just a girl

What is with this cold snap?! I was loving the 70's and 80's we were having. Come back spring. I'm looking forward though to Abigail's first Easter and hosting brunch at our house. Now I've got to track down this wine Jonathan and I had at T. Cooks - it would go perfect with my menu for Sunday. Wish me luck.

*images courtesy of http://pinterest.com/rachelyanez/

wtf

Ok being a woman is tough, but being a woman and a mom is the toughest. Not only do you have to carry inside of you for nine months precious cargo, you have to labor the child, then spend countless nights awake tending to them as well as worry that every decision you make is in their best interest only to discover on top of all that you have stretch marks and a deformed body. WTF. No one ever mentions the after-math of it all. Well, maybe they do and you think to yourself I certainly won't be like that. Ugh. Mom's deserve Mother's Day way more than once a year.

One look at my baby girl and it's all worth it though. Back on the elliptical I go.

*images courtesy of http://pinterest.com/rachelyanez/

spring fever

I have spring fever and I would love to just get away and go somewhere fabulous.
*image courtesy of http://pinterest.com/rachelyanez/

growing

I must think to myself a hundred times a day I can't believe how big Abigail is getting, but even more so today. I just can't get over how fast she's growing. Meanwhile I'm eagerly awaiting all we've got to come in the next couple of months: Abigail's first Easter, starting swim lessons and vacations.

*images courtesy of http://pinterest.com/rachelyanez/

ready for spring

Where did February go? Abigail is six months old (almost seven) and into everything, so I don't have a second to spare - hence not blogging for the past month. I wouldn't have it any other way though. She's my world. Motherhood isn't easy, far from it. Every stage has it's difficulties, but the reward far surpasses the fatigue, being pooped on, peed on, having baby food in your hair, and never having a minute for yourself. Today she laughed hysterically for the first time and my heart burst with joy. It's these moments that remind you just how wonderful life is. 

I have a new favorite baby product, the Aden + Anais Serenity Star. As much as we've love the sleep sheep it only plays sounds for 45 minutes and Abigail would wake when the sound turned off. The Serenity Star will play noise constantly. It also tells you the temperature of the room digitally and by color - the star glows white if the temperature is in the recommended range by pediatricians, red if it's too warm and blue if it's too cold. Love that feature. It's a clock as well and can keep track of feedings - we don't need this function anymore, but will be great for the next kiddo. 

Speaking of the next kiddo my stomach is in knots I have to go in this month to have my fibroid checked. If it's grown then I'll have to have surgery, which holds the risk of not being able to have more  babies. If that's the case I'll be devastated, but Jonathan and I have always talked about adopting. However the outcome I have an incredible little family that I'm so grateful for. 

*images courtesy of http://pinterest.com/rachelyanez/

royal palms

the entrance to the royal palms

the view of camelback mountain

our valencia casita

the rose petal turndown

my handsome hubby on our way to dinner

the fireplace in our casita

the property is covered with orange trees

one of the beautiful courtyards

For Christmas my incredibly generous and thoughtful parents sent Jonathan and I away to the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Arizona this past weekend. I cried the whole way to the airport, it was so hard to leave Abigail, but I had the most amazing weekend away with my husband. All new (and old) parents must getaway together, it's important that you do.

The Royal Palms is exquisite. The grounds are beautiful. The food is out of this world. The little casita we stayed in was so romantic. At first I was totally bummed waking up to pouring rain on Saturday, but I'm so happy it did, because it forced us to relax. We snuggled up on a couch in T Cook's Lounge next to this beautiful fireplace and ordered wine. Something different from anywhere else we've stayed is all the nooks and crannies with fireplaces or water fountains the property had for you to just sit by.

On Sunday I had the best massage ever at their Alvadora Spa. It was so nice to wake up, walk two minutes to the spa and once again, relax. The treatment rooms were wonderful. They had french doors that opened to a private patio with a water fountain (that put me to sleep during my massage). The eucalyptus steam room was perfect for clearing my sinuses. And their signature products smell so good, I'm waiting for mine to arrive that I ordered. Then after being at the spa I met Jonathan for T Cook's brunch. It was the most lavish brunch I've ever been to, I totally indulged.  It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.

*images courtesy of me

courage

I feel like super woman today - calmed an incredibly fussy baby, cleaned the house, ran errands, went to the grocery store, made appetizers and worked. Along with going to JCP to clean out of my old office, I know it was official three months ago I wasn't coming back, but now even more so. Bittersweet.

I'm exhausted, goodnight!

*images courtesy of http://pinterest.com/rachelyanez/