Last Day of Maternity Leave with Meek Vintage

On one of the last snowy days in Denver this winter, I dressed our Winter in her bear suit and we headed to Meek Vintage to check out their shop. I have been following the owners, Kelly and Emma Meeks, on Instagram for a while and was excited to see their new storefront that opened this past November. Have you ever walked into a place and immediately felt this overwhelming sense of familiarity and peace, like you just walked into your own home? That's the exact feeling I experienced as I walked through the doors at Meek. Not only is the decor calm and inviting, the store well-organized and well-thought-out, but Kelly and Emma have the most welcoming and sincere disposition.

Motherhood, Plants + AbodeTerra LaRockApril 13, 2016Meek VintageVintage, lifestyle, motherhood, fashionComment

Moonage Tempe

Around Christmas, when Winter was a mere six weeks old, we took a 20 hour road trip to Tucson, Arizona for my little sister's college graduation. I think back to that time with Winter and chuckle a little at my "very new mom" thoughts. This road trip was the first time that I pumped milk and fed Winter a bottle. I spent hours leading up to the trip playing out every possible scenario in my head. Where would I pump? What if she cried the whole time in the car? How in the world would I change her diaper at a gas station? These pondering thoughts became less of "what if" and quickly morphed into "well, we're doing it."

Motherhood, Plants + AbodeTerra LaRockApril 5, 2016art, artisan goods, gallery, lifestyleComment

A Working Mama

I started my maternity leave five days before my due date which was October 28th. I had envisioned myself working two days past my due date because Halloween sounded like a good end-date but after a particularly challenging Friday, my husband took one look at me and said, "You're done. Let's get you nice and relaxed so you can have enough energy to have that baby". My employers agreed to the start date and my arduous wait for Winter's arrival began. She was nine days late and I needed to be induced (I'll share my birth story another time). I had only been with my employer for a year and half before taking maternity leave which meant I had accumulated a lousy two weeks of paid leave. I am so grateful that I have a career, yet I have to say that the USA maternity and paternity laws are lacking in so many ways. From the time Winter was born, I got exactly 88 days before going back to work (well, 89 if you count that the my first day back was a snow day and I did not have to work). That's 2,112 hours which looks like a big number yet feels like the fastest roller-coaster ride of my life.

Motherhood, FashionTerra LaRockFebruary 22, 2016motherhood, lifestyle, working mother Comment

The Hats We Wear + Gigi Pip

I am...
A cuddle seeker. A wife. A mother. A daughter and sister. A broadcaster and the resident over-feeler. A listener. A giver. A worrier. A healer. A Spanish-speaking enthusiast. A bluegrass lover. A husky owner. A garden grower. A(n) educator.

Fashion, MotherhoodTerra LaRockFebruary 18, 2016motherhood, fashion, lifestyleComment