I'm very convinced that having a little one makes all of life, especially the holidays, extra sweet and fun. This year we got our tree extra early, decorated the house a little more than normal, actually bought presents early enough to have them wrapped under the tree, walked around downtown and looked at Christmas lights, visited Santa's reindeer, listened to Christmas music (thanks Mollie for sharing your best Christmas Secrets... we love the Dave Barnes Pandora station) and let Ike open up presents throughout December!

Stitch Fix #2 // December 2015

December is crazy because of Christmas (duh) and the many birthdays that our family has. It can get to be present/shopping overload. Anywho I typically pick out all my presents and sometimes will even buy or order them and wrap them. I know it's weird but I always have and probably always will do this! Stitch Fix is perfect because I get some control (scheduling a fix) but there's still an element of surprise (what I'm sent). Anywho, Stitch Fix #2 arrived on my birthday and again I'm a huge fan!! 

Dear Body, I hate you but thank you...

I'm going to take a wild guess that most of you have never heard of dysautonomia or autonomic nervous disorders. I'll even venture to say most of you may not even know what your autonomic nervous system is or does. It's only mildly important as in it controls/regulates one's heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, breathing yadda yadda yadda. Don't feel too bad though. I had never heard of it prior to being diagnosed with two forms of dysautonomia (neurocardiogenic syncope & inappropriate sinus tachycardia). If you're wanting more information on dysautonomia you can read this past blog post what the *bleep* is dysautonomia

Anywho October is Dysautonomia Awareness month, which has forced me to do some reflection. Living with dysautonomia the past two year has been a bit of a whirlwind. I have had to learn (the hard way cause I'm stubborn) that there is no black and white with autonomic disorders. It's all grey.

grateful for the (sweet) inconveniences

In the past 207 days I have learned that babies are rather inconvenient. They do what they want, when they want and how they want. And they really don't care what your plans are for the day or night. Nope they are the bosses. It's rude. Okay and while we are being honest, I also want to point out that babies are extremely codependent, as in you do every little thing for them. All the way from feeding them to cleaning poop off their cute little baby butts to making sure they don't find and eat tape (although sometimes that does happen and it's not the end of the world). It's hard work being a baby. 

I'm six months plus a couple days into being Ike's mama and it's been a learning experience. You think (or at least I did) that you have a small idea about what being a parent will be like but you seriously have no clue until you have those cute baby eyes staring at you!! I should probably interject that I absolutely love love love being a mom (don't let the paragraph above fool you). I'm still adjusting and learning how to be a somewhat sane person/mom. Is that even possible?! 

Stitch Fix #1 // September 2015

A couple evenings ago, I was unpacking all of Ike's fall/next size up clothes and I was thinking that being a baby is practically the best thing ever because you get a new wardrobe every couple of months. I was pretty jealous.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably have heard about Stitch Fix I created an account awhile back but never got around to actually scheduling a fix. I had a lot of doubts but on the slight chance it did work I knew I would love it! I've been wanting some new clothes after having Ike and who has time to shop these days?! Yes it does pain me to say that!! This is the girl who practically spent most of her senior year of high school at the mall. Those were the days! Anywho I finally scheduled a fix (and that makes me feel like a shopping addict... but I guess I am having someone shop for me) and it arrived Wednesday. 

Ike Ross // Newborn Pictures

Well I'm the mom of a 4 month old and that's kind of weird. I know it's cliche but time does fly and yes it does seem like yesterday that he was born. 

I had my first "my-baby-isn't-a-baby-anymore" panic moment recently and that sucked.

Why do babies think they can grow up and become independent and not stay little forever?! It's quite rude actually. So anywho I'm going to sit here and sulk and stare at these newborn pictures. Get ready for extra kisses and snuggles tomorrow mister cause this mama is feeling sentimental! 

Mama Rants: Breastfeeding

I have been a mama for all of 39 days so that basically makes me an expert (sarcasm). And if you know me you are well aware of the fact that I never ever have an opinion about anything (sarcasm). You will also be aware that I never am sarcastic (sarcasm). Please tell me you are reading between the lines or rather the parentheses in this case. Also see my disclaimer at the bottom. Now let's get to it. 

Breastfeeding.

I had no clue what I was doing. Was I magically suppose to know how to breastfeed since I had just given birth?! When the nurse asked me if I had tried to nurse Ike yet I just gave her a terrified blank look. Which is probably why she grabbed my boob and Ike's head and smashed them together. Good thing Ike knew what he was doing.