Archives for May 2012

the return of aunt flo

May 24, 2012

After 15 months of not seeing Flo, I recently got a visit from everybody’s “favorite” aunt. As an extra bonus, she brought with her wicked cramps. For the almost 20 years that Flo and I have been meeting, I’ve never had cramps before. Um, so painful!

Interestingly, when I mentioned this to a friend, she said that she also started getting cramps when her period returned after having a baby. Has this happen to anybody else? Do I need to start stocking my medicine cabinet with Midol?

PS: Although I wasn’t expecting to see Aunt Flo while I was still nursing Levi, I learned that it is completely normal to start menstruating while breastfeeding. Are you willing to share how long it took until you got your first period after having a baby?

{cabinet print by Edholm Ullenius}

planning levi’s first birthday party

May 23, 2012

Levi’s first birthday party will be held on July 22nd, two months from yesterday–so save the date and pass me some Xanax, please.

In addition to freaking out about my baby becoming a toddler, I’m starting to panic about the bash itself. Being active in the world of blogging, I come across a lot of at-home gatherings worthy of a Martha Stewart magazine spread. I’m equally inspired and intimidated by the over-saturation of creatively-themed birthday parties that I see online. From balloons, bunting and photo booths with props to Amy Atlas-inspired dessert tables, parents seem to be going all out for first birthday parties. The key is that these birthday bashes, however, is that they must appear low-key despite being packed with carefully thought out details.

Of course, there are plenty of children’s parties showcased on various blogs that don’t even pretend to be small affairs. I mean, is this 1960s Manhattan themed party not the most over-the-top kid’s party you ever seen? Even this cardboard box first birthday party is elaborately designed and decorated.

So I’m dealing with some ambivalence: On one hand, I find these picture-perfect parties to be excessive. Really, will a one year old remember that all of his buddies dressed up like circus animals or drank from mustache-embellished straws? Of course not. Most of these details are for the parents of the invited children to enjoy. On the other hand, I want to prove to myself (and my family and friends, I suppose) that I am capable of planning and hosting such an awe-inspiring bash. I want to look back at photos of Levi’s big day and think, “Wow, now that was quite a party!”

Deep down I know that it’s not the decorations or the food or the goodie bags that make a party a success. It’s being surrounded by the important people in your life that makes an event special. But, admittedly, I can be a little bit superficial (can’t we all?), and the perfectionist in me still wants it to be a magazine-worthy birthday bash.

Tell me, how big a bash was your little one’s first birthday party? Did you feel pressure to plan it a certain way?

{image sources: Hello! Lucky, On To Baby, Bower Power Blog}

father and child reunion

May 21, 2012

This past weekend was the best Levi and I have had in eight weeks. What made it so special? Levi’s daddy came home after being away for two months!

It was an emotional reunion, especially for JB. Although he’s seen recent photos and videos of Levi, he really wasn’t prepared for how much our little guy has grown in the time he was gone. Now, it’s hard for me to see the small changes since I spent every single day with him, but I do acknowledge that he feels heavier and has been quickly outgrowing clothing.

Levi has also mastered several skills since his daddy had last seen him (he was only 8 months old then!). JB is amazed at how well Levi crawls, sits up and feeds himself. He also can’t believe that Levi will have teeth and be able to pull himself up into a standing position any day now. Seriously. Where did our little baby go??

Saturday night we celebrated JB’s return home and the speedy sale of our friends’ house by going on a double date in Benson. We started with cocktails at Lot 2, a restaurant and wine bar. If you go, be sure to order an Onomoro — yes, that’s a scallion in my drink!

Then we feasted on tapas, paella and lots of delicious sangria at Espana. I can’t believe we’ve lived in Omaha for five years and had never been to Espana before. We definitely need to get out more often…

Sunday morning we walked through the Aksarben Farmer’s Market (Aksarben is Nebraska spelled backwards – clever, no?) and grabbed a quick lunch at Ponzu Sushi & Grill. In the photo above, I’m holding a package of Mum Mums in one hand and maneuvering chopsticks in the other. Am I a multitasking mom or what? After enjoying his jar of baby food, Levi tasted miso soup. He even ate the little tofu pieces that I don’t particularly care for and seemed to like them.

We capped off our reunion weekend with a homemade dinner (I prepared my new favorite recipe) and some Mad Men. Watching TV is so much more fun when you can cuddle up on the couch with somebody you love, isn’t it?

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, too! Can you believe that it’s almost Memorial Day weekend — and my 4th wedding anniversary!?

an ideal bookshelf + friday favorites

May 18, 2012

Thank you to everyone who recommended additional parenting books on the blog and on Twitter. I will definitely add your suggestions to my list of must-reads. Now I just need to find some quiet time to sit and start reading!

While we’re on the subject of books, how charming are these colorful Ideal Bookshelf prints featuring children’s books? Framed, they’d be perfect to hang in a nursery or playroom. Artist Jane Mount also does custom work and will paint your favorite adult books, from travel guides and cookbooks to memoirs and fiction.

How many of your little one’s beloved books can you identify in these prints? (I spy at least seven that are in constant rotation at our house.)

Here are some of my favorite posts from around the web:

Gretchen Rubin’s advice on how to be a happy mom

What to know about raising a boy

I’d like to travel back in time and be a guest in this Palm Springs house

An indestructible “lifeproof” iPhone case? (but not as cute as these printed J. Crew cases!)

I’m so inspired by the beautiful and creative life of this mom/photographer/writer

I may have done a little bit of damage at the semi-annual Anthropologie clearance sale

Must remember to buy tickets to this tomorrow!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! Levi and I are very much looking forward to tomorrow…

parenting books for toddlers

May 17, 2012

I regularly worry that I’m not a good enough mom. Multiple times a day I question my parenting skills and wonder if I’m providing Levi with the best possible environment for his development.

For the most part, there has been no method to my (mothering) madness. Perhaps you can describe my style “parenting on a whim.” Yes, I refer to my mommy friends for their opinions and turn to our pediatrician for medical advice, but, truthfully, I don’t feel as though I have a clue about how to raise a son. Ten month in and I’m still not convinced I have any idea what I’m doing as Levi’s mommy–especially now that he’s approaching toddler-hood.

Maybe it’s time for me to start doing some research. I occasionally glanced through pregnancy books last year, and when Levi was born, I skimmed through tomes on sleep training. But now I want to know how to nurture my child as he grows into a little boy. I need to know that letting Levi play independently rather than constantly being on the floor with him or allowing him to catch a glimpse of the Today show in the morning is not going to somehow screw him up later in life.

Blogs have been buzzing lately about Simplicity Parenting, which is interesting to me because it’s not a very new book. Joanna covered it in this post, and Fern and Feather dedicated a whole series of guest posts to the book. Then, of course, there’s Bringing Up Bebe, which has been on the New York Times best-seller’s list for weeks.

I’ve compiled a list of additional parenting books that I’d also like to read. (Ha! As if I have time to read anymore…) Tell me, have you read any of these parenting books? Do you have any favorites to add to my list?

NutureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy

Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort

Playful Learning by Mariah Bruehl

How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin and Vanessa Davies

{image via Pinterest}