Tales of Me and the Husband - Page 79 of 207 -

April 20, 2015

Preparing for childbirth.

The spring of 2011 before I gave birth to Parker, I remember driving home listening to the radio. Windows Are Rolled Down by Amos Lee came on and I had a moment. Loud music plus driving plus the anticipation of big life moments do that to me. I didn’t really know what was in store, though I knew this growing belly wouldn’t stick around forever but soon be replaced by a baby and what would that be like? Feel like? Both literally and figuratively? There’s nothing particularly unique about that, but it certainly felt big to me.

A little Carmody history: I have three older sisters, all of whom had, by 2011, given birth at least once. I have a mother who gave birth to the four of us, and who had always talked about those births in a really beautiful way, verging on casual and cool and matter-of-fact. One sister is currently an L&D nurse, another was a birth coach for several years. My Mom started the local La Leche League chapter back in the 70s. My father delivered my sister Kate in their home bedroom in 1980 (the doctor should have, but wasn’t there on time!), and, before that, was the first man at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital to be in the delivery room with my Mom in 1971 when their first was born. I am telling you this because all of it, and more, is what paved the way for me to view birth as something exciting, natural, something miraculous and transformative, something that shouldn’t be feared. A woman’s body is amazing! Do I sound like a total birth junkie?! I am.Before I go any further, let me be clear: birth, both natural and not, both at home and at the hospital, both c-section and planned or spontaneous, is all very beautiful to me. There seems to be a lot of shame in the parenting world and I do not want this to be another post to add to the cacophony. All birth results in what is perhaps the greatest moments of one’s life. That moment in which you lay eyes on your baby for the first time and feel such inexplicable love for one you’ve only just met. It is an intensely magical moment to me. So, let this not be a post that makes you feel badly for your medicated birth or your c-section birth. With that said, I can only speak to my experience, which were two natural births (Parker’s here and Anders’ here) that I happen to be very fond of.

I do, however, hope this post can serve as a bit of a primer, if you will, for those who are interested in birth, who might fear birth, who are about to give birth, who aren’t sure what steps to take to have the birth they’d like to have. Many of you will be neither interested in it, nor need this information, but maybe (I hope) it’ll help one person even a little bit. It’s not earth shattering, but more of a regurgitation of what I learned leading up to my own birth experiences, what I found very useful, mixed in with some of my personal experiences. I’m not an expert, doctor, nurse, medical professional of any kind, birth coach, midwife, or doula; I’m just a woman who really loved giving birth (and finds the whole thing to be fascinating). It goes without saying, but be sure to seek the advice of a medical professional when giving birth; this post should not be a substitute for the advice they give you. I’m simply sharing what worked for me.

April 16, 2015

have a good weekend!

I’m doing Friday links on a Thursday because the weather is too nice to be in front of the computer for one more second! Three-day weekend for all! (Oh wouldn’t it be nice if it were that simple?) Here’s a picture from earlier in the week of Anders all folded up nursing. I love it. This weekend, we have plans to take Nathaniel to breakfast (his birthday is today! Happy birthday Nathaniel!), and be outside a lot.

Now for some links…

You might’ve noticed, the emoji keyboard got diversified (and many of us saw aliens all over our Instagram. I did not understand the sudden interest in alien life. Now I get it.)

I ordered this and I am really hoping it’s the one to end the search. I’ve bought and returned more jean jackets than I care to admit (I never feel like it’s the one!). 30% off with code APRIL right now.

My favorite nail polish right now.

Doodles that sum up life as a new Mom. Number one is the story of my life.

I love this slight variation on the normal string bikini top. (25% off suits right now! How many more times can I say right! now!)

65 year old Mom of 13 expecting quadruplets. Wow.

100 mascaras tested on the same person’s eye. This is crazy.

Dammit Kind Bars! (They’re one of my fave granola bars.)

I’m seeing these everywhere right now (right! now!).

These days, I dream-click my way around Airbnb. How about an airstream in Malibu?! Oooor this place.

Amy Schumer is funny.

Have a good weekend!

April 15, 2015

damn good face wash.

so, i’m 30 now. whomp whomp. what’s that even mean? i don’t know, i don’t know! but it feels like some imaginary threshold has been crossed in which i can’t just grab any old bottle of face wash or moisturizer that looks pretty at cvs. rather, i should actually crowd-source, use google, read your blogs, read the labels to come up with the solution. figure out what the women who know better than me (so all of you) are doing. when my sister kate (a woman who definitely knows better than me, and four years my senior) told me she was making her own face wash and getting all sorts of compliments on her skin i thought, “you’re so crunchy,” promptly followed by, “give me some.” i got it early february when my skin was super dry and looking blah. between the post-birth hormones and the dry winter air, my hair and face needed a change up and a serious drink of water. prior to this, i was using the burt’s bees royal jelly face wash with coconut oil at night but my cheeks were still rough with dry patches, so that wasn’t cutting it. i needed something damn good! (chuckle chuckle.)

so my sister sent me her face wash and i started using it right away. it was in a baby food jar and she had a little white stuck on label that said damn good face wash. the prototype if you will. after month one, i told her she needed to be selling it. the girls at her work (who she was giving it out too) had been saying the same thing. now, i’ve been using it for two months and love it. it’s coconut oil based (so, unless it’s extremely warm, it’s a solid.) thus it’s totally different than other face washes i’ve used but that’s probably my favorite part. it removes all my makeup and, because it has so much coconut oil in it, doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry at all. in fact, it basically moisturizes at the same time. after washing, i lightly pat my face dry with a towel to keep the oil on my face. it’s got baking soda in it which slightly exfoliates too. it’s got a lot more than that too (raw honey, bentonite clay, etc.), all of which kate knows a lot about and i just take her word for it and keep asking for moooore. it’s not drying my face out at all. and what’s more? i feel like around my eyes and the tops of my cheeks looks… refreshed? dewy? like i’m drinking enough water without actually drinking enough water? i don’t know. i never really saw big variations in my facial skin (aside from breakouts and what not). i thought skin was just skin, but i think this makes me look healthier. my target argan oil by acure ran out so now i’m using her oil too (which includes argan, plus some other awesome things). and her toner (which she makes on her stove–rose water, calendula, chamomile infusions. see? she just knows things.). all made with the highest quality ingredients you could basically eat though, why would you? (don’t eat it.) all the ladies in my family are using it now and loving it.

it’s all really damn good. i’d be blogging about it whether or not she was my sister. (in fact, she’s a total pain in the ass and i really don’t even like her so you know i’m telling the truth.)

that was a joke.

lucky for you, she decided to open up shop and sell it. you can read more about exactly what’s in each product and what it’s good for under item descriptions too. now go and have yourselves a damn good day!

she’s being generous and giving a 20% off code through the 22nd: DAMNGOODTALES20.

p.s. i’ll tell her to check in on the comments today if anyone has any questions, so feel free to ask.

April 10, 2015

Happy weekend!

We went to Ikea the other day and Anders got us the “You’ve-got-a-Scandinavian-name” discount. 15% off and free meatballs for life!

This weekend, we’re going to friend’s house for dinner and otherwise living outside because it’s mid-60s and sun!! I will be outside all weekend long. No cooking, no cleaning, no nothing but standing in the sun and breathing outdoor air. You?

I saw these shoes in this month’s Vanity Fair and… they’re really pretty, plus have arch support.

This is spot on. I just got Lindsey some of those pencils in #28 in her Easter basket. Throwback!

Such a pretty ring dish.

No Kardashian parking.

I’ve been listening to Josh Garrel’s new CD nonstop this week. It’s so, so good. Start with Born Again. Fitting since it’s song #1 on the CD. Then Morning Light, then all of them.

Orange is the New Black Season 3 Trailer!!!

These are the cutest. Anders needs all of them!! (Fine! He wants them! And who am I to deny him!)

I already instagrammed this, but it’s worth mentioning here: High Beam really is one of my favorite things ever. I go through phases with it (I’ve had the same bottle for years. We’re in a good phase right now.) It just makes me look… alive? I put it on my brow bone, lid, and cheek bone. When the light catches it, I’m like, “oooooh Bridge! Look at you! So luminescent!” Small joys.

That’s all folks. Now go and be fruitful.

April 9, 2015

14/52.

anders, 4 months old: has really found both his feet and his voice in the last few weeks; no surprise here, i think both are adorable.

parker, 3.5+ years: fell asleep watching disney’s “bears” yesterday after a playdate. he never naps anymore so this was a shock to me!

April 8, 2015

The sweet days.

Everyone warns, when one bemoans the passing of time, “Oh, wait till you see how fast it goes with number two!” Well, they’re right, those witches. Anders is four months old. Last night I was lying in bed, next to him as always, trying really hard to go through the motions, as though I were presently doing them, of what it was like to get in bed, nurse, and cosleep with him only a few months ago when he was a brand new baby. Did he coo? How close did we snuggle? What exactly were his sounds that woke me up to alert me that he was ready to nurse again? What did his body feel like in my arms? Even though I’ve only just experienced it, in some ways it feels like quite awhile ago and also a bit hazy. Did I take enough pictures? Did I enjoy it all? When did his body become a bit more cumbersome to nurse while holding him and walking around the house? Last month or the month before?

I had this moment a few weeks ago, panic-stricken would not be overstating it, where I was absolutely heartbroken that I hadn’t asked Steve or my Mom to get any video of his birth. Why didn’t I have you to do that? I asked through tears. It went so fast! There was no time! they both told me. And it did, there was none, they’re right. I am feeling the infamous Mom-guilt. I’m looking at my phone, I’m reading emails, I’m cooking dinner, I’m folding laundry, I’m wanting to have some alone time, I’m doing something, no matter how productive, that takes my eyes off that perfect baby. Wishing none of that existed and there was just this quiet little world in which there were no distractions, perfect contentment, and time stood still for Anders and I. Oh wouldn’t that be lovely?

Even so, there are so many sweet days, sweet moments, when the beautiful heaviness of having a baby is lifted and replaced by an overwhelming feeling of blessedness. I cannot look at him without being in awe of his perfect eyes and cheeks. I tell Steve no fewer than ten times a day, “He is so beautiful.” The moment I lay eyes on him, his mouth opens up wide, in this enormous smile and he makes this little giggle-grunt sound. Sometimes, I’ll be nursing him on the couch, and, without noticing, he’s stopped nursing and is staring up at me. He’ll do this for ten minutes straight, taking me in, studying my face or listening to my voice so intently. The look on his face communicates such pure love. When I cuddle with him and get my face really close to his, he closes his eyes and smiles as I kiss him. If he is restless at night, I put my arm around him and his head in the nook of my arm, and, if the moonlight is just right, I can watch his face as he looks around the room until his eyes get heavy and he’s asleep again. He is, simply put, one of the sweetest people I know. To know him is to love him.

So, I’ll attempt to loosen my grip on this sleepy, sacred time, and glide through it more gracefully than I sometimes do. And Anders will continue to babble and cry and giggle and need me, while I need him too. One day at a time.

April 8, 2015

black pants that look better in real life.

{pants: target}

{sunglasses: rayban}

{shoes: zappos}

{top: old navy}

these pants, oh these pants… they photograph funny, right? i promise they look better in real life. so… if you’re in need of a wide-leg black pant this spring/summer that looks good in real life but there are no cameras present, look no further!

it’s not my finest work. posting it anyway. i’ll do better next time. onwards and upwards!

April 6, 2015

Lemon Blueberry Muffins with a Lemon Butter Glaze

I like blueberry muffins. What’s more is I like butter. What’s even more is I like lemon. Do you see where this is going?!? You must. This recipe! All three! And then some! Lemon blueberry muffins with a lemon butter glaze. But first… a word about butter. There’s butter, and then there’s butter. I’ve been a big fan of butter for a long time now. I like it on my bread, on my pasta, on my muffins, on my face (??). I like my butter like I like my men. Scandinavian and all natural. Okay, enough with the jokes. Someone make her stop! I like butter! On with the recipe!

This butter is pasture butter, non-GMO, and from Finland. Voi! Translation: Butter! But of course. When, long ago, there was maybe two choices of butter at the grocery store, now there are many. No doubt you’ve noticed this. I say give this one a try. I mean, read up on it. It’s imported! That’s reason enough! (But in all seriousness–the things America passes and Europe pulls from the shelves… we’re pretty far behind. Slow and steady does not win this particular race, America.)

So, once you’ve made your muffins, if you’re feeling crazy, you can do as I did and make a lemon-butter glaze to pour over top of it once those muffins have cooled. And then, if you’re feeling even crazier, cut that muffin open and put a big pat o’ butter inside it too. So, let’s see. That’s butter in the batter, butter on the muffin, and butter in the muffin at the very end. Now we’re talking.

Lemon Blueberry Muffin with a Lemon Butter Glaze
(inspired by this recipe; I changed it a bit and added the lemon.)

1 egg yolk
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 t vanilla
7 T salted butter, melted
1 1/2 c flour
2 t baking powder
pinch of salt
2 cups blueberries (I used frozen)
zest of one lemon

Glaze:
3 T butter
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
juice of one lemon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mix your eggs, milk, syrup, vanilla, and melted butter. Add your flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir. Rinse the blueberries (if using frozen) until the water runs mostly clear (genius tip from Pinch of Yum; that way your batter doesn’t turn blue.). Fold the blueberries into the batter. Dole out batter into greased muffin tin. Put in oven for 20 minutes. Let cool. To make glaze, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the lemon and stir until combined. Add powdered sugar and whisk consistently until all clumps are gone. You can add more sugar if it’s too runny, add more lemon juice if it’s too thick. Drizzle over the cooled muffins. Then, you cut that muffin open and you put more butter inside it, you hear?!