Capsule Wardrobe

Okay, so I think we can all agree that I'm not a fashion blogger, but one of my favorite things to do while Rory takes her morning nap is read my favorite fashion blogs while sitting on the couch in my unwashed sweatpants and one of Marcos' soccer T-shirts. What can I say? I enjoy being ironic.

So, when my good friend Karla posted this on her Facebook wall, I was immediately intrigued, especially since I've been reading a lot about minimalism, and this seemed to fit in perfectly with the "less is more" lifestyle.


If you've never heard of a capsule wardrobe, you probably have some basic questions, which I will try to answer, but all of my information came from these incredibly addicting blogs:

un-fancy.com

into-mind.com

lightbycoco.com

Let's start with the most basic question. What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is comprised of 30-40 pieces of clothing (including shoes and purses) that change with each new season. Any extras should be boxed up/put away until it's time to pick next season's pieces. You'd be surprised to discover how many different combinations you can create with so little clothing.

What?! Why would anybody want to do that?

Lot's of reasons, actually:

• Less money spent on clothing
• More closet space
• Helps you develop your own personal style
• Forces you to purge items that aren't being used
• Encourages you to use old items in new ways
• Less time spent choosing what to wear
• Focuses on quality over quantity
• Forces you to analyze your spending habits 
• Inspires creativity 

Okay, I'm interested. How do I start?

• Think about your personal style and your everyday style needs. 
• Decide on a look that will work with your lifestyle. For example, are you a stay-at-home-mom? An athlete? Do you work in a corporate setting? (into-mind has worksheets that will help you with this step)
• Choose a color palette for your capsule wardrobe. This will help to ensure that you can make many different outfit combinations using your limited pieces. 
• Go through your current wardrobe. Choose 37-40 pieces that will fit your personal style and chosen color palette for the current season. Box everything else up or donate what you know you won't wear. 
• Decide if you want your pieces to include shoes, purses, and other accessories. 
• Make sure that you choose a variety of different pieces (ie shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, skirts) so you will be prepared for any event that may come up. 
• Have fun creating different looks with your limited wardrobe. Again, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to get dressed and create a variety of different looks with only 37 pieces.
• NO SHOPPING until it's time to create next season's capsule wardrobe. 
• When it is time to plan your next CW, take the time to think about what you truly need to enhance your limited wardrobe. Change your mindset to value quality over quantity. You will be spending less on clothing overall because you won't be shopping as often, so spurge on items that you know will last. For example, if you find yourself wearing black flats everyday, spend a little more on a pair that will be able to handle lots of wear. 
• Enjoy the extra time on your hands and the extra money in your pocket! 

One of the main reasons I decided to create a CW is to get out of my "sweat pant rut". It's so easy to just throw on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt when you know you'll be crawling after a baby all day, but I have a lot of nice clothes that were just sitting in my closet, and most of them are just as comfortable as sweat pants, but look a whole lot nicer.

I also wanted to train myself to focus on quality rather than quantity. My mindset tends to be "more is always better", but I found myself buying lots of things on sale and then giving them away two months later because I bought them without thinking about how they would fit into my current wardrobe and lifestyle. So, even if something was on super-sale, it still ended up being a waste of money.

Creating the capsule wardrobe really helped me to define my style, which I've never really thought about before now. After going through my clothes, I realized that I am drawn to plain, classic items (think J Crew T-shirts and Ralph Lauren button-ups) as well as things with fun details, such as ruffles, bows, and zippers. These two styles seem like polar opposites, but actually work quite well together. For example, my plain white button up from the Gap would be pretty boring if I paired it with my flat-front khaki shorts, but when I wear it with my denim shorts with the zippered sides, it makes the outfit much more interesting and multi-dimensional.

Even though I had a closet full of clothes, I was constantly reaching for the same items, so I was basically already working with a CW without even realizing it. It felt really good to weed through clothes I haven't worn for months/years and be left with only the essentials. Once I got rid of things I knew I wouldn't wear or no longer fit, it was much easier to choose my 37 summer pieces. In fact, I was surprised to find that I was stuck at 33 items until I realized that I hadn't included skirts/shorts.

Since I started this process a few days ago, I have worn "real" clothes everyday, even if all I do is take Rory to the park. I'm still comfortable, and I feel much more productive and confident. Even the barista at Starbucks noticed my new wardrobe. (She's basically my BFF.)

I will make sure to post a list of my 37 items and give you updates along the way. My next step is to pare down Rory's wardrobe. Not even Prince George needs 30 different onesies. 

30 Things Rory Should Know About Me: Part 7

What is your dream job? Why?

Rory,

Growing up, I was always referred to as "the smart one" while your auntie Whitney was "the pretty one". (Although auntie Whit is pretty smart, and I would like to think that I'm not so bad to look at, either.) Whenever your poppy would introduce me to one of his clients or golf partners, he would immediately delve into a detailed list of my academic accomplishments and extra-curricular activities. His rote memorization of my grades and test scores always reminded me of a baseball fan reciting a player's stats.

Everyone, including me, thought I would become a lawyer or a doctor or something that required at least 6 years of college. So, you can imagine their surprise when I decided to become a teacher...and not even a high school teacher, but a kindergarten teacher. I remember someone telling me that becoming a primary teacher was such a "waste". That comment really stuck with me, and I wish I could go back in time and punch them in the face explain to them just how grueling of a profession teaching really is.

It's true that I never discussed the symbolism in an Edgar Allen Poe poem, or solved theorems with my kindergarteners, but that doesn't mean I wasn't challenged. I was constantly reworking my lesson plans in a way that accommodated and engaged all 20 of my very different students who all came from very different backgrounds. I worked way over 40 hours a week and took work home almost every night. I had to deal with countless behavioral issues, difficult and absent parents, and standardized testing. I thought constantly about my students and quickly realized how difficult it is to "leave your work at work" when you're a teacher. Especially when over half of your students come to school hungry and wearing the same clothes as the day before.

So, is teaching my dream job? Yes and no. I enjoyed it, and I was good at it, but it was all-consuming, and every year required more of me than the last. After my fourth year of teaching, I became burned out and frustrated with the education system in general. I wanted a change, and boy did I get one, because I became pregnant with you almost immediately after I had made the difficult decision not to return to the classroom. Divine intervention? I like to think so.

The truth is, quitting teaching and having you gave me the opportunity to realize my true dream job: being your mom. I love that I am able to see you change and grow everyday. I am there for every important milestone, every fall, and every dirty diaper. For the first time in my life, I can't wait to "go to work" everyday. (Although, it would be nice if work started a little later than 5:30.) If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would ever be a stay-at-home-mom, I would have told you absolutely not. But now, I can't imagine doing anything else. Most people would agree that being a SAHM is the hardest job there is, and they're right. Most days are not without its challenges, but I think going to work is the harder job. For me, nothing would be more difficult than having to drop off my baby at a childcare center while I went to work for eight hours every day. So even though there are days when I don't shower or leave the house or have any adult interaction, I consider myself one of the lucky ones.

There may be a day when I choose to go back to work, but for now, I am living the dream, dirty diapers and all.

A List of Things I Would Never Know if I Didn't Have A Mobile Baby

1. Our house has way too many electrical outlets.

2. A crawling baby does not equal a longer afternoon nap. (Liars!)

3. Baby gates are expensive.

4. Picking up random crumbs/objects from the carpet makes for excellent fine motor practice.

Mmmm....a random pillow feather? Don't mind if I do.

5. Marli can run, but she cannot hide.

6. I am clearly the least interesting thing in our house.

A string cheese wrapper beats listening to mom sing "The Wheels on the Bus" any day. 

7. Apparently removing Rory from potentially dangerous situations (think sharp corners, small objects, cords) makes me the worst mother ever.

This face is obviously a testament to my failure as a mother.

                                         

8. As much as it pains me to admit it, I'm not always faster than a crawling baby.

9. Apparently, "no" doesn't mean no.                                  

A List of Reasons Today Sucks...And It's Only 6 am

1. Rory woke up at 4:30 am...for the second day in a row.

2. I googled "9 month sleep regression". (Why, God, why?)

3. The first song that came to mind when I was trying to lull Rory back to sleep was the theme song to "Married With Children." Two hours later and it's still in my head.

4. Marcos' check engine light is on.

5. I already don't feel like making dinner.

6. I can feel a pimple coming on. One of those big, painful ones.

7. I'm taking Rory to the pool when she wakes up from her nap, which will most likely require me to wear a bathing suit.

8. It's only Tuesday.

9. I didn't do the dishes last night or this morning, and now they're piled up in the sink...mocking me. 

10. I lost our checkbook and I can't figure out a way to blame it on Marcos. 

Lindsey's Latest Library Loot

 (I apologize for the title of this post, but It's not everyday that you get the opportunity to use such an alliterative phrase.)

1 & 2: Paper and Looking for Alaska by John Green
After reading The Fault in Our Stars, I've been wanting to read more of John Green's writing. (Is it weird that the majority of the novels I've been checking out lately are in the "young adult" genre? And do they really have to plaster that huge, yellow "YA" sticker to the spine of the book?) I started reading Waiting for Alaska last night, and I already can't wait for nap time so that I can keep reading.

3: If I Stay by Gayle Forman
When my friend, Tiffany, was visiting from Houston, we went to see The Fault in Our Stars, and before the movie started, we saw the trailer for "If I Stay". Before it was even over, I whispered to Tiffany, "I wonder if this is a book!" Well, it is, and I'm so glad I was able to read it before seeing the movie. (Who am I kidding? The movie will be on Netflix by the time I have a chance to see it.) I read this book in a few hours, and now I'm pissed because there's a sequel and I had no idea. I'll just have to drag Rory to storytime next week so I can check it out. The book is about a girl who is stuck in between life and death after her whole family dies in a tragic car accident. She must decide if she wants to stay and fight for her life or join her family on the other side. Sounds cheesy, and it is a little, but it's still a good read.

4: Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Berg
I've read several novels by Elizabeth Berg, so I checked this one out without even reading the synopsis because I enjoy her writing style. Turns out it's about a woman who is dying and decides to write her daughters a series of letters before she goes. Sounds depressing. I'll probably cry. Can't wait to read it.

5, 6, & 7: The Digital Mom Handbook .by Audrey McClelland and Colleen Padilla, Blogging for Dummies by Amy Lupold Bair and Susannah Gardner, and Blog INC. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho
I checked these books out because I wanted to learn more about blog design, but I'll be honest, I've barely skimmed through them. When I have time to read, I prefer to read novels, so these have been tossed on the backburner. (In fact, two of them are past due.) My goal is to head to Starbucks one night after Rory is in bed and do some reading. (Preferably before she turns 1.)

8 & 9: Naturally Clean by Jeffrey Hollender and Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan
After writing this blog post last week, I wanted to find out more about homemade cleaning supplies. I wouldn't recommend Naturally Clean unless you want to stay up all night worrying about every single thing in your house and how its negatively impacting your child's development. However, there is a handy chart in the back that lists common  household cleaners, their ingredients, and a "grade" based on their toxicity levels. I love Green House, Clean Planet, and I'm thinking about ordering a copy from Amazon so that I can look up the cleaning recipes on an as-needed basis. The book is very user-friendly and provides natural, homemade recipes for all kinds of cleaners, including all-purpose cleaners, stain removers, jewelry cleaners, and disinfectants. Each recipe also comes with an "effectiveness rating" and a cost comparison between the traditional, store-bought cleaners and the natural, homemade ones.

10 & 11: Happy Baby by Robert W. Sears and Amy Marlow and The Wonder Weeks by Hetty Vanderijt and Frans Plooij 
Happy Baby is full of ideas for introducing healthy foods to your baby/toddler and ensuring that he or she is getting all of the necessary nutrients. It also has some general "green" tips for baby's first year, but most of which I've read before. The Wonder Weeks is an extremely useful book for helping your baby through those major "leaps" or milestones during the first year. It's based on the philosophy that every few weeks your baby goes through a developmental leap, preceded by a "fussy period". After each leap, your baby becomes increasingly independent and confident in their newly-gained skills. I wish I had read this book earlier because I swear, Rory could be a poster child for The Wonder Weeks.I found myself shaking my head and saying things like, "yes!", "totally!", and "So that's why..." aloud as I read. It gives helpful suggestions for helping your baby through the fussy periods and lists games/toys that will help them gain the skills necessary to take each "leap".

How to Lose Weight Without Diet or Exercise

You guys...I've discovered the secret to weight loss, and the best part is, there is no diet or exercise involved. That's right, all you have to do is follow these ten simple steps, and you will be fitting into those skinny jeans in no time.

Step 1: 
Get Pregnant.

Step 2: 
Have baby.

Step 3:
Raise baby in such a way that she finds going up and down the stairs to be the highest form of entertainment.

Step 4:
Buy a house with a severely outdated, ridiculously low, built-in TV stand so that you are forced to constantly chase after baby in order to ensure that the TV remains on said stand.

Step 5: 
Obsess over which foods baby ingests.

Step 6:
Spend your entire grocery budget on organic fruits and vegetables so that the only available foods for your consumption are organic fruits and vegetables.

Step 7: 
Encourage baby to crawl.

Step 8: 
Spend your entire day chasing after crawling baby and blocking her access to electrical cords, dog food, and toilets.

Step 9:
Take baby on multiple walks, field trips, and swim outings in hopes that the baby will take a long afternoon nap.*

Step 10:
Collapse from exhaustion at the end of each day.

*She won't.

10 Easy Ways to Go Green

In the past few years I've made an effort to reduce my carbon footprint, but not because I'm a tree-hugging, Birkinstock-wearing, granola-eating hippie. (I'm not even a democrat, y'all.) I do it simply because I think it's the right thing to do. If I can help ensure that future generations live a better life without drastically changing mine, why wouldn't I? Having a baby forces you to think about the future and what kind of life you want for your children. I want Rory to realize that everything she does has an impact and that it is up to her generation to reduce this impact on our Earth. Here are ten of the greenest, hippiest things I do in an effort to piss off my conservative mother and also save the planet. 

1. Cloth Diaper

I never thought I would cloth diaper, but after talking to several cloth-diapering moms, taking a cloth diaper class, and doing the math, I realized that it's a great way to save some money and decrease our carbon footprint at the same time. That being said, I have a confession to make: I don't cloth diaper all the time. If I know we're going to be out of the house for several hours, I put Rory in a disposable, and she still sleeps in one at night, too. But it still takes us several months to go through a package of disposable diapers. So, even if you work and your child's daycare doesn't do cloth diapers and you can only cloth diaper when you're at home, don't dismiss the idea completely. It's not all or nothing. Also, I quickly discovered that I prefer reusable swim diapers to the disposables. They are more form-fitting (which is a good thing, because you don't want to be the reason the community pool had to shut down for the afternoon) and are much less conspicuous under Rory's bathing suit bottoms. Charlie Banana and iplay make affordable, good quality swim diapers. 

2. Home-Made Cleaning Supplies

Looking back, I was probably the most annoying pregnant person ever. I obsessed over things like food dyes and high fructose corn syrup, and I asked my midwife at least 5 times if I should worry about the five three drinks I consumed before I even knew I was pregnant. I also did everything in my power to reduce my exposure to chemicals, and this included cleaning supplies. (Please don't ask me about my failed attempt to make my own shampoo.) I did some research and quickly discovered that most homemade cleaning supplies are vinegar based, so I did some experimenting and found that the following recipe worked best: 

1 cup white vinegar (Heinz makes a "cleaning strength" version for this purpose)

2 cups water

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

I promise that the vinegar smell quickly evaporates, and you can add lemon essential oil to mask the odor. We use this cleaner for everything: countertops, tile, sinks, mirrors...

When it's time to scrub the bathtub, I sprinkle some baking soda in the tub, spray this solution on top, and then scrub away. 

3. Meatless Meals

I was a vegetarian for about 4 years before I became pregnant with Rory. It was too difficult to get the recommended amount of protein without eating meat, and I was getting so tired of beans, lentils, and peanut butter. I am still eating meat a few times a week, but I am very selective about the quality, and only buy organic, grass-fed chicken and beef. (Except for Chick-fil-a Fridays. But everyone has their vices.) It's been proven that reducing your meat intake is not only better for your health, but for the environment as well. It takes a lot of water, energy, and grain to feed the cattle and other animals that humans consume. By eating mostly fruits, vegetables, and grains, you're essentially cutting out the middle man and reducing your environmental impact. If you're a meat-lover and can't fathom eating vegetarian meals several times a week, simply cut the amount of meat a recipe calls for in half. I've done this several times, and I promise you won't even notice. 

4. Buy Used Toys and Clothes

I often brag about discuss my garage sale/Craigslist finds on this blog, and I would say about 75% of Rory's toys and clothes are pre-loved. It just makes sense. Babies grow fast. In fact, many of the items I've purchased from consignment sales are brand new with tags. In my opinion, there's no point in purchasing brand new toys that will ultimately end up in a landfill when you can buy a perfectly good used version for a fraction of the cost. There are two consignment sales that I attend twice a year: Just Between Friends (JBF) and the MOMS sale (moms of multiples). I usually spend about $100-$150 and come home with several bags of clothes and toys. They have high-quality clothes and toys for great prices (I got a pair of Janie and Jack shorts for $2!), and on the last day of the sale, everything left is an extra 50% off. If I feel that Rory really needs something in between sales, I always check Craigslist or our local virtual garagesale facebook page to see if I can find it used first. 

5. Visit the Library

By now you already know I'm an avid reader and visit the library several times a week for storytime hour with Rory. This is a difficult one for me because I'm all about supporting authors, but at the same time, I can't bring myself to buy new books when I can check it out from the library and read it for free. If you want to support your favorite author but still be "green", you can buy the ebook version. 

6. Just Say No! To Anything Disposable. (And Drugs, Obviously.) 

Did you know they sell disposable bibs now? I'm sorry, but how hard is it to throw a cloth bib in your diaper bag and wash it? I realize that I'm from a convenience-based generation with the mindset that "everything is disposable", but our actions have severe consequences. Admittedly, this is something I still struggle with. I always forget our reusable grocery bags in the car and I use wet wipes like they're going out of style, but I do make a conscious effort to avoid all things disposable when possible. For example, I have several wetbags that I carry around with me to hold things like wet bathing suits and dirty cloth diapers. We have reusable snack bags to reduce our usage of plastic Ziplock bags, and I clean with reusable rags to avoid using paper towels. 

I saw these on Shark Tank (love that show!), and I'm thinking about buying a roll. 

7. Reuse/ Recycle (Duh!)

You would think this goes without saying, but I know several people who for whatever reason don't recycle. When we lived in New Hampshire, we had to actually take our recycables* to the local recycling plant, which was slightly inconvenient and meant that the empty beer cans and glass jars had to be pretty much overflowing before we actually made the 2 mile journey. But in Colorado, we put our recycables out on the curb with the trash every other week, which means no excuses. When you have a baby, you tend to do a lot of online shopping, which results in plethora of cardboard boxes. And if you buy jarred baby food, either reuse the little jars (I put paint in them to use for wall touch ups.), or recycle them. It's also helpful (to your wallet and the environment) to reuse what you already have. We probably spent a total of $200 on Rory's entire nursery because we used furniture we already had. I ordered new knobs for an old white dresser that doubles as her changing table, and we made a tulle "tutu" skirt for a round table that was damaged in our move. (The skirt hides the scratches.)  My friend, Shannon, refinished her old crib and painted it a beautiful coral color for her daughter, Olivia. She basically has a brand new crib for the cost of a can of paint. Lets be honest, babies don't know Pottery Barn from second-hand IKEA. Take advantage of this....they'll be begging you for designer jeans before you know it. 

Rory's nursery table. This picture was taken a few weeks before Rory was born....before we understood the importance of blackout curtains. 

8. Make Your Own Babyfood

I buy a few jars or pouches of baby food every week, but for the most part, Rory eats whole foods. Now that she is getting older and we are slowly introducing dairy, wheat, and meat, she is able to eat more of what we eat. One of the many reasons I love the baby-led weaning philosophy is that it reduces the need for pre-packaged baby food and unnecessary waste. If your baby is still in the mushy/puree phase, spend one day a month making and freezing your own baby food in ice cube trays. It's cheaper and more eco-friendly. 

9. Quick Wash/Cold Wash

One of the downsides to using reusable diapers, bibs, wipes, etc. is the extra laundry it creates. And extra laundry means extra water and extra electricity. I recently discovered BioKleen all temperature laundry detergent, which cleans just as well with cold water. (Obviously for diapers and other materials that need to be sanitized, I do a warm wash.) I also use the quick wash option on our washer whenever possible. For example, if I'm just washing a load of Rory's clothes that aren't particularly dirty, they don't need to be spinning in the washer for 45 minutes. The 25 minute "quick wash" is more than enough to get them clean. 

10. Remember: Less is More 

 I've realized that the old adage is true: kids really do prefer boxes to toys. Kids don't need much. They much prefer your time and attention to the latest gadget, and they get much more out of a visit to the park or the zoo than a basket full of toys.Talk to your kids. Read to them. Take them on a walk. Experience trumps things any day. Not only does this philosophy reduce waste, it save you money and also promotes creative play and imagination. I know it's not always easy to say no, so to help me remember this one, I've come up with a saying of my own: When in doubt, do without. (And if this doesn't work, Marcos is right there as my backup reminder. For example, he may or may not have told me that in no way does Rory need a stuffed rocking horse. In my defense, however, it was used!) 

The ultimate toy with endless possibilities.

*Is this even a word? The red squiggly line tells me probably not. 

Not to Brag or Anything...

...but my daughter has already mastered the duck face selfie at only 8 months. I knew she was a genius, and now I have proof.

You Know You're a Mom When...

1. This is how shot glasses are used now. 

Uncle Paulo would be so ashamed.

2. This is what you wear to the pool now...




3. ...And you still think it's too revealing. 


4.  Speaking of revealing, you find yourself wondering what kind of parents let their teenage daughters leave the house wearing such little clothing. (Let's hope prairie dresses are in style in 15 years.) 

That's more like it. 

5. You now refer to anything small as a "choking hazard." As in, "These chocking hazards are cooked perfectly." And "Have you seen my blue chocking hazard? I need it to pull my hair back." 

Did you know that anything that fits through a toilet paper roll is considered a choking hazard? Do you know how many things in our house right now fit through a toilet paper tube? At least 75% of everything we own.

6. You constantly refer to yourself in the third person, even after your baby is in bed for the night. Mommy needs some wine.





7. You take so many pictures of your kids that your iphone looks like this: 

How many pictures of Rory sleeping do we really need? Fifty-three, apparently.

Rory Keiko: 8 Month Update

Rory,

You are officially a mobile baby, which means I am officially exhausted at the end of each day. All you want to do is explore, and even though you have hundreds of toys, you seem to have a radar that leads you directly to things that are either a) dangerous, or b) messy. A few examples are extension cords, remote controls, flowers in vases, and mommy's coffee. Good thing you are cute.

Besides learning to crawl, you are able to stand for long periods of time and pull yourself up. (I wish I had your upper body strength.) Your two top teeth are also coming in, and you love to grind your top and bottom teeth, which drives daddy crazy. I think my favorite thing about this month is that you started dancing. We put your activity table on the music setting, and you go to town, pressing the buttons and moving your body to the music. You have also become quite a talented mimicker. When we blow raspberries or stick out our tongues, you give us a big grin and copy us. It's your favorite game, and I don't think you've ever been the first one to end it.

We are still going to the park, the pool, and story time a few days a week. On Thursday nights we like to go to the concerts in the park where you attract a lot of attention with your big smile and long eyelashes. Your auntie Tiffany came to visit this month and we had fun going on a picnic and exploring downtown.

You are eating solids three times a day and you can't get enough. It's like your stomach is a bottomless pit. You are a great eater with a very sophisticated palette. You eat quinoa and hummus, and you loved the perogis you tried at the Cherry Creek farmer's market.

In the past few weeks, you've become very attached to the giraffe that Auntie Whitney gave you. You sleep with it at night and for both naps. You're still not a big fan of the car, but you're able to go longer distances without crying. You take two naps a day, around 8 and 1. Your first nap is usually short, but your afternoon nap is close to two hours.

Days go by so quickly now that I am constantly running around after you. I love that you are becoming increasingly independent and opinionated. You know what you want and you are determined to get it. Your personality shines through in everything that you do. (And based on what I've seen so far, I'd say your dad and I are in for trouble.) I'm not sure when the shift occurred, but you are no longer a baby. You are a real person with thoughts and feelings and a mind of her own. Just last night you pushed away a toy I was trying to hand you, and crawled over to the one you really wanted. It's amazing how well you can communicate without actually speaking. I love that everyday I discover a new part of you. It makes even the most boring of days surprising and exciting. At night, when your dad and I are laying in bed, when we should be talking about anything but you, the conversation always seems to come back to you and how lucky we feel to have you in our lives. You are by far the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Sleeping with your giraffe. 

Strolling at the park with Conrad.

Now that you have teeth, we brush them every night. (With a banana toothbrush and strawberry toothpaste that you end up just sucking from the tip. But hey, at least we're setting the foundation for dental health.)

You're fascinated by the vents. Why do we buy you toys?

With daddy at the concert in the park. 

Daddy getting you out of bed in the morning.

You look a little crazy and a lot Asian in this picture.

Pool time! 

Ultimate Validation

This is what happens when I leave for a hair appointment. #betterthansexting

30 Things Rory Should Know About Me: Part 6

                                      

If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?

1. A Personal Chef

Rory, I'm sure if you're able to read this, you know by now that not only do I not enjoy cooking, I'm also not very good at it. I love eating good food, but making it is an entirely different story. Every few months, I get on a cooking kick, and you're dad gets really excited, but it usually doesn't last long. At this point, there are two things I do well: chocolate chip cookies and kale chips. (Am I the only one that sees the irony in this??) So, I would love to be able to come home to a healthy, home-cooked meal every evening prepared by anyone but me.

2. Unlimited Airline Miles

I love living in Denver, and I know it will be a great place for you to grow up, but it's hard being so far from family. You have the most amazing aunts who live all over the world and have so much to teach you. (Mostly about fashion and binge drinking, but these are important life lessons.) We've made some great friends, but friends are not obligated to come babysit when you have a massive hangover on Sunday morning or don't feel comfortable taking your toddler with you to get a papsmear. I would especially love to be able to take you to Brasil more often. You come from an amazing culture, and it makes me sad that you won't be able to experience it on a daily basis. There's no place like Brazil during Carnival. Although, maybe we should wait until you're 21 before you experience that first hand.

At the Carnival parade in Sao Paulo, pre-Rory. 

3. World Peace

What? I didn't want to seem selfish. (But really it would be to eat anything I want without getting fat.) 

A Few of our Favorite Things

Rory's Picks*

1. Activity Table




I always imagined a house full of wooden, Montessori-esque toys that encouraged imagination and open-play. I distinctly remember telling Marcos, "I refuse to buy toys that make noise. Or anything that needs batteries." (Excuse me while I die laughing.) Before Rory was born, I stalked up on wooden blocks, puzzles, and rattles. There's just one problem: Rory could care less about any toy that isn't plastic, composed of bright primary colors, or doesn't make loud, obnoxious music that gets stuck in your head for days at a time. We bought this activity table for ten bucks at a garage sale, and my only regret is that we didn't buy it sooner. She loves that it is the perfect height for her and it has a ton of buttons for her to push compulsively. Also, it has a Spanish button, so it's obviously educational.

2. Baby Bananas 



Rory is eating more and more solids, but banana is still her all-time favorite. I've been giving her fruits in their whole form as often as possible, and these little bananas are perfect for her little hands.

3. Aden and Anais Sleep Sacks


Rory has graduated from her Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit (try saying that five times fast), and is now wearing sleepsacks. I found this Aden and Anais bamboo sleepsack at TJMaxx, and I love that it is super soft and very light weight for the summer months. It's easy to put on and take off and it stands up to heavy washing. Another win for Aden and Anais.

4. Textured Blocks 

I purchased these a few months ago at a consignment sale and stowed them away in a closet where Marcos found them earlier this week. It's a good thing he did, because Rory loves them. Each side of the block is covered in a different texture, which makes them easy for her little hands to grip. She loves knocking them over after I've stacked them and throwing them at the TV.

*Let's be honest; these aren't really Rory's picks. If I were to make an honest list of her favorite things, it would include waking up at 5:30 am, biting cords, crying in her carseat, and sucking on Mommy's wedding ring.

She may not look like me, but her obsession with diamonds proves she's half mine.

My Picks

1. Utility Tote

I ordered this bag from Etsy, and it's amazing. Rory and I go to the indoor pool at our community rec center a few times a week, and it's perfect for holding all of our pool gear. It's super sturdy, so things stay put, which is great when for those times when I'm searching for my keys or my ID card. The wire sides can also be collapsed for easy storage. I know several people who keep similar bags in the trunks of their cars for storing things like diapers and towels.

2. My Hand-Stamped Ring 

I bought this ring for 10 bucks on groopdealz.com (see number 3), and I love it. It's a lot thicker and nicer than I thought it would be for the price. Next time they are featured on the site, I plan to buy a few for my sister.

3. Groopdealz



This wesbsite is the first thing I look at each morning when I wake up. I rarely buy anything (Marcos would probably say differently), but they do have great deals and feature a lot of cute kids-themed items. It will definitely be a great resource for Christmas gifts.

And the Winner for Best Combover Goes to...

30 Things Rory Should Know About Me: Part 5

List 5 Things That Make You Happy Right Now.

1. Sleep
Even though you are beginning to sleep through the night, I never feel well-rested. I don't think I've slept deeply since you were born, and I probably never will. Today I was able to nap when you napped, and it was glorious. Every night after you're asleep, I'm faced with the same decision: Go to sleep or stay up and read/blog/clean. Sleep usually wins...Unless I'm reading a really good book. (See number 3.)

2. Blogging
I've always enjoyed writing. In fact, I started college as a journalism major,but quickly switched to education once I realized how much I enjoyed children and teaching. As much as I love you, you can't provide me with the intellectual stimulation I need at this point. And I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but reading board books and singing nursery rhymes all day gets old fast. So, when I feel as though my brain is beginning to turn to mush, I write. It's a great outlet for me and I love that it provides me with the opportunity to record all of your major milestones during a time when you are growing and changing so quickly. As soon as I put you down for your morning nap, I am already looking forward to working on my newest post. Unless, of course, I decide to nap instead. (See number 1.)

3. Reading
Reading has always been my escape of choice. When I move to a new place, one of the first things I do is get a library card, and one of your first public appearances was story time at the Highlands Ranch library when you were three months old. About a week after you were born, I decided to take advantage of the fact that pretty much all you did was eat and sleep. One of my first solo-trip after you were born was to the library. (I also stopped at Target on the way home for nipple cream.) I stocked up on novels and parenting books, and I couldn't wait to read them. But when I opened the first novel, recommended to me by your auntie Whit, a funny thing happened. The words just seemed to blur together and I found myself reading the same first paragraph over and over. As a lifelong reader, this was quite worrisome. Had pregnancy and childbirth affected my ability to read and absorb information? Would I ever be able to focus on anything but you? Fortunately, within a few months, I was back to reading several books a week. I don't read as quickly as I used to because you demand most of my time and attention, but I look forward to those thirty minutes each evening when you are asleep and daddy is watching soccer highlights and I am able to just read. Most of the time I read several books at once. Here is a picture of my nightstand right now:

I still enjoy reading birth stories. They remind me of the day you were born. 

Books in waiting. 

4. Margaritas
Your dad makes really good margaritas...and when you are 21, you can enjoy them with me. Until then, it's juice for you, my friend.

5. Watching You Grow
Everyday you do something that amazes me. Just yesterday you learned how to sit up in your crib on your own. I looked into the monitor...and there you were sitting up and looking around, waiting for me to come and get you. It's such a privilege to be able to spend everyday with you and see you change and grow. You are gaining new skills on a daily basis, and being your mom has helped me learn to appreciate the little things. Before you, I was constantly focusing on what could go wrong. I was filled with anxiety about what the future held and I never took the time to enjoy the here and now. But now that you are here, I look forward to the future because I can't imagine it being anything but great with you in it.