Our Experience with ISR

June 3, 2021

Motherhood
Our Experience with ISR

I can’t believe it’s almost summer! Today, I  wanted to share about our experience with ISR Self-Rescue swim lessons. We first learned about ISR a few years ago, and decided that we would enroll Lucy. She did her first ISR session at the age of 17 months and her second session around two and a half years old. This summer will be Lucy’s third summer of ISR lessons (about 3.5) and Winnie’s first summer — she will be 16 months when the lessons begin. I’ve shared more about our ISR experience in this saved Instagram story highlight, but wanted to keep here on my blog […]

Read More

flying with two children: tips, tricks, and learnings

May 16, 2021

Adventures, Traveling with Kids
flying with two children: tips, tricks, and learnings

A couple weeks ago, I went on my first flight since the pandemic! This was the first time Lucy and I  have been on an airplane since November 2019 (so almost 18 months later!) and Winnie’s first ever flight. Because I  apparently like a good challenge, our first flight during ‘these times’ was just me + the girls. NOT something I  would recommend, but totally doable! A few years ago, I did several flights with Lucy and Jack alone (one of them while 5 months pregnant…) but juggling a young toddler + ‘regular’ toddler + masks was… a lot. I’m actually doing another flight with just me […]

Read More

15 Black-Owned Candle Companies

May 9, 2021

Shopping
15 Black-Owned Candle Companies

Candles really make the best gift. They make any space feel a lot more cozy and obviously also smell incredible. Whether buying for a holiday, special event, or just because, it’s a thoughtful, enjoyable gift for just about anyone (yourself included)!  Here’s 15 Black-owned candle companies to support and order from! 🕯️ Alexandra Winbush Luxury candles (also available in sets paired with loose leaf tea) SHOP / @thealexandrawinbush Light by Lo Hand-poured candles, inspired by powerful tunes SHOP / @lightbylo  ANTIK LAKAY Minimal and zen natural candles — also offer a quarterly Home Wellness box subscription feat. different candles SHOP / @antiklakay Copper Wings Candle […]

Read More

10 Ways to Support Someone Experiencing Loss

May 5, 2021

Personal
10 Ways to Support Someone Experiencing Loss

A few weeks ago, my grandpa passed away. I shared a little bit more about him in this post. While his death wasn’t unexpected, it was (and is) still really hard. It’s a big loss for our family. I  woke up in the middle of the night recently thinking of how grateful I was for big and small ways people showed up for me during this time and wanted to write it down. A few years ago I  wrote a blog post How to Support New Parents and middle-of-the-night me thought it would be important to share some ways to support those going through loss. Hopefully […]

Read More

My Grandpa

May 4, 2021

Personal
My Grandpa

I shared this on Instagram, but since my blog is a more permanent personal journal, I wanted to give an update here too. My grandpa passed away on Saturday, April 24. It’s hard to sum up what one person means to you in an Instagram caption or even a blog post, but here’s what I  shared about my grandpa: My grandpa passed away on Saturday afternoon. 💔 While it wasn’t unexpected and death never happens at a “good” time, I’m grateful I was already back home with my family during this time. This is a really big loss for our family. My grandpa, Ted, was […]

Read More

reflections: the loss of autonomy

April 15, 2021

Motherhood Reflections
reflections: the loss of autonomy

I’ve raised my voice at my kids. I’ve had adult temper tantrums. I’ve blamed my kids for my bad attitude and for sometimes just…doing things children do. I’ve had days where I didn’t like the way I showed up as a mom. I’m not as patient as I want to be. I’ve been so frustrated and annoyed and OVER IT. I was telling my therapist about a particularly bad day — one where I blew it as a mom. I cried as I told her I don’t want to be like this — an angry “bad mom.” She gently said, “you’re not a bad mom. […]

Read More