Its a Hero

being a mom

Explore Ohio // Family-Friendly Summer Fun at Pinecrest

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THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY PINECREST BUT THE CONTENT AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE ARE MY OWN.

 

Summer may not ‘officially’ start for another couple of weeks, but our local schools have been out for a couple of weeks now and we are in full-swing Summer mode!

I purposefully adjusted my Summer work schedule to maximize the time that the kids and I can spend time doing things we enjoy the most — like visiting museums, hitting up the library, and exploring local events.

And we are VERY excited to check out all of the family-friendly events taking place at Pinecrest in Orange Village!

If you haven’t yet been to Pinecrest, you’re truly missing out. Between the shops and restaurants, it’s also an amazing community of vendors and Cleveland supporters. And the family-friendly Summer event schedule is jam-packed with incredible opportunities to visit, explore, and open doors to adventure!

If you visit today, there is a Give Gifted Summer Marketplace taking place in Pinecrest’s Central Park and it features small-shop vendors like Little Red Bird Custom Cookies and Art of Sucre (whose kid doesn’t love cut-out cookies and fancy cotton candy?!). And every Sunday through the Summer they will feature a free concert series called “Simple Summer Sundays,” which sounds like a great way to wrap-up the weekend.

Weekday events like this Tuesday’s Pinecrest Play Days with NEO Parent are just as easy to come by. My crew and I will be there to kick off the season with their inaugural event, which is conveniently themed Summer Camp Out. The event will feature crafts, games, prizes, snacks, balloon art, temporary glitter tattoos, and more. It’s sure to be a fantastic way to keep the kids busy and entertained!

Other family-friendly events include:

  • Outdoor Movie Nights (Weekly, Wednesday’s at 8:00 PM — to include Ralph Breaks The Internet, Frozen, and more!)
  • North Union Farmer’s Market (Weekly, Saturday’s from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
  • Free Outdoor Yoga Classes (Weekly, Wednesday’s at 6:30 PM)

See below for a full schedule of Summer events!

Bonus Pro-Tip: While you’re there, treat yo’self (and your kids) to an extra special treat from Duck Donuts, Condado Tacos, or Pinstripes for Brunch! You won’t regret it.

What event

are you most excited

to attend?

 

Mila Rose // 10 + 11 Months

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Guys — SO much has changed in just TWO MONTHS! I seriously don’t even know how it’s possible. Perhaps it’s the fact that Mila is my last baby, or perhaps it’s the fact that she’s a joyous baby in general… but time is flying and I’m over here just crying, y’all! I didn’t mean to go two months without updating on Mila, but things happened and I got distracted (as life goes).

The reason I haven’t been able to update is that we had ALL THINGS SICKNESS going on — again! Remy had another TWO UTIs and Mila had another ear infection followed by a 6-day fever of 104 degrees.

No worries — we’re on the mend now.

But here’s what you’ve missed in the last two months…

On The Move  //

Girlfriend is MOBILE! Considering how late Remy began to walk, I was not at all hopeful that this baby would walk early. But she is walking around furniture and with help (ie. fingers or a walker). I’m eating it up and I just know she’ll be walking, unassisted, before I know it!

A Strong Will  //

Remy always was and always will be my number one drama queen, but over the last two months, I’ve noticed a ‘spunk’ in Mila that cannot be ignored. She wants what she wants and she doesn’t want what she doesn’t want. As I navigate motherhood, I’m beginning to truly respect this aspect. Sure, it’s difficult, but isn’t all of motherhood? So as I see these little pieces of strong will shine through, I keep wondering what our future holds.

Stay tuned, friends!

Boob + Food  //

This chick loves all of the food! Between nursing and real food, she’s practically eating nonstop. She will nurse in the morning, once again mid-morning, followed by a jar of food and some puffs, then nurses again before naptime, nurses after naptime, then will eat two jars of food and yogurt/puffs after naptime, more nursing before bedtime, and then sleeps. I feel like my life revolves around providing her with food!

Her favorite foods are peach puffs, pear and oatmeal baby food, and Annie’s Organic Mac and Cheese! I honestly don’t remember giving my big kids mac and cheese until they were about 18 months, but Mila sees them eating it now and needs it! So I just cut it up and she will seriously eat an entire bowl!

Sleep  //

I still count myself lucky. She’s still a decent sleeper. During times of crisis (ie. 104 fever and double-ear infection), she has wanted to be awake with me in the middle of the night; but other times she sleeps through the entire night. So yep. I’m definitely lucky.

Weight + Height  //

Soooo she’s still a peanut. Despite her very healthy appetite, she is in the 6th percentile for weight.

Y’all, I get comments all the time about how tiny she is. But I guess my kids are just tiny? Cause she won’t. stop. eating!

Truthfully, I’m not sure how tall she is, because I pretty much check out after the weight portion. But she’s not tall. Ha!

Health  //

Despite the double-ear infections, she is quite healthy. She’s my first baby to ever have an ear infection (let alone, 3!), so that’s been a bit jarring, but we’ve really rolled with it.

When she developed a high fever last week, I was super concerned. Neither Ari nor Remy have ever developed a high fever (I truly think they are not kids that really get fevers), so I was extra concerned. We ended up in Urgent Care on day 4, where they diagnosed her with a general virus; but by day 6 I decided it was time to see our pediatrician. He diagnosed her with a specific virus — Hand Foot and Mouth Disease — based on three sores found near her tonsils. I was surprised but somehow relieved that we had an answer. And two days later all symptoms were gone.

Favorites  //

Her favorite people are her brother and sister — hands down. She lights up whenever she sees them and I totally love it.

Other favorites include her (outdoor) swing, her binky, trying new foods, nodding yes, and waving bye-bye.

If you need me in the next month, you can find me crying into my coffee (or wine) about how my last baby will be turning one at any moment. ♥ ♥

Home Safety at Your Fingertips

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THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY GUARDIAN ALARM BUT THE CONTENT AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE ARE MY OWN.

 

Ohh, Memorial Day weekend! We’ve officially been in our home for 6 months — can you believe that?! Where does the time go? As we enter this weekend I feel… calm. Truly, I feel calm. Yes, we will be traveling to visit family and attend various celebrations, but I am breathing a breath of fresh air in the fact that I have not once hesitated on whether or not our home is safe while we are off living our busy lives.

I have to admit, looking back at our situation in our previous home, safety was certainly a concern, but not enough so that we did anything about it. There were many times where Chad was out of town for work and I was left alone with our children, and I just didn’t feel ‘safe.’ I would spend those days (and nights) worrying about a home intruder — just hoping that we would not have to deal with that type of situation. I’m thankful that those fears can now be put to rest.

See, while the kids and I are on the go this Memorial Day weekend, Chad will be off working the entire weekend. But we’ll both be able to monitor the safety and security of our home with Total Connect, the mobile app from Guardian Alarm.

Total Connect allows me to monitor the safety and security of our home when we’re away. I can control the handy lamp module that’s currently installed in our living room so I can effortlessly turn lights off and on (and thus give the appearance that we’re home even when we’re away). I can also check on that big package we’re expecting by live-streaming our Guardian Alarm camera. It’s so handy and easy to use.

I’ve long wondered what the fuss of automation in a security system was all about, but having the Total Connect app at my fingertips has truly changed our lives. Entering the house when I get home from Memorial Day festivities is made so much easier because I’m able to both disarm and unlock our back door with the push of a button.

While we’re off playing in the park, meeting up with friends for playdates, and enjoying the nice, long, weekend, Guardian Alarm will be taking care of the rest.

Now if only Guardian Alarm could help with keeping three crazy kids under control during all of these outings! Ha! I’m kidding, obviously, but I seriously wouldn’t mind if someone invented a teleportation device to effortlessly get us to-and-from our destinations without having to battle traffic!

How are you

 

keeping your home

 

safe and secure

 

this holiday?

 

 

Taking A Moment To Find Myself // My 3rd Postpartum Journey

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I needed this Mother’s Day in ways that I cannot even convey to you. Just Saturday, I was a broken down mother — exhausted from the grind, full of self-doubt and self-pity. But late Saturday evening, I purchased a pass to Balance + Brews at Royal Docks in Canton.

Balance + Brews is a group of local yoga teachers that do pop up classes in craft breweries throughout Northeast Ohio. I’ve been meaning to show up for a class for years, but there was always a reason I couldn’t make it. In fact, this time I almost self-sabotaged — I almost decided not to go because I was afraid of going alone. But I bought the ticket anyway. I committed.

And as I was driving down the highway completely alone, blasting music from my college days, I realized… I needed this. I honestly cannot tell you the last time I went further than Target (which is about a half mile) in the car without a child.

And then to have a meal completely alone? It just sealed the deal for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my children. But the weight of always being “on” has really taken a toll lately. It took me until Sunday to realize just how much I missed being with my most authentic self. And in those moments of screaming singing Thursday songs at the top of my lungs, I made a vow to make myself a priority. Starting now.

So to all of the mama’s out there who are struggling to find their new identity, I see you. If you can, go ahead and take a drive, blast that music, and remember who you are.

And Happy (Belated) Mother’s Day.

 

My Name is Rachel… and I’m Suffering from Postpartum Depression + Anxiety… Again.

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My name is Rachel…

I am a mom.

I am a runner.

I am a supporter of local businesses.

I am a coffee addict.

I am a fan of craft IPAs.

I am a lover of yummy food.

…and I am a postpartum depression and anxiety survivor.

Lately, it’s been a bit hard to talk about, which is unusual for me. But there have been many days where I have really struggled as of late.

The feelings came on much later this time around. I got really comfortable with the idea that I would be spared this time around. I was wrong. And that’s okay.

See, I really want to be all of these things WITHOUT also having the PPD/A, but (at least for now) it’s a part of my life. Personally, I know I’ll get through this. I know I’ll survive. But for now, I’ll be dealing with this unwelcome guest — the one who comes and goes as she pleases; the one who shows up at unexpected moments; the one who lingers for longer than I’d like. But I’ll get through this. I’ve been through it twice before and I’ll get through it again.

If you are struggling with postpartum depression and/anxiety PLEASE seek help. And if you want someone to talk to or cry to, shoot me a DM. ❤️

You are NOT alone!

Mila Rose // 9 Months

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Here we goooo again! I thought for certain we would make it through this month without an illness. Isn’t that funny! I know, I should have known better.

So yeah. This 9-month update should have come to you a few days ago, but Meebs was in no position to have her picture taken. Ha!

Meebs  //

For those of you who are new around here, Meebs is the nickname for baby number three — Mila Rose. Her big sister, Remy, age 3, can’t manage to pronounce “Mila” so she says “Meeba.” The name Meeba has somehow turned into “Meebs” and now that’s generally what she is known as… by, like, everyone.

It’s funny and cute and weird, but totally normal to us. And I sometimes have to remind myself that people who don’t know us well aren’t familiar with this name (and find it strange, not surprisingly) and that I should just take a second to explain.

On The Move  //

My first child, Ari, was quick to pick up everything. From the bottle to crawling, then walking to talking — even potty training! — he just did it all early. Kind of odd for a boy (and first child), but I rolled with it.

The same cannot be said for my girls. Both have completely different infant temperaments, but they both seem to be taking their darn time at ‘big kid’ milestones. And I guess I’m just rolling with them, too.

Although I expected Meebs to start crawling before 8-months, it wasn’t until about 8-months and one week before she started doing her own little army crawl. And guys, this army crawl is unlike anything I’ve seen before! It’s a combination of an army crawl and a half-roll! It’s hilarious but effective!

Boob + Food  //

I’ve never been in any sort of hurry to start my babies on solids. We have always done a combination of Baby Led Weaning (BLW) and purees but only began once we were certain that they were ready. And with all of the meal-making for the big kids, I was honestly in zero rush to sit and force another child to eat.

In the last month I’ve been giving her at least one jar of food every day, but oftentimes it ends up being 2 or 3. I kind of let her take the lead and tell me when she wants food. She makes it pretty clear when boob isn’t cutting it. But last night, for instance, she let me know that less than one jar of food was sufficient for dinner. And that’s absolutely fine with me.

Her favorite baby foods are pears, sweet potatoes, and oats. And, thus far, she hasn’t really spit out anything.

Weight + Height  //

Well, I was super excited to see her weight and height progression at her 9-month well child visit. Although she was born my ‘biggest’ and is my chunkiest baby, I knew she was still really small compared to the average. Her weight, coming in at a whopping 15 pounds 11 ounces, came as no shock to me (although, truthfully, I was hoping she would break the sixteen-mark!), as she is still fitting quite comfortably in most of her 3-6 month clothes. That puts her at 10th percentile for weight! — STILL my biggest percentile baby, can you believe that?!

I can’t remember her exact height, but she’s over 40th percentile for height. Makes sense considering those 3-6 month clothes are just starting to get a little short.

In the end, our pediatrician isn’t worried one bit. She’s exactly perfect and right on track with her siblings. She’s meeting all of her milestones (and has crazy good hand-eye coordination!) regardless of her tiny stature.

Health  //

We’re on a once-a-month illness schedule around here. I’m chalking it up to building her immune system — and I’m just grateful it has never been something truly serious. But just days ahead of turning 9-months, she got hit with yet another yucky cough, turned double-ear infection, turned bronchiolitis.

Again, not serious, but definitely not all that fun either. We had a couple of really bad days and nights battling a low-grade fever and fussiness, but no sooner was she diagnosed and put on an antibiotic did she start to show signs of improvement.

Just three more months  //

It’s hard to believe that we’ll be celebrating her first birthday in 3 months. I’m already (slowly) starting to plan an elaborate celebration (my very last babies first birthday, y’all!). But in the meantime, I’ll be over here crying over every teeny tiny milestone.

Also! I’m hosting a Giveaway for a 4-pack of tickets to Sesame Street Live! at the Wolstein Center this April 6th – 7th. The giveaway closes at 11:59 PM EST 3/27/2019, so head here to enter now.