Friday Link-Ups!

Today, I am linking up with Momfessionals, A Little Bit of Everything, and Grace and Love for Friday Favorites, and A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness, and The Good Life for 5 on Friday. 

I am also linking up with Meet At the Barre for Friday Favorites and The Farmer's Wife for Oh,Hey Friday!

This was my last full week of maternity leave and let me tell you, I have been soaking in the moments. I'm ready to go back-- but, of course I already counted how many weeks until our April vacation-- about 6 1/2 haha. 

FAVORITE ONE:

I've been lucky to be home this long, but not many mothers have that opportunity.  If you are on the fence about paid maternity leave, watch one of my favorite Ted Talks below. It is eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and Jessica Shortall does a wonderful job of really explaining the issues surrounding maternity leave. 

FAVORITE TWO:

 I FINALLY got to see the Ice Castles in Lincoln, NH with my husband and Addison. When we first arrived at the Ice Castles, my husband was a little disappointed. He actually thought that we would be going to a castle :) It made me laugh!  In his defense, I didn't really explain to him what they were-- just that I wanted to see them. Once we stepped inside, however, he was in awe (just as I was!). 

There are other Ice Castle locations around the country (Midway, UT, Eden Prairie, MN), and even one in Canada too (Edmonton, Alberta)-- so if you live around those areas-- check it out next year! 

FAVORITE THREE 

Before heading to the Ice Castles, we went to our favorite place for lunch: The Mount Washington Hotel. We stayed at the hotel for our mini-moon the weekend after our wedding, and it was nothing short of amazing. Bringing Addison to the hotel was really special for us, and even though our visit was short, it was well worth the drive. 

FAVORITE FOUR

Fuller House! I watched all of the episodes in one day-- and I am not ashamed! I am so glad they are coming back for a second season!!

{via}

FAVORITE FIVE 

This video is definitely one of my favorites this week-- I just love my little Addie! 

Weekend Fun!

Happy Monday everyone :) Today, I am linking up with B Loved Boston and Champagne and Suburbs for Weekending... 

This weekend was filled with football, a birthday party, and movies. Overall, it was a fairly low-key weekend!

{FRIDAY}

Friday, we spent a nice, quiet night just relaxing and watched "Get Hard." I have to say-- it was a pretty funny movie! If you aren't a Will Ferrell fan, you probably won't like it, but Kevin Hart is hysterical. I would say give it a shot! 

{SATURDAY} 

After sleeping in (Addison slept for 5 hours straight! yay!), we  hung out at the house for a bit before heading to a friend's house to watch the Patriots playoff game. It was really nice to get out and enjoy the game with another couple and their kids. We made a delicious "hot" bean dip, it is actually my dad's recipe, and it was such a hit! I will share the recipe later this week :) It is super easy and such a crowd pleaser! 

{SUNDAY}

Sunday, we went to my brother-in-law's house to celebrate my niece Alexis' birthday. Addison was loved on by my niece and nephews the whole time we were there. It was adorable!  I just know she is going to love hanging out with them when she is older. 

Sunday night after watching the Steelers lose (my husband wanted the Steelers to win so that we would play them instead of the Broncos next week), we watched "Olympus Has Fallen," which was an intense movie (in my opinion haha). I love Gerard Butler though, so it was worth the stress of watching it haha. 

As I type this, I realize how little we did this weekend. But, you know what? It was perfect! It was quiet, low-key, and very relaxing. Sometimes you just need a break from everything-- including laundry and cleaning (which I obviously have to do today haha) and just enjoy the people around you. Hope you all had a great weekend and are refreshed for the week. If you have today off-- I hope you enjoy it. 

Make sure to check back here tomorrow for my registry basics, items I wish I had registered for, and items you may be able to do without! 

Weekending...

And it's Monday again! Today, I am linking up with B Loved Boston and Champagne and Suburbs for Weekending... 

We had a great weekend-- and I am just enjoying these moments as a family of three. We had an interesting experience at church this weekend... so let's get started! 

{FRIDAY} 

• Friday afternoon, Addison and I went over to visit my maternal grandparents . I am so blessed to have my maternal grandparents around, and I am so glad they have the chance to bond with Addison. When I go back to work in a few short weeks (insert ugly crying), they will be watching her on Fridays and they are so excited! They keep asking me when I go back, and I know it's because they are just so ready to have her during the day. It was so cute to watch them hold her, kiss her, and just love on her. For the three or so hours we were there, they just kept passing her back and forth! Having Addison has definitely made me realize (even more than I had before) how lucky I am to have most of my family close by. I wish my paternal grandparents lived close to us-- but we will just have to plan a visit out to Arizona sometime soon! 
• Friday night, I planned on running a few errands (Ulta Beauty and Buy Buy Baby to be exact) after our visit. Addison was SO good in Ulta Beauty, but as soon as I put her in the car, she started crying hysterically. I scratched going to Buy Buy Baby, and started to head home (which was about 30 minutes away). Well..... she was just not having it. Thankfully my sister Elizabeth's house wasn't that far away from the Mall so Addison and I stopped by so that I could figure out what was wrong. Baby girl was so hungry!!! 
• I quickly fed her and then decided to stop by my sister Nicole's high school basketball game to visit. My mom and most of my sisters were there, and were very happy to see us. Well, mostly happy to see Addison haha. 
• After our visit, we started to make the trek home. And then....the crying started again....poor little one was just not happy Friday. I tried to make it as far as I could, but this new mommy just couldn't stand to hear her baby crying in the back seat. I pulled over twice to try to comfort her---- once I had her settled, I finally drove us home. I know it's normal for her to cry, I just didn't know why she was crying (hungry, gas, diaper change, hurt, etc). When we got home, I fed her again and she was very happy afterwards. My husband thinks she  baby girl is  going through a growth spurt. I agree- but I also think she just loves to be held close and feel that comfort.  
• I also know that Addison is finally starting to have more awake time during the day, so I am wondering if she is overtired as well? She has been sleeping for longer intervals at night, so I am also thinking that maybe she is off because her feeding schedule is different?  Any moms out there have any advice?! 

{SATURDAY}

• Saturday, we all slept in! It was so nice to just relax and not have to worry about going anywhere! 
• After our nice morning, my husband and I got to work cleaning the house! I just love love love a clean house and thankfully so does my husband. While we cleaned, Addison was completely content and entertained swinging in her : Graco Simple Sway LX Baby Swing

• The swing moves horizontally, plays music and sounds including white noise, and has a seat that vibrates. Addison LOVES this thing! The combination of swinging and the vibrating seat is really soothing, and the portability of this device makes it one of our favorites. There are other varieties out there, such as these:

Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Cradle 'n Swing

Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Cradle 'n Swing

Ingenuity Inlighten Swing Lamb

• While Addison was enjoying her time in the swing, her father and I were enjoying our time cleaning and listening to Harry Conick Jr's Pandora station using our new Amazon Echo (I FINALLY got my husband a good Christmas gift!). This thing is amazing! I was skeptical at first, but now I am a fan. Not only does it play music, but it can tell you the weather, locks our doors, and shuts off the lights in our house on command. It is truly amazing haha. 

If you need any gift ideas for the man in your life- seriously look into getting the Echo. It won't disappoint! 

• After our cleaning spree, we decided to do some errands as a family and then go out to dinner just the three of us for the first time! 
• Addison was so good in the restaurant! Learning from my mistake the day before, I made sure she was fed before we went inside.  
• Saturday night, my husband and I continued watching a documentary special on Netflix about the Roosevelts (seriously fascinating stuff)

{SUNDAY}

• After a few weeks of enjoying our time at home and getting into a routine, I decided I wanted to bring Addison to church with us. I was a little nervous-- I didn't quite know how she was going to react-- but I figured as long as I fed her before we left we would be okay! 
• Fortunately, Addison slept for a solid 5 hours the previous night! It was amazing! Unfortunately, I think that screwed up her feeding schedule. Mommy mistake/fail #1-- I did not bring a bottle with me. I am breastfeeding but I also pump for a bottle for my husband to give her and for storage . When Addison became fussy in church, panic ensued haha. We became THOSE people. Obviously I should have brought a bottle with me-- rookie mistake haha. I didn't even think of it-- now I know for next time haha. Embarrassingly, I had to walk past ALL the parishioners with a wailing baby during the second reading. 
• I fed and changed her-- baby girl was much happier after that! I rocked her to sleep and made my way back. 
• Oh but did I mention Addison has really bad gas pains?! As soon as I passed her off to my great aunt to hold, she started crying and straightening her legs. I felt like the whole church was looking at me-- I felt so bad disturbing mass!! Fortunately, Addison LOVES music and quickly settled down. For the rest of the mass she relaxed and slept in my arms. There is always next week-- we will figure it out eventually :) 
• One of the nicest parts about going to church though was seeing all of the members and how excited they were to meet Addison. My church community is so loving and supportive-- I am very lucky. 
• I would have to say, even though it was the ideal first church experience, I am glad we went. My immediate family , my grandmother and great aunt and my cousin Kelly and her family (and new baby Noah) were all there. It was just perfect. Noah was a preemie baby, and was just released from the hospital a week ago. To have Addison and Noah with us at mass was so special-- it was a meaningful mass that's for sure. 
• Sunday afternoon was spent at my grandmother's house. I don't know what I would do without these Sundays. I get to see and spend quality time with my grandparents, aunt and uncle, cousins, sisters, and my parents. They get to enjoy and play with Addison. These are the memories that will last a  lifetime.

Here is a picture of the two cousins, born 12 days apart! 

• Sunday night was spent relaxing and preparing for the week. We all went to bed early (thank goodness!), and got some much needed rest. 

And that, my friends, was my weekend! They certainly look a little different since being on maternity leave, and I am loving it! I can't wait to catch-up and read about what you all did this weekend. 

Thanks for reading :)  

2015 Highlights

What a year it has been! Jim and I celebrated our first anniversary, the birth of our child, survived a mini-kitchen reno, got to enjoy every season in our home, survived the brutal winter (January and February were horrible here!), endured the extreme heat (and succumbed to putting in air conditioners), participated in a very fun photo shoot for my cousin, and laughed and loved along the way. Here is an overview (in pictures and words) of what happened each month this year:

{JANUARY}

• It was January that I started this blog of mine. I can't believe it is a year old! While I haven't always kept up with a consistent blogging schedule, I have found so much peace in blogging. I have connected with so many amazing people, and I have loved sharing my life with you all. I think it is so great that I will be able to look back on all these posts and remember this special year.  

• It snowed a lot in January (where was the snow for Christmas?!) 

{FEBRUARY}

• And the snow continued in February! We did not have a full week of school that entire month! 

• Jim and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day as a married couple-- and braved a blizzard (see picture above) for some amazing food and drinks. 

• My dad and I took my sister Jocelyn to visit Bentley University (she ended up attending UNH though-- go Wildcats!)

{MARCH}

• March was fairly low-key BUT it was also the month that we found out I was pregnant :) 
• The snow was finally starting to melt 

{APRIL}

• Jim and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon-- such a great time! (even though I couldn't go on all my favorite rides haha)

• On Easter, we told our families I was pregnant 

{MAY}

• Spring finally arrived! 
• Jocelyn attended her Senior Prom-- doesn't she look beautiful? 

• Jocelyn decided to attend UNH in the Fall, and Elizabeth and I couldn't have been happier for her!

• Jim and I participated in a wedding photoshoot for my cousin (she was working on her wedding portfolio). I had so much fun wearing my wedding dress again. 

{JUNE}

• Jocelyn graduated from high school 

These girls are my heart- I am so lucky to have these four by my side through it all. I don't know where I would be without their love and support-- and of course the laughter.

• My cousins, sisters, and I attended a New Kids on the Block concert! 
• This was also the month that I started blogging about my pregnancy-- what a fun experience to share with you all :)  

{JULY}

• We went on a family trip to York Beach, ME 
• Enjoyed summer fun-- grilling, swimming, lounging

{AUGUST}

  

• In August, my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary (Gosh I hope I age like them!)
• My mom, Jocelyn, Nicole and I ventured to Provincetown, MA for a little rest and relaxation-- oh and to visit my uncle :) 
• I started school at the end of August-- I was pretty pleased as to how I decorated my classroom this year! 
• My husband worked on the baby's room (he is such a handyman!) and my sisters helped him paint the baby room and furniture! 

{SEPTEMBER}

• My husband started a mini kitchen remodel (even though he hates painting :)) 

• Enjoyed apple picking and all things Fall with these cuties:

{OCTOBER}

• Baby M was showered with gifts-- I had the most beautiful baby shower. 

• October was also the month that we were feverishly getting the house ready for the baby! 

{NOVEMBER}

• November was a blur!! Primarily because this little one graced us with her presence 12 days early :) 

• Addison Lynne was born on November 23rd at 4:54 PM

My whole world right there. 

You can read Addison's birth story right here

{DECEMBER}

• We welcomed my cousin's baby boy Noah into the world on December 5th (my due date haha)! Side note: He was able to come home just after the New Year! What a long and difficult journey my cousin, her husband and my family has been on. We are so grateful. 
• We celebrated the holidays with this little one: 

What an amazing year! While it wasn't always smooth sailing, I can truthfully say that my year was made when my daughter was born. She was definitely the "peak" moment of the year. I am so blessed to have her in my life, and I can't wait to see what is in store for my family in 2016! 

Happy Holidays everyone! Welcome to 2016 :) 

Oh and happy blogiversary (not a word?!) to me! I hope to continue  writing (even more so!) this year :) Thank you for reading and stopping by-- it is greatly appreciated!