Worky Work

Oh man! I'm finally feeling like I'm getting my groove at Fly. This last week I started teaching Cycling. And WOW! Lots to learn. Definitely my hardest class to teach! I leave as sweaty as I do when I do hot yoga. Crazy hard workout, but love it.
Biggest struggles: finding cute workout clothes, lulu isn't doing it for me these days and the MUSIC! Making a playlist that works is probably my most time consuming thing right now...BOTTOMS UP. I do love that song.

Looking back...and Forward

T just posted this post. 

One year ago TODAY we took this picture.
I was prego (obviously)
Working at Amazon
Probably had really high blood pressure
Had really blonde hair
Was a momma to only 1.
Loved taking bathroom pics

Today, I've been teaching for 1 month at Fly Fitness.
I remember this picture like it was yesterday.
It makes me so proud of myself.
So in honor of the self bathroom pic, here I am, 1 year later:

Wet hair
Putting my playlist together for my 12pm class
Briggs is sleeping
My house is a mess
I should be cleaning
Laundry machine is in full force
Happy heart
Momma to two
Group Fitness Instructor!!!

I love looking back. Even more so, I love looking back and seeing how much has changed for the better in a year. So much better than looking back and seeing the same old person!

XO

Up

Catching Up!
I have to say, I am way more busy now at home than I ever was at work. I could blog at work. Surf the internet, shop online, blog stalk, Facebook, Instagram stalk, look up recipes, plan.

Not much of that is going on these days. I'm all about playing roll the ball back and forth and reading "The Big Red Barn". I fold a lot of laundry (this used to be Coaster Boys' job), I plan workouts and playlist. My WPM has definitely decreased. My calendar is no longer outlook, but a paper calendar pined up in my kitchen.

My days are way more simple. But way busier. Is that possible?

#thesearethedays

Happy 2013!

As I sit here and try to think of what to say about this upcoming year and all the goals I would like to achieve...I'm overwhelmed. There is so much!

I'm sitting in bed. It's 8pm. B-ball hour {that glorious hour that Coaster Boy and Lulu go to practice and Briggs is asleep and I don't do anything but blog} It's my favorite hour. Well, one of my favorite hours. These last couple of days, I've felt overly full. I keep saying in my head, this is MY LIFE, I'M NOT DREAMING. Sounds so dumb and super lame. However, I've longed for these days for a very, very long time.

When Ari was little, I didn't work until she was 2. However, I was so lonely. Living alone, traveling all over the place. No friends, no instagram. My world was lonely! Although I treasure those years when it was just Ari and I, I'm not gonna lie they were hard!  We moved back to Seattle and I started to work, for the 1st time since I graduated.  I always felt a little void. I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing. I wasn't using me, for what God really had in store for me. I could feel it. I was settling for the easy. I needed easy. Every church service about finding your purpose really pulled at my heart strings. Or messages on calling, or taking steps of faith....for weeks after I would always question what I was doing, but did nothing about it. I continued to work, having too so I could pay bills and hating what I did. Although many years I worked with so many amazing people I think that covered over much of my unhappiness. The job with my amazing co-workers ended and I moved onto another role doing the same old thing {Executive Assistant} with different companies. Always knowing, this isn't what I'm supposed to be doing. Heart strings being pulled. Slowly but strongly.

Years went by.
And over these years a lady, Traci... always reached out to me. I met her in a growth group from church. She asked me to be an ambassador for Fly Fitness (post here) and she emailed me when I was prego with Briggs that she didn't think I should go back to work and that I should teach at Fly. In my dreams I thought. I don't work out. I eat like crap. When people asked me if I worked out, it was kind of a joke. In my dreams people!

But that's my point exactly. In my dreams. I am dreaming. I am now officially teaching at Fly Fitness and I am a freaking fitness person. I'm living a daily life to better my health and my body. I am with Ari before and after school. I am here to wipe all of Briggs' poopy diapers! Dreamy right?

I took the leap. I finally listened to this lady who kept pursuing me. I was really freaking scared (still am) and I did it. I quit my job that I hated so much. That sucked the life out of me.  I couldn't do it without Zeb. Honestly his support and encouragement is really what I needed. Yes, things are really different. Yes, we will be more careful with our pennies (what else is new?), and yes, I might just go crazy in a couple of months. But for now. I'm proud of myself. I don't think I've been proud of myself since...well my college graduation, but I was knocked up and hiding it so I know I wasn't that proud.

I'm so grateful that I'm here. That I am living this dream. Not a dream in a huge house or driving a brand new car, wearing clothes that are fancy. A simple dream, that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. That I'm helping others. To have healthier hearts. Stronger bodies. Clear minds. Is that a quote from Friday Night Lights?

I'm doing what I'm called to be doing. Finally. Finally. It's going to be a journey. And I have tons to learn. But I'm proud of where I am at. And what's to come.

Here's to 2013. For taking those leaps of faith. For becoming a better you. For doing something you never thought you could. Even if it's pea sized. It doesn't matter.  Seriously. If I can do it, you sure as heck can.

xo

Thank you Steve Jobs for your endless {amazing} quotes about money. following your heart and living your best life. If you need some inspiration, just google steve jobs quotes.

Holy

Life update!

I gave my notice to the corporate world. Friday. I did it.

I had crazy mixed emotions. I went back and forth on the subject so many times. Coaster Boy (and others) heard every analogy and reasoning and questioning and frustration I had in the last month we've been knowing I was going to give my notice. Am I making the right decision? Am I ever going to be able to get back in the corporate world? Are my kiddos going to drive me crazy? Am I going to drive my kids crazy? Will we ever retire? Will I be able to teach TRX? Can I do this? Can we really do this?

But, I did it. It wasn't easy. After being offered a huge opportunity, I stuck to my guns. And I can't tell you how good it feels.

My heart honestly feels healthier...less stress. More happy. Less B-S'ing. More happy. Less faking. More happy.

So my last day at Amazon is Dec. 14th. Holy H - E double hockey sticks. I'm scared, I'm not gonna lie.

So here's to new beginning and probably lots more or maybe way less mommy blog post.

All for these two little lovers.
xoxo

Rush

In my mad morning rush...due to perhaps a little too long of snuggle time in bed with B. Or maybe the undivided attention I was giving to Lulu's new recorder playing. Or maybe...{most likely the reason} needing to get to my van pool at 8:30am...missing those extra 15 minutes of getting dressed/combing my hair/having coffee/more snuggle time and recorder listening, I ran out the door {no joke} with wet air, a summer shirt, and my ankles showing.

I'm freezing my buns off. It's offically fall in seattle. No more 70+ October days. And I'm cold.

To top it off, I'm sitting in the Mother's room about to enjoy my morning pump sess...and I forgot a very important part of my pump. The funnels. The suckers. I have NO idea what they are called.

So, now what?

I am wearing a thin shirt, freezing my ass off, can't pump or drive home.

Happy Wednesday!

IM from Coaster Boy:


Zebediah Blalock says-


oh man

could you take a cup and tape it around?

and jimmy rig it?

want me to bring you the funnels and a coat?

Meghan Blalock says

nooo it's ok

Zebediah Blalock says

i bet you can make something work, mcGyver style

if it's just the funnels  

sim/stim

Prasad: Where is Murray?
Me: He's in his all day stimulation meeting?
Prasad: Stimulation? Simulations meeting?
Me: Yes, his simulation meeting.

Still giggling to myself.

I think my bosses get together and make fun of the things I say. I like to think that is why they want me around so much!

little b

I haven't seen this much of his neck since probably this picture was taken.

Now it's all full of chubby-lovin-goodness.

I can smell him from here...

Emo Momma Update

Ok, so you all know I've had a really hard time going back to work. I was going to give my two week notice the first monday of my return since they weren't going to let me WFH a couple days a week. So things changed. I came to my senses. I had the kiddos covered the entire month of September. I started thinking about retirement again. And going on family vacations. And I guess kind of loosing my corporate knowledge (dumb, but true). Soooo I'm working until I can find another job that is more flexible or they come to their senses and let me WFH a day or two a week.

Everyday I have different emotions. Let's all say it together: EMO.
I know, I know. I'm such a diva.

Yesterday, our Briggs/Ari sitter told me that my job is simply fundraising. Fundraising for the things we really want to do in life. WHAT THE WHAT. It all kind of just clicked and I was like, YES...today I'm going to print copies and move meetings and try to squeeze 250 SDE's in a area seated for 175. And I'll wait five minutes for an elevator to go pump in a room that is already booked for 30 mins. I'll stinkin pay to park and get over a bridge.  It's ALL for funds for ME, for US. For the fam bam.

This morning I had to text my little love muff, Tanya (my beloved friend AND co-worker, we go way back) while sitting on Mercer for 15 minutes to print copies for me so that someone had their 7 copies for their 9am meeting....because they of course don't know how to push the print button...BUT I don't want them to learn how to push the print button cuz then my funds for fundraising wouldn't be there. See what I'm getting at? Am I drinking? NO!

Today, shortly after telling T aka love muff aka Tanya ake A taste of T about the fundraising thing she brought me this:

She is one of a kind. I'm so grateful for her.

Sorry for the emos peeps. xoxo

Snips

Today.

6:30 B wakes up (hour early) play, eat, snuggle, smell his neck 20 times
7:30 A wakes
7:35 A and I eat hunny nut
8:00 Shower
8:40 depart for work
8:40 I'm feeling good. Today I'm not gonna cry
9:01 Stuck in mad traffic, get a really sweet email on facebook while parked on mercer and start to cry
9:40 Pull into work (after several f bomb text to Z and H)
9:55 Finally arrive at my desk after 5 levels of parking, two elevators, and three drops of visine
10:00 PUMP I'm starting to leak
10:25 finally logging on to my computer
11:00 Coffee with T (things are looking up)
11:20 - 1:00 Try to remember how to book meeting and conference rooms, move request, space plan...
1:00 take the stairs to the 11th floor to PUMP (im going to do this from now on)
1:30 Meet T and K for a fast lunch
2:15 Work
3:15 down 2 elevators, 5 garage levels, back to mercer
4:00 Home!!!!!!!!!!!!! B and A both up and happy. LOVE this.
4:10 Booby feed
4:40 Run to Petco for bday party gift (didn't have enough time for target, lucky ellie got a fish. found out about party yesterday)
5:00 Pick up gift wrap
5:15 Home solids for B
5:45 Off to soccer!!
6:00 Home (coaster boy is grocery shopping)
6:30 Give B a bath and snugs
7:00 Snuggle buggle my lover boy briggs
7:15 yummy salad out back with coaster boy. he's so good. mr. mom today
7:25 cobbler. thanks mom. and wash all my pumping equitment (third time today)
7:30 catch up on work while watching NY Med (new fav show) 1300 emails to go
9:05 Lulu gets home (ellie screamed when she got her fish...which reminds me, I need to email her mom and apologize...i hate fish).
9:25 Tuck my little lu into bed
9:40 facebook/insta/blog/stalk
10 start my bedtime routine

I am ready for tomorrow. My first full day back.

Dear Ari & Briggs

The dreaded week arrived. And I've been totally putting off this post because, well, I can't even wrap my head around how to explain or write what it's like going back to work after having the last 5.5 months off with you two little chicken butts.

So I'm putting it plain and simple. I've cried everyday since I've gone back. Even today when I'm not even going to work. Anything can set me off into tears... turning into a crowded parking garage or getting a random text from someone saying, thinking about you or simply a song on the radio. I'm a crybaby. As a matter of fact, I'm teary just thinking about getting teary. But, that my little lovers is just a sign of where your momma's heart is at. Torn.

I'm not gonna lie. I've dropped the F bomb a lot the last week. I know, that isn't right. But I'm angry. And when momma's angry I swear. WEIRD. Lulu, I know that isn't my best word choice. Thank you (always) for that reminder.

I miss you guys. I know you miss me too. Ar, you told me last night before I tucked you in with tears in your eyeballs that you missed me becuase I make it loud in the house and Nonnie doesn't let you eat a lot of sugar (made me laugh and cry at the same time). Oh my little lulu bear, no one will ever let you eat as much sugar as I do...guarentee it.

Briggs, I think you are a little indifferent on the sitch. I get home, you look at me and smile then go right back to your toy or hands or grabbing your feet (yes! you can finally grab your toes #yogababy). I do know that you miss me a little because last night you woke up twice!! just to get some nuzzles with your momma. I'm ok with that. For realz...but let's not make that a nightly habit.

So my little angel babies. I'm heart broken. You see, Amazon loves ME so much they want me in their office every little single day of the week. Even with blood shot, puffy eyeballs.

This week I'm really, really, really going to try and not cry everyday. And be super positive. And know that this is just a dot (remember that crazy post) and that it's not always going to be like this.

On my mind

Love this. I've read it probably 7 times.

I've been wrestling with what I'm going to do once I go back to work. Especially since they won't let me work from home a couple days a week...what does a girl do?

Pay 7-10 bucks a day to travel across the bridge. Then proceed to pay to park. Sit at a desk. Stare at a screen. Then proceed to travel down 8 elevator stops, 3 -5 levels of a parking garage to get back in my car, to pay to get over the bridge, to get home to my little fam right before dinner? Five days a week? Not sure I can handle that, not sure if I could handle it, I want too. But honestly I don't know yet. I could also go back to my little van pool with the option of being on a strick schedule of arrival and departure times. Then wait for those who are late (daily) and hate my driving?! I'm such a downer today. Sorry.

For now, I will go back. I will let them know my thoughts (already tried to do this) and I will propose as many possibilities as I can, to make it work for both of us. Until then...

But!! I have to say, I do want to be proud of the life I'm leading and the work I'm doing.  I want to have an impact. "I hope you have the strength to start all over again." EEEK, who knows. Maybe starting over is simply going back to work. Maybe starting over is giving my two weeks? I don't know. I do know that some amazing opportunities (for change) have been given to me while I have been on leave. Will those opportunities take flight? Do I have the strentgh to really pursue them? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

I know it will all work out. I absolutely know that it.will.all.work.out.

9 days until we move.
37 days until I got back to work.

Woot woot!

Tear

My partner in crime, breast feeding, hooter hiding, walking, changing diapies, leaking boobies best bud is going back to work next week. Big. huge. sad. face.

So today we celebrated. Just us 4. I'm gonna miss our weekly dates. And many walks. I'm so very blessed to have had a buddy, to share this time with...

Briggs and Sienna are just 3 days apart and they will forever be in each other's lifes. I love that.

Cheers Beav to going back to work!! It will be OK. LT will do great. Sienna will do great. It will all work out perfectly. It always does.

xoxo

Back Together

Reunited and it feels so good.

Tanya and I worked together at Zango years ago (my first grown up job).

And this week, we are reunited!

She works in my same buidling (very rare at Amazon, as this place is ginormous) AND even better, she sits directly above me. We can even take the stairs to see eachother.

It's kind of a dream come true for me.

We had to have the famous bathroom shot.

Big Day

I just received this email letter after completing a very intense driving test online.

I am now an approved Van Pool Driver.

I really hope Jerry, Parul, Fatith, Caroline and Rohit enjoy my driving skills.

One bummer is, I can't wear perfume or drive with my knees. .

My Office

This week, I have thoroughly enjoyed working from home.

I could sit in this little corner of my room everyday

(if my Internet wasn't so stinkin slow).

It's bright, cheery, cozy...

I don't have to wear a bra.

Lulu delivers my water

and makes me hot chocolate.

xoxox

LOL

I'm laughing, still laughing.

I just sent out an email to all that need to know at work (which is kind of a lot and includes some kind of important people, not that I'm important).

SUBJECT: WTF Meghan - 1/19/12

DYING.
I meant to say WFH (working from home. NOT what the f#ck).I tried to recall it, but what an idiot.



I'm going stir crazy.

Literally.

I can't sled. I can barely take a walk outside without falling on my butt. And the only snow gear that fits me is for a 225lb man.

We did however, have a little chili and hedbanz last night...which is always fun.

I love these girls. Mucho

My Amazon Buddy

Coaster Boy got a new job.
Which means exactly this:

I won't have a travel buddy. Or someone I can make fun of how they park, or adjust their seat 10 times while driving. Or hear him say it's burning up in here. We won't hear that one Adele song every morning together. I won't get all the sports updates on sports radio. Or have someone stop by my desk with a yummy treat, or meet on the corner to grab lunch, or stand in line with at the taco truck. Or IM with all day on communicator...

I'm sad {very}. But really excited for CB's new adventure. He won't even have to go over water to get to work. Jealous. Very.

I started at Amazon, and two weeks later I was prego. Let's just say, it's been a fun 6 and a half months Coaster Boy. You made my first 3 months here bearable, when I was miserable. I gonna miss you here.

Loves you.

I work....

In Santa's workshop. No joke. I was scheduled to wrap presents today from 12-6pm...

My boss is in charge of the software that tracks all your lovely Amazon purchases coming in and going out to all your lovely little homes (in a timely manner).

Black Friday and Cyper Monday have come and gone.

Bring it PEAK!

I enjoy being an elf.

Check it out

Look at my plate compared to my cute little co-workers.

I was hungry?!?

And why in the world am I so red?

I love portage bay.