New Year New You?!?!

Ah, New Year's Eve.  The time of year when we set completely unrealistic goals for ourselves and eagerly jump in, only to fail by January 15.  Jaded much?

It's true, though, right?  We have all the best intentions, only to unknowingly set ourselves up for failure by taking on the world all at once.  I'm all for a big project (ask me about running distance races without training), but we (read: me) need to do it in a realistic healthy fashion.

Let's take the marathon example above.  I have run a handful of half marathons, and one full.  Before the full, I was the youngest person in my training group.  Check mark in the plus column, right?  I was also the only one who had seriously neglected my training, only doing up to 13 miles in one stretch prior to race day.  For you marathon newbies, the mighty marathon is a whopping 26.2 miles.  Yup.  D is for Dumb in my pre-race prep.  Marathon day came, and through sheer will (i.e. I'm a total stubborn ass), and a couple course angels I met along the way, I finished.  However, I couldn't walk for three days after the race.

I tell you this story for two reasons.  One, if you decide to do a marathon, TRAIN.  Two, running a marathon without building up is also how we set our resolutions.  We take on these huge tasks without first building our mileage.  You need to do some training runs before taking on the big race.  Makes sense, right?

This year, I'm setting resolutions that I will tackle all through the month of January, setting the stage for 2015.  But, this year I've worked to set a foundation for these resolutions through 2014.  These are things I've started to do a bit throughout this year that I really want to commit to in the upcoming year.  Some are teeny tiny, others are going to really take some commitment. 

I think this is another way we set ourselves up with resolutions.  One of mine?  Stop using body lotions and completely commit to coconut oil.  Silly, no?  Yup.  But, I wanted to make a mix of easy wins and resolutions that require work.  This way, there are some that come easy and others that require a bit of elbow grease to get the job done.

What are your resolutions this year?  Do you have a balance of easy achievements and those that require some serious commitment?

Happy 2015, be safe, be well...  Mamaste :)

For the Love of... KALE!

I have a terrible habit of hating on things.  I don't just dislike things, I hate them...  and am usually quite vocal about it. It's my black and white nature coupled with my (dis?)ability to be quite vocal. As we close 2014 and move into 2015 I've decided to focus on my loving side, so you will see more blogs of this nature.  Introducing: For the Love...

One of my obsessions of late is the almighty kale. Jeff & I are getting ready to embark on the Conscious Cleanse, so as we get ready to take the plunge I'm easing us into it by adding some more fruits and veggies.  My veggie du jour is kale.  I. Am. Obsessed.  I haven't yet added it to my daily smoothie, but everywhere else I munch this leafy green is making a guest appearance.  One of my biggest obsessions is kale chips.  They are amazing to eat and super easy to cook.  Check out my go-to kale chips recipe below!

Kale Chips
Kale - as much as you want.  Note: Only make as many as you think you will eat in a couple of days- they don't keep too long.  And you'll eat them PDQ anyhow!
Coconut Oil
Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 350.  Wash, chop your kale and spread it out on a cookie sheet.  (Note: size of kale pieces kind of depends on your preference.  Sometimes I like bigger chips, sometimes smaller.  Get creative! Don't pile kale pieces on top of each other or they will be soggy and not cook)

Melt your coconut oil.  You don't want to use a ton- just enough to very lightly coat your kale.  You can coat the kale with your hands or use a pair of tongs.  Lightly sprinkle with sea salt and put in the oven.  Cook chips for 5 minutes and then flip.  Cook 4-6 more minutes, watch them closely!  Your kale will brown slightly then burn quickly.  (Note: Burnt kale chips = EEWW).

Let them cool for a few and enjoy!  MMM!

Tree Hugging Wipes

Another thing I have become a little obsessed with since becoming Mama is keeping things as environmentally friendly in our house and for our little one as possible.  I cannot believe how much waste (in more ways than one!) is produced by a baby!  Diapers, wipes, all the laundry...  WHOA!

We have only just begun our foray into cloth diapering (more on that in an upcoming entry), and since it's had some growing pains I have also looked into other ways to reduce our environmental impact.  One thing I decided to do was to make my own wipes.  

There are a couple different angles when making your own wipes.  Some mamas are more concerned about the chemicals and less about the environmental impact of tossing the wipes.  If that is the case, you can use this recipe with a roll of paper towels.  For me, I wanted to reduce the chemicals & also the waste, so I use these.

Making the wipes is super simple.  You need:

Water (distilled is best, especially if it takes you awhile to work your way through the wipes)
Castille Soap (I use Dr. Bronner's Unscented)
Witch Hazel
Essential Oils (this is completely at your discretion- my little man has really sensitive skin so I don't use it much.  When I do, I like orange and lavender)
Almond Oil

Boil 1 1/34 cup water, set aside to cool.  In a bowl, mix 1 tbl castille soap, 1 tbl witch hazel,  and 1 tbl almond oil.  Mix with cooled water and add any essential oils you want to use.  Pour the mix over your wipes and allow it to soak in.

I store my wipes in an old wipe container, but you can also store in a wipe warmer (this is probably a better bet as they can be cold on baby skin!).  In the mornings I wash my little guy's face and hands before changing his diaper and using the wipe on his diaper area.  It serves a dual purpose to clean his sweet face and also act as a wipe!  I love knowing exactly what's in our wipes and tossing just a little bit less into the trash.

Enjoy :)

For the Love of Little Man

I can't believe William is 12 weeks old today.  While I can somewhat remember life before him ( I know it included showers, dinners out and later nights), I can't remember my heart before he came into our lives.  I tell people all the time that I literally can't articulate the love I have for my son.

I'm going back to work Monday, and we are incredibly fortunate to have fallen into a wonderful childcare situation.  We will be sharing a nanny with another family, and the babies will be at our house a few days a week and at another house the others.  I will get to see my son's face during the day and even sneak away for some love. 

It's unbelievable how something sneaks into your heart and grabs hold of it so tightly and so suddenly.  I watch him discover the world day by day- the littlest things make my husband and I giddy with joy.  He has started to discover his hands- the boy must be a genius!  These little moments and discoveries make our days.  We thrive on them, and on him- and of course have fallen into the new parent trap of ignoring one another.

For those who have children, you may have experienced this.  This little person comes into your life, and takes every bit out of you- in the most amazing way, but suddenly there's little left for anything else.  I suddenly overlook the man who gave me this beautiful son, and it's starting to show (she says, pondering her sweats and unbrushed teeth at 4 pm...). 

We've had to recalculate a bit, and quickly.  I had fallen into the Mommy trap, making it my one and only priority, and neglecting my other half.  When we started to slip, I remembered- that in order for our son to thrive in our household, Mommy & Daddy have to thrive.  Meaning...  a screaming and neglectful Mommy and Daddy equals misery for that most important little man.

I'd heard (and completely disagreed at the time) that a couple's relationship must come first, and the child second.  My over analytical brain shredded this one, thinking how is that even possible?  Baby must come first!  My husband can take care of himself!  How wrong I was.  My husband still needs to be nurtured and loved, and even taken care of.  We are learning to take care of each other in a different way, but I realized that it can't be as an afterthought.  Baby makes three, and the two that were there first still need to share their love and make room for one another.

My Favorite(r) Things

Yes, I know favoriter isn't a word.  It was that or "My Favorite Things Part Deux".  So just go with it!  Again, no compensation or kickbacks received here, just me sharing some of the awesome discoveries I made this holiday season!

You may notice a trend here...  I got a little "bah HUMBUG" this year about Christmas gifts.  One of my pet peeves is when someone tells you what they want for Christmas.  And you. didn't. ask.  Now, if I ask for suggestions, that it totally one thing.  But if you just present me with what I should get you, and word it that way...  well, it makes me want to give you a stocking full of nothing.

So I was faced with two options this year.  One, forego gifts entirely, in the mean spirit of my seasonal grumpiness at above mentioned rude person or two, take advantage of the opportunity to give people gifts with meaning.  This year, I've really been trying to gift folks with gifts that support small business or give back in some way.  Surely that erases some of my bitter rant, right?

Enjoy!

Aden & Anais RED Swaddles- these are my FAVORITE swaddles.  I call them magic blankets.  I mentioned them in my first post about my favorite things- they are amazing for nearly everything baby related!  Well, this holiday season they have a special collaboration with (PRODUCT)RED where Aden & Anais' proceeds are going to support this amazing cause.  A perfect gift that gives back!  Find them here .

Krochet Kids- this is an amazing organization that employs people all around the world.  They create gorgeous crochet goods, and every piece is signed by the person who crafted it.  Love their goods!  Find them here and #knowwhomadeit.

Fortune Cookie Soaps.  This company is one part sassy and one part smelly- but in the best way possible!  I can't wait to gift their adorable and yummy fortune cookie soaps this Christmas.  They come in a wide array of scents which change with the season and literally look just like a fortune cookie!  Check out their whole line of products here.

Birchbox.  I have been a Birchbox member for a year or so now, and absolutely love it!  Every month, they send you a box with 5 or so samples based on a beauty profile you fill out.  You can gift a subscription or just check out some of the goodies they have on their site.  They also do special edition boxes which are really cool.  To gift a subscription, visit here.
 
Shea Radiance.  Their lotion is, in a word...  AMAZING!  We live in Arizona, aka the surface of the sun, aka hotter than hell and uber dry.  I found this lotion about a year ago and absolutely love it.  Their black soap is also pretty darn amazing.  Best of all, this is another company that gives back.  Their shea butter is sourced from women-run cooperatives in West Africa.  Sign up for their email list and get 10% off your first order!  Visit them here.

Blue Apron.  This is a new favorite of mine and so fun!  I love to cook, but often get into a rut with the same old rotation.  Chicken, pork chops, veggie burgers...  Blue Apron will send you the ingredients and recipes for 3 meals per week.  It's been a great way to add some variety to our menu and try some things we would never gravitate towards at the store.  Our first meal was steak, creamed kale & sunchokes.  It was restaurant quality and incredibly delicious.  Give it a try here.

Happy Shopping :).

These are a few of my favorite things...

For the last few weeks, I have been on the hunt for two things.  One, Christmas gift, and two, baby gear.  The baby gear search has actually been going on far longer than that, but every time Will hiccups or looks at me funny I either jump on Google or reach out to my experienced Mommy network (i.e. anyone with a kid older than mine) and seek their advice. 

This is part one in a two-part blog series that I wanted to share.  This one will focus on the baby stuff I simply can't live without.  The second will be all the a-mazing holiday gifts I have found that I just have to share.

Onward to the baby stuff...  ( I should note- I don't get kickbacks or compensation for these suggestions.  They're just my faves from my experience!)

Boon Grass Bottle Drying Rack  This adorable bottle drying rack is the best!  When a friend gave it to me while I was pregnant I kind of thought "oh, this is cute, sure..."  but I. LOVE. it.  It sits next to our sink and is so convenient!

Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets This was another one that we received from a friend, and I thought they were cute, but I had no clue that they were MAGIC blankets.  These blankets are amazing when you have a little one- use them for swaddling, stroller blankets, tummy time, and a burp cloth in a pinch.  My absolute favorite baby gift.

Fisher Price Rock N Play  Again, A-maaaazing thing that was gifted to us by a friend who was moving away.  We use this all the time.  It's so light and portable that we bring it into the dining room for Will to sit in while we eat, and he sleeps in it at night.  I think he loves it so much because it's small and he doesn't startle like he does in a bigger playpen setting.

Boppy Newborn Lounger  We love this!  We use it on the couch, on the floor, when we go to visit family...  a great comfy place for little man to hang out and be part of the action.  It's not for sleeping, and don't leave baby alone!  Another great baby gift.

Trixie Tracker  This isn't a "thing", but rather a website.  If you've had a baby, you know that at the beginning you are a crazy baby tracker.  Our pediatrician had us tracking feedings, but I then realized I didn't know when Will had taken his last nap, wet his last diaper, done tummy time, etc.  This website is super easy to set up and use, and best of all you get a free trial to make sure it's for you!  At the end of two weeks if you don't like it you're not obligated to continue using it.  We love it, and you can share log-in info, so my husband can check in from his office and see what's going on from home.  Fantastic!

Baby Bargains Book  Let's face it.  There is SO. much. stuff. you can buy for baby, and a million and one options.  It's so easy to get lost in the shuffle and completely overwhelmed.  This book is a great resource to look at options and see some matter of fact reviews in one place.  Great resource for first time parents trying to make sense of it all!

Those are just a few of my favorites- what else do you want to know about for baby gear?  Let me know and I will tell you my faves!

Mamaste :)

The Art & Science of the Breast

In just two months (Happy two month birthday Will!) breastfeeding has been a huge part of my journey as Mama.  I was always kind of weirded out by breastfeeding, and honestly wanted no part of it.  As I started learning how beneficial breast milk was for my unborn baby, I decided to give it a go. 

The decision wasn't entirely mine.  My husband, Jeff, really felt "breast was best" and advocated for it, and when William was born, he started rooting immediately.  From the beginning, he was an eater!  Rooting and sucking incessantly, and eating non stop!

The first few days were crazy.  A tiny baby is suckling at you constantly, but there's little to satisfy them.  It's enough- as nature does through this amazing experience of pregnancy and childbirth, the body provides.  After three days of sucking at what seemed to be nothing, suddenly my (warning, TMI!) boobs exploded.  I went from zero to porno in a few hours.  After that, my spot in Will's heart (and mouth!) was solidified.

While breastfeeding was the natural choice for us, it was not an easy one.  Mere days after he was born, we went to the doctor and after discovering a significant weight loss were advised to supplement.  I felt relieved, but also like a failure.  Why wouldn't my body provide for my son?  It didn't help that I am on several Mommy groups on social media, some very crunchy and if you utter the word formula they seem to think you're the devil. 

I began researching ways I could increase my milk supply.  I contacted a lactation specialist, I took tinctures, I made lactation cookies, ate oatmeal every day, power pumped, drank gallons of water...  while some of these certainly helped (check out this lactation cookie recipe- they are amazing and full of breastfeeding-happy ingredients!, nothing seemed to get me over the hump where my breast could fully provide for my son.  I had online Mamas telling me to ignore my pediatrician and continue to try on my own, and I had my son desperate to eat, crying, rooting, fussing, and I had to make a decision.

Sidebar:  Mamas who judge...  it hurts my heart when we can't support one another.  We are all fighting to do the best we can for our babies.  Support and love- we are all  fighting to be the best mama we can be!

I had to come to a place of "ok" with my breastfeeding experience.  Now, I love the time with my son.  Not always, mind you, but I love to look at his beautiful contented face in the middle of the night when we are snuggled up on the couch feeding.  I feel proud to provide for him at least on some level- seeing what my body can produce to help him grow and thrive.

On the flip side, I still hate giving him formula, and wish I didn't have to.  For whatever reason, though, my body just doesn't provide all he needs.  And I am at ease knowing I give him all I can, and he is a beautiful healthy baby boy, thanks to the boob and a little help from our friend formula.

Me. Want. Mommy Gear!

I haven't had time to dive into my O Magazine, but Favorite Things issue yet, but stumbled across this one while having some quiet time (read: WilliamissleepingforafewminutesWHEW!) and had to share.  Check out all these great gifts for the Mom in your life!

We just ordered our zipadee-zip yesterday.  Can't. WAIT!

Enjoy :)

http://citymomsblog.com/blog/cmbn-holiday-wish-list-2014-gift-ideas-for-moms-to-be-giveaway/

The World According to (this) Mama

My husband and I had our first child, William, eight weeks ago today.  Since then, our world has been flip-turned upside down in the most amazing way possible.  I remember chatting with my friend Christie, before our sons were born and saying to her "how hard can one little person be?"  My husband tells me all the time now how dumb he thought that question was, and now I know he is so right!

In eight short weeks of life, Will has totally stumped me, made me laugh, made me cry and made me love in a way I can't even articulate.  I decided to start this blog to share some of those experiences.  Since he has been born, I constantly recite two things.  The first is something that one of my VP's at work always says we need to be "nimble & flexible".  It's so true when raising a child.  The second is "it takes a village to raise a child."  I have begun to find my village, many times in complete strangers who you quickly find yourself confiding your deepest darkest (grossest) mommy secrets in.  We share our experiences, our questions, our fears and our sleep secrets, raising our babies one day at a time.

I started this blog because I wanted a place to stockpile and share all of those things.  You will find recipes, thoughts, challenges...  all of the day to day happenings of my life as Mama.  Please keep in mind- these are my experiences and thoughts, I'm not a medical professional or therapist, so I am never offering advice medical or otherwise, just a bit of my two cents.

I hope you enjoy- welcome to the village!

Mamaste :)