gardening – The Fit Wife – A Lovable Lifestyle

A First – Chicago Botanical Gardens

July 24, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Hector and I are enjoying a week of together. This is the first time we have both had time off since Evan was born TWO years ago.

We were going to go out of town but flights skyrocketed and Evan’s party took over the weekend and his birthday was Monday so before we knew it… It was Wednesday and we had nothing planned. Hector has been super excited to visit the Chicago Botanical Gardens and I’ve never been so yesterday we packed a cooler and drove north… I seriously was such a happy little prego. We walked for miles and took in SO MUCH BEAUTY!!! Ugh. IT was amazing & inspiring…

These gardens really just take your breath away. I took – oh about 1,000 pictures haha. Problem is I NEED AN AUTO-FOCUS! Ugh. I really need to invest in some new gear, I probably told Hector that at least a half a dozen times on this little family trip of ours. They had AWESOME vegetable gardens, sensory gardens… Walled English gardens, Japanese gardens… Honey bees!!

They had so much to see and Evan enjoyed running around especially in the train garden. He is so fun to watch!:

He even got to see some duckies:

(waving, bye bye)

It was a spectacular day. I’ll leave you with some of my personal obsession lately, succulents & a cactus:

Today we are tackling some at home projects. Painting a bathroom and working on our basement demo. With the LO on the way we need to make sure we utlize all of the space of our home wisely. Hoping for good progress! ❤

My Weekend – Insert Sadface & Last Weekend In Pictures (5/26)

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 JenLeave a comment

This weekend was supposed to be really was awesome. I woke up Saturday morning so happy I thought I could fly. My husband had told me he was going to get Sunday off (Whaoo!!) and I was all set at 7 a.m. to get my day started with FARMER’S MARKET! One of my all-time favorite places to go. It is honestly such an awesome way to start the weekend. Fresh veggies, flowers… the works. I was especially looking forward to grabbing some herbs and a strawberry plant for Evan’s very own lil garden (a couple pots this year! next year a whole little bed!! If we don’t get to it this year). I called my mom and was off! Had a great talk with the hubs and stepped out the front door at 7:30 sharp.

Then BAM! Major accident. I was walking down my front steps with my lulu bag and flip flops and hit an uneven piece of concrete and my loose ligaments in my right ankle gave way! It was such a scary moment. I knew immediately that my day was taking a dramatic turn and BOY did it HURT! I immediately yelled out for Hector in short gasps “Hector. Help. Please hurry.” It was honestly so terrifying. Thank God he was home. As someone who plays sports and has had aches, pains and sprains I knew I needed to get it up and iced as fast as possible. The pain was so intense I thought I was going to pass out. I got inside, asked Hector to get me some I ice and give me a phone, I needed to call my mom. Naturally, I called my mom in tears, likely frightened her and thank God she lives like 3 minutes away because she was there in a flash because within minutes it looked like this:

A half hour later (with icing and elevating):

I was over the moon in pain. I never want to go to the hospital with things like this because I knew it wasn’t broken but my mom talked me into it. I knew the doctor would tell me “It isn’t broken, ice, elevate and take Tylenol” (because I can’t take NSAIDs). Still around 3’clock because the pain was at an 8 if it wasn’t elevated (and even then the throbbing was awful)… I broke down and went.

To Elmhurst ER we went haha. They said it wasn’t broken, and to ice, elevate and take Tylenol. They gave me a fancy aircast and crutches since I really couldn’t put any weight on it whatsoever. The hardest part of this all was the fact that I had so much planned. It is tough to watch my weekend fly by when I was literally daydreaming about long walks and sunkissed cheeks and instead I was elevated and icing. My sweet son had a nice time with Grandma though!!

I spent my Saturday and Sunday pretty much in bed or on a couch because the minute my foot hit the floor major major pain.

Ah well. Some weekends just don’t work out the way you planned. Today it is still painful and turning a lovely shade of purple but I’m hobbling around and hope to be gently hobbling around tomorrow. As this is my right leg with my crappy knee to begin with the hobbling will likely cause other strange pains so I’m trying to gently stretch in all ways that feel good and aren’t terribly painful. I’m praying that this heals quickly because my almost two-year-old… as sweet as he is isn’t easy to keep up with on crutches or hobbling.

Here are some pictures of LAST weekend, the weekend I was looking to semi-recreate:

It is Mommy’s Day!

May 11, 2014May 11, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Two days of blogging in a row. I must be feeling better! This morning is absolutely perfect. I’ve had a hard time sleeping lately so last night I heard a welcomed little rain shower sneak in around 12 a.m. and fell comfortably back to sleep. I LOVE rainstorms and rain. Not all the time because I NEED my sunshine, but there is something soothing about the sound of falling rain – had I heard thunder, I would have thought God sent the small storm just for me.

Anyway, I’m an early riser. I haven’t always been and I love sleep (so I go to bed as early as I can) but I love waking up before the sun and watching the awesome colors in the sky. Friday morning I woke up way before the sun and it was raining I felt warm and safe in my home but the sound of the falling rain was so peaceful (told you, I love rain). This morning though, my little sidekick who typically wakes early too withing 15-20 minutes of me being up is still sleeping! So I went downstairs grabbed a cup of coffee (Nicole! I can drink it again!!! 😉 ) took the dog out and enjoyed smelling fresh air and taking in the beauty of my yard.

Hector and I dropped Evan at Grandma Debbie’s yesterday so we could do a few things outside without having to keep an eye on our little guy, he is FAST! We planted some planters and just enjoyed some time cleaning up some stuff together in our yard. I also realized I’ve gone a little crazy on the lavender (maybe it isn’t possible, I LOVE LAVENDER) but I have now about 5 different pots with some sort of lavender including this cute pot from Trader Joe’s that is already flowering:

and took more pictures of our stunning perennials:

I’m so grateful for what we have, friends, family, a home (with flowers, haha)… Weekends always remind me I am doing exactly what I should be because my life is so filled with love and joy. Which brings me to today: Mother’s Day. A day I just like to reflect on what I know: Motherhood, hands down, is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I should say that I have had a lot of awesome things happen to me, but this definitely takes the cake. Loving, nurturing and caring for another human being on this level cannot do anything BUT make you a better person. I’m more efficient and effective, I’m more dedicated (as if that was possible), I weed out the BS because you recognize time is the most precious thing and you do not want to waste it… NOTHING makes you realize how fast time flies more than a walking time stamp. I do not just manage my life and co-manage Hector’s, I am universe CEO – RESPONSIBLE for another human’s well-being. It is a full-time job whether you are a stay at home mom, or a working mom we all do it differently. Each has its own challenges, and I respect every single mother who works to make her child a healthy, loving addition to society.

My mother has been a shining example of everything I want to be to Evan and any future children I may have (:) ) – With that: I LOVE YOU MOM!! You are my rock and my hero. Until I had Evan, I never understood the depth of your love, it is amazing how our bond has grown now that we share this special title. I also am proud to be surrounded by my beautiful mommy friends! Too many to name but I must say: Joanna! Happy first Mother’s Day with a baby in your arms, being a mother looks amazing on you and it is a beautiful thing to watch – we love you so much. Nicole, my other half, happy Mother’s Day with your second little baby happily bouncing in your belly – I’m excited for the upcoming months for so many reasons ;-). You both are inspiring and I LOVE LOVE LOVE sharing this journey with you. Jenny, thank you for literally being the person I go though the motions with as our dudes are so close in age, I pray for the day you move closer. Anita! He’s beautiful!! Happy First Mom’s Day with your little guy!! Jaz, another!! Miggie ❤ PS we are like the Boy’s Club right now, all our little gentleman… To the mom’s in my mommy group ❤ sending light and love – watching the support all you wonderful ladies share each day makes me want to hug you all and warms my insides to know just how many amazing moms there are out there.

I hope everyone takes some time to just take in all the beauty around us and has a peaceful moment today. XOXO

Evan, yesterday, at our favorite spot:

June Wrap Up

June 29, 2013 JenLeave a comment

Well, father time has kicked my behind – yet again.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and reflecting this month. I’m trying to fit everything in… Enjoy everything… soak in everything and prepare for someone’s first birthday.

I’m so unprepared and in complete denial about the fact that his birthday is next month. In fact I still haven’t taken his 11 month photos because I just can’t believe that a month from now I’ll be out of ties:

I recently started preparing myself for the weaning process and the thought really sort of depresses me. On so many levels I’m ready to be done with a lot of it… The pumping is exhausting but the actual nursing sessions are still a super crazy bonding time. I’m the only one who can share those moments with him and the thought of that ending is really weighing heavily on me. You see, when you are not a nursing mom, you don’t understand it. I remember not being a mom and being sort of uncomfortable with the idea because of how the media and our culture really doesn’t embrace it these days. So many people are like “yuck” put that away… Now being that I have nurtured my child this far anyone I see nursing their baby in public, I want to give them a high five – because it isn’t easy. I know everyone bonds with their children in their own way and I know many people go the formula route (high fives to you too!) but for the past year my life has revolved around feeding my little guy.

Being a mom isn’t easy and I just want to hug everyone out there who works hard to give their children the best lives they can. I must say though, nursing is something so many people are uncomfortable talking about. It shouldn’t be that way. It really is the most natural thing in the world and I feel very lucky to have had such a wonderful experience and am really really proud of Evan and myself for making it this far. I mean this guy lights up every room:

So be prepared for sobfest blogs in the very near future…

On a lighter note – I’m still so impressed by the beauty in my yard:

My lilies on steroids have bloomed and they are GORGEOUS. Seriously! So pretty I have at least 5 different colors of lilies in my yard including some yellow day lilies that are not pictured. I’m in awe of the constant bloom in my garden. Sure, these only bloom once but there is constantly something new and pretty blooming… I hope I don’t kill any of this stuff because it is fun to watch it grow.

I have about 300 projects going on. My auto focus stopped working on my Nikon which is forcing me to either buy a new lens, or new camera… Both hefty purchases. I really want a Canon but $$$$$ is holding me back. So I’m going to do some research. I’m also going to start to edit my photographs and trying to decide between Aperture for my mac or Lightroom 5 (on either my desktop or my mac… still unsure probably going to do a trial run) – Photography has really been fun lately for me… Taking pictures of Evan, Oso… my plants our adventures… My camera is always with me 😉

Also, if you didn’t know my family and I are pretty huge Chicago Blackhawks fans (sports fans as a whole really) but my sister and mother are HUGE Blackhawks fans and follow them when the are not so good.. and when they are amazing… Like recently because uh. We won the Stanley Cup! Yay for Chicago. I’m lucky enough to work in the City and have gotten to enjoy the Sea of Red and an amazing view of the parade that took place yesterday:

I have more that I’ll share later as weird things are going on with this computer of mine…

What we are up to in JUNE!

June 15, 2013 JenLeave a comment

Hello blog world!

What are we up to as of late?!

Lots! – New Nephew!!! – Gardening madhouse – work, work, work – running after baby – running on that tredmill – enjoying life… You know the norm.

I’ve mentioned before that the previous owner of our home was an avid gardner. She has some awesome plants… and amazing roses. Last week I took a bunch of shots of the amazing flowers in my yard and was going to write a post on how I have been you-tubing how to take care of these things (I’m doing well in some areas, not so well in others) – and I was going to share our farmer’s market trip then BAM I misplaced my memory card *cue sad trombone, and worlds smallest violin* I’m hoping to find and share those pics, but who knows! Darn SD card, you have no idea how hard it is for me to loose pictures… it is like losing a piece of me. So today I ventured out to find a few cute things, and a bunch of upkeep I need to get to…

My orgeno, lemon balm and thyme is just insanely happy. Can’t you tell? Here is a before and after:

😀 *happy dance*

This weekend is father’s day – Hector’s first since our amazing little man has blessed us with his precense. What is Evan up to lately?

Growing like a weed, standing on his own and taking baby steps… YEP! Baby. Steps. Walking is right around the corner maybe for is 11 month birthday.

I cannot believe that I took the picture above almost 6 months ago, where has my itty bitty baby gone?

Today we are going to try to get too many things done… so wish us luck.

Be back with more pictures of my love bugs and some workout updates!

xoxo