I can’t believe it’s already Friday. This week has flown by. It’s been great having a certain amount of freedom…no nap schedule to adhere to, the easy mobility of a newborn, etc…today Ella and I spent most of the day out in the ‘burbs at the mall. Between feedings in the well-appointed “Mother’s Room” at Nordstroms, I bought a gift for a friend and lucked into some more Stella McCartney for Babygap goodies at 55% off the retail price. Again, my toddler is more stylish than both of her parents in her dark-wash flared trouser jeans.

I really have to brag on Vann…last weekend’s roadtrip was JUST what we needed for some good ole reconnecting. It was so fun to chat about our dreams and desires after getting Charlie settled in with her grandparents. Ella was quiet in the backseat and we laughed and stopped for goodies on the way home. This week we actually had a DATE NIGHT, something I thought we might never have again. All in all, the timing worked out perfectly, and you know that Charlie has had the town of Birchwood, Tennessee wrapped around her little finger.

The best news of all is that I will be going with Vann on the PepsiCo Sales trip to Arizona this March. Remember the trips to Hawaii we’ve been so fortunate to go on? This year the destination is the W Scottsdale. And guess what else? It happens to fall on my birthday week, so you know that we’ll be living it UP. It will be the first trip we’ve taken that has nothing to do with being pregnant or getting pregnant, and I can’t wait. Charlie will go back to Birchwood and Ella will go to Mimi and Poppy’s in Texas. I see many glasses of champagne and trips to the spa in my birthday future.

Tonight we are taking Ella over to our sweet friends the Peterson’s for dinner. So nice to have a little adult conversation. Tomorrow, Charlie comes home and I can’t wait to shower her with kisses. Until then, I leave you with my favorite Christmas purchase, my Lululemon “Gather Together” jacket…a reco from my very cool friend Ms. Jen. I am obsessed with it! I think I’ll need to get another color…