Finding the Silver Lining Among Tragedy- How I Almost Lost my Boys' Father (the Man I Love) to Death...

It’s been months since I’ve created for this space. Much silence has lived here.

I (my family) experienced significant traumas. The kind where you need time and space. The kind that don’t easily brush off your shoulders.

There is still overwhelm, but I am ready to fill this space with all the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. It’s why I created it after all- to share, to inspire, to live.

We all have moments. Some trivial, most passing while others linger. Mine lingered. It’s the moment when something implausible happens that leaves you stunned. Your world shatters like a mirror, and you’re left picking up the pieces. You’re left exposed.

It’s the kind of thing that causes perspective. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to fight and won’t let you settle.

You see, life constantly (and sometimes instantly) shifts. In a second, everything can alter.

Last year, everything did- alter/shift- for me. I didn’t realize how much would change or that more was headed my way, but that’s another story for another post.

Here’s a rundown of last year’s notable events:

• I gave birth to my second son in an unexpected home birth. We couldn't make it to the hospital, so my mother delivered. She’s not a midwife.
• I grieved a friend, who lost a battle to cancer. I couldn’t make it to the funeral. One moment she was healthy. The next? Gone.
• My youngest son and I were in a rear-end collision. I thank God that he is ok. My body still aches from time to time.

But the moment that changed it all? My sons’ father, Joseph, came minutes from losing his life. Ten to be exact.

    A Glimpse into the Past (2010): Ice skating with Joseph for the first time. He fell. :)

2014, the year of years. Emotionally, I’m spent. I feel too much all the time. Sometimes, I wish for numbness. It never comes.

On most days, I feel lost and hopeless. I dwell on things I can’t change and on things I wouldn’t want to change. Yet, there are no regrets. I realize that I am exactly where I am meant to be. I am meant to rediscover and question. I am meant to grow. I am meant to make an impact.

Before Joseph’s attack, I fell into my role well. A (single) mother. Young. Smart. Strong. Vulnerable. A little bit broken, but human. I felt love, but loneliness shrouded my heart.

I don't think there's ever been a moment since meeting Joseph where I didn't love him, but there comes a time where you decide to love yourself more. Love your children more. Without loving him less. Joseph's indecision in his life became too much for me to endure, so I embarked on a new path without him. I moved on. 

A warm July morning changed it ALL. It set a new course.

Joseph messaged me at 7:13 am to wish me a “Good Morning,” and said he’d call me in a bit. I’m not supposed to smile, but I did. We aren’t supposed to be talking, but we do. I miss him.

“A bit” never came. I joked with him on his misuse of “a bit.” Nothing. I called. Nothing. Monkey Bear left a voice message. Nothing. Hours passed. I worried. I even messaged to tell him so.  At about noon, I had enough. My entire body was unnerved. I called his dad, and after a few pleasantries I blurted out “Is Joseph alive?” I think I unnerved him too. He told me to relax and sit. In that moment, I knew…

Something happened, and it was severe.

Someone attacked Joseph at his job site- a house where he was remodeling a bathroom. He doesn’t remember the details of the attack. He remembers arriving at the house, opening the doors and windows, and working for a couple hours before laying down to rest. His next memory is of waking up in a puddle of his own blood with no recollection of how it happened.

Whatever happened, he was left to die. Thankfully, he didn’t. Whoever attacked him, left Joseph’s phone behind. This detail saved his life because it enabled him to call for help. He didn’t realize the extent of his injuries, so he refused to go to the hospital. His mom convinced him otherwise. Once there, it took 6 people to restrain him to a hospital bed. This too, is just a story to him. He has no memory of it.

With a massive head injury, Joseph underwent an immediate craniotomy. I cried. I waited. I prayed. I struggled miles away. Should I visit him? Should I stay home? I questioned not because I didn’t want to be there, but because I wasn’t sure if I SHOULD be there.

I deliberated over the next couple days while Joseph recuperated in ICU. I finally chose to pack the boys and myself up.  There was no other option (at least for me). My entire being needed/wanted to be there for him, so I went.

Road to Recovery- Joseph settled into his room after a few days in ICU with a couple extra visitors.

Despite how broken and bruised Joseph looked, it brought me peace to see him. I never dreamed I’d see Joseph near death. It shook me. It unlocked emotions- feelings I willed myself to forget (or ones I simply hid).

By the time I got to the hospital, he got transferred out of ICU and into a regular room. I brought our youngest son with me. Little Seahorse was 7 months-old, and would be less impacted by the sight of Joseph’s injuries than our oldest son. We stayed the entire day before we headed back down. We couldn’t stay longer than a day because both our boys needed their mom to be home.

As weird as it sounds, I am grateful for Joseph’s near death experience. I’m in no way grateful for his injuries (he’s still in a lot of pain), but I am thankful for what this incident shifted for me, for us.

I came to realize how much I love Joseph. More than I knew. He is not always the best man, and has made mistakes. Let’s be real, so have I. Despite his faults (and some of my own), I still love him. I love him even if we chose to live separate lives.

For now, we heal (while we find peace in Pentatonix because their music feeds our souls.).

To the person who attacked him, I hold you no ill will. I don’t understand your actions. I don’t know if you randomly chose to hurt another human being, or if you knew Joseph. I don’t know why you left him to die. I do know that you did not rob him, and for this small detail I am appreciative too.

Have you gone through a traumatic experience? If so, how did it change your life? For the better? For the worse?

Please feel free to share your story here. It should be heard. In the meantime, please keep us in your prayers and send us love and light.

Little Seahorse's Birth Story- An Accidental Home Birth

Before I delve into Asher's adventurous (yet accidental) home birth story, I’d like to preface it. And yes, you read that right. We had an unplanned home birth. The works: 9-1-1 operator, ambulance, EMTs, and to top it off my mother delivered!!

Rewind to my first pregnancy and delivery. Despite owning the proper anatomy, I ventured into uncharted territory. I did not know much. Nor did I set out to learn more. My goal was simple: grow and birth my baby boy as safely as humanly possible. All I had to do was reach the end and push, right? Well, no. There is so much to learn about our bodies and our babies along this amazing journey. I didn't realize it the first time around.

Fast-forward to my second pregnancy. Hello, research! I discovered OPTIONS! I had a birth plan. I had a doula. I even had a photographer. I had knowledge coming out of my ears. Needless to say, my Little Seahorse had a plan of his own.

My Mommy, Liam, Elf on the Shelf and Asher & Me at Tutti Bambini's Holiday Extravaganza

Here’s how our birth was supposed to go. I envisioned my contractions starting and calling my doula to tell her, “It’s time.” I would mostly labor at my house or at the beach with my support team. Anywhere, but in the hospital. I wanted to avoid using medications. Once my contractions were 5 minutes apart, we would head to Mt. Sinai. Once admitted, we would wait until pushing time. I would push and push. I would finally meet my second baby boy. We would bond skin-to-skin. The details of my birth plan would be honored. We would breastfeed. We would stay in the hospital until released to go home. The end.

Is it what happened? Nope. Don’t get me wrong, the adventure my Little Seahorse planned was BETTER. A little scary, but miraculous all the same. What actually happened was an entirely different scenario...

I was due on January 3, 2014. Well, Friday came and went with no baby in tow. One thing you all should know: once you’re “past due,” words like induction get hurled in your direction. It makes you nervous. Just know you have options. In the end, it’s all YOUR choice.

In hopes that my Little Seahorse would soon arrive, I choose to schedule an induction. I did this with my first pregnancy. I never intended on fulfilling either time. I just hoped my babies would get the message. My oldest did. Loud and clear. He arrived on his own the day before his due date. Naturally, I hoped his little brother would do the same. He did not.

Birth Announcement (Original and Updated) Created by: My Little Love Note

What did I do? I continued to enjoy my pregnancy. I marveled at Little Seahorse’s strong movements. These were our last moments as a shared entity. I treasured the extra time I got to spend with Liam alone. He would no longer be my only child. I did a belly cast at the 11^th hour. Simply because I could. I scheduled an impromptu maternity shoot. My very first one. I wanted the experience. I did all this in between extra doctor appointments to ensure baby’s safety.

Maternity Shoot- 41 weeks and 2 days

I scheduled another induction for January 15, 2014 at 8:00 am. This would be it. 41 weeks and 5 days. We were not willing to reach 42 weeks. It was too scary (for us). I called Joseph, and told him our second son would be born on Wednesday. I officially served Little Seahorse with an eviction notice. The clock started ticking. Natural or induced, my baby would finally be here. Since Joseph and his dad live 4 hours away, they planned the start of their trip at 2:00 am. Plenty of time to make it, right?

The night before the BIG day, I stared down a bottle of castor oil. I preferred to naturally induce rather than medically, but I couldn't bring myself to swallow it. Not a single drop, so I walked a little extra that evening. When I got home later that night, I decided to pack my hospital bag. Don't say it. I know. I’m not sure why I stalled until the last minute. I guess, I wasn't overwhelmingly concerned. I knew exactly what I would pack. (I’ll share my hospital bag check-list later.)

Vera Bradley Grand Traveler in Tea Garden

The clock struck 1:00 am, and I felt some cramping action. Were these the contractions I had been waiting for? Or were they Braxton-Hicks? I called my doula, Cassie, and asked, “I know this may sound weird coming from an almost second-time mom, but how do I know whether I’m having contractions?” As we talked, I intermittently had to stop mid-conversation in order to take deep breaths. I couldn't focus on anything else. It wasn't painful, but it stopped me in my tracks. Cassie suggested I time the intervals between each contraction to see if a pattern emerged. I hung up, and I timed five sets. I paced through each contraction chanting my new mantra, “I can do this.” Sure enough, there was a pattern.

It’s now 1:30 am. I updated my mother. “My contractions are three minutes apart. I’m in active labor. We need to head to the hospital soon.” She started getting ready. I called Joseph and his dad to let them know, “Something is happening on its own.” They were on their way. Meanwhile, Monkey Bear slept soundly.

Things started to change rapidly. It must have been around 2:00 am now. I continued to walk through each contraction; breathing and chanting my mantra. I also sat down on occasion. The bathroom became my best friend. Things only got more intense and painful. My "I can do this" mantra transformed into “I can’t do this. How can I do 14 hours of this?” Suddenly, I got sick. I literally yakked everything I had eaten the night before. What was happening?

As I continued to get sick, I managed to sputter, “Mom, I don’t want Liam to see any of this.” Thankfully, he showed no signs of stirring from his slumber. I didn't know it then, but I was in transition- the last part of active labor. I texted Cassie to see if it was normal to vomit. She simply replied, “Yes, that’s a good sign. You need to get to the hospital.”

I certainly intended on getting to the hospital. I didn't realize I had run out of time. After the bout of nausea passed, I could no longer pace through my contractions. Instead, I buried my face into the towels hanging on my bathroom door. I inhaled the sweet vanilla scent of my shampoo, and it made me feel better. I also kept delaying my mother because I needed her to rub my lower back through each contraction. The pain felt unbearable. The time between each contraction lessened. She would take a step, and I would shout for her again. She pointed out that we needed to get Liam ready so we could finally head out.

These towels hanging on my bathroom door = my saving grace during contractions.

As I buried my face into my towels again, the contractions started to feel distinctly different. My entire body, from my fingers to my toes, started to push without my consent. I had no choice. My body just pushed. At this point, I clutched the bathroom door. I’m pretty sure I could have taken it off its hinges. I made my way to the bed. There I substituted the bathroom door for my pregnancy pillow. I grasped it tightly through each contraction and onto the next while I waited for my mother and Liam. My body continued to bear down and push. I waited until I could get up again and shouted to my mother, “Call 9-1-1!!” She asked, “Are you serious?!” I simply replied, “Yes. Something’s not right. I want to push.”

She hurried to help me to the bed, and drops of water trickled down. My mom asked, “Is that your water?” I had no idea. I finally laid down as another contraction hit. It must have been 2:45 am at this point. She called 9-1-1, and proceeded to explain to the operator that we needed an ambulance at the house stat. More pushing without my volition. Suddenly, a gush of water erupted. My water broke. At this point, all I remember is screaming bloody murder. My mother tried to get me to lay on my back after the operator suggested it, but I refused. It hurt too much. I continued to lay on my right side in fetal position.

The 9-1-1 operator asked my mom to check if she could see the baby, but when I tried to move I felt blinding pain. Needless to say, I refused to cooperate. Instead, I continued to scream as my contractions cycled in and out while my body naturally pushed. I’m not exactly sure what I screamed, but I know it sounded primal. The pushing continued, and then my mom shouted, “I can see the baby!!” I pushed with all I had. I later found out that I had pushed my Little Seahorse out to his shoulders. My mom placed her hand on my belly as I pushed a second time. I could hear my mom exclaim gleefully to the operator, “He’s here!!” It was 3:03 am. Color me spent. My mother had successfully delivered her grandson in our nursery.

Fresh 48- My Mommy and Asher bonding in our hospital suite.

The first time I laid eyes on my Little Seahorse he looked gray. I worried. I waited for what seemed like an eternity until he finally cried. I relaxed. No need for a shoe string to tie off the umbilical cord since I delayed clamping his cord. A couple minutes passed and the EMTs arrived. They took over. Whoosh, a whirlwind of activity surrounded us.

Before I left the nursery, I delivered my placenta. I struggled to communicate my wishes because I felt so weak. Shakes kept racking my body. I managed to let them know that I did not want my placenta treated since I planned on encapsulating it.

One of the EMTs helped me out to the living room and onto the gurney. Once secured, my baby boy was handed to me. The ambulance took me to the nearest hospital, which was not my own. Sadly, I did not get to see my own doctor. On the bright side, this hospital had a Birthing Place, which meant I got my own private suite and it was closer to home. Score 1 for spontaneous birthing at my house.

Fresh 48- Welcome to Room 847: Please Enjoy the View

To my surprise, my doula met me at the hospital. My mom called her to tell her what happened. She was my first visitor in the labor and delivery wing, and she acted as my voice. I am forever grateful to her despite my missing out on the full doula experience. Plus, she massaged my scalp with Lavender Essential Oil to further relax me. AH-MAZING!!

The baby nurses checked my Little Seahorse and the Mommy nurses checked me. We were both unscathed. My baby boy weighed 8 lbs and measured 21 inches long. Surprisingly, I made it out with just a scratch. I called Joseph to tell him the news. His reaction was priceless, "You had the baby where?!" He couldn't believe it. Poor guy had to fight feelings of disappointment for missing the experience.

Fresh 48- Family Bonding

My mom made it to the hospital shortly after my doula with a wide-awake Liam. By the time I was escorted to my private suite, Joseph and his dad had made it to the hospital. From that point forward, I had everything I ever needed or wanted. I got to endlessly bond skin-to-skin with my son. My baby boy never left the room with the exception of one hour. It was my least favorite hour. All of baby boy's test were done bedside. I breastfed. I did struggle a bit due to my son’s tongue tie, but I had the help of lactation consultants. My Monkey Bear bonded with his little brother. He also enjoyed quality time with his Daddy and GrandDad. My mom relived the whole experience every time she held her grandson, and everyone (hospital staff included) continually praised her bravery. Our family reveled in peace, joy and love.

Fresh 48- The faces of Asher plus 3 Generations

Joseph and I decided on a name: Asher. We celebrated. Our son finally made his debut, and it was everything wrapped in one- Extraordinary. Terrifying. Liberating. Beautiful. Memorable. And all mine.

Fresh 48- A Rare Moment as Family

The end. Well, this is really only the beginning...

How did you envision your birth? Did it go according to plan? Was it what you expected? Please feel free to share your birth story and experiences with me in the comments below.

Happy Reading!!

Welcome to the World My Little Seahorse

Bring out the confetti!! My little Seahorse celebrated ONE month outside the womb this weekend.

Since his BOLD birth, I have been on a self-imposed social media hiatus. Many Thanks MLLN readers for your patience while I bonded with my family. Rest assured, I have been working on writing our birth story and it shall go LIVE soon. In the meantime, I’d like to officially announce the birth of my second son: Asher.

Photo By: Moondance Photography

Asher was born on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 3:03 am, almost two weeks after his due date. He weighed 8 pounds and measured 21 inches long.

Photo By: Moondance Photography

After a month home, we have settled into our new lives as a family of three. Scratch that, family of four including my mother. We are incredibly blessed to welcome Asher into our family. Of course, we still have moments of adjustments. There’s only so much my 2 year-old, Liam, can handle. He loves to lend a helping hand, but he does not fully understand his little brother’s limitations. Liam adores showering Asher with hugs and kisses. My boys are shaping up to be the BEST brothers!!

Photo By: Moondance Photography

Welcome to the world, my sweet boy. You are the perfect addition to our little family. Thank you for choosing us to be your own. I am now blessed with TWO little loves.

How do/did you plan on announcing the birth of your baby? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

Infinite Blessings!!

Baby Watch 2014: I Found Doula Love Thanks to Project Motherpath

No two pregnancies are alike; and although I don’t know for certain, I can almost attest the same will ring true for labor and delivery.

For starters, I’m officially on Baby Watch 2014 for baby no. 2. Most thought, I’d deliver early. Not quite. My little Seahorse has plans of his own and thus far it does not include making his debut.

Since I've got some extra time on my hands, I thought I’d share my previous labor and delivery adventure. More importantly, I want to share why I choose to arm myself with a doula for our BIG day. After all, you can never show too much doula LOVE.

Labor & Delivery: Take 1

Labor & Delivery: Take 1 Dec. 2011

Most moms tell you, the pain you’ll experience during childbirth is worth it in the end. It is. I’d go through it again in a heartbeat. Makes sense, since I’m currently on Baby Watch 2014. ;)

But what about the notion that although you go through this indescribable pain, you’ll soon forget it when you lay eyes on your sweet baby? WRONG!!  Absolutely, not true… at least, not for me. I still remember… EVERYTHING!!

Of course, there’s an out from this pain: the epidural. When I was pregnant with Liam, I made two commitments directly related to my birthing experience.

• I will exclusively breastfeed my baby.
• Short-term Goal: 6 months
• Long-term Goal: 1 year +
• Electing to use the epidural will remain an open choice.

As my blood pressure spiked with each contraction and after I tried to pull out my hair, I choose the epidural. I did not realize the side effects I’d also choose along with my sweet relief. Now, those were scary. Not to mention, the epidural wore off and I felt every single drop of pain.

Let me be clear: my childbirth experience was NOT the BEST, but it also was NOT the WORST. I knew there had to be another way. Equipped with this instinctive feeling, I set out to discover a whole new world of childbirth for my little Seahorse. A world filled with the possibility of birth plans, doulas, midwives, home births and more.

Labor & Delivery: Take 2

Many Thanks to my Mom for helping me during my epidural side effects.

Remember those scary side effects I mentioned earlier? Here’s what happened: for two weeks, I had fevers, chills and cold sweats followed by uncontrollable shaking that mimicked Parkinson’s.

The shakes were the worst. Those shakes meant I couldn't hold my little Monkey Bear. I felt helpless. Medications weren't an option because I committed to breastfeeding, so I endured the side effects until my body regulated itself again.

I’m not sure what I would have done if not for my mother who took one week off work to help me acclimate myself with my newborn at home. When I found out I was pregnant again, I knew I wanted a different experience. Naturally, I made new commitments.

• I will exclusively breastfeed my baby.
• Goal: 1 year +
• I will have a birth plan (a document that outlines what you want or don’t want for your birth).
• I will have a doula.
• I will have a natural childbirth. No medications of any kind.

What is a doula?

A doula’s purpose is to help the mother-to-be experience a safe, memorable and empowering childbirth. For many centuries, women have been serving each other during the labor process in order to provide a positive impact on the experience as a whole. I knew I wanted to experience this.

The Quest: Oh Where, Oh Where Could My Doula Be?

As I mentioned earlier, I committed to having a doula. The catch? Doulas can be a little costly; and unfortunately, insurances do not cover their invaluable services. At least, mine did NOT.

What would I do? Enter The Gathering Place.

Thankfully Michelle Fonte and Tamara Taitt created The Gathering Place (TGP), a center which empowers the community by providing parents with eco-friendly resources and unwavering support in pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. While TGP pointed me in the direction of great doulas, it still did not help me with the financial aspect of my dilemma.

I am a chatterbox by nature so while at TGP, I mentioned how I would LOVE to have a doula yet I couldn't afford one. Now, let me introduce Project Motherpath another “brainchild” of these two Mother Mavens.

Fonte and Taitt believe that every birth matters. “We love connecting mamas with doulas… and are so proud of the program we've created that makes doula care an option and a reality for anyone,” said Fonte, doula and mother of six.

If you’re local to South Florida, I urge you to check out and learn more about The Gathering Place and Project Motherpath. It is a blessing to be part of such an active and positive community. Come JOIN us!!

What do you do if you’re not local?

To find a doula in your area:

• Contact DONA International (DONA)
• Contact Childbirth and Postpartum ProfessionalAssociation (CAPPA)

Make sure you:

• Communicate- Find family, friends and other mamas in your community who have used a doula
• Do your homework- Read more about what doulas do here from the perspective of one doula. 

Final Thoughts

Nurturing Positive Birth Memories since 1968: Penny Simkin 

Most doulas do not charge for an initial consultation and interview, so interview as many doulas as you need until you find your match. I sincerely felt like I was on a first date. My interviews were a little awkward, but I set out to make a connection. My advice: follow your instincts.

I did, and I couldn't be happier.  My doula even helped me with my birth plan, and my doctor happily went over it with me too. Don’t know where to start with your birth plan? Head over to Earth Mama Angel Baby for a complimentary template to help you get started.

When all is said and done, just make sure you are comfortable with your choice. In the end, your doula will be present at one of the most important milestones of your life: the birth of your child.

Do you have a birth plan? Will you have a doula? Feel free to share your experiences with me in the comments below.

Happy Birthing!!

Shhh, I'm Revealing a Secret... A Tale of a little Sea Monkey + Seahorse!!

Once upon a time, in a land not too far away there was a young girl who loved a young man unequivocally. Together, they created a sweet baby boy. He was their little love; and their little sea monkey.

Photo by: Mom365 

The young girl and the young man loved each other very much. Alas, their love would not flourish. Still, they adored their son, and as time passed the baby boy grew into a handsome 21-month-old.

Smile, we're in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins!! Many Thanks to WPLG Local 10, I won 4 passes to SeaWorld Orlando!! 

And since all tales have twists and turns, so does this one. The young girl and young man shared their love again. Together, they created another sweet baby boy!! Of course, he too will be their little love; but he shall be their little seahorse.

Birth Announcement Created by: My Little Love Note

Yup, BIG changes are underway!! I am pregnant with sweet baby boy No. 2!! And as you can guess, I'm due January 3, 2014!!

Stayed tuned for more adventures, pictures and updates...

My "Big, Hairy, Audacious" Vision & Goals

Today, I love my failures. Tomorrow, I may succumb to them. Either way, how I look at them is a choice. And the choice is simple: I can allow my failures to debilitate me or I can use my failures to propel me towards something magical and impossible.

As a former lululemon Educator, I came to know a culture infused with goal setting. A culture that encouraged us to create “big, hairy, audacious goals” that would direct us toward our ultimate life vision.

I, for one, find goal setting scary. It means intentionally expressing what you want and how you intend on making it happen. I found that by setting my goals, it made them more real. It not only made them more workable and tangible, but it presented me with the opportunity to share my goals within my world.

Sharing goals is a vital part of the process. The moment you share your goals with others, whether you display, post or speak them, you gain an instant support network of people willing to hold you accountable. Sharing also sparks conversations around your goals. You never know what can spring from these conversations. Who knows? You may even gain insight on how to get one step closer to achieving them. The magic is that the possibility now exists.

Practice what you preach, right? I am happily (and maybe a little petrifyingly) sharing my vision and goals. Read all about them below.

Haven't set your vision and goals yet? Here are the basics (worksheets included): Vision & Goals: Why we LOVE them and how to get started!!

You can also ENJOY watching this video of lululemon founder, Chip Wilson, explaining the importance of goal setting in his life in order to achieve his vision.

Feel free to share your thoughts with me. I welcome your conversation. I also encourage you to set and share your goals too. You can even share them here with me!!

Sonograms Galore featuring Baby Liam

When I first launched My Little Love Note (blog version), my intention was to create a space dedicated to the tiny human that would soon arrive into my world. I figured it would be a blog that would speak solely to motherhood- the ups, the downs, the glow, the mess and absolutely everything else it meant to grow a tiny human and later raise them. I needed an outlet. Frankly, I just needed a space to write.

Now, my tiny human is a 20-month-old!! I call him my little love, monkey bear or an equally endearing moniker. Most people just call him Liam. Yes I am Liam's mother, but I am more than a mother. Mother just happens to be a hat I get to wear with honor.

What I recently realized is I'm still me. I still love all things pink. I still love pretty and shimmery things. I still love books, Chanel, Chi Omega, fashion, handmade greeting cards, highlighters, Lilly Pulitzer, makeup, manis + pedis, monograms, the ocean, orchids, organization, owls, pearls, ruffles, stars, sundresses, sunglasses... shall I go on? I'm a girl that loves to discover and learn new things. I also believe life is a celebration.

And so My Little Love Note must evolve. I’m re-vamping this space to reflect who I am. Yes, I still plan to write about motherhood. I also intend to write things that speak to other facets of my life. Absolutely no limitations allowed. J

With that said, I am retiring the tab named Baby Sonograms. Not that they aren’t important. After all, they show the first glimpse of one of the most important people in my life: my son. Instead, I’m posting Liam’s sonograms here and starting fresh elsewhere.

Sonograms Galore featuring Baby Liam

First Trimester

7 weeks

10 weeks

12 weeks

12 weeks (Heartbeat)

Second Trimester

19 weeks (profile)

19 weeks (full body profile)

Third Trimester

38 weeks (head profile)

38 weeks (head profile)

38 weeks (3D face)

Hope you all enjoyed Liam's sonograms as much as I do!!