Mia's first Halloween

I don't know whether to call Mia's first Halloween a success.... or not a success. Our morning started out great!! Mia was in the happiest mood when she got out of bed! We played hard and then I made her a festive breakfast. She ate oranges and pumpkin pancakes (with homemade cinnamon syrup, who am I?) but then things started going down hill :(

Mia's top two teeth have been cutting through this past week and it's been kind of awful, poor baby! Nap time didn't last long and then I was running too many errands and she couldn't get a good nap until late afternoon. Of course she wore her costume all day but it's safe to say that she wasn't cooperating for pictures (I don't blame her!) BUT she did loooooove to look at herself in the mirror, ha ha!

We celebrated that night by eating dinner with friends and trick or treating at their door :)

I admit that I only thought of doing this for picture's sake (oooooh the blogger in me, it's kind of horrifying) but Mia LOVED picking out a treat! She picked one (such a good girl), checked it out, put it back and picked a different one :) And then it made me kind of sad that we didn't take her trick or treating to a few more homes (but I'm over it. She won't remember and I won't be stuck eating all of her candy. Oh wait... yep, I'm still regretting it!) but next year will be SO much fun to take her door to door :)

We love our little lady-love bug SO much (and can't wait for her darn teeth to stop making her feel cruddy)!!

it's up to me

I used to talk about Eric allllll the time on this blog. I was obsessed with him and our marriage! But ever since we had Mia (who we both are obsessed with) the focus of my topics have shifted, obviously (which I'm sure Eric doesn't mind because that means I don't take AS many pictures of him ;) ha)! But I've been thinking about this a lot lately... does the obsession I have with my daughter take away from the obsession I had with my husband?? The conclusion I came to is this, I don't really know. But I do know that I don't want it to!
Marriage is a tricky thing. Throw a baby in the mix and I don't even know what word to use to describe marriage. More than tricky, that's for sure! Any major change can throw a wrench in the relationship. I shared some recent struggles I (we) had here, and how I (we) overcame them here. I've been thinking a lot about our marriage lately and the good place we are in... I LOVE being married! I love that Eric is mine and I am his for eternity. I don't ever want to stop fighting to make us happier, because it's just worth it. The hard work is just. plain. worth it!
The other day I read this article and it really made me stop and think. I'm stealing this quote from the article: "It's not a spouse, or land, or a job, or money that brings us happiness. Those achievements, those relationships, can enhance our happiness, yes, but happiness has to start from within. Relying on any other equation can be lethal." This was a very real reminder that my personal happiness is just as important as any others happiness! Obviously I already knew this, but it just kind of hit me upside the head when I read that! To be a better wife, a better mom, a better friend, etc, I need to continually work on being a better me!
I really want that happiness that is contagious! I want people to want to be around me because of my happiness! I want my marriage to thrive because of my (our) happiness! Basically I'm just rambling here... but I want my life to be better because I work on my happiness in every aspect, spiritually, mentally and physically. That really is most important! And everything else will benefit. Funny how something so simple, knowledge I already had, can be so profound when I realize (once again) that the answer is so plain and obvious! I don't really know if this is making sense? But I just want to throw it out there that I promise to be a better, happier me (because like I said, I need the reminder! Even when life is going so good, but maybe those are the times I need the reminder most)! The end.
P.S. Happy Halloween!!
P.P.S. Red Sox Naaaaaaaaaaation. You better believe that Eric already bought out the World Series memorabilia in his size! Okay, only a hat and a shirt. But if he could afford it, he would have bought it all. THAT'S how happy he is right now ;)

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just some randoms {10}

Don't mind my crazy face, but say hello to Mia's poker face. There are times that while Mia is happy, she refuses to give a smile. I think she thinks she's sneaky and funny. So she is definitely the smiliest baby in the world, she still likes to change things up every once in awhile ;) ha ha!

She doesn't know what to think about this cold weather! It's almost too cold to go running outside :(

Mia's favorite "toy" to play with is car keys! And her absolute favorite place to be in the car is in front of the steering wheel! She just might be a car girl which would make her daddy proud ;)

Even though she is a mess, I really love this picture of Mia checking out her 98 year old great Grandma! (You can read more about it here.)

It's kind of a bad picture but I'm holding a week old baby (I forget how small they are!) and Mia went crazy! She was so excited and did everything she could to get her hands on her new little friend! No jealousy here. Mia wants her own tiny baby, ha!

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Mia's wish list

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Sooooo... Mia's birthday is less than two months away. Yikes! If I'm already stressing about her birthday party (which will not be pinterest worthy), it's only fair that Mia is stressing about her wish list!
We already know that Mia would LOVE some puzzles. We don't have any yet, and I feel like the puzzles with knobs would be a fun way for her to learn shapes, letters, and colors with mom and dad :)
Mia's absolute favorite are books so that's definitely on the list! We really only have one activity book so a couple more would be the perfect present! I'd also love to get more hard (cardboard?) books, that way I won't have to worry about Mia tearing pages as she flips through them and drags them around the house!
I, I mean Mia, LOVES the minky blankets. And her momma does NOT sew (poor baby), so these definitely need to be gifted! And there's no such thing as too many soft, cute blankets for this mom and baby!
Of course Mia would love any toys, clothes and headbands (what? The girl loves her clothes and accessories... it's not all me)! And yes, if you're wondering, she will accept early birthday gifts ;)
P.S. Are we missing anything? What gifts do you think/know are perfect for a one year old??
P.P.S. I'm giving away AD space on Ali's blog! Be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday when you head over to enter the giveaway :)

a few of my current favorites

These two. Always and forever! Even though Eric is fake-cheesing it hard core so that I will hurry up and take the picture and be done with it ;)
Pumpkin food! Apparently I've outdone myself in the baking department because Eric is sick of pumpkin and won't eat it anymore. I don't know why he's complaining (okay, I'm complaining. I won't bake it anymore because I eat it ALL. No good for my badonkadonk) Who knows when I'll pick up the baking vibe again, if ever ;)
Our golden leaves! Between the glorious weather and the changed leaves, we have experienced perfect fall weather this last week. I am sure that I couldn't be happier about it!
Spin! I went to spin this week for the first time in months. Oh how I've missed it! I am dying to start taking classes at the gym again, but I also die a little lot inside thinking of taking Mia to the daycare and subjecting her to the nastiness of germs and snot-nosed kids. (I used to work at a gym daycare... I know how not clean it is. And I know other mothers take their sick children to the daycare. GROSS!) But I don't know what other option I have during the long winter months?
We all know I kind of hate where I live, but I admit that it's been so much easier these past few months. A huge part of that is the happiness that Mia has brought in my life. And she has taught me to remember that it truly is the little things that make the world go 'round! But mostly, Eric and I have been blessed to make amazing friends here! I am so grateful for them!
My new "mom" car :) It's my favorite! I can't wait to share pictures!!
Blogging! Duh.
Shellac. Why didn't I discover this stuff years ago?? Probably because it didn't exist. But I am loving getting my nails done and having them last 3-4 weeks without one. single. chip. Cheers to cute fingernails!
Instagram. I'm seriously obsessed. But I love posting the little details of Mia's life that I would otherwise not record and totally forget. I can only imagine how much more fun the captions will be under Mia's picture once she starts talking :) And heaven knows how I love to stalk others lives #truth!! So yes, Instagram is my favorite!
What are some of your current favorites??