I know how truly blessed I am and I will never take you for granted. Thank you for being my best friend, the best dad, the guy I can tell everything to, the guy I can sweat with, smile with, laugh with and share our amazing family with!

I know there are so many beautiful memories ahead <3

My productivity was through the roof this weekend and I have ZERO complaints about anything I did over the past days.

I can’t help but smile when I think about all the things I accomplished. I guess when the past 3 months involved only thinking about being pregnant and the nausea that came with that, and the fatigue that laid me up on the couch after work I am grateful for feeling NORMAL!!!

Here’s a quick low-down on what I did this weekend:

Friday involved dinner with Marc at our favorite local spot Barcelona. My dad offered to watch Ava so I didn’t hesitate to get a quick dinner with Marc.

I would’ve taken more pictures but the pregnant lady was hungry which means, eat quick and forget the blog pics. Marc and I enjoyed our night out together.

Saturday morning we woke up ready to tackle the day. Marc ran some errands and I did a quick workout at home. The Hammer & Chisel Cardio workout is awesome. It reminds me of my boot camp class.

I loved that I didn’t have to talk, yell or teach. I just worked on getting a good workout in for myself.

In the afternoon we headed to my niece Emily’s First Birthday party at Dinosaur BBQ in Stamford. The party room was amazing and the perfect spot for all occasions, I highly recommend it.  Ava played the entire time! We enjoyed delicious BBQ food and I got to see some friends I haven’t seen in a while. It was FUN.

Sunday involved a trip to the YMCA to play with Ava. Ava played in the tumble room.

She smiled and laughed the whole time and she ran around like a crazy women.

After an hour we were all wiped!!!!!

My afternoon involved computer work & a long walk with Cooper (it was cold out and my legs went numb). Besides that we relaxed cooked some dinner and got ready for the week ahead!!

I’m sad to see the weekend go but I’m so happy to be feeling like myself again. I won’t repeat it again because I don’t want to jinx it!!! Fingers crossed..

What fun things did you do this weekend?

Do you try to accomplish a million and one things on the weekend?

I hung out with family, friends, and we got to watch Ava have the best time of her life.

In case you missed my blog post this weekend, Ava turned TWO years old on Saturday.

We had a family party at our house and it turned out to be a success.

Ava smiled, danced, played with her cousins

There were lots of kisses and hugs for her cousins.

She loved when we all sang Happy Birthday to her

and blew out candles like a champ!

she loved her ice cream cake

She upwrapped tons of birthday gifts

and totally enjoyed every second of her birthday celebration!

It was such a special night with both Marc’s family and my family. I think everyone enjoyed watching Ava run around and get excited playing with her new toys.

On Sunday morning we headed to Stew Leonard’s to buy a tree with our neighbors. It was a fun adventure and we had our tree picked out in no time!!

In the afternoon I met up with some of best girl friends to enjoy the Holiday Stroll in Greenwich. They had a live nativity and animals.

There were holiday treats all along Greenwich Avenue, christmas carolers, horse and carriage rides, & the best part was the reindeer and Santa Claus.

I mean how could you not want to see reindeer????????!

All in all it was a festive and fun weekend! I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tired but it was WORTH every second.

How was your weekend?

Have you ever seen reindeer??

We will be having a small party at our house and I am planning to make it as special as I can for Miss Ava. I bought a few Minnie Mouse decorations because she is so obsessed with all the characters in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

I figured it would surprise her when she woke up from her nap!!

I don’t want to get all mushy mushy with you guys, so I’ll make this short and sweet. Having a child has kinda turned me into that sentimental women that cries a little easier then she did before, but it’s a good thing.  I never knew how much love I had to give until having Ava. These are happy tears but, Seriously can we slow down time just a little???!!

Over the last few months Ava has shown me how smart she truly is: she is super independent like her mama, she laughs at everything and makes us laugh with her, she has secret talents like jumping on the bosu ball (she’s only 2 that’s incredible), she is so gentle and sweet when she plays with Cooper, she is caring when she plays with other kids, she’s tough and persistent like her daddy, and her determination & passion for life is going to help her achieve all of her life goals.

I’m not shocked she’s already 2, she’s a big girl and she is eager to learn more and more as each day passes. She keeps me on my toes more then I thought I ever needed to be and has challenged me to be the best person I possibly can.

Not a day goes by that I don’t hug and want to squeeze her tight and I hope she lets me do that forever.

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY AVA! Mommy, Daddy & Cooper love you so much!!!! 

This weekend flew by as usual, it was productive and fun.

Saturday morning I had an in home client that I trained and then we made a quick trip to Kohl’s to do some shopping.

In case you don’t know me that well, I’m not a very good shopper. I love having new clothes but I hate picking them out. Maybe it’s because I’m not stylish and I don’t know what I look best in. (workout clothes??)

In the afternoon on Saturday we headed to my friend’s daughter Lilly’s 4th Birthday party.

It was a painting party and I’m pretty sure all the kids had a blast.

Ava was SUPER excited to paint her letter A and she kept saying “Ava’s painting, Ava’s coloring.” It was really cute.

I had a great time watching her smile and have fun playing with the other kids.

Sunday I taught an early morning Boot camp class. I loved the workout I had planned and I was super excited that both Ava and Marc came for a visit. I think everyone enjoyed their company and distraction.

I was craving “not cooking” lunch after that workout and didn’t want any part of the kitchen so I ran to Citarella to grab a hot lunch from he hot foods bar. I chose Chicken Francese and Steamed broccoli with garlic and olive oil. It was SUPER tasty and satisfying.

I’m not sure if this picture does the food any justice, it was delicious and even better that I didn’t need to prepare it.

In the afternoon I got a haircut, went to trader Joe’s and then took Cooper to the dog park.

I don’t know who had more fun, him or Ava? It was a tie.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Do you have any fun stuff to share from your weekend?

Do you ever have those days when you DON’T want to cook?

Every Christmas I would ask for a puppy anyways, and as much as I knew it wasn’t possible I still asked for the pure hope that one day it just might happen.

I always wanted a golden retriever but of course they shed too much. I started researching dogs on the internet one day and I stumbled upon a partially hypoallergenic dog called a comfort retriever. It’s a mix between a golden and a poodle. When I started looking at the pictures of the puppies I was sold. I may have done a little dance because these dogs were perfect!

I sent the breeder’s link to Marc, and I’m pretty sure he knew he couldn’t say no to me. We talked to the breeder and in just a few short months Cooper was born.

I counted down the days until we would get him. The wait seemed like forever.

We were so lucky to have the breeder’s friend bring Cooper to our house, when they arrived I ran outside to find the tiniest little fluff ball waiting in his crate. I asked if I could hold him, and she said “he’s yours!” I had the biggest grin on my face and I will forever remember our first encounter.

I brought Cooper inside and of course he peed right away. Poor guy had a long car ride!

He ran around and explored the house, man this little guy had more spunk then I knew what to do with. He was so playful, curious, and of course too cute.

I waited my whole life for a dog and I couldn’t be luckier to have such a fun loving and playful puppy to spend all my days with.

He takes me on new adventures every day and makes me enjoy the rain when all I really want to be doing is snuggling on the couch or of course on the floor.

Cooper keeps me on my toes, he knows how to push my buttons by stealing toys, but most importantly he knows how to make me smile and cheer me up with kisses and his cute puppy dog face!

There’s only one other girl besides Ava and of course myself that Cooper gets super excited for, his girlfriend Barley! When they have playdates he can’t hold back his smile and excitement!

I love my little doggie and I know he’s made a new best friend with Ava because he makes her just as happy as he makes me & Marc.

Happy Birthday Mr. Cooper!

If you have a pet, do you celebrate their birthday? I think Cooper will definitely have a few licks of ice cream tonight

Did you have a pet growing up?

Friday night we headed to Marc’s softball game at Byram Shore. The weather was perfect for some softball and Ava got to run around and play in the dirt which was pretty fun except that she had a bath already!

Miss Ava has been waking us up super early these days and during the week I don’t mind but on the weekends its torture. Saturday morning Marc got us some coffees at Dunkin and we ate some breakfast before taking a trip to the YMCA for a quick workout. I lifted my back and did a little cardio. Clearly I over did it because my back is very sore today but I needed it!

The rest of the day was spent outside playing in the yard and at the dog park, plus running some errands. At around 6pm we left to head to my best friend’s surprise 30th birthday party in Stratford, CT at The Sitting Duck Tavern.

It was such a fun night with my friends, and I think the Birthday Girl enjoyed her celebration.

I have known Lauren for 30 years (our parents planned our births) and I can truly say I’m lucky to have a friend like Lauren.

The night was filled with laughs and great food.

I had Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa over mashed sweet potatoes it was delicious.

Marc had a burger with pulled pork, onions & pickles!

I’m not a big strawberry shortcake fan, so I didn’t indulge in the cake but everyone said it was yummy.

These are my 4 best friends, Danielle, Shannon, Lauren and Megan!

 I went to bed at about 12:15am and Miss Ava woke me up at 5:15am, so lets just say the morning was a struggle. I chugged some coffee, well not literally, but it gave me the boost I needed to entertain her for a bit.

I was fortunate the weather was amazing because we spent the day outside and I didn’t have to think about how tired I was I guess I’m not 21 anymore and staying up late really effects me hard these days.

Luckily I went to bed early last night so I am feeling energized and ready to go this morning! It felt great to have a sweat session this morning in Group Power!

 Does lack of sleep catch up with you?

What is something fun you did this weekend? 

Thanks for making me smile and laugh until no end!

and thank you for being the best father to our 2 crazy beautiful kids.

I love you and I hope you have a special day  

I chugged some coffee and started checking things off my To-Do List for the party. Once I was all set I left a few things for Marc to do with Ava and I headed to Villa Italia to help set up before the party started.

The party was everything we could’ve hoped for and more. The food was awesome…

The kids had fun playing and running around.

I had fun catching up with friends and family.

We even got a nice family photo

and the best part was seeing Ava’s excitement when she saw her own little cake with Elmo on top!

I lied the best part was seeing her face when she tasted CAKE for the first time. She smiled and it was SO BIG.

All I’m thinking is “Ava… don’t get used to all this sugar.”

Do you see that devilish grin?

I’m just playing. Ava can pretty much eat what she wants because she ran around like a mad woman the entire party. She literally doesn’t sit still and I was sweating through my dress trying to keep up with her.

Who needs a gym? Just chase around Ava while wearing high heals and you will get in an awesome workout!!

Ava and her big cousin Natalie kept tearing wrapping paper off of her presents and running away with the paper. Kids are entertained by the simple things.

We said our good byes after a great party and couldn’t have been happier with Ava’s 1st Birthday Party!

Have you ever been to a 1st birthday party?

What do you think that first bite of cake tastes like?