"It's Me, Hi, I'm the Problem, it's Me"

Hello, I’m glad you’re here! Is that annoying or what? lol. I'm not sure if I enjoy when writers say that or if it drives me crazy, either way I think I actually am glad you’re here because that means you may get something out of this.

I hate when books, and blogs and such do an introduction, buuttt as I sat down to write this I couldn’t help but want to qualify myself, so here we are. Please don’t think you need to read this portion, the blog is set up for direct relaying of information that I think you need to know. Things like potty training, breastfeeding, or surviving a giant life changing move, all easily labeled and accessible in a bind. If you have some time and want to hear my/our story, stick around and read on Garth.

Why am I here? The short and long of it is that we had kids and then I developed this awkward passion for the entire process of child rearing (from start to finish) and wanted to share everything I’ve learned and now know. From what and who I’ve read it seems to be a very common thread, you become a mom, feel completely unprepared (even after reading and researching all of it) and a little annoyed and upset that no one told you anything, like anything at all, so you start some kind of blog/book/influencer process with the goal to inform and maybe make some money too. I am not sure which comes first for me, money or information, but really in my heart I am pretty sure it is to inform, thus the ‘passion’. I use the word 'awkward' because I can’t help but feel a little silly that I am just another SAHM trying to tell you what I know. Who am I anyway?Well, I am just like you, at least some of you. I need help and validation and insight and confirmation that I am not crazy. Though all moms are a little crazy, you have to be to do this. I often say that I understand how the moms of the 50's were popping little yellow pills all the time. Child rearing is not for the faint of heart and often brings out the worst, and best, but we aren't ashamed of the best, we're ashamed of literally screaming to stop the chaos. To stop the kids from fighting or putting toys down the heating vent, or pulling all the stuffing out of the giant bear, or spitting water out all over the couch...just a to name a few casual theoretical upsetting scenarios.

Regardless, at the end of the day I am that, a SAHM, and I am hoping that any clear, direct and helpful insight I may have can ease your life just a bit. Who knows if this goes anywhere, really, but I would like to help you as so many have done for me.

With that said, who is like me? Well, one of the major struggles that I encountered with becoming a parent was though my mom (who I was verrrry close to) was around for my first pregnancy, she died 8 months after Angus was born. And though I felt very confident and comfortable taking care of this tiny (though he was born 6 days late, was induced and actually was not tiny at all at 10.5 lbs) human, once he became a toddler and we had our second (our sweet angel Marigold) 18 months later, on purpose, I think that’s important to know, we intentionally did this to ourselves lol, the world got an itsy tiny bit on top of me/us. And that’s casual polite phrasing for we slowly/quickly/aggressively became fucked. And not in a fun way. Truly. Going from 1 kid to 2 is a pretty aggressive transition, especially so close in age. I tell you now, I am grateful we knocked 2 out so quickly but the ages they are now, 3 and 1 1/2, two toddlers sucks, full stop. That’s another conversation for another time, what should it be chapter 8? Ultimately I am here to tell you anything and everything that I wish I had known. What I wish anyone before me knew. Including my mother, though to be fair I am sure I would have acted in my usual manner and had been an asshole daughter who knew it all, which is a good thing it means she raised me to feel safe and confident especially with her, though not ideal adult behavior that I am exceptionally proud of.

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But look, I am very obviously not an expert. I’m not certified. I’m no doctor. I have an art degree in photography and I am not here to tell you what to do or give advice, the disclaimer is that this is my story. The story I would tell you if we were friends and you cared to listen or if you just had a kid. My advice is not medical nor housed in science, very specifically the only ‘science’ is that these are my observations with our kids and if I have learned anything from the internet, every single goddamn kid is different, even your own. And that is super annoying IYKYK. So with that buckle up buttercup, let's get honest and emotional and as the ever so wise Lady Gaga once said, “Heerrreee Weee GOO!”.