. He was diagnosed in utero at just nineteen weeks. Last November, only two months after his arrival, Alec had major open heart surgery. It was the absolute scariest time of my life. Nothing will ever be as difficult as the moment I walked my boy to the operating room doors. We held him, and kissed him, and then as he rolled away, Kiel and I held each other as tears rolled down our faces. I swear the stress of that moment alone has taken years off my life...BUT with great faith in our medical team and God, the support of our family and friends, and Alec's amazing strength, we got through it. Our babe has thrived like we never imagined, and with that I am eternally grateful. Not only has he gotten stronger, but so has my marriage and the bond we share with our supportive family and friends.

'Thankful' doesn't really begin to describe how I feel about this passing year. It's hard to believe that so much has changed in just a little over 12 months. We are now parents to a beautiful, strong boy. We settled into a new home, which we could never have done without the help of my parents and grandfather. We celebrated our boy's first birthday, which was an amazing milestone after all he's been through. My sister-in-law set us up with a 'Go Fund Me' account and with the generous donations from family and friends we were able to pay off all of Alec's medical bills and create a savings account for future procedure/surgery costs. A close girlfriend of mine organized a heart walk team in honor of Alec and an amazing group of family, friends, and co-workers walked to support the cause in 2014 and 2015. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child and I swear I don't know where I'd be without my incredible village of supporters out there. So so so many truly awesome things happened over this past year or so and I am grateful beyond words. I feel so incredibly loved which is really all you need in this world. I only hope that this upcoming year is just as fabulous as the last. Thank you for reading. xo -L

image courtesy of nestofposies.com

Weekend Links

The perfect homemade gift for the ladies in your life.

An edgy hair style I've been trying to mimic all week.

100 Great Christmas gifts for Men in 2013.

It's about time I got organized.

The most adorable gift basket for a new mama.

The cutest little blog and the most practical mom uniform.

The best christmas cards are 25% off this weekend.

An awesome area rug I've had my eye on for a while.

A tribal coat I wouldn't mind sporting this winter.

36 Weeks

Today, Alec is 36 weeks and one day. Holy smokes, does time fly.

We had our final echocardiogram this morning, as well as, a routine prenatal ultrasound to evaluate his bodily growth. There is only one word I can use to describe our day... THANKFUL. 

I hardly slept last night in anticipation for this morning. We have had such positive, encouraging results at every other appointment... I was really starting to get to a point of comfort with everything. But, my husband constantly reminds me to be "cautiously optimistic"... reassuring me that we don't truly know how Alec will present once he is born. I appreciate this advice. I need to hear this, or I will get swept up in the positive. 

Fortunately, his echochardiogram was once again considered relatively unchanged. The cardiologist is nearly certain that the first surgery will be avoided. We may even be able to avoid any medications.  Hearing this was like sweet music to my ears. To think, that we may be able to bring our son home shortly after birth is the most amazing news. Not to mention, he is growing beautifully. He is approximately six pounds, one ounce. All of his other organs are looking just about perfect. The ultrasound technician even zoomed in and gave us a 3D view of his beautiful little face. I will admit, he looks like he is one handsome fella.  

I can't begin to thank everyone who has supported us through all of this chaos. Your prayers are working, so please please keep them coming. I am so grateful... overwhelmed... humbled by all the kindness and concern that has been sent our way. We are loved and it feels really good. 

xoxo - L

Isaiah 46:4

When it comes to our little man, things have not gone quite as smoothly as I had hoped they would. At times, I tend to get very overwhelmed with emotion when I think of all the abnormal worries that Kiel and I have to carry because of our little man's heart condition. He isn't even physically here yet, and he is constantly on my mind. I found this beautiful bible verse above on pinterest and it really spoke to me. I view it almost everyday and I relate it to my little man and his future struggles. I know that Kiel and I will be great parents to our boy, and when times get tough I will do everything in my power to limit his stress and comfort him.

We have another CHOP visit on July 1st. We will get another echocardiogram to evaluate his little heart. I'm hoping and praying for some encouraging news. Call it mother's intuition, but I have a really good feeling about everything. We are doing what we can to stay positive and our hopes are definitely high. Please keep our family in your prayers. 

Grateful

20 weeks, 2 days

I am feeling incredibly grateful these days...

Grateful for the unconditional love from my husband and family,

Grateful for my amazingly supportive friends and co-workers,

And most of all, I am forever grateful for this little boy that I already love so damn much. <3

FIVE DAYS! 

(I've been counting down for weeks)

On Monday April 8th, Kiel and I have our second trimester screening. It has been 6 weeks since we last saw the baby via ultrasound. I am so excited to catch another glimpse of our little one and to ensure that all is healthy and well. Not to mention... if all goes well, and the baby cooperates, we will possibly get to find out the sex! I'm dying to know.

From day one, I have felt that our little one is a boy. I have no idea why, in fact, I am probably 100% wrong... but for some reason that's my feeling. Many have been guessing and we've got very mixed reviews. I was never super nauseous, and I have been carrying most of my weight in my tummy. My skin is not cooperating, and my hair is feeling a bit drab. Are any of these signs telling me, boy or girl?... Not really.  I guess only time will tell! Monday can't come soon enough!

February Mix

a collection of my absolute favorite LOVE songs

Van Morrison - Crazy Love

The Beatles - Something

Etta James - At Last

Dashboard Confessional - Stolen (acoustic - my wedding song)

Coldplay - Til Kingdom Come

 Adele -One and Only

Ben Harper - Forever

Ray La Montagne - Hold you in my arms

Elvis Presley - Can't help falling in love 

Ella Fitzgerald - They can't take that away from me

Ingrid Michaelson - You and I
The Beach Boys - God only knows

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”— Emily Brontë

Feeling extra lucky to be married to this guy lately :)

A Love Affair with Paris

As much as I enjoyed our time spent in London, England... For me, it did not compare to our our four days spent in Paris, France. I absolutely love this city. There was something so enticing about Paris. It was both historic and romantic in every way. We stayed in a lovely, newly-renovated hotel, called Hotel Atmospheres. We were smack dab in the middle of the Latin Quarter, which couldn't have been more perfect. There were several shops, restaurants, and food markets all within a short walk of the hotel. We spent most mornings adventuring the city and seeing the sights. We would usually return to our hotel in the late afternoon, and we would use this time to relax and rest our feet before heading out on the town for dinner and drinks. It was truly a magical vacation and I am so glad we didn't wait for our ten year anniversary to visit. We will definitely be going back one day. 

Top Ten Things We Did In Paris:

(In no particular order)

1.Spent time touring the Notre Dame Cathedral

2. Explored the Louvre (We got to see all the guests enter the Louis Vuitton Fashion Show) 

3. Studied the breath-taking art throughout the Musee d'Orsay

4. Had a Picnic on the greens in front of the Eiffel Tower (French wine is delicious)

5. Climbed the Arc de Triomphe and captured picturesque views of the city

6. Road bikes around Versailles (Explored Marie Antionette's Playground)

7. Took a tour of Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie

8. Enjoyed a light evening meal in the Latin Quarter

9. Ate delicious cheese and drank Cotes du Rhone on the grounds of Versailles

10. Spent evenings with our hotel windows open and listened to a live band play 1940's jazz at the cafe across the street

The iPhone was my camera, Kiel actually got some decent pictures I'll post sometime later.

The Greatest

Can't believe we've almost been married a whole two years. Feels like just yesterday, I met this handsome man back in college. Feelin pretty luck right about now.

I'd rather...

I'd rather be floating down a river with you <3

Sweetheart

Love my man.

Water Your Grass.

I love this quote. It's far too often I get a little too caught up in the day to day. I occasionally forget to take the time to stop... take a breath... and be grateful for what I have. I'm actually a very lucky girl.

Happy Mother's Day

Me and Momma circa 1988

Over the Weekend...

 Happy Hour Drinks led to a Slow Morning

                 

 Trader Joe's Trip to pick up my Fave Treats

 Saturday Afternoon Gardening Session

 xoxo - L

Life Lately... according to my iPhone

NYC to see The Head and The Heart

My lovely little bugs, Phia and Addie

Happy Hour with ma girls

Atlantic City Beer Festival

Philly Date Night 

ATrip to 202 to check out the Whole Foods Market

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

50%. 

I wish I had some green denim for today...

Kiel's Birthday is tomorrow. I got us tickets to see The Head and The Heart at Terminal 5. We are heading up to NYC tomorrow morning for a fun-filled day in the city. Pics to come...

xoxo