Currently

A quick update...

{making}  homemade Pomegranate Sugar Lib Scrub for some of the special Mama's in my life
{cooking}  an egg scramble
{drinking}  water

{reading}  Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner {just finished The Couple Next Door} and this article
{wanting}  a new puppy
{looking} at Jordyn make friendship bead bracelets 

{praying}  for peace
{planning}  a trip to IKEA
{giggling}  at the Mother's Day form Cullyn filled out about it {100 years old, black hair, etc.}

{wishing}  I had more time to get caught up on blogging & the kids' photo albums
{enjoying}  having the windows open all the time
{waiting}  for school to be out for the summer

{liking}  how awesome Cullyn's Superhero photoshoot turned out
{wondering}  how Jordyn will do at t-ball
{loving}  Big Little Lies

{hoping} to the Coxsackie virus I have right now goes away soon!
{needing}  to pack, clean, and get ready for a garage sale
{smelling}  cut grass

{editing}  headshots for a local hospital and a 9 month session
{wearing}  jeans and a Gap tee
{noticing}  how long my hair is getting

{knowing}  I need to do about a dozen loads of laundry & clean the house
{thinking} about how I want to redo our deck/landscaping at the lake house
{feeling}  so excited to have our soffit & facia done -- mainly the new lights they added to it

Currently...An Update from the Hubbard House

A quick update...

{making} a packing list
{cooking}  popcorn
{drinking}  an adult beverage

{reading}  Small Little Things by Jodi Picoult
{wanting}  a new puppy
{looking} for new Christmas tree decor

{praying}  Cullyn's cold passes quickly
{planning}  our trip to Minnesota
{giggling} every time I think of Cullyn saying 'Cago shamediate' {Chicago PD} ;)

{wishing}  I had more time to get caught up on blogging!
{enjoying} this evening with Adam
{waiting}  to see if we ever get snow!

{liking}  how excited Jordyn is for our little getaway this weekend! :)
{wondering}  if I'll get to see Hidden Figures before it's out of the theatre
{loving} all the books I've read so far this year!

{hoping} to get a pedi soon
{needing}  to pack!!
{smelling}  the popcorn I'm eating for dinner

{editing} personal photos
{wearing} jammies
{noticing} how big & independent my kiddos are getting :(

{knowing}  I'm super blessed to have a husband who works as hard as Adam for our family
{thinking} about our upcoming trip to St. Lucia!
{feeling}  so thankful to have college nieces that want to come have sleepovers with us! :)

Currently

A quick update...

{making} progress on my to-do list
{cooking}  all things warm and cozy!
{drinking}  a glass of white wine

{reading}  blogs & Wild and Free
{wanting}  to savor every day this holiday season
{looking} for new Christmas tree decor

{praying}  Jordyn's surgeries {tubes, tonsils, and adenoids} go well
{planning}  our 12 Dates of Christmas
{giggling} at the kids' reaction to Elfie

{wishing}  I had more time to get caught up on blogging!
{enjoying} this evening with Adam
{waiting}  for the snow to come!

{liking}  how excited Jordyn is for Christmas
{wondering}  how Adam's Christmas party will go tomorrow night
{loving} our schedule for 2017

{hoping} to paint my nails
{needing}  a spray tan
{smelling}  my new candle 

{editing} my last session for the year
{wearing} these pants and this top--almost every night!
{noticing} how cold it's getting here

{knowing}  I'm super blessed to have a husband who works as hard as Adam for our family
{thinking} how hard this past month has been
{feeling}  so settled in our new house, I can't believe it's almost been a year since we bought this place!

And because a post isn't a post without a photo...here's a picture of the family I used to nanny for.  The twins were 3 at that time...

Lately...

Outside my window..it's snowing lightly.  it rained earlier & it's been cold this week.

Today I feel..sick 

I am thankful..for our new home! & all of the help we've received from family to get us settled!!
I am listening..to the Traveler soundtrack by Chris Stapleton on repeat these days!  i bought the album for Adam, but I'm the one most obsessed ;)

I am smelling..this Glade plug in that my MIL recommended.  so good!

Tomorrow I am going..back to work.  Finally.  I have worked a part of one day since December 22nd, so I'm super behind!

I am wearing..leggings, long sleeved tee, & a vest

I wish..I was able to start working out this week like I had planned {damn sickness}
I am planning..decor for the new house! :)

This weekend..we're planning to go to the lake
I miss..Murdock.  Always.

I am reading..Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky {great so far!}

I am working on..Getting the new house organized.  preparing for the new year.  taxes.

Yesterday I..was in bed nearly all day.  sinus infection & the flu :(
I want to..lose some weight, again

I am hoping..to get everyone healthy & then work on our winter bucket list :)

I am hearing..all the new noises of the house! {heater, fireplace, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer}
I need to..take the time to work on the kids' photo albums from the past several years. sigh.
I am excited..to set my new year's resolutions!  i know...i'm a dork!
I bet you didn't know..I still haven't uploaded Christmas photos from my camera!! {eek!}

Currently...

Outside my window..it's storming.  Thunder, lightening, & rain. 

Today I feel..empty {Cullyn started preschool this morning--how is my baby in preschool?!} but relaxed & at peace {this afternoon storm is so calming!} 

I am thankful..so much!  Specifically a flexible job that lets me make {almost} all of my kids activities. 

I am smelling..banana bread in the oven & a candle that's sitting next to me

Tomorrow I am going..to the lake & hopefully the Farmer's Market

I am wearing..leggings, layered tops, a knit scarf, & boots

I wish..I were working out like I was last year at this time
I am planning..Jordyn's 4th{!!!} Birthday

This weekend..will hopefully be very productive

I am reading..several blogs, but no books {other than kids books}

I am working on..a bunch of sessions

Yesterday I..worked, had a photoshoot, & Adam had band practice
I want to..start working from home one day a week

I am hoping..to take a trip to the apple orchard soon

I am hearing..rain & the dryer tumbling 
I need to..work on the kids' photo books {I am SO behind!}
I bet you didn't know..We're moving! In a few weeks!!

Life Lately

Cullyn is suddenly a little boy.  He prefers a sippy cup of milk {his sister's} over a bottle of milk.  He insists on holding his own bottle.  He is 100% on table food. I can't believe he isn't walking yet, but he's almost standing unassisted.  He is into everything, all of the time!  Last night he climbed out of the bathtub, sat on the bathroom rug and peed.  As much as it drives me crazy, I love it.  He's all boy!  For that, I'm thankful.  I can't believe I'll be taking his 11 month photos this weekend.  And I made his first birthday invites yesterday...how is that possible?!

The weather yesterday has me craving spring so badly.  It was sunny and 65.  I left work early, ran home to change clothes, and grabbed a load of stuff to drop of at the consignment shop.  Then I grabbed the kids early from daycare.  I had planned to take them to the park, but it was pretty muddy and it we only had a half hour before my class started at the gym, so we grabbed froyo and ate it outside instead.  Side note:this was our first froyo experience {and we didn't get that much} but it was so cheap!  Is this normal?  I mean our bill was less than $1.50.  Again, we just shared a small one and I had a 10% off coupon, but we did get a few toppings and yogurt isn't cheap.  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I was shocked how cheap it was.  Anyways, after working out, Adam took Cullyn inside and started supper so Jordy and I went outside to splash in the puddles.  It was so much fun.  She was giggling like crazy saying 'do dat gin mama' :)

Speaking of Jordyn, she's speaking in full {adorable!} sentences all of the time.  {*I need to get that sweet voice recorded, I am so bad at video!} Anyways, I can't get enough of my adorable Jordy right now.  She's essentially a mini me.  She insists on doing everything herself {getting dressed-everything, getting in and out of her the car, opening/closing doors, etc.} and hates to have her hands dirty.  We hear 'need a keenex, peese' {Kleenex, please--she really means napkin} a lot.  Speaking of saying one thing and meaning another, she totally has hot and cold and up and down mixed up.  For instance, she always says 'mama, window up, peese' when she really wants it down.  Or if something is hot {water, food, etc.} 'dat cowd' when she really means hot. I'm assuming this is normal {I'll confirm with our pediatrician at Cullyn's 1 year appointment}, but for now it's just adorable.

The other day one of my students asked me where my dress was from {she wanted to go one} and I had to tell her it's a maternity tunic.  I was totally embarrassed!  {side note: makes me feel better about 'splurging' for the Jessica Simpson piece last year--haha!} Nope, I'm not pregnant, I just haven't got myself new clothes since I had Jordyn.  Sad, I know!  So, I've been on the lookout for cute clothes since then.  I scored 3 tops {+ a pair of leggings for J}from SexyModest for $100.  And I got two new tunics {I've been into leggings lately} for $35.  I'm trying to find universal pieces that I can layer {read: not chevron} at a decent price.  I also splurged on a pair of Sperry {hello, Florida wedding this year!} and Hunter boots {an absolute must for a photographer in Iowa this year!}  Oh and I also got two new sports bras, two workout tanks, and a pair of capri leggings from Old Navy to workout in for less than $75.

Speaking of working out, Adam has lost over 20 pounds & I'm down 15.  I'm hoping to write more about that one day next week.  Our routine, what's working for us, etc.  Including a reader request for tips on the treadmill and keeping you focused at the gym.

Okay that's all I have time for today…I have one more big topic on my mind, but it'll have to wait.

Currently...

Outside my window..it is raining.  It's supposed to turn to sleet and then snow, with 45 mph winds, before noon

Today I feel..overwhelmed.  happy.  productive.

I am thankful..for healthy babies.  I can't believe Jordyn is almost 2 1/2 and Cullyn turned 10 months yesterday.  How is this possible?!

Tomorrow I am going..to have my MIL come to watch the kids because I have a photoshoot in the morning.  Then I want to spend the afternoon just playing with the kids

I am wearing..dress pants that I haven't fit into since Adam and I first met

I wish..weight loss were quicker & more noticeable...haha! :)
I am planning..Cullyn's 1st Birthday.  Okay, I haven't started yet, but I really need to!

This weekend..I have two photoshoots, a wedding reception, & hopefully church

I am reading..Promise Me by Barbie Bohrman

I am working on..packing my office up because I'm moving to a new location

Yesterday I..worked, worked out, & did the usual nightly routine
I want to..make a blog book {for 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013 posts}  Anybody have any suggestions of a company to use?

I am hoping..transfer a bunch of photos from my computer to my external hardrive and then transfer all of the photos and video from my iPhone to my computer and also my hardrive.  It's going to be an all weekend process, but I'm determined to clear out my phone because it's a constant source of stress for me.  I would love to be able to put some new kid apps on it for Jordyn or take a photo/video without having to delete a bunch of other stuff. 

I am hearing..Right There by Ariana Grande
I need to..start getting our outfits together for family photos {YAY!!} and Cullyn's 1st Birthday photos.  Any color scheme suggestions?!
I bet you didn't know..We still haven't made an appointment to get our taxes done.  I sure hope we don't have to pay in because we won't have much time to save!

Happy {almost} Friday!

Currently...

Dreading...sleep training Cullyn.  My mom is taking Jordyn {& Murdock} on Wednesday night so we can work on sleep training Cullyn.  He used to be SUCH a good sleeper.  And then he got a few ear infections, and then C-Diff, and then tubes.  Now that we had a follow up with the ENT and his ears are good, we really need to sleep train him.  He's getting up anywhere from 1-12 times a night.  And usually gets a bottle at least once {4-8oz depending on the night}.  I know {from research and speaking with pediatricians & other physicians} that there is no need for a baby older than 6 months to be getting up through the night {it's purely out of habit}.  The snuggles can be awesome since he just wants to cuddle and be rocked, but it's killing us!

Going...to finish my Christmas shopping this week.  I only have a few gifts left.

Hoping...I get several of the blog posts finished are started and sitting in my drafts {including Jordyn's 2nd birthday posts!} 

Listening...to Christmas music 

Loving...reading about everyone's holiday traditions.  So many fun ideas out there!

Planning...the last of our Christmas activities.

Praying...for the family of a man the drown at Lake P on Saturday.  Adam and I are just sick about it.  It's such a small lake and everyone knows everyone, so it's devastating.  I keep playing the scenario out in my head, what if it were Adam, how is his family doing, when will they find him, why aren't they searching anymore until Spring, why did this have to happen right before the holidays.... We are just sick about it.
Reading...NOTHING!  Now that photography is slow again, I am really hoping to start reading again!

Smiling...because we had such a fun day yesterday {full post coming soon}

Thinking...how much fun the holidays are going to be with Jordyn.  I can't wait to see how much more interactive she will be during Christmas this year.

Watching...the movie 42 and some shows from the DVR since we've been gone so much lately.  I just told Adam that I really need to watch more Christmas movies.  I think I've only watched 1 since Thanksgiving--so sad!

Wishing...I had a fun {easy & cheap} treat/gift idea for Jordyn & Cullyn's daycare friends.  Anybody have any ideas?  The kids are 7mo, 8mo, 1, 1 1/2, 2, & 3.  Also wishing my husband would get better.  He's been sick for 6 weeks and today caught the flu. :( 

Working...on catching up at work before the 'year end' rush comes! :/  How can 2013 be {practically} over already?!