On love...

I am by far not an expert on love, but I sure know that I am lucky in it. In honor of valentines day, I thought I'd write a mushy post on not only the things I've learned about love in my short 27 years of existence, but the things I love about those I love. If you are not one for mushy blog posts, please feel free to skip this one. ;)

I am blessed enough to be surrounded with love:

I have the amazing love of my husband- the enduring, crazy, can't live without you kind of love. It's been this way from the beginning.

I have the steady, undying, never give up on you kind of love from my family. Not everyone is lucky enough to have the kind of family love that I have and I am forever grateful. My family has grown in the past two years and I am blessed to love even more!

I am also surrounded with the love of my friends. I am truly blessed with supportive, encouraging and steady love from a wonderful network of friends. I love each of them individually in so many ways.

I am blessed with knowing the love of a growing baby. His little kicks and flips remind me daily of the love that went into creating him and the love that I feel for him already. I cannot wait until I get to welcome him into our world and shower him with love in a few short months.

I know it's cheesy, but I can't forget the undying love from my pup. No matter how my day has been, his excitement to see me at the end of every day warms my heart. Dogs sure know how to love.

Valentines Day is a great time to reflect on how thankful I am for all of this love.

Love Lessons Learned:

- love is NOT perfect. In fact, the best loves are those that are imperfect. No matter who's love you are talking about, there will be imperfections. There will be days you want to scream at those you love, but that is part of what makes love great- at the end of the crazy day, you still have your love to hold you together. This leads me to my next lesson:

-when you love someone, you have to learn to pick your battles. There are some things that should NEVER be overlooked, such as they way someone treats you. However, when you are in love, you need to learn to "overlook" some of the little things that just aren't worth the fight.

-Laugh at the imperfections. This doesn't need much explanation. Nobody is perfect and neither are any relationships. When you love someone, these imperfections and disagreements are often comical.

-always remind those you love that you love them. This is key. I always take the time to remind my husband, family and friends how important they are to me. It doesn't take much, but makes a big difference. There are so many ways to do this and every relationship requires a different level of TLC, but it is important to nurture your relationships so they grow.

-never, ever, ever give up on those you love. There are times when your patience is tested and times where you are so frustrated you want to give up and walk away, but those are the times where those you love need you the most. Those I love have never given up on me and vice versa, I am so thankful for this.

To my husband (my valentine!):
You are my rock, my home, my best friend and my forever. I love you with every inch of my soul and am so grateful for the life that we have. I love our laughs, I love our affection and I love our story. I am so grateful for the love story we've created thus far and am so excited for our future together. Our story has only just begun and is already so full. How sweet it is to be loved by you.

To my family:
I love our love. You have made me the person I am today and have supported me and encouraged me every step of the way. We have the kind of family love that is contagious. Our affection and dedication warms the hearts of those around us. Thank you for loving the way that you do and teaching me to love the same way. I am so proud to welcome a new member to our family in June- he has no idea what he's in for. :)

To my friends:

I love you each for the individuals you are and the unique relationships we have. I love that I can pick up the phone after not speaking to you for a few weeks (or ::gasp:: a few months!) and pick up just where we left off. I love that you are there for me, encourage me and push me to be better. I am so thankful for each of you.

Happy Valentines day to all! I hope you have some time to reflect on all of the love in your lives.

xoxo!

A year in review: 2012

What a wonderful year! I love New Years Eve for so many reasons: reflecting on the past year and all it's blessings and learning opportunities and preparing ourselves mentally for the year to come.

Here is a recap of 2012:
2012 started off with a bang! In January we rung in the new year DC style with the "Frist Night DC"! We celebrated, danced and cheered in the new year with Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ralph. It was a great kick off to a beautiful year! Just two weeks later, we settled on our brand new house!!

February and March were spent settling in and schooling. I went to grad school full time in the spring to "catch up" from the semester before our wedding. Hubs is always in school full time, bless his heart.We also met our neighbors, Johnathan and Danielle who we've become good friends with and visited our friends Ariel and Ben in NYC for the last time before their big move to Oregon!

In April we hosted our first holiday! We had both sides of our family over for Easter brunch and it was perfect! Hubs also decided not to reenlist in the Air National Guard for another term. He is holding off until he finishes his bachelor's to decide his next military career move.

In May I started my new job at my company, which I absolutely love and I ran a 5k for cerebral palsy with my beautiful mama.

In June we started the summer off right! We went to VEGAS for the little brother's 21st birthday, celebrated our first wedding anniversary together then had our friends over for a cookout/fire pit for my 27th. Such a busy but fun month!

In July I went on a girls weekend trip to the beach and we went to the beach for a week with my family and our friends Chip, Kristin and Maddi. We found out they were expecting their second little one!!!

In August we discovered a new "beach" on the Chesapeake by our house and enjoyed a day trip there with my family. I also started writing my master's thesis.

In September WE FOUND OUT WE WERE EXPECTING OUR LITTLE ONE!!! Best news of 2012!

In October we couldn't contain our excitement anymore and we told our family and friends we were expecting with a cute little Halloween costume. ;)

In November we celebrated Hub's 30th birthday!! My parents and I threw him a cocktail party at our house that was a huge success!  I also had a spa day with my BFF for her 28th birthday and we spent Thanksgiving with my parents.  I also completed my thesis!

In December I graduated with my masters and we had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

2012 has been such a wonderful and exciting year. We know 2013 will be a year for the ages. Both Hubs and my little brother graduate in May, my uncle will get married this spring and we will welcome our little bundle of joy. <3

As far as "resolutions" are concerned, I think it is always important to strive for personal growth. A new year is a chance to reflect and set goals, but I like to do that throughout the year as well. This year, hubs and I have a joint resolution: bring lunch to work 4 out of the 5 days per week! This one is a struggle for us!! For me its a matter of a convenient deli right across the street from work and plenty of awesome coworkers who love to lunch! For hubs it's the Whole Foods right across the street! These $5-$10 costs here and there add up quickly and aren't always good for the waist line so we are aiming to be brown baggers!

Personally, I am setting a goal to continue to work out and eat healthy (fell off the bandwagon during the holidays) until baby bean arrives. I am also striving to grow in my current role at work and take the PHR (practitioner in Human Resources) exam before 2013. Most of all, I am striving to be the best wife and mama possible this year.

Cheers to another great year and an even better 2013!

17 weeks and a Christmas picture post

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with their family and friends as much as we did. We had an absolutely amazing Christmas this year. We left for my parents house last Saturday and got to spend 5 full days celebrating. Saturday we finished some last minute shopping and spend the night enjoying our annual "White Christmas" movie. Mom and I know every word and song after all these years. Sunday we went to church and then watched the Eagles and Ravens games at a local bar with the baby brother.  On Christmas Eve we drove down to my sister in law's house to spend time with the Robinson side of the family. It was so nice to get to spend some time with them. This was the first Christmas/Christmas Eve we've done that together- it will definitely be a tradition moving forward. Our nieces were so adorable tracking santa online. He was in Yemen when we arrived. ;)

After spending the afternoon with the Robinson's we headed back to my parents for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner with my Mom's side of the family. We have a huge spread and then do our annual Pollyanna gift exchange. I got a beautiful pair of earrings and hubs got some whiskey rocks and a Battle of the Sexes game. Super fun!  The rest of the night we caught up with family and by the end of the night everyone was playing Battle of the Sexes- the girls won! Way to go Mom and Aunts!!

Christmas Day is always very low key. We wake up, open gifts and lounge in pjs until it's time for dinner. Mom makes a YUMMY Christmas dinner (fillet, parmesan potatoes, green beans and steakhouse salad) and we watch movies. It's so relaxing and I love the quiet tradition.

Seventeen weeks: December 24th, 2012 

This week we were traveling to see family so the bump picture isn't in front of our dry erase board. Baby can yawn, twist, roll and punch!

Total weight gain: As of Monday it was about 3 lbs. Now that I spent the week eating it's probably a bit more but I'm heading to the gym today!
How big is the baby? : Baby R is the size of a sweet potato!
Maternity clothes: Still trying to utilize as many of my pre-preggo clothes as possible and buying non maternity things I can wear again next year (ahem- long sweaters). Wearing the belly band,  rocking a few maternity shirts and a lot of tunic sweaters, leggings and boots. Mom got me some maternity clothes for work for Christmas that I'm sure I'll be wearing very soon. The bump is getting bigger!
Stretch marks?: Not yet... Using Palmer's stretch mark cream daily!
Sleep: Getting a little better! I am using a pillow between my legs which seems to be helping. I'm finding myself on my back a few times a night which I need to figure out how to stop.  Might buy a maternity pillow this weekend.
Best moment this week: Spending time with family and showing off the bump! I also got to hear baby's heartbeat last Friday, which is always a special treat! <3
Movement:  I feel little flutters. :)
Food cravings: Nothing crazy- carbs I guess is the thing I "want" the most. Trying to avoid the bad ones and stick to whole wheat! Those Christmas cookies were calling my name this week!
Food aversions: Shrimp aversion remains consistent, thought it might be gone but couldn't stomach them on Christmas Eve.
Labor signs: No way Jose
Belly button in or out: In
What I miss:  I'm not missing anything too much. On Christmas it might have been nice to have a glass of Champagne but that's about all!
Pregnancy Symptoms: bigger boobies, bigger butt, stiff legs/back when I first stand up, thirst and the occasional bad headache. Nothing I can't handle! I am feeling more "pregnant" this week than ever before- I am sure that will continue weekly until little one comes.
What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the sex on January 12th!!!

Merry Christmas!

From our little family to yours! Hope your holidays are filled with love, peace and joy!

Holi-daze (& a 15 week bumpdate)

This post is appropriately titled. I feel like I'm in a daze, more specifically, a holidaze. After finishing school last Monday (FOR GOOD!), I am finally able to sit back and enjoy the holiday and sit on my butt if I feel like it relax. This week, I've really been enjoying our pretty little tree. Our house is all decorated for Christmas and I just love it!

Yesterday, I hosted our second annual cookie day with the Kassab family. My best friend's parents are my parents best friends. We've been like family my whole life and we've had so many wonderful traditions over the years, cookie day was added last year! Both families go crazy bake a ton of cookies each Christmas so we figured, why not get together and make twice as many and have a variety to share?! Below are a few snap shots from the day. All in all, about 400 cookies were made!

Rollie-pollie Santa cookies? Yes Please!!

In other news, we are 15 preggo this week!

Fifteen weeks: December 10th, 2012 
Total weight gain: Hard to believe but it's still low, only 2 lbs. Not complaining though. :)
How big is the baby? : Baby R is the size of an avocado
Maternity clothes: Still trying to utilize as many of my pre-preggo clothes as possible. Wearing the belly band so I can leave my pants unbuttoned when needed and rocking a few , maternity shirts. Also in love with my maternity leggings from Target.
Stretch marks?: Not yet... Using creams to prevent these little suckers every day!
Sleep: Eh- just ok. I fall asleep pretty early most nights but I wake up frequently and defiantly can't sleep in anymore.
Best moment this week: Presenting my thesis and being done with school. Time to daydream about baby things!
Movement: I think so! I feel little flutters. :)
Food cravings: Nothing in particular yet.
Food aversions: Shrimp aversion remains consistent,  but nothing else has given me the icks!
Labor signs: No way Jose
Belly button in or out: In
What I miss:  I'm not missing anything too much. Occasionally I think it would be nice if I could enjoy a glass of wine, but carrying this baby is 1 million times better than any glass of vino. <3
Pregnancy Symptoms: bigger boobies, sleepiness, stiff legs/back when I first stand up. Guess these are all signs of a growing little baby!
What I'm looking forward to: Graduation tomorrow and spending several days at my parents during the holidays. Also just a few weeks away from finding out if baby R is a boy or a girl! What do you think?
xoxo

Home

There is nothing quite like being "home for the holidays".

Hubs and I came "home" to my parents house last Friday night. I took off work the begining of this week to work on my thesis and knew that I would be more productive and feel more relaxed at my parents. (Ahem, cleaning distractions, wanting to hang with the hubs, cooking, etc.) At Mom and Dad's I have home cooked meals and am distraction free during the day. Plus, who doesn't love a little extra parent lovin' when your preggo around the holidays.

We spent the weekend doing "homey" things and it was just what the doctor ordered.

Friday night we got in from our drive and had a home cooked meal from Mom. The kitchen is the gathering place in our house. We sit around the table, eat, drink (we'll not me anymore) and be merry. It's lovely. We caught up on the recent happenings and enjoyed our time together.

Saturday Mom and I got up and went to Zumba bright and early. I love getting the chance to work out with my ma. :) Afterwards we met my best, Julie, at the best day spa ever (aka the place I got pampered for my wedding) for pedis. I got Jules a spa pedicure and facial for her birthday gift and we cashed in! We followed the spa with lunch at locally sustained restaurant. SO FREAKIN' YUMMY! Such an awesome morning.

Saturday night the fam, hubs and I went to my cousin Kay's for a family get together. Several of my cousins recently went to upstate Pennsylvania where my grandma and her brother and sisters were born to explore. It prompted everyone to want to get together to look at old pictures/organize/divy up based on "family". It was so neat hearing stories and seeing all of the old photos. My grandma and her sisters were so close so there are a TON of pictures of everyone together. We got to eat good food and spend time with family, which is always amazing.

Following dinner hubs and I met up with another one of my bests, Kelly and her boyfriend Steve at their new house to meet their newest puppy addition! We then headed out to a local bar where Steve's band was playing. It was so nice to catch up and see her new house!

I love being home and seeing all my favorite people. Just what I needed to get in the holiday spirit.

Sunday we had a big family breakfast before Hubs headed home for a few days to work. Mom and I went grocery shopping with a HUGE list for Thanksgiving then I worked on my thesis for the afternoon (in front of the fireplace<3).

That would be a little red baby bump in the bottom of the picture above!

The next few days leading up to Turkey Day I will be hitting the gym, working on my thesis and visiting with some more friends (Kristin and Chip). Hubs and my baby bro will be getting in on Wednesday, which I'm looking forward to! Can't wait to eat good food, watch football and be thankful on Thursday.

Seriously, this week is perfect: family, friends, Thanksgiving, productivity (thesis).

I love this week!

12 Week "bumpdate"

This week, I am not at home with my little erase board. We are 12 weeks along. Last week in the first trimester!! Baby is the size of a peach (3 inches long) and growing vocal chords.

Cravings: Goat Cheese. Thank goodness I found some pasteurized goat cheese meals at lunch on Saturday! That was all I wanted!
Any foods you don’t want: SHRIMP! Still so unappealing. 
Symptoms? Getting sleepy pretty early in the evenings. 9 pm bedtimes for this little mama lately. I also had a few days of headaches but they aren't too bad or too often. I am thinking (knock on wood) I will be feeling much better the second trimester. :)
Showing: I think there is a small little bump. People would probably say I look like I stopped working out or drank too many beers.
Boy or Girl? Not sure! We want a happy, healthy babe. I have been pinning some cute clothes either way!
Bought anything? Not yet. We will probably start shopping after we both finish this semester. I
Shopping for anything? Not at the moment. Soon enough! We will register after the holidays!
The Dad to be? So amazing. He was so cute at the latest appointment when he got to see baby moving all around. <3
Most recent appointment? This past Friday we went for our final sonogram to check over all three "sacks". I feel so spoiled because I've had three sonograms when most mamas only get one in the first trimester, if any! Below are the three "sacks" from the first sonogram. (Cannot for the life of me "flip" this picture). Sorry about that, it's a picture of the sono from my phone. Every time I upload to blogger it shows upside down!

Here is baby bean this past week! Getting so big!

Next appointment? November 29th we have our NT to check baby's health. I can't wait to see my little bean again.

Where did this week go?

I am super excited that it is Friday already! I seriously have no idea where the heck this week went!

Girls weekend at the beach was awesome! So much fun boozing in a swamp the bay, getting all you can eat crabs, dancing and catching up. I love you girls!

With the fourth of July being right, smack in the center of the week- this week flew by! I think we should have off every Wednesday! It was nice to "recharge" in the middle of the week. Hubs and I didn't get to spend time together last weekend so we hung out all day Wednesday. We went for a walk at the lake and sweat our ever lovin' butts off, we lounged around and watched our new "series"- Breaking Bad, and grilled/sipped on some wine.

 "Grill Queen"

Deck Dog



:::Now onto Friday Letters::

Dear Blog: I am so sorry I neglected you this week. With the mid week day off, I was completely thrown off! I'll be back, don't you worry!

Dear Julie (BFF): you will be here in 3 hours! We cannot wait to spend the weekend with you. Don't worry, it's only going to be 110 here tomorrow. Holler. 

Dear July: slow down already! I am so not ready to blink and it be Labor Day! (#Notetoself: get ON that thesis writing.)

Dear family vacay: see you next weekend.

Dear Breaking Bad: you are seriously starting to replace my Sopranos addiction. Then again, you can only re-watch an entire series so many times. Seriously, you are good.

Dear Pup: you have got to stop doing that cute little side head turn look (?) when I leave for work in the morning. It kills me you cute little fuzz ball.

Dear dog owners: get your pups indoors this weekend! It's going to be a scorcher!

Happy weekend lovas!

xoxo

Caitlin