• baby clothes
    Family & Motherhood

    my go-to shop for baby clothes

    I’ve been a fan of Zulily ever since my girl was born. A friend suggested I check it out for baby clothes when we were both feeding our newborns at all hours of the night. I remember texting each other deals that were ultimately bought at 4 a.m. In those hours, I was introduced to favorites like Robeez, Jack & Lily and Zutano. In a way, it was another insight into the newborn baby world that I would otherwise never know before becoming a parent. I learned the difference between 24 months and 2T clothing and baby vs toddler shoe size. Now, of course, Zulily has more than just baby…

  • Family & Motherhood

    the one that’s hard to write

    It’s taken me a while to write this post, mostly because I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to write it. But as a writer, this is how we heal. Writing, in a weird sense, gives permission to move forward. So here I am, writing this post, in a place where moving forward seems hopeful and happy. Postpartum depression is a real thing, happening to around 3 million moms each year, some may even be reading this right now. When my son was born, I found myself in unknown territory that went beyond the baby blues. The feelings of being inadequate, hopeless, sad, resentful and even selfish overwhelmed my already…

  • Family & Motherhood

    pregnant with a toddler- the struggle is real

    I know pregnancy makes you tired, especially in the last month, but I was not prepared for how tired I’d feel this time around. My daughter had issues with me as her nutrition host and was a tiny, pre-term 3 lb. baby who just made me sick all the way up to delivery. But I could take a nap on demand (when I wasn’t nauseous), and plan her arrival calmly. This time is so different. While in hindsight I appreciate the fact that my daughter kept me just distracted enough to not have the luxury of feeling sick all day (the DayQuil commercials come to mind when the mom goes…

  • Family & Motherhood

    it’s really happening (baby #2): 3rd trimester

    Home stretch! Jesus I can’t believe I’m starting my 3rd trimester. At the latest, in 11 weeks we’ll be welcoming a new baby into the world. A little brother for Liv, a son for Justin and another baby to keep this crazy family of ours interesting and full of love. It’s all incredibly overwhelming, but keeping a list of shit that needs to get done before that time comes has actually helped. Lord help us. Oh, and this is an accurate picture of what my bladder feels like 24/7. Even if I JUST pee’d 5 seconds ago. Here’s how I’m doing this time around: 1. How big is the baby?…

  • Family & Motherhood

    baby thoughts: fear of the unknown

    I’m halfway through this pregnancy, which means that in 4.5 months we’ll be welcoming a little boy into our family. At first, the fear of the unknown set in hard. Not knowing what I was going to do with a boy, how my relationship with my little one will develop, and how I was going to handle the moving parts of a family of four were overwhelming. I think about those moments when days flow so gracefully when it’s just her and I. Then I think about how that same day would be while also having a newborn. And fear sets in. As the predicted due date approaches faster and…

  • Family & Motherhood

    it’s really happening (baby #2)

    Alright, at 21 weeks and halfway through this thing. In a couple of months we’ll be knee deep in diaper changes, late night feedings and being parents of a newborn again. I’m wrapping my head around the logistics of bringing another baby into the world, and as I hang out with my little one and rock her to sleep while my obvious pregnant belly is getting bigger and bigger, I’m reminded to savor those precious moments of us as a twosome. Here’s how I’m doing this time around: 1. How big is the baby? Baby is the size of baseball hat or a baby bok choy. He’s super active and…

  • Family & Motherhood

    It’s really happening (baby #2)

    Alright, at 16 weeks I’m officially in my second trimester. While I’m grateful to all the gods that be that I’m not puking 2-3 times a day anymore, I have to say that the thing I notice the most is that I’m SO. TIRED. Like all day. I don’t remember this from when I was pregnant for Olivia, but then I think back at that time and I was able to take a nap on demand and get up as late as I wanted to. Ahhh the experience of being pregnant with a toddler 🙂 Here’s how I’m doing this time around: 1. How big is the baby? Baby is…

  • Family & Motherhood

    Boy, Oh Boy!

    We always knew we wanted to give Olivia a sibling. My sisters and I are best friends, so how could we not give our little one that opportunity? Justin has a sister, my dad has a sister and my mom has 2 other siblings. So when Justin and I talked about bringing another little one into this world to be a partner in this one-of-a-kind family of ours, it wasn’t even a question. Enter procrastination. We didn’t know the age difference we wanted them to be, and when people would ask us when we’re going to have another one, our response was always “eventually, but not now”. Enter the now.…

  • Family & Motherhood

    Baby Stations

    Before Kids: Master Bedroom, Living Room and Baby Room After Kids: Station #1, Station #2, Baby Room (Station #3) Walk into our house and there should be no question we have a kid. Our living room is packed with books, bead mazes and so many things that play music, sing songs and flash an obscene amount of lights. We know all the songs on the Playskool drum activity station (“yeah yeah!”) and VTech walker (“welcome to our learning farm, we have much to show you!”) it’s almost sad. But our little one loves it and it keeps her entertained without staring at a TV so we roll with it. Our…

  • Family & Motherhood

    I Should Be Sleeping…

    Every time Olivia  finally settles down for a nap during the day, the same thought runs through my head: “What should I do?” 1. Get dressed 2. Make my bed, do laundry 3. Wash bottles and dishes 4. Work and send emails 5. Watch one of my re-recorded shows (Scandal needs to be watched uninterrupted) 6. Sleep I know moms out there would tell me the obvious choice would be to take a nap, but let me tell you the problem with that. If I nap, I’ll be thinking about the 5 other things that I should just do so I don’t have to worry about them later. It’s a…