Peyton Kathleen

To be honest, I feel like I needed more things after giving birth than Henry did! Henry needed fresh diapers and my boobs lol that's about it. I needed EVERYTHING. I exclusively breastfed and had a C-section, so my list of mom needs might be different than someone who is using formula or had a vaginal delivery! Take what you will.  Breastfeeding: For me, the best piece of advice on breastfeeding success is- you have to give zero fs about who sees your boobs. Your father-in-law is over, sorry man, but I'm pulling out my boob whether you like it of not lol. My philosophy is, if it makes them uncomfortable, they can leave or look away. I breastfed everywhere- the back of the car, a wedding reception, an accounting office, the botanical gardens in Fort Worth... if my baby was there, my boobs were out! You can try and cover up, but you'll get so hot, your baby will swat the blanket down, you'll accidentally flash people anyway. Just let the boobie live.  Nursing Bras  - I re...

I was not part of a Facebook Mom group when I was pregnant with Henry, but being pregnant with my 2nd I thought it would be fun to join one. Jesus Lord in heaven. The absolute insanity of a mom Facebook group needs to be parodied somewhere. The main thing I see that is so silly is the INSANE amount of money these families spend on baby products. And since I've been a mom of one child for two years, I'm clearly an expert (lol), so here is what I think is needed versus what is stupid.  Baby Needs: Convertible Crib - here's the crib we have for Henry. It converts into 4 different bed styles that should work for him until about junior high. It's not some high end, styled crib from West Elm or Restoration Hardware. It's just a crib, calm down. Your baby's room isn't a content creation for your instagram. Relax. It's just your baby's room. Stroller - here's where I think people are so silly, buying $1,000+ strollers like nuna and uppa baby simply for t...

 Clothes:  Tuckernuck - I love everything they have on this website. I love the preppy, sophisticated style, if I was rich, I would buy it all.  Hill House Nap Dress Books: Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis        Trust me on this: IT'S SO BAD, IT'S GOOD. Reading it will show you how enlightened you are and how much you have learned since 2014. It's like reading a time capsule of outdated thinking and oversimplified solutions and reductive attitudes toward people.   Apps:  The Bump  Flo

Lord of the Rings Book Club was easily one of the most fun activities I have ever participated in... And the nerdiest lol. We started with The Fellowship of the Ring in January, and read the entire trilogy together, finishing our last meeting yesterday. Not only is Tolkien's writing an undeniable masterpiece, the perspectives and insights everyone shared on a weekly basis added so much depth to the text. It's like listening to a pastor explain a verse you've read a thousand times, in a whole new, and meaningful way.  What I loved most about the book club was what it brought out in me. It gave me a place to be creative and funny with an audience I felt safe with. I spent hours making games or slideshows for the group, just to make them laugh and feel special. Somewhere along the way, I forgot how to just be silly and nerdy and goofy, and was taking life too seriously. I'm glad LOTR Book Club reminded me how fun it is to make people laugh.  People belittle their hobbies a...

My marriage is so perfect. I know people who say that shit normally are hiding something, but I'm telling you. Our love is endless.  Coming up on our one year anniversary. Henry is happy, healthy, and about to turn TWO! I'm pregnant and feeling so good! We're going to Colorado in 20 days We're going to Jackson Hole in 39 I got to go on a very special errand with one of my favorite people yesterday :) We had friends over yesterday, Andrew smoked ribs, and it was the best meal I've ever had  I love spending my first trimester of pregnancy during summer break, lots of rest! I bought a Hill House dress for our family photo shoot that I have been wanting for a long time My sister and her husband are so happy with their new baby! And they move into their house soon My older brother's two kiddos are up here for the next week Laughing so hard at old episodes of Modern Family Listening to Diamonds and Gasoline on repeat

I've been hit with some hard stuff the past few days- things that from the outside probably don't seem big, but are getting me down.  We have to move.          I just can't get over this one. I can't express how deeply sick I am of moving, I have moved every year since I was like....18 years old, and I'm fucking sick of it. I want roots, I want community, I want to invest in a home. And we aren't there yet, and I'm frustrated about it. I feel like a toddler who is stamping her feet and crossing her arms because she isn't getting her way. We haven't found any homes to rent, none to even go look at, in the areas we need to be in. My sister has offered to let us move in for a few months to save like crazy and get into our own home more quickly... I don't know. It is a lot to ask for someone to take in two adults, a toddler, and a dog.  My best friend is moving 3 hours away.     My best friend at work is moving. Her husband got an amazing head co...

On some level, it makes perfect sense to judge other people. Our entire adolescent lives, we're taught to determine our worth based on our relation to other kids our age. Your percentile of weight and height, developmental milestones you should acquire at a certain age, reading and math scores based on peer data, your ability to beat out the other kid for the spot on the team or chair in orchestra or role in the play. Judgement and competitiveness is engrained into us.  Then in high school, we are taugh how to judge character and actions. You have to judge who can be your friend, according to your parents or community standards. You have to judge the behavior and character of guys you want to date. You have to then judge your own character and actions based on your peers around you- using them as... well ... a measuring stick kind of. Okay, I make better grades than her, but I've slept with more guys, but I also am more athletic than her.... so were does that put me? I'm pr...