Hello from this snuggle bug!
It’s been over two months since my last Currently post and it’s high time we catch up! I post photos and clips of the kids on Instagram every now and again, because it’s quick and easy, but haven’t really shared a lot on the blog since Gwen was just a month old.
What a difference two months makes!
Remember how nervous I was to have a girl? It’s the best thing ever. I would have been thrilled to have a third boy but Gwen has rounded out our family so nicely and I daydream about all the fun stuff we’ll be able to do together in the future. And, although she wears cotton onesies every day, I can’t say the boys and I don’t ooo and aah over dressing her up occasionally.
Like at her baptism a couple weeks ago. I meannnnn… Lincoln said, “She looks like a princess!!!”
Speaking of special occasions, this hunk of love turned two in October! Cam the man is full of energy, spunk, sass, and is the most affectionate, loving little boy I know. Although this age can be tiring, I just really love to watch him. Like, study him while he plays. He is incredibly funny and even moreso, a ton of fun.
See what I mean? Life of the party…and usually covered in some sort of dirty substance.
Lincoln has turned into a little Daddy – I occasionally let him “babysit” Gwen and Cam while I make dinner (obvi have my eye on everyone, but he loves the chance to really interact with G and make up games for him and Cam.) He went as the Green Ninja from Lego Ninjago for Halloween this year and reaped the rewards. I know parents have different philosophies on when and how much Halloween candy they give their kids – he was able to pick out two pieces then we put the rest away.
He’s allowed a small dessert each night if he eats his whole dinner, so candy/treats aren’t necessarily taboo in our house. Ben started this with him around the age of 4, and to be honest I was completely against it at first – I believed sweet treats should be a special occasion thing only – but the fact that he picked out 2 pieces of candy and put the rest away with zero complaints says a lot. Could just be his age (harder to convince a 10 year old to put away their Halloween candy vs a 5 year old, for example) could also just be his temperament, which is very mild. Either way, totally off track, but we had a good Halloween! (Cam threw a fit when it was time to put on his Minion costume, which he picked out, so he stayed home with me and sis. Poor Cam!)
Life with three kids is sweet, sweet, sweet, as described above, but also very tiring. That said, I went to drinks and sushi with a friend the other night (yes! we did it! and it didn’t take 4 weeks to plan!) and we discussed not just the craziness of our day-to-day lives, but also the crushing mental load many women in our shoes experience:
Return the library books, make a Costco run, call the doctor, pick up class snacks, order Halloween costumes, meal plan for the week, follow up on a return, buy diapers, switch the laundry over, etc. More importantly, be a wife, mom, business owner, and try to make some time for yourself, too! I don’t say this to complain, and typing this out is intimidating because I’m sure someone will ask if I want cheese with my “whine” (which, of course I do!) Mostly I’m just trying to keep it real. We also discussed how phony social media feels right now – so many staged photoshoots being presented as candid, real life moments – I don’t know, it’s just…a lot. Either way, this is me reminding you that we are ALL hot messes trying to keep it together the best we can.
Anyway, we are so excited to head into the holiday season! Halloween went by in a flash and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. It’s so strange that it’s November already. The weather has been so nice and we had such a big summer that my brain is stuck thinking it’s August or something. The end of daylight savings time this weekend should snap me out of that pretty quickly! (SOB.)
Without further ado (and that was a lot of ado!) here’s the latest edition of “Currently“!
Sipping: Joel Gott wines. I love talking about wine (literally started a wine club with two friends via text while typing this post. We’re meeting once a month on Tuesdays at 7:30. HA!) Anyway, for the past few years I’ve been all about New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but lately I’ve been into California ones including Joel Gott’s 2016 version. It is SO refreshing, easy to drink, and under $15 a bottle. Bonus that my neighborhood corner store sells it – whee!
Cooking: Crock Pot Korean BBQ Beef. I’ve never met a Pinch of Yum recipe I didn’t like but this Korean BBQ Beef recipe is off the charts, both in taste and simplicity. I made it twice in October! Pro tip: reserve some of the marinade to use as a drizzle on the final product.
Reading: Girl, Wash Your Face. I was feeling like the last woman on the planet to read Girl, Wash Your Face, so I ordered it and actually, it should be in the mailbox at this very moment. Can’t wait to dig in. If you’ve read it, what was your favorite chapter?
Stressing over: food allergies. You may know that Lincoln is allergic to dairy – well, we just learned that Gwen is allergic to eggs and is borderline allergic to peanuts. PEANUTS. So scary. We discovered this after she slowly started developing rough patches on her skin last month (eczema) then broke into a full body rash twice in two weeks. That said, it looks like I’ll not only be gluten-free, but peanut and egg-free for the next 9 months while I continue nursing her for a full year. Should be interesting – mostly I just feel really sad for G. :(
Loving: my skin. It’s ironic that we’ve been battling with G’s skin lately (hopefully not anymore now that I’m removing peanuts and eggs from my diet,) because I’ve never felt better about the state of mine. Zero breakouts, and it’s soft and smooth. Plus I feel really good about the products I’m using. I’m still on the coconut oil as face wash kick then use a combination of these products afterwards (none are affiliate links – I get paid nothing to tell you about these):
- Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel – really feel like this is kicking my melasma’s butt. It’s still there, but fading. I use this 3x week.
- Beautycounter Rejuvenating Night Cream – luxurious but not too thick.
- Beautycounter Rejuvenating Radiance Serum – use this fresh out of the shower. Really feel like it helps to reduce fine lines.
- Beautycounter Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream – last thing I put on before heading to bed. Very hydrating.
- Primally Pure Blue Tansy Beauty Cream – just started using this as my “day” lotion after running out of a Beautycounter product. Love the scent and a little goes a long way.
Crunching: Full Circle Market Sweet Potato Chips. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bag or 100 of these INSANE sweet potato chips (just leave me a few, ok!) by Full Circle Market. I randomly picked up a bag at HyVee a few months ago and now can’t leave the grocery store without three in my cart. They are SO good. Too good.
Receiving: ButcherBox. I decided to see what all the fuss was about with ButcherBox and started a monthly subscription in September. Both Ben and I have been super pleased with the meat so far, and he’s a meat snob. ButcherBox delivers 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage-breed pork directly to your door. It’s been nice to have a freezer full of meat – it’s actually put a pep in my step in terms of meal planning because I’m inspired to create meals based on what comes in the box (which you can customize.) Right now if you sign up you get free bacon in your box for life.
Watching: The Kids are All Right. There seemed to be so many new shows on this fall that turned out to be stinkers (I had high hopes for Single Parents because Leighton Meester (!) but lasted 5 minutes into the first episode before turning it off.) The Kids are All Right has totally delivered though. It’s on ABC and is kind of a mix of The Wonder Years and, hmm, Malcom in the Middle maybe? I hated that show but it’s giving me the same vibes. Wow I’m really selling this aren’t I. Anyway – it’s a really fun little 30 minute show. Check it out!
Looking: Tablet recommendation. We’re thinking about getting Lincoln a tablet for Christmas to use during his quiet time each afternoon. It doesn’t have to be an iPad, should have parental controls, and the ability to download educational apps and games. Should we just get an iPad? What are your kids using and loving?
Ordering: Drapey Crepe Faux Wrap Top. I have officially accumulated an embarrassing amount of athliesure wear – fine, SWEATSHIRTS – that say stuff on the front (aka “KALE” instead of “YALE”, “Go Ask Dad” and so on and so forth. I know.) That said, I need to go shopping so badly so I recently ordered this cute top which I think will be great for the holidays too. 40% off right now!
Pick a “Currently” category and fill me in! :)
Jen M 11.03.2018
Thank you for being real! It is always so refreshing to hear that yes, although is incredible to be a mom of very young children, it’s also really hard. Love your blog post and hearing about your sweet family!!
Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids 11.03.2018
I too have been loving “The Kids are Alright” and I ordered/received “Girl Wash Your Face” two weeks ago and haven’t started it yet… (which is totally against what the book says…) I have listened to some of the book via Rachel Hollis’s podcast and have loved what I’ve heard so far.
Vonna Viglione 11.03.2018
Living with food allergies into adulthood all I can say is , “praise be” that you are focused in this early….what a difference that will make! We haven’t tried Butcher Box but I have to say that for our small household of two we’ve been happy with Porter Road for dependable meats.
Lauren 11.03.2018
I’m sorry to hear about Gwen! I have a two month old and she is dairy, soy, and wheat intolerant. It’s hard but doable to change the diet! Makes you sad to see them sick at such a young age!
Cari 11.03.2018
Our kids have Kindle Fire Kids. The Free Time mode lets you control the content by age, set time limits and even make them do educational games or read books before they can play anything else. Lots of educational games and books available. And I like that they can’t change the settings without the PIN number, which only my husband and I know.
Lexie 11.03.2018
My older daughter was allergic to eggs, dairy, and almonds as an infant which manifested as eczema and full body rashes. I breastfed her for 18 months, so I know how hard it is to add those restrictions to your own diet! We worked with an allergist, and just like he predicted, right around age two, the intestines become more selective, and she outgrew the allergies. Eggs and dairy weren’t an issue after she turned 2, and the almond allergy cleared by 3. Find a good allergist that specializes in pediatrics and s/he will guide you. Hang in there!
Jacque 11.02.2018
Do you mind saying how you found out about your little girl’s allergies? I too am a Celiac nursing mama, and my little 3 month old has some eczema patches. Nothing major but I am interested to know if anything dietary may be a factor since we use allergy friendly detergent and soap already.
Karla 11.02.2018
I agree with a poster above about if you’re an apple house, stick with an iPad. I first bought my boys a Nabi a number of years ago, then bought them each a Kindle Fire 2 years ago for Christmas (because they are cheaper than an iPad). I wish I had never bought any of them and had just invested in iPads. We are iphone users and have one iPad at home and it is so user-friendly. The Fire tablets run out of space, and freetime might be “free” for a year around Black Friday but it is a subscription. Apple all the way.
Rachel 11.02.2018
Loved this post about real life as a mom of three! My kids are similarly aged as yours, currently (almost) 5, 3, and 1 and it has been one heck of a year. And I don’t sit during the day. It’s so hard to do all the things I’m responsible for, and I just appreciate someone else acknowledging that!!
Chelsea 11.02.2018
My son had egg and peanut allergies and outgrew them both, so make sure you see a great allergist and keep hope! :)
Nancy 11.02.2018
At last, little mama, photos! I’m not sure what gene runs rampant in your family, but all your babies look so alike when they are, well, babies. I think Cam looks most like you. By the way, his kookiness is greatly rewarding for middle children everywhere. Lincoln, as always, will be a hero.
I haven’t seen Gwen in months and months (ok, just a couple) – she’s a beauty. Raising a daughter is a very unique experience. You’ll find that out. ❤️
Thanks for sharing your lovely family with us. These are truly the best years of your life. Enjoy the joy. Oh yeah, I agree about New Zealand SB wines. Will definitely try the Gott.
Elizabeth 11.02.2018
We use Kindle Fire + Amazon Free Time. The fire is inexpensive so no worries over breaking and Free time loads age appropriate content and limits screentime. My 4 and 2yo boys like and flights and dr appts a breeze. I’m sue iPad has pros but for $50 why not?
Katie Willerick 11.02.2018
Kindle fire for sure! If you get the kids edition it comes with a cover, 2 years of “Freetime” (what you use to download all the free apps, games, tv shows, etc.) and a 2 year warranty. We stepped on one of ours and they fixed it for free! It also lets you set a time limit for how much time they can spend on books, games and videos separately, which is so nice. And you cannot access any of the actual internet, which you can on the ipad for those smarty pant kids who figure it out.
Laura 11.02.2018
Great post! Thank you for being so real about mom life! I am a hot mess mama as well. Regarding the tablet, I prefer the leap pad or IPad to the kindle fire. The leap pad is a worry free educational option for my sneaky but sweet four year old. I love the guided access option on the iPad with my 7 year old; he has to get my permission to exit an app or movie; which I really like, especially if he has homework. Our school often assigns homework through a guided reading and math app.
Alexandria Hardy 11.02.2018
I will be curious to hear what you think about the book! I also felt like the last person alive to read it but honestly haven’t loved it as much as I feel like I should with all the hype.(And yes, I realize I am alone in this camp! lol) Totally agree about the mental load too – women carry iyt so differently than men. There was a great episode of the Happy Hour podcast that covered that topic – can’t remember the guest but she was speaking all the truth! Enjoy your wine club & sweet kiddos :)
Amy 11.02.2018
I found 2 kids fairly easy, and 3 kids hard and overwhelming at times. I have 2 school age kids and keeping track of sports, choir, holiday parties, etc plus juggling a toddler getting into everything is so exhausting. I wish at times we had our 3rd closer in age. My favorite times a mom was when I had 2 kids under 5.
Kerri 11.02.2018
Like Jen B. shared, it’s an incredible book. I’ve read the book twice and loved also listening to the audio book. Do that too – you’ll totally get how passionate she is and how much she wants us to see and live to our potential. One my favourite podcast episodes was her recent appearance with Ed Mylett – so good! Enjoy!
Kate 11.02.2018
I’m not super big into social media (Ive never even had Facebook ? lol) but I do follow a few favorite bloggers on Instagram and got to feeling like you described after a while. I decided to view Instagram as a magazine, which has changed my perspective…advertising is essentially social media now. So now I just think of Instagram as a beautiful glossy magazine to flip through for a little home decor or outfit inspiration. :) happy fall!
Kristin 11.02.2018
Always fun seeing a snippet of your life and your kids are just too cute!
Mollie A 11.02.2018
I love you for calling out the “real life” photos all over social media right now. It’s refreshing to see and hear real real life pics and stories. It sounds like you’re doing an awesome job w your family of 5. I love the Beautycounter skin products, too. Thanks for keeping it real!