30 Before 30

1. Saw Niagara Falls.

2. Flew on a plane.

3. Went to a Broadway show.

4. Won $10,000 from iwon.com. {boy I wish I had that now}

5. Rode in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals.

6. Graduated from college with a master's degree.

7. Snorkeled off the shores of Punta Cana.

8. Went to Europe.

9. Went on the London Eye and walked around the city.

10. Went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and visited both Paris and the French Countryside. 

11. Leased my own horse, Warrior, for a few years.

{Warrior-retired sulky racing standardbred}

12. Got engaged in a fairytale-like way.

13. Bought a house.

14. Got married.

15. Jumped off a cliff at Xel Ha in Riviera Maya, Mexico. 

16. Began a career of teaching special education.

17. Saw Letterman live in NYC.

18. Had a baby boy.

19. Established a family tradition of a North Wildwood summer vacation.

20. Taught 1st-4th graders in some combination/point in my career.

21. Started this blog.

22. Reliving the magic of Santa and childhood through my children's eyes.

23. Got a fancy DSLR camera with hopes of one day learning all its features.

24. Became a member of the Philadelphia Zoo.

25. Had a miscarriage and learned so much from it.

26. Had a baby girl.

27. Went through RCIA and finally became a confirmed Catholic.

28. Became an aunt.

29. Ran my first 5k, and then a couple more.

{Phillies Charities 5k 4.28.12}

30. Fell in love with my husband, over and over again.   

Well, my first 30 years were pretty amazing, and I know that my next 30 will be just as spectacular with my family by my side. 

8 months

What a busy month for you little girl! You celebrated your first Easter, and shortly after got your first tooth. It is the lower left. Within a week the lower right was in also. Here's a little more that you've been up to:

• sleep is not your #1 priority, whether it be a nap or night time...mommy hopes this changes soon
• two teeth, and maybe more to arrive soon
• your bond with Aidan grows stronger every day
• you say "mama" and it melts my heart
• I think "gaga" is daddy, but he isn't so sure
• Aidan thinks you may have said his name a few times too, maybe not, but you sure try
• love to babble
• you hide your face in my chest or arm when you get shy
• roll all over the place
• trying so hard to crawl
• get on hands and feet with hiney in the air, but not really rocking on hands and knees
• can push yourself backwards when laying on your belly
• sit completely unsupported
• went to your first Phillies game
• wearing 9 months clothes, but will soon be in 12
• still in size 3 diaper (and 4 is a long way away, I hope)
• taking 1-2 bottles a day at while mommy is at work, and still nursing
• eating stage 2 foods, with a few stage 3's starting
• hate puffs still, but will gnaw on the biter biscuits
• no longer swaddled, sleep on your side at times, and rarely roll to sleep on your belly
• love to play with toys
• sometimes hold a phone or something to your ear which looks like you're talking on it
• love to be held
• enjoy being read to
• love taking walks and being an observer like Aidan

{1st tooth ~ 4.9.12}

{your new cousin Landon Cole}

{you share an amazing bond}

{1st Phillies game}

Oh Abby girl, we love you so so much. You have brought a love and light into our worlds that can not even be put into words. You give us such a full and complete feeling. That doesn't mean mommy has decided she's done having babies, that's God's choice and mommy doesn't quite feel done yet either. You continue to amaze us every day, bringing joy with every little smile and coo. Thank you for being you even when you don't sleep and being such a wonderful little girl. 

My thoughts on life right now:

8 months? Seriously? 

Where did the time go?

I've already starting thinking about her 1st birthday party.

Packing her too-small clothes away made me sad.

I'm excited for the memories to be made. 

Happy Easter!

{Happy Easter}

This is a very special Easter. Not only is it Abby's first, and our first as a family of four, but it's also the first Easter that I'll be a confirmed Catholic. I went through CCD as a child until we moved the summer after fifth grade. I never completed it and not until I got older did I feel like a part of my religious life was missing. Now that I have children and know how important it is, I went through the RCIA program to be confirmed. It will happen tonight at the Easter Vigil service. I'm nervous and excited, but finally feel a sense of completion. It took a whole lot of time, but the commitment was worth it. And it's happening on Sean's birthday too.

PS-how cute are those two with the bunny? 

My thoughts on life right now:

I'm so glad I went through this process.

My kids are so stinkin' cute.

Happy Birthday Sean!!! Love you!

10 on Tuesday

1. How do you feel about April Fool’s Day?
I think April Fool’s jokes are usually mean.

2. Do you like birds?
Not really. Maybe if all they did was tweet and not poop.

3. How often do you wear your hair in a ponytail?
I would say at least 6/7 days.

4. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Of course, isn't that what Sean and I had? Just kidding. I believe in like at first sight. I believe that sometimes that turns into love. 

5. What is your favorite appetizer?
Nachos or chips and salsa probably.

6. What is your favorite brand of heels?
Heels? I couldn't even tell you a brand of heels I own since I rarely wear them. One day I'd like to own a few cute pairs though, as long as they're comfy! 

7. Are you a picky eater?
Not terribly, but a little bit.

8. Is there a tv show you like that nobody ever talks about?
Just about anything on HGTV...

9. Do you prefer hot tea or cold tea?
Cold. I do like a cup of hot every once in a while though.

10. Gayle or Peeta? (If you don’t know how to answer, read The Hunger Games.)
I guess I need to read The Hunger Games so I know.

I did it!

Yay! I did it! I finished my first 5k ever! And before I turned 30 in 26 days. It was the Phillies Charities 5k. I was nervous and excited, and not so happy that it was going to be a chilly 47 degrees with a 60% chance of rain. Thankfully though once the race started and a mile in I was at a comfortable temperature and pace. I even shed the gloves that Sean so graciously let me borrow since I forgot mine. At about mile 2 I realized I was feeling pretty darn good and was not going to have a problem finishing, and could probably pick up the pace. So by 2.5 I really picked it up and finished at about 36 minutes.

Unfortunately, my tag did not register so I didn't know exactly what my time was. I would have loved to have seen the printout though that told me where I was ranked in my age group...probably toward the bottom since I was at the old end, and exactly what my time was. My results were posted later online...I ran it in 36:06. Not bad. Certainly would have liked to have been a little faster, but at least I know I can try for a better time.

Next time I know I can push myself a little harder from the beginning, but I'm so glad I finished feeling good today. I had a great time and I am so glad I did it with my sister, and Chrissy too. I already signed up for The Comet Run on April 28th at my school. Should be fun!   

{Before the race}

{I did it!}

{finished my 1st 5k}

My thoughts on life right now:

I'm proud of myself. 

I should believe in myself more.

I have the best supporters ever. Love you Sean, Aidan, & Abby. 

7 months old

Yikes! This means you are officially closer to being a whopping 1 year old! Abby girl, slow down. Mommy loves that you are still a baby and I'm not quite ready to have a mobile, crawling, into everything little girl. You continue to amaze us every day and charm everyone with your beautiful smile. 

Here's a peek into your world right now:

• best, biggest smile
• still no teeth, even though a few weeks ago the doc assured us they would be in within a week
• babbling
• shrieking, especially at Aidan
• laughs, oh you have the best laugh, especially when we kiss your belly
• you sit without support, but love to throw yourself backwards so we still put the boppy or pillow behind you
• you have been moving onto your belly more from a sitting position, trying to get anything in sight
• you can straighten your arms now when on your belly...you'll be crawling before we're ready
• still nursing (who knew we'd make it this long?)
• eating stage 2 foods, and hate Gerber puffs, you gag every time
• waking once a night, sometimes twice, to eat and go right back to sleep
• taking at least two naps a day, sometimes a little cat nap around dinner time too
• love the pacifier especially to sleep and when in the car seat
• love the bath, and now that you have a bath seat you want to play with toys, but you also love to lay back when we hold you and kick, kick, kick---you'll be tons of fun in the pool this summer
• wearing size 3 diapers
• wearing 9 months clothes
• beginning to play with your left ear and hair more often
• constantly trying to get the dog
• everything goes in your mouth-toys, bib, fingers, and even toes
• love to be held
• always curious about what's going on around you
• Aidan is your best friend

{Love her smile}

My thoughts on life right now:

Hard to believe that 7 months ago you were born.

Even harder to imagine life without you.

You make us all so happy. 

10 on Tuesday

1. What is the most exciting thing to see on a baseball field?
Sean's answer to this would definitely be a no-hitter, which we've seen only once by Kevin Millwood in 2003. I have to admit that was pretty cool too, but so is seeing a walk-off homerun to win the game. We also saw the Phillies clinch the NLDS for the first time in 2007 in many, many years. In 2008 we were at an extra inning World Series game that they won, and in 2009 we were at the game they won to advance to the World Series. 

2. What snacks do you usually get at a game?
I don't usually get much at a game, thanks to having Aidan occupying my lap 99% of the time, even when half my lap was taken by my big pregnant with Abby belly. There aren't many healthy things and I've been trying to make better choices. But, on the occasion I do get something there and we don't bring in our own sandwiches I usually go with nachos or a helmet sundae. And yup, now I'd love to have some nachos. Oh, and of course I get a hot dog on Dollar Dog Nights! 

3. Do you yell at the umps? Other players?
I usually just leave the yelling to the other fans. I just cheer.

4. If you could be commissioner for a day, what would you change about MLB?
I would make the stadiums more family friendly. Having just a couple of family restrooms in a huge stadium is just plain stupid. And there would be more family friendly meals and food choices too. Oh, and maybe booster seats to put on the seats so my little guy could see around the big guy in the front row. 

5. Which of the following have you seen in person at a baseball game:
a. a rainout? Yes, I've been to a few games where there have been crazy thunderstorms actually.
b. a no-hitter? Yes. Kevin Millwood in 2003. And I can't believe it was that long ago.
c. a grand slam? Yes. Pretty cool.
d. your face on the JumboTron? I think only once, but I have seen us on tv a few times since we're in the 2nd row of left field where homeruns are often hit.
e. a squeeze play? I'm sure I have.
f. a fight? I believe so, and even a clearing of benches...or maybe that was just on tv...we watch too many games.

6. What do you say to people who claim that baseball is boring?
I say No way! It's fun and relaxing, which I think is why I like it. Although sometimes it causes a little anxiety or can be boring, but most of the time relaxing and a good time.

7. What do you think of the recent trend of singing “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch?
I really couldn’t care less what they sing during the 7th inning stretch as long as they still sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. 

8. Old school “knickers” or full length pants?
Old school looks pretty darn funny now that just about everyone wears the full length pants.

9. What do you do about the obnoxious drunk guys/girls sitting around you?
I do not like them. Generally I'm mumbling not so nice things and giving dirty looks. And of course hoping that security will escort them out. Thankfully we sit in a pretty good section, and we're in row 2 so that means less seats around us. 

10. For a game you’re watching in person, what’s your limit on extra innings? How many before you just bail?
Again. It depends. Does the game mean anything? Who is playing? What time is it? Do I have to go to work tomorrow? Is it cold outside? Is it raining? Am I hungry? Who am I with? The longest game I've been at was 16 innings on July 2nd and 3rd, 2004. It just so happened to be a fireworks game too. So believe it or not, when the game ended after midnight...5 hours later...they had the fireworks. And they were worth it. 

My thoughts on life right now:

Only 21 days until Opening Day! I can't wait! I love baseball season. Think Aidan can pass for three again this year? He can sit on my lap again. Two kids, two laps, too uncomfortable!