I can't even believe I'm typing this, but Cate and Lucy are five today!
It's no coincidence that these two are my "turkey" babies, my babies born Thanksgiving week. I am so so grateful for the joy and pure love that they have brought into our lives.
They are simply amazing.
They are funny and have us in giggles almost every day. They are full of whimsy...on any given day you might see them in cat ears or an Olaf costume. And Elsa and Anna...always Elsa and Anna.
They can speak Italian, though they won't do it at home. They are excellent helpers and listeners, and super snuggly.
They are my heart.
They are pure, unadulterated joy. They are uncomplicated, no-strings-attached love. They are light and magic and laughter. They are hand holders, hug givers, and proof of God's love.
Happy 5th Birthday, Cate and Lucy!
xoxo
Hi everyone!! I've had this post on my mind (just like the post where I tell you about Cora's birth story) for the past three weeks. And I figured it was time I took the time to type it out.
I've been a mom for almost ten years. And it's funny. I think I had mommy amnesia for every stage.
Me before Cora:
Oh- I'll be able to get through Cora's birth without an epidural! (turned out being right on this one but it was a close call) It doesn't hurt that much anyway (WRONG).
It's not THAT difficult to have a newborn. It will be a piece of cake this time! (WRONG).
Oh, breastfeeding will be a SNAP with just one. I don't need support. Or a pump. Or bottles or anything just in case. This will be a cinch! (WRONG!)
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Wroooooooong.
Man, look at that sweet face. I love her SO much.
But let me tell you something. It doesn't matter that this is my fifth time. This new mom stuff is HARD AS HELL.
Picture me with my head on my best friend's shoulder (she's an amazing pediatric nurse) crying my heart out because Cora LOST WEIGHT after me nursing her every hour for five days while I pumped on the other side and then fed her that.
I cried and cried and cried.
I felt like a failure. And it broke my heart. And it doesn't matter that this isn't my first rodeo and that I KNEW we would survive. It didn't matter that I damn well know that I'm not a failure as a mom. And that my worth as a woman and a mother doesn't depend on how successful I am at breastfeeding.
It hurt.
If you are reading this and you are struggling with sleepless nights and weigh ins and pressure from others, I want you to know this.
YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP AND CRY IF YOU NEED TO AND ADMIT YOU ARE OVERWHELMED.
It is scary. And exhausting. And I feel lost every day.
And then it came back to me. Mommy déjà vu.
I have felt this way
every.
single.
time.
Every time I feel like I'm walking with a blindfold on.
Every time I am too hard on myself and every time I care too much what everyone else is doing and the path that everyone else is walking.
There's a big difference between having a child now and what it was like when I had Harper.
There's more information out there. Everyone is sharing their opinion and those opinions are right there all the time, thanks to social media. I feel like there is a lot more pressure now.
On the flip side- I am so much more relaxed as an "older mom". I am able to just hold Cora and love her and enjoy it.
That doesn't mean I'm not struggling and that it's not hard for me.
If you are reading this and YOU are struggling...know that it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing or saying or sharing their opinion about.
You do what works for YOU and YOUR family. That's what being a good mother is all about. Being a good mother is not about being perfect or being successful at everything you try. Failure happens. Learn from it and be gentle with yourself.
I'm telling myself these words every day.
Being a good mother and a good woman does not hinge on
bottle or breast
home or work
epidural or no epidural
baby wearing or stroller
co-sleeping or bassinet
organic or not
It just doesn't.
If you are reading this and you are in the thick of it...
I see you. You are a wonderful mom and this will pass.
And then you will be the one saying what a breeze it was (WRONG). And you will look at your beautiful, strong, smart, kind children and know all of this self-doubt and sleeplessness and uncertainty...
well it was all worth it.
xoxo
Introducing Cora Jane Howell
Cora Jane Howell
Born September 30 at 12:25 pm
7 lbs 6 oz
Most hair we've ever seen on a baby girl- and we know baby girls with hair!
Sweet Cora came into this world quickly and loudly. 2 hours from the moment I walked in the hospital doors!
The moment they said the words "It's a girl!" I just knew. I knew I was meant to do this. To raise strong, brave, compassionate, fierce little women. She is my joy and my heart and she was a missing puzzle piece that I didn't even know I was missing.
We are complete.
Cora means "maiden" but for us it's more of a nod to the Italian word ancora. Ancora means: again, more, another still. Encore. Cora is our little Italian encore. 5 little women.
And Jane means God's gracious gift.
That she is.
We are in love.
Thanks for sharing in our joy and happiness. Thanks for loving our family. We are so grateful for each of you and your support and encouragement over the years.
xoxo
S
39 weeks and 3 days. Feeling really good (just tired and suddenly none of my clothes fit, haha!).
Lots of naps and enjoying the relative quiet.
Baby will come when baby is ready to come. I'm enjoying every moment and knowing that fat babies = happy babies. I'm more than happy to keep cooking this little one.
Love to you all!
xoxo
I'm here. Just super pregnant (37 weeks) and tired. :)
I keep thinking about blogging but honestly there's just not much to say. I'm packing bags, making lists, and trying to breathe.
There are tiny clothes to be washed and folded, a co-sleeper to assemble, and plans to be made.
And there is so so much joy. And anticipation. And nervousness.
Have a beautiful day!
xoxo
Happy Monday y'all! I have a fun scrapbook page to share today. It may or may not be a little over the top. Haha!
Honestly...the photo is totally over the top so I figured the layout should be over the top too.
Supplies: Dear Lizzy patterned papers and vellum, Maggie Holmes flowers and leaves, Martha Stewart doily tag, Crate Paper Thickers (#4), Teresa Collins sequins
1. Mat photo on 2 patterned papers and add a layer of vellum in the back. I just cut the mats freehand with scissors, I didn't care about them being perfectly straigt.
2. Adhere chipboard title to doily and place in top center of photo.
3. Choose chipboard, paper, vellum and glitter florals and leaves and just layer like crazy. There was really no rhyme or reason here, I just kept adding things until it felt right.
5. Scatter sequins.
6. Add journaling around photo.
Have a beautiful day!
xoxo
S
First and foremost- thank all of you so much for reaching out + saying hi on the last post. Your words warmed my heart and put a big grin on my face. So grateful for each and every one of you!
Every time I talk about my Artifact Uprising books on Instagram, I get a few questions and suggestions to blog about them. So today I thought I'd do just that!
I gathered a few of my favorite photo books and photographed them so you can get a look inside.
Here are the basics:
+ These are the photo books that you can make through the AU app. There are other beautiful items avaiable on the website, but these little Instagram books are my favorite.
+ Each book is 5.5" x 5.5"
+ You can add captions if you'd like, but I prefer just photos.
+ Through the app you upload photos directly from your Instagram feed, choosing the cover and the layout options.
+ The books are great quality and hold up well. I keep all of ours in a basket in the living room and the girls LOVE thumbing through them.
+ All photos in these books were taken with my iPhone 5. They print beautifully
+ AU has amazing customer service. One of my books got lost in the mail and they replaced it immediately, no questions asked.
Here's a look inside a few of my albums.
Florence Album:
Spain Album (Barcelona + Valencia):
Normandy Album:
Venice Album:
I love each of these albums so much and I feel that they are totally and completely worth the cost. They are nice heavy weight in person. A friend was looking at my Venice album and told me it looked like something you'd buy. That made my day.
So there you have it!
If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments, I'll answer there!
xoox
S
Watching Game of Thrones with J. We are way late to the party and just started watching Season 1.
Reading The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Cooking This spasagna recipe. The noodles were okay but the homemade meat sauce is EXCELLENT.
Buying way too many Fauxdori covers from Cake Paperie (my fave!) and FoxyDori. I've officially gotten sucked into the world of Midori Traveler's Notebooks!
Listening to Hypnobabies. I officially started the program this week and I'm so excited to learn more.
Preparing to have a fourth grader and a second grader (!!!!!!) as well as two preschoolers. Last year before Kinder!
Wearing maxi dresses and maxi skirts. Nonstop. My faves are from Stitch Fix and Pink Blush Maternity.
Collecting a ridiculous amount of baby stuff.
Realizing that I only have about 6 weeks before this baby makes an appearance.
Wondering what's going on with Harper. She's suddenly having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Have any of you experienced this with your 9/10 year old? Wondering if she's having a growth spurt.
Planning a day trip to Malcesine on Lake Garda. Please look at this place. OMG. Wanting to make a trip to Portofino, too.
Relishing the fact that the heat is gone, for this week at least. It's been wonderful.
Obsessing over where we will go next. I should know better by now...this is never a good idea in the Army life!
Cherishing every single moment with these four. I know soon everything will be different.
Reflecting on whether anyone still reads this blog after I disappeared for so long. Say hi if you are!
Happy Tuesday.
xoxo
S
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