the road that led me here

Well, hello there! Welcome to my new blog!

After taking nearly a 2-year hiatus from blogging, I am now jumping back in the game -- despite second-guessing my decision no less than 72 times. Ha! Here are some of the thoughts that bounced around my crazy new-mom head that brought me here.  Hopefully some of you can relate, and the rest of you... well, don't judge me for being so self-critical and maybe just be happy that my Instagram posts won't have 3-paragraph-long captions.

To accompany this post are my "Welcome to Mom-Life" photos taken by the fabulous Morgan Trinker. 

Morgan Trinker Photography

"Who wants to write another lifestyle blog?"

   If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever have a strong desire to write (what I deemed) a mom-blog, I would have answered with a flat NEWP.  Before actually being a mom, I saw blogs dedicated to parenting, or even lifestyle blogging in general, as a little redundant. (Sorry! It was my past self! I was clueless!) I had already been a blogger for film news and reviews and for a girls mentoring project, and I knew very well how heavy the weight of keeping a blog updated and relevant can be as your life barrels past you. Writing blocks and blog burn-out can happen faster than you can regret having Momma's Pancake Breakfast at Cracker Barrel. "I just woke up, but me so sleeeepy now."

   What I also did not realize is that parenting and lifestyle documenting is the most unpredictable and varying topic that exists! Because, um duh, every single child and home dynamic (and the problems that come with it) is different. But then so many parts of the experience are common, relatable, and in need of someone who has BTDT (been there done that -- now don't make me spell that out again).  So, my pride took a step back, and I realized I didn't need to look at it as being another tiny mom-voice in a vast sea of voices.  This is my blog, this is for my family, and this is me.  As a teacher and a new mom, the outlets for creativity are endless, and the need to develop other much-needed skills is definitely present. Gordon Ramsay, where are youu? Teach me to cooook!  So, as a majorly goal-oriented person, I need this blog more than anyone reading it ever will. 

"Why would anyone care what this newbie has to say?"

   Even though this blog is for me, I still obviously hope some others will get some type of benefit out of it! Maybe I'll have some readers? Maybe like, 12... 13 including my mom?  I have only been in this pregnancy/parenting scene for 18 months now, and one thing I did not understand is the value of recent experiences.  Although I do talk to my mom for advice, most of the practical questions about "how much did you pay for your stroller" or "what is it like having a natural birth at St. Vincent's?" are questions that can only be answered by moms who are currently in the thick of it.  I'm always texting questions to my mom-best-friends who are one to two years ahead of me, while also receiving questions from those who are just busting through the halls of parenthood high like bright-eyed and terrified freshmen. There are just so many stages, so much new research, so many new ways to save money, and the list goes on and on and on.  No matter where you are on the continuum, your voice is important.

"Hold up, how did we do that again?"

  Unfortunately, one bad part of being asked questions by new and fellow moms is... mom brain.  It is nearly impossible for me to remember prices of things that I bought, conversations that I've had, and step-by-steps in any process.  Somehow I can remember every single person's birthday and phone numbers from my childhood, but what something costs has a memory shelf life of about one solid hour. 

Zack: Oh nice! How much was that? 
Me: uhhh 2o bucks...ish?  
Zack: If it's $29.99, that is not 20 dollars.
Me: YES I KNOW WHATEVER.

  Trying to recall conversations I've had with people turns into:
Sarah: So what did you end up telling her exactly?
Me: Well, I said... wait no-- that was later -- First I said... Well... crap.

 And sharing the processes of a project turn into, "Uh, here's a picture of how it turned out!" 

  When it comes down to it, I'm just a big-picture thinker and a feeler.  I can summarize situations on themes and highlights better than a book report.  Now don't you ask me details about that book a year later, because I probably forgot so much of it! THERE ARE JUST SO MANY BOOKS, YOU GUYS!  Remembering the details is hard, and most importantly I really really need this blog as my journal. Oh, did I mention I'm pretty pathetic at consistent journaling too? yeah... Oh well, at least I try. 

  I first began blogging in the MySpace era when we invented selfies, learned basic html, and wrote about pretty dumb stuff. Now a decade later, I've spent a year and a half not writing about the most important time of my life so far.  I'm not going to miss any more!

"Where have all the moms gone?" 

  The last (and definitely not the least important) reason I need this blog project is because sometimes parent-life forces you resort to lots of online-life for deeper connections.  Wait. what? Just when you thought it was better to ignore social media and hang out with friends face to face like the good ole days, you become a parent.  I'm serious, people. Coordinating with your other parent-friends (and even seeing your non-parent-friends) becomes almost as difficult as The Doctor and Rose ending up in the same dimension of time and space again! (nerd alert.) I hope that this blog can open up some conversations that we ordinarily wouldn't have the time or synchroneity to share.  We still desperately need that face-to-face, but I'm thankful that sometimes a "me too" or a "I thought it was only me" -- even online -- can fill the gaps. 

I need the creative outlet. 

I need the documentation.

And I need the conversation.

Hopefully something you read here will be something you needed, too.