Self Care

November 28th, 2017

November 25th 2016

*** Looking back on it, pre-mom days, I had a lot of time to do self care. I've never been the type to do the primping and pampering of myself, such as manicures, or facials, or masks even at home. But I had time to go on long walks, make myself tea and sit and listen to podcasts; I would take long showers and paint my nails when I wanted to. Fast forward and my showers are squeezed in between after dinner and pre-pumping times. I'm lucky to finish a coat of paint on my nails before Lewis wakes up from his nap. And recently I realized I needed more me time. So last weekend I scheduled a Barre 3 class with some friends, made a hair apt for a cut (5 inches she cut off to be exact!), and had Cory do bedtime so I could paint my nails. Lets just say I'm still riding the high of the weekend. Just doing those little things to make time to pamper myself makes such a difference!  ***

A post I never finished, but just want to remind myself that these days are even more important as my child gets older and as we are about to add a second to the mix. 

Also, wondering if I should cut my hair again?? Ooh how I get that urge seeing pictures like this. 

October Shenanigans

November 1, 2017

Man it felt like October just flew right by! It's probably one of my favorite months in Oregon. The weather is always so perfect. The leaves are at their peak of changing color and the holiday season kicks off with Halloween. We kind of love Halloween over here and I make it a mission of mine to make our costumes every year. 

But before we get to Halloween we have to start with another annual tradition, the pumpkin patch! We tried out a new one this year and I think it will become a fan favorite as the years go by. Went to Lee Farms to check out how they do pumpkin patching. I was pretty happy. There were a lot of activities that were above Lewis' age range so I think this place is a bit better for families with older kids. However, we had a lot of fun. 

As much as I do love Halloween, I try not to make the costumes too involved. I want to have fun making them but keep the stress pretty low. I chose Lewis to be Lucy this year because those two are an inseparable pair! I was Gretta. In years past we've thrown Halloween parties, but this year I just wasn't feeling like a huge get together. I decided to do a kiddos party and I'm so glad I did! So simple and adorable to see all the kids dressed up. I'll definitely be hosting one every year. 

Lewis and Tenley who was a swan.

We also decided to do our annual baby-in-a-pumpkin photo. However, we couldn't find a pumpkin big enough to fit our bit baby this year, so Lewis and I decided to put one of his stuffed animals in a pumpkin instead. He had fun putting Cookie Monster in it but wasn't all too sure about the cleaning out part. He kept making all these grossed out noises. It was too cute. My dad came over during Halloween weekend and we made pizzas together. 

Had to include last years photo because it is one of my all time favorite photos of baby Lew!! 

We also did lots of walking outside this month. I called them our Oregonian kid walks - early morning strolls in our boots and pajamas! 

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. - Anne of Green Gables

Dear Edith

October 31st 2017

My daughter! What a surprise to be saying that. My daughter, my daughter, my daughter... I never in a billion years would have thought I would be having a little girl. Ever since I was little I just assumed I would have boys. I have no idea why, but that's how it was. Even my baby dolls I chose to have them boys. Once Lewis came along it was like everything just made sense. Of course he'd be a boy! I'm going to be a boy mom! But then once I started feeling those little flutters of you, praying over your growing body, I couldn't help but feel you were a little girl.

Once we saw your face on ultrasound I knew you were our daughter. But still even saying that is surprising. It's taken me a little while to truly believe that you are you and you are coming and that we'll have all the little girl things filling up our home very soon. 

I can honestly say I'm a little more nervous for your arrival than your brothers. Will I be a good girl mom to you? How will I teach you to have confidence in your self, your body, and who you are as a girl/woman? Being a boy mom just felt more natural. How will I respond to your more sensitive needs but build you up as a strong little lady? 

I know one hundred percent that the Lord has had this plan all along. You in our family, me as your mom. I know things will fall into place and that I will look back and say I can't imagine not having a daughter! With lots of prayer and practice I know I'll fall into this new role of girl mom. What I also know, is that I love you so so very much. So much I cry some nights just yearning to kiss your cheeks with my heart just welling up with thankfulness that you are coming. You are the daughter I never knew I wanted but will be exactly what I and this family needed. I know you are so loved and cherished already and we all can't wait to meet you. Lewis especially, as we have to say good morning and good night every day to baby sister. Man does he love you already too. 

Edith darling, I love you to the moon and back. 

The Day I was a model

October 30 2017

My sister in law is a lifestyle blogger (see her work here) and over the summer partnered with Kohl's to do an article featuring their new maternity clothes. She needed a model and with my perfect sized bump I fit the bill for model! I was grateful to have this experience to play model for her but also get pampered on a bit. Such a treat! We took photos in Edie's room, around my neighborhood, and downtown Portland. It was such a fun day! Here are a few of my favorite photos from the shoot.

photos by Nakalan Mckay

To see more photos and the article she wrote head over here !

Baby Shower for Edie

October 14th 2017

Last weekend my dear friends Lauren and Shelby hosted the most perfect shower for Edie and I. I suggested doing something like a tea party (because I really wanted a wine party but obviously no can do, so tea sounded perfect haha) and they rolled with it. It was absolutely perfect! It's no secret I have been loving sweets and Lauren whipped up - all by hand - the most delicious desserts. 

I mean c'mon, those little tea bag sugar cookies with the E's on them. Everything was so good and just perfect. We sipped tea, ate lots of sweets, and Edie and I were loved on by a bunch of my dear friends. It truly fills my heart with such joy knowing all the wonderful women this daughter of mine will grow up around. Strong, brave, kind, beautiful women. 

Thank you friends for the perfect little celebration! 

Our Daughter's Name & Her Due Date

October 14th 2017

I had been scouring the internet, books, friends, social media - you name it - trying to come up with a list of baby girl and baby boy names that I thought sounded perfect paired with Lewis. Once we learned our little peach was a girl I was able to narrow it down to just little girl names. However, I had the hardest time! You would think having two pregnancies now I would have had a list of top favorites. I did have my list and I added to it some names to suggest to Cory, however, going through them none of them really stood out to me. I suggested a ton of little girl names including Hazel, Winnie, Elizabeth, Nell, Jane, June.. but none of them really sung to me nor Cory. At least not for this little babe. 

I had suggested names, re-sugessted names, but none really stood out. I had suggested a name when Lewis was in my tummy but didn't quite know if I really liked it enough. A few days before our gender reveal party I brought the name up. Edith . Cory said "I've always loved that name". My response was "so..is that her name?". And we both smiled and just shook our heads yes. 

The name is Cory's maternal great-grandmothers name and we think it's going to fit our little lady so well. After deciding on the name I looked up the meaning and found a fun coinscendence between her and Lewis' name. 

Edith: English/German meaning riches or blessed; also war. 

Lewis: German meaning fame or war; renowned warrior.  

We weren't going for a war theme haha but it's kind of cool they both have similar meanings. 

Our little Edie girl (pronounced ee-dee) also has a fun due date. At least fun for us right now. For her in the years to come not so much! She is due December 26th! The anticipation to Christmas is already so high naturally and this just makes it the biggest gift ever! 72 days until Christmas which means around 72 days to meet our little girl. 

Baby Girl

October 14th 2017

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

This was our announcement photo revealing that the little one growing inside of me is a little girl. Cory and I kinda knew she was a she, me for a while now and him after seeing her profile in the ultrasound. It's still shocking though! Probably because we only have our son and so we are so used to everything boy. And also, when we were childless we would joke that we would only have boys because we already have our girls (Lucy and Gretta). 

We are so beyond thrilled! 

It's been a couple months now that we learned the news and it is starting to sink in more and more. We have a name chosen for her, we've accumulated some baby girl items from friends and family, and having been preparing Lewis for a little sister. 

Photo by Nakalan McKay 

I've started piecing together her nursery and imagining our daughter filling in all those tiny (crazy adorable) dresses and pink onesies. It still is a little unbelievable that we'll have a little girl. Our daughter. I'll be writing a little post soon about how I feel about her being a her and my initial reactions. 

Our daughter, we are so thankful that you are growing healthy and cannot wait to meet you!