Spring has sprung!

The view outside my living room windows is gorgeous, seriously, it looks like art and I feel like I live in a tree house.(Living on the third floor has its advantages.) It's been so nice outside this whole week, all of the trees outside my windows have bloomed bright green leaves and colorful birds frequent my balcony.

On a seperate note, is it weird that I find that song Dancing Crazy from the iCarly girl catchy?

P.s. Check this girl's blog for where I got the cute pic from. The cuteness kills me and reminds me of high school all at once. :]

Name of the week!

Elias

Pronounced: ee-LYE-us

Variants include: Eli, Elijah, and Elliot

Elias is of Greek and Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Elias is "the Lord is my God". Biblical name from the Greek form of Elijah. Common in the 17th century and now popular in Spain.

Famous people with the name Elias include:

Walt Elias Disney is the full name of the Disney creator.

Canadian actor Elias Koteas

A baby boy, Story Elias, was born to actors Bodhi and Jenna Elfman in 2007.

We are re-decorating

If you haven't noticed, we have re-decorated the site.
I, for one, love it!
A big ol' thanks to Katrina at Puglypixel.com for having all of these awesome templet's and clip art (along with TONS of other free stuff to download. Hers has to be the cutest little site I've seen.
It's been busy at my house these past few weeks which is why I haven't been posting much lately. I'm really going to try to put aside time for you guys this week to update you guys on what goes on in my life, give you my (late) Fit Friday advice, and catch up on my project 31 posts.

Name of the week: Vera

Vera

Pronounced: VEE-rah

Can be used as a nick name for Guinevere or Veronica

Vera is of Latin and Slavic origin and means "faith" or "truth".

Some famous figures with the name Vera include..

Famous designer Vera Wang.

Actress Vera Miles who played Lila Crane and appeared in the movie psycho.

Actress Vera-Ellen, best known for her role in the film "White Christmas"

Baby Fever

Since I've had Rowyn I've had this baby fever that just wont let up. I've made lists of baby names, pictured how I would set up Rowyn's room to share with the new baby if we're still in our apartment when it comes, made a precise schedule for when I would try according to what month I'd like to have the baby in and how old Rowyn would be when new baby comes. I've kept this overwhelming feeling at bay by 1. Having Mirena (which I have to get taken out by an OBGYN) waiting until I have my license and reminding myself every time Rowyn has a melt down and she has bad days that if I had another baby right now it would just be that much harder and to wait until Rowyn is a bit bigger and can understand more things to start trying. I've made a countdown for trying to conceive. 10 months and counting until I plan on going all sorts of baby crazy on Brennan. I just keep imagining our little family growing and Rowyn becoming a big sister, watching them play together and having a sisterly bond.
But I also know that I didn't want to have my babies back to back since I started so young, I want to savor their moments being tiny and make it so my baby's will have cousins around their age. I'd also like to have my last baby around the same time my friends (who are my age) are having kids so that we can have little play dates.
I adore my baby girl and for right now having more can wait a while so that I can fully enjoy her while she's still little...she's getting so big so fast. It seems like just yesterday that we brought her home and now she's going to be 14 months in just a few days. She's becoming a big girl right in front of my eyes and it makes me sad to think about how small she was just 6 months ago. It seems like all of the "big" growing up has happened so fast. Since the beginning of December she has just taken off. Her first steps quickly turned into walking across the room, her first pair of real hard bottom shoes so that she can walk outside, and learning to run like a little robot. Her first tooth is (finally) coming in and soon her little gummy smile will be gone. She's learning to communicate her wants and understanding her actions. She's learning to help clean up and how to be gentle (it just melts my heart when I tell her to "be soft" and "make nice hands" and she goes from slapping my face to patting me and then giving me the sweetest little hugs.).
I never imagined I would love being a mommy this much, especially since I never wanted kids before I got pregnant. Even while I was pregnant I said "okay, but ONLY this one." But after I had her. I saw her beautiful face and smelled her little baby scent (there should totally make an air freshener that's called "new baby smell" sort of like "new car smell") I kissed her tiny feet and hugged her tight and I knew that this was the best feeling in the world. I had never loved anything this much and I knew that I wanted this love to grow. A baby will change you and change everything you pictured for your life...but it changes for the good. It shows you what you REALLY want and what the important things are.
I love my job as a mommy, I've never wanted to do anything more.

Name of the week!!

Sawyer

Pronounced: SOY ur

Sawyer is of English origin and means "One who saws wood."

Famous people with this name...

Tom Sawyer

Sawyer from lost

And Sawyer Avery Spielberg, Steven Spielberg's son whom I can not find a decent photo of anywhere.

You gimme' fever

The lack of posting these past few days has been the result of this nasty sickness I have somehow contracted. It started as a sore throat, then came the aches, the headache and now the coughing.
My throat feels like it's been rubbed with sandpaper for days on end and my child is running around like a savage destroying the house because I simply do not have the energy to chase her around. My house is a wreck. I can't stand long enough to do the dishes (guess who's been using plastic forks and spoons all week?:D) I get all hot and dizzy while I vacuum and my couch has been turned into area sickly where I have been camping out for days. I really hope I get to feeling better because Sunday my mom and I went shopping and to goodwill and I got some cute stuff including this totally awesome vintage book of folk songs including the sheet music and details about their origin. As soon as I'm feeling better I'll be getting back on top of my project 31 and I'll be posting the name of the week tomorrow. In the mean time, if anyone would like to come over here and make me some chicken noodle soup...or better yet, chicken and dumplings, I would love you for ever and ever.

A letter to my "mommy hair"

Dear hair,
We use to love each other, didn't we?
At least we use to like each other enough that you would cooperate and look cute and I would do more than put you back into a pony tail after letting you air dry.
What happened to the days when you were cute and full of personality? We use to have so much fun together spraying you and curling you and straightening you and "fluffing" you...*sigh*

I've finally been able to grow you out past my shoulders (my hair hasn't been past my shoulders since I was 13.) But really, what's the point of growing you out if I do nothing to make you look pretty.
Thought I know that in the end all of this waiting and having to endure the torture of "mom hair" will be worth it, because some day you're going to look like this...

Vanessa Hudgens is probably one of the prettiest women I've ever seen. Hailz yeah my Filipino sister.

I still need some style. So I'm thinking of giving you some much needed TLC tomorrow.
Maybe something like this...

Project 31 days 18 &19

Day 18.  Describe your personality.

My personality is sort of different depending on who I'm with. When I'm with my friends from highschool, the ones who knew me growing up and my best friends I am loud, outspoken, goofy and very outgoing. I'll say anything to anyone and not give it a second though, I am fearless. 

With my husband I am sweet, weird as all get out, and constantly laughing. I am myself when I'm with him.

I have no desire to try and be perfect all the time and just do what ever comes to mind. 

With others (meaning extended family and people who I am friendly with) I'm usually very shy and quiet. I don't talk much, but listen to everyone. I try to be really nice and not say what ever comes to mind (because I have been known to put my foot in my mouth when I do that with people who aren't my husband or best friends.) 

I'm not sure why I act so differently around different people. I suppose everyone does it though. It's human nature to adapt to your surroundings and act accordingly. I'm trying to just be me..the me that makes me the happiest and not really care what others say about it. I'm working on it.

Day 19.  Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)

The one thing I'll always turn to when I'm feeling down or something wrong or just when I'm in the mood to curl up on the couch in pj's and watch sitcom reruns all night is Chinese take out. Specifically Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice and crab puffs. Even better than that though is mixing the chicken and rice and then taking a bite out of your crab puff, so the cream cheese can hold on to stuff and dipping it into the chicken and rice. Mmmmm so good. 

 

Get Fit Fridays

My tip for you this Friday is a very simple one. Walk. I know, I know. You're probably like "uhm DUH Lea, of course you walk to get fit..that's not really a tip." But honestly, how much time do you actually spend outside just walking.
I thought that I walked a lot..I didn't. I would go outside and take a walk maybe once every month or so and think I was good, but really while getting out once a month is okay and better than nothing, getting out once a week or even more than that is FAR better. You'll be amazed at the lbs you can shred and how great your legs look if you just start getting up, getting out, and taking a walk. It makes you feel better too. I get horrible cramps and back pain that, some days, aspirin doesn't even fix. Getting out and walking around has not only made these aches happen less frequently, but helps relieve them also. Walking isn't very tiring either, it isn't intense or hard on you..it's easy, you've been doing it for most of your life.
So get your booty up off of that couch, pack up the kids, and head out for a walk to the park or a impromptu scavenger hunt for your little ones. See how many different animals your toddler can find and identify. Collect leaves, make it a fun activity that you can do together while also burning calories and getting fit. You can make it as fun as you'd like, or if you just need some time to clear your head without the kids for a little bit, have your significant other watch them for awhile so you can just get out and think.
It will work wonders, I promise.

Project 31 day 17

Day 17.  Write about 3 things that make you happy.

1. This tiny girl.

Please ignore the fact that my pants are way too long. I happen to be VERY short and this happens with most sweat pants.

No matter how upset, sad, frustrated or angry I am this tiny face always makes me smile and laugh. She is the sweetest little girl in the world and her tiny hugs make your heart melt:].

2. Good music with coffee/tea in the mornings.

Or any time of day really. It's amazing how the right music can just life you up and make you feel so relaxed. That paired with Awake tea or a nice cup of coffee is an amazing addition to any day.

3. Godiva dark chocolate.

I'm pretty sure I've written about this before, but every time I have a piece of Godiva dark chocolate I have spontaneous bursts of ecstasy. Mmmmmm, so good!

She smells of daisies.

Goodnight world.
Here's one of my favorite songs to help you wander into dream land.

Owl Cute

Have I ever mentioned my love for Owls?
Here's a round up of some of the CUTEST things I found on Etsy today.

I WANT THIS! My vow renewal wedding cake is going to have this topper on it if it kills me.
Seriously though, how cute it that? Kikuike has tons of these wedding cake toppers on their Etsy site including bunnies, penguins, sharks, ducks and many many more. I just want them ALL.

This baby owl mobile from CarrotFever is so whimsical and sweet, I wish Rowyn hadn't outgrown her mobile so I could get it. But alas, she is now big enough to stand up and kill any mobile I put in her crib.

This picture comes from trafalgarssquare, they have the sweetest pictures including some of little elephants and deer (which I love just about as much as owls)

I want these little guys for my kitchen. They're being sold by claylicious.

Brennan will come home one day and these little guys will be all over our bed. Aren't they just so precious?
From Rose Cottage Boutique

And just because I love them sooooo much here's another cake topper from Kikuike

I just might die from the cuteness!!

Project 31 day 16

Day 16.  Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life.  Tell her what beauty means.

Dear Rowyn, 

What makes up a TRULY beautiful person, forever? Beauty on the outside fades with age, by the time you're in your 70's in pretty much all gone. Being beautiful on the inside will last forever and will shine to the surface.

You see, beauty on the inside is being kind, accepting, helpful, confident, interesting, passionate and just wanting to be all that you can be. 

The world will make you think otherwise. It will shove women with perfect noses, lustrous hair and legs that go for miles down your throat and it will make you THINK that that is the only beautiful there can be. It's not true, and you will learn that when you're a beautiful person inside, it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, people will just flock to you.

Love yourself, and people will love you. Respect yourself and your body..keep it healthy,  keep your morals close and never do anything that strays from what they are...you may feel insecure and throwing all of your morals out the window may make you think you feel beautiful, but it doesn't. 

You want some one to love you and think you're beautiful for the person that you are, not the things that you do.

If there's one thing I could teach you it's that you are the only person who can be "you" perfectly and to never let anyone else influence you differently. You are just the way God intended you to be, and that is perfect and beautiful in every way.

Love, 

Mommy

Name of the week: Eisley

Eisley

Pronounced: EYES-leigh


Eisley is Americanized from the Swiss surname Eisele. As a baby name, Eisley means "cheerful". It is also the name of a port in Star Wars called "Mos Eisley". A band from Texas were fans of SW and named their band "Eisley" so the name is becoming increasingly popular these days.

They are a great, great band and I really love this name. :]

Don't be so blue

Home is where ever I'm with you

Jade?

Alexander?

Do you remember that day you fell out of my window?

I sure do. You came jumpin' out after me.

Well, you fell on the concrete and nearly broke your ass and you were bleedin' all over the place and I rushed you off to the hospital, you remember that?

Yes, I do.

Well, there's somethin' I never told you about that night..

Why didn't you tell me?

While you were sittin' there in the back seat, smoking a cigarette that you thought was gonna to be your last, I was fallin' deep, deeply in love with you...and I never told you 'till just now.

Project 31 day 15

Day 15.  Write to encourage a friend.  Inspire her beauty.

As sad and lame as this sounds, I really don't have any friends at the moment. Sure, I have people I use to be friends with who I'm still friendly with on facebook but with them being busy with their college lives and me being busy with my mommy life it's kind of like we've all just moved on. I'm not sure I even really know any of the people who I use to call my "best friends" anymore. I also have people who I am friends with but I don't know very well yet, so I'm not sure how exactly to apply them to today's challenge. 

I have what I guess we would call a "family friend" that I could write to though.

My husband's childhood best friend's wife has recently found out they are expecting their first child and she is about 7 weeks along. They are having a stressful time trying to keep this baby safe and sound in her belly.

Dear R, 

I know this is a very emotional time for you. It's exciting, scary, stressful and marvelous all at the same time. Being a mom for the first time is especially scary, you think "what if something goes wrong? What if something happens?" You fear that you're heart is going to be ripped out of your chest at any second. You thank God for every day that goes by that your baby is healthy and pray that the next day is just as successful.

I remember feeling scared about these things, but I learned that there is no reason to be afraid. God is looking out for you. He has plans for this baby, big plans. 

The best advice I could give to you about being afraid is to just keep looking forward. Don't dwell and stress yourself over the things you are afraid of, keep yourself as healthy as possible and trust that God is going to keep you both safe. Trust in him that he will get you and your little family through the rough times and you will all come out victorious with a healthy, happy little baby. 

Don't be afraid, just keep looking to the future.

Lacking motivation

These past few days I've felt so sluggish and uninspired. I've cheated on my diet (Bad, bad Lea!) I didn't do yoga during Rowyn's nap (I'm actually not quit sure what I did during Rowyn's nap) My dishes are piling up because I have yet to do them as well as my laundry that needs folding.
I need a good, swift kick in the butt right about now. I need inspiration and motivation to get up and get going.
This always happens to me. I will get on this sudden health kick or something, have all of this energy, feel really accomplished and then just suddenly burn out. I'm going to push on though, I just need to push right through these feelings of "why bother" and "It doesn't even matter any more" and keep going.

I really need one of these pictures for my house.

Project 31 day 14

Day 14.  Style 31.  Post an outfit pic!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I honestly don't have a cute outfit that I'd actually want to be photographed in at the moment.
So I'll post some pics of an outfit I would wear when I get in shape again.

Pink tunic dress $24.99, Pinkice.com

feather earrings $8.00 Mandee.com

Knit tights $7.50 Charlotte Russe

Boots $21.99 Papayaclothing.com