A Mild Chicago Winter + What's Been Going On Over Here

Hi Friends! It’s been a while since I’ve had some time to sit down and actually write a post! It’s crazy that it’s February already. I never ever say that because winter usually drags on forever. But I think this winter has been the mildest Chicago winter I’ve ever experienced, and I moved to the area in 2006.

We wrapped up 2019 with a trip to Raleigh, NC for Christmas, and spent the New Year here in the city. We popped over to our friends’ NYE party, and left early to put Reid to bed. (See Instagram for a pic!)

This year, especially the next few months, my focus is going to be on health. Pre-Reid, when I was still working my corporate job full-time and doing grad school part-time, I stayed up really late to get all my blogging and studying done. And when Reid was born, I still sometimes did that in order to try to fit more into my schedule. I don’t think that was a great idea, because even though he’s 10 months old now, I still feel very sleep deprived and tired. I’m also dealing with a lot of insomnia, even when Reid is actually sleep, because my mind is racing about all the things I could be doing. (Remember what happened on my Europe trip?)

Anyhow, now I’m trying to focus on getting more, better quality sleep so I can feel like me again! Even if that temporarily means I don’t accomplish as much as I feel like I should or could. And to try to eat healthier (although we’re doing OK on this front) and MAYBE, just MAYBE try to get a little exercise.

In other news, Chris got a new job! Yay! He’s still at his current job until the beginning of March, and then he is going to take 6 weeks off before starting his new position. I AM SO EXCITED to have some family time and we’re hoping to do some traveling. (Although this news about the coronavirus is scary, right? We wouldn’t be so concerned if we didn’t have a baby, but man, a kid changes a lot, if not everything!)

Also, I can officially announce that Reid is a baby model! He signed with a modeling and talent agency last summer and his first ad with Crate & Barrel is out now. He’s also worked with Kohl’s! It was funny because we had to file for him to get a work permit, and get a doctor’s note from his pediatrician stating that he’s “fit for work.”

It’s been great experience for Reid so far. Since he’s at home with me, he doesn’t get a ton of exposure to other babies, so it’s been an opportunity for him to meet other kiddos. And unlike most extracurricular activities (we payed $25 yesterday for a music “class” which just consisted of a guy playing kid songs on a guitar for 30 minutes while babies crawled around on the floor), instead of having to pay money, Reid’s the one getting paid! We have a college savings account started for him, so that’s great he’s getting a head start there.