Confessions of a Shopaholic

Well, not really, but yesterday I got to spend 2.5 hrs in Macy's without trying to rush, wrangle a little man, and just stare wishfully at all the pretty clothes. My new job has a strict business professional dress-code. Not a big deal, I went to Catholic school so a uniform doesnt bother me. However, I have been staying home with a munchkin/going to grad school etc the last 3 yrs and I'm pretty sure tank tops and jeans wont cut it. So, Mr. F watched Aidan allll day yesterday (he doesnt start full time till next week) and then encouraged me to go shopping after work. It was AWESOME. I tried on so many clothes and hit some great sales. I was super conscious to buy pieces that not only mix and match but could do double duty ex. a cute shirt that works under a suite or with jeans for a date night. When I got home Mr. F even sat through a fashion show. He knows that as repayment he'll get to watch Game 7 tonight uninterrupted :)

I usually hate shopping (thank you post baby body that seems to finally be settling back to normal) and we havent exactly had much money to buy any new things and when we did shop it was for the Little Man or Mr. F since all of his stuff burned in a fire just before we got married. Finally it was my turn! I think the biggest victory was a new pair of decent dress shoes that will look awesome with jeans too...and they are kitten heels so I wont kill myself in heels all day. They were originally $60, but I got them for $20! Hooray! They look something like this without being so obnoxiously gold

Now here is the bad news... the dam has been broken and I am dying to go back for more! I'll just have sit tight for a bit and strategize about what next to buy :)

New beginnings

Well I knew it had to come to an end eventually...my tenure as a stay-at-home mom has drawn to a close...at least for the immediate future as I had my first day at work yesterday. I am having so many mixed emotions about the whole thing, and much to my surprise, Mr. F admitted to having mixed emotions too. I think he's enjoyed being spoiled with having dinner ready every night for the past 3/4 of a year. Don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful to have a job with the most amazing benefits package you can dream of. I'm even typing this post on my work issued lap top that we are allowed/encouraged to take home for personal use! Holy Cow! There are so many pros and cons to me working full time so I'm just going to make a list:

Pros
1. extra income to pay my exorbitant student loans...ughhh
2. adult interaction! wahoo!!
3. some intellectual engagement other than reading My Car ad naseum
4. doing something for just me
5. cutting down on utility bills by not being home to run ac units

Cons
1. Little man in day care...at times for 11 hrs a day depending on Dr. F's schedule (mine wont change and the trains schedule means I have to leave extra early)
2. Feeling so cramped for time at the end of each day when the few hours at home are spent preparing for the next day (did I mention we arent totally settled in our house? I mean thank goodness for the basement cause that's where EVERYTHING is right now)
3. Although I am sure daycare is a good one (we looked at ALOT), its still someone else taking care of my baby. Let the mommy guilt begin. I just feel like I wont be able to do it all from keeping the kind of home I want to giving Aidan lots of attention....alas, the plight of the working mother.

Finally I know this isnt the most cheerful post so I'll end on a high note. It may not be the beach, but this $10 blow up Target pool was such a hit. This kid has water in his veins for sure!

Vacation Follow-up

We had a wonderful time at OBX last week and I took a million pics.... enjoy!

We're on vacation!

Whew, I am EXHAUSTED...the last few weeks have been so insane. Wonderful, but insane nonetheless. To kick things off we celebrated our marriage blessing. It was so meaningful and such a happy time.

Then, two days later we drove back to philly from va to close on our house! Mr. F insisted on carrying me over the threshold. This is some self portrait action as well as Mr. F mowing his lawn for the first time with a REAL mower and Aidan celebrating his backyard with a romp in the nude!



We have spent the last week moving. I have no idea how we collected so much stuff in a one bedroom apartment. I'm vowing to throw-out, streamline, and organize. I can not express my joy at no longer living there.

Oh, and in the middle of moving Mr. F graduated making him Dr. F! It was a wonderful ceremony and I'm so proud of him. He's worked so hard and I know he's going to be a fantastic physician.

Finally, we drove down to OBX yesterday. We're staying in one of those ginormous 8 bedroom houses with about 18 other newly minted doctors. This is also Aidan's first time at the beach and he LOVES everything about it. He keeps screaming "WAWA" a la Braveheart and running into the ocean. Its pretty damn cute.

Happy Mother's Day

I know I'm a day late, but I had to share this adorable video of the Little Man :)

welcome to miami

Per usual things are moving along in 5th gear in our house... we are tackling the seemingly overwhelming challenge of packing for the big move. So far the pictures are bubble wrapped and boxed and the bookshelves are boxed. I've started on the kitchen and we're working on selling our big wooden bed frame (it was a hand-me-down and totally not my style...see below). Mr. F is also finishing up a chapter he wrote for a soon to be published medical book and we're in the final stages of pulling together the last details of our blessing next week. I'm SO excited.

Those last details include the South Beach diet (for Mr. F & I) and nightly applications of self-tanner lotion (you know, the kind in body lotion that gradually takes effect) because I REFUSE to fake n bake. We're also using teeth whitening strips to get picture perfect. We are a hot bed of vanity these days :)

Aidan is also growing up so fast and I cant believe he'll be 18 mos this month. How the heck did that happen?! I've tried to capture him on film, but he just moves so fast! He's also really enjoying our packing endeavors as he's learned how to climb and loves moving box forts. This morning I was pointing to my belly telling Aidan thats where he used to live (the kid is obsessed with bellies). He promptly told me "baba (belly)! poop!" We couldnt stop laughing... maybe we'll be potty training soon!

Additionally, I'm so happy to report I GOT A JOB!!! I can't believe it, but its true:) I start mid-june and am beyond excited to be able see money coming in instead of just going out... there wont be much left after day care and student loans, but it doesnt matter :) I hope everyone is loving this beautiful weather as much as we are!

Finally, here is a picture of the wedding reception from this past weekend. We had a great time... can you tell?! :)

Happy May Day

Its a beautiful day and Mr. F and I are in the south for a wedding for Mr. F's college roommate. We also happen to be baby-less as the Little Man is at camp grandma and grandpa for 2 nights! Dont get me wrong, I miss him like crazy, but taking the opportunity to enjoy breakfast on the campus of Mr. F's alma mater on a beautiful lazy saturday morning is a luxury we arent too accustomed to. Here is a little self portrait action :

Last night was the rehearsal dinner and it was a fun bluegrass themed garden party with a live bluegrass band. SO much fun and I really felt like I was at southern party. This afternoon we're heading off to the ceremony and I'll be rocking a pre-baby dress! More pictures to come! In the mean time, here is a fun video of Aidan breaking it down :)