That one entry where I play catch up . . .

Wow, I really need to start this blog up again. I've just started writing again (outside of blogging) and it's felt so good to put pen to paper after such a long time of not. Life has been busy - the ebb and flow of parenthood takes up most of our time. It's become comfortable and a lot easier than those crazy newborn days. But things are changing. Our little one is getting smarter each day - we're still waiting with baited breath for those "first steps" when he walks - but I'm not rushing him. As it is now, he is constantly walking along the walls and furniture and honestly I'm savoring this time of not constantly chasing a toddler. That'll happen in no time, I'm sure.

In a little over two weeks he will be a year old and honestly I'm only partly okay with it. I told Alex that the night before his birthday, I'm kicking Alex out of our bed and snuggling all night with my soon to be toddler. We have his birthday party planned and I'm really looking forward to celebrate our little one - even if I'll more than likely be in tears the whole day. We're having a very small, family-only party and I think it'll be perfect for him. I'm even making him a special, no sugar added smash cake cause apparently we're those parents.

Life is busy, but good. Sometimes the days go by so fast we don't even realize it until the weekend rolls around. Alex likes to joke with me that before our son I always used to say I was bored and he's right, I did. Having a child really does add purpose to your life - and even if they don't, they sure do add a lot of things to do onto your plate. ;)

Our Little One's First Halloween

Our sweet little hedgehog and also The Coon ;) He was SO cute in his little hedgehog costume that I wish it was acceptable for him to wear it every day. Maybe I can get away with a Christmas hedgehog? Hahaha. Alex also had a great idea to make him into The Coon and I think it turned out perfectly.

Life Lately

Wow! It's been a while since I've written a proper update on here. I've gotten in the bad habit of quickly updating small moments on my Instagram and not taking the time to sit down an actually write a blog post. Life is so full right now and I absolutely love this season we're in. Life with an seven-month-old is busy and magical. I've finally found my calling with motherhood and it's just so incredibly rewarding.

The other day Alex & I were discussing how we never say we're bored anymore and he's right - we don't! And I'm really glad. Our little one never gives us a dull moment. It's great. Yes, sometimes we need a break but that's the funny thing about having a kid. Even when you finally get that break you still miss them! It's such a weird feeling.

Being a parent can be hard; that's a given. Alex & I get tired, we both need our alone time, etc but thankfully we are really good at giving each other what we need in order to feel sane. Sometimes that looks like Alex taking the reigns while I lay in bed and watch TV for an hour or me getting up early so Alex can sleep in. It's a give & take and it's really nice to know that we have each other's backs.

As far as motherhood is concerned, I'm still learning how to cope with the anxiety I get whenever he cries. This has been something I've experienced since he was born and it's a strange feeling. I want so badly to fix whatever is troubling him and when I can't automatically fix it for him, I get very anxious. The other day Alex asked me if it's gotten any better, and honestly, the only thing that's changed is that I know how to manage it a little better. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually. Fingers crossed.

My favorite part about being parents (so far): is that whenever we're ever having a bad day, a smile from our sweet boy makes all our troubles disappear. And his laugh! Oh my goodness - it's the best sound in the world!

Our Son's Newborn Photos

Pnotos by: Laura Davis Photo

Thoughts On Being First-Time Parents In Our Mid-Thirties

Wow, that title is somewhat of a mouthful, huh? Seriously though it's something that Alex & I have talked a lot about. Not only what it means to be first-time parents, but especially what it means to be first-time parents in our mid-thirties. We're well aware of the typical things... about how your life AND your priorities change, how sleep becomes elusive and how your life is irrevocably changed. In fact, we've been discussing that for a while now. And to be honest, we're ready for it. More than we have ever been. Having a little one is the next logical step for us and both of us are incredible excited.

We might not be where we want in all aspects of our lives. For example, we're still currently renting, but waiting for the *right* time seems a little ridiculous. I mean, is anyone ever really *ready*? Trust us - we get it. We understand the reality of having a child. At any age, really. We know that babies are demanding... the frequent late night feedings and diaper changes. The crying the possible colic. We know it can be hard. It's definitely an adjustment to life as we know it. But we really feel as though we're ready for it - especially at this age - and we're welcoming this adventure with open arms and a crap ton of grace.

Alex & I know that having a baby now, in this part of our lives, is actually a really good decision. Especially for us. I feel like at this age we are well-prepared to be the best parents we can possibly be. We feel incredibly confident and it's something that feels so rewarding. We're ready to focus on what matters most and are well equipped to seek out a balance that we probably wouldn't have been ready for if we were younger. And that's what really matters the most.

Our Babymoon

Man oh, man. I've been meaning to write this post for a while now...

Two weekends ago Alex & I had our babymoon. We didn't take a long, drawn-out one but it was just long enough and far away enough to leave us feeling rejuvenated. We ended up on the east coast of Florida, in New Symrna Beach, and it was absolutely lovely. Both of us had never been there before so it was really nice to explore a new place together.

Since we were staying in a condo (thank you Stevie and Tom!!), we brought a lot of food with us. Because honestly, being married to a chef means that the food is always better at home. Don't get me wrong, we did go out for a few things, like our morning lattes, French croissants and lunch on Saturday. We ended up at Yellow Dog Eats in the historic district. We stumbled upon after checking out the farmer's market and we were completely impressed. They even had root beer on draft - which made this pregnant mama VERY happy.

Aside from exploring the historic district, we also checked out the beachy-side of town and the Sugar Mill Ruins. On our last night there we walked down to the beach at sunset. So I think it was a win-win. Haha. It truly was a lovely weekend and I'm so glad that we got to spend some quality time together before our son arrives.

Oh hello, Twenty-Nineteen

I kind of can't believe that we are already three days into 2019. And that this year Alex & I will become parents! That's something that is incredibly exciting to me. Especially for two people who went from "absolutely no kids" to "yeah - let's start trying". It's all a little mind-blowing if I'm being honest.

We spent the last day of 2018 with my parents, eating my mom's delicious homemade lasagna. Just spending time together. Afterward, Alex & I came back home watched some Seinfeld episodes and passed out before midnight. I, unfortunately, woke up at around 12:15 cursing my neighbors for still setting off fireworks. Such a grumpy pregnant thing to do.

As for the first day of 2019, we spent it with Alex's parents and sister. We ate even more delicious food and then spent the rest of the evening watching Venom. It turned out to be a lot better than any of us expected.

I'm really excited about this weekend too. Because Alex & I are headed to the beach to have a little vacation of just the two of us before baby boy arrives. And he will be here before we know it, I have less than three months to go! A small part of me is starting to freak out a little, but there's so much excitement intertwined with it.

I hope you all ended last year just the way you wanted it to and that this year brings you so much love and happiness!

Cemetery Pizza Club

You read the title right... Alex and I finally had our inaugural cemetery pizza club at Roselawn Cemetery a few weeks ago. If you know me at all this is a very "Danielle thing to do". I mean, it only makes sense. It was pretty fun too. Cemeteries are always peaceful and it was great to walk around and look at all the tombstones after we finished eating our pizza. We're already planning another one for fall, you know, for when it isn't a million degrees outside.

After all this time...

I seriously can't imagine going through life without this man by my side. He is my favourite person, my best friend.

As February comes to an end...

Wow! It's been awhile since I've shared anything on here. A part of it has been really nice. You know, living life and focusing on the people I care about most. But a part of me also misses sharing the details that I want to remember. As February comes to an end, I wanted to share a few things with you.

Yes it's been awhile, but either way, I'm here now. Writing about I don't know what. So here goes... Life has been life. The natural ebb and flow, filled with happiness. Alex & I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary earlier this month and I still can't believe that a year has already flown by. I've noticed that time has a funny way of doing that as you get older. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months and before you know it, you've been married to your best friend for 365 days and looking forward to a million more.

Our anniversary was pretty amazing. We had dinner at one of our favourite restaurants Nineteen61, had breakfast the next day at Egg Haven in Winter Haven and explored some antique stores and local parks. Alex also got me the loveliest anniversary gift (which you can see above). It's the sound wave of the song from our first dance - Lake Street Dive "Just Ask". My favourite thing about our anniversary weekend was getting to spend two straight days with him - which has been a little hard to come by these days with his job. The catering business picks up like crazy this time of year and most weeks Alex works 6 days.

Winter is officially over here in Florida. Though I'm pretty sure it was never really here to begin with. I think we got maybe three weeks total of cool weather and I'm already cursing this heat under my breath every time I walk out to my car after I leave work. Have I mentioned how much I hate the weather here? And have I shared my day dream of moving to somewhere gloomy? ;)

To whoever is still reading along, I hope this post finds you well. Has anything interesting been happening in your life lately? Let me know in the comments below.

'Tis the season!

It's almost Christmas!!