Gratitude #7

+ These past two week I've really depended on our nanny, Joann, to spend a lot of time with Jonah. Neill has been out of town and I need to work late Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. It is always a little stressful to try and figure out childcare, but I feel very lucky to have Joann on our team. She is super dependable and made herself extra available to spend evenings with Jonah. Without her, I'm not quite sure what we would have done! #ittakesavillage

+ We had gorgeous weather in Chicago on Thursday and I got to spend the morning outside with Jonah. We went to a park by the lake and Jonah had a blast playing on all of the equipment. His favorite thing to do was run up and down a walkway that was on a bit of incline. He also enjoyed following the older kids around and trying to mimic them. It was adorable! 

+ When Neill came home from his travels on Thursday afternoon, it was so lovely to catch up with him. He is so passionate about his interests and hearing how inspired he was about the conference he attended made me inspired! I'm really lucky to have such a hard working partner who motivates me to do my best.

+Friday morning I had a wonderful date with my mom. Jonah and I went over to her house and we sipped coffee while sitting on her lovely deck. Then, we walked a few blocks to a nearby park. My mom and I sat under a tree and enjoyed catching up while Jonah got to play. There was a day care there and so he made lots of new friends. He had the time of his life! It was wonderful watching him explore and interact with other kids. He would play for a while and then coming running back for a big hug, before scooting off to go play some more. It just melts my heart.

+Friday night I went out with some friends from my practicum and I really had a good time. As in two margaritas, a gin and tonic, and four shots good time.  While thinking about liquor now kind of makes me queasy, it was totally worth it. I hadn't been out without Neill and Jonah in months and months. I needed to get back in touch with that non-mommy side of me and a girls night out was just what the doctor ordered.

group selfie!

+Sunday afternoon I got some time to get creative in the kitchen. I made a big pot of three bean pasta salad with kale. Chick peas, kidney beans, black beans, kale, and pasta with a olive oil, honey, mustard, and vinegar dressing. Yummo. My plan is to bring it for lunch this coming week.