Back in November, just after Winter’s 3rd birthday, our nanny gave us two-day notice that she was quitting because she got another job. TWO DAYS! Perry and I looked at each other in a panic because here we were with a newborn, both trying to work from home and Winter’s world had completely been flipped upside down.

After getting over the shock that we lost our childcare, we had to regroup and do so rather quickly. We got so lucky that our neighborhood Montessori preschool had an opening and we started Winter that following week.

Choose Your Own Adventure Day!

In January, I realized that I was working too much. Every spare moment I had was spent on the computer. I really like being a working mother. My work is my passion and I don’t for a second take it for granted. However, when it began to interfere with time spent with my family, I knew I needed to do some soul searching about my priorities and adjust some things.

I wrote a reminder on my mirror that says, “Today you will work and you work hard. And then you will shut it all down and be with family. Today you will love and you love hard too! You have time to do both things.”

MotherhoodTerra LaRockMarch 22, 2019Tax Act review, tax act for self employed professionals, mom blog, Denver bloggerComment

The Ins and Outs of My First Self-Employed Year

Never in a million years did I think a platform that I began creating content for would end up replacing my job as a psychologist and allow me to work from home with my babies. I am so grateful! This is my FIRST full year going at this content creator/entrepreneurial gig and I know the learning curve is going to continue to be steep!

I want to take you all behind the scenes as intimately as I can. There are no hard and fast rules on owning your business and everything I have learned up until this point has been completely self-taught.

MotherhoodTerra LaRockFebruary 18, 2019self-employed, mom blog, Tax Act review, mommy blogger Comments

Letter To Winter: You Were My First

Winter Gates,

These last few weeks with your brother or sister in my belly have been some of the most magical times of my entire life. It’s not that we’ve done anything extraordinary…no big outings, no huge plans, no big surprises. Yet, the every day routine from bath time to bed time to playing in the yard has been some of the most memorable moments of my life.

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?

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!!!

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. :)

MotherhoodTerra LaRockJuly 24, 2018bump update, third trimester baby update, pregnancy blog, mom blogComment

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.

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!

MotherhoodTerra LaRockJune 24, 2018bump update, 24 week bump update, pregnancy blog, mom blogComment

So We Have A Picky Eater

This post was sponsored by Once Upon a Farm. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, let’s talk mealtime. When I get asked what stresses me out the most about motherhood, the first thought that comes to mind is Winter’s picky eating habits. I have cried, lost sleep and put a lot of blame on myself because my child will literally eat ten things despite all of our efforts.

My Thoughts On Adjusting to Life with Two Babies

The other day I was staring at Winter wondering how in the world I was ever going to love another a child as much as her? I know, I know, everyone says that your heart expands with each child and that I can absolutely love more than one, but for that moment, it just seemed unfathomable.

Because it took a bit to get pregnant (9 months), I have been so focused on staying grateful for this pregnancy. Most days I am overwhelmed with gratitude, but I would be lying if I said that it was all happy thoughts.

20-Week Bump Update

I cannot believe that we are halfway through this pregnancy journey with baby #2. Yesterday we had an anatomy scan. The doctor that performed the scan was about to retire, yet his joy for seeing the baby was like he had just started his job. Seriously, he was the jolliest old man. He kept saying that he had never seen a baby smile so much and commenting about how cute the baby was. It made me even more excited for this baby to come. Winter and Perry went to the appointment, and it was so lovely to hear Winter talk about what she saw on the screen and ask questions about her baby brother or sister. We feel so blessed to know that this baby is healthy.

MotherhoodTerra LaRockJune 1, 2018bump update, 20 week bump update, baby number two, pregnancy post, mom blogComment

Top 12 Natural Face + Makeup Products

When I was in my 20s, I never thought twice about what I was putting on my skin. I regret buying products that may have been bad for the environment, tested on animals or used synthetic products which were terrible for my skin. I am so much more conscious of buying products that are good-for-you (meaning no bad stuff) + environmentally + socially friendly.

It's taken me a long time to find the perfect products to add to my routine, and I carefully picked out the items below because I know you will love them as much as I do.

Below is a roundup of my favorite skincare and makeup products.

Spring Solution for Colds with Little Ones

Our entire family was sick in February. Coughs, stuffy nose and more. As a parent, you feel so helpless when your little one is sick, and I am always looking for natural remedies to add to your medicine cabinet. Today I am reviewing DrKids HIMASAL - Natural Nasal Saline Solution made with Himalayan Salt.

It was designed to remove all the impurities found in the nasal cavities, offering nasal irrigation relief. It works by moistening the inside of the nasal cavity to loosen and soften thick or crusty mucus.

MotherhoodTerra LaRockApril 16, 2018natural products, mom blog, stuffy nose solutions for kidsComment

A Metallic Skirt for Any Occasion

While I love a good basic thermal and a pair of jeans, I am really trying to incorporate pops of color and texture into my wardrobe.

I recently slipped on this pleaded metallic skirt and felt like a million bucks.

I love how versatile it is. I could comfortably wear this to a bridal shower or dress it down as I did in these pictures for a fun mid-mod inspired outing (aka. a lunch date with friends!).

Keep scrolling for outfit details plus a little round-up that I did of some other pleated skirts that I have been eyeing.

FashionTerra LaRockFebruary 17, 2018best pleated skirts for spring, pleated metallic skirts, new fashion blogger, mom blogComment

Master Bedroom Tour

We shoot in the master bedroom so often and it dawned on me that I have never done a full tour.

Our room isn't super big, but it has plenty of character complete with unique ledges and an on-suite bathroom.

We kept this room as simple as possible, filling the space with timeless pieces that we hope to have for forever. We wanted our room to feel inviting and minimal. I love how it came together and am excited to be sharing it with you.

Valentine's Day Wish List For Him + Her

Love is in the air! I am such a sap for anything romance related so I thought I would round up a few items that Perry and I have been eyeing lately. We are spending Valentine's Day in Arizona, and we can't wait to escape the cold. Almost every year Perry and a handful of high school friends, together with wives and children (every year another child or 2), have gathered together to reunite and be silly. This great get together has traditionally fallen on President's Day weekend, and since we're adding on extra days this year, we will also get to spend Valentine's Day with family! We can't wait to slip into our swimsuits and hit up the heated pools and hot tubs.

Happy almost Valentine's Day, everyone!

Craving Spring with Kroma Phone Cases

Although we have had a mild winter in Colorado so far, there have been a few stretches of days where we haven't seen the sun and it's been too cold to go outside.

Right around the time that February makes its way onto the front page of our calendar, I notice myself forward thinking about and craving spring; and instead of resisting it, I let the excitement set in as we start to plan out our backyard garden.

The first step in the process is to always visit our favorite greenhouse to talk to the employees and owner about design plans and soak in the beautiful sights of greenery.

Sweet Valentine's Day Crafts For Kids

Happy February, everyone! I can't stop thinking about how I felt in February three years ago as it was the month that we found out that we were pregnant with Winter. It's such a unique memory for us.

I have always loved to celebrate love, and while I don't always get caught up in the commercialism of Valentine's Day, I really love any excuse to decorate with hearts and do things with my family that is all things LOVE related.

Winter is getting to the age where she is enjoying arts and crafts and helping me when I create fun things. Below is a little round-up of the Valentine's Day crafts that we intend to try together as a family.

Weekend Links: Dos

Well, due to the recent events that took place with our little one (you can read it about it, here), I am way behind on the blog, including Weekend Links.

Remember that in these Weekend Links posts, there will always be a 'Question of the Week'. If you respond to it in the comments below, you will be in the running to win something from me that I will mail to you as a token of my appreciation for reading the blog. Last week, I sent everyone who commented and gave me their address a small package :)