Smile And Wave

Into the Woods

We had a mini adventure into the woods two weekends ago to see the Aspen turning for the first time since we've lived here. Last year I wasn't brave enough to go up the winding dirt road whilst pregnant and with Brett out of the country, and the year before that he was in the field for training. It was our second attempt that weekend after we bailed before we even got out of the city due to bad attitudes and an over tired baby. You win some, you lose some, but I wasn't about to forego this quickly closing window of opportunity due to a car full of hangry kids. 

The second time we got snacks and left early enough to not feel as rushed before the light faded and I brought our Ergo to make sure Smith had a better time. He's moved into that phase where if I give him to Brett and walk to the kitchen to start dinner he feels a little abandoned. That bottom lip quivers and it's suddenly alligator tears and the saddest sounds coming from his red little face! I still don't wear him all day but it's usually much more enjoyable when we're out and about for me to have him in a sling or wrap of some sort. 

The kids and Brett climbed around on some fun rock formations and then I hiked up a hill to look out over some large boulders and couldn't get over how many different colors made up our surroundings. It was just spectacular.

We only stayed for a bit as the sun was setting and we didn't want to get stuck on the scary, dirt road after dark but it felt like a major accomplishment getting to check something off of our Colorado bucket list.

Sebastian asked if we could do that kind of thing every weekend and I was reminded again that the energy it takes to get five people out of the house and into a car we've outgrown to go somewhere we've never been is usually always worth it-fussing and all. Memories are made and horizons are expanded. Living so close to the mountains has given us all a taste for the great outdoors that we didn't have the first time we lived in Missouri so I'm eager to discover all that the Ozarks has to offer all over again. 

Have you had a chance to get out into nature as the seasons are shifting?

-Rachel

 

Looking Ahead

Brett and I managed to sit down and have a planning meeting on the couch to help us map out what the next month of change will look like. We're moving back to Springfield, MO very soon as this chapter of life with the Army comes to a close and another chapter begins to unfold. It's been such a long way off until this week and suddenly it feels like the days are speeding past me and the lists of things to finish before we leave only grow. 

Despite feeling overwhelmed I'm hoping we can enjoy this transition as we venture back to familiar territory and to friends that are as excited for our return as we are. We'll be settling in right before the holidays start needing our extra special attention and will be celebrating a certain five-year-old (once in both towns).

Today we finally found a rental that we're really excited about, thanks in part to Elsie and Jeremy, who took a tour for us and sent us photos and notes on more than one occasion. It's a Victorian within walking distance to downtown and has almost everything I was hoping for to keep us cozy until we find a home to make our own. More about that soon but not before I call my mom and fill her in first.

In the meantime I'm going to take a cue from Ruby and have a little fun with things as we enjoy our friends and favorite places in Colorado Springs one last time. We are taking with us so many lessons and memories in the time we've spent 6,000 ft in the sky. 

-Rachel

Learning to Feed Himself

After a solid month of suddenly waking up multiple times a night to nurse and wanting to nurse almost every other hour during the day, I decided we were ready to give solids the old college try.

Our first attempt with a tiny smashed piece of banana required a bath as it triggered his gag reflex and he has a history of losing his lunch if he's congested at the same time. A week later we tried a little bit of unsweetened apple sauce thinking a smoother puree would make it easier. Let's just say we rinse off a lot around here. I'd done a bit of skimming over websites about baby led weaning (what?! Baby led weaving? Wouldn't that be fancy.) and asked all of my hippy friends at Sebastian's school what they knew and decided it was worth trying at least one more time. 

I dragged the vintage high chair up from the basement where I'd been storing it since before I was even pregnant with this boy. I was so hopeful we'd eventually have a third little Denbow that I bought it at the local outdoor flea market without a thought. I'm so thankful I did because steamed carrots wipe right off! 

You'd think I'd given the child a lemon wedge with the faces I was getting.

Sunday showed up to provide moral support. 

She was actually so efficient in keeping the floor carrot-free, I should've just let her lick him clean, too.

I'm not sure he actually ingested much of anything but he didn't gag and lose his lunch so I'm calling this a milestone. We're still primarily breastfeeding and I plan on nursing him at least until his first birthday or longer so we're treating this new venture into baby led weaning as a low pressure, experimental learning time. I'm looking forward to him being able to feed himself and eat most of what we're eating. Also, let's hope this translates into a more satisfied belly so that we both get a bit more sleep.

I'm so thankful for the internet, guys. On any given day at almost any hour I can ask a question about mothering and get such a great amount of feedback that I am either completely enlightened on a new subject or affirmed in something I was already leaning towards or away from. I think this is what it must be like to be in a MOPS group but maybe minus the snacks?

-Rachel

Disneyland Memories and How to Avoid Stroller Rage

So, it's been over a month since we traveled to Disneyland with my side of the family but I wanted to make sure I share a bit about our experience via photos so I don't forget! A certain six-month-old won't sleep for more than an hour at a time lately so this post will mostly just be photos I took while we were at Disney. I used my DSLR and also have about 20 Instax Wide photos as well as a few I shared on Instagram while we were there. It was a great trip and I'm so thankful my grandparents spoiled us with such great memories!

Disneyland! It was so fun. I have so many little memories I'll hold on to for years to come. My grandparents brought our whole side of the family out to California and my SIL's sister and BIL were also able to join us for part of the trip so we had plenty of helping hands to make taking three kids into one of the busiest (and magical) places on Earth.

It was such a thrill to watch the big kids discover Disney and for half of the family to meet Smith for the first time. Our first morning we got up early to get into California Adventure in order to hop on the Cars ride before the rest of the world got in line. We were so lucky to have one of the park's very own cast members get in contact with me about how to navigate things to take full advantage of our stay and I'll always appreciate the way she made our trip more magical! Thank you, Hilary! Our last day was made so much more enjoyable thanks to her thoughtfulness.

We enjoyed getting to stay at the Grand Californian with my whole family so much. The pools were incredible and a nice way to beat the 97 degree heat we had on our second afternoon. We also didn't have to worry about driving and parking and lugging sleeping children too far thanks to a borrowed double stroller and my Ergo. I hadn't been to Disneyland since 1999 for Senior night so it was so fun to rediscover how things have expanded and yet still enjoy the things that are exactly as they were when I went for the first time as a little girl. 

I brought all the vintage Disney books we've been collecting to keep them busy on the plane ride over and to continue to get them excited! Since we've been home we've found a larger Treasury of Disney stories that I'll catch Sebastian reading when he's supposed to be putting his clothes away or picking up his room. They can't get enough!

Ruby got to meet Cinderella upon arrival right inside the gate and was on cloud nine. We also saw Aurora, Mickey, Cruella Devil, Pluto, and Chip and Dale that day. 

Smith was a champ for most of the trip and had plenty of willing arms to hold him or rock him to sleep. My SIL and her sister had the magic touch and somehow got him in just the right cradle hold every time and Grandma Mary was always ready for some baby love.

 

We all stayed at the Grand Californian, which gave us street access to Downtown Disney for meals with the whole group and easy access into California Adventure the two mornings they opened early that we were there. 

It was in the mid to high 90's the three days we were there but we were able to take a break the first two afternoons to enjoy the pool and just rest in our hotel rooms until dinner. The kids shared bunk beds and we had a fun view of one of the parks from our room so as much as we were itching to get back out there, we didn't feel like the heat was making us miss out on too much. 

I loved the rush of memories I'd get as we'd round a corner and see something I'd forgotten was there. 

On our last morning I was able to join Ruby at the Princess breakfast courtesy of my grandmother. We met Ariel (who looked a whole lot like Kristen Wiig), Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and Aurora and were serenaded by Prince Charming while we enjoyed a special meal. Ruby could hardly eat she was so excited with all of the fuss going on around her. I was the crazy mom with three cameras out at the table trying not to miss a moment. 

Ruby may have been so nervous/excited that she kissed Aurora on the cheek. It was sweet. Sebastian was lucky enough to have my parents get him out early to ride the Cars ride again before the crowds came and then kept him busy until Ruby and I were finished with our princess time. 

I want to thank everyone who shared their advice and experiences traveling to Disney and maneuvering through both parks with young children and for the tips on the Dole Whip line in the Tiki hut! One of my favorite memories will be getting to share that secret with a few other hot and tired families that were at the back of the long line in front and seeing their faces perk up as they slipped out to find the short line. 

A few of the things that were most helpful to know before getting to Disneyland as shared by friends on Instagram:

* Renting a stroller at Disneyland sounds like a great idea but you can't take them off site. Either bring your own or look into the few companies that rent them out and will deliver them (and a few other fancy things) to your hotel! You're going to want something to roll the sleeping children all the way to the car or room.

* Tie something easily recognizable onto the stroller handle such as a scarf or a duct tape tab as the stroller parking lots can get rearranged by cast members and it may make it easier to spot yours in a crowd. 

* Fast Passes aren't cutting in line even though it sounds like it at first. It's making reservations to ride your ride and then catching another ride or getting a Dole Whip while you wait. I couldn't wrap my head around how they worked until we did it. Also, going to Disneyland with friends or family members that have done it all before is extremely helpful! If you have a baby or child that is too small to ride, look into how ride swap tickets work. We didn't use them because there were always four other people willing to hold Smith but it keeps you from having to wait in line twice. 

* Get there early and then take advantage of your hotel's pool in the afternoon if it's not a huge hastle to get back to your hotel. The two mornings that my brother, SIL, mom and dad got up to be some of the first in the park (we did stay at the Grand Californian), they were able to get on all of the major rides in the first two hours before the crowds saturated things. 

* Plan which day you want to stay late for the fireworks and which days you want to get there early. Don't try to do both more than once unless you enjoy stroller rage. Wherin, you want to run over the person that suddenly stops in front of you in the middle of a busy passageway and stares at their map blankly for a full ten seconds before looking up to see if they're blocking said passageway. Oh, that was just me? Did I was baby wearing in 97 degrees the second day?

* Drink plenty of water and know where the nearest restrooms are. There is nothing like being thirty minutes deep in line and hearing a little person pronounce they need to PEE REALLY BAD! So also be sure you take care of that before you get in line for Cars or find your spot in the crowd for fireworks. There are two great nursing facilities (one per park) but we didn't utilize them. I just nursed as we went using my nursing covers.

* Go without ideal scenarios and high expectations of what your trip will be like. Go with your most flexible, patient, selfless mom hat on and then buy yourself a Dole whip at the end of the day on your way back to the hotel after the kids have passed out in the stroller because you didn't get to ride the Pirates of the Carribean ride.

If you snap at your husband for not being as quick to help change a screaming baby's diaper on a pair of cafe chairs at the end of a long day and then carry your screaming (exhausted) baby back to the hotel by yourself in a huff, be sure to apologize when he returns an hour later with sleepy big kids and light up balloons. Disneyland is magical but it can also make you a little crazy. Practice extra grace with everyone but especially those you love the most.

* Thank the cast members for their time and their help. Especially the princesses that spend all of that time in the heat with all of those pretty gowns and long gloves making all of those little dreams come true with a hug and a photo.

* We didn't buy Micky Ears but apparently they are much less expensive off site. My grandparents and parents were smart about the toy situation and brought each of the kids a shirt and a Disney related gift that they opened the afternoon we arrived before we even entered the park. They were able to enjoy the excitement of souvenirs and weren't begging to buy something every time we walked past a gift shop. Decide how much you want to spend on fun things and talk about it with your kids before you go so they can adjust their expectations. Then practice that patience again when they forget and throw a little fit about the Mickey ears they want SO BAD.

* Don't wear a cute, new pair of wedges for obvious reasons unless you're on a date or like blisters. I brought a worn in pair of leather flip flops and a semi-new pair of Chuck Taylors. The new wedges stayed in my suitcase the whole trip. Did I mention I was baby wearing in 97 degree heat?

* Don't forget to take all of the cheesy photos in the cliche spots. You'll regret it later if you don't. Also, be sure to take some authentic shots of your kids feeling completely blissed out. Also, sometimes don't take the photo and just burn that sweet moment into your memory. Do all three.

* Remember almost every other family there has waited just as long and are just as excited about their trip as you are and enjoy that shared experience. It will help you not to run them over with your stroller when they stop in the middle of the busy passageway and stare at their map for a full ten seconds before looking up to see if they're in your way.

* Get in the left hand line for It's A Small World on a warm day. There's a lot more shade.

* Bring snacks and water bottles to your hotel and then stash them in your stroller storage and diaper bag. It'll save a lot of money and keep the hangry away. Apparently, you can refill your water bottles at restaurants if you ask. We brought a big Nalgene and filled it with the water bottles before we ventured out. 

* Sharpie your cell # on your kids' bellies in case they get lost. We thought we lost Sebastian after the tea cups ride but thankfully he was paying attention to where I was waiting with a sleeping Smith and Brett and I were able hand gesture to each other that I'd found him. However, those two minutes of not knowing where he was had me quietly panicking. If they are old enough, talk to your kids about what to do if they get lost. We always tell our kids to find another mama and ask for help. Also, make sure not to write your cell # or the kids' name in a visible place. 

* It's worth it to do as much research and familiarize yourself with how Disneyland and California Adventure work before you show up. My grandmother is the best at researching places before we travel and I always appreciate how it helps me orient myself beforehand.

* Turn your phone onto airplane mode when you're on Pirates or Indiana Jones as it'll drain your battery looking for a signal.

* Download this app for ride wait times. They can be helpful when you're hoping to fit something in that last evening.

* The line to meet Anna and Elsa was REALLY long both times we passed it. If your children are excited about that one, do it first. Peter Pan and Cars are also really long wait times so plan accordingly.

* Pack extra outfits for baby blow outs or accidents waiting to meet a princess. Stash them in a gallon size ziplock to keep them from getting wet on a water ride or drink spill and bring another ziplock to seal the dirty/wet stuff. This happened our first morning but it only set us back five minutes instead of having to go back to the hotel to change. Wipes for everyone, too. Especially during germy seasons.

* Be okay with splitting up if you have a large group and make sure you know the ONE THING (or three things) each of your party members (even mom and dad) want to do/see while you're there. Make it happen early in the day if you can.

* Small spray bottles from the dollar store will cool you off while you wait in line under the sun with a hundred other sweaty people.

 Those are the take aways from our experience as well as things more than one person shared with me before we left. Trip savers, folks. Trip savers.

I've got another post coming up sharing about our time at Dana Point and the incredible Spanish style house my grandmother found for us all to stay in. 

-Rachel 

 

We Have A Third Grader

Sebastian started third grade at the same Waldorf school he was able to get into last year. He has the same teacher and mostly the same kids in his class which has proven to be a great way to start the year without having to wade through a month of forming relationships and learning class rules/boundaries, etc. They were able to go on a field trip to pick berries and apples the second day of school thanks to invested parents and a brave teacher! 

Ruby is also starting preschool this year but not until we move back to Springfield in a few weeks. We didn't want to have to pull her from the only classroom setting she's known after only a month and make her do it all over again somewhere new. It didn't keep her from packing her backpack, though! 

After the opening ceremony in the courtyard to celebrate another year of learning and catching up with all of the mamas I hadn't seen all summer, Ruby and I headed to the back lot to reacquaint ourselves with the goats, chickens, and bunnies. 

I couldn't believe how much the garden had exploded over the summer thanks to a knowledgeable gardener that teaches the kids about agriculture and help from more invested parents. They've got beautiful flowers, vegetables growing from hay bales, a hoophouse full of tomato plants, a rainwater barrel, compost pile, a new adobe house for the kindergarteners to play in, stumps around a fire pit for full moon bonfires after hours, etc. The kids not only learn how to grow things, they're learning to respect the hard work everyone has put into tending such a space and help care for it themselves. 

They've actually been in school for two-and-a-half weeks now. Each Friday is outdoor education and since they had harvested berries and apples that first Friday, they made mini berry pies to take home the second Friday and Ruby, Smith and I helped them make apple butter this last Friday! Sebastian's teacher really is one of those special ones that I know he'll always remember. 

In other news, Ruby has decided she's willing to wear a pony tail, FOR REALS THIS TIME.

That girl. She'll be five in less than two months and I really can't wait to keep seeing her personality unfold. She's such a fiesty, creative, loving little person. I'm also pretty sure I'll be holding back the tears when she heads to half day school soon. An end of an era all over again but also such a beautiful thing to see how much they grow when they venture out. 

-Rachel

Awesome With Bing in Denver!

So, WAY back in June I co-hosted a special event that Alison Faulkner of The Alison Show put on with Bing. It was one of a handful of parties across America that this fancy lady was organizing, along with local creatives and vendors in each city, to share a bit about her story and message to embrace your talents and potential and share it with the world.

It was not only one of the most fun evenings I've had since moving to Colorado, it was a bit dreamy to get to hug Alison's neck. I've been a fangirl of hers for a few years and have been so inspired by her ability to make things happen for herself whilst encouraging other women along the way!

The event was held at a beautiful venue in downtown Denver and Melanie of You Are My Fave added her magic with all of the beautiful decor and styling. I was so thrilled to have the chance to hang out with both Rebecca Caridad and Heather Grey throughout the evening as they were both able to contribute with florals and photography. I also got to meet a few lovely ladies I'd only known through Instagram and blogs!

We had dinner from a taco truck followed by gourmet ice cream and popsicles from local artisans whilst chatting about blogging, motherhood, shopping, etc. We each had our photo taken by Mountain vs. Plains and were turned into illustrations that we were later able to take home as favors. 

We had a lovely session with Alison and learned a bit more about Bing's tools for bloggers before I took the figurative stage and walked everyone through warping their looms and adding fringe before getting their weave on. It was my first time doing a teaching event in awhile and I found myself thinking in blog tutorial mode. Everyone was gracious when I gave them the wrong instructions on doubling their fringe length and we managed to get things figured out in the end. It was lovely watching their woven pieces take shape and knowing a few had found their new favorite hobby!

At the time Smith was about three months old and sweet Brett had him and the big kids downtown at our hotel with a bottle of my milk-a bottle that he decidedly refused to take so that he had more time to cry. Brett handled it like a champ so that I could have this four hour stretch with some fantastic gals doing what I love. It left me feeling so refreshed and a bit more connected to something that gets a little lost between diaper changes and midnight feedings. Let's all clap for Brett. 

I'm so thankful I got the opportunity to do something a little outside my 'I have a new baby and don't get out much anymore' comfort zone because it was so, so fun and I would've missed out on hugging that sweet Alison's neck!

Moral of the Story: If you're invited to share about something you're still learning how to do yourself and you're pretty nervous about how it might all come together, but your heart beats a little faster at the possibility of how exciting it might also be, go ahead and commit.

You won't be sorry.

Even if you have a slight wardrobe malfunction all night and your seemingly modest dress no longer covers that nursing cleavage. It'll all still be great. 

See for yourself below.

Thanks, Bing, for sponsoring our evening of fun and thanks, Alison, for bringing me along!

 

-Rachel 

 

Co-Host: Melanie Blodgett of You Are My Fave @youaremyfave and

Rachel Denbow of Smile and Wave @smileandwave

Florist: Rebecca Caridad @rebeccacaridad

Photographer: Heather Gray @heatherthegray

Popsicles: Aiko Pops

Portrait artist: Paul Michel of Mountain vs Plains

Venue: Blanc Denver @blancdenver

Videographer: Modern Atelier @modern_atelier

What I Wore: Turning Thirty-Three

I celebrated my thirty-third circle around the sun on Sunday with a special little outing with my love and my littlest. Our sweet neighbor friends watched the big kids and we snuck out to try a new to us coffee shop in downtown Colorado Springs. It was a beautiful afternoon so we brought the stroller and enjoyed a little...well, stroll.

Since Smith has been born I've been carrying him in either a Solly Baby wrap or my new Ergo baby carrier which has also had me sporting flats and sandals so I don't trip and drop a kid. It was nice to have a reason to dust off the clogs and don a semi-dangerous, blingy necklace that I knew wouldn't poke Smith's eyes out. 

Smith appreciated that I wasn't carrying him in my clogs but he still grew bored of pausing in front of the white wall to take outfit photos. 

I think he just felt a little underdressed himself.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Top and Vest, Target. Denim, Old Navy. Clogs, ModCloth. Necklace, H&M. Glasses c/o Tumbleweeds HC. Bag, handmade by me. On Smith: Romper c/o Nununubaby. Stroller c/o Stokke.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes via text or IG!