Becoming the Bartels

What a fun night! 🤸‍♀️ Brooke’s friend Mila — who happens to be the daughter of my BEST friend @lwundy10 from grade school — invited her to The Little Gym. These two little ladies had a BLAST! 🚀 💃🏻 🤸‍♂️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs61VJFDoWPsqOqWGQICJD9umDR7a_uOu86i9E0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=198gq7cvsm6qe

And just like that, Nine months have past. Your smile. Your grin. Your sweet little chin. You’ve grown so much; where do I even begin? You have four teeth and you love to eat. You’re army crawling, pretty fast. In no time flat, you’ll be walking past. Time please slow down; let you stay little. I love your hair, your toes, your happy giggles. You’re the perfect son to complete our family. And the faux hawk you’re sporting is just plain silly. Clearly I’m not a poet but this rhyme has been fun. Bubba, we love you to the moon and beyond. #9months #MarekWilliam #myguy https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGbEdnDgvnmrdXoOQ71yo8XfK2ovdKsDl0iCg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xr81jbdcokud

All in all, 2018 was an amazing year. Marek is the highlight. 😊#BecauseEveryoneIsDoingIt #Top9 https://www.instagram.com/p/BsFBis1jDODzxRU2a1dP07vfedaLFzwckGK-vQ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ddoj0yynxejx

Brooke ❤️’s her @SkirDIY! Perhaps it’s time this momma actually carves out some time for this little side dream of mine... 😊 Time just feels so limited these days. Between raising our family and focusing on my marketing career, the little time I have left at the end of each day is spent trying to connect with my husband or watch an hour of a mindless television. Then it’s past my bedtime and it starts all over again. Amidst it all I know I want to restart my fitness goals, my friend goals, shit... all the goals! This is just a challenging time, and I know there are others like me who feel the same. We are not alone. 😊 I’m a big believer in “stop wishing and start doing” and that you make time for the things that matter. So no excuses here, just the reality of having young kids, a demanding career and big dreams. I got this! #unleashcreativity #createit #makeroom #priorities #workingmom #careermom #marketing https://www.instagram.com/p/BraL3S2DQU5OcpPf8-TefJDc-H6pycS-iIsMN80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vgkr0flmhsmr

Proud dada at his little girl’s holiday program this weekend. 😍🎅 #3isawesome #holidays2018 #brookie 🍪 https://www.instagram.com/p/BrLwy9SD3uOttGvBNjXIDTro_rlsF9jcR8V7aQ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=164gl8xvra35d

Fall. The season that reminds us that letting things go makes room for what’s to come. That there’s nothing to fear because change is inevitable. There’s beauty in nature and reassurance that once you let go of the those things that no longer serve you, even more beautiful things are possible. #grateful #thankful #blessed https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpt5_quDkiHkIjT-bXq6MGFTR-OvG15bYXMuzE0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3wp8yzt3qbxv

I seriously love this kid. Marek, your smile is contagious and those double dimps make us melt. 😍 You love to eat and try new foods (sweet potatoes for the win!), sleep on your belly, play with your big sis and jump in your bouncer. Seven months have FLOWN by hence why I’m a day late in posting your seven month milestones. We adore you, bud. Today and always! #MWB #MDub #7months https://www.instagram.com/p/BpqZ20KjhAQXPQu9J7yFd8Cn-jST5JGSH9z3Fs0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w2uqvf8b55gi

Another EPIC Halloween 👻 in the books. Our Super Brookie Cookie 🍪 and Baby Shark 🦈 had a blast! #Halloween2018 #DIYcostume #loveourneighborhood https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpnow7MD34vJNYAl1GWu72iSmrnVT1kqdHDkIM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=115ttewlapbr6

Two more firsts today. First TWO teeth 😬 and first fever 🤒requiring me to pick up Bubba from school. (I forgot how challenging it is to care for a sick baby and work at the same time.) I failed at one or both. 😔 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpX7g5iDc6oBOS6L90r4EJ4VQS4aNMX5VPCDwI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14wfsgjyf84e6

Such a fun Field Day at Brooke’s school today! Grateful for days like this. 🍁😊🍁 https://www.instagram.com/p/BoSsXqOnfPwR4FOUVcf3vugOxwbnRcOBA3m3680/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u6qcq1nxhfxb

“Best time ever!” Birthday party fun at BounceU today. I believe we have an American Ninja Warrior in training. 😊 💪🏼 https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwbZ34HxTcmjpuBjERcjWdnTrqgU4VyKW7Y0c0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bk6dqgjels5v

Yasss! My #4thingstote arrived from @shopespwa. These things represent “Work Heather” and the special projects in my life like @skirdiy and @anftogive. ❤️ I love that the proceeds go to help kiddos and nannies in Haiti that @radioamy from @bobbybonesshow made possible. She’s awesome. @mrbobbybones is awesome. Life is awesome. #pimpinjoy #unleashcreativity

Four months. Just like that!

My smiley TALKER! He’s at such a fun age and I’m just soakin’ it all in. #3monthsyoung

The best big sister. The sweetest dimpled smiles. The two! 😍

Then we blinked and THREE months passed by. 🤪 You are getting so big, little mister. You’re a lady killer with your double dimples and have won over all the ladies at daycare. Your sister is still your favorite and you love tummy time and playing with new toys. You’re sleeping SO good and are just a joy in our lives. Love you, bud. #MDub #3months #myguy

From the moment I met you, you had my whole heart. 12 weeks goes by way too fast and I’m so grateful for the priceless 1:1 time we had. Today is all about snuggles and cuddles, as Monday starts a new routine, one where my heart is torn between what I love to do and who I love to love. Oh, those double dimps, Marek. Love you beyond measure, baby boy. #momandson #maternityleave #gratefulthankfulblessed