"Well, we're movin' on up...." Up County that is...

So most people know that we have been trying to sell our condo for months now. We had a contract on the condo several months back, but the whole thing fell through. So we decided to take it of the market for a little and about two months ago put it back on.

I kid you not that when our buyer walked through the door I KNEW that he was the one! And sure enough, an hour after our showing, his agent called for the disclosures. My hubby, ever so realistic, didn't want to get excited until all the paperwork came through and we closed. I, on the other hand, was SOOOO excited. I just knew that this was going to happen.

Okay, so fast forward to yesterday....

We closed on the sale of our downtown Silver Spring condo and all went well! So now it's CRUNCH TIME! We need to be out of the condo by the end of the month.

After looking around a little we didn't really find a house that we loved, that was big enough, in the right area and for the price we wanted; so we decided to look for a rental property. That way we could rent, save money and see what the market does.

My mom and I spent all day Monday looking at properties....I think we looked at about 10 or 11. We found 2 that I really loved. The only problem is that they were asking a little too much in the monthly rent.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I heard back from one of the owners and they are willing to rent to us for the price we were wanting to spend!! AND we heard back from another property, which we'll be looking at today and they are also willing to take our offer!

I'm very excited about this news, especially since after closing yesterday I had no idea where we were going to be moving to. Yet again, God showed up and was faithful to provide. Now we just have to deal with the details and determine which house we'll be moving to!

Soooo, let the packing begin!

Here are some pics of the two potential homes..and of course, when we know exactly where we're going I'll put tons of pictures up! (Can you tell I'm excited to have more space??)

This is the first one...this one has a lot of space and a gorgeous deck that spans the full length of the house with an amazing view of the lake!

This is the second one...it's not as large, but a plus is that its just been freshly painted AND it's actually the right color!

Stay tuned!

Life Happens? ...Life Takes Over!

I would start by profusely apologizing to my regular readers (HA!) for seriously neglecting my blog for months. BUT... the reality of the matter is that life, like it tends to do, swept me up and carried me away into the deep abyss that is the "daily routine."

I'm sure you can all relate to that! I won't go into much detail about what things have been going on...just life. Ups and downs, successes and failures, life and death, disappointments and hopeful surprises...you know the deal.

So I thought I would just pick up where I left off. Last time I posted, I was on my way to Atlantic City for a birthday getaway. It was great! My husband had a bunch of things planned, one of which was an AMAZING dinner at a 5 star steakhouse. (I have had eaten at some of the most well-known steakhouses, but this was truly the BEST STEAK of my life!) Definitely no Ponderosa DAD!!

We checked into the hotel, where my husband had booked one of their multiple room suites...it was decadent! Unfortunately, whoever had been in that room last partied a little to hard and it the cleanliness wasn't quite up to par....so we switched to a regular room in the new tower of the hotel (it was very nice).

Anyway, it was a nice birthday and I really enjoyed spending lots of quality time with my hubby and my baby girl!

Here are some pictures!

This was all of Maddie's stuff...yep, for a three day trip!

She loooved the fountain in the casino!

One of the views from our room :)

All dressed up for dinner!

At dinner with Daddy :)

Our family :) We had a great time!

Okay, so I'm going to try and not let life carry me away too often so I can keep this up to date!

A Reason to Brag? We'll See...

I really enjoy hearing about the trials and tribuations of married couples...and by trials and tribulations I mean, the things husbands do/don't do that drive us nuts and make us wives ask, "when will he get it?!?"

Well, I definitely have my share of these type of stories (sorry hon, but don't feel bad...not very many!). BUT with that being said, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when my husband told me a week ago that he had planned a three day trip for me as a little birthday celebration. Could it be that he took the initiative to plan something entirely without my help? I mean, I AM the planner. I'm the one that picks the dates, picks the place, finds the hotel, figures out what activities we're going to do, packs the bags....Soon shows up and we have a great time. But I think its a nice treat to not have to be the planner.

Now I know what some of you are thinking. "I wouldn't want my husband planning anything out of fear of what he'd plan." Well, that HAS crossed my mind and don't get me wrong, he DID pick a place that he really likes too (I mean it's not like he planned a trip for us to Paris...HAHAHAHA...yeah, that will never happen. Hon, want to prove me wrong?? hehehe)

We're going back to Atlantic City...our home away from home (it seems that way sometimes). I can't complain because over the years they have really built it up and there's tons of stuff to do. There's GREAT food, GREAT shopping, the beach, casinos, etc. It's just a fun place to go when you want a quick getaway, but you don't want to be too far away. (Stay tuned, we're going to Boston in the fall...the car ride alone will be interesting! I think it's 8 hours...)





So anyway, this time, he's made the hotel reservation, picked the restaurants, figured out what we're going to do and according to him, has a couple surprises planned (scary?).

And YES, we're taking baby girl!! That could be a whole other blog!

All you moms out there know what it takes to travel with kids...especially a baby, since they typically have more needs. So, at the crack of dawn Iwent to the grocery store, came home and started making the purees for the next two weeks, finished Maddie's laundry, started laying out all of her stuff that we need to take (I always make a list because I swear I still have a "pregnant brain"). Right now the table is covered with containers of baby food, bottles, stacks of burp cloths, baby towels/washcloth, diapers, wipes, bumbo, handful of her favorite toys, clothes, pajamas, socks, bibs, bottles water, formula, cereal, spoons/bowls...

So yes, it's incredibly thoughtful and unexpected for my husband to plan a trip, but would it be too much to ask for him to do all the "pre-work" next time as well?? HA!

I'm excited about the trip and I'm sure I'll have lots to talk about when I get back and hopefully some pictures to go along with it!

From Bags to Bibs

So life after having a baby is a little different...many times you find that

Instead of making cocktails, you're making bottles.

Instead of trying out the latest Barefoot Contessa recipe, you're downloading the latest organic baby puree.

Instead of catching a quick afternoon nap, you're doing the 30th load of laundry while your husband, the baby and all of the pets nap.

Instead of going on a shopping spree to find the hottest dress to add to your wardrobe, you're going on a bargain hunt at Baby Gap, Janie & Jack and Old Navy.

Instead of catching up on the latest episode of Martha Stewart, the news and your favorite reality shows, your tv is stuck on WETA kids and The Disney Channel.

And now for the latest...

Instead of shopping for the most fabulous fall handbag, you're on a search to find a baby bib that will keep your baby's neck dry and still be cute enough that it doesn't totally ruin her little outfit!

Well, I found some. Divas and Dudes by Cruz make the cutest little bibs that are also lined underneath with a waterproof plastic layer. Your baby/kids stay clean (or dry in the case of a teething baby) and still look stylish :)

The bibs come in three different sizes and TONS of different patterns! Sushi, cupcakes, Pucci and Leopard, etc...

You can purchase these online or at your local Nordstrom.

Now I must admit that after four months, I have figured out how to make bottles and still make cocktails, making two weeks of baby purees and still having time to try the latest Barefoot Contessa recipe, go bargain hunting at Baby Gap, Janie & Jack and Old Navy and then quickly swing by Nordies for the latest dress to add to my wardrobe AND I have also figured out that while Maddie is napping I can easily change the channel on the tv to a non-kids show! (Still working on the nap thing...but I doubt the handbag thing is gonna happen anytime soon, lol).

All in all, the little adjustments that you make when a new baby is on the scene is well worth it! We are enjoying our girl to the fullest and savoring every moment with her, as we know time surely flies and they grow so fast!

Something redeeming for a change...

Okay, so I'm not a HUGE reader and for that reason when I do read it has to be something I know is going to be good...or just peaks my interest.

Well I'm half way through the second book on my "summer reading list" and I must say its pretty phenominal--can's wait for the ending!

There's not much out there that is uplifting as I'm sure you can relate, but this novel is something worth the time it will take to read...which is NO time at all, because it's a total page turner!

I dont want to spoil it by telling you what its about, so if you havent read it...GO AND GET IT!

When you do finally read it, let me know what you think :)

So Much To Say, So Little Time...

So about a year ago I started a baby blog to keep family and friends updated on the latest news about baby Moon. Now thats she's here, I realize I still have more to say (go figure), but not just on babies, pregnancy and motherhood! So what a perfect excuse to start a (real) blog.



Now don't get me wrong, I'm not assuming that everyone cares about what I have to say on every topic out there (and yes, i can find something to say on every topic out there), but that's the beauty of writing a blog-it doesn't matter! Here that Mom? I can say what I want AND get the last word.



So if you care, are curious (nosey like me) or just plain bored and need something to read...stay tuned because I have so much to say!

"Fly me to the moon....fill my heart with song, let me sing for ever more."