In general, I consider myself a pretty happy person. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful husband, the most adorable 2 year old in the world (even when he has his challenging days). I have great family and wonderful and supportive friends.

But…

There are still days that I need a little pick me up. Or days when I just need a little something. Here are some of the 10 little things that make me a happier, healthier person.

1. Go for a run, a walk, or dance to the Hot Dog Song with the kiddo. Exercise always makes me feel better, even if it’s just dancing around the room like a crazy person for a few minutes.
2. A few pieces of a very good, very dark chocolate. Mmmmm, this is an instant pick me up.
3. Baking. Crackers, cookies, granola bars. Whatever it is, it always puts me in a good mood.
4. Having a weekly date with the hubby. This is something that a bloggy friend just suggested, and something that I plan on starting. Even if it’s just an hour a week of alone time at Starbucks.
5. Talking to my BFF stay-at home-mom friend. I could talk to her for hours (and sometimes we do). Just having someone to relate to brightens my day.
6. Searching for new and healthy foods to try. I love experimenting, and any time that I can sneak a veggie or two into a meal makes for a healthier family.
7. Yoga. Which I don’t do nearly enough. It’s relaxing, builds energy and even counts as exercising. Ommmmm.
8. Me time. I can’t stress this enough. Even if that means getting up at the crack of dawn to exercise. Or going to bed early to read.
9. Having a wonderful and supportive husband. Need I say more?
10. Focusing on the positives in life rather than the negative. When everything seems to be going wrong, I list all of the things that I’ve been blessed with. That really changes my outlook and helps to put things in perspective.

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Trop50 Little Things for Happy, Healthy Living

1000 Little Things for Moms from Trop50

Today marks the official second birthday of the kiddo. There will be parties (there has already been one). There will be cake (there has already been plenty). There will be presents (he’s already been spoiled). We basically have a week’s worth of celebrating going on. Don’t worry, there will be posts and photos to follow.

One thing that took my by surprise at the kiddo’s first birthday was how emotional it was for me. I just didn’t expect it to be such a special day for me. Remembering back, yes, of course it is special for me too. I mean, I gave birth to the kid after all. But the powerful emotions that I felt nearly knocked me off my feet. And I never said a word to anyone. I kept to myself that I was so close to tears the entire day. That I was amazed by this little boy I created (with help of course). That I fell in love with him all over again.

On the days before his second birthday, I could feel the emotions creeping back in again. Hiding under the surface, glimmering in the twinkle in his little eyes as he ripped open presents over the weekend. And now that the day has finally arrived, I’m floored again by how I feel. I’m sad. Sad that my little boy is grown, or at least growing up. That he will never be my little baby again, so needy and cuddly. That these moments are so fleeting and so precious.

And terribly happy at the same time. I’m so thrilled to see the wonderful little boy that he is turning into. I love seeing his love of reading grow. I love that he loves puzzles, just as I did as as child. I love that he has his daddy’s dark brown eyes, his expressions and his love of music. I love that he has my hair. And of course my sass.

So to celebrate his birthday, here’s my list of the best parts of giving birth. Pretend for a minute that it doesn’t hurt like hell. That you aren’t violated in more ways that I can to think about. Let’s take a moment to focus on the beauty of it.

1. The excitement of knowing that you are in labor. That knowledge that in a few short hours you will meet the little one who has been cooking away for the last 9 months. The little one that you know so intimately, and have never met.
2. Knowing that my life, my marriage, is going to change forever, and being so excited. Knowing that this is what I’ve been wanting for so long, and having no fears.
3. Knowing that Dad-oo was at my side, iPod in hand, with a playlist that we put together weeks before of my favorite music to get us through (little did we know that we’d listen to that playlist so many times that we eventually just turned it off).
4. Seeing Dad-oo in a new light, more supportive, loving, and worried than I’ve ever seen him before. Knowing that he’s be a great dad.
5. Being surrounded by wonderful and supportive staff at the hospital.
6. Knowing the comfort of having a wonderful doctor who was with me through the entire pregnancy, the birth, and would then be the kiddo’s doctor.
7. Beautiful, beautiful drugs. They are a beautiful thing, and allowed me to actually enjoy giving birth.
8. Falling completely, utterly and wholly in love with this little baby boy.
9. Feeling the weight of responsibility of caring for this tiny life, and realizing that I am more vulnerable than I have ever been before. But also knowing that I wouldn’t have it any other way.
10. Taking the kiddo home, finally, and feeling as though he had always been there. He completed our lives in a way I could never have imagined.

Did you have a favorite part about giving birth? What was it?

This blog was inspired by Oh Amanda’s Top 10 Tuesday’s Blog Carnival. Head on over for more Top 10 Lists.