Adventures with Woo.

Sloan and I have been busy, busy, busy meeting new friends and exploring our new city.  I have to say, I am falling deeply in love with Seattle.  We have met some of the most amazing moms and babies.  I cannot think of a time in my life where I felt more content.

Here is Sloan on some of our latest adventures!

Green Lake, Seattle.

Snoozin' on mama at Target.

Evening stroll down to the market with Eric & Woo.  So beautiful.

Starbucks Monger... wonder where she gets it from?

Woo is OBSESSED with this guy who lives downstairs in our building.  You can't see it in this picture, but Sloan has a mouth FULL of scone... the only thing she wants to eat these days!

The Starbucks Monger at it again.  Oh and yes we go to Starbucks in our PJ's and a giant fuzzy bear hat.  You don't???

"WHATTTT??? A cart just my size?!  Sweeeeet!  Ok Mama, you hop in and I'll push you around."  -Woo

Yawns after a very long day of playing.

My (not so) secret belly butter recipe!

When I was pregnant, I made my own belly butter and by some miracle I did not get any stretch marks during or after pregnancy.  I don't know if that is because I made this belly butter, or if it's genetics, or if it's just luck?!  But, I can't help but think that this helped!  I rubbed this on my belly, hips, and thighs every morning after taking a shower.

A TON of friends have asked me for this recipe, so I thought I would share.  I got all of the ingredients at a store called Super Supplements.  I found these little plastic containers at New Seasons, they were for people that make their own lotions and soaps with a twist on cap.  I'm sure you could use little tupperware containers too. 

Ingredients:
1 jar of organic coconut oil 
1 container of organic cocoa butter 
1 container of organic Shea butter 

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a pot so that they can melt together (just spoon it out of their original containers into the pot).  The cocoa butter might be hard to get out of the container as it is the most firm.  I tried to break it up with a knife or fork and then poured it into the pot.  After everything is melted, pour into containers or tupperware and store in the refrigerator overnight.  I would make a few containers at a time and store them in the refrigerator until I was ready to use them.  

I sure hope this helps you mamas!

-Marisa

Raising a city baby.

When Eric, Sloan, and I moved into the city, I initially thought that the city was no place to raise a baby! I immediately started picturing us buying a nice big house in the suburbs. BUT after living in the city for the past couple of months, I have absolutely fallen in love with it! Don't get me wrong, I am definitely an Oregon girl... But I am having a love affair with Seattle. It has so quickly become our home. Sloan and I are so active and are making so many friends. We walk everywhere... which is good since I haven't worked out since I was pregnant!

Our house in Oregon sold this week (Woo Hoo!). So now the house hunting begins! Hopefully we can find something that is just right for us.

Feeling pretty darn lucky to be living this life.

Sloan and her friend Ruby watching the construction workers from our apartment.

Sloan hanging out in her bedroom.

Happy New Year!

Hello 2014!

I cannot believe we have already said goodbye to 2013 and are now welcoming 2014.  2013 was an absolutely incredible year for my family.  Eric and I shared our highest highs and some of our lowest lows.  I am so thankful for the high moments that we shared.  Obviously welcoming our sweet baby girl is at the top of my list!  Our family and friends have been so incredibly supportive of us as we navigate parenthood.  I am also so thankful for the amazing opportunities Eric has had in his career.

Eric and I said goodbye to someone we both loved so very much in 2013.  Fred, we miss you so much and think of you all the time.  I tell Sloan all about you... especially how quirky you were... and how much you loved all of us.  We find such comfort knowing that you are in heaven watching over us.  Sometimes in the middle of the night when Sloan wakes up and I see her reach right for her pacifier (eyes still closed) on the monitor, I feel like you are sitting there in her crib and put it right in her hand.  You loved your little "sweetheart" so much, I wish you could have had more time with her. Thank you for being our angel now.

2013 was really an incredible year, I am even a bit sad to see it go, BUT I look forward to what 2014 will bring my family.  I have so much to be thankful for.  Sometimes it scares me because I feel so lucky.  I don't think I've done anything good enough to deserve this life, but somehow it's mine.  Somehow my amazing husband and sweet little girl are all mine and I am keeping them!

Cheers to an amazing new year!

Xo,

M