Down By The River: Maternity Shoot

I am a wee bit behind on blogging this month. With the ensuing launch of a new project, The Mindful Mamas Club, the half-written blog posts are beginning to stack up.

So sorry that it's been kind of quiet around here. I have some wonderful content coming to you soon, like an update on marriage counseling, tips on finding the perfect doula, more about my birth plan, why I jumped on the essential oils train and more. 

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Natural Birth Plan: What I Learned At Birth Class

We had our birth class at our birthing center last week and we are officially inching our way closer towards trying this intimidating thing called natural birth. Eek!

I'm starting this series, called Natural Birth Plan, to keep you in the loop of all the things that I am learning through my midwives at my birthing center.

I feel like with Winter I wasn't super knowledgeable about all of my options so this time around I want to be so much more informed.

Below are some things that our parent educator taught us. 

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30-Week Bump Update

Tomorrow we take our five-hour birthing class at the birthing center where we learn all about the natural birth process. I know so many women have natural births and I am going to give it my all to do it, but man oh man, I am anxious about the whole thing. 

I tend to have a much higher tolerance for emotional pain than I do physical. To be honest, I am such a baby when it comes to being hurt or in pain. I complain if my back aches, am over dramatic about a hangnail and cry when I stub my toes. Haha, how am I going to give birth naturally?

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Why I Am Not Returning To Work in the Fall

I have stayed quiet about my career as a school psychologist for several reasons, but the main reason is I just wasn't ready to share about it because it's been a lot for me to process.

Since becoming a psychologist in the public sector I have watched myself give more than I have, lost faith in the systems that we call public education, special education, and social services and, when it boils down to it, I have experienced depersonalization, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma and burnout.

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Top Parenting Books + Other Resources For Raising Toddlers

he other day I was desperate for some guidance after two long days of having tantrum after tantrum with Winter.  Even though I have a background in child development and child psychology, raising your own kid can bring on doubt and insecurities. So, I asked you guys to tell me what parenting books you loved and I was blown away by the responses and insight.

This community really rocks!!!

I figured, if it helped me so much, it might help another mama or papa out there. So I have rounded up the top book recommendations tried and true by the Love & LaRock community.

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The Bump in the City

The other day, I had the opportunity to work with some really amazing creatives to do a styled shoot.

Together they created a Mexico-inspired look and honestly, I have never felt more beautiful.

Perry and I got engaged in Oaxaca, Mexico and we both feel so connected and in awe of their culture. We feel like our love story really began in Mexico, so I wanted to honor our love by doing a shoot with a Mexican flare.

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Amazon Lately: Best Amazon Buys

Who here is an avid Amazon shopper? I know my family gets a ton of products from here and I wanted to start a new series that shows you what we purchase and use on a monthly basis. You will find a vast array of things from clothes, kitchen and houseware, health + beauty products and more. The post will cover items for the entire family! I hope you enjoy the round-up and stay tuned for next month's post!!!


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28-Week Bump Update: Hello, 3rd Trimester

Hello, 3rd trimester. I am having so much fun thinking about how close I am to meeting this little nugget. The other day on Instagram I ran a fun little contest to see if anyone could guess the name. I was blown away by how many of you entered and got it right. If you are in the need for some gender neutral names, seriously check out the post. So many amazing ideas. So the hints were: The baby's name is gender neutral and it has to do with imagination. The top ten guesses were as follows: Wonder, Art, Charlie, Story,  Jude, Lennon, Phoenix, Bowie and London. One of those names is in fact the baby's name but we aren't revealing which one just yet. :)

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Hair Extensions with Elle B Salon

This past spring I tried something way out of my comfort zone and went really blonde. It was super fun and I liked the change, but as this due date starts creeping in I realized I wanted to go back to my natural color before he or she arrives. 

I have lived in Denver since 2010 and can you believe I have yet to find a stable hair stylist? Well, not anymore. I recently discovered Elle B Salon and I am over the moon with their services.

I had the opportunity to sit down with owner Lindsay and she happens to be a mom of a 2.5-year-old. We talked a lot about work-life balance and what it was like for her to build her business with a child at home. She was truly a testament to girl power and I appreciated her candidness, vulnerability and insight. 

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Am I Scared of Getting Postpartum Depression with Baby #2?

The hard truth is that women who've experienced postpartum depression in the past have a 50% chance of getting it again in subsequent pregnancies. I really hate this statistic. As silly as it sounds, when I think about the risk factors of postpartum depression with baby #2 I begin to visualize a little man in the clouds doing a coin toss in the delivery room to determine my fate saying, "May the odds ever be in your favor". 

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A Letter to Myself: On Self-Love and Gratitude

I know it may sound weird but every so often when I write letters to Winter and Perry I also write them to myself. I find it so necessary to document where I am in each stage of life, and to be able to go back to these little letters of encouragement in order to read on the days when my self-worth is fleeting, "Terra, you are enough." I encourage you to join me and write yourself a You Are Enough letter. They can be very powerful. 

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Pregnant Focused + Some Ramblings From the Heart

Hi friends,

So I wasn't sure if I was going to cover this sale or not. To be honest, there are so many other fashion/motherhood bloggers that highlight sales and daily outfits on a more consistent basis.

These bloggers have a wayyyyyyy larger and more engaged following than I do which leads me to the fun comparison game (a.k.a. thinking about how I'll never be as "good" as them so to speak).

But I have been practicing self-compassion and have to believe that I if I want to pursue something, I can do intentionally and with purpose. Who cares how many people it reaches, right? I just have to keep going. 


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A Letter to Winter: A Summer Shift

Winter,

I am not sure if I could ever articulate the beautiful child that I see when I look into your eyes. In the last week I haven't been spending as much time with you, yet I still feel like you are with me all the time. I feel so lucky to be able to walk downstairs and work on my creative projects all while being able to hear your sweet voice and laugh as you play with the nanny. This gift of summer has really been so good for the soul, for both mine and yours. You are developing a relationship with other people, learning to trust them and welcoming them into your world.

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Midi Skirt Perfect for Pregnancy

I am still a bit behind with blogging about all of my J Crew Sale finds. Better late than never, right? This white crinkle midi skirt is an investment piece that I welcomed into my closet with open arms. I first fell in love with the lightweight material and the fact it fits over the baby bump so well. I am wearing my regular size 4 since the elastic band allows for some stretch around the midline. Oh, did I mention that this dress has pockets!?

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One Bodysuit, Three Ways

Every week I will be going to your favorite stores for try-ons in effort to find pieces to add to my closet that make me feel comfortable and beautiful while pregnant. For me, this is quite a feat. So when I do find pieces that work with my growing bump now, and that will also work after pregnancy, I get rather excited. 

Today I will be showing you how to dress up the softest bodysuit I have ever laid my hands on from J Crew. And it's currently 50% off! Only $23!!!! Say what?!?!

I hope you enjoy the post! All of these pieces are non-maternity, so even if you aren't pregnant, keep viewing. These three looks are some of my favorites!

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24-Week Bump Update

Gosh, the days are flying by now that I am feeling better. I took advantage of this stretch of feel-good days by hiring us a nanny. Having one enables Perry and I the space to work uninterrupted by not having to juggle back and forth taking care of little Winter. 

Perry and I really wanted to spend a few days alone before baby comes so we decided to extend a wedding vacation that we have coming up so that we can enjoy some time together,  just the two of us. It really won't be long until it's the four of us. Eek!

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