Words rarely said.

My oldest daughter is on the Autism Spectrum. Her official diagnosis is PDD-NOS, ADHD Combined Type & GAD. She's had the ADHD diagnosis since she was 3, GAD since she was 5 & PDD-NOS since she was 6. But these aren't often words you will hear come out of my mouth. Not because I'm ashamed or embarrassed or anything even close to that. It's because the response often leads to me needing to justify it. I've had people ask me if I was sure or tell me that they would have never known by looking at her. Or how they talked to her that one day and they would have never known. So many people are willing to invalidate what she goes through daily because she doesn't fit what they feel someone on the spectrum should look and behave like. But, it's been shown time and time again that girls on the spectrum are better at mimicking than boys are. It also proves that people think they know a person's life from a few minutes of interaction.

My daughter is in a general education classroom but is pulled out daily for 1x1 time with a special education teacher. She has an IEP. She takes medicine. She does bi-weekly social skills group therapy. She sees her developmental pediatrician every other month. And she still struggles. She has come a long way but she still struggles.

She is currently at grade level (yay!), she has friends, she is thriving. But, crowds still bother her & she still won't wear jeans. She still doesn't do well with change. She needs to know the schedule ahead of time and will still ask you throughout the day what will happen next as she runs through the schedule. She still doesn't understand that saying certain things isn't ok and that we have to wait our turn. Sitting still is a task and a half. Playing quietly is a joke. Sometimes I say one thing to her and she hears something completely different so she has no idea why I'm upset that she didn't do what was asked. She still has an intense need to be in control of the situation... but if you use that the right way, she's a great helper. She's funny. She loves math. Like, loves it. She loves it so much that she will recite math equations then laugh about how funny they are because math brings her joy. She loves dinosaurs. And she loves being a big sister even if she tells you her siblings are annoying. She is determined and hardworking. She thinks she's a gymnast. She is quick to ask if you're ok and cuddle up close if you're not. She's protective of her friends and loves her family. All of these things make my girl what she is. And I love each and every piece of her.

The Ride of Her Life

Timing is always a funny thing...

Late last year a good friend asked me if I would take a sister spot in a custom wrap with her. It was of course something I wanted to share with her, so I said yes. But during the design process life started happening and I had to back out. I left the group chat and the group discussing it because I was bummed. My friend messaged me that she couldn't decide what weave and weft to pick and asked my opinion so I told her. Fast forward a couple of months. I was having a shit day and during a conversation I kind of accidently word vomited everywhere. I told her I was done and ready to leave Facebook because I just needed a break. She was supportive but told me she would miss me. Then... she told me she had ordered me a piece of her custom still because she wanted me to be a part of it. To consider it a birthing day present for Joshua. And I cried. I was so amazed. How could someone be so kind? So generous?

We should probably pause here for a second. Because, realistically this friend is so many amazing things. I met her one night when I was browsing the budget swap. Everything goes for $100 for less. All of the carriers she was selling were worth far more than $100 but here see was selling them for that. I bought a wrap from her and we ended up chatting and basically haven't stopped since. Even though she lives many stated away, I'm glad to call her a friend. I got to meet her when she came to CA last year. There was wrap geekery and ice cream. It was amazing.

Back to the story... the wrap came today. It's name is The Ride of Her Life. I know the name has meaning to my friend, but honestly the timing of it coming into my life is also kind of huge. I am at the end of a journey that while I am thankful for what it has brought, it was a very trying time. The ride of my life so to speak. 😏

I'm once again humbled by the love I'm surrounded by. I have a pretty amazing village.

My favorite part of moving...

Moves are rough on little people. Even if they are just moving across town. Even if they are moving to a home they already know. Moves are rough. And well, I have 4 little people who are all adjusting in their own ways. The biggest way this is showing is in messed up sleep patterns. Sleeping arrangements are slightly different now and I guess that means sleeping patterns are. Like most parents, I would prefer that this meant sleeping more but alas, that is never the case. They are sleeping less and waking more which means I am tired. So. Damn. Tired.

Insert my new favorite thing. My Keurig that I received free from Influenster to test out. It couldn't have come at a better time. I normally drink my coffee cold but since the fridge isn't upstairs yet, I've been drinking it not only hot but black. And the Keurig does it so well... and in 15 seconds! Along with the machine they sent coffee, English Breakfast tea and hot chocolate. It is all so good. I'm super excited to try some of the other K Cups that they have available and try it over ice.

We bought a zoo!

Ok... not really. But it feels like it.

We moved! Well... we're moving. We have keys and have slept in our new apartment two nights in a row. It still feels a bit surreal but I'm so... amazed. I've spent the last couple of days overwhelmed with feelings. Accomplished. Humbled. Loved. Scared. Anxious. Thankful. Tired.

The kids are loving it. They are running from room to room. From the backyard to the house. Breaking rules they are oh so familiar with. And I am loving it. I love hearing "this is our home now" come out of my three year old's mouth. Each time you can tell she's accepting it just a bit more. I love my eight year old telling me she's going into her room, because she can do that now. The toddler running from room to room screaming "mommy, come here!"

It's amazing. All of it is so amazing. I never thought I would be excited to do dishes. Until this morning. A sink full of dishes from dinner we made last night and I was excited to wash each and every one of them.

This is good. This is so good.

I think I can get used to this...

It's 6:45 PM & not only is the sun still shining, but it's still around 75 degrees out. One of the perks of living in sunny So Cal, huh?

The toddlers demanded ice cream earlier and well, ice cream is one of my weaknesses. Since it was relatively close to when the big kid would be getting out of her after school program, we grabbed ice cream and ate it on the school's lawn. Kadee ate most of hers, Kobi wore most of his. We picked the big kid up and they weren't quite ready to go. There were snails to find and flowers to smell! Plus, this weather is AMAZING.

I guess daylight savings doesn't fully suck?

Catbird Baby Pikkolo

I got to play with the Catbird Baby Pikkolo thanks to Marsupial Mamas for two weeks and what an amazing two weeks it was!

I had heard about the Pikkolo once or twice but it didn't have the buzz that most other soft structured carriers have so I didn't really pay much attention to them. However, I was curious when I got it. It seemed simple enough. The shoulders have a memory foam padding and the waist is unstructured. The shoulder straps adjust from both the top and bottom, allowing you to get the perfect fit for a variety of body types. I am 5'1" & around a size 8 and it fit me perfect. It also fit my 8 year old that is around 49 lbs and 53" and my boyfriend that is around 6'1" & around 250 lbs. So, it will fit a wide range of wearers.

It will also fit a wide range of wearees! My favorite part is that it fit my 10 lb, 2 month old (he's just barely in 0-3 month clothes) without needing an insert. The is an adjuster that can make the carrier small enough for a newborn! It was also really comfortable with my 28 lbs 22 month old (he's in 18-24 month clothing) in both front and back carriers. My favorite part of front carries is the crossable straps. I wasn't able to try out the forward facing position because my newborn doesn't have the proper head control and my toddler is too big. But, knowing that it is an option is awesome! I also didn't get to try out the hip carry.

Another really great thing about this carrier is the fact that since it is so simple and doesn't have the waist padding, it folds up neatly. It is perfect to throw in the diaper bag or for travel because it doesn't take up much room. The 100% cotton and lack of bulk is also great for hot days which we get quite a few of in California!

I am so bummed that I didn't pay attention to them sooner and that the buzz isn't as loud as it should be. This is an affordable wearing option that can easily last from infant to toddlerhood. I hope that more people start paying attention because people are definitely missing out!

Exciting!!

So, I am super excited to bring something new to my blog... Carrier reviews!

If you know anything about me, you know that babywearing is not only a passion of mine but a lifesaver! I first started babywesring when Kadence was born thanks to an awesome friend telling me I needed a carrier. She let me check out her Beco and her Boba soft structured carriers. I ultimately ended up ordering a Beco 3G & that was the beginning of an amazing journey! Babywearing became more than just carrying my child. It became a way to bond, it became a way to comfort, it became a way for me to make friends. Through my babywearing journey I've learned so much about myself and the world around me. I am so excited to share it with other people.

Stay tuned for my first review!