Brookfield Zoo

Zooey Loves Fishies

To celebrate a beautiful mid-50s day we decided to go to Brookfield Zoo (near Chicago).


Zooey loves animals, and this was a great way to expose her to new ones. She loved seeing them all, but her favorites were the aquatic animals: fish and seals mainly. Overall we had a fantastic time, and she was quite tuckered out by the end.

Two highlights of Brookfield Zoo currently are their baby giraffe's and baby gorilla! Seeing the mama gorilla cuddle the baby gorilla was just beautiful, and reminded me of the days when newborn Zooey and I lounged around napping as much as possible.

Happy Family, Tuckered Out Zooey

If you can't make it out to Brookfield Zoo try Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago (it's free) or a petting farm/zoo like Pioneer Farm located in Hampshire, Illinois.

Enjoy Spring! <3MiddleCoastMommy

2 Months to Swimsuit Season!

Okay, okay. I know it's only the end of March, and most people don't actually start swimming until June, but have you looked at the calendar? Swimsuit Season is only about 2 months away!

Earlier today I wondered, why have I felt so gloomy? Is it because the sun has been hidden behind the clouds for days, and it's still only in the 30s and 40s? Le sigh... But then I started thinking, "Katie. You've had a total running AND yoga hiatus!" It's easy for your body to laugh at the idea of running or practicing yoga when you've been running after a 16 month old and running errands all day and every day. Your body says, "Relax, relax. There's always tomorrow." But here's the thing, I could always and forever tell myself there's always tomorrow. Nothing gets done with procrastination, and today I put my foot down and said, nope I'm hitting the treadmill!

Easier said than done. Where's the motivation when you feel so tired? Here was my motivation: Swimsuit Season. Since i've lost about 50 pounds after having Zooey, I'd like to keep it that way, and confidently rock it at a beach!

Swimsuit Season Plan:

1. Exercise 5-6 days a week (walking, running, yoga, and weight lifting)
2. Drink water (at least 8 cups a day)
3. Eat healthy (colorful fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins)
4. Find a running buddy (makes it fun AND is safer when running outdoors)
5. Reward my achievements (like a cute new Sweatyband, a relaxing pedicure, or a "itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini"!)

Feel free to join me! I'll be posting about my progress, and feel free to post about yours! We can do this
together!

<3MiddleCoastMommy

Happy 5 Years!

2009, Milwaukee, WI

Five years ago David and I finally started dating, and I couldn't be happier.

In 2005 I was a Sophomore in college, and was at a house party the night before everyone goes home for winter break. It was at this big house that a bunch of drama kids lived in so you can imagine what fun shennanigans those kiddos were up to! At one point I decided I needed a breather and stepped outside onto the front porch. At that very moment I overheard a cute boy mention something about living in a city right by my hometown. That usually didn't happen especially since I was hours away from my hometown so I got the courage and said, "Hey! Did you say you're from....." And the conversation bloomed. We exchanged numbers and agreed that we'd see each other again over my break since he believe it or not was graduating college the very next day! I met David the night before he graduated college! What luck is that!?

2010 David Proposed!

Over break we met for coffee. Our conversations were so easy and amazing, and I never laughed more than I did with him. I remember thinking at the time, "God, please let him be my future husband. He is amazing, and just what I need and love." Even though there was that utmost desire to never leave his side, he had actually started seeing a girl I knew through Amnesty International. I didn't want to be "that girl" so I gave him space, and so from 2005-2009 we danced. Or rather I was dating someone and he was single, or I was single and he was dating someone.

2011 Our Wedding

There was actually one night I talked to him on the phone for hours, and he invited me out to a friends party (he didn't realize I was dating someone at the time). I realized after I agreed to go to the party with him that it'd be a bad situation for me to be in. I had feelings for him (that I thought could never possibly become true) and I was dating someone else. So I did the most lame thing ever and made up a VERY lame excuse as to why I couldn't go (the morning of the party I did this). Heartbroken David still attended the party missing me still.

A few months later I found myself single and my very last semester of college, and thinking of David and what could have been. At the time people still AIM'd and so I IM'd David saying hi and I hope life is well. When David saw that message he couldn't believe his eyes, because he was biking around thinking about me just the day before. We of course chatted on the phone, and started meeting for coffee, walks, movies, etc. And exactly 5 years ago today he kissed me, and it was the most beautiful romantic kiss. And thus began us officially dating!

2012 We Welcomed Zooey into the World!

Within those 5 years, David and I got married, bought a cute house, had an adorable little girl (who's 16 months in a couple days), and have never been happier!

I often think back to that day that I prayed to God that David would be my husband. Even though it took 4 years to go from friendship to actually dating, my prayer was eventually answered. David is my husband, my soul mate, the father of my child, and absolutely the most wonderful and amazing man I've ever met.

I love you David!  <3

Mommy's Got a Brand New Hairstyle

Even though I loved my long curly hair; I needed a change. I toyed around with the idea of having a pixie cut, but ended up going with a Bob/Lob haircut that really plays up my naturally curly/wavy hair!

And guess what? I LOVE my new hairstyle! So fun, fresh and playful!

Before

After

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day from one Irish lass to you! xoxo, MiddleCoastMommy

The Pure Heart of Yoga Book Review

"It is important to focus on the goal of gaining self-knowledge, rather than perfection or happiness. The mind is usually most resistant when it is about to make a shift---in the darker moments the light is really near! Transformation is a bit like childbirth, there are labor pains that happen before something new and wonderful is born. Stay with despair. Accept it, acknowledge it, and hope for understanding. Strive for knowledge and awareness on the spiritual journey. In life, there is always something to learn. If we don't learn it now, we will have to repeat the lesson to learn it later, so why not do so now?"
- Robert Butera, Ph.D.

"The Pure Heart of Yoga: Ten Essential Steps for Personal Transformation" by Robert Butera, Ph.D. was an amazing read. I have been practicing yoga for over ten years now, and still to this day am learning new things and myself and the poses. Butera's book is an example of how much there is to learn. It is a great book for those interested in yoga whether they practice or not. He dives in with foundational practices explaining intention, attitude, posture, and breathing. Then Butera moves on to topics involved with "inner yoga" meaning archetypes, energy centers, concentration, and locks and seals. Even though some people are nervous about practicing yoga because either they don't believe in chakras or they're not sure how they feel about it, Butera explains the concept behind it, but makes it clear that many people practice yoga with all forms of religion, and most yoga teachers teach to all no matter what belief. And before Butera details practices and poses, he explains self exploration and pyschology or rather specificaly psychological blocks and emotional transformation.

After reading this book I practice yoga with more intention, focus, understanding, clarity, and desire to be more whole with myself and others. "The Pure Heart of Yoga" is a book that I recommend to those interested in yoga in general and for those interested in continuing a path of enlightenment.

March's read will be a rather humorous memoir by David Finch called "The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man's Quest to Be a Better Husband.

" I had started this book months ago, but never had the chance to finish it. I actually saw him give a speech about his book and life experiences, and it was one of the most humorous and enjoyable speeches I have heard, and I look forward to finishing the book! For those who have not heard of it, David Finch was married with children and THEN found out that he had a form of Asperger Syndrome. With this knowledge he created a journal of best practices for being a husband and a Dad. It is an interesting insight on Asperger's, marriage, and family life. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Reading!

MiddleCoast

My Logo!

For years I have been told that I should sell jewelry that I made. It may have started off as hemp designs, but later led to nature gemstone jewelry. With much research, reading quite a variety of Etsy, selling crafts online, running a small business, Moms working from home, laws, branding, marketing, and even taxes books and articles; I have determined that I will indeed sell my arts, crafts, and jewelry online through Etsy.

I have always been a creative and artsy person who loves the therapeutic process of making art. However, I never enjoyed it unless I was making it with a purpose, such as for a class or as a gift. So I thought selling my work online would be the perfect creative outlet.

MiddleCoast Sneak Peak

Right now I'm in the process of creating products, setting up my Etsy shop, and doing all those other lovely details. For now though I will update you via here at MiddleCoastMommy, through Twitter, and Pinterest.

xoxo, MiddleCoastMommy