Monday, June 10, 2013

Start spreading the news, we're leaving.....

Fifteen years ago these two sassy sisters moved to New York City.
 

I came to pursue an acting career and my sister came for adventure.  We had lots of both! We hit street fairs, sample sales, plays in the park, bars in the bowery, broadway shows, big white snows, we took advantage of all the city had to offer and loved every minute!  My sister, Andrea got a "real" job and was transferred out of state within two years but I stayed here auditioning, performing and making ends meet in between gigs with every job imaginable to an enthusiastic gal from New Mexico looking to make her mark on stage and screen. I was a nanny, a waitress, foot model, party performer, office temp, asisstant and eventually a fitness instructor, personal trainer and small business owner of Jolynn Baca jewelry designs.  I became a professional actress and toured all over the world, performed in New York City downtown, midtown and just north of town. I did music videos, voice overs, online instructional videos, flash mobs, student films, independent films and webisodes.  Any opportunity to perform was an opportunity...there is nothing like it!!

The Big Apple has been good to me...I met my wonderful husband here.  I had our baby here.  I have formed lifelong friendships.  I have had incredible experiences.  After 15 years, I consider myself a New Yorker....we get to wear a special badge of survival!  This city living is exhilirating, but it's tough too.  I've trudged through several feet of snow at 6am the day after a storm to train clients in their homes, I've traveled through three boroughs on four types of transportation to teach a class, I've carried three types of dance shoes, one music book, a cosmetic bag of make up and three changes of clothes to four different auditions in three parts of town.  This is NOT "Smash" and "Friends" living...this is the REAL New York, the one I always love and sometimes loathe, but will forever be proud of surviving! 

Fast forward to the sassy sisters now...we are new moms with new priorities...me a girl and my sister a boy!
  
 

Without a doubt, motherhood is my all time favorite role!  This little girl has filled me with so much more joy than I ever imagined possible and has really made it clear to me what is important in my life.  I love knowing that Parker will always be a New York baby, but we want her to have grass and space and family nearby.  So, after 15 years, I say goodbye to my dear New York City and hello to a whole new adventure.

Rob, Parker and I are moving to the Washington D.C. area on July 1!!!  What a wonderful time to move to our Nation's Capitol....just in time for July 4!  We will be a quick drive (that's what you do in the burbs) to my other sister, Anna Marie (it's her turn to deal with me full time) and Rob will be working for a global architectural firm in the area.  Yes, he's kind of a superstar and has a FANTASTIC job waiting for him...I am super proud!  I will not immediately be working, so I get to have some unexpected bonus time at home with Parker.  THIS is priceless. 

We leave our friends and New Jersey family with a heavy heart but an open invitation to come visit....it's only four hours away and $1 on a Bolt bus :)  I WILL be back in August to teach intenSati for a LolĂ« meet up in Hudson Park  so be sure to join me!!  You can still hear me giving fitness tips on the radio every other Tuesday morning on DayBreak USA .  If you want to know what's happening with us, check back here often.  My plan is to post regularly about our new adventures! 

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty in the world." I remember coming over that bridge my first time with such excitement and hope for the life I was about to live as a single gal living in the big city.  I will savor that view one last time as we drive to D.C. full of excitement and hope for the life we're about to live as a family.

See ya later New York, I'll never say goodbye.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

I'm a guest blogger!!

Once a month, I am honored to be a guest blogger for Lucky Lil' Darlings .  They feature posts from moms at all stages of motherhood....definitely give 'em a look!

Here's my post for this month.  Give it a read and lemme know what you think here on my blog :)

Jolynn's post on Lucky Lil' Darlings

Enjoy this beautiful day!!
xo

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Here we go again!!

Helloooooo!

My beautiful baby girl is ready to come to work with mama!!!  Are you ready to work out with me??

We are starting at a NEW time....10am!!

We have a NEW deal from the fantastic Amy Cannon Photography  When you book a session with her, and say I sent you, Amy will give you a FREE 11 x 14 luster finish print from your session!  WOW!!  Check out the gorgeous picture she took of my little one...she is super talented!


I have a NEW body to work with and I can't wait to get it movin'!!

My NEW baby will be staying with the professionals from Lucky Lil' Darlings  Bring your kiddos too!  (Please email me 24-hours in advance to let me know they're coming funfitnessformommies@gmail.com )

Remember, this is SAFE for all fitness levels....I did it throughout my pregnancy.  It is GREAT for EVERYONE, you don't have to be a mom....we have fabulous women in class who just love the class!  ALL are welcome!!!

Tell your friends!  Share this post!  Come to class!!!

See you in class starting Wednesday, April 17 at 10am at Ripley Grier 72!
 

Monday, April 8, 2013

I'm baack!!!

Hey!!

I know I've been out of touch, but I've been having a baby!!!  I am loving every minute of motherhood and can't wait to share all of it with you. Right now I've got a few minutes left before my little girl wakes up from her nap, and I wanted to share my recent guest blog post with you!!!

Check out my new mom findings when you click here:


 
 
CHECK BACK SOON cuz Fun Fitness for Mommies is BACK NEXT WEDNESDAY at our new time of 10am!!! 
 
Details and a special deal posting in the next 24 hours!!  You don't wanna miss this!
 
xo,
Jolynn

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!!

THIS is it!!!  We are ending 2012 and the new year is about to begin!   I hope 2013 brings all of us much health and happiness!
 
I have NO IDEA what this year will be like in our home....we are bringing a baby into the world next month!  I am excited, scared, anxious, nervous, elated, EVERYTHING!  Today we are going for what will probably be our last ultrasound at the hospital, last night we took our infant care & feeding class and this week I finished cleaning out my desk so it is ready to become the changing table!  We are in the home stretch!!!  Speaking of stretching.....

35 weeks

 

As you ring in the new year tonight, before you make your resolutions and grand plans for 2013, take a moment to say "thank you" for 2012.  Recognize your accomplishments, acknowledge the people in your life, be thankful for your health and the challenges you have faced with grace and courage.  I know I have more to be grateful for with each passing year! 
 
Happy New Year everyone.....I can't wait to see what 2013 brings for all of us!!
xo,
j

Saturday, December 8, 2012

You Always Need Your Parents.....

That's the title of my guest post this month on the Lucky Lil' Darlings website!  I'm honored to be among their moms keeping track of this amazing journey.  I hope you'll click on the link and check it out...this time it's all about Grandma & Grandpa Baca :)

My parents' recent visit reminded me how lucky we are and how much I still rely on them.  Maybe even more now that I'm about to be a parent myself.

Here's a sneak photo peek, but check out Lucky Lil' Darlings for the full story and "thank you note" to my parents.  :)



 
 
I'd love to hear how/if you still rely on your parents for sage advice and loving help....leave me a comment below.
 
Have a great weekend!
xo,
j
 

Monday, December 3, 2012

This is going FAST!!!!!!

I CANNOT believe it is December OR that I am in in my eighth month of pregnancy!  Let me get right to the belly pics that I have been remiss in posting!!

 28 weeks                                                                     32.5 weeks (last night)
Our little peanut is growing!  Now I'm feeling lots of playful movement from inside my belly, and I love it!!  Though every time I put daddy's hand on my belly it stops....Rob has that calming effect on me too :) 
 
We JUST took maternity photos with the super talented professional photographer and wonderful friend Lori Berkowitz !!  I highly suggest capturing this magical time on film.  It was fun to do as a couple and what a special way to remember this miracle!  I'll post a sneak peak when I get one!
 
We have been busily getting the baby's room ready for his/her arrival in late January and were VERY fortunate to have my parents' help over Thanksgiving.  We had a great time with them setting up the crib, sewing curtains (my mom did that....we just selected fabric), trying out gliders...Grandpa almost fell asleep in most of them, so we can't trust his opinion :) and just enjoying their company.  Sadly, we won't be able to go to New Mexico for Christmas this year because it's too close to our due date.  Happily, we had a great time with my parents while they were here!  My mom brought a fantastic array of my baby memorabilia (this is where I get my pack rack tendencies).  It was so fun to see my baby pictures and even more fun to see my parents' hairstyles & wardrobe!!  Check this out, a pair of shoes my Grandma Isabel gave me in the ORIGINAL box!!
 
 
Now, before and after nursery pictures are forthcoming.  However, while we put on the finishing touches and mom makes the full transition from office to nursery (AKA cleans her stuff out!)  here's my favorite corner.
 
This little spot represents four generations of my family.  The circular mirrors belonged to my Grandma Isabel and hung in her house for as long as I can remember.  My mom bought her grand baby the adorable monkey lamp shade over the Thanksgiving weekend, the very existence of the room is my (and Rob's) vision for our child and baby Jaekel will complete the circle in her/his crib here. 
 
In case there was any doubt how excited my parents are to be grandparents (and even more exciting...twice over as Andrea is also pregnant!!) or you missed this photo when it hit Facebook.....
 

 
 More to come.............