It’s been awhile (um like 2 years) since I wrote a post about a day in #momlife but yesterday was a great example of when motherhood isn’t always all highs…. Sometimes it’s down right dirty. 

The day started innocently enough. Kennedy had a low grade fever and we have a couple of new babies in our tribe so I kept her home from our usual playgroup. Of course by 9:30am she was fine and I had already made plans for our architect to come over so we needed to get out of the house. We took a quick trip to the playground but it was HOT and Mamma was overdressed so after remembering that I had seen baby pools on sale at Aldi, I promised Kennedy we would get one.  I told her we would stop home to check in with the architect and then go to the store to buy a pool, easy peasy. We got home in perfect timing as the architect was just finishing up so we walked across the street to Aldi to grab our pool (by across the street I mean about a 10 minute walk up hill). Of course, store trips are never quick (or easy) with my kids in tow but I’m used to it so tend to not let it frazzle me (insert wicked laugh). Except that the store was uncharacteristically busy and both my kids wanted out of the stroller so I could already see the cloud of doom shading over us. We grabbed a pool… did I mention that it wasn’t a blow up pool? Nope, it was a good ole’ fashion plastic pool and all I brought to bring it home in was a freaking STROLLER (side note: It is the Uppababy Vista Stroller so pretty much my vehicle and the best investment in motherhood I’ve made to date). After somehow gathering up 10 items that we didn’t need, including a random dog lawn ornament that Cecilia became attached to, we went to check out. After a way too long wait (the lady in front of me was a hot mess… speaking from a hot mess herself), I bribed my kids to sit in the stroller and checked out. Then it dawned on me, where the heck was this pool going to go? I tried to hold it to the side, no go, I tried to hold it to the front of the stroller, no go so finally I convinced Kennedy it would be fun to put her shade up and lay the pool over her. It worked… sort of. About two plus blocks from home, Ceci started throwing a fit. I had noticed she had a poopy diaper at Aldi but I just could.not.deal so I was praying she could hang until we got home. She could not. I had stupidly not strapped her in and as she is tantruming to get out, she goes flying out of the stroller #momfail. She’s hysterical, I felt terrible so I decided to change her diaper right there while she’s standing. Clearly, not a great made plan. I managed to get the diaper off and tried to clean her as best I could but she was not having me put the diaper back on. Fine. I tried to put her back in the stroller. Nope. Roller board? Nope. $%^# (insert every 4 letter word you know) Fine. I picked her up and decided to carry her the two plus blocks home but then I realized I would have to carry her, push the stroller and hold the pool. At this point, I’m ready to just leave the pool and get home to A/C but of course, Kennedy would have never forgiven me so I managed to convince K to hold the pool (as best as she could) as I pushed the stroller and carried Ceci. Miraculously, it worked and we got home alive but not before I looked down and realized I was literally covered in Ceci's sh*t. Like I said, sometimes motherhood is downright dirty #amiright? 

For Mother's Day, we ventured out to the country to Schlagel Farms to pick strawberries and it did NOT disappoint.

​The fields of strawberries were huge with PLENTY of beautiful, red strawberries ripe for the picking. It was the perfect activity for both of my toddlers (when did that happen?!) and honestly, myself because who doesn't love fresh picked strawberries? There were enough rows of strawberries that it didn't feel crowded and we had a row all to ourself! SEVEN pounds later (and quite a few in our belly) we paid and went over to the playground and sandpit to play. After some swings and some digging, our bellies were ready for some food so we walked over to the food truck where they had delicious bbq right by the greenhouses of fresh flowers.
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We quickly ate up all of our bbq and enjoyed some ice cream before packing up to head home. As if the adventure wasn't fun enough, one of the best parts has been using up all the strawberries.

​My husband took a stab and made the strawberry pasta from Rose's Luxury (amazing) and tonight, we made strawberry ice cream (even more amazing). I'm pretty sure this farm will be a new addition to my must-do's every spring!

Strawberry Pasta from Rose’s Luxury
Ingredients:
1 can San Marzano tomatoes
1 pint strawberries
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed chili flake
Pinch of sugar
Big splash olive oil
1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
Instructions:
1. Stew together tomatoes and strawberries for about 30 minutes on medium-low, until reduced a little.
2. Add salt, crushed chili flake, pinch of sugar and big splash of olive oil.
3. Blend slightly with immersion blender and finish with fresh cracked pepper.
4. Serve over spaghetti.
Source: Rose’s Luxury

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Strawberry Ice Cream
Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups mashed fresh strawberries
​Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the milk, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla, strawberries, and food coloring. Pour the mixture into the freezer bowl of an ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.

I love Red Tricycle for all things Mommy and baby related so I was thrilled to see us featured in their article 
5 Places for D.C.-Moms-to-Be to Shop for Clothes.

"Concetta Aires, the mother-of-two and finance wizard behind Well Dressed Mama, knows that that adorable maternity or post-partum swing dress will not look nearly as adorable if you’re wearing an ill-fitting bra. Concetta also knows that, whether you’re dragging your feet through your third trimester or sleepwalking with a newborn, it’s h-a-r-d to leave the house to engage in any kind of self-care. Enter Well Dressed Mama’s concierge service, where Concettacomes to you to help you select and get fitted for nursing bras, tanks, pants, and shorts. Delivery for all products is free within Washington, D.C., and shipping outside of the District is free for orders over $100. Who knew you could get a pretty t-shirt bra that makes you feel good AND makes for easier nursing?"

Here at Well Dressed Mamma there is nothing we appreciate more than spending a few minutes on you (even if that means taking that well deserved shower while playing peekaboo with a baby in a bouncer on the other side of that curtain). So, if you're waiting for that perfect moment to find a bra that makes you feel pretty, supported and like a human being again than why wait? We're always here for you. <3(They may have spelled "mama" wrong but we love them anyway!)

The holidays were an amazing whirlwind and here we are already in 2018..crazy town. We had a great week and were able to spend time with both of our families as well as ring in the New Year with our dear friends and their kids in a beautiful home with lots of SNOW! Kennedy took her first ski lessons and Cecilia took her first stab at walking. Both are still working on perfecting their skills.

The girls scored some great gifts over the holidays that have made these cold days at home much easier! Here are some of our favorites:

Jumping Jacks - this game is perfect for Kennedy and her friends. They each pick a carrot (your supposed to spin but I think that’s for a little older kids) and when somebody picks their carrot, the bunny jumps and you’re supposed to catch it. I highly recommend!

Sequence (for kids)- this game is Kennedy’s obsession that she has been playing with her Dad all break and now, every evening. This game is all about getting 4 in a row and does take a little bit of coaching but it’s proven to be quite entertaining. Granted there are 42 cards to keep track of and my kids a hoarder so there’s that… (I currently can only find 41.. sigh)

Strider Balance Bike- this bike is great for kids to learn to balance on and helps them ride two wheel bikes when they’re a little older. Kennedy loves it because it’s yellow (ha!) and hasn’t yet taken it on the street but loves to ride it in the house…

Micro Mini 2-Go Deluxe Scooter- Kennedy has the older kid version so this one is for Ceci. It has a toy box and is insanely adorable. At this age, she rides it and later on we will be able to adjust it for her to scoot on it!

Wooden Dollhouse- This is the perfect mix of adorableness and fun. The girls love playing with it and I love that it is a cute addition to their play corner.

Doctor Kit- Kennedy likes to dress up and play so a doctor kit was a great addition. This one is simple, there aren’t too many pieces and there is a bag to keep it all in (winner, winner, chicken dinner).

Bath tubes and gears- Anything to make bath time fun for both the kids. They love pouring the water and playing with the gears.

Brio trains- a friend suggested these and Kennedy loves them. It’s a great gift to be able to add to!

Anything your kids are loving these days? 

It's a funny thing, isn't it? Having kids less than two years apart and being #blessed with terrible sleepers has me thinking that a full night's sleep won't ever happen. Never would I have imagined that sleeping in 3 hour increments would allow me to function as a human being but that's what parenting does to us, right? It keeps us on our toes and stretches us in ways we never knew were possible. I'm always in the mindset that if my kids are going to be crappy sleepers at home, I might as well travel with them since either way we aren't getting sleep ;) BUT, if you're one of the lucky ones that have one of those kiddos that sleep great at home, the consultants at Let Mommy Sleep have some tips on how you can prepare your young children for traveling.

1. Practice at home! Many times babies are not used to sleeping in a travel bed or pack-n-play. Put baby in travel bed or pack-n-play for naptime at home in weeks leading up to the trip.
2. Keep sleep routine as close to home as possible to help baby feel safe and secure.  If weather permits, dress baby in pajamas/sleepsack/swaddle blanket that he/she is accustomed to.  If renting a full-sized travel crib from a hotel, bring bed sheets and breathable bumper from baby’s crib at home to recreate familiar sleepenvironment. Sing the same bedtime songs you sing at home and read favorite books.
3. Try to stay on baby’s time. If possible, try to keep naptimes and bedtimes as close to the same schedule as at home.  When traveling across time zones, gradually adjust baby’s bedtime. Some parents like to travel at night so baby can sleep and wake up in destination refreshed. This can lead to an exhausting first day of the trip. If you can “tag-team” with your partner by alternating napping and caring for baby during the first day, then traveling at night could be a possibility.
4. Once at the destination, do not rely on carseats for safe sleep. While it is tempting to let a sleeping baby spend the night in a carseat or stroller, carseats can sometimes cause breathing problems in babies. Follow the recommendations of the American Association of Pediatrics and the “Back to Sleep” campaign by creating a safe sleep environment and putting baby on back for sleeping.
5. Slow it down – You’re on Baby’s Time! Don’t expect to have a jam-packed site seeing schedule. All the new sights, sounds, and experiences are very stimulating and exciting for baby. Baby could get fussy if over stimulated and too exhausted.  Remember that sleep begets sleep. Keeping baby awake longer than his/her bodies need may work for one night or one nap, but fighting against baby’s natural rhythms leads to meltdown. While it is nice to have alone time with your partner, caring for a baby can be even more exhausting than usual when traveling. We like to remind parents to not stay up too late too!

Let Mommy Sleep is the country's leading Baby Nurse and Postpartum Care service based in Washington DC. Because of the company’s unparalleled dedication to customer service and the overwhelming need for qualified postpartum care, LMS continues to grow with franchise locations now in Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey, South Florida and Las Vegas with more on the way. Let Mommy Sleep is a simple service; licensed nurses and caregivers are paired with brand new parents to provide nurturing overnight care to newborns, and evidence based education to families.  This postpartum care is crucial to parents' health and well-being especially in these days where families are spread out and there is little to no social support. For more information, visit their website, letmommysleep.com.

Cecilia Grace turned one yesterday and what a year it has been. It has truly been a year of the highest highs as well as the lowest lows but I can't imagine this year without her. She has been such a blessing to our family and I have so enjoyed watching her grow as well as watching her and Kennedy become the best of friends. Each year I write the girls a birthday note to their own email addresses as well as encourage our family and friends to do the same. My hope is that one day when the girls read these letters it gives them a small snippet into what our lives were like when they were that age and that they appreciate all of the love and sentiment that we have for them.

In light of Cecilia turning one, I thought I would share my letter to her.

Dear Cecilia,
Happy first birthday to the beautiful little girl who has been the perfect addition to our family. Your big blue eyes and huge smile light up a room while your spunk and perseverance are unmatched.  My wish for you is to stay strong, wild and full of life. May all the stars in the sky be only a small sampling of the dreams in your heart.  You are loved beyond belief.  I’m so very lucky to be your mama. 
In one short year you have traveled across the country and across the world taking each trip in stride and being the perfect travel companion. You have been to four weddings and sadly, your grandfather’s funeral. You have learned to stand, to dance, to clap, to crawl and to fight back to your big sister :) You are strong, you are beautiful and you make me so proud. 
I love you. 
Mom

 

If you like us on Facebook, you already know that my husband and I took our two kids on a month long trip to New Zealand. People thought we were crazy, and maybe we were, but it was amazing and I would do it again in a heart beat. The question I get asked the most is; how did we do it?

We sandwiched the time in between trips to San Francisco. That way we were able to visit friends, attend our cousin's wedding and just take an overnight flight direct to New Zealand. New Zealand is 17 hours ahead so we didn't get too bad of jet lag with such a drastic time difference!

We got the bassinet for Ceci and Kennedy had her own seat on the plane both ways. On the way there, we had the three seats with the window which was nice but on the way back we had four seats and the bassinet... which was NICER. Kennedy watched the iPad until she fell asleep (judge all you want it's called survival mode) and was able to lay down over two seats pretty comfortably while Ceci spent the majority of the time sleeping in the bassinet. Hello free wine on Air New Zealand!

We packed lightly ( my husband will still say I over packed)  as in two suitcases including all of our hiking gear. We each also brought a backpack (mine was my Diaper Bag which I am obsessed with... I definitely regret not going the diaper back pack route the first time around!) For carrying the kids (Kennedy was just over 2 and Ceci was 4 months old), we took our Maclaren Triumph Stroller, our Ergobaby 360 and our Kelty Journey 2.0 Child Carrier. All of which were saving graces. The stroller was more for our time in San Francisco but it did come in handy in Queenstown and Christchurch.

We "camped" at holiday parks every 3 days or so to do laundry, dump waste and fill back up on water. The other days we either freedom camped or camped at DOC sites (which had the best views, hello waking up on the Marlborough Sounds).





We rented an RV in lieu of moving every few days and it was worth it's weight in gold. Not only was it so nice to always have everything with us, we were also able to alter our route once we were there due to weather or because of recommendations.

We did big hikes every few days and did little hikes the other days. The unbelievable views and beautiful weather made it easy to want to be outside and explore.



We grocery shopped and cooked 99% of our meals. We tried to buy what was local and would make an easy meal. I think we went out to eat twice and weren't super impressed either time. Plus, going out to eat with two kids is really not that much fun.

We potty trained our oldest. Diapers are heavy, especially for two kids, so we potty trained a couple of months before our trip. Did we have accidents? Yes (and we still do),  but doing some extra laundry was worth not having to carry around a second set of diapers everywhere we went.

We brought along our sound machine  in order to have the older kiddo sleep above the driver and passenger seats while our youngest slept (with us) in the back of the RV. Of course, it didn't drown out all the noise but it definitely helped in putting them to bed!

We bought special sticker books, books and small toys for Kennedy. Anything that didn't fit in her backpack, didn't come. We did wish we brought more books but that's only because Kennedy is straight up book worm!

We spent our entire time in the South Island in order to really do it. We heard the North Island was a lot of beaches and honestly, there's nothing less relaxing than vacationing on a beach with a two year old (without grandparents). We'll just have to go back again to do the North Island :)

It was definitely the trip of a lifetime and came up to all of the hype. I think the RV made for the perfect trip with kids and we're already dreaming of the next trip!

And, just for fun, Ryan made a video of the highlights of our travels, check it out!

And I tried not to laugh TOO much.
 
Sorry for my silence but being home with two kids under two is downright crazy town. Trying to find time to actually go the bathroom myself, or eat is enough of a struggle so throwing blogging in to the mix seems impossible at times. Did I mention we also just potty trained Kennedy? Which, in all fairness, is going pretty great but about thirty minutes ago I was sitting on the floor of our tiny bathroom, breastfeeding Ceci and reading a book to Kennedy who was on the toilet. Since when do toddlers take after men on the toilet? I mean who needs thirty minutes to take a poop?! Did I mention that she didn’t even poop? So, I basically just spent thirty minutes of my day on the bathroom floor for nothing and sadly, it probably won’t be the last time today. But I digress…. so, Kennedy falling in to the toilet, that was hysterical. We were sitting in there for a good twenty minutes with her on the big toilet with the Baby Bjorn toilet seat in it and her feet resting on the stool. All of a sudden she gets up and takes the little potty off the big potty and sits down straight into the toilet. I’m like oh sh*t, I drop Ceci (poor thing always being put down for her sister) and pull Kennedy out but not before her entire butt and backside is soaked in pee water.

​Remind me again why we potty train?!  

If you're wondering, we did the three day method which was HELL the first day but by the third day she pretty much had it. We still have our accidents, and nights aren't go as great, but the majority of the time, she tells us when she has to go potty and when she gets a "sticker and a treat". 

And already 8 weeks old but, hey, life gets busy with two (especially around the holidays). She's sweet and easy going and the absolute perfect addition to our little family. Labor and delivery were much easier the second time around and I felt so much more prepared with all my nursing essentials! Being already stocked with nursing tank tops, bras and pads took one more thing off my plate once we got home and were trying to settle in as a family of four. I've pretty much been wearing my Cake Pajamas non stop and I think my husband is jealous that they don't make pajamas that soft for men ;) 

When we got home, Kennedy was a little taken back that Cecilia wasn't the name of my belly button and that this little person would be taking a lot of attention away from her. There were even a few times when Ceci would cry and Kennedy would say "MINE", referring to me, but she's since gotten over that and has become more or less welcoming to the new babe. I've tried to keep Kennedy's routine as consistent as possible (although we did move up bed time to save our own sanity) and luckily, Ceci is easy going enough to roll with the punches. 

So, I apologize for my absence but I'll have lots more to say as we figure out how to juggle life with two under two!