Hi. I'm 32 years old and married to my best friend. We just had our first baby, Gray. We really, really love him. This blog has been the escape for my feelings, questions, excitement, fears and the joy I felt in my ten months as a pregnant lady.

Now I'm a mom....who knows what's next.

This is what it looks like to stand outside your hotel room and listen to your son cry for you.

Torture.

Actually, ‘cry’ isn’t the right word. He was screaming ‘MAMA’ while banging on the door, which in time will probably be hilarious but wasn’t tonight.

Looking back, we had it coming. He’s really sick with a double ear infection and the worst cough I’ve ever heard come out of him. He got very little sleep last night from all of our flying and finally went to bed at 1am his time. We’re in a beautiful place for a fun weekend, but to him it’s all new and weird. And when he’s sick, all he wants is me.

I’m all for crying it out, but when he’s sick and somewhere new, we can’t do it.

We went back in.

# Comments | Posted at 1:18am

This is what it looks like to stand outside your hotel room and listen to your son cry for you. 

Torture. 

Actually, ‘cry’ isn’t the right word. He was screaming ‘MAMA’ while banging on the door, which in time will probably be hilarious but wasn’t tonight. 

Looking back, we had it coming. He’s really sick with a double ear infection and the worst cough I’ve ever heard come out of him. He got very little sleep last night from all of our flying and finally went to bed at 1am his time. We’re in a beautiful place for a fun weekend, but to him it’s all new and weird. And when he’s sick, all he wants is me. 

I’m all for crying it out, but when he’s sick and somewhere new, we can’t do it. 

We went back in.

The other night the most amazing thing happened.

We got to hang out with our very good friends, whose baby was asleep upstairs and while my parents were home with a sleeping G.

We agreed that none of us wanted to go out for dinner or drinks, and instead just wanted to curl up on their couch and eat take-out while watching a movie.

You’re lucky if, in your grown-up life, you get to have friends with whom there are zero pretenses. No cleaning up the house before they arrive, no getting dolled up or having to always make a delicious dinner, no nothing. Just take-out and a movie. 

This may not sound like anything, but when you ‘grow up’ (ha!) I think there’s often a lot of watching and judging of people’s homes, dinnertables and outfits (and I love in Vermont!), so it’s always a nice pause to get to just hang out with close friends and no extra work.

We made it! And the best part? Nary one puke.

THANK GOD!

The highlight of the trip, aside from Gray’s shrieks of pure delight when he first saw the planes taking off and then got to experience it firsthand, was when we got off our first flight.

Last to leave, we turned onto the jetway and practically all of the passengers were there waiting for their gate-checked bags.

Gray took the opportunity to wave and say a heartfelt goodbye to every, single, person as we slowly made our way out.

My best recommendation for flying with an almost-two year old? If its around nap/bedtime, bring a neck pillow. It made it so much easier for G to get comfortable.

We’re now happily tucked into our very good friend’s beautiful home, happy to be here and ready to sleep soundly after an eventful day (that could’ve been a lot more eventful…thank you, stomach bug, for staying away!).

Night!

# Comments | Posted at 2:06am

We made it! And the best part? Nary one puke. 

THANK GOD!

The highlight of the trip, aside from Gray’s shrieks of pure delight when he first saw the planes taking off and then got to experience it firsthand, was when we got off our first flight. 

Last to leave, we turned onto the jetway and practically all of the passengers were there waiting for their gate-checked bags. 

Gray took the opportunity to wave and say a heartfelt goodbye to every, single, person as we slowly made our way out. 

My best recommendation for flying with an almost-two year old? If its around nap/bedtime, bring a neck pillow. It made it so much easier for G to get comfortable. 

We’re now happily tucked into our very good friend’s beautiful home, happy to be here and ready to sleep soundly after an eventful day (that could’ve been a lot more eventful…thank you, stomach bug, for staying away!). 

Night!

And we’re halfway there!

Key to this part of the trip? A new truck book, snacks, his blanket, hand sanitizer and Kleenex.

Luckily, zero puke.

Fingers crossed the rest of our trip goes this smoothly!

# Comments | Posted at 8:00pm

And we’re halfway there!

Key to this part of the trip? A new truck book, snacks, his blanket, hand sanitizer and Kleenex.

Luckily, zero puke. 

Fingers crossed the rest of our trip goes this smoothly!

‘WAASSSSAAAT?’

# Comments | Posted at 5:12pm

‘WAASSSSAAAT?’

‘AAAAIIIRRRRPPPLLLLAAAANNNEEEE!’

# Comments | Posted at 5:06pm

‘AAAAIIIRRRRPPPLLLLAAAANNNEEEE!’

I learn something new from Gray’s teachers every day.

I learn something new from Gray’s teachers every day.

Gray just threw up.

All, over, everything.

Not only is this the first time he’s thrown up, but there’s a miserable 48hr flu going around that involves a lot more throwing up.

Did I mention we’re getting on a plane and flying ten hours tomorrow?

I’m praying to whatever spiritual deity out there who watches over little children, puking and planes in hopes that Gray does not have this bug.

Perhaps I’ll stay home with Georgia and the dogsitter and just wish Jackson luck.

This is what I was awaken by in the middle of last night.

Gray shrieking with joy, yelling ‘POOPINNAPOTTY!! POOPINNAPOTTY!!’

What? Seriously? I thought to myself while squinting at the clock (2:30am).

I checked and he hadn’t pooped, but was adamantly insisting on pooping ‘INNAPOTTY!’.

Damn, was this really going to be how Gray’s potty training would start? In the middle of the night?

Not wanting to squelch the excitement, I rushed him to the bathroom and peeled off his ‘jamas’ and diaper and started to place him on the potty.

Nope, he didn’t want that potty. He wanted the potty downstairs.

Seriously?

But downstairs we went, and as I started to sit him down he, with as much adamant enthusiasm and determination as this journey had begun with five minutes ago upstairs, looked at me like I was crazy and refused to sit.

Or poop.

Must’ve been a infant Tylenol-infused dream about pooping. Innapotty.

# Comments | Posted at 8:17pm

Oh this is love.

A mom-friend told me about this spray, which she uses on her little ones’ bottoms after a big diaper change (read: poop) to do a little extra cleaning.

It smells clean, helps prevent irritated skin, and feels like your kiddo is a bit cleaner than he/she would be using just wipes. Complete with tea tree oil, aloe-vera, witch hazel and calendula, it’s natural, doesn’t sting, and helps keep diaper rashes at bay.

Highly recommended.

Oh this is love.
A mom-friend told me about this spray, which she uses on her little ones’ bottoms after a big diaper change (read: poop) to do a little extra cleaning.
It smells clean, helps prevent irritated skin, and feels like your kiddo is a bit cleaner than he/she would be using just wipes. Complete with tea tree oil, aloe-vera, witch hazel and calendula, it’s natural, doesn’t sting, and helps keep diaper rashes at bay.
Highly recommended.

Call it mother’s intuition or just blind luck, but on Sunday I made homemade chicken noodle soup.

It’s now hitting the spot for our little man, who is home sick for the afternoon after being diagnosed with a double ear infection.

He happily slurped down the ‘nuuuuudls’ and broth, and is now tucked away in his bed taking the world’s longest nap.

Our number one goal is to get his ears feeling better before flying with him, as otherwise it’s going to hurt.

Our pediatrician gave me a great homeopathic trick…a few drops of olive oil in each ear helps soothe the pain and provides good counter-pressure for the infected eardrum.

Who would’ve guessed?

# Comments | Posted at 1:52pm

That’s been a big word around here lately, as we’re preparing to get on one soon.

Unlike past trips where we focused more on transporting little G (which baby carrier to bring), how to feed him (nursing cover) and how to keep him clean (changing pads, garbage bags on the floor, and more) this time it’s all about entertainment.

We were lucky to be able to book our flights around his nap/bedtimes, so hopefully once the excitement of being on an AIRPLANE wears off he’ll just conk out. But if not, we’re ready.

I’ve been quietly stashing away a few of his favorite books and toys, so that he’ll be excited to see them mid-flight, and even bought a new tractor book and a toy airplane to mark the occasion.

I’m packing ‘big kid’ snacks and pajamas for the flight, and the rest will depend on luck.

The good thing is that Gray is now old enough to understand you and follow directions. The bad thing is that Gray is now old enough to understand you and decide not to follow directions.

Any advice out there about flying with an almost-two year old?

I’ve been trying out a new green skincare line, Naturopathica.

Let me tell you, it is love.

There are no parabens or sulfates. It is natural, smells clean and simple, and their focus is on creating skincare with integrity. Plus, it’s packaged in these gorgeously-designed glass bottles that make me happy just to open up my bathroom cabinet and see these little blue bottles smiling back at me.

I was thrilled to be contacted by Nautropathica inviting me to participate in a bloggers’ event to try out some new products.

I couldn’t say yes fast enough!

It begins today, and here’s what I can tell you.

I asked for the Normal to Dry regimen, which includes these four new products for me:

Each Naturopathica product I’ve used has felt gentle but it gets the job done, and so far I’m thrilled with these new blue bottles in my cabinet. I’m about to try out the nighttime cleanser and serum, and I loved what the morning brought, especially the Oat Facial Polish.

Having woken up with a whopper of a pimple this morning, this seems to be perfectly timed.

As a mom, my ‘skincare routine’ has all but vanished, as I often barely have time to swipe a warm washcloth over my face before bedtime, let alone the lack of sleep and attention to my own skincare as I spend more time worrying about Gray’s little bottom, his dry winter skin, and his chapped little cheeks from the winter winds.

The next 30 days will be telling, to not only get treated to using incredible products twice a day, but also to stick to a specific regimen that does not include using Gray’s Diaper Creme as eye cream as I’m running out the door.

So far, I’m thrilled.

# Comments | Posted at 2:47am

Our very good friend, Colin, is in Sundance revealing his directorial debut in the form of a witty, fascinating, beautiful and hilarious film based on this 1997 Craigslist ad looking for a fellow time-traveler. 

After seeing the ad, his wheels started turning and he began writing, and Safety Not Guaranteed was born.

If you’re at Sundance, go see it tonight! It’s one of the top ten Sundance ‘films to see’!

Plus, it stars hilarious actress Aubrey Plaza.

We were invited to come to Sundance (helllooo bucket list!) with our friends but instead are heading to see Jackson’s sister. We will officially be holding this over her head for quite some time, so I hope she provides the wild parties and celeb sightings we would’ve had at Sundance.

If you, like the rest of us, watch movies the more mainstream way, go see it when it comes to town! It’s amazing.

Here’s a video of Colin talking about the film.

Congrats, dear friend…we’re SO thrilled for you!!

# Comments | Posted at 5:30pm

Thanks to Weelicious (great site with healthy recipes for kiddos and families that my friend just turned me on to) for this recipe. I’ve been looking for a new muffin recipe for the little man, and am going to try making these tonight.

I think I’ll try to make them with less sugar and I’m going to try substituting the vegetable oil with coconut oil, so we’ll see.

Spinach Cake Muffins (Makes 24 Mini Muffins)

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 Large Egg
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Fresh Spinach, packed
1/3 Cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Vegetable or Canola Oil
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor and puree.
3. Place the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and combine.
4. Pour the spinach puree in a large mixing bowl.
5. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet until combined.
6. Scoop batter into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup 2/3 of the way.
7. Bake for 12 minutes.
8. Serve.