Zoe at 5 Months
Zoe is living her best life when she is simultaneously being bounced and walked. It’s not a pretty combination of actions, but when your baby requires both motions to stop crying you do it.
family posts
Zoe at 4 Months
This past month has been a busy one, Aaron was in San Diego for a week, Max had his 3rd birthday party and Zoe had her first road trip, which coincidently was also her last road trip (she screamed the entire time).
Zoe at 3 Months
Zoe cries a lot. She is only happy when she is either being walked around in the baby bjorn carrier, propped up on her feet or held in an incredibly specific position that is near impossible to maintain. I’m literally writing this post as I’m walking her around in the...
Max at 3 Years Old
I can barely believe our little boy is three years old! He is cautious, sweet, bright, silly and observant. (And occasionally a little monster.) Here’s a snapshot of Max at 3.
Conversations with a 2 year old
The biggest change this past year has been Max’s ability to communicate. It’s weird to think that a year ago he only knew a few words and could only communicate in one or two word sentences. Some days I can’t believe how grown up he is, then I’ll see certain...
Zoe at 2 Months
This biggest change this past month is that I went back to work. The transition has been challenging as we figure out how to efficiently manage our morning and night time routines.
Zoe at 1 Month
So here’s the thing about having two kids: it’s hard. Aaron and I basically laughed then cried the first night home with Zoe when she started crying at 2 am followed 5 minutes later by Max waking up and crying. Needless to say we were all sleep deprived that first...
The Not-So-Easy Transition from Crib to Big Boy Bed
I hoped Max would be one of those kids who would sleep in his crib for as long as possible. He was sleeping great and seemed so safe in there. I wanted him to take after his dad, since Aaron’s dad jokingly said he tried so hard to get baby...
Two week countdown …
I’ve been relatively calm throughout this pregnancy. With it being our second, a lot of the unknowns that you experience with your first are not there with your second. That being said, as soon as October rolled around, I had a sudden surge of anxiety that we have so many...
My kid-free and husband-free weekend
One of the biggest changes that occurs when you become a parent is losing your alone time. Of course you still have moments here and there, but it’s not the same. Recently I got an unexpected week to myself when my trip to Chicago was cut short because I didn’t...
Starting a new job at 27 weeks pregnant
Interviewing for a new job while pregnant isn’t what I would call an ideal scenario. Depending on how far along you are questions arise such as “will they notice my bump during my interview”, or “when do I tell my new boss?”. I don’t have the answer to any of...
16 new and wonderfully weird things you will do as a parent
Aaron’s sister had her baby a few weeks ago (hi Brody!), and as we’ve been cooing over how sweet he is, it has also reminded me how much Max has grown up. Looking at Brody’s tiny fingers and toes-it’s almost impossible to believe Max was that tiny once.
Weekend in the Life - Memorial Day
A while age I shared a glimpse into a day in our lives so today I thought it would be fun to do a weekend edition. Our weekends have changed a lot since Max was born. Whereas they used to be fairly low-key (i.e. Netflix marathons, DIY projects), they’re now...
3rd Wedding Anniversary
I can’t believe it’s been a year since Aaron and I forgot our second wedding anniversary.
#MomFails of the Week
Last week kicked our butts and we got a tiny glimpse of how hard single parenting is. For starters Aaron and I both got knocked down by pretty serious colds plus there was a major grant submission at work that meant working on the weekend and a few late nights....
25 signs you know you live with a toddler
If you’ve spent any time around a toddler, I’m sure you would agree it’s a great age but not without its challenges. There are some days when Aaron and I have to try our hardest not to crack up at the things Max says, and we don’t always succeed. As...
Just like Dad
Any parents will agree that there are so many reasons you love your little one that listing them can be redundant. Of course we love Max in all the obvious ways, but it’s the subtle moments that warm our hearts. Today I’m talking about dads.
Year Round Gestures of Love
Valentine’s day always manages to sneak up on me. Maybe it’s because it falls so close to the Holiday season when I’m still detoxing from all the excitement or maybe it’s because I very generously treat myself to candy and chocolate year round.
Max’s 2nd Birthday Party
This past weekend we celebrated Max’s second birthday (check out his 2 year update here) with a few of his friends at Romp ‘n Roll. He jumped in a bouncy house, ate cake, danced to his favorite tunes and had the time of his life.
Max at 2 Years Old
In the past 6 months, Max has become a little human and I can hardly believe he is 2 years old. The biggest change since our last update is his ability to communicate. He is constantly picking up new words and phrases and will copy anything we say (both good...
Our 2016 mini infographic
Happy New Year! After seeing this mini infographic over at Habitual Homebody I was inspired to create my own.
Grandparents are the best
There are so many terms for grandparents, and they vary from region to region. In many Asian families, different names are used for paternal and maternal grandparents, which can be confusing as cousins may call their grandparents different names depending upon which side of the family they are from.
Gifts your pregnant friend will appreciate
A very close friend of mind recently found out she is pregnant and I could not be more thrilled. For the first time I found myself feeling nostalgic about my pregnancy (which I never thought I would be!), and actually went back and re-read all my pregnancy posts. It got...
Tech we Love - Capturing memories with Nest Cam
I’m sure Aaron and I aren’t the only parents who have a trouve of videos that go something like this: … (several minutes of uneventful footage) [voice chimes in] well [fill in child’s name] just did the cutest thing … but it doesn’t look like he’s going to do it...
25 Ways to Countdown to Christmas/Hanukkah
As someone who loves a good countdown, I’ve always loved the idea of advent calendars. Although I never had one growing up, I decided long ago to make it a part of our family’s holiday traditions once a little one came around. With Max turning 2 in January, this felt...
Tech we Love - Automatic organization with ScanSnap and Hazel
Aaron and I finally purchased a Fujitsu ScanSnap and we love it. It wirelessly scans receipts, documents and photos within seconds and is small enough to easily store in a drawer. Since buying it, our stack of “need to scan” documents has dwindled down to nothing and completely cleared our...
A week of easy toddler meals
How we plan out Max’s meals depends on a mishmash of things like how busy we are at work, when we last made it to the grocery store and how lazy we’re feeling. Although no week is the same, we try our best to sneak in some greens at each...
35 (Very Specific) Things I’ve Learned as a Parent
Being a new parent is intense. It is a time where you experience your highest highs and lowest lows, yet inevitably look back at the experience with nothing but the fondest of memories. Over the last few weeks, I came to the somewhat sad realization that Aaron and I aren’t...
Favorite books for a toddler
It has been so fun watching Max discover books. When there is a particular one he wants us to read he comes running over, waving the book in the air and sits on our lap. Even if we are standing, he still backs his little bottom up against us and...
A Day in the Life - Our Weekday Routine
I love reading about the morning routines of other parents and how they manage work, family and personal events in an effective way. Although it took us a while to establish a consistent schedule, we’ve settled into a nice flow that has been working for us for a while. Here’s...
Simple Card Making Ideas for Kids
I’ve always loved sending handwritten notes and I keep an absurd amount of stationary and blank cards on hand. With a little one, the occasion to send cards arises more and more, so coming up with fun ways for Max to create personalized cards was a no brainer. Plus I...
Tech we Love - A totally unedited look at my Phone usage
A few weeks ago Aaron introduced me to an app called “moment” that tracks your iPhone usage. Admittedly, I was a little nervous to find out exactly how much time I spent on my mobile device. Before Max was born, Aaron and I agreed that we didn’t want to be...
Our Kid’s First 10 Words
Max’s first 10 words (in this order)
Max at 18 Months
We’ve been saying this a lot lately but the last few months have been the most fun yet. Max has his own sense of humor and loves making Aaron and I laugh with his mischievous smile. He picks up things so quickly, climbs on everything and continues to impress us...
When Parenting Gets Hard - Count the Small Wins
It’s hard to admit that being a new mom is a struggle and that not everyday is sunshine and rainbows. There are some days when it is impossible to put Max down without him launching into hysteria or days when the everyday minutiae (i.e. laundry, grocery shopping, meal prep) sends...
Tech we Love - Alexa
Aaron loves all things home automation and is always coming up with ways to make our smart home even smarter. Most recently, he has been trying out different ways to control things using voice commands. At first, the system required some pretty lengthy commands to do anything and was sufficiently...
Toddler Summer Wardrobe Essentials
When selecting Max’s summer clothes I looked for pieces that could be easily mixed and matched. I was careful not to go overboard (I have that tendency!) and limited myself to buying about 5 pairs of shorts, 10-12 t-shirts, 3-4 rompers/overalls, 2-3 pairs of shoes. I probably could have gone...
10 Car Activities for Toddlers
We recently took an 8 hour road trip with Max. To entertain him we brought along a couple books, one toy car and an iPad. If you have traveled a lot with a toddler you are probably laughing at our serious lack of toddler entertainment. Needless to say, we spent...
Tech we Love - Rachio
The upside of being married to a tech geek is pretty obvious: lots and lots of gadgets. When it comes to a new product launch, it’s pretty much a guarantee that Aaron and his Dad will be on the phone gabbing about all the awesome new features and discussing their...
When picking up your baby leads to wrist surgery
A couple months after Max was born I noticed a slight pain in my left wrist. Simple gestures such as turning a door knob or brushing my hair started to ache. Aaron and I were entering into a tough sleeping phase with Max and were exhausted so I shrugged off...
10 Things I wish I knew when I was 20
The other weekend we went to Aaron’s cousin’s high school graduation and it got me thinking about the things I wish I knew when I was in my 20s. Of course I wouldn’t want to take back anything that happened in the previous decade, but it’s fun reflecting how I...
Gear Up for Summer
Memorial Day signifies pool season, which means the unofficial start to summer isn’t far behind. To gear up for the long days lounging pool side, here’s what we’ve been stocking up on.
A Cost Breakdown of Baby’s First Year
Having a child is expensive, but it’s difficult to wrap your head around that until you experience it. Aaron and I have always been thoughtful about our purchases, but one of the best decisions we made was hiring a financial advisor. It’s not that we make tons of money, but...
Adorable Swimwear for Little Dudes
Anyone who has walked through a baby section knows there is no shortage of adorable baby girl clothes. While the options for boys is better than it used to be (or so I’m told!), it can sometimes be a struggle to find cute items for boys. I favor the one-piece...
Things We Considered When Picking a Baby Name
I feel like some women have their kids names picked out in middle school, but I was not one of those women. Deciding on a baby name was hard and it was probably the only baby decision that Aaron and I made ourselves. We didn’t want to bring our friends...
Max at 15 Months
There has been a big shift since Max turned one in which our baby has turned into a little boy. Three months ago he was just starting to walk and now we can barely keep up with him. But more than that, he is coming into his own person and...
First Baby Free Vacation
Parenthood is exhausting, but I’m really proud of the way Aaron and I are raising Max. It’s fair to say that most days we are raising a pretty happy kid. That’s why when Aaron had a work related trip to San Francisco, we jumped at the chance to drop Max...
Finding Balance
I knew it would be difficult to juggle work and parenting. But I didn’t expect that every day would feel like a rollercoaster of new challenges and that most days I would have an overwhelming feeling that we weren’t quite doing enough for Max. I’m constantly wondering if we’re giving...
Eat Smart Now - A New Way to Cook at Home
Since Max’s arrival, one of the most dramatic shifts in our daily schedule has been to our meal planning approach. The casual decision over what to eat has given way to whatever is easiest and most efficient. Needless to say, we enjoy a fair bit of take-out. While we’ve tried...
Quantifying Max’s First Year
The first year with Max went by so quickly, and now we have a toddler. He’s growing up so fast that I want to remember all the details, big and small. It’s funny to think that a year ago Aaron had never changed a diaper and I had only changed...
The Random Things I Love About My Husband
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fun to share a few of the random things that I love about my husband, Aaron.
Quantifying Your Sleep with an Infant
It’s almost impossible to predict how your life is going to change once you have a baby. But one thing that was apparent early on was how hard sleep deprivation was going to be. While Aaron and I vary widely in some interests, we share a similar love of data....
Baby Stuff We Like from the First Year
It’s amazing how much trial and error is involved with finding the right baby products! While there is no guarantee the products we love now will still be loved next month, there are certain products that we definitely couldn’t have done without this first year. Here are a few of...
First Birthday Expectations
Last weekend was Max’s first birthday. We had a small get together with my parents and sister’s family. I wanted a memorable picture of Max to mark his first birthday. I envisioned him in an adorable outfit, smiling at the camera and smashing his hands into a cake (that I...
Max at 12 Months
When Max was born we were so focused on making it through the first couple weeks, that, as silly as this sounds, we barely thought about what he would be like as a fully functional human being. But we made it, and at one year old, he is walking, babbling...
Two Thousand Fifteen
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Max at 11 Months
I can’t believe this is the last monthly post before Max turns 1! The most exciting news this month is Max took his first solo steps! It happened on a night when I was working late, which broke my heart, but luckily the moment was caught on Dropcam. Max has...
A Christmas Story: When young Aaron investigated Santa
Since Max was born I find myself getting a lot more nostalgic about memories from my childhood. And more so than ever, it’s been so much fun having my parents and Aaron’s parents recount stories of what we were like at Max’s age. With Hanukkah and Christmas right around the...
Max at 10 Months
These days it is hard to keep up with Max; he is in perpetual motion. He crawls around at 2 different speeds: leisure, when he is exploring a new space, and turbo, when he spots something he wants and thinks he can get to it before we notice. The turbo...
Max’s First Halloween
I’ve been excited about Max’s first Halloween since I found out I was pregnant. Aaron and I have been brainstorming costume ideas for the last couple months, but ultimately settled on a Lion. Initially, we wanted to dress Max as an Ewok (from Star Wars) and envisioned draping a brown...
Max at 9 months
I’m not an overly sentimental person but I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about the last 9 months with Max. It feels like only yesterday that he was just a tiny, chubby bundle who would happily curl up on my chest. These days he’s just too active...
In Our World
Have you ever wondered what your parents were like when you were born? There are some days I can barely even remember what Aaron and I did before Max, and he is only 8 months old! Inevitably there will be a day when he will look at us and say,...
Max at 8 months
I’m sure this won’t be the last time I say this but I really can’t believe how fast time has gone by and how quickly Max has reached 8 months!
Celebrating 10 years cancer free!
I’m celebrating 10 years of being cancer free! Ten years ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. At the time, the question I was asked most often was how I found out. Here is my story.
Max at 7 Months
This past month has been a big one: Max has started crawling, pulling himself up to a sitting position and, occasionally, stands himself up. But with mobility comes new responsibility.
Max at 6 months
Everyone says that becoming a parent changes your life - and they’re right. Leaving the house is like running an obstacle course of mental checklists to make sure we have all of Max’s necessities. We spend twice as long to get somewhere and half as much time once we are...
Turning 32
Probably the hardest part of entering my thirties was that it became the age when people started going through major and scary life changes. Whether it was divorce, aging parents, or money issues, I’ve found that encountering these issues has made me feel more grown up than ever. But a...
Digital Baby Book
Nowadays the idea of a photo album with actual printed photos seems so archaic. It is strange to think our parents had to be selective in the pictures they took because they were limited by the number of exposures on a roll of film.
Ashley and Zach’s Chicago Wedding
Last month was Ashley and Zach’s wedding. Ashley is one of the most stylish people I know, and her wedding reflected that. Every detail, from the venue to the lighting, decorations and the gorgeous floral arrangements - was carefully considered, and the overall effect could not have been more beautiful.
Happy Father’s Day
When Aaron and I first found out I was pregnant we were overcome with disbelief, followed by a deep sense of anxiety. Aaron isn’t an anxious person but the idea of raising a child was unchartered territory and we wanted to feel prepared. So over the next few months we...
Max at 5 Months
This past month has been an exciting but busy one. We drove to Chicago for Ashley and Zach’s wedding and then to Maryland for a family reunion. Max didn’t love being in the car for long periods of time but once we were at each destination he was great. Spending...
Summer To-Do List
Given the record heat we are suppose to have today in Virginia, it feels like the perfect time to post my seasonal to-do list. There have been a lot of changes this year, and even though my life feels very different than last summer, I still like the idea of...
Max’s Birth Story
Max is almost 5 months old and some of the details from his first few days are already starting to get hazy. I wanted to document his birth story before the memories get even more distant.
New Mom Struggle: Breastfeeding
My mom assumes Aaron and I have it all figured out based on Max’s blog. The three of us are doing great but that doesn’t mean there aren’t difficulties, they just don’t show up in carefully curated photos we share with the world. One thing I still have ups and downs...
Max at 4 Months
There have certainly been times in the past 4 months that Aaron and I have been on the brink of exhaustion. Thankfully, those moments are becoming fewer and farther between. Overall, I think we are doing a pretty good job of finding a balance that works for us.
1 Year Wedding Anniversary
This Friday is our one year anniversary. I’d always heard how hard the first year of marriage can be and I’ve gotta say - it was pretty fantastic. This year ended up being about setting up our home and starting a family (hi Max!).
Max at 3 Months
Max’s third month has been the best one yet: he’s sleeping for 5–6 hour stretches at night, he smiles in response to things other than (or in addition to) passing gas and a little more of his personality is emerging everyday.
What I’ve Googled Lately
No one would dispute that Google has changed the way we access information and nowadays I’m constantly looking things up. The other day I opened Google on my phone and some of my recent searches showed up.
Baby’s First Easter Basket
This week has had its ups and downs. Max was sick for the first time. At one point last night he was so congested and upset that Aaron and I were overwhelmed with how to make him feel better. And just like that, this morning Max woke up as a...
My Favorite Products to Pump at Work
I thought that the first week back at work would be a little overwhelming, especially with Max being in daycare, but surprisingly it’s been nice to get back in my regular routine. It has taken a few days to settle into what Max needs for daycare and what I need...
Max at 2 Months
It’s hard to believe Max is 2 months old today. One of the first things we learned after Max was born is that infants are unpredictable. Aaron and I have always kept a pretty consistent daily routine, but now that we’re caring for a newborn, consistency is a thing of...
Two Month Must Haves
Last month, I wrote about my first week must-haves for having a new infant. Since that post, I have modified that list as our routine with Max gets more established. Here are the items that help keep Max calm and keep our sanity in check.
Max at 1 Month
After a month of barely leaving the house, Aaron and I are finally starting to adapt to our routine with Max. Some of the best advice we received about the first few weeks with our newborn was to cherish as much as of it as possible and remember that the...
First Week Must-Haves
I know some women love being pregnant, but I wasn’t one of them. My entire pregnancy was basically a countdown until I wasn’t pregnant and I’d feel more like myself. But now with Max in our lives for just over a week, I can’t imagine life without him.
DIY Pac-Man Nursery Mural
Aaron and I had so much fun painting the Calvin and Hobbes mural in the nursery that we couldn’t resist painting one more. This time we chose a much simpler Pac-Man image.
Pregnancy - 39 Week Update
Until recently, I was so focused on all of the changes to my body associated with pregnancy that I’ve barely thought about the labor/birth and the subsequent parenting responsibilities. For the most part, the most intimidating part of having a baby has been the actual pregnancy, although I have been...
Easy make-ahead crock pot freezer meals
We don’t usually do a lot of meal preparation, but with our first kid on the way we specifically looked for easy to freeze meals to get us through the first few weeks after birth.
What’s in my Hospital Bag
Part of me felt like I was packing for a weekend getaway rather than a trip to the hospital. But, after getting a lot of helpful tips and suggestions from friends about what is absolutely necessary and what could be left at home, this is what we ended with.
Two Thousand Fourteen
2014 has been the most life changing year of my life. Aaron and I hit a lot of personal milestones including our wedding, buying our first home and of course, starting a new family. I’m excited about even bigger things to come and exciting new adventures in 2015.
Pregnancy - 37 Week Update
I’m full term! Aaron got me a beautiful diaper bag for Christmas and I’m so excited to start packing it in preparation for our baby boy!
Pregnancy - 36 Week Update
I’m happy to report that I’m 9 months in and we are finally in the home stretch. I’m trying to stay calm and not freak out but truthfully, I could have used a glass of wine this week.
Baby Shower
I met Melissa in grad school and we immediately became friends. We bonded over baked goods and science and have been close ever since. When she told me she wanted to throw me a baby shower, I was incredibly touched. The occasion was perfect and every little detail, from the...
Pregnancy - 34 Week Update
I recently entered the phase during pregnancy where the occasional stranger wants to share in your pregnancy excitement by touching your belly or sharing an unprompted recollection of their 9 months experience. As a fairly private person, this has been a strange and somewhat uncomfortable transition, but I’m learning to...
Nursery in Progress: Calvin and Hobbes Mural
Aaron and I decided we wanted to paint a Calvin and Hobbes mural in our nursery. For Aaron, this was motivated by his (curiously) strong love for the comic strip, whereas I just thought it would look really cute. We chose an illustration from The Essential Calvin & Hobbes that...
Pregnancy - 32 Week Update
Now that we are fully immersed in flu season, my main concern has been to stay healthy and avoid sick people. Aaron and I got our flu vaccines a few weeks ago and I got my Tdap booster last week.
Pregnancy - 30 Week Update
As soon as I hit the 3rd trimester mark, I was overcome with a sense of urgency for the baby planning that we still needed to do; baby classes, registry, nursery. Registering for baby classes was straightforward because our baseline knowledge was essentially zero, so we signed up for 1....
Pregnancy - 27 Week Update
Up until now I have felt more awkward than pregnant. My boobs got huge, which is difficult to get used to, and my stomach looks like I’ve just had a meal of pizza and beer, not like I’m carrying a child.
Pregnancy - 24 Week Update
I’m 24 weeks pregnant and just received our first baby onesie from Aaron’s sister! Over the last few weeks, as I’ve begun sharing my pregnancy news with others, I’ve learned that women love to talk to other women about being pregnant.
What a Difference 31 Years Makes
I’m constantly amazed by the ability of technology to show us exactly what we didn’t know we wanted. Most recently, I was shocked when my parents shared a blurred, barely discernible ultrasound image they had taken when my mom was 5 months pregnant with me.
Pregnancy - 20 Week Update
I’m 20 weeks pregnant and very happy to be at the half way mark. My first trimester was rough, not in the traditional sense of morning sickness and exhaustion, but more in feeling completely unprepared for the life changing event that was only a few short months away.
The Name Change Dilemma
The decision to marry Aaron was an easy one. The idea of getting old together was a natural and comforting thought. So I was a little surprised at how anxious I felt when the conversation came up to change my name. I’ve always loved my independence, but I also love...
Wedding: Little Details
We just got all of our wedding pictures back from our amazing photographer and it reminded me of some of the little details that made the day come together so perfectly.
Wedding: Favorite Moments
Our wedding was the best day of my life. It was an honor to share our love and commitment to each other in the presence of our close friends and family. Here are some of my [most memorable moments from the day] (https://aaronwolen.exposure.co/wedding).
Wedding: The Reception
One of the best decisions we made was having our dinner reception at Arcadia. Located two blocks from where we live and across from the 18th street farmers market, it offered the hip and familiar ambiance that we were looking for.
Wedding: The Ceremony
Early on we knew we wanted our ceremony to be intimate and brief. We chose a spot in the Italian Garden at Maymont that had an old and classic feel–almost like we were standing on the balcony of a castle.
Wedding: Our Look
I didn’t start looking for my wedding dress immediately, but I knew I wanted a dress that reflected my low-key personality and style. My short list was simple: I wanted it to be comfortable so I didn’t have to suck in all day and I wanted to feel pretty.
Wedding: Welcome to Richmond Baskets
Lately I’ve been all about creating wedding welcome baskets with a personal touch. I decided to assemble things that Aaron and I love in Richmond as a way to bring our everyday lives to our friends and family.
Wedding: DIY Letterpress Invitations
I wanted to make simple and clean letterpress wedding invitations. I used A7 letterpress paper that I bought on amazon. The paper is beautiful and thick so the letters embossed really nicely.
Links I Love: Wedding Edition
Since I have weddings on my mind, here are a couple links I came across that have been very helpful in planning my own special day.
Engaged!
I didn’t sew this, but it’s too beautiful not to post. : )