The Stoked Momma

 I am a machine. Not like an actual one but before I had kids I abhorred naps. I thought they were such a waste of time. Why would I spend my time sleeping when there was so much to do and learn? There are projects to be done. Draw. Paint. Exercise. Rock climbing. I was a very avid member of the no nap club. But boy have things changed! Since having my kids, my favorite time of the day is nap time. But not because I want to take a nap. It's because I NEED A BREAK! I have never loved nap time more. I get to work on whatever projects I have, I get to finish up work, update blogs, check emails, pay bills, eat a cookie, watch a show.. literally endless possibilities within the confines of my home. I can do it in silence or I can put my head phones in. It is a time during which I am only catering to my needs and no one else's.  But my kids are getting older. And I can tell that nap time is slowly coming to an end for my boys. While I I'll definitely miss nap time, I'm defini...

  Mushaboom - Feist

 I know we missed last week. Here's a music Monday for this week! Benson Boone - Beautiful Things (Official Music Video)

For those that are new here - I like to sew. ALOT. It's a hobby I never knew I'd come to love so much. It first started as a way to make little shirts for my kids out of my shirts.  I like that it's a hobby that anyone can take up and also that in the future I could potentially make a little bit of money either doing basic alterations or even just making something to sell for my shop . I've made pouches, scrunchies, wristlets and other basic things. I've upcycled fabrics from other projects to make my kids clothes and even altered their clothing so that they can wear them longer. I've only ever made two things for myself and this pattern test is the third.   This would be the first time I've ever tested a pattern and I was a little nervous to say the least. Would I finish in time? Would it be too difficult? Do I have enough of a following to even be selected? The pattern I tested was for Mech's first pattern release - the Boxcar shirt. It's an oversi...

 I feel like I've been nursing for 5 million years. And It hasn't been that long, obviously. Almost 5 at this point though and I want my boobs back. Also - not 5 years with one kid but when one stopped, the second started. And boy, let me tell you, my ladies are tired.  I feel like I've tried to reason with my guy but I don't think he's ready to stop any time soon. I'm gonna have a full grown man attached to my boobie. Lol not really but it feels like that sometimes.  Here's the plan - I'm gonna let him nurse until 2 and a half and then pull out the big guns. Bandaids, gross taste, maybe crying it out...ughhh that's the last thing I want. I'll give an update depending on how it goes.  If you guys have any tricks or tips send them my way!

 My kid wrestles! It sounds crazy to say that, but my oldest is officially old enough. The season is now over. It was fun, not overly demanding and just the right amount of learning and fun having for a four year old. It focused more on instruction and didn't have the kids competing since most of them of very new and also pretty young.  As is usually the case with club athletics - or really club anything- the kids have the option of purchasing spirit wear and even though I knew it would be too big since he's on the smaller side, I just had to get him the goods. I figured I could just alter them if they ended up being massive.  The process is pretty easy, I'd say easy enough for a beginner to do. All you really have to know is the basics of garment construction.  If you're interested in doing the same for your kiddo - I've documented the process here for your eyeballs.  Happy sewing!!

 Listen before you say anything, I get it - Jojo siwa?!! Yeah, me too. But this is a bop and my kids love it. 

 I grew up for the first 15 years of my life in New Jersey and I never wanted or saw myself moving back. It's not really that I had anything against the state, I just didn't see a need or want to move back. I've lived in quite a few places and have always appreciated what every different place offers.  Most recently I lived in Arizona and I really liked it. I moved there for school, and friends, and freedom and I got everything I ever wanted from living there.  But having kids changes everything. It changes your priorities, your wants and the things that you're willing to put up with. I don't think I really considered moving away until I had my second son and asked myself what I wanted for their future. I wanted them to have a mom that was happy and could delight in them the way she wanted to. I knew I wanted more for them. I saw myself with a tough decision and ultimately I took it. We made the move.  We've been here since November and although it's been mo...

Sewing is a skill that has stood the test of time, blending creativity, functionality, and self-expression. Whether you’re an experienced seamstress or a complete beginner, sewing offers countless opportunities to create, mend, and personalize fabric projects. From simple hand-stitched repairs to intricate machine-sewn garments, the art of sewing is both a rewarding hobby and a valuable life skill. Getting Started with Sewing If you’re new to sewing, don’t be intimidated by the variety of tools and techniques. Here are some essentials to help you begin: Basic Tools: Needles, thread, fabric scissors, pins, a seam ripper, and a measuring tape. Sewing Machine: While not required for basic projects, a sewing machine speeds up the process and allows for more intricate designs. Fabric Choices: Start with cotton, as it is easy to work with and widely available. Practice Stitches: Learn simple stitches like the running stitch, backstitch, and whipstitch before moving on to machine sewing. ...

 Since you last saw us, we were two peas in a pod… welp, we’ve added another!! 

I've been on a muffin kick lately. It's my little guy's FIRST BIRTHDAY on Saturday so I'm playing with recipes to find the perfect one. I think I've eaten so many muffins in the last two weeks that I may have given myself a muffin top. Not kidding. Not really funny. Still working out. Not to be fit but to be able to keep up with Lucas as he gets older and more mobile.  L's slightly allergic to eggs so it needs to be egg free. He seems to like chocolate but not enough to make it a chocolate cupcake. (Learned that after I ate essentially all the chocolate cupcakes I made because he didn't really love them that much.) I'm trying to find a muffin that he will love flavor and texture-wise but that I will love ingredient wise. Not too much sugar, hidden fruit, maybe heart healthy grains... First up we have the delicious, chocolatey gluten free, egg free, dairy free muffin. Sounds super healthy and unpalatable, right? It's not. This was my favorite but L di...

In my former pre-baby life, I always loved cooking for my parents and extended family. I loved the look on their faces when they tasted homemade fettucini alfredo, chomped into some fresh falafels or physically swooned over warm pound cake. I obviously still cook for my baby and I, but they are very baby friendly meals, usually consisting of somewhat easily mashable fruits, veggies, grains and proteins. (We're on that BLW train over here!) These days, balancing a baby and all the duties that come with, working full-time from home, trying to start up a small art/sticker business and seemingly cleaning the same messes over and over, I feel like I rarely get to browse new recipes- let alone try to make one. My partner actually frequently complains that I never cook dinner for everyone...as if I have spare time throughout the day to do so (and as if they aren't already super picky) - but I digress.  Recently, I have found that as Lucas gets a little older, I have been able to find ...

 Hey Mamas! My name is Lorena. I'm 30 years old, live in Arizona and I'm a new momma to a beautiful 10 month old baby boy, Lucas.  I have, for a long time, wanted to be a Momma but becoming one wasn't exactly something I had planned yet. One thing led to another and here we are. Motherhood is tough but amazing. Nothing could have prepared me for this amazing journey that is motherhood. No book, no magazine, no videos.. nothing! I'm stoked to share with you my triumphs but also my blunders as I navigate through this exciting but crazy thing called motherhood. Follow along, comment, share your stories and let's all be stoked mommas!