Handmade, with a lot of heart.

A dear friend's mother made this hat for Chloe.  She passed away on January 2nd.  I unfortunately never met Ruth but knowing her daughter, I can only imagine how lovely she was.  I keep thinking of her sweet hands making this hat and all the love behind it.  Handmade gifts truly hold a lot of heart.  Definitely a piece for her keepsake box.

Nothing but sweet ruffles.

A girlfriend of mine got Chloe this super sweet ruffled romper when she was born.  I had to capture her in her sweet, ruffled girlishness. 

I was extra delighted to hear that the boutique, Green Pomegranate    makes their outfits out of previously-loved children's clothing.  She had bedsheets in the same print as a girl.  My sentimental heart melted.

Ouch!

Little girl got a shot today at the pediatrician.  It's so sad to see her little eyes well up with tears.  I better toughen up because I'm sure there are many scraped knees and broken hearts ahead.  In the meantime, can I be a softy?  She even got an awesome Spiderman band-aid.

Oh and the stats:
14 pounds 5 ounces
24 3/4 inches
75th percentile & healthy as can be.

It's amazing to think my milk has helped her grow from a petite little 6 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches.

I almost forgot...

...to wish you (and yours) a very happy new year.

New Year's Intentions

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

-Saint Augstine

(Photo Source)

I'll be honest, 2009 was a particularly rough year for me.  I struggled with a tough bout of depression which brought along with it lots of life changes.  With some time and inner discovery I learned a lot about myself.  One is an inclination to give and give and give some more while I neglect myself.  With a lot of love from family and friends I learned to roll with the tough stuff and give myself space to let go and cry when I needed to.  I'm also learning to accept help when I need it.  A big step for me, I'm not sure why?  Thankfully, as the year closed I climbed out of that hole...

and I had bright start in 2010.  We learned we had a sweet little baby on the way.  Kevin and I both always wanted to be parents, so it was a welcomed and embraced surprise!  We held on tight as my mom had both brain surgery to remove her tumor and total hip replacement surgery a few months apart.  We were shocked in June when we discovered Kevin had Testicular Cancer and just a month prior his dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  Thankfully other than emotional, pregnancy was very smooth for me.  I had a a period of insomnia and a 50+ pound weight gain (no emotional eating here)  but I took yoga, walked often and felt great up until Chloe's birth.  So with radiation, chemotherapy and 5 surgeries last year between us and our immediate family.  Yep, though we intended to have a natural birth, Chloe arrived via cesarean after 15+ hours of unmedicated labor.  I plan on going for an aunatural VBAC next time (more on Chloe's birth story later, it's almost done).  I'm thrilled to say, we are all healthy.

It has been a rollercoaster and let's just say the last couple years have rocked our world!  The best part is we have come through so much and feel lighter and brighter than ever.  I believe all of these events happened for some reason.  And regardless, we came out stronger but more importantly happier because of them.  Kevin and I are closer than we have ever been and have had some really deep conversations that we may have never had until our later years.  We have realized that life is truly precious, you've gotta love what you've got!

So, my new years intentions are:

Gratitude- keep fresh in my mind all the blessings I have in my life.  Each day record one on paper (or on iphone application).

Adventure- laugh more, use my creativity, stay curious, be active,  try new recipes, take road trips, visit museums/parks and choose something daily to have more fun.  I think it'll be easy to embrace the child-like with the babe by my side.

Invite- make space for relaxation and spontaneity.  I tend to be a bit typeAish about housework, thank you notes, and what could be called busy work, it's kinda my nature.  This intention was sparked from a conversation my hunny and I had recently about doing too much on weekends.  Sometimes we go overboard making social plans (which we so enjoy) however inviting space in our lives leaves room for the unexpected.

Nurture- both me and my family.  this means living a simple life, being kind to myself, not putting too much on my plate and giving to myself what I need.  Take time to read, a hot bath, a walk in the fresh ocean air, have date night, a couple of hours out with friends or a much needed nap.  Recognize what makes me feel whole and do it.


Acronym, GAIN?  But not weight.

The Perfect Advice.

Here are a couple pictures from the very early days after her birth.  (No make-up and sleep deprived)


Okay, so I had no idea in what motherhood would be like.  I mean, I read half a dozen books, numerous blogs, and every magazine about babies out there.  I have babysat many babies, had younger siblings and took all the classes but you still have no idea until you have your own.

The truth is I was so much more tired than I could have imagined.  Breastfeeding on demand is like working a 24 hour job, every day.  At least the boss is as cute as they get.

The relief was I LOVE motherhood, more than I could have imagined.

Thanks to numerous friends and family members our fridge was stocked with healthy and delicious meals from day one.  Our tummies thank you!

However I had no idea how challenging it would be (even now) to shower, do laundry, complete house work, even grab a bite to eat with a little bundle in tow.  Our laundry is close by so I shouldn't complain but it is tricky toting a baby and a basket outside behind our apartment to pump quarters into the machine (yep coin laundry).  So I usually wait until Kevin is home and thankfully most of the time he is happy, well willing to do it.  Thank goodness because I only have about a dozen things that fit me and Chloe is one of those spit-up prone kind of babies.

My point is, when I read this article I thought I would share it.

Six Ways to Ease Postpartum Frazzle:
http://crazysexylife.com/2011/six-ways-to-ease-your-postpartum-frazzle/

and my favorite (well researched) Breastfeeding + Parenting website so far:
http://kellymom.com/ 

And sometimes the perfect advice is to listen to yourself.
When I feel overwhelmed it often means:
I'm hungry, I'm tired or I need a change of scenery.

Thanks to Kevin and my little bro, this weekend I got some extra rest, laundry done and then took a 2 mile walk this morning.  It was bliss!

with a little assist.

this little girl is getting stronger by the day.  in a week she'll be four months old.  she is starting to get interested in her toys now so we thought we'd give the bumbo (pink chair) a try.  it was a gift from our friends the stubbs and we've been waiting until she's developmentally ready to sit, with an assist.  

chloe tried out and had fun playing with her rings.  she thinks they are bracelets.  she learned that all on her own.  i've been wearing very little jewelry these days. 

it's fun to watch her learn new things and grow but slow down baby, where did my newborn go?

i snuck a few of her and my brother sunday morning while he was here for a visit.  she loves her uncle aj.  while they played i took the opportunity to catch up on laundry.  wow, that's a lot of pink!