It's October

The house is quiet. I have been staying up late, too late, to try and work on the computer after everyone else is in bed. Theo still wakes up nearly every hour - but at least I have 60 minute chunks to focus.

Starting a business is hard. Running it alone is hard. Especially when I am trying to sell more of an idea than a product. I know business will pick up but it can be very emotionally draining putting so much work into something that seems to still only take money out of our pockets, not put it in.

I try not to get discouraged when I see other shops pop up and instantly have thousands of fans and I assume customers. I remind myself that I am building something bigger, not simply a t-shirt company. I am building a brand, a mission, a way to give back to parents in a fun and fundamental way. The shirts...They are just the first brick being laid.

I spend so much time thinking about this shop that I don't make time to write down the ways my baby boy is growing and changing. Do you think that is bad? Part of me feels like I need to give him every ounce of my attention. Record the ways he is growing and changing. Film him, spend more time on family projects, find ways to make sure that in 25 years I haven't forgotten how amazing everything he does is.
























My boy. He is 14 months old. He is starting to run, arms out to his sides, elbows bent, wrists limp. He  talks constantly, like his brother and father and grandfather. He loves to eat nearly everything. We don't give him baby food - he eats what we are eating and has since he started eating solids. Tonight, he was quite happy to use his little spoon to scoop beef bolognese into his mouth.

He has his hand down my shirt whenever he feels he needs to feel comforted or safe...Anytime we are around other people. When he smiles he usually scrunches up his entire face, making my soul laugh. He likes to push me around - head between my legs, hands on my thighs. He is obsessed with playing with wrapped tampons - shoving one to two in his mouth and having two to three in each hand as back up in case I make him spit out what's in his mouth. He doesn't have a fear of heights, often yelling gibberish off our balcony, head pressed into the bars and a leg dangling through, climbing on top of the table, and up into the window sills.

My baby boy loves to hug people. He usually looks at me with a cheeky smile while he does it. He knows that I think it's adorable. He brings me his shoes when I say we are going bye bye and loves to lean against the front door with his hands behind his bottom. In the evening, while I am cleaning up after dinner he becomes very busy. He will disappear into he and Graham's room and come back wielding a wooden sword or shovel, grumbling things at me as he waves it in the air. He is curiously skilled at using a sword - for a baby.

When he is thinking of something mischievous to do he looks at me smirks, furrows his brow, and moves his eyeballs to the side. It's my favorite. And did I mention he loves to dance? I know all babies love to dance - but I have been around quite a few other babies and I can confidently say that this guy is very passionate about music and moving. He will start dropping his booty to anything that remotely resembles a tune. His newest move is a one footed stomp, but he like to bounce, shake his head back and forth, clap, and move his butt around. He also like to run in place - but that is when he is either very upset or very excited. It usually involves getting food or not getting food.

This boy is wild, happy, sweet, curious, and passionate. He stays close to me but loves to run free when he knows I am close by. How will I possibly handle him growing up? I am so in love with this little human I don't know how I will ever detach.

My amazing baby boy. I can't wait to see the beautiful man you grow to become.

Hey Guys! I'm Having A Thing!

I really hope to see some of you beautiful mama's and papa's there. If you aren't a parent - still come!! I am focusing on oils that I use as a parent - but a lot of what is relevant for parents is relevant for everyone. 

BREASTMILK

Has anyone seen Ricky Lakes new documentary about breastfeeding?? I just found out about it and can't wait to see it! I saw The Business of Being Born when I was in my early 20's and learning about child birth. I was hooked and had I not gone to design school I would have become a midwife. I am excited to see that she has made a new documentary - this time about breastmilk. 

I love, love, love breast feeding and at this point I dread the day I will begin weaning my boy. I am sure it will feel okay when the time is right.. Right...?

We are often told that breast milk is better. Better for babies, better for mothers, better for nutrition, health, well-being, and society. Many accept this and yet there are still very few women who succeed in breastfeeding exclusively for the recommended six months and beyond. What would it take to change?

Ps. They say human should breastfeed until age 7. I wish people would get there panties out of a bundle when they see someone breast feeding their 3 year old. Aren't there more important things to be concerned about?

Just mustaching around a few weeks ago.

No Presents?

I've said it about a million times, but we are anti-stuff. We grow more anti-stuff everyday and so I cringe at the thought of birthday presents on Theo's first birthday. My kid(s) have toys and the things they play with the most are not their toys. Depending on who we are talking about they chew on wallets, garden, do art projects, eat paper, read, play games, chew on water bottle lids, bang kitchen utensils around, play chase, play soccer, empty drawers, tear books apart, explore outside, and build forts... Our kids don't need the toys they currently have - but we parents still can't help ourselves from buying cute wooden block sets and dress up clothes.

We have decided on no more presents (though relatives often have a hard time with this) because our kids don't need more stuff to be happy. They need less of it. We don't want to raise children who don't appreciate what they have and we especially don't want to raise children who think buying something new is what creates happiness.

For the babes first birthday I am asking our friends and family to simply bring a sweet card and I'll set up a "Need Jar" for the people that really feel like they want to give something. That way the money can go toward something that is more useful than the latest flashing firetruck that will honestly be played with for a day. As much as they like it when they first receive it, it is quickly forgotten.

PS. Another toy alternative we have thought about is getting kids something that you can do together. i.e. tickets to a soccer game or the zoo... Make a memory with them instead. Oh, but no tacky souvenirs, please.

doTERRA

Guys! So in addition to getting my Etsy Shop going - I have become a doTERRA rep. I would never have considered a job selling something in the past, but as a new mom I have quickly become obsessed with essential oils and think everyone needs to use them. They are amazing and I had no idea. Although I love alternative medicine - I didn't grow up in that world and oils were still in the realm of hippy-dippy until recent years. Now that I have a babe, wellness is so much more important to me than it was in the past. This led me to discover that essential oils are (excuse me) fucking awesome. You can use them for aromatherapy, internally, on your skin, as cleaning products, and more. I've tried a few other brands before doTERRA so I can confidently say that doTERRA is the best I have found. The smells are are so much smoother and more pure. Lemon really smells like lemon.

Anyhoo. Let me know if you have any questions about essential oils! I will be posting cool info for you every so often.

The baby is big and sturdy enough now to take baths with his big brother. With constant supervision of course because what boy can resist the temptation to pour water on his brother head? They love the  special time together splashing around and getting to know each other better and we love to stare at them.

My ego wants to fit back into my old clothes, to wear t-shirts that expose my belly, to look hot in a bikini. But my spirit loves this squishy mommy body. This body that grew, birthed, and feeds this sweet little boy. This body that made me a mother.

Yes. I love this body.

The most important person on earth is a mother. She can not claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body.

"The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creatures. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation... What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?"
-Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

You hate your crib. You have slept with me since you were born - but I think it's time you slept in your crib for part of the night a few days a week. The dilemma? You hate your crib and I don't know if I believe in letting you cry it out. Sure, your cries are usually those of frustration and not fear. And sure I know you need to learn that you are safe in your crib alone and it's okay to rest. But you are still a baby, and babies want their mamas and maybe you will be more comfortable sleeping on your own when you are a little older? You need to learn to self soothe - but is it really that important for little babies to learn right away or does it just make life more convenient for parents? I don't know - and I don't know what the best plan is - but I do know it doesn't feel right in my heart to let you cry in your crib - whether you are tricking me or not.

There is always noise. The freeway, the bridge, the train station, the construction, the factories, the ships, the occasional outraged homeless person, the kids in the playground, the dishwasher that sounds like heavy machinery. What is it like for a baby growing up in a city? What's it like for you when we walk under the bridge? The environment in which you are growing up is very different than the one I grew up in. How will that affect the person you become? Will you love cities? Will you love noise? Will you crave quiet country air?

You are asleep in your stroller in the front hall. I hope you stay that way for a while because you are sick and haven't been sleeping well at night. I am eating a soggy sandwich.

You have four teeth now. Although they are tiny, I think that is another things you got from me - big front teeth. Did you get any of your dad's genes? You have started to stand on your own but your record is only two seconds. We play in your room a lot of the time these days but I know we are both looking forward to dry/warm weather so we can spend our days in the park.

I am starring at my soggy sandwich. I don't think I can finish it.

"Nursing does no diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhance their charm by making them look lived in and happy."
-Robert A. Heinlein

Why are people so uncomfortable seeings breasts? I am not a modest breast feeder. Mainly because I don't see the point of modesty when it comes to breast feeding and partly (a small part) because those breast feeding covers are a pain. I love nursing my babe and it seems suffocating to care what other people think about it. If it makes people uncomfortable it makes me question their mental health - and breaks my heart.

“Imagine that the world had created a new 'dream product' to feed and immunize everyone born on earth. Imagine also that it was available everywhere, required no storage or delivery, and helped mothers plan their families and reduce the risk of cancer. Then imagine that the world refused to use it.” 
-Frank A. Oski

This Boy

I am finding it incredibly difficult to blog. My baby thinks that naps are uncool and sleeping at night is becoming just as lame.

Not only that, but he enjoys being held for 18 of his 19 waking hours. No, the ergo and the sling are not acceptable; only mothers arms. Sometimes we can get away with a stroller ride around town...

Today he enjoyed an apple for about 7 minutes before deciding it was merely something to be slapped and thrown. After I finished 6 loads of laundry with baby in tow, he thought it was the right time to pee straight onto the crotch of my clean pants making it look like I, in fact, had peed my pants. He now has three teeth and his second (third?) cold. He likes playing in dirt, sucking on shower heads, mangos and strawberries, a nice looking dog, ladies, consuming Hemingway, Tolstoy and Proust, dancing to salsa, blues and reggae, and a good water bottle lid. But again... He would like everyone to know, he does not like sleeping.

Theodore Kingsley... You are something.

A Trip To The Animals

Yesterday we visited the zoo. It was a sunny 65 degrees in Portland, so baby and I thought we would visit the animals. Aside from a few concerts, I haven't been to the zoo for almost twenty years. They are sad places, aren't they?

Aside from the sadness we felt for the animals, it was a wonderful outing. Baby was relaxed on my chest and stayed awake long enough to see all the animals. It was just the two of us, winding our way between groups of children and strollers, peeking through fences, and standing in front of giant glass windows. Our favorite parts were the cheetahs pacing only a few inches away from us, the penguins eating their lunch, and the seal swimming around like some kind of creature from a storybook.

xo

Some More Baby

One more week with a 6 month old. He is already standing with one hands support. Shit's about to get crazy.

Oh.. and obviously he digs bath time.

A Boy And Some Sprouting Teeth

This good looking little person is sprouting a couple of teeth! I can feel them coming through and it's both exciting and scary. Scary because they grow up fast and scary because I fear the pain my nipples will soon be subjected to.

I guess this is why he wakes up yelling at me multiple times a night. Sorry, babe and welcome, teeth.

My Knitting Guys

A boy helping his daddy knit. 

#This Is Portland

My Sweet Valentine

Happy valentines day! Today me and my valentine went to Lovejoy Bakery to have a little breakfast treat and a coffee. I had the coffee and he had an empty cup. On the way home we picked up a special plant for Isaac and then danced to Louis Armstrong before nap time. 

I hope you give and get some love today. I was thinking it would be a sweet idea to go on a walk or to a cafe and pick someone to be your secret valentine. Someone you don't know and may never see again... Maybe compliment them or just look at them with a warm smile and send them some love. It's sure to make someones day a little brighter - unless it's Voldemort or something.

xo

Chewbeads

To everyone that has a tiny human living with them - do you know about Chewbeads? I have the Hudson Necklace and two Jane Necklaces and I looove them. 

Babies love necklaces, do they not? So instead of them sucking and chewing on your jewelry that may or may not be coated in unwanted toxins - you can wear these teether beads to be sucked and chewed on instead! They are 100% silicone, have no BPA, pthalates, lead, cadmium, or metal, and dishwasher safe! They are squishy - like a bottle nipple. 

Our beads are used multiple times a day. I wear them when I am holding Theo, let him play with them in the stroller, he chews on them while in his high chair or rolling around on the floor, Isaac even uses them to help him go to sleep when it's his turn to put him to sleep. If you have a teething baby or a friend that's teething - get some. 

xo

a boy and a banana

Baby's first real food experience.