Show & Tell Tuesday: Reintroduction

I am linking up with Andrea today for Show and Tell Tuesday where we are reintroducing ourselves and sharing resolutions.  Hi, my name is Lauren.  Since I don't make resolutions, I thought it would be fun to share 25 random facts about me :) some are light, some are a bit heavier, here we go!

… I have three sisters (Austin, Adrienne and Ally- yes, I am the only L), two daughters (Emma (almost 4), Everly (2.5)), one nephew (Theodore (1))and one niece on the way.  I am obsessed with my family.

… Growing up my favorite color was purple; now I would say I tend to lean towards grey (in both interiors and clothes ;)).

… My mom makes the best biscuits and gravy and lasagna making them both my favorite food.

… By the time I was 26, I had completed all of my formal education (BBA in Finance from A&M, MBA with an emphasis in Accounting from UTD and sat and passed the CPA exam).  I have considered getting my PhD one day in something totally random, but having kids has kind of squashed that desire.

… Since the last fact sounds a little braggy, I must confess that I did not pass 2 out of 4 parts of the CPA exam on the first time around.  Making matters even worse, I missed passing by one point on Regulation (think individual income taxes, corporate taxes and tax law); I found out the news at work and spent the next two hours crying- super professional of me ;).

… I adored being pregnant; during each of the nine  months I started several sentences with ‘because I am pregnant…’ or ‘did you know I am pregnant…’. I am told that I drove my family crazy, but I like to think of it as endearing.

… That didn’t come as a perfect story either; I miscarried our first baby which is definitely one of the most devastating experiences of my life.  I got pregnant again right away with Emma only to find out that she had a vanishing twin.  It was simultaneously a relief and it crushed me all at the same time to know that I had a healthy baby on the way, but at the same time I had miscarried a second baby.

… I am 100% pro breastfeeding; Emma was breastfed until she was 10 months (and I was pregnant with Everly) and Everly was breastfed until she was 21 months old.  As a side note, I pumped and dumped for a two week business trip to Asia (which I think makes me pretty dedicated to the cause ;)).

… I am an accountant by day, wanna-be photographer by weekends practicing on my children every chance I get.

… My job has landed me in Europe and Asia with some definite pinch-me-is-this-my-real-life-kind-of-moments.

… I am self admittedly terrible at keeping up with people (this is terrible, but I am an out of sight, out of  mind kind of person); I have to work hard at keeping up friendships (it’s just not something that comes naturally to me).

… The first time I read a blog was when we purchased our house in early 2010; I wish I remembered how I stumbled upon it, but sadly I don’t.  I do remember it was Young House Love (still miss that blog!).

… I never thought I would say this, but we did co-sleeping with Everly and dare I even admit that I loved it.  I am more than happy she is in her crib now; but give me those baby snuggles (ahhhh I miss those baby snuggles!).  Side note, I am a total newborn mama- give me those sweet, sometimes pathetic newborn snuggles any day.

… One of my favorite parts of the day is the hour between 4 and 5 o’clock- my sister, Austin, and I chat up a storm on my commute home.

… We used to work together (for more than 6 years!) where she often dreamed of leaving to open up her own sandwich shop in Austin.

… I am a self-proclaimed coffee addict (but not snob); my favorite drink at Starbucks is either a white chocolate mocha or an iced coffee with toffee nut syrup.

… When I met my husband I didn’t like to eat steak or mushrooms; now I can’t get enough of both!

… I have had my ears pierced since I was 7 years old, but took a more than 15 year hiatus of wearing earrings and am now back in business with several pairs of the ever so popular BP studs.

… I am a terrible singer; like the worst-you-have-ever-heard type of singer… but that doesn’t stop me from belting out songs while I am alone in my car.  Adele and Taylor Swift are my current favorites.

… I live 1.6 miles from my parents (and the house I grew up in) and I love it!

… Words of affirmation is my love language, quickly followed my inclusion (what can I say, I don’t like to be left out!)- yes, I am aware that inclusion is not officially a love language ;).

… Sometimes I literally feel like the paparazzi is following me around- this may make me crazy, but I want to say it makes me awesome.

… I love to make holidays, traditions and birthdays special and always better than the last.  Birthdays might be my favorite thing of all.

… I have known my husband for more than a third of my life. He was made for me.

… My passions are my two girls and hubby, my family, investing in the stock market, interior decorating and dressing my toddlers (yes, that’s a thing- trust me ;)).