Its a Hero

Remy Bea

Remy Bea’s Pink, Blue, + Gold Birthday Party

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Remy Bea celebrated her 3rd birthday in January. Last year, for her second birthday, I planned an elaborate party. But January is a rough month in general. And between flu season and weather, I feel like I can never count on anything to fall into place, let alone everything that needs to for a party. Alas, it had to be cancelled.

So this year I felt like I really needed to make sure she had a great birthday party. And that’s why I planned a delayed birthday party for March!

Her one request from her Mimi was a Barbie cake. I don’t know what happened, but this child turned 3 and she decided she was a million percent girly. Well, a Barbie cake she received!

Her theme? Well, technically she didn’t have a “theme,” but she had a color scheme! And that color scheme was baby blues, pinks, gold, and GLITTER — so much glitter and sparkle!

The day of her party we were lucky to have so many of the people who love her present! Cousins, friends, grandparents, aunts, and uncles — they were all ready to celebrate our special little lady.

I debated the food for forever. I usually keep the food “on theme” but I was coming up blank for a kid who either wants to eat everything or wants to eat absolutely nothing but yogurt. Well, we went with a simple route — Philly Cheesesteak Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls (thank you, Instant Pot!), Remy’s favorite veggies (carrots + cucumbers) with dip, chips (obviously a toddler staple), and salad (oddly enough, also a Remy fave)

Her Mimi (my mom) made her two cakes — her requested Barbie cake and a blue ombré round cake with pink candies in the center. The ombré was a surprise from Mimi to Remy and she loved it!

After everyone snacked and chatted, we headed down to the gymnastics center for some tumbling. All of the kids — young and old — had so much fun.

By the end of the day, we were all completely worn out. But it was entirely worth it to see the joy in Remy’s eyes as we all celebrated her big day!

 

Cake: Made by Mimi
Decorations: Party City
Plates/Flatware: Target
Location: Riverfront YMCA

Motherhood is hard — Find the joy.

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I’d be lying if I said I’ve been my best self lately. So much of my time has been spent correcting my children and then losing it by screaming and then feeling incredibly guilty. I realize this is a season we’re in — I have a very defiant (strong willed?) two year old and a 5 year old with a serious listening problem.

Add in a 31 week pregnant (aka exhausted) mama, and there’s pure chaos and rage.

So yeah. I haven’t been my best self. But I’m trying. I acknowledge those moments, sometimes apologize to my kids, and we all move on. There’s a learning curve for sure.

But as I scroll through my photos on my phone, I also see something that I often overlook — JOY.

My kids are happy. And, most of the time, I am too.

Here’s what our life looks like in pictures as of late (in completely candid / unfiltered photos):

 

Looking at these moments brings me so much joy. Knowing that THESE are the moments in which my children will have memories — not the ugly times we’re all throwing fits. So snap those pictures and remember those happy moments, friends. xo

Gender Reveal // Baby Number 3 is a >>>

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It’s a girl!

I can’t keep it a secret any longer! I know I said we weren’t going to find out the gender of this baby, but at that 20 week anatomy scan I started having second thoughts. I text Chad and said “I think I want to know.” He, of course, couldn’t be there for that appointment and gave his blessing for me to find out for us. But I still waited. I had the ultrasound technician write it down and put it in an envelope for us.

I could barely contain myself to wait til Chad got home from work. Chad was convinced we were having another boy, but I really wanted another girl. I mean, we already have one of each, but I just have grown to love the sass of a little girl.

We opened the envelope and it said “Congratulations — it’s a girl!” and I literally jumped into Chad’s arms. I was so excited. Heck, I’m still so excited. But we waited to make a big announcement because, well, it was a bit more fun that way.

It’s been getting harder and harder to keep it a secret, especially when you have a 5 year old who is willing to tell everyone, “I’m having another baby sister!” Ha.

I haven’t bought anything new for baby number 3, with the exception of her first pair of Freshly Picked moccasins! I just couldn’t wait to get her first pair of shoes!

And aren’t these the cutest little flower moccs you’ve ever seen!? For those who are unfamiliar, these moccasins are so soft and come in so many different patterns (umm, have you seen the tacos and donuts!?), and just so happen to be perfect for newborns and tiny walkers!

And this little lady was so happy to pose in her most recent pair of rose gold moccs. Ha! And that dress? Well, little miss #2 has an exact same dress for when she’s born (thanks, Mimi!). Hopefully Remy’s will still fit her in June. 😉

Thank you everyone for the love during this pregnancy! I can’t wait to share her name in the coming weeks (that’s something we WILL be keeping on the downlow until birth).

 

Stay tuned for a Freshly Picked giveaway. In the meantime, thanks to Freshly Picked for gifting these moccs for little number 3!



Elevate, Play with Lark, SOAK, and Eat Local! // Embracing the Chaos

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We’ve been so crazy busy lately that we’ve hardly had a chance to slow down. It’s my own fault, really. I’m a chronic over-scheduler. It’s a blessing and a curse, friends. It really is.

See, I thrive on the crazy; I need the busy days. I need them because they make me feel accomplished. And slowing down just isn’t in my vocabulary. At least, not in this current season of my life.

So here’s what we’ve been up to as of late:

Lots and lots and lots of playing with the kids. Lucky for me, we have a standing playdate at the YMCA every day but Sunday (because, well, I’m there for 4-6 hours a day). So both kids really love (and need) this time with their friends.

But it’s been HOT, friends. Like, hot and crazy humid. Which has truly limited our outdoor play. However, I have felt a bit more comfortable playing outdoors with the kiddos knowing that Miss Bea is wearing moisture-wicking baby clothes from Lark.

If you haven’t heard of Lark, their mission is to make quality baby clothes that can easily endure the daily life of an active infant or toddler. They have developed a proprietary natural, eco-friendly moisture wicking fabric. Safer for babies sensitive skin than some of the synthetic wear that adults wear when outside or working out! Awesome, right!?

Well Miss Bea is truly comfortable in her rompers and bodysuits from Lark. And I breathe easy knowing the fabric is not only breathable, but free of synthetic fabric and chemicals, and is made in the USA!

And you can get free shipping on any order using this code: SHIPPING. Go support this awesome business, friends!

Living in my SOAK sandals. So I am weird about shoes. See, when I find shoes I love, I live in them. Like, I wear holes in my flats because I wear them every day and literally nothing else. So when I was offered a pair of slides from SOAK, a company right here in the United States, I truly didn’t know what to expect.

See, I have super high arches in my feet and it makes wearing anything slip-on quite difficult (and sometimes painful). But I’ve worn these every single day for the last 30 days and I’m in love.

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They’re comfortable, incredibly stylish, and crunchy-mama-friendly! Yep, not only are they made in Maine, but they are made from BPA-free recycled materials!

And so versatile! I’ve worn them with dresses and to my yoga classes! Seriously the only shoe I’ve needed (well, except for my running shoes to, well, run!).

Check out their full line of slides here and use code CHIC15 to save 15% off!

Yoga. Not quite #yogaeverydamnday, but my fire for yoga has been reignited, thanks to a couple of amazing yoga classes.

Last week I went to Elevate Akron, an annual outdoor yoga event here in my amazing city. It was powerful, friends. So powerful! I realized that all of the cycling, running, and strength training I’ve been doing has totally made me more physically fit — in ways I didn’t even realize before! I am so much stronger than I’d recently given myself credit for.

Oh, and I’m certain that the stretching and conditioning alongside the gymnasts I coach doesn’t hurt!

But then I decided to go, solo, to my first Yoga on Tap/Balance and Brews event. See, here in Northeast Ohio, we’ve been on the beer + yoga train for a long time — at least the last 4 years! But, sadly, I’ve never been able to actually make a class.

Well, that changed yesterday. I was elated to find out that Melissa of Balance and Brews was teaching a class right here in my own town, at HiHo Brewing Co.!

It was a great class and ended with a complimentary beer (the Smash Smash Pilz Pilz double pilsner was the bomb!).

So many markets! Guys, I’m a sucker for a good farmers market. Throw in some hand-crafted goodies? Double-sold.

Between the Cleveland Flea, the Akron Honey Market, and the Countryside Conservancy Market in Highland Square? We’ve been biz-zeeee! Busy getting delicious food, ya’ll!

Cycling. Kickboxing. and Gymnastics, Oh My! I’ve been working out non-stop and, like I said, I’m feeling so much stronger! One thing that’s truly been helping is how much I’ve been trying to remain committed to my schedule of workouts. At times it’s been a struggle, but it’s also been a saving grace during the crazy moments. As much as, in those moments, I want to just hide or cry or sleep, I find myself working out all of my frustrations and it’s helped me tremendously.

Sure, we’ve been busy. But it’s been perfect. Perfect chaos! So tell me — Do you thrive on chaos, like me? Or do you prefer to have unscheduled days and relaxing weekends!?

 

 

 

The Little Mermaid, Retro Dog, and a Pi(e) Day Celebration // A Wrap Up

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Yesterday, after staring at my planner for what seemed like hours, I was amazed to see that we’re nearing the end of March. Amazed because it seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Remy Bea’s first birthday — but it was two whole months ago!

Every single day with little kids feels like the.longest.day.ever. Everyday is jam-packed with commitments, errands, and the mundane; but somehow, we blink, and another week, month, and year have passed.

A dear friend of mine recently told me she thinks I’m crazy for keeping my schedule as jam-packed as it is; that I leave very little room for ‘down time.’ But also, that she commends me for keeping my kids active and involved in things — whether that be karate, playdates, or weekly trips to the art museum!

And this past week was no different. Well, minus one little thing:

I sent my husband on a Guys Trip to Wilmington, North Carolina to golf for 5 and a half days.

He had a blast, and we did a great job at surviving! 🙂

Here’s what we’ve been up to in the last week:

  • I took Ari to see The Little Mermaid ballet at the Akron Civic Theater. Despite my child’s affinity for all things Disney and all things artsy, he was bored. Cotton candy helped. Eh, win some, lose some, friends.

 

  • Before our ballet excursion, Ari and I went on lunch date at our favorite spot — Retro Dog! I know I’ve talked about Retro Dog previously, but it’s seriously one of our favorite spots. They serve hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, custard, and beer from Thirsty Dog Brewing. The couple that owns it is originally from Buffalo and their hot dogs are a Buffalo staple — Sahlen’s!
  • Ari’s karate session ended with a bang — or a HIYA! But not to fret, T-Ball starts this week. (PS. I’ve been informed that of all of the local leagues, we signed Ari up for the most intense and most serious league in our area. Ooooops. Makes sense since they have two practices this week alone… for t-ball….).

  • Pi(e) day was a success! Thank you, Sweet Mary’s! Your French Toast Pie did not disappoint!
    PS. Can it be Pi Day every day!?!

  • After months of false starts, Miss Bea finally started (and kept) walking. She’s taken steps before — up to 8 in a row — but this was the first time she just kept going. And she hasn’t stopped! Hooray!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlMlR7iYRpc]

  • One of the highlights of my weekend was getting a fabulous bright yellow cup from Starbucks. It made the gloomy weather completely worth it.

Guys. We survived. We survived!! Yes, we missed Chad; but we did relatively okay with being a single-parent household for a few days. It proved, both, that he can get away and have fun, and that we could do it — that we could keep on a schedule and power through whatever the week throws at us.

And this week I’m ready to take on my own happiness, ya’ll. Here’s my Weekly Mantra:

TGIM, friends! Don’t stress this Monday — embrace it!! xo

Soothing A Colicky Baby //

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In my (many) efforts to be a super-‘real mom,’ I’ve shared our struggles with colic quite a bit. Honestly, before becoming a mom — heck, even after becoming a mom — I had read and heard so little about the battle that is colic. It was discouraging, to say the least.

We found ourselves knee-deep in colic with both Ari and Remy pretty much from day one. The crying, the screaming, the inability to soothe my babies… it was pure torture. We spent so many sleepless nights and fussy days just trying to survive. We tried every ‘trick’ in the book: special ‘holds,’ dietary restrictions, bouncing, rocking, and even driving her around in the car in hopes the screaming would stop (breaking news: it didn’t).

It was easy to find ourselves frustrated by the idea that they would ‘grow out of it’ in time. Especially when we were comparing (PS. don’t compare) our parenting journey to that of our friends or strangers from the internet. Those babies who slept through the night from day one (or even month 6)? Please. Please stop bragging. That’s the only thing I could think to say (and, honestly, the nicest thing I could think to say). For us, we were legitimately just trying to figure out a way to make our babies comfortable; a way to get them to sleep more than 20 minutes; and a way to simply make it through.

So what is colic?

Colic is usually when a healthy baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for over 3 weeks. It usually starts in the first few weeks of life. Babies may experience increased crying in the evening and at night. It’s the kind of blood-curdling, incessant, screaming, that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. (Lies: I probably would wish it on my worst enemy because colic is a GREAT torture technique, ya’ll).

If you wonder “hmm, maybe my baby had colic,” chances are your baby did not have colic. There is a significant difference between crying a lot and colic. I promise.

Soothing a colicky baby.

There are options for both breastfed and formula-fed babies. For breastfed babies, trying dietary restrictions through an elimination diet are helpful, but often take weeks to make a difference. In the meantime, introducing Gerber® Soothe Colic Drops is ideal for breastfed babies because it contains calming probiotics that can be helpful for their tummies!

The same goes for formula-fed babies! Trying different bottles, feeding positions and using Gerber® Good Start® Soothe Infant Formula are all positive changes you can make for your baby.

Still looking for help and answers? Gerber has so many experts available — Registered Dietitians, Certified Lactation Consultants and Certified Baby Sleep Consultants — to answer any questions! Just call 1-800-203-4565!

When all’s said and done, try anything and everything. Because less crying for babies means more smiling for all!

Do you have any experience with soothing a colicky baby?? If so, what tips would you give a mom navigating her way through colic?