A Super Hero Daddy

It's no secret that Nick has missed a few Father's days (thanks to the Marine Corps).

But that has never stopped him from being an amazing father.

There are fathers who get to come home every night to their children, but I'm convinced that none measure up to the type of father that Nick is (but I'm a little biased).

While I could bore you with a million reasons why he's an amazing dad, I figured I'd just list a few things.

Here's Dannika's and my "Top 10" list...

1. I can count on my fingers how many times I had to wake up in the middle of the night when D was a newborn to feed or change her. Yes...my husband did the majority of the late night feedings and changings. (Btw, this is something I never asked him to do...he just did it on his own)

2. Even when deployed or away, he always manages to find a way to make my life easier as a "single mom". He does everything to make sure that "fatherly duties" are taken care of or easier for me.

3. He makes pancakes from scratch with D, every single Saturday when he's home.

4. He has done dishes while wearing a princess crown at the request of our 3 year old. I have proof! (Don't worry, babe...I'll save ya the embarrassment)

5. I don't know how many fun work functions he has chosen to not attend because of things like Dannika wanting to play a round of mini golf in the afternoon with him.

6. When he's home, I've never had to get Dannika ready for bed. He does it ALL! He bathes her, brushes her hair (not well..lol), brushes her teeth, gets her dressed, and tucks her in.

7. In the words of Dannika, "He's my best friend!"

8. He has the most amazing patience when it comes to the "rough days" with Dannika. On days when I want to put her up for sale, he can calmly handle us both.

9. Less than 1% of daddies in the world can say they're a U.S. Marine!!!!!! I don't know too many daddies who fight terrorists during the day and have tea parties at night with their little girl!

10. Most importantly, he fathers on Godly principles. This makes him "perfect" to me.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there...

and a SUPER DUPER Happy Father's Day to my hubby!

I can't wait till we get to actually spend a Father's Day together again!

Texas Adventures

We've been in Texas for just over a week now, and we've been staying busy!

It was hot yesterday....and ridiculously humid!

Some complain about this heat, but after living on the west and east coast, I have grown to truly appreciate all that Texas has to offer...heat and all!

After spending the most miserable winter that I've ever experienced in my life (in New England), the hot and humid summer of Texas is a welcome environment for me!!

I spent the first 18 years of my life in this weather, so I think my body just naturally gravitates towards it.

I also believe that this weather is what a TRUE summer feels like!

There's nothing better than sitting outside on a hot and sticky summer day while drinking ice cold beers and eating Blue Bell ice cream.

There's also nothing better than spending a day outside in this weather and opening the door to our air conditioned home.

It's an amazing feeling!

I'm almost 30 weeks prego!

So far, I haven't missed a single day at the gym!

The work outs are getting harder as I get more prego, but I'm feeling great so far!

I've been doing a lot of treadmill jogging, elliptical, and stair stepper.

We've also been enjoying the Chick Fil A by my parent's house!!

It's nice because they have an indoor playground for kids.

We don't have one near us in Boston, so I've been indulging on this deliciousness while here!!

Every Tuesday night, the Chick Fil A does a family night where they have different activities for kids.

This week, they had a clown from the Ringling Brothers circus come and do a show!

D LOVED it!

D has also been enjoying baking with her Gigi (what my mom prefers to be called).

My mom even bought D her own little apron.

We went to Korean church with my parents on Sunday.

D loves Sunday school, and she really liked her new friends.

Although I can read, write, and speak Korean, it's more "conversational Korean".

There is a bit of a language barrier for me when it comes to listening to an entire sermon in Korean.

I might try an English speaking church while I'm here.

We went to Barnes and Noble to pick up a few activity books to do with D over the break.

We ended up spending a few hours there reading and playing as well!

My little diva ready for some sprinkler play.

We've really been enjoying our summer here in the Lone Star state so far!!

Hubby will be here in about 3 weeks, so we're super excited!!

What fun things are you doing this summer!?

Texas Livin'

We made it to Texas!

And praise Jesus, Dannika is the best traveller ever!

She was soooo good on the entire 4 hour flight here, and we got so many compliments from everyone!

I guess all the traveling we have done all over the place (thanks to the Marine Corps) has really paid off!

So far, we're totally content being hot and sticky!

I seriously never thought I would miss the heat and humidity down here, but I secretly do!

When my parents became empty nesters, there was no point in them to remain living in the house we all grew up in (in College Station). 

My dad's job is in Houston, so my parents recently sold our beloved College Station home, and moved to the city (AKA Houston). 

And when I mean city, they moved straight into the heart of Houston to the Galleria area where they are enjoying townhouse life in a gated community. 

While their new abode is GORG, it's not really a great place for kids because of the lack of a big backyard. 

But we are really enjoying being pampered!

My daughter could not and would not leave the house without "daddy", so he came along with us. He was a big hit on the airplane ride, and all the flight attendants thought it was the sweetest thing ever. D made sure to introduce him to everyone.

Not only is she a daddy's girl, but she's also a papa's girl!

The first thing I did when I got to my parent's house was check their freezer for the giant tub of Blue Bell ice cream. As always, every true Texas fridge has a tub of good ole Blue Bell!

We had some sprinkler fun to beat the heat.

And on our lovely grocery shopping trip, I had to pick up a few more pints of Blue Bell!!

We are loving Texas so much that I may not make it back to New England!

I love being around other people with southern accents.

In fact, I love that no one looks at me funny when I say things like, "I'm fixin' to do something" or y'all"!

I love Blue Bell.

I love my mama's cooking.

I just love the south :)

Texas, Here We Come!

Today's the day!

HOORAY!

After a month here in Massachusetts without hubby, close friends, or family, D and I are getting on a plane today to go spend 6 glorious weeks in my wonderful home state of TEXAS!

Hubby is going to be joining us there for a week in July after he graduates his company at OCS, and it will be the first time since 2010 that we have both been at my parent's house at the same time!

We are so excited!

I'm a little bummed that my parents no longer live in College Station (where I grew up), but I'll take Houston over Boston any day (or any other place in the U.S. that is not Texas)!

I can't wait to blog about our adventures this summer in Houston...100 degree heat, humidity, and everything else Texas!

A ton of you have been asking for belly pics. I keep forgetting that not everyone that reads my blog is my Facebook friend! I post random pics daily on Instagram, so please follow me (@mrsromer)!

Here is my 28 week baby bump!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that it becomes a ritual for D and I to go on a "mommy and me" lunch date once a week when the hubby is gone. It started on his last deployment.  I love that she is old enough now to actually have a conversation with her over food! We went to the Olive Garden last Sunday after church because I was seriously craving their gnocchi soup, salad, and bread sticks. yum! I think it's safe to say I had the cutest lunch date ever!

D was born a completely bald baby, and her hair growth has been at a snail's pace. In fact, she didn't get her first hair cut (more of a trim) until this past December (she's 3). Nick and I both had no hair as babies. As for me, I had no hair until Kindergarten, then all of a sudden, I woke up one day with this thick luxurious "Asian" hair.  Her hair is finally long enough for me to put it in cute pigtails, and I even attempted a side french braid last Sunday.

 For those who don't know, my hubby has spent the last two summers training Marine Officer Candidates in Quantico, VA. He's basically back to being a drill instructor for Officers instead of Enlisted recruits. Basically, he yells at people all day. In fact, he was told he had severe vocal chord damage by the doc last year from all the yelling he's done in his career (3 years on the drill field and 2 summers in Quantico). He's got a permanent rasp to his voice (that I find kind of sexy). He was told to go see a throat and speech specialist. He hasn't gone because he is stubborn, and he's been down in VA yelling and screaming all day. He sounds terrible. Can we stay, stubborn?!

My pedicures last so much longer since I've gotten out of the Marine Corps! Wearing combat boots everyday really take a beating on your feet and your precious toes! 

(Sally Hansen's "snappy sorbet...in case you were wondering about the color)

And now that I no longer have to adhere to Marine Corps grooming standards, I get to paint my nails fun colors all the time without having to worry about removing the polish before going to work! 

(Sinful Nails' "In the Limelight"....with gel technology...LOVE THIS polish!)

I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far!

I can't wait to blog about my trip back to God's country!

smile :-)

Tomato Avocado Salad

We've been experiencing a bit of a heat wave the past few days in New England!

When temperatures hit above 85, I find myself always craving a cool salad.

Especially with my hubby being gone, I think I could live on just salad.

The last few days, I have eaten this delicious tomato and avocado salad every night for dinner!

It's very "summery", healthy, and SO FREAKING DELICIOUS!

I can't wait to make it for my husband and serve it as a side with dinner!

I figured I'd share my recipe with all of you!

I used to have a food blog, but I stopped blogging in it because it wasn't something I wanted to commit to.

I think I'll just start posting recipes every once in a while on this blog when I feel it's worth sharing!

I am OBSESSED with this olive oil that I bought at Whole Foods!

It is SO delicious!

It's a little bit pricey, but in my opinion well worth the splurge!

Ingredients (serves just 1...me!)

1 avocado

1 vine ripened tomato

1/2 of a lemon

1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

fresh ground sea salt

fresh ground black pepper

*1/4 cup frozen shelled edamame (optional)

Directions

1. SEED YOUR TOMATOES! (I hate when people don't seed tomatoes in a salad because it makes the entire salad really watery).

2. Dice your tomato and avocado into chunks.

3. If you want to add edamame to your salad, I like to just add a handful of frozen shelled edamame to my bowl first. I let them thaw out in the salad.

4. Add your tomatoes and avocado chunks into the bowl with the edamame.

5. Drizzle your balsamic vinegar and olive oil over your salad.

6. Squeeze the lemon on top

7. Season to taste with fresh ground sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

8. Toss and refrigerate for an hour!

9. ENJOY!