Earlier this month was our sweet baby boy’s first birthday in heaven. I really can’t believe it’s already been a year… the shortest, yet longest year of my life, for many reasons. Though we never got to bring him home, have him wear all the “little brother” shirts we had gotten for him, or snuggle on the couch as a family, we will forever hold him in our hearts and we can smile knowing he is beyond happy in heaven. I’ll be totally honest, the weeks surrounding his birthday left me emotionally drained.
-
-
Pregnancy After Loss // Expecting Our Rainbow Baby
As I’m sitting here in complete awe, wonder, and insanely deep gratitude for the new life growing inside of me, I often reflect on the events that brought me here with my growing rainbow baby. After losing our son Michael last year, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions – many of which were so ugly and scary my heart literally aches when I think about it or imagine another mother in the same situation. Nevertheless, even with all the ugly, so much beauty and growth came from that time in my life.
-
Travel Together: Washington, D.C.
If you get jet-lag from long flights, do you get toddler-lag from traveling ANY DISTANCE with a toddler?! I vote yes. We just got home from our trip to D.C. and the state of my house pretty much matches to the state of my brain. Since I live and travel with miss Tiger Lily herself I had to totally psych myself up for each trek. I mean, does time actually go by slower on a plane with a toddler?
-
I’m Not A Bad Mom // Raising a Strong-Willed Child
We have all been there. In a store, a restaurant, just leisurely going about your business, when out of the blue, you hear (what you are convinced are) sounds of a poor animal suffering a painful death. You prepare yourself for the crime scene that is sure to be around the corner… but no. Around that corner appears
-
Safe Skincare for Babies – Grace Mabel
Did you know that your skin is your largest organ? Did you also know you can absorb more toxins through skincare products than you can through food? As a mommy, it’s a HUGE deal that I know what goes on my babies skin.
-
When Hello Means Goodbye – Surviving a Stillbirth
As I looked through my drafts of post ideas, I saw my “Baby Bumpdate” post sitting in the queue… as I stared at the title I realized something... when I was pregnant and my baby was alive and healthy, I had no problem happily posting "bump pics" and sweet little taglines on how much we loved him, how excited we were to meet him, how we couldn't wait for him to join our crazy family. He was real. He was my son. We dreamed of his future, how he was going to be my little buddy, how he was going to love cars and hockey just like his dad, and…
-
Have Child – Be Humbled
It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. -Saint Augustine So I am convinced I have one of the loudest little people in all existence. For being so tiny she sure has a set of lungs… and no shortage of attitude. A couple of weekends ago we (rather unexpectedly) bought a car – hello new mom car! If you have ever purchased a car, particularly from a dealership, you know it is NOT a short venture. G was great! By “great” I mean in the typical active kid sense – like not sitting in your lap nicely flipping through a book, eating…
-
Fishing for Chickens
Yesterday I had the luxury of getting my hair done… in an actual salon… and not leaning over the sink of your hairdresser friend (no offense ladies, you know we love you to the moon and back, but there is something special and luxurious about actually getting to GO to a salon… Even the word salon sounds so much more fancier and forbidden after you have a kid. Kidding, kidding, it’s not THAT bad. Some priorities just shift post-kiddo.
-
A broken heart and a lesson learned
Yesterday was a "typical" rainy Sunday morning. The groggy goggles were on, the hubby was long gone at work and I was running (slowly yet frantically) around trying to get ready for church and avoid wearing the exact same outfit I had on yesterday. (Dear fashionable IG moms, thanks for the pressure.) Reheated pancakes for breakfast, the dog needing to be let out and fed, I stuck her in her exerciser while I rushed about taking care of last minute things, showering and attempting the long loose curl look on my unloved-for-months hair (overkill)... seemingly out of nowhere all hell broke loose. Oh cue the drama, the crocodile tears, the…
-
The Determination of a Child
I’m sitting here on my kitchen floor, eating leftovers, watching my (almost) 8 month old daughter explore the new scenery. (I actually have found that the kitchen setup is wonderful, WAY less trouble for her to get into than in the living room, since all she can reach are closed cabinets and the pots, pans, and cups I lay out on the floor.) As I watch her, I can’t help but to think “man, I wish I had her determination!” She is a tough little cookie, and no matter how many times she bonks her head, face plants, or bites the dust, she just keeps on exploring… Pushing beyond her…
