Henry Goes to the Beach
July 23, 2014Every summer for over twenty years I have gone “Up North” to Harbor Springs, Michigan. Spending summers there is something I am very grateful for. I’ve made new friends over the years, catch up with old friends, experience new things, and, in most recent years, spend extended time with my family. This experience has become Read more (…)
Sick Babies
July 16, 2014Oh man, I have come to the conclusion there is nothing sadder than a sick baby! Today marks day 9 of my 11 month old being sick. She is finally getting over a rough bout of coxsackie but is now battling a terrible cough and runny nose. At this point in her life, I definitely Read more (…)
Baby Proofing: The Vicious Cycle
July 2, 2014I’ve finally figured out the ultimate baby-proofing technique: full body armor, equipped with helmets and kneepads. Kidding (sort of). Baby-proofing is extremely tricky. Once you think you have it figured out, those little explorers beat the system again and again. The climbing is the worst. What are you supposed to do? Remove all of your Read more (…)
Talking, Technology, and the Terrible Twos…
June 25, 2014Three months ago my sweet Henry wasn’t saying much. These days he has a lot to say! Henry has a sound for almost every animal, names for his toys and objects around him, and will have in depth conversations with me about some very serious topics. I have NO IDEA what he’s saying, but I Read more (…)
Life with Two!
June 18, 2014We were blessed to welcome our second daughter into the world in early April. As much as I don’t love being pregnant, I found myself extra thankful this time around to have nine months to mentally prepare for life with two. It also gave us time to build excitement with our ever-so-sassy 3 year old. Read more (…)
The Importance of Date Night
June 11, 2014Pre baby, my husband and I had a great tradition of Friday night being date night. My husband is a real planner so usually on Wednesday, Thursday morning he would start the convo via text/email about where we should go for dinner. We would try our best to come up with new places to go in neighboring towns, or even Read more (…)
The Sweetest Sound
June 4, 2014Almost exactly one year ago, my husband and I moved from New York City to Arlington, VA with our five month old baby girl. Within days of our arrival, I learned about the local cooperative playgroup and knew it was something we wanted to do. I also knew we had some time to wait as Read more (…)
Allergies and Lil’ Ones
May 29, 2014Having toddlers that are just learning how to talk makes it difficult to understand when something is wrong; I ran into this very situation this weekend while in Ohio visiting family. One of my twins broke out into hives that looked like large welts. Being in a new environment and around tons of new people Read more (…)
Don’t Eat the Crayon!
May 21, 2014“Don’t eat the crayon!” “That’s HOT! Don’t touch!” “Henry, don’t share all your dinner with the dog!” “Put the iPad DOWN!” “No, you can’t have the knife!” “Stop licking the floor” “Please keep your diaper on!” Welcome to Toddlerville! That pretty much sums up my recent conversations with my 19 month old. I should have Read more (…)
My First Official Mother’s Day
May 14, 2014I have celebrated many a Mother’s Day throughout my lifetime, celebrating and honoring my mother and then my sister as well when she became a mother to twins 7 years ago this month. I never thought to much about the holiday, in fact I have no idea if it falls on the same day every Read more (…)
A Weekend Away
May 7, 2014Before I was a mother, I couldn’t understand friends’ hesitation at leaving their kids for a weekend. I thought, “Can’t their other parent watch them?” “Won’t it be good to have a break?” “It’s just one weekend!” As with most parenting subjects, I was clueless. Now, I understand. I just made my first solo trip Read more (…)
Built In Best-Buddies
May 2, 2014Watching the relationship between my twins evolve as they grow is truly remarkable. I’ve been thinking about how lucky they are to have each other and to never feel alone. It makes me comforted to know that they will (hopefully) have each other’s backs, to have a friend to laugh with, to cry with, always. Read more (…)
Spring: A Season of Change
April 23, 2014With the changing of the seasons in Chicago comes many new milestones in our lives. Henry has hit the year and a half mark and with that comes many changes to his appearance, personality, physical abilities, and his language skills. He has sprouted like the flowers in the ground and now all his pants look Read more (…)
From Farm to Baby
April 9, 2014I have always considered myself a healthy eater by moderate standards; I never eat fast food, I eat my fruits and vegetables, I buy whole grain pasta etc… However, ever since having my daughter and entering the world of solid foods 2 months ago, it is amazing how quick the tables have turned and I Read more (…)
Mommy Fitness
April 2, 2014Before I had my daughter, I worked out everyday…sometimes several times a day! Yes, I was working as a fitness professional and working out was my job; but it was also something I just loved. If there was a new class, I wanted to try it; if I had a favorite, I scheduled around it. Read more (…)
How to Balance Motherhood with the Rest of Your Life
March 19, 2014Undoubtedly motherhood is the most important and challenging job. Whether you stay-at-home or have returned to work, it’s a struggle to balance it all. Cue the mommy guilt. I have yet to meet a mother who hasn’t admitted that at some point she has felt overwhelmed, inadequate, or finds moments where she just wants to Read more (…)
Daycare Drama
March 12, 2014I have had the amazing privilege of being able to take an entire year off of work to spend it with my daughter. I am a teacher and I gave birth to my daughter at the beginning of August. It was right about this time a year ago that my school and I came to Read more (…)
From One Mom to Another
March 5, 2014It’s been a little more than a year since my daughter was born and in that short time, I have laughed more, cried more, played more, loved harder, and slept less than I ever have in my life and I am happier, healthier and more fulfilled because of it. I’ll be honest, I was a Read more (…)
Living in a Snow Globe
February 19, 2014I’ve really tried to not complain about the weather this winter, but it’s getting harder and harder as winter stretches on and on. I’m from the midwest, I grew up in the harsh winters, but this has to be the worst one I’ve ever experienced. It literally feels like I’m living in a snow globe Read more (…)
Sleep Training… or Torture?
January 29, 2014My daughter Ashton will be 6 months old in two weeks and up until this point I would say that she truly has been a very easy baby. She is my first, and so I have nothing to compare her to; however, from what I have read, and heard from fellow moms, I can say Read more (…)
Happy First Birthday!
January 22, 2014On Sunday, my baby girl turned one!! How did that happen so fast? Wasn’t I JUST wearing maternity clothes? Wasn’t she JUST born? I don’t know that a year has ever passed so quickly in my life! I was prepared for the countless hours scouring Pinterest for first Birthday party ideas. I knew I would Read more (…)
Sick Baby: 1, Mommy: 0
January 16, 2014Life has been quite the whirlwind lately. The girls have been so out of whack with their sleep schedules; on top of it, one of them came down with an ear infection, teething, and I’m pretty sure roseola all at the same time. I have never felt so helpless. As a mom, you try night Read more (…)
Henry in Hawaii
January 8, 2014When your parents offer to take you to Maui, you don’t turn it down, even if it you have to travel all that way with a very energetic 14-month old! Bob and I thought long and hard about how we were going to keep Henry happy, comfortable, and entertained for a 15 hour travel day. Read more (…)
Happy New Year!!!! Change is coming
January 2, 2014Wow….where did 2013 go? It’s hard to believe a new year has arrived so quickly! Our year was filled with laughter and joy while we witnessed our sweet little baby grow into a beautiful big girl. And now, as we head into 2014, our thoughts turn to preparing for life with not one girl, but Read more (…)
Classes Galore
December 18, 2013It is unbelievable how many classes there are for babies—yoga, music, swimming…..the list goes on and on. During my pregnancy—when talking to other moms-to-be—a question that often came up was “what classes will you be signing up for?” At the time, I had not given it any real thought, but of course my mind flashed Read more (…)
Enjoy the Little Things in Life
December 16, 2013I think I’m learning as much from my little girl as I am teaching her. And usually, the biggest lessons come in the simplest moments, like the other day as I watched her eat cottage cheese. She carefully picked up one kernel at a time and placed (sometimes shoveled) each piece into her mouth. Every Read more (…)
Babies’ First Christmas
December 4, 2013To me, Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season which is now in full swing. This has always been the most wonderful time of the year (insert Christmas music), and is so much more meaningful now with our new additions. Of course I’ve already bought two sets of Christmas pajamas and elf hats for Christmas Read more (…)
A Year of Thanks
November 27, 2013There are so many things I am thankful for. Life is pretty good, but I’m especially grateful for all the people in my life who help me be a great mom (it takes a village!). I have a great husband who is present, physically and mentally, in our son’s life. He gives me the breaks I Read more (…)
Dress to Impress- Holiday Edition
November 13, 2013I LOVE holidays!! They are just plain fun…I enjoy a good themed craft project, I like to dress myself and my home up, any excuse for a party is a good one, and don’t even get me started on finding the perfect gifts! I have always loved them, but now that I have a daughter…..oh Read more (…)
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