This is a sponsored post with Wayfair.  All opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting our blog! 

As a kid growing up in a suburb of Cleveland, snow days were almost a given during the winter season.  Nothing beat hearing your mom or dad say, “No school today guys!” in the morning.  Even better, when the weather was so bad that you knew an entire day in advance that school was cancelled.  Snow days meant an entire day at home, to bug your siblings and do whatever your little heart desired – which usually consisted of playing Sega or coloring.  Fancy, I know.

We haven’t been so lucky since moving out into our new town.  Lake effect snow is not a phrase our ears perk up to anymore, and the snow belt is long gone.  So, we’ve been waiting.  Oh so patiently to get pounded by mother nature, just for the sheer thrill of seeing the boys faces when they realize there is no need to rush out of pj’s at all!

Just because mother nature has not unleashed her beast on us just yet does not mean we can not make up an entire day of “snow day” fun! Seeing as January is coming to a close, and we’ve seen our grass 90% of the time this winter, we figured it was time to shake things up and just go with it.

With a bit of snow on the ground over the weekend, and freezing temps we decided it was the perfect day to show the kiddos the ice rink our park put in.  A huge selling point for this house was the proximity to schools, downtown Hudson and the park right around the corner.  It has walking trails, canoes to rent, fishing, playgrounds … you guys, it’s amazing.

We surprised Brody right after picking him up for school, with his hockey bag packed with the boys skates and we were off!

The perfect way to enjoy a pretend snow day? Outside, ice skating, with no one around.  It was pure magic.

Ready for picture overload? Here ya go 🙂

It was SO cold, far too cold to enjoy the rink for more than 15 minutes.  So we blasted the heat in the car and instantly found our bellies growling for dinner.

This past fall we bought an amazing panini press from Wayfair – definitely one of my favorite purchases made in 2015.

You can buy it here 

This panini press by Hamilton Beach is what a sandwich-lovers dreams are made of.  We have made so many paninis these past few months, it has become my favorite go-to for dinner.  The kids love every sandwich it makes, I mean, you cannot go wrong with cheesy-goodness! If I was Oprah, this would be my moment to share with you “You get a panini press! You get a panini press!” I would give one to each of you.

Instead, buy one, stat.  You will not regret it! Super easy to clean too, which is such a plus! I love when we have family over and utilize this kitchen essential.  I line up all of the sandwiches on a baking sheet, prepped and ready to go when it’s time to eat.  It’s impressive and delicious and will leave your loved ones feeling spoiled.

We made a ridiculously indulgent panini to warm us up.  Bacon, sriracha mayo, provolone and tomato slices …. OoO BABY, it was GOOD!

It was like a jacked up BLT without the lettuce, because vegetables are over-rated.

Close this beauty shut and within minutes you are left with a sandwich that will leave your taste buds singing.  We’ve done all different versions, simple caprese panini with pesto, philly cheese steak and bbq chicken with pineapple.  The options are endless.

So whether you are hit with a snow day or not, do not let the winter days slip away without enjoying some seasonal fun with your family.  Even a freeze baby like myself can brave the outdoors for a bit if it means there is a warm delicious dinner waiting to be made when I get home.

These past two weeks have been everything short of comfortable or calm.  I was in triage two weeks ago, from excruciating pain that would not let up for nearly 9 hours.  They said it was either stretching pains or kidney stones and sent me on my way with a new belly band to support the growing babe.  I felt a bit better the next day, only for days later another “attack” to follow.  After an entire two weeks of fighting off these attacks on random days, and getting really sick and tired of crying on the couch like a big ol’ baby – I emailed my amazing OB about it all.  Well, let’s be frank, I emailed a lot, because I was worried and the pain level was SO extreme I knew something had to be going on.

I found out yesterday, it is indeed kidney stones that I have been passing, more to go.  Who knows how long it’ll take — but my crazy ass is attempting to continue to do it all unmedicated. If you yourself, or know someone who has had kidney stones – the pain is out of this freaking world and always requires drugs to ease the pain.  I’ve been up since 4:00am when another attack rolled in and questioning why the heck I haven’t caved in.  Oh, that’s right – the baby.  So, I’m going to do my best, suck it the hell up and keep on going.  The pain is worse than I felt at 7cm dilated with Owen prior to epidural.  Some moms say if you can get through kidney stones you can have a natural birth … hahaha.  No thanks, bring on the epidural.

So, the hours or random day I feel good I am up trying to tackle as much as I can.  Then days like today, I’m pretty knocked out — teary eyed driving Brody to school just praying for relief.  But that’s where I am lucky, these boys in my life.  Brody + Owen are just amazing – helping in every way and behaving so well (minus a few brotherly fights) it’s been such a saving grace.  The hubs? Don’t get me started, I barely have to speak.  He sees me shaking in pain and trying to march around sucking it up and he always swoops in the save the day.  They really are my rocks (pun intended) Hopefully the rocks in my kidneys continue to make their exit – swiftly.

Lesson learned, speak up.  If something doesn’t feel right, get to the bottom of it.  Triage sent me home without digging deeper, and two weeks ago I at least could have had peace of mind as to what was going on.  My main concern is the little man, I can sit and cry in pain all day long if I have to these next few weeks – but this new addition is our top priority.  “Sucking it up” isn’t exactly possible, these attacks leave you on the ground if youre standing – but I’m doing what I can!

So grateful to have answers.  So angry my body just cannot get its act together.  I am so ready to start enjoying this pregnancy, start shopping (we haven’t done anything!) and get in the nesting mode.  For now, I’ll chug my lemon water and grind my teeth in pain.  After all, only a bit over 3 more months till I get the sweet reward of an epidural, so eventually I’ll be pain free 🙂

This is NOT a sponsored post — just me letting you guys in on the best secret in town.  BOXED. 

I shared with you all a post a few months ago, on our first ever Boxed shipment, in mid-November.

   I forgot to share with you all the second shipment we received, but it was a lot of cleaning supplies that I ordered on November 27, and we are still going strong with the stash.

All of these beauties came to a total of $95.18   We earned a $15 credit to put toward the bill, and the jelly was just a freebie (they tend to send out freebie’s in emails if you order) And who likes some free jelly? This girl.

So, glad to say that nearly two months later all of these products are still going strong.

Our 3rd and most recent purchase was made last week, on Tuesday and was at our door step Thursday morning.  Really, how can you beat that turn around?! Dan and I are always amazed with this process, it simplifies errands for us and saves us so much money along the way.

With the winter weather finally upon us, and my recent “limits” in this pregnancy, I’m left to get a bit more creative with our shopping.  I’m a lady who loves errands, truly.  I think I came to a point in my life where I would go to stores, just to go to stores.  Because I love the thrill of finding a sale, I love the smell of those stocked shelves and well, it’s a sickness.  I adore shopping.

As much of an “experienced” shopper as I claim myself to be – I would always royally screw it all up.  Forget items, pick up 20 extra, spend way to much $$ just to have to go back days later. Every mother knows the unbearable trek of shopping with your children, sure you’ll have your good days where you feel like you conquered the world.  And then you’ll have those shopping trips where you have at least $30 of extra crap you never needed in the first place.

We knew Boxed was our chance to really clean up my act, follow more of an ordering process with bulk items that lasted much longer and saved me time and money.

Our most recent purchase was a bigger order, to help push us through these next few months.  Seeing as our last snack order lasted 2 months, and we still have some left over we knew this would get us through at least week 32-34 of pregnancy, just in time for a pre-baby order.

I wanted more snack items that were healthier for on the go or at home.  Of course we always splurge on “less healthy” options, but what can I say – it’s all in balance right? I love that fact that I could toss in our paper towels, toilet paper, and a wicked supply of paper plates and ziploc bags into the mis.  These simple items I would always find myself running out of far to quickly and now I confidently know I have plenty to last us.

Most snacks we would purchase would be $3-$5, come with 6 packages or bars and be gone in less than 3 days.  Now, we have packages of 24-36, for $10 or $11 dollars that last months.  It’s not rocket science –

The grand total for this order was $264.20  This price included the 10% discount I got for being a repeat customer, and of course their free shipping.   I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gone to target for toilet paper and paper towels, and left spend $200 and I cannot even recall for what.  Now, we have a beyond stocked pantry (2 in fact) and I am set for months.

Our favorite picks from this trip? The fruit crisps, they are SO good and SO great if you have little ones.  My nephew loved them, he’s almost one, and in tiny pieces they dissolve in his mouth.  The planters peanut packages, who would have thought? And the pistachios, a bit of a splurge, but I think totally worth it when it comes to the fact that my kids run to the cupboard and plop down with the bag for a snack.  Mom winning? I think so!

If you plan on jumping on the wagon, I have 5 spots to use my code so you can get $10 credit once you complete your first order

simply enter:    G5UNH

Let’s be more productive this new year, shall we? Shopping smarter, saving money and gas and time.  I’m on a roll! Join me 🙂

Incase you missed the BIG announcement, Dan and I are thrilled to say that we are adding another bouncing baby BOY into our house! Let the chaos begin! I’m officially a “boy mom” which is a league all of their own, and I’m kind of proud of that.  To think, my very own little family consists of three amazing little brothers is just, well, neat, and unique all our own.

Here is the video clip from Christmas morning, opening up the box our neighbor made for us with the gender reveal inside.  Dan and I did not know at this point either, and the anxiousness in my voice was pure adrenaline.  I wasn’t kidding when I said I couldn’t breathe … haha.

This video is extra long, filled with their rambles so feel free to fast forward!

So much to tackle! Ah, but thankfully – at the brink of 24 weeks, we have plenty of time … right?  At mid-point during 21 weeks, up until now things took a turn for, well, crap.  I’ll break it all down with my bump post NEXT week, but I am excessively thankful that the little man is healthy and doing well despite the challenging twist this pregnancy has taken! So I have been left “laying low” and slowing down these past two weeks, which as you all may guess is not in my dna.  But, I’m doing it – for little mans sake.

Owen will be 5 this spring, just a few days prior to the baby being born, so it has truly been YEARS without baby stuff in the house.  And how has SO much changed in just a few years? The new gear, the “must haves” it’s over whelming and exciting all wrapped into one.  I have a master list of everything we need.  And if I have taken one lesson from having two babies already is that you do not need as much as you think.  I cannot tell you the bags upon bags of wasted baby clothes we’ve given away.  So, this time around I intend to be far more intentional with my purchases.

Here is my GEAR list – and I have a ton more coming your way.  But these are the few items I know we need, no matter what.

And here are a few of the items off of the list that I have been eyeing like a hawk –

mamaRoo : As some of my favorite bloggers have said, this is a baby must.  A life saver if you will.  And if you haven’t been introduced to 4moms brand yet, welcome to heaven.   Their products are pure genius – and their style is just the icing on the cake.  I despised having a bouncy seat AND a swing in our old house, it just felt like far too much gear in one spot.  So, combining them both seems like a no brainer.  Plus, I adore the height — seeing as we have a large dog, I’d like the babe to be sat up higher and not closer to the floor.

Lilly-Jade: I am a fool for a good diaper bag.  Essentially they totally replace your purse, I swear I did not own a purse for nearly 4 years in between the baby stages.  Hence why there are two on the list, I want a back up.  This lily-jade bag is just gorgeous, feeling more like a purse than a diaper bag, and I love that.  The price tag is a little steap ($195) BUT seeing as I’m the only lady in the house, I think I deserve it.  The second black and white striped bag is by Hip Cub and seems like it would be my everyday on the go bag, with a much better price!

Infant Tub: this tub by 4moms is just genius.  Temperature gage, clean water goes in – dirty water out.  I’m sold – and the price ($49.99) !

Breeze Playard: Go ahead, watch the video and I dare you not to buy one! It explains it all. A must have for sure.  I hated our old pack n’ plays, they were large and bulky and impossible to move room to room.  This Breeze is the answer!

Boppy Pillow Cover: Who knows if I’ll actually take the time to order a custom cover, but this etsy shop was just too cute to not sort through.  Girl’s got taste.

Solly Baby Wrap:  Baby wearing wasn’t really a thing when Brody was a peanut.  For Owen I had a basic carrier (old school) and now, these wraps are all the craze.  They terrify me, it just seems so complicated.  BUT I’ve heard nothing short of wonderful reviews and how comfortable they are to wear and how much the babies adore them.  And seeing as this baby will be an early spring/summer newborn, wearing the babe at all of the boys practices will be awesome.

I’m so excited to start the shopping process.  I told Dan by Valentines Day we’ll get the ball rolling, giving us 12 weeks (if he holds out for the full 40) to get our act together.  My main goal is that by the beginning of April everything is set and we can relax.

Next on the list to tackle, the car seat + stroller. SO many choices, but I’d love to hear any reccomendations you mama’s may have! Leave me a comment and I’ll love you forever, promise.

xoxo abby

I am a huge advocate for a clean house.  I know, mothers with messy homes make more memories? Or some crap like that – but trust me, my kids are a constant tornado and we are constantly making equal parts memories and messes.  I just cannot handle living in a constant state of mess.  It leaves me feeling scattered brained.  I have developed a few cleaning skills if you will over the past few years that help keep my house functional and clean.

It’s a process.  And a constant one at that.  Each day, each week, we gain more and more crap in the house.  From paperwork, toys, to the clothes the rugrats so quickly grow out of.  It always amazes me when I go through things how rapidly they accumulate.  Two weeks post Christmas, I am sure a ton of you know the feeling.  We are still opening up presents out of their boxes and discovering new things on the daily.  What. was. santa. thinking??

 In nearly every room I have a piece of furniture that has many drawers.  Oh, how I love a good hiding place.  If I have an item (paperwork, clothing, toy) that I am not 100% sure on what to do with, I set it aside, and approach it on my next clean sweep.

 And while these steps are not always a part of my weekly regimen, I swear by doing it at least once a month.

ONE simple tool : a trash bag

TWO simple ways to part with an item : garbage or donate

Best time to do this? The night before garbage pick up.  It feels so good to clean sweep the house like a freak – and it will amaze you how much junk your house collects even after each clean out.

I start with the upstairs, working my way down.  Depending on the time I have to get it done (usually not long at all) I oh so quickly access the room.  I try to remember clothes in the boys drawers that no longer fit and put them into the donate bag – and any broken toys or wrappers get put straight into the trash.  When it comes time to hit up the bathrooms I keep an out for almost-empty beauty products or lotion bottles.  Closets that have my stock pile, I try my best to get the products out of the wrappers, just one more thing to get out of the way.

With the downstairs, it always take a bit longer.  All of my lovely drawers are constantly stuffed with bills and paperwork, magazines and it never fails to find one piece of rotting food somewhere.  Please tell me I’m not the only one with kids who dispose their food where they please??

By the time I work my way into the kitchen I make sure to do a pantry and fridge check — of course, trying my best to not be wasteful, but if things are at the brink of being empty, they go.  It’s best for me to throw it away then have a garbage can piling up with the boxes 10 hours after the truck has picked the rest up.

If you don’t need it, won’t use it – FIND A NEW HOME FOR IT.

It can be overwhelming donating a ton of stuff too, you’ll second guess the odds of using that item again.  But, one thing that has never failed me is the “when have I used this last?” idea.  And if I know for a fact I will not need an item for many months or more to come, it goes.  I figure someone else could use it more and I’ll get another when the time comes.

So sure, you’re wondering why get rid of it and spend money twice? I totally get it you guys.  This is just OUR way of doing things.  I love knowing that some of our well loved items are going to people and places that need them just as much.  And well, I believe in giving, whenever possible.

So if you’re looking for a new way of doing things for 2016, or just a way to simplify your clutter in the new year, this is it.  Grab those two trash bags before your garbage night and go to town.   It never fails to drop my jaw when I walk down the stairs with multiple bags.  AND it makes me way more aware of what I am bringing into our home to.  I have learned to cut back on buying so many items and going paperless with so many accounts.  It just feels good!

Join me will you? Let’s get organized one step at a time!

Hello you guys! Whew, a new year.  It comes with a revolving chatter rotating around new years resolutions, goals and hopes.  You’ve got the folks who reach for the sky with work out goals, only to crash a few weeks later, settling back into their old ways.  You’ve got the people who attempt new diets only to be faced with the guilty foods days later and cave in.  THIS is where the problem lies.  I am all about a new year, although what I have learned most in 2015 and will take with me in 2016 is not to live in regret, or a “make or break” attitude –

Listen, I am a lady of perfection.  A classic type-A if you will.  A planner through and through.  Over 2015 I learned in the hardest of ways that things hardly ever go as planned.  Your calendar will be flipped over, challenges you face may last weeks or months and even longer.  As some of you know, in 2014 I had an epic panic attack.  I have always dealt with anxiety in my life, since I was little, but it never presented itself in a physical sense.  A few months after moving into the house, over whelmed and unprepared we had sick kids, a house that needed SO much work, a new neighborhood and I felt lost.  My type-A personality could not find a damn thing to cling to that felt familiar and safe.  My routines went straight out the window.  I found myself opening up to friends and family about the anxiety I was feeling and yet it just was not getting any better, I simply could not cope.

Then one wonderful day in late summer of 2014 I experienced a terrifying panic attack.  Not like they show in the movies with you breathing into a paper bag and being brought to a calmer state in minutes.  I was full-blown on the floor, couldn’t breath, losing oxygen, losing feeling in my arms and legs and just completely immersed in the idea that I was dying.  LEGIT thought “Abby, this is it.  You’ve overdone it.” The ambulance arrived and knew right away upon walking into my living room that it was a panic attack, the paramedics were the sweetest and took good care of me and urged me to seek help.

HELP.  AGH! I am never one to ask for help, like ever.  I was avoiding turning to medicine for the entire year when I felt in over my head.  I could not get a grasp on my anxiety and it was definitely playing a role in my life I did not want.  I avoided a lot of social situations, every doctors appointment (which was ALOT) with the kiddos I was overwhelmed, shaky and just sick to my stomach.  I felt overcome with worry, all the freaking time.   A dear friend of mine encouraged me to talk with my doctor about medicine for anxiety, she too had a rough year in the past and it helped her.  I spent months avoiding it, and in the back of the ambulance I just knew I had to turn to something else to help me through it.

(Please note, this is not the answer for all anxiety issues.  I’ve tried MANY alternatives and I am not a doctor so please talk with your doctor before jumping to decisions for yourself)

So after trying essential oils, and meditation, and working out and ya-da ya-da I took my doctor’s advice and started a small dose of anxiety medication.  It took a few weeks to get used to it, and for the massive panic attack I had to work its way out of my system. But, before I knew it I was feeling much like the OLD confident Abby …. something just clicked.  One thing I promised myself when starting the medicine was that i would not be ashamed.  For years I knew I needed “help” and for years I told myself only crazy people take medication and I was not that bad.  Well, I spent an entire year on the medicine, weaning off this past summer to try for a baby and it completely changed my life.  (I weaned successfully, and thankfully haven’t looked back) 2015 was a year where I sorted through a lot of what I was ignoring, and morphed into better version of me I hadn’t tapped into yet.  It was an entire year of growing and learning and I could not be more proud of it all.

I learned in 2015 that taking care of yourself is an essential.  With sick children and a huge house project I put everything before me, literally, not sparing a second to take care of myself.  With my nerves calmed I spent all of 2015 learning new coping mechanisms for the situations that would once get me all tangled inside.  I learned to LET GO of perfection, to not set myself up to be let down.  To be okay with everything being in the air and unsettled, to not knowing the future or even what tomorrow holds.  Sure, it still bothers me, but thankfully (I owe a lot to the medicine and my self practices) I learned how to BALANCE.

Balancing was something I thought I was doing, but never realizing I was leaving myself in the dust.  I am very proud of how I have grown, and even more proud that with being without the medication my anxiety has improved so much.  It gave my body the break it needed, it leveled me out.  It help me to see things clearer.  I can not thank my husband enough for all of his support, he loves me so.

So, if there is ONE thing I would like for YOU to take into 2016 is to live your life with a greater balance, a greater purpose.  Take it all in, know when to take a step back.  Learn as you go, and give yourself a break when things fall apart.  Learn to lean on loved ones, and to reach a hand out to someone who needs you in return.  Look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of who you are, we are all a work in progress, and that’s a good thing … BE IN THE MOMENT.

With Brody’s recent relapse of U.C. I was able to walk through it with a much calmer spirit.  Of course there were tears and great worry, but I had to learn to trust the process.  Trust the journey that is ahead and know that all I can do is be the best mother I can to my boys.  To help nurture them.  So, don’t be so tough on yourself.  2016 is a blank slate, and there will be highs and lows.  My wish for you is to find the balance in it all….