Alive but crazy busy

So, that's all I really have to say. I miss my blog and so so so many awesome things have happened the past couple weeks, including my bachelorette party and Laura and Phil's (future brother and sister in law) WEDDING! I've been without internet at work too, so all wedding stuff that needs to be handled online doesn't happen while Brandon sleeps sooooooo no time to blog! Sorry but I'll be back SOON!

PS. We leave 2 weeks from today for MEXICO!!!

Spending

While out for a walk the other day I passed this sign. Though I know that they mean, I thought it was pretty true of our society, especially for my age group.

Mail!

My new favorite part of the day is when I get home and check the mailbox which is usually filled with wedding RSVP's! I loved getting mail before I had this to look forward to so now it's just super fun! The anticipation on the drive home is ridiculous...and then I stand downstairs and open each of them before even going upstairs!!

Skinny Jeans

Since I was all excited to share that I had reached the 10 pound mark, I kinda gained some of that back but today was officially back at the 10 pound mark again. So while I was out last week I bought a pair of jean carpis in a smaller size. I decided I'd wear them today and while they fit, they are SNUG. Plus, they don't have any elastic in them! I thought all jeans had a little "stretch" in them nowadays?! (or is that just in the sizes larger than a 2 now??) Wearing them all day and having to be on the floor with Brandon (and barely able to get back up!) has encouraged me to keep this diet going. I really hope I can lose these last 5-10 lbs!

On the Road Again

For Jason, that is. This has been a long time coming so I've had a lot of time to prepare but it still never gets easier...probably only harder. Jason has accepted a new position with another company. I won't go into any details but can say that the first week (and probably many more) require him to travel out of state for several days. I'm sure there's already 15 blog posts which already say as much, but I HATE him traveling. I always said I would never date someone who traveled so it's pretty funny that the beginning of Jason's and my relationship was him traveling every week to DC, sometimes over the weekends. I've really enjoyed the past 9 months of him not traveling at all and the 9 months prior with him traveling very limited. That's where he's at again, very limited travel, but he's only been gone for 2 hours and I'm borderline tears.(ok, writing that made a tear fall.) Almost everyone I talk to tries to convince me that it's just a few days and tries pointing out all the positive of him being gone but that's not who I am. I love being around him and hate him being gone. The good thing is that we both prayed about this a lot and know this is where he is supposed to be. So I just have to keep the faith and know that this is part of God's plan. It makes it a lot easier knowing that and thankfully I have enough to keep me extra busy while he's gone this week...and when he gets back I get to pick him up from the airport and then Friday we already have a date night scheduled so I can get in my quality time with him. :)

Kaylee Elizabeth Russell

Kaylee is finally here!! I say finally but in all fairness she did come before her due date! It was a strange weekend for me already because I was not working on Thursday or Friday so had planned to sleep in on Friday and then spend the afternoon running errands and getting caught up on all things “me.” I was awoken at 5:30am to a call from Shawn saying that they were at the hospital and had been there a couple hours already. Of course I couldn’t fall back asleep, I was like a little kid on Christmas morning waiting for Santa! A few hours passed and after a few texts and a call to my mom, I got the text from my brother that Kaylee arrived at 8:29am

I had a couple wedding-related things I had to take care of that morning but headed out to the hospital as quickly as I could and got there around lunch time. Kaylee was making the rounds between her mom, dad, and both sets of grandparents when I got there. I managed to steal her away for some snuggles and kisses before handing her back to my mom. *note, I’ve never seen my mom even be so excited about a baby in my life! She is in LOVE with Kaylee!

Saturday, Jason and I went back to the hospital since he didn’t get to meet her on Friday. It was his first time holding a baby and I have to say, I was just short of tears with how natural he was with her. It made me very proud to know that someday he’ll be the father of our children. Being around Kaylee really got me excited to have kids…guess you could say I have the baby bug! Good thing that I have little Kaylee to hug, squeeze, spoil and love until the time is right for me. I am so very excited to be an aunt and look forward to many, many sleepovers and outing with little Kaylee. I have a feeling I’ll be frequenting the suburbs a lot more these days! I love you Kaylee!

Mosquito Bites Galore

Last week we spent an evening out on the balcony and the next morning woke up with about 20 mosquito bites and the trend hasn't stopped since! I probably have 30 bites on me from different nights but they all itch like crazy! Seriously, how do I have one under my foot? I walk, it itches! Jason's just as bad as me so at least for me misery likes company (or whatever the saying is) and we can scratch together. Good for me that mine aren't on my forehead and face like his! No more rain so no more mosquitos!

Final Shower - This Time in Iowa

2 weekends ago was my last shower, this time it was in Sioux City, Iowa at Jason's Aunt Bonnie's. It was a joint shower for Laura and myself which worked out really nice so we could both be at each other's showers. We decided to break the drive up and stay a night in Des Moines, then head out to Sioux City for the shower, then go back to Des Moines for the night before heading back to Chicago. I was really against that idea and wanted to drive straight through, but once again, Jason was right and that was the best decision. It was so much driving for such a short amount of time! But that short amount of time at the shower was so worth it. Bonnie and Dawn did such a great job, there wasn't a thing they forgot! There was enough food to feed an army and it was ALL delicious, she even had sandwiches cut out in the shape of hearts and a two tiered cake complete with a cake topper! It was fun to re-meet many of Jason's aunts and cousins that I have only met once or twice. Plus as much as I don't want to live in the country, it is always fun to be there and hear all the birds and bugs chirping. Not to mention how gorgeous that part of Iowa is with green and hills. Thank you Bonnie and Dawn for the shower and everyone for coming to celebrate with Laura and I.

Weight Watcher's is Working!

I have finally hit a milestone of the diet worth mentioning...I've lost 10 lbs! It's been a long couple months of trying to lose some weight, I go up and down so often. They say not to check that scale every day but how can I not? I've learned I'm most motivated by when the scale goes down, then I eat well all day, but when I gain, I just get discouraged and don't care as much, but then the next day I get more discouraged at my poor food choices and jump back on it because I feel bad for what I ate the day before. The weekends are the hardest, especially since I've had a shower, party, road trip or anything else planned that keeps me from sticking with my daily 20 WW points. I've also learned that the trick is incorporating what Weight Watchers calls Activity, something they really stress but I just don't have the time unless I get up and go before work but that isn't EVER going to happen. Last day of class is tomorrow so I am confident that I can start working out regularly again and am really excited about that! :) Having my pants be too baggy has been really enjoyable...I have one belt and it's ugly and falling apart but I love that I have to wear it with most of my pants! I'm sticking with this diet and hope to lose another 5-10 lbs before the wedding...I can do this!

Tiffany's Family Baby Shower

A week ago Friday, my aunts and Grandma threw Tiffany her family baby shower. It was fun seeing everyone again, this time hosted by my grandma at her home in Bartlett. Tiffany got a lot of great gifts, including my favorite, Baby Russell's first Cubs shirts. ;-) But she did get a lot of practical items too and we all had fun eating cake and sweets all homemade by my aunts. Hope you had a great time Tiffany, you look so great!!

Now I'm patiently waiting for little Baby Russell to be born. I just can't wait to be an aunt and meet her!