My mom has been making these Chewy Chocolate Cookies since I was a child and she even stacked them like a cake and put candles in them one year for my birthday party! Anyone else have an unusual cake for their birthday or celebration? These cookies are so easy to make, you only need one bowl, but the batter is so delicious you'll need a lot of self discipline to resist, haha. Oliver, my two and a half year old toddler has made these a few times with me and it made me want to write down a ... View the Post
Ikea Hack: Toddler Kitchen Helper Stool
I knew I wanted a "kitchen helper stool" or "toddler learning tower stool" (whatever you want to call it) but the only ones I could find here in the States were so expensive. They look great quality, like this one from Little Partners, but just out of our budget. Like ever. So as I was scrolling through Pinterest, as one does, I saw Sina from Happy Grey Lucky had instructions for an Ikea hack and I sent Daniel the link straight away. I am not handy at all, and neither is he (he will be the ... View the Post
11 month update: Digital privacy thoughts
Catch up on previous updates here: Oliver's birth story | Month 1+2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6 | Month 7 | Month 8 | Month 9 | Month 10 | It's amazing how your opinion can change within the space of a month. Last month I was sad that I only had two more updates left until Oliver turned a year, and now I don't mind at all. I think I have just become so much more wary about sharing personal information about him to just anyone and everyone on the internet. I love that my ... View the Post
Oliver’s 10 month update: Wanting all our food + developing his will
Catch up on previous updates: Oliver's birth story | Month 1+2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6 | Month 7 | Month 8 | Month 9 | This is by far my favorite post to write every month! I was going to stop when Ollie turned 12 months but that is only two posts away and I am in denial. Milestones Stands and crab walks around benches, window sills, shelves and the ottoman. Gives open-mouthed, slobbery kisses when we say “kiss-kiss.” Can understand simple commands without ... View the Post
Montessori Style Nursery: Pros and Cons + Baby Toy Wish List
| Object Permanence Box | I love having a space in our home where I know Ollie can play safely and independently. Obviously even in his Montessori style nursery, there are things that we need to move and tweak as we realize he can get to or hurt himself with. I decided to write some of the pros and cons down so far, especially now that he is crawling and the floor mattress is a blessing and a curse. Pros: Oliver can choose and access any of his toys neatly presented on his shelves. He ... View the Post
How to start cloth diapering
I know I haven't been doing this for a long time at all, but I did want to write down some encouragement to those of you who are thinking about incorporating cloth but haven't dived in quite yet. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. My plan was to be a cloth mom almost right from the start but all that pressure wasn't helpful, it just created guilt. I had three newborn cloth diapers (two Grovia and one Luludew AIO) that he would wear when I didn't think he was going to poo ... View the Post
Oliver’s 9 month update: All the milestones but no more teeth
Catch up on previous updates: Oliver's birth story | Month 1+2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6 | Month 7 | Month 8 Nine month's old is such a fun one because that's how long he was inside my belly and I still think that is remarkable. It has obviously been a much busier 9 months than when he was all tucked inside but it's incredible getting to know our little one. This month he has grown in leaps and bounds; not so much physically, but in what he is able to do now. I'm going to ... View the Post
Taking baby to the pool
My mission this summer is to not let Oliver get sunburned or let him eat anything that he is not supposed to. I have never been more challenged in my life, seriously. I'm pasting on suncream 234, 976 times a day and I'm scurrying around the house making sure my hair clips or loose change aren't lying around. Now that Oliver is crawling and pulling himself up on things, I've moved into a whole new season of busy. It's wonderful to watch him grow and learn new things. I am so thankful that we ... View the Post
Oliver’s 8 month update: Separation anxiety + Getting on a schedule-ish
Catch up on previous updates: Oliver's birth story | Month 1+2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6 | Month 7 | (Outfit deets: Jeans- Gap (old) similar, similar, similar | Shirt | Old Navy ) This month has been an interesting one. Oliver is moving around so much, and getting into so many things that he has me on my toes. He isn't crawling just yet but is so close it could happen any moment. Every time I turn around, he has scooted backwards and found something he shouldn't like a ... View the Post
What I will do differently for baby #2 (if there is one)
First of all let me say that baby number two is not on the horizon at all. I have joked to Daniel saying that when Oliver can make me a PB&J then we can think about trying for another one. Becoming a mother has been so wonderful but it has also been painful, exhausting and emotional. You can't prepare someone by telling them what it's going to be like - they just have to jump into the pool that is motherhood and learn how to splash around until they can swim by themselves. Of course we ... View the Post