Toddler Yoga at Morton's Grove

Toddler yoga is real! 

I didn't really believe it was possible at first, i just sort of pretended to so some of you guys would come over and hang out with me. 

But it really happened! Most of the kids were around 2-3 years old, and they actually listened and participated! Except for Ruthie, she wasn't having it. I've been experiencing big giant major tantrums for the first time recently, and for the love of God PARENTING IS SO HARD. The instructor's sweet assistant asked Ruthie if she would like a feather. Ruthie was majorly offended and responded OF COURSE NOT! Maybe next time Ruthie girl!

April Thrift (yoga instructor for all ages and stages at iBloom) led the session, starting with a simple craft activity: assembling a yoga foot dream catcher (a little foot cutout with streamers and feathers attached).

Following the craft came a story with frequent breaks to incorporate yoga stretches. Toddlers are (can be?) so freakin' cute. April called out questions to them and they always had the craziest and cutest answers. When pulling on their pretend yoga pants, April asked "what color are your pants?". Little cutie Peyton shouted in answer "maybe just brown?!".

My goal with Morton's Grove is to become a resource for building healthy families with food + nutrition and fun events + programs that celebrate the whole baby (+ mama). This yoga sesh was my first attempt to wrangle some people into this dream with me. Thank you to everyone who was a part of our first toddler yoga. It means so much that you spent your Saturday with us! 

After everyone left, Ruthie spent hours doing tree (aka flamingo) and happy baby in the barn.  

Contact April Thrift at iBloom for more information on toddler yoga or to see her class schedule. 

Figuring out Productivity as a Stay-at-home Mom

I've never liked the word productivity. 

It's sort of like "portion size", makes me cringe a little and immediately lose interest. If you also cringe when you hear productivity, I apologize in advance 'cause I'm about the say it like a million times. Whether I like the word or not, productivity is part of life both for both working and nonworking mamas.

The meaning of productivity has changed dramatically for me between when I was working and now. Productivity for working me: putting on pants, finishing a presentation, sitting in on calls, scheduling and attending meetings, leaving the office for lunch, sitting in traffic for 2 hours a day, oh yea, and making $$$. Productivity for stay-at-home me: A mystery. Started as keeping babies safe and fed, not completely trashing the house everyday, and maybe taking a shower and is currently morphing into writing blog posts at midnight. I haven't really figured it out yet.

I do know that newborn babies throw a total wrench in traditional views of productivity, obvs. They take a scheduled life and turn it upside down. This stage probably lasts a different amount of time for everyone. The first time for me it pretty much lasted the entire 12 weeks of maternity leave. Going back to work brought order and schedule back and by default, feelings of productivity. With my second baby, I decided that going back to work wasn't going to happen so the hard deadline ending the newborn stage never came. Where did that leave me? Incredibly happy and grateful to be home followed by feelings of "S&*t, I'm going to have to figure out how to feel organized and productive by myself this time."

I wanted to know what productivity means to other working-turned-SAHMs, so I asked a few.

Meet Laura (a different Laura, I swear).

Amazing mom to almost 2 year old, Bodhi, and brand-spanking-newborn, Wilder. Corporate insurance broker: whip smart, put together AF, great hair. Spent her days in pencil skirts and seriously high heels. She knew during her pregnancy with Bodhi that she was going to stay home after his arrival. Laura and her boys travel for her husband's job, so she knows very few people in her current city and is about to move to a new one (yes, with a newborn and a toddler 😱).  

I can't really imagine Laura being unproductive, but I asked her about it anyway. Her response to my email was polished enough to be an article in some sort of boss mom magazine. To her new life at home with babes, productivity means leaving the house most days. Without those structured escapes she fears her and her toddler will get on each others nerves (#truth). She also tries to keep a schedule most days but isn't super strict about it (I'm gonna call her a soft scheduler), possibly a nod to her former life planning for deadlines months in advance. Laura takes advantage of conveniences like online grocery shopping and meal delivery services (like plated) Because next to staying at home all day, one of the things that makes her feel most unproductive is having an empty fridge.

Laura most missed the adult convos she used to have at the office. I imagine those convos were pretty badass and involved words such as integrative, expedite, and perhaps synergy? She also misses the clothes & shoes required by the corporate life. I totally relate to this. My office was much more casual than Laura's, but not so casual where I could show up in the PJ lookalikes I currently wear to work. 

Meet Anne.

Hilarious, so so kind, cute as hell, and laid back, being a mom appears second nature to her. She went back to work after her first babe, David, and decided to call it quits when she was expecting her second little nug, Lucy. Anne is the first friend you text when you get pooped on by your child. Like Laura, she is raising her babes far from extended family while her husband finishes up his residency. 

Productivity to Anne as it relates to caring for babes means keeping an at least slightly organized house and tackling stuff that needs to get done, like meals and laundry. She's working on not beating herself up and letting messes happen (I feel you). She focuses on getting herself and the kids ready every morning (unlike me and my typically naked kids 🙈) with the goal of getting out and about during the day (park, zoo, errands). The part she most missed about working is seeing her work friends everyday. Luckily she still has them around to text with because work friends can seriously turn into the best friends sometimes.

Something Anne told me I'm her email totally struck a chord, and that was she feels less productive when her 2 year old watches too much TV. I 100% agree. It also makes me feel unproductive and also just like a bad parent when Ruthie watches too much Clifford (January and February right after Bobby was born = WAY more TV that id like to admit🙈. It was Thomas back then, I miss Thomas).

Things I've been doing in order to feel like I'm not just floating around between diaper changes all day:

1. Get up before babies - I've been failing at this most days because Bobby wakes up at 3 am lately, but days I get up early I have a slightly more laid-back attitude all day. Might be the extra coffee.

2. Listen to a podcast - I usually pick trending nutrition related stuff, or inspiring but short shows like How I Built This.

3. Turn Netflix off - Especially difficult lately because I've started watching Gilmore Girls again (it makes me feel fallish?!).

4. Limit social media - Somebody please help me with this.

5. Cut the ties between productivity and a clean house - I read somewhere that cleaning a house with a toddler is like brushing your teeth while eating oreo's. For someone who isn't very cleaning motivated to begin with, basing productivity on keeping the kitchen clean is a terrible idea.

What do you guys do to feel productive at work or at home?

Baby-led Feeding Faves and Fails: 6 Months - 8 Months

I started out feeding a 6 month old teeny infant and am now feeding an 8 month old boss baby. Although I'm not any different physically (unlike my little chunk tornado), this short time has brought a lot of changes for me too. For example, BLW at 6 months: perched on the edge of my seat ready to enter full on panic mode from a slight gag. Me at 8 months: giving babe a slim jim and a Pepsi. #jaykay

But for real, progression happens so quickly with babies, it's pretty incredible. Bobby was just learning to sit up on his own and suddenly he's standing at the coffee table and clapping his fat little hands ❤. Babies also impress me with how easily they can adjust to eating solids. Bobby has almost reached the 9 month mark and can palm a sweet potato fry and jam it into his sweet face like nobody's business.

Here you'll find our progress and favorite foods from 6 to 8 months, and also a hopefully entertaining visual of the decrease in my feeding anxiety over the months.

6 Months!

Babe (Bobby): New to food, becoming super interested in eating. Getting used to high chair. Spending about 5 minutes kicking feet and squealing in happiness with new perspective on the kitchen. Not great at picking things up. Mealtimes take a while and get messy. Smashes food in fists and sucks it through fingers.

Mom (me): Excited for babe, worried if he is eating enough, and VERY nervous about providing food he can handle. Sitting super close to babe, appearing SUPER casual. On the inside doing alllll the second guessing. Sometimes waiting a day or so in between offering new foods but most of the time introducing several new foods a day. Offering equivalent of a few tablespoons of food a few times throughout the day, sometimes skipping solids for a day (aka sometimes completely forgetting). Worrying not enough is actually being consumed vs rubbed into eyebrows and reminding myself breast milk is still main source of nutrients.

6 month faves:
- super soft steamed green beans, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes
- oatmeal cooked with peanut butter
- soft pancakes made with baby oats
- scrambled eggs 
- soft cooked lentils
- slow cooker apple carrot sauce
- pumpkin puree
- fresh fruit, just sliced and served watermelon, honeydew, banana, cantaloupe, avocado, strawberries

Apple, Pear, Carrot Sauce in the making.

7 months!

Babe: Picking up different shapes (hunks of oatmeal, slivers of veggies, small chunks of food like cheerios and avocado pieces). The shudder/shiver/EXTREME facial reactions to new foods seem to be toning down. Eating more regularly based on when others in the house are eating. Learning to crawl, eating a lot of floor food while mom isn't looking. Developing an intense pooping face.

Mom: Learning to let gagging go. Still nursing about every 3 hours or so (sometimes way more) during the day (AND overnight! Anyone else have babes that wanna nurse round the clock?). Combining foods frequently, getting into a pattern of knowing what foods to offer from the rest of the family meals but also running into some mealtimes thinking "what should I give Bobby?".

7 month faves:
- roasted root vegetables with olive oil
- sticky rice with shredded chicken
- oatmeal cooked with diced raisins or prunes and coconut milk

-slow cooker chicken legs 
- salmon and sardines
- cold orange slices for teething
- toast spread with hummus or avocado

8 months!

Babe: Old pro eating many of the same foods as the rest of the fam. Trying out spoon skills, getting yogurt all over the damn place. Eating larger volume of food at each sitting (getting less in eyebrows, yay!). Drinking smoothies and some water out of an open cup. Not quite rockin' that pincer grasp yet but doing well palming even small bits of food.

Mom: is way chill, starting to realize that feeding babe food isn't all that scary. Sitting down and eating with babe. Seasoning foods frequently (lots of fresh basil, thyme, rosemary from the garden - also abusing pumpkin spice seasoning as of late). Bringing Bobby to restaurants every once in a while, impressing the public with his ability to put away a meal.

8 month faves:
- smoothies from a cup (with help)
- plain yogurt mixed with pumpkin and cinnamon (holding the spoon mybabyself 💁🏼)
- chicken legs or thighs in the slow cooker
- banana nice cream
- oatmeal + egg + prune pancakes

Baby-led weaners! What are your babe's loving to eat right now?

Baby Raisin' Essentials: Gear That Will Get Used Everyday

I am probably the last person you want to see a baby gear list from. 

I've mentioned before that I tend to be a little unorganized. I'm also not really a "gear" person meaning I don't usually have the latest and greatest of things. I just got an iPhone 6. I tend to show up to things like camping trips grossly under prepared. I took my laptop to the apple store for repair and they referred to it as a "vintage machine". But when it comes to baby stuff, I do my research. Planning for Ruthie's arrival 2 years ago in a giddily excited haze, I pieced together a pretty cohesive registry.

This is a list of the things that I have used every. single. day. for the last 2.5 years. I haven't gotten bored with them, frustrated with them, annoyed to the point of throwing them out the upstairs window (unlike my husband and his short lived romp with an electric toothbrush), and they also haven't worn out on me despite everyday use through two babies.

These are the items I didn't know that I would fall in love with, therefore could not have recommended until recently. Some of the items I'm still using with 2 year old Ruthie and 8 month old Bobby simultaneously. THESE ARE GOOD THINGS.  

1. Ergo Classic. My number one, all time fave, will-recommend-it-until-I-die piece of equipment is the Ergo. This piece of gear is built. to. last. I use it every day, multiple times a day around the house. I nurse in it, feed myself, literally run with Ruthie, cook and photograph food, rock babes to sleep, take them to the store. One of Ruthie's first words was Ergo. Anytime I leave the house, it's with me. It was originally grey but is now has a sort of beige haze of spit up and food stains. Somehow a crayon melted inside of it. It isn't pretty anymore but structurally, it is still as perfect as the day I bought it.

ergobaby Organic Baby Carrier, Navy

$129.00

Ergobaby

I got really into different carriers after having Ruthie and tried out a ton of varieties (ring sling, stretch wrap, mei tai, Tula soft structured carrier, and Ergo). I loved the ring sling and stretchy wraps with Ruthie, but Bobby has been too heavy for both since he was about 3 months old. A few things I look for in a carrier: a wide base that enables legs to be "frogged", a flap to help hold head in place after baby inevitably passes out, and cushiony straps. 

END OF LIST. 

Jk I have a few more faves. 

2. Phil and Ted Lobster Claw Seat. This little diddy has been through some gross stuff. It gets a thick coating of food almost everyday and you KNOW I'm not wiping that bad boy down after each meal. The removable canvas seat usually gets hit with the hose and hung to dry but I have also put it in the washing machine (not recommended by manufacturer) and it is still as sturdy as day one. The metal frame is pretty bulky so I wouldn't exactly call this portable, but it is perfect as an everyday seat. Clamps right to the counter or sturdy tabletop allowing you to sweep right underneath after feeding babe (or you know, 5 hours later 🤷‍♀️). 

phil&teds Lobster Highchair, Black

$71.99

phil&teds

3. Charlie Banana cloth diapers + wipes. One thing I researched a ton, like spent WAY too much time on, was cloth diapers. I drove to an adorable little cloth diaper store to take a CLASS in cloth diapers. The women of yore are rolling their eyes so hard at me. There are so many different varieties of diapers and I found it super confusing. There is a lingo and a community and a million hashtags and it was a lot of info. I ended up investing my diaper money 70% into Charlie banana and 30% into another brand and the Charlie bananas are the ones I always reach for first. It's not only the cute prints, the same exact diapers somehow fit really well from birth all the way to a 2 years old. I use the same diapers now with Bobby that I did with Ruthie (again, not being super careful and following all the manufacturers directions), and most of them still look pretty new. We use cloth when we're home and disposables overnight and when we're out and about.  

I also love the wipes. They are super soft, I just run a few under water before going in for a dipe change and then toss them into a wetbag. Even if you don't cloth dipe, these are very handy to have around! Ruthie has a special pack just for bathing Hank, her inflatable hippo.

Charlie Banana 6 Reusable Diapers 12 Inserts Set Tutti Frutti, One Size

$119.99

Charlie Banana

Charlie Banana 10 Reusable Organic Cotton Wipes

$12.99

Charlie Banana

4. Jessica Simpson nursing bras. NURSING BRAS ARE TERRIBLE. I've been wearing one since 2015 (even when I didn't have to wear one 🤔) and can tell you so many of them are just not what I was looking for. Whyyyy are they so flimsy? At a time when you most need NON flimsy? IDGI. I found some solace in j.simps. She makes nursing bras with convertible straps that can be worn under racerback tanks. This style offers sturdy support without those weird, perfectly circular removable cups. Some of the reviews claim that the cups are too stiff and don't fold down easily enough for nursing. The cups are firmer than normal nursing bras, but I find that to be a good thing and don't have any problems with it. Oh and all of her bras are under $50!

Jessica Simpson Demi Convertible Strap Nursing Bra

$24.99 $34.00

5. Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper. I've only had this one for about a year so only Bobby has tried it out, but this is the co-sleeper I had been searching for since Ruthie was born. I borrowed and tried out an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper and a snuggle nest (similar to dock a tot but less $$): the Arm's Reach was too low compared to the height of our bed, and the snuggle nest took up too much room. The Swivel Sleeper extends to the exact height of our bed or even swivels over the top of the mattress, so night time feeding is super easy. By the time Bobby was about 3 months old, he could simultaneously touch all sides, so he had to move out. But I still felt like we got great use out of it. They are a little pricey (and super sturdy, the base weighs a ton), but well worth it if you're looking to co-sleep but already have a bed full of toddlers and husbands. I found mine second hand through a Facebook mom's group for $100!

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet - Essentia Series, Honeycomb

$199.99

Halo

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links, I will make a small commission. 

What are your everyday baby faves? Leave your recs in the comments! 🙏🙏

Raising Adventurous Eaters: Breastfeeding, BLW, and Iron

Around 6 months old, full-term babies are beginning to run out of the stores of iron they built up during the third trimester. After this point, babies begin the transition to dependency on exogenous iron - iron from outside sources (like food, breast milk, or formula) rather than depending on internal stores. Formula fed babes are covered as long as their formula is iron-fortified (which almost all are in the US) and also get the nutrient from iron rich foods. Breastfed babies get iron from breast milk in a form that is extremely efficiently absorbed, and should also begin receiving iron rich foods around 6 months.

Iron is a super interesting nutrient because absorption and utilization are dependent on a lot of different factors like type of iron consumed, current iron status, and foods with which the iron rich food is eaten. Absorption of iron is based on need - a baby with good iron stores absorbs less iron from breast milk or formula than one with poorer stores. In fact, breast milk usually contains the exact right amount of iron to complement baby’s iron stores.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an iron supplement for all breastfed babies (1 mg/kg/day beginning at 4 months - this number is the estimated daily requirement of iron at this age). ALL of them. This recommendation comes from the concern that breastfed babies may end up with iron-deficiency anemia (a very common nutrient deficiency worldwide) based on the fact that breast milk is technically low in iron. The thing is, full-term, exclusively breastfed babies typically do not end up iron deficient.

Breast milk is low in iron if it is broken down into components like it was just a box of cornflakes, but breast milk isn't like just any old food. If there were ever a true super-food, breast milk would be it. This wonder beverage has exactly the right amount of vitamin C and lactose to make iron absorption super efficient (50-70% absorbed from breast milk vs 4 -10% from fortified rice cereal).  And because of the unique way that iron is absorbed that I mentioned earlier, supplemental iron can actually interfere with ability to absorb iron from breast milk.

If you are concerned about the possibility of iron deficiency, definitely discuss with your pediatrician. Supplementation is effective in reversing iron deficiency, however in babies where iron deficiency is unlikely (full-term, exclusively breast fed babies who were not considered small for gestational age at birth):

Including iron rich foods around 6 months of age and on is a nutritionally sound way to ensure baby’s iron needs are being met.

Tips for ensuring baby is getting the most iron:

1. If you’re a breastfeeding mom, make sure you are eating an iron rich diet (small amounts of iron are transferred to breast milk).

2. Don't let concern of getting any certain nutrient ruin the fun and excitement of feeding your babe. Eating a lot of different foods over the course of the week will almost always get you where you need to go. For reference, babies 7-12 months need about 11 mg iron per day.

3. Include both plant and animal based iron. I tend to offer my 8 month old a lot of plants, but the type of iron found in animal products may be more efficiently absorbed (see below for options).

4. Serve iron rich foods with fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C increases absorption of iron (vitamin C is found in almost all fruits and vegetables, so if your babe is eating fruits and vegetables over the course of the day, you are likely covered and are also an amazing person and mother for this and many other reasons).

5. Avoid offering cows milk before baby turns one (yogurt and cheese are great, just not milk yet).

 

Iron Rich Ideas Perfect for Baby-led Weaners

1. Try roasted pumpkin or pumpkin puree.

2. Blend a smoothie with kale or spinach and fruit.

3. Mash beans and form into patties for easy pickup.

4. Bake lentils into mini loaves that are easier to pick up, or simply cook and mash. 

5. Make mini meat loaves in a muffin tin. 

6. Roasted, unsalted seaweed strips (try wrapping them around avocado).

7. Roll avocado in ground flax seed (makes it easier for babe to pick up! Or if you're my babe, to smash into smithereens) or stir flax into yogurt or oatmeal.

8. Mix chia seeds with a little orange or prune juice and allow to thicken into a pudding.

9. Cook with a cast iron skillet. It adds dietary iron especially to acidic foods.

11. Three words: Prune Jello Jigglers (picked this one up as an intern at a retirement home). 

12. Use blackstrap molasses to lightly sweeten foods like pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal (it's SO good - I put it in coffee with cream sometimes).

13. Introduce iron rich seafood like cooked oysters or de-boned sardines.

14. Add bone broth to purees for an extra dose of easily absorbed heme iron.

 Although I am a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Nutritionist, this information is general in nature and intended to share my knowledge experiences. If you are concerned about your child’s iron status, or any other health concern, please talk to your child's pediatrician and make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian.

Half a Year as a SAHM

It has been 7 entire months since Bobby joined the world.

Time is seriously wacky after having kids. I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said, but how does it possibly go this fast? It feels like slow motion while it's happening, and then overnight these tiny newborn babies become little kids.

You know how you hear on the radio or read an article online about what age people agree is best age of their life? It's usually an age that is sort of surprising and specific like 36 or 53, but I can't imagine a time in life where I will I feel more myself than riiiiight now. Every single day is something I look forward to. I look forward to seeing Bobby grow and big belly laugh and kick his chubby feet. I look forward to watching Ruthie learn and hearing what quirky thing she has to say and seeing what she will find outside (she recently learned about shrimp and calls them SHRAMPS and looks for them everywhere).

But it is really difficult too. Being at home with these guys is 100 million things at once. It's hilarious and fun, so so so messy, lighthearted and singsongy, complicated and uncomfortable, repetitive, really testing, strange and foreign and incredibly familiar. I go from feeling like a super clever genius to omg will I ever do anything right again. I feel really lost some days and right at home others. I worry too much about what's "normal" which leads to interesting google searches (like, "2 year old kissed white moth...poison??" Side note, that's really the format I use to type things into google).

Morning time is the time when I feel the differences from my working life the most. I no longer alarm and shower and blow dry and straighten and tuck in and match and makeup and drive. It sometimes seems impossible to me that I used to leave the house before 7 everyday and I'm sort of impressed with my past self (and every other working mom out there).

Some days I feel the pressure to contribute and have a mild panic attack about money, but then I think calming thoughts like "well, I'll just sell my car". Despite those anxieties, I'm not ready to leave. I miss feeling the stability I felt before, but it feels so so so worth it. It's selfish to say that, because the college accounts have been put on hold and a whole lot of pressure has been put on Austin, at the same time I can't help hearing that cliche in my head "you won't get this time back". I can spend the rest of my life working to make up for the years off (right?! Looking for reassurance here). I couldn't even handle thinking about the financial instability of not returning to work after my first maternity leave with Ruthie, even though I so desperately wanted to be home with her. Something felt different after having Bobby, 401k and expense reports are totally important, but they no longer feel like benefits that I cannot live without.

I know staying at home with babes is not at all the goal for many parents. I had not even an inkling that it was my goal until I was right in the middle of it all. There are few things I feel confident enough to give advice on, but I have absolutely no regrets in this decision. If you are going through something similar and struggling with the decision, I hope my experience might help.

And if I do have to act on my calming thought of selling my car for $$, don't worry, I'll write a post on it.

Raising Adventurous Eaters: 10 Ways to Introduce Peanuts

GOOD NEWS PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS! A bunch of important organizations (The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and the American Academy of Pediatrics) now recommend introducing peanuts around 6 months.

Early introduction might be even more important for babies at high risk for developing an allergy to peanuts (high risk = a confirmed egg allergy, severe eczema, or a sibling with a peanut allergy). It is worth talking with doc about introducing peanuts to your high risk baby. This new research has determined it may prevent a peanut allergy from developing. 

You might remember that I like to watch yesterday's news (one of the downsides of having only Hulu/Netflix). I recently heard a story about parents introducing peanuts by offering babes the entire peanut. High five for offering peanuts early but WAIT I take my high five back because whole peanuts could be a choking hazard for a grown man and most definitely are a choking hazard for a 6 month old. 

I'm pretty sure its just a fact that parents do strange things sometimes. I remember eating peanut butter and breathing in Ruthie's face to "expose" her when she was a baby. Anyone else do that? No? OK, moving on.

Possibly a little less obvious than entire peanuts but still a potential choking hazard is peanut butter. A big 'ole glob on its own can be a little too sticky for infants to handle, so how exactly do we do safely introduce peanuts? Don't worry friends, I've got you.

A little peanut butter stirred into purees or a teeny bit offered on a finger are totally fine introduction methods. But I've recently developed a thing for lists so read on for some tried 'n true ideas for baby led weaners and pureed lovers alike:

10 Ways to Introduce Peanuts

1. Peanut butter spread thinly on banana strips

2. Melted & cooled peanut butter mixed into plain, whole milk yogurt

3. A thin layer of peanut butter spread on soft steamed carrots

4. Peanut powder sprinkled on avocado slices (pulverize whole, unsalted peanuts in a food processor until powdery and very fine or purchase a powder such as PB2)

5. Chicken legs marinated in equal parts peanut butter + water with some minced garlic and ginger

6. Peanut butter stirred into oatmeal or rice cereal

7. A dash of PB2 peanut powder mixed into a fruit/veg + yogurt smoothie

8. Mash roasted sweet potatoes with peanut butter and cinnamon

9. Add peanut butter or peanut powder to a smoothie (frozen banana + kefir + peanut butter is a fave around here!) 

10. A dollop of peanut butter stirred into pancake batter before cooking

Peanuts don't have to be included every single day to get these potentially allergy protecting results. I aim for a few times a week, which isn't hard for us because it's such a staple food in our house.   

Now the most important part, I know you're all dying to know my favorite brand of PB. I actually skip Aldi in this case because I've become such a fan of the freshly ground option at Fresh Thyme. It's so inexpensive and SO FRESH. It's also super easy to make at home by pulsing unsalted peanuts in the food processor until a smooth ball forms. No other ingredients needed, JUST peanuts. Gah, I love food. 

Although I am a registered dietitian, this information is general in nature and intended to share my experiences. For concerns about introducing peanuts, especially if there is a risk of peanut allergy, please talk to your child's pediatrician.  

5 {Unexpected} Reasons I'm Obsessed with Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has major perks, you are probably aware. I promise I'm not going to reiterate for the 100th time how healthy it is or how it will morph you back to pre-pregnancy weight. I just have some strong feelings for breastfeeding and I need to shout it from the internet.

It wasn't straight to the good times for me. I went through an insecure phase. Ruthie, my two year old, was 5 lbs when we left the hospital and STILL wasn't latching. In the weeks after that, BFing pretty much consumed my mind...am I doing it right? Making enough? Is she latching right? Was that a tongue click? Why do I have a plugged duct for the 15th time? Why did I only pump an ounce? Has it been 2 hours since she last ate? It's not exactly an easy feat to nail down in a few hours. Turns out, it can take weeks (months?) to really get used to. Ruthie weaned at around 15 months and even with our somewhat rocky start, I instantly missed it and have rediscovered how awesome it is with Bobby (now 6 months). I'm a super fan for a million reasons but here are the ones I didn't expect.

1. The breastfeeders' high. Shortly after latching on, I sometimes experience a feeling sort of like right after you drink a good beer or a giant coffee...an elated, giddy, super ecstatically happy feeling. It seriously sometimes shows itself in an audible form where I giggle/sigh and make people around me very uncomfortable (very VERY uncomfortable if they were weirded out by my breastfeeding in the first place).  BFing causes a release of oxytocin, so I'm guessing that has something to do with it but whatever the cause, it is AWESOME. It's a really strong feeling of HEY EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE OK, and who doesn't like to feel that every now and then.

2. A new relationship with food. I have never given less thought to the calorie content of the food than in the time since having Ruthie two years ago. I feel like BFing has given me a completely new relationship with food. I've never been big on calorie counting, but before BFing I was super conscious of over eating and probably a little too hard on my body. Not so anymore. I'm hungry all the time, and I eat all the time. I just don't feel nearly as preoccupied with calories & carbs. I view food much more simply. I eat things that make me feel good and I rarely think negative thoughts about my body. BONUS: I make an effort to never SAY negative things about my body, tiny ears are listening (tiny ears are still walking around saying "bloodthirsty" in a weird, low voice thanks to overhearing it on Unsolved Mysteries #austinwatchesweirdtv).

3. The TONS of time. It forces me to stop and stare and notice the red tint this baby's hair, the weird shape of his pinky toenail, the little nursing sounds he makes (#FAVE). It gives me a chance to watch his little hand creep all around my chin and notice how he looks up at me like I'm the coolest person he's ever met (spoiler: i am). It is a HUGE time commitment, but during this super short period when everything happens so fast, it is one of the only things that actually slows me down. And let's be real, it also gives me time to scroll through IG. 

 4. The reminder to drink water. I am the grossest person in the world when it comes to water consumption. It's so pathetic, someone help me. During the first 25 seconds or so of BFing, I become so thirsty that I can't ignore it so I pick up this giant baby and haul ass over to the faucet, or yell for Austin until he hears me outside and gets me some water. When I first started nursing Ruthie, I wouldn't even sit down without a boppy, a Brest Friend (I accidentally bought the twin version...HUGE), basically a gallon of water WITH ice, my phone, and a snack. 50% of the time now, I'm BFing Bobby in the Ergo while putting Ruthie's shoes on. Times they have changed. The point I'm failing at making here is BFing helps to remind me that humans need water to survive. 

5. A simplified wardrobe. I was somewhat surprised to find out that you really can't BF in just any old thing. It took a while to figure this area out but even now, expert that I am 🙄, mistakes are made. The other day, I went to pick up Bobby after a presentation to which I wore a non nursing friendly dress. I had two options 1. Take it off and sit naked on my parents' couch next to Gus, the 100 year old, toothless cat or 2. Go through my old closet at my parents house and find something. I chose two and reemerged wearing my sister's old volleyball jersey and some pink satin PJ pants. I'm usually in fully BFing friendly attire because having kids has changed my style and simplified my wardrobe, pushing those BFing friendly pieces to the front of my closet. I have a solid collection of basic thingies like vneck tees (I like the flowy, linen feeling ones), tanks, shorts, open cardigans, and my fave jeans in dark and light washes, along with some other good stuff like a chambray button up, black skinnies, a few wrap dresses, linen shorts, some bright silky button front tanks and workout clothes. LOTS of workout clothes. BFing has basically narrowed down my wardrobe to a handful of similar items that make it convenient to nurse in public. Just call me a minimalist. I'm realizing as I type this that I go out 100x less than before kids, so that could be equally to blame for my simplified wardrobe 🤔.

There are a million reasons to breastfeed and I will forever be an advocate. Sometimes I do feel "touched out" as I've heard it called...like give me an actual second without being pawed. But those moments are easy to get over with a little break or a reminder to myself "THIS TIME WILL GO BY SO FAST". Overall It has been the one of the sweetest parts of my life so far, not to mention the most accomplished I've ever felt. I bet there are more not-very-talked-about benefits! What are yours?

22 Things My Life is Right Now

1. My life is stepping on a naked baby doll, a wet troll, and 35 various squirty toys every time I enter the shower
2. A really really really full bed 
3. Feeding Ruthie better than I feed myself
4. Saying "that's not for eating" way more than I ever thought I would (and overhearing Ruthie say it to her self as she eats playdough)
5. Feeling guilty for ignoring Bobby when Ruthie needs my help
6. Wondering how people keep their houses clean and wishing I could be one of those people
7. Mentally logging texts I want to send (and then completely forgetting to send them, obviously)
8. Prying pieces of quinoa out of Bobby's neck rolls
9. Squeezing Bobby into clothing
10. Putting shoes and socks on and taking shoes and socks off
11. Going to bed at 9 pm
12. Realizing 2 hours has gone by during nap time and thinking "what the hell have I been doing this whole time?"
13. Getting more done during a 2 hour nap time than I used to do during 8 hours at my desk
14. Keeping Ruthie entertained with TV even though I knew for SURE I never would 🙄
15. Picking things up with my feet
16. Finding ways to do my hair that can withstand Ruthie's twirling
17. Looking forward to beer o'clock
18. Letting Sam the outdoor cat inside so Ruthie can practice picking him up and whisper "you're my little buddy" directly into his ear
19. Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of emotion that comes from this tiny girl
20. Trying to figure out the right response when Ruthie yells "PUT THE BOBBO DOWN"
21. Making Austin wake me up at 6 am to workout (....and then ignoring him and going back to sleep)
22. Living in complete wonder seeing these babies change everyday

My life is made up of incredibly peaceful moments punctuated by moments of pure, sometimes hilarious chaos (probably more accurate to word that the other way around). The challenges I deal with during the day are so different than two short years ago. I have to force myself to stop and think about how grateful I am for these guys.

I am pretty much the opposite of an organized person, so the chaotic moments are often a result of that trait. It sometimes REALLY bothers me and I just wish I could keep all my ducks in a row all the time. I'm working on it a little bit, but mainly just trying to accept the mess. Neat and organized Austin cautiously offers me advice "...it helps to make lists". So here's a list for ya!

#watershoes

Ruthie the Two Year Old

I hope I have this strong, seasonal nostalgia forever. Everything from the constant rain to the flowers that pop up along the driveway reminds me of when we brought Ruthie home. There is something so permanent in my memory around those first months with her. The smell of pampers and lanolin and sweet newborn skin. Feeling completely out of sorts and SO TIRED but also like taking care of her came naturally. The anxiety I had whenever anyone else held her tiny little self. I also very clearly remember feeling the post-partum blues and crying for way too long in reaction to a cheesy motherhood quote from Suzanne Somers' Facebook Page.

Ugh it still makes me teary...SO MANY EYEROLLS.

The year between her first and second birthdays flew by faster than any year in my life. The 5 lb baby who made us parents is turning into everything we'd imagined. She's so funny! And so adventurous. She sees a snake and her instinct is to KISS IT. Not to light it on fire or kick it into the trees. She is balanced and athletic (and tan) like Austin. She can have a conversation with anyone like a tiny adult. She has a fierce love for Sam the cat.

I'm learning already that the second year of life is not always easy. It involves intense emotions and no experience in communicating them which sometimes results in angry screaming and flattening oneself to the ground. But it also involves making new discoveries everyday, looking forward to going to mimi's house, learning to live with a baby brother, and feeling such happiness that it can only be expressed in a shrill squeak. In true Ruthie fashion, she took a while to warm up to her birthday party guests. I think she'll take the same approach to being a two year old. It's pretty amazing to witness all of this growth and I feel so lucky to call her my ootie dootie.

I'm Not Going Back: Making the Decision to Stay Home with Babes

This would have been my first week back to work after a little over two months home with my second babe. Just like everyone says, the time absolutely flew by. But it felt all kinds of different from my first maternity leave 'Cause I'm not goin' back.

As many moms do, I had a rough time going back to work after my first, Ruthie, was born. A few days after bringing her home from the hospital, I started to feel the annoying weight of the 12 week maternity leave clock. After my 6 week postpartum checkup? Full-on anxiety over the weeks, days, minutes we had left together. I felt guilty doing the dishes because I should have spent that time with Ruthie. I wore her endlessly to try to make every second count. I slept with her right next to me so I wouldn't waste the hours overnight. I didn't like to put her in the car because I couldn't hold her while she was in her car seat (geezus, I might be insane). Suddenly time was up and I had to force myself away from her side and into my car...alone. I cried for days, made myself feel horribly guilty, and tried to ignore the nagging feeling that I was making the wrong choice (for me, I totally understand this isn't the experience of every mother or father). In the hours outside of those spent in the office, I was obsessed with time and never left Ruthie's side. 

Heading back to work when Ruthie was about 3 months old (and only 10 lbs!!)

When I found out we had another on the way, the thought of heading back to a typical workweek with a two hour daily commute felt flat-out impossible. I was spending more time at work than at home, and I definitely wasn't passionate enough about my job to justify the time away. And with TWO babies?? My stomach tightened every time I thought about it. At the same time, the thought of not working absolutely terrifies me. Not only the financial aspect (although that is a HUGE part), but what if I fall behind the competition? What if I can't find a job when I decide I'm ready to (or finances decide that I need to) go back? What about the example I was setting for Ruthie by working AND momming?

Life: Ruthie is a blur and Bobby is just chillin'.

Two and a half months into this leave, I feel none of the insane pressure I put on myself before. I am 99% sure that is because I'm not hyper aware of the invisible hourglass reminding me how little time I have left to witness the teeny babe stage in all it's glory. I might find down the road that I don't love staying home as much as I thought I would, or that we can't afford it, or maybe Ruthie will say "dude, go back to work I see you way too much", but I'm so excited and wierdly proud to be giving myself the chance to find out.

Thanks to Austin for agreeing to try and make it work <3.

Grateful to see Bobby grow all day, err day.

72 Thoughts I had on my Wedding Day

The big day has come and gone. How that is possible...I do not know. Many thoughts were had on October 8th, some of them were even remembered. I've compiled them into this list. 

1. omg.
2. Ruthie, it's 5:30 AM...let's hang out for a little longer.
3. How is Austin still sleeping? 

4. Oh! Amanda's here! I'm going to go grind coffee beans until she wakes up.
5. Yessss she brought good coffee beans!!
6. Why is there so much dew all over everything? Should I blow-dry the tables?
7. Oh god, the tablecloths are sticking.
8. Maybe I should wait until the sun comes up to start setting tables. 
9. DAN quit jumping on the bar. 
10. THANK GOD Amanda's awake. 
11. Should I be doing something super important right now?
12. QUICHE!
13. I'm positive the florist forgot to put together my arrangements.
14. Ruthie looks so cute in tiny sweatpants.
15. I feel fairly normal today.
16. OMG HAIR AND MAKEUP ARE HERE, THIS IS HAPPENING.  
17. I wish I had more time to just hang out with my bmaids today.
18. There are 15 crates of freshly baked rolls in the living room. 
19. Monkey bread AND cinnamon rolls, this truly is the best day. 
20. Is everyone noticing how long my (fake) eyelashes are?

21. I can't believe how many people came to help us set up!
22. Have I felt the baby move today?
23. WHERE IS RUTHIE?
24. So grateful for grandmas <3
25. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE CHEESE PLATE?
26. Having a photographer here is awkward (should I be doing something super inspiring to photograph rn?)
27. I wish I could have a photographer here to document every day.
28. Damn Andrea is good at doing hair.
29. It's time to put the dress on already.
30. I should probably wait until 5 minutes before the ceremony to put Ruthie's dress on.

Photo by Charis Rowland Photography. 

31. People are here already!? What time is it?!
32. Can't really bend my arms, holding Ruthie like a robot for the rest of the day is fine.
33. First look is going to feel so awkward (I just saw Austin like 30 minutes ago). 
34. First look is a magical thing and I want to do it again at least monthly.

Photo by Charis Rowland Photography. 

35. There are so many people here.   
36. I don't think we're going to start at 4:30.
37. I'm OK with starting late. 
38. Is everyone going to notice we are starting late?
39. Hope Lou doesn't mind strumming a few extra Sister Marilyn chords. 
40. What if there isn't enough food? What if there isn't any food because the caterer forgot? 
41. Can I go outside and say hi to everyone?
42. Reading books in the kitchen with Ruthie like everything is normal and there aren't 20 shuttles worth of family and friends outside.

43. What if Ruthie gets bored during the ceremony? 
44. Oh man, God bless Amy. She is literally sprinting around outside right now. 
45. Can anyone see me through this window
46. *Someone waves to me through window and I immediately drop to floor*
47. That was a strange reaction.
48. Time to go!
49. Was I supposed to wear a veil?
50. When did I put gum in my mouth?
51. *Frantically throws gum with excessive force, it goes 2 feet and sticks to a chair*
52. I have the greatest friends.
53. Should I remind Dad right now of the time he wore a furry suit to Andrea's wedding that one of the cats had slept on the night before?
54. I bet Ruthie is overwhelmed by the amount of people at our house.
55. Really time to go.

56. It is absolutely amazing to have most everyone I love in one place right now. 
57. I wonder if I look as excited as I actually am right now.
58. Oh, Austin. 
59. And Brian! Hi Brian!
60. Ruthie is crying! Poor buddy, she is probably so overwhelmed. (Thank you Renee for saving the day!)
61. Aw Austin...you're crying already!

62. Do we hold hands? One hand or both hands?
63. *Austin whispers to me "Do we have to read our vows? I already can't stop crying"*
64. UGH this is one of the absolute best and sweetest moments of my life. 
65. Ah which hand does it go on?! 
66. Just now noticing that I am standing in front of a whole buncha folks. 
67. Feeling some intense relief. 

68. I hope this olden time vehicle starts.
69. Ruthie would love this, we should have brought her for a ride with us!
70. I think I'm sitting on the actual gas tank, I'm glad Ruthie isn't on here with us. 
71. I'm starving. 
72. This is the.best.day.

Many more thoughts were had and lost as the evening became pretty much a blur. Some highlights included listening to the speeches (especially Mary's *crying-so-hard face*), eating some really good food, finally getting to eat the cake (that my mom made for anyone who did not know that!!), and best of all, hanging out with pretty much everyone I know and love. Thank you isn't enough to express my gratitude to all of those who were a part of the day. Let's do it again real soon.

Ruthie is 1

Ruthie's first birthday was last Friday, April 22nd and I still cannot believe she's one! When I was pregnant, I hated hearing how fast pregnancy would go. When Ruthie was born, like the day she was born, so many people told me to cherish it because it would go by SO fast and I hated hearing that too. Now that she is one, I hate that everyone was SO right because it DID go by that fast. CRYING FACE EMOJO.

Ruthie was born on Earth Day which is an amazing reflection of her tree-loving daddy. We had an Earth Day themed party on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. It was perfect, thanks so much to everyone who wished her a happy day. And I think I've calmed down a little bit in case anyone is in the mood to tell me how Ruthie will be 21 before I know it.

Engagement Sesh

Looking for a unique location for your engagement photos? Send us a message and get out here! No charge, just a really beautiful option for couples seeking an authentic, rustic & nature inspired backdrop.

Photos taken by my sister, Mary Morton, in October.

Pergola Build

If you had asked me what a pergola was a few years ago, there is a slight chance I would have had no idea what you were talking about. The same goes for names of various plant life. "That tree? That's an oak, right?" Wrong. There are like a million types of trees other than oak. What?!

I'm learning all kinds of new things about landscaping including what it takes to build a massive pergola made to stand the test of time. Austin and his dad put up the rafters and beams in one day. Each bracket was handmade by Austin (all 120 of them) in order to achieve the rustic, industrial look he was going for. The poplar rafters and sugar maple beams were cut especially for us by Lohrberg Lumber in Hecker, Illinois for that rough-hewn look. The support posts are reclaimed, sturdy-as-hell utility poles. The posts will be rooted in concrete and enveloped in brick pavers. Each post has a different type of vine planted at the base, and I'm proud to say I know the name of each one.