Be present.

Pinterest via design is mine via etsy seller groundwork

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. We are moving this week so I have been busy packing and organizing...which is a lot harder being 8 months pregnant. I definitely get tired very quickly.

There is something that has been on my mind lately though. When I am hanging out with people, whether it's at a restaurant, my home or theirs, I try very hard not to check Facebook, email, etc.during that time so that I can focus on those around me. When I visit my family for a weekend, I hardly ever touch the computer unless there is some down time. When my husband gets home from work I want to spend time with him and not devote my attention to a screen.

However, I've noticed that not everyone shares this sentiment. My wish is that people would focus on the present and not worry about checking things online. I want to hang out and talk to YOU, not try to share the attention with whatever technological device you have in front of your face. Yes, I can be guilty of doing this, but I am going to stop if I catch myself doing it. I want to be able to focus on the actual people I am surrounded by, and not worrying about things that are happening on the Internet. I can always catch up on that stuff later.


Are you guilty of sharing your time between people and a device? What are your thoughts on this?

Pregnancy related.

This is a funny pic my mom snapped of me the day after Christmas - maybe I should start making this face anytime someone asks me a stupid question? (and oh yeah, I am rocking my Woodsy the Owl shirt!)

 I found this article at Babble.com that lists all of the things that you should never say to a pregnant woman. I found it interesting because I have definitely been asked some of these questions or had these statements said to me. Here's the ones that I have dealt with:

1. "Was it planned?" - Um, excuse me? Do people actually think that is a legitimate question to ask someone? Even if it wasn't, I am obviously sharing the news because we are excited about it. Additionally, we are married and want to have kids so having a kid is something that we feel we are blessed to do!

2. "You look like you're ready to pop!" - Ok, this exact statement has not been said to me, but I have had multiple students tell me that I am getting really big. Why thank you, lovely kids, that is exactly what I want to hear when I feel HUGE. I've already gained 30 pounds...I don't need anyone reminding me of that. On the other hand, I love when people tell me that I look really small.

3. "Can I touch your belly?" - Oh yes, I have had students ask me this to which I always reply, "Absolutely not!" I honestly don't know what they are thinking when they ask me that. I gently remind them that only family and close friends have those privileges. Otherwise, it's just awkward.

4. "Have you picked a name yet?" - This question doesn't necessarily annoy me, but since we aren't telling anyone the name until he is born I have to go into that whole spiel. I don't mind when people ask when they already know about that and are just curious if we have decided yet though. And no, we have not chosen a name yet.

5. "Enjoy ________ now because once the baby comes, you can kiss it goodbye." - I understand that my life is drastically going to change when our baby arrives, but I do not need to be reminded that I will not sleep or have any time to myself once that happens. The only exception to this is when friends who have recently had children talk to me about it because I know that this is all new to them too! (and they need someone to "vent" to)

And there you have it.


If you are pregnant/have been pregnant, do/did you get asked any of these questions?

A new TV series (at least to me).

I've heard about the show Revenge and that it had gotten some good reviews, but I never got around to watching it. Since I had some extra time on my hands at the beginning of the week I decided that I would see what all the hype is about. My verdict - It's definitely an interesting show and keeps me interested to want to go onto the next episode so I've decided that I like it! The basic premise is that this girl, Emily Thorne, returns to the Hamptons where she spent her summers as a child to get revenge on all of the people who ruined her family. I'm about to watch the last episode that was aired before the holidays and a new episode is on tonight so I guess I will just have to watch as they are aired now!

Do you watch Revenge? What is your favorite TV drama?

Some goals for January

really cute calendar via etsy seller creativitae

I'm a big list-maker. I used to set goals each month, but those fizzled out at some point last year. I would like to re-instate my goal making though so I have something to strive for each month, whether big or small. Here are some things I would like to happen in January:

• Have a relatively stress-free move - Jon and I are moving into a new place this month and I just hope it goes well. I'm not going to be much help this time around and we are going to have to store/get rid of things to fit into the new place so I just want everything to run smoothly! 

• Read 4 books this month - I set a reading goal of 50 books this year rather than the 100 I set last year since I know things will probably be a little crazier once the baby comes.

• Start prepping the baby's room - I obviously haven't been able to do anything yet since we were waiting to move, but I want to start getting it ready once we get settled.

• Start planning some freezer meals to make - Again, this will be more prep for when the baby comes. I want to at least create a list of meals to make and all of the ingredients we will need to make them, also taking into account the freezer space we will have.

• Sub 4 out of 5 days each week - My long-term assignment ends this Friday and then I will be back to daily subbing. I was having a hard time finding jobs earlier this year so I'm hoping that I will be able to find them easily this month and next. 

What are some of your goals for the month?

Happy New Year!

via Pinterest via fragilepieces.tumblr.com

We had an excellent low-key New Year's Eve last night since we just had one other couple over (hi Ryan & Tessa!). We made dinner together, then played a really long game of Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture. I think the game could have been an hour shorter, but we still had a good time! I didn't even get mad and make things awkward, which usually happens when I play games since I am so darn competitive. Of course we had to flip between all of the NYE shows (where I didn't even know half of the artists performing - I'm getting old!) and then Skyped in our friends from out of town. I loved that we could ring in the New Year with friends who weren't here and make it a little mini-celebration. So thanks to Erik & Amanda and Nick & Julia for connecting with us last night - it was like a little vacation reunion! We continued our New Year's celebration with sparkling wine and grape juice (yeah, that was for me!) and some Rock Band before crawling into bed around 2AM. 


I believe that 2011 was a growing year for me as I started to feel more comfortable in this new city we moved to and eventually stopped hating living here, gained more experience in teaching with my long-term subbing job, and learned that we are expecting a little baby boy. I know that 2012 has even more change coming and I am excited for it. A little nervous, yes, but still excited to see what is in store for us this year!

How would you sum up your 2011?

Some of my favorite tidbits from 2011.

I love this video of Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt!
 
January

• Celebrating 2 of my friends' getting married & dancing all night long at the reception. I seriously love to dance.

February

• Going out with our entire group of friends to a Mexican restaurant & then bowling for our friend's birthday. This was literally the only highlight of the month since I got the flu and then pneumonia for the rest of it!

March

• Going to free Ohio State gymnastics meets - I can't wait to do this again in 2012 (until baby comes at least!)

April

• Having a weekend away at Jon's parents' cottage in Indiana to go to the Notre Dame Blue/Gold game (which we watched at a restaurant since it was raining, but we had a good weekend anyway!)

May

• Enjoying a fun family get-together Memorial Day weekend - I love the nights where we can sit outside on the patio and just hang out!

June

• Going on vacation with 3 of our best friend couples. It was seriously one of the greatest vacations ever.
• Finding out I was pregnant on Jon's birthday, and then having to hide it from everyone. :)

July

• Announcing our pregnancy to our families!
• Getting to see my family who lives in California and meeting their new baby.
• Going to a couples' baby shower for our friends and celebrating the upcoming birth of their sweet baby boy.
• And going to my cousin's baby shower to celebrate the upcoming birth of her daughter. 
• Discovering Pinterest - yes, it was a highlight for me!

August

• Announcing our pregnancy to my extended family (especially my cousin, who was pregnant at the time!)
• Having a fantasy football lottery draft party with all of our friends, and spontaneously singing camp songs around the fire.

September

• Celebrating our 4 year anniversary at the Foo Fighters concert!

October

• Finding out we are having a baby boy!
• Hosting girls' night - it was the first one we had in a LONG time.
• Starting my long-term social studies subbing position at a local high school. 

November

• Eating a lot at all of our Thanksgiving festivities with family & friends.

December

• Celebrating the holidays at our annual friends' Christmas party.
• Enjoying our first couples' baby shower with some of our closest friends.
• Celebrating Christmas - I love the holiday season!

What were some of your favorite things in 2011?? Happy New Year's Eve!

Fill in the blank Friday.

marthastewart.com via let's entertain

 

 Today I'm linking up with "Fill in the Blank Friday" over at the little things we do!

 

1.   New Years is   a time to re-think goals and create new ones. It's a fresh start!

2.   One of my New Year's resolutions will be  get away from the holiday foods & sweets and start eating healthier again for this little one I'm growing .

3.  A New Year's resolution I've made in the past was to  read more books, which I successfully did this past year!

4. The most time consuming resolution I ever made was   Honestly, I don't think I've ever had a time consuming resolution.

5.  This year I will be spending New Year's Eve   hanging out with my husband and a couple of friends at our house. We plan to make dinner and just hang out for the evening!

6.  If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be    to be a great mom!

7.  2012 is going to be   life-altering. We will be welcoming a baby boy in early March! We will also be moving in January to a new apartment and I have to figure out how to take a class before June 30th to renew my teaching license. It will be a busy time!