Targs

Speaking of Target--Have you guys seen the cute Spring stuff out for girls? Last week during one of Isla's unbearable no-napping days I confined her to the stroller with her snack cup and we strolled Target..... Retail therapy (and a lot of ogling) for me and time in public for her. Seriously they have the cutest girly stuff right now. Floral cowgirl boots? STOP! (Size 2 please? :)

 Poppy Romper! :) 

 These are so cute for little stompers. 

 Loving the eyelets!

and last but not least, did you see they came out with a new nursing tank color? Most the Mamas I know lived in these for the first couple months. I always snatch up the new colors for the future :) 

xoxo. 

S

Total Steals

I love me a raging bargain---I rarely buy anything at regular price, ever. This is the 'blue light special' part of my brain that my Grandma had installed when I was young. (If you aren't familiar--Kmart had  a cart with a blue light (like on an ambulance) that would light up when there was a special and they announce in the store what aisle the deal was in... everyone would scatter. It's mayhem) I vividly remember running to the 'blue light special' with my Grandma---that lady loves a bargain!

Lately I am loving these two TOTAL steals that I got for Isla. Check them out!!!

1. Toddler Leggings at Target.

These are seriously the jam. They are perfect for new walkers who want to walk on hardwood floors. They are super cute- wash well and get this.....they are FIVE-freakin-dollars. Just please. 

Look how cute they are on! I die. 

2. Bloomz Etsy shop 

I was clued into this amazing find by my Bestie and Mama of two little ladies (thanks Ash :). It is seriously the mecca of the cutest felt bows and clips for dirt cheap--I ordered Isla both clips above plus another bow -- all said and done with shipping it was under $15. That's crazy! They have a ton of headbands, seasonal clips, barrettes and she does special orders. A serious treasure here!

Happy shopping!

xoxo. 

S

Today.

3 words: Longest.Day.Ever. 

2 words: No.Nap

.... And apparently since I can only put together short witty sentences tonight you get a post of our day in one liners....enjoy. 

Isla up 4 times last night
Isla up 45 mins early this morning.
Huge poop. (That explains it)
Playtime and devastating news reports on Oso and plane crash. My heart is so sad.
She's hungry. Wants bananas.
Toast & Bananas
She's still hungry.
Steals all my oatmeal and banana.
Tries to stick hand in coffee and says 'haaaaa' (ie: hot). she's a genius
Playtime. Read same book 13 times.
I consider having 'another one.' Siblings are the best.
She chatters about Daddy.
Loves new tunnel. Thanks 'West girls.'
She's hungry.
She's really freakin hungry.
Early lunch. Tyrant in a high-chair. (remind me of Game of Thrones)
Still hungry. Throws water.
Playtime. Must play with breast pump (why?!!!)
Helps with chores
Hides my keys.
Tired. Early nap.
Milk and rocking. Tired. Lay in crib.
Fights nap for 75 mins
#Islawins. No nap (OMG. Please no)
Rolls on floor crying (Isla not Mom)
I say, 'Duh, you won't sleep'
I strike having 'another one' from my future plans. #onlychild
Fight tech issues with photography ordering. Isla tries to type. (I'm surprised she didn't download a virus)
Abort all desire to get anything done.
Condo too cluttered.
Unleash Unload isla on B at office. She hates storage unit.
Kirkland Storage= my new solace
Jimmy Johns for B. I 'pay' myself with Ladro.
Nice Russian man behind me backs up so I can park (either that or he's scared of my parallel parking. Did I tell u Isla clapped for me when I did a 9-point turn to park in our garage yesterday? #winning)
Drop lunch and reluctantly pick up my high-maintenance toddler
Brief sun.
Find perfect little kid park.
Isla loves it.
I rock as 'Mom'
Isla smacks her face while climbing backwards on slide. First black eye.
I fail as 'Mom'
Isla stomps through the grass crying
Crocodile tears.
Rain.
Time to go home.
She's pissed& hungry
Play. Cry. Hungry. Read books.
Thank god for Ellen.
Dinner. Isla tries to sleep in high-chair.
Allan Jackson's "Chatahoochie" to wake her up (awesome parenting)
She demands '4th meal'
She rolls on ground crying.
Early Bath. Early Bed.
Drinks Milk. Demands nursing. Falls asleep. Wakes up in crib. Protest whine.
Finally---she sleeps.

I don't know if anyone watches Game of Thrones but we have been hooked lately (it's so dorky- I know) .... I told B I swear I'm the 'Mother Dragons' .... or one little high-maintenance, toddler Dragon to be exact. She has been making a high pitched 'bird of prey' noise lately. Coincidental?

Time to drink my dinner. Gluggghh. Glugghhh. Glughhh.

xo.
S

PS- Sending lots of good health karma to our Wednesday besties who both had the stomach flu and had to cancel our weekly play date. We missed you and by that I mean - I FREAKING MISSED YOU! Friday Raincheck!

You know you're a Mom when......

1. You add basic hygiene to your to-do list : clip nails, pluck eye brows

2. You try to avoid looking at your chipping toenail polish....add that to the list!

3. Its not uncommon to use the bathroom with a baby on your lap. Privacy is a thing of the past.

4. Hearing silence or 'uh-oh' from a toddler when you're out of the room is terrifying.

5. There is nothing sweeter than rocking your baby- that is time to recharge together.

6. You go to the mall to shop for yourself and leave with 2 items for yourself and 12 for baby (that is IF you even make it to the mall :)

7. You have never been so happy to get a visit from your parents (babysitters!!!)

8. Teaching your Toddler to blow their nose is an epic milestone.

9. You listen to kid music in the car inadvertently in your personal time. Oh Casper Babypants, you had me at Hello ;)

10. Mom Brain is a real thing (I forgot half of these before I remembered them again).

11. You explore the politics of the playground (why are those parents not watching their big bully kid? Why is that little kid climbing the stairs alone? etc. etc. )

12. Right about the time your Toddler starts sleeping through the night you consider 'having another one'--I'm convinced this is 'the greater powers' way of laughing in your face.

13. You make up songs about 'using utensils', 'brushing teeth' and 'nakey jaybirds' (and dance!)

14. Schedules are built around naptime/bedtime. Dinner with friends at 7pm--are you joking?! Dinner at 5-- we're in!

15. Meals are eaten standing up in front of your baby's high chair checking that they don't choke (I'm glad I do this considering Isla DID choke last week- Terrifying!) or taking toddler size bites of leftover Toddler food while unloading the dishwasher and making dinner.

16. Date nights (what's that?! :) are literally a special occasion.

and yes.....I wrote this while blow-drying my hair, coming up with plans for this afternoon and watching my 14 month old ransack my bathroom cabinet naked (the highlight? She peed and stood in it---a morning isn't a morning without a big clean up :)

xo.
S

PS- What would you add?

DIY: Bumgenius Diaper repair

Hi Friends! 

I FINALLY repaired the tabs that were curling up from failing Velcro on my Bumgenius AIO diapers. Here is a little tutorial to help you through it if you're doing the same :) 

1. Remove tabs (I trimmed the top part above the seam with scissors so it would come off easier) 

 2. Use a seam ripper to remove the entire tab. Be careful not to puncture the lining or yourself! (I did that- it hurts :( sad! )

 3. Once the tab is off you can pin new tabs on (you have to order the "refresher kit" from the website to get precut tabs and elastic).

FYI: The Velcro front piece does NOT come in the kits. The laundry tabs do but they're a BIG pain to remove and you would have to sew through the lining so I only recommend doing that if you really have to.

(This right here is two hours of ripping out tabs from 12 diapers in front of the TV--not bad for a nights work :)

 (Props to me! I remembered how to wind a bobbin! and special thanks to my Grandma who taught me how to use a sewing machine when I was 13. A skill I often am glad I have! )

4. Sew on the tabs! (See sewing tips below!)

Sewing Tips!

1. Make sure the sticky (i.e.: rough) Velcro piece is on the inside.

2. I pinned my tabs but the pins are hard to get in so I ended up taking them out. The tabs do shift during sewing so see what's easier for you on your machine.

3. Sew the tap on the liner first, then the edge, round end, last edge (I did three times on each side). It's easier to do them by side than to go around the whole thing 3 times. I ended up cutting threads part of the way through because sometimes they would all get sucked in the bottom (it really sucks fishing them out of the bobbin area)

4. Do one diaper and make sure the outside Velcro strip on the front isn't so bad that even the new Velcro doesn't stick--doing the entire stack and having none of them work would be terrible!

5. Buy heavy-duty needles for the sewing machine. I broke 3 needles in the process of sewing 12 diapers. It will save you A LOT of frustration.

Other than that- this is totally worth the work~ Good luck!

S

Daylight Savings

Anyone else still having 'schedule' issues with Daylight Savings?

I feel like Isla's finally doing better. For a couple days she just couldn't get on her 'normal schedule' but she adjusted yesterday. I tried to move her bedtime by 30 minutes until we were back to normal but she wasn't going for it so I let her do it on her own--funny how kids just find their way back into their schedule. I do need to buy a blackout shade for her room. She has a much harder time settling down in the rocker with me when it's so bright outside.

Unfortunately, I just can't seem to get on a new schedule. I've been going to bed after midnight every night this week and waking up dead tired. I stopped drinking my beloved 4pm soy-mocha hoping it would help and I still am battling late night insomnia. I ordered a new pillow and a new mattress is the first thing on our wish list when we move. What else can I do to go to bed earlier? Any advice?

xo.
S

Finding Beauty

Hello Friends!

I've been working on this post this week but I can't seem to get it quite right....rather than pick apart/rewrite my words anymore than I already have....I thought it was more important to get it up and hear from you.....

Yesterday a friend posted on Facebook that her 13 year old Daughter was being taunted in school by the other girls because she ate at lunch.

That's right ... because she ATE at lunch.

One of the girls told her she never ate in front of her boyfriend because boys should never see you eat. After I read this post my chest tightened and heart pounded. I longed to hug Isla tightly and smother all of the unfair pressures society puts on young girls. After I was able to compartmentalize this one scenario and put my plans aside to homeschool Isla (who am I kidding?!), I faced my own memories of the path I took to finding healthy self worth.

Growing up most of the women who surrounded me carried their own issues with weight. I remember being a young teenager and knowing the 'in-and-outs' of Jenny Craig, NutriSystem and Weight Watchers. I went to a TOPS meeting by the time I was 10. I understood the power of that number on the scale and how it made you view yourself. I never saw a man in my childhood life struggle with weight in this same way. For me, being a teenager was filled with reading Cosmo's version of what men want in women, chasing the ever illusive 'model-square', keeping weight loss journals (yes, plural), planning to order breast enhancing miracle pills, etc, etc (i.e.: the list goes on and on). I still believe I was one of the more healthy ones. I had my insecurities and I still do in some ways but I never really hated anything about myself.

I know some of you are saying, 'well you've never had a weight issue so you can't relate' ....but I really can. Isn't that apparent from the items above?... and so telling about our culture! I am a perfectly healthy woman--'thin' by society's standards and I STILL struggled with what I believed I 'should look like.' And that is the stuff that terrifies me about raising a Daughter in this perfect storm of image issues. I want Isla to grow knowing that she is beautiful and perfect, just as she is ...no matter what that number on the scale reads...no matter how much it goes up and down. As long as she is healthy and loves herself- she is beautiful. I want Isla to see beauty in others no matter what size they are. I want her to see compassion, kindness and love as the ingredients to beauty.

In the process of rationalizing all of this, deep down I know that as much as I want to hide Isla away I know that exposure is the best way to find empowerment.....and that wrenches at my heart.

She will explore beauty magazines, obsess about hair/makeup and if her butt looks too big. She will mull over Cosmo (and I'm sure it will scare the crap out of me) and she will even pick her image apart. I think no matter how comfortable you are there is a time in your life where this phase has its place. What I'm trying to focus on is the job I have as her Mom and as a 'Woman' role model in her life to guide her out of this phase with the COURAGE to find her own healthy self worth and to believe in her beauty--no matter how it looks to the world.

I'm encouraging everyone (including myself!) to teach our Littles (especially our girls) to love themselves no matter what they look like, love other people no matter what they look like and do that by loving YOURSELF no matter what you look like.

Educate them.

Educate yourself if you don't know how to do this---it's so powerful to admit that you have 'baggage'. I still catch myself doing things I hope that Isla doesn't pick up on. I caught myself putting my hand over my face the other day when I cried during a commercial (I know....a commercial! :) I don't know why I do this other than to hide emotion or vulnerability but it reminded me of how powerful my responses are when Isla's watching. I want to break the cycle.

I want to be BRAVE enough to break the cycle.

More than anything... I wish for Isla to find her worth in the brilliance of her smile, the sound of her laugh, the fire of her spirit, the tenderness of her heart. These are the things we so adore in her. In the words of Lupita Nyong'o, I wish for all young girls out there and women alike '....that you will feel the validation of your external beauty but also get to the deeper business of feeling beautiful inside.'

Be brave.

-You can view her words here. 

PS- My Friend received a comment to share this book with her teen : Queen Bees and Wannabees. Is anyone familiar with it?

Also! If you haven't read this letter from a Dad to his Daughter you really should. It's all over the internet--but VERY much worth the read: Find it Here.

Kelsey Creek Farm & Park

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

While I'm busy editing a million fabulous (seriously--FAB-U-LOUS!) shots from my soon-to-be Sister-in-Law's Bridal Shower this weekend I thought I'd post our Sunday pics! The weather was nice on the Eastside so we took advantage of the break in rain/wind and peeled ourselves off the couch. (Did Daylight Savings hit you guys as hard as it hit us? WTH? I still feel like the walking dead. It didn't help that I tossed and turned last night dreaming that I was homeless and traveling around with a little person who collected change in a boot. Too much Game of Thrones I think?!) ....

But back to our Sunday FUNDAY!

My life seems to revolve around the quest to get Isla out of the house and to find parks/play areas that are suitable for Isla's age/development right now---(i.e.: parks without big kid toys/slides where she will fall on her head). I've already had several close calls since she loves to climb and is fearless about stepping off anything...even if it's into thin air (terrifying!)

I like the U. Village's covered playtoy since it has little kid toys and little kid cars but even that one has a big drop from the slide and isn't really perfect for little kiddos Isla's age.

We went to Kelsey Creek Farm and Park on Sunday and they have different play areas for different ages of kids--it was PERFECT! Isla's into animals right now- especially dogs and birds. She does a really cute low rumbling noise for dogs (it's pretty hilarious!) and knows the bird/duck noises. We're working on the other barnyard animals- I'm hoping next time we go she'll have them down so she can talk to the animals too :)

The Park is a little bit tucked away. The easiest way to get there is to take SE 8th in Bellevue and follow Google Maps on your phone from there. There are signs to get you to the entrance. The farm animal area is open to view until 3:30pm everyday and they do fun events during the year--like sheep shearing in April! The have a parking lot by the farm area (i.e.: by the barn) but it was closed when we were there. Your best bet is to park at the lot by the entrance (it's the only other one besides the lot by the barn) and walk up to the barn. There are bridges to cross, playtoys to have your kids drool at, a stream and sheep along the way....lots of things to distract and keep them going!

 This pose--just please Isla :)

 She spotted birds---the girl is a bird enthusiast!

 Little Girl and a long road---but there are sheep to "bahhhhh" at.

 Lots of fun animals to check out: Rabbits, chickens, roosters, goats, pigs, horses....even old retired chickens that get to sit under heat lamps all day---lucky ducks  chickens :)

 The girl was a big fan!

 The goats smile at you! Take my word for it!

 Ah yes, my people.

 Could she be more thrilled?!

 "clap hands!"

 And this barn....what a beauty!

There are two play areas by a large field- one has little kid toys (below) and there's a bigger kid area next to it by the bathrooms. There's also a large covered pavilion with picnic tables. My only advice is to bring shoes that can get wet--it can get really muddy and wet in the fields and play areas!

This toy was perfect for new walkers--low to the ground and perfect for 'climbing' without the dangerous 'scare-mommy-to-death' falling part.

 Isla even met a new friend to share the teeter-totter with!

 These two have my heart--aren't the cutest! #troublemakers.

 and perfect bridges for backdrops and stomping back to the car :)

Enjoy!

xo.
S

PS- If you know of any 'little kid' play areas in the Seattle area comment or message me! I'm always up for new adventures--especially this time of year! (Be gone 'cabin-fever!')

Growth.Spurt

This is gonna be a Mama rant which I feel pretty comfortable spewing on this blog. 

I am SO DAMN TIRED. 

It's just SO poetic that as soon as Isla started sleeping 12 hours through the night I stopped sleeping and my days got crazy. Isla's going (and I just spelled that 'gowing'--my brain is mush!) through a major growth spurt (I assume)....as evidenced below. I literally feel like I spend my days with a destructive tribe of mongrels....but no, it's just my 19lb-13 month old. 

She is resisting naps. She literally runs from me and when I finally wrangle her into a new diaper and her footy PJ pants, give her milk and try to rock her she lays still for a minute and then sings a little, "maaaaaa-maaaa. MAMAMA-maaaa-maaaa" in my ear just to remind me that she's not sleeping. UG! 

She spent a good 4 minutes talking gibberish to the garbage can this morning. Her verbal growth is going crazy. 

She is climbing on everything which literally raises my blood pressure just thinking about it. Not only because it's insanely dangerous seeing her scale our dining room chair and proceed to try and furniture hop to a counter or side table. Yesterday I caught her up on a little bamboo footstool in the bathroom trying to get on B's countertop where his razor was left out, but also because all of her messes have been moved up now that she can climb and sweep a table in one motion. Nothing leaves her feeling more giddy. 

She also is just purely destructive. She stomps around all over her toys, throws things and loves to hear crashes and booms. 

I know all of this is perfectly normal. Perfectly, insanely, absolutely exhaustingly normal. 

Earlier this week I thought I was pregnant. Literally pregnant. (Don't get excited I'm not. 100% not) Wanna know what had me convinced? The dull ache in my lower back, how absolutely exhausted I am, break-outs, the early morning sniffles and constant pee breaks. After taking a test and seeing a very decisive 'not pregnant' I couldn't decide whether to be relieved or annoyed that Isla had caused most my pregnancy symptoms. 

and last but not least.....

One perfect example of her craziness....I just went in to check on her because she woke up after laying down for her nap for 5 minutes. I saw her throw Fox and Monks from her bed and then poke a light switch behind her crib (don't worry--it's baby-proofed). I went in to find out she'd blown out her diaper. (She blew out THREE diapers on her HOUR nap yesterday. I literally wanted to scream.) So I changed her. Apparently I must be heavy sighing a lot lately because when I laid her down she was talking all kinds of gibberish and "ma-ma uhhhhhhhhhhh" was twisted up quite a bit in it. Her big heavy sighs sounded like growling that apparently I'm going to have to keep in check. 

Then after I nursed her she looked at me...square in the eyes.... and barfed straight down my cleavage. There's nothing like seeing a big barf of clotted milk go down your shirt and into your bra. Then as I'm rocking her she leans back, looks at me and shakes her head while wagging her finger near my face....as if she was scolding me for even considering that she would nap today. And now....she's protesting in her crib which probably means I'll relent and we'll go to Target without a nap--which will most likely turn into a complete and utter meltdown disaster complimented by the judging stares of old women and young people. REALLY?! You try spending an afternoon with her---you'd look like this and be this crazy too!

So...that's me. How are you all? 

Time to get her up. FIVE min nap today. 

God help me. 

S

The sippy-bottle drama.

Hi Friends!

I'm hoping you can help me out on this one.....

Isla has gone down to 2-3 nursings a day. I transitioned her to whole milk about three weeks ago. I know they say to offer milk during mealtimes and not before bedtime but realistically kiddos want a warm-full tummy before they go to sleep and it's hard to transition from breast to bottle/cup without milk at night or in the morning. So for now...she's still getting milk before sleepy times. She does well with ONE sippy cup that has a built in stopper and one of those flow guard things that slows down how much they get. I would really like for her to use one that she can actually sip out of up and not suck so hard--the stopper on that particular cup is pretty picky. If I give her a regular sippy cup it literally floods her face. We've been trying for months to find one that works for her. I have tried so many cups and bottles. I'm working on trying another one that she's currently resisting. Has anyone had any luck with a specific cup that helped their kiddo transition from breast/bottle to cup? Your help is VERY appreciated!

Thank you,
S