stories

So, you’ve toured the inside of our homes, you’ve seen what we eat, you’ve met our husbands, and babies (pups included), but do you really know us? Lauren and I thought it would be fun to share some tidbits of information about ourselves over the next coming weeks. Starting with me!

Hiya! Laura here. Did you know….

I would be a Dentist if I wasn’t a Graphic Designer?

I really like teeth. It’s the first thing I notice about someone, and it’s the last thing I examine on myself each night before bed. I’m not sure where the obsession began, but I never cared to go for my bi-annual checkups like most others did. I had braces for only a year when I was in 8th grade-ugh, poor timing right? As if I didn’t have a million other physical changes going on! Anyway, I took care of them really well. So much, that I continued wearing my retainer every night until I was 25. And then one day I just stopped. Worst mistake ever!! My teeth have significantly moved, which is why I will most likely be getting Invisalign in the next year. And yes, I’m looking forward to it! Nerd alert 😉 Also, another fun/embarrassing fact: I was so obsessed with whitening my teeth in high school, that my dentist told me my teeth were starting to look blue. Whoops! You win some, you lose some-LOL!

I am a bedttime stickler?

Since I was in middle school, I have consistently gone to bed at 9 pm every night. I really like my sleep! And I’ve always had the 9-hours each night engrained in my head, so that’s what I’ve did. And yes, I carried it into my college life. And no, I was still cool and partied hard when I needed to-ha! Even now, I mostly stick to the same routine, except recently, I’ve really upped my game to about 9:30…pretty crazy!

I pick my cuticles when I’m stressed or worried?

The weird thing is, it’s mostly just my thumbs. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I need to invest in a stress ball or rubix cube, because, sometimes, it gets so bad, they bleed. And then my thumbs just look like I cut them off, and sewed them back on-lol, it’s so gross! I’m self conscious about it so I’m always hiding my hands when they’re at their worst. Check out our Insta feed and see for yourself-my hands are always strategically placed! The only time I don’t do it is when I have a manicure. I guess I better start budgeting for an appointment each month!

I have 3 sisters?

It’s true, no boys! The Smoltich household was chaos growing up. See below for where that name came from! We are all loud, and proud. We all talk about how easy my mom made it seem with 4 divas running around. She’s so much more laid back then me! I rule the middle with my younger sister, Kara. She lives in Boston, MA with her fiancé, Nick and their dog, Gatsby. (more like son…they treat their golden doodle better than we do Griffin-ha!) Our youngest sister, Anna, lives in Aurora, IL working as a Clinical Hand Surgeon Assistant. And last but not least, the oldest sister, Julie, or who we like to call, our “second mom” resides in Genoa, IL with her husband and 2 sweet boys, Mitch & Will. Now, you’re probably thinking…their poor Dad. It’s funny, everyone says that to him. And he always responds, “It wasn’t that bad. It’s all I knew!” Good answer!! The photo below is a couple years old, but still one of my favorites…the original 6-pack!

I fractured my skull when I was 7?

Long story short, I fell off my bike, and the bolt of the tire punctured my head. This was 1993, so helmets were just starting to become a thing. I remember crying out for my mom as I lay on the sidewalk. She came running out, and knew immediately that it wasn’t good. She took me to Urgent Care, and they said I needed to go to the ER. The local hospital was able to stabilize me, and the bleeding, but did not have the doctors to fix me. So, I was airlifted (just me and a paramedic-scary right??) to Rockford, IL where I went into immediate surgery. I don’t remember a lot, but what I do remember is that it was the first time I saw my Dad cry. 🙁 I was kept there for a week, and was welcomed home by the neighborhood with A HELMET! I am such an advocate for those nowadays. Stay safe people!

I’m Croatian?

I’m very proud of my heritage. Mostly because my grandparents are still alive to tell me about it. My dad is 100%. Our family comes from the capital, Zagreb, and some still reside there today! It’s interesting how much you don’t know or think to ask about until you become of a certain age. I’ve always loved listening to my grandma (whom we call Baba) speak the language, cook the meals, and tell the stories. I still have yet to visit the country, but it is definitely on my bucket list for the near future. I’m also German. Get a load of my mom’s maiden name…Wunderlich! Either way, I think I was doomed. Although, I honestly didn’t mind having a different, mispronounced last name. 🙂

I didn’t ride my first roller coaster until I was 26?

I knowww, right?? I was always so afraid! Probably because I saw a few too many Final Destination movies…those were frightening to say the least. Garin finally got me on one about a year after we started dating. And the big jerk made me ride in the FRONT ROW — talk about chalking up all my fears in one!! I mean, it was fun, but I’m cool with hanging on the ground from now on.

 

 

Learn more about me here. x0x0 Laura