lately...

park date

strawberry coconut ice cream before dinner

cool store window

a lonely pumpkin

had his two year check up today

His well visit was great today, he is taller than average, his weight is proportioned perfectly to his body. He is growing healthy and strong. He is a little behind in expressive language (meaning he still can't ask for what he wants or put two word phrases together like mama please or more snack etc)

but he is learning new words almost everyday and is repeating what he hears. Despite all of this he is ahead in so many other things, he understands clearly in both English and Spanish. I feel a great confidence that he is blossoming just as he should be at his own pace. His verbal skills are only improving and I am so proud of him. The latest word he tried to say is Stethoscope (Sti-cop!) Dr.Stone was happy he taught him a word today :)

Little Details

1. a reading nook

2. a wall in my office

3. something i made a few years ago

4. bringing spring inside

5. dining room wall

6. valentino's little book corner

on motherhood

We are given this gift, the wonderful pureness of a life. We are handed the opportunity to craft and mold this little person into adulthood and send them off into the world, in hopes that we have provided enough information, enough confidence and most importantly that we have instilled love and kindness in their little hearts. We are able to enrich our lives in caring and loving so deeply. A love that to me, cannot be described in a million words. The deepest, purest and most selfless love. Unconditional.

Yet, at times the challenges seem unbearable.

It feels like the moments of intensity can swallow you whole.

In a way motherhood is molding me.

Each day carving and sculpting a person I can look at and say damn....I actually admire this person.

The trying days are full of moments where your patience is almost nonexistent. Sleepless nights, tantrums, screaming, tossing of food all over the place, teething, colds, and barely a moment to yourself.

It can run you down and tear you apart.

And it has.

But without these moments, without these trials, I would not be half the person that I am today. These enduring times are what brings to light all the good and beautiful elements of being a mother.

All the pressure and doubt seems to dissipate when Valentino hugs me or just smiles at me. It only takes one second of his love to make me fall deeper. Again and again. 

Motherhood in all honesty is madness. 

Your entire planet feels like it is crashing down on you. You forget who you were. You get lost in the day to day tower of diapers, and homemade baby food. The lines start to blur, you feel isolated...

And yes, sometimes you want to run the other direction.

I have accepted that this is all okay. It is all a part of this beautifully terrifying journey. And I will take it all. Hell, I'd do it all over again.

In the grand scheme of it all, I have learned to stop, breathe deeply, and take it one step at a time. 

We are not perfect, we never will be, and our children do not know the difference. They will love us as long as we love them.

Motherhood has forced me to take it easy on myself, to be gentle and kind, and to look at the brighter side of things.

The magic is so overpowering and gratifying.

It gives you the freedom to explore yourself, a way to discover life through a little one's eyes, and allows you to enjoy moments that much more.

mama talk

This supplement is excellent for baby's digestive system. As a new mommy you learn by trial and error. We all know how uncomfortable little ones can become due to their tummys. I tried several things from gripe water to gas drops. These probiotics prove to be great for Valentino as an everyday supplement. It provides him with important nutrients and allows him to poop easier. If you ever have trouble with constipation, give this to your baby daily in their milk and you will see the difference it makes. I put 1/4 teaspoon in V's breast milk. It needs to be refrigerated once it's open, just FYI.

The scoop on diapers based on our experience:

Since Valentino was bron we have tried LOTS of diapers and narrowed it down to 2 that work for us.

Earth's Best- I found these to leak, and smell pretty quickly. Not a fan.
Huggies- These gave V a rash :( they seem to leak as well
Honest- These diapers are truly adorable, the designs are cute and unique but unfortunately they are too expensive and they tend to leak.

Seventh Generation- These are super absorbent and do not leak! They are made of all natural materials and contain no dyes or perfumes. Currently  using them on V.
Pampers Swaddlers- Also absorbent, get a lot for your money and do not leak.

Same thing with the baby wipes. We use seventh generation. No scent, no chemicals and just enough dampness to clean up but not keep baby's bottom so moist. Huggies gave V a bad rash and Honest wipes are not damp/thick enough.

That's the scoop on poop :)

Here's today's portrait of my little monsieur.