There are many hidden mysteries about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting that you have to discover for yourselves. Honestly I do know why we don't talk about them with others who don't have kids, unless they ask: It can be a little scary and overwhelming. I still don't remember my friends having conversations about tearing, sitz baths, crying babies or teething, but I probably wasn't paying much attention anyway. When babies are not on your horizon, anything people say simply falls on deaf ... View the Post
Our holiday in South Africa: Being vegan + Flying with a baby
Going to visit family in South Africa was a great idea for so many reasons. We were able to disconnect from social media for a little while to fill our days with swimming, board games, drinking tea, golf, garden cricket, chatting and eating. Oliver had to learn to sleep anywhere, get comfy in his car seat and he certainly built up his immune system by meeting lots of new people and going on long flights. We made it there and back without even a sniffle! #plantpower We left Charlotte on March ... View the Post
Oliver’s 6 month update: Teething + Jet lag
Catch up on previous updates: Oliver's birth story | Month 1+2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 We recently took a month long trip to South Africa and I feel like we brought home a totally different baby. Isn't it amazing what they can learn to do in a month? One day he was face-planting while trying to sit up and not having a good time at all, but the next day he was holding himself up beautifully and was super proud of what he had learned! Sleep Day: Oliver takes 4 naps a day. ... View the Post
Learning to love my postpartum body + Oliver’s 5-month update
Check out Oliver's previous updates: Birth story, Month 1 & 2 (oh gosh - this was a hectic time), Month 3, Month 4 Since I was young I've been athletic and active. I've never had to watch what I eat or really work at keeping slim and trim. During my pregnancy I gained 20-ish lbs, and I stayed fit and active through yoga teacher training. Two weeks after giving birth, my arms were still slim and my belly was disappearing. Oliver got reflux and colic after those first two weeks so I ... View the Post
Oliver’s 4 month update: Goodnight, sleep tight
Our little vegan baby, Oliver, is 4 months old and now I understand how all parents say that time flies. (However, the first 2 months didn't. Read about that here.) In the third month, the fog lifted and now that we are really having fun, the weeks are flying by! Sleep Night: What a difference a good night's sleep makes! Oliver is sleeping about 10 hours at night (from 9:30pm - 7:30am) and we couldn't be more grateful. I feel like a semi-normal person again. I still need an emoji with dark ... View the Post
Oliver’s Montessori-Inspired Nursery
"It is important now to take time to think about the organization of the home (or any other setting where a child of this age is to spend significant periods of time). Does it make sense? Is it ordered, simple, and functional? Is it beautiful?" -Montessori From The Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen. I absolutely love the last three questions of this quote and think they should be nailed to my forehead when I make any kind of purchase- clothes, shoes, and especially home ... View the Post
Oliver’s Three Month Update: The Fog Lifts
Hey Rebelles! Check out my previous mama update in Diary of an Overwhelmed First Time Mom. Everyone kept saying that life with a newborn would get easier around the three-month mark, but after one month that seemed so. far. away. (See post above.) I was so overwhelmed with my recovery and Oliver's non-stop crying that I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just had to take it one a day at a time and keep telling myself it would get easier for us both. Thank goodness it ... View the Post
Diary of an Overwhelmed First Time Mom
I had the most magical pregnancy. I felt the "pregnancy glow" and really enjoyed watching my body grow and change. I did my yoga teaching and was a part-time nanny. I was the definition of "Chill Pregnancy." I thought I was setting myself up for an easy time with an easy baby, but expectation vs reality hit me hard. Week 1 The first week was amazing. A-maz-ing. I remember texting my friend Kristy, on October 15, "I'm high on life right now!" I really was on cloud nine. Oliver was feeding well, ... View the Post