People love to ask us how on earth we are handling the baby in the tiny house. And the answer is...pretty much the same as everyone else with a baby (i.e. we're exhausted, happy, insanely busy, in love, exhausted...)! But clearly, we have a few extra challenges to deal with...and clearly one of those challenges is space. So as we a approach a holiday that exaggerates the need for things, I thought a bit about what a tiny-house-baby (or any minimalist baby!) might appreciate for Christmas :).

Tiny-House Baby Holiday Wish List

chatbooks / baby beads wood rattle / green toys elephant / jungle rumble bath book / the lorax / pixie hat / sippy cups / zig zag bunting / wave pants / bowls / rainbow fish / booties / artifact uprising

Memories
There are so many cute services for printing photos and memory books these days! I've heard great things about Chatbooks - can't wait to try them. Shutterfly, Snapfish and Artifact Uprising are some of my favorite photo services. Prints, frames, photo books (or gift certs for these things) will end up being valued so much by lil babes in the long term!

Small Toys
Toys for kiddos are important for fun and development (and distraction, so Mama can get something done from time to time). But too many toys is just not an option in our house! So, just keep it simple - even tiny-house babes need the good toys!

Experiences
The gift that keeps on giving! This is by far my favorite tiny house gift (for babies or anyone) because it takes up NO room and our lives become so enriched by the excursions and experiences we have. Museums, meals, camping, shows - there are so many experiences you can give at the holidays and they mean so much more than accumulated stuff!

Necessities
There is a time and place for adorable dresses and cutiesie tootsie accessories, but for tiny housers it's best to keep it pretty minimalistic. That said, a girl's gotta get dressed, so you'll never go wrong with high-quality basics and necessities.

Books
There will always be room for books! Rowen got so many great board books at my baby showers, and we read them all the time. I'm so excited to expand our collection as she grows older (and I love the idea of incorporating books that inspire simplicity and gratitude).

Something for Mom and Dad
Happy parents, happy child ;). Experiences and support for the parents like a gift certificate to a local restaurant or tickets to a show will always go over well.

And to conclude I have to say...as far as I can tell, babies really don't need anything at all for Christmas. A dishrag, a silly voice and a nice walk is about all Rowen could ever ask for ;).  I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season!!

Thankful for December

I have been feeling a bit weighed down these last couple of weeks. It's just all a bit much! Work, baby, schedules, wedding planning, tiny-housekeeping, etc.  And I'm not one to glorify "busy". I'm actually not a fan. I love having a rich, full, and even challenging schedule....but it has to be one that allows me to have quiet moments, to feel rested, and to recharge from time to time. And so today I'm feeling grateful for a new month. I'm all about those fresh starts!

And as I was feeling overwhelmed recently, I thought back to this Instagram post I read back when I was just a few months pregnant with Ro. I remember at the time thinking "wow, there's no way this will be me". But at the same time I realized that I had no idea what it felt like to have a baby, and the writing sounded so authentic and true...I knew I should save it in case I ever found myself there.

Do you remember? Because I don't, I was in such a hurry. Full speed ahead. Feeling like I barely survived each day. Pushing and praying for it to get easier. And now...it's all so fuzzy, mixed up and faded. The memories I have of the first year. Where are they? I somehow feel that I need to apologize to you. Tell you how sorry I am for merely surviving. How easily frustrated I turned and how desperately lonely my heart was. That I didn't stop to let it all settle in and wrap myself in the new life you birthed me into. I often wonder if I'll always live my life this way. Being swallowed in my own needs, rushing and wishing days into the ground while you simply and wildly live so present and free. Last night I walked through the front door to hear your laughs bouncing off every wall. Finding you in a bath of sea creatures and bliss. You were so lit up. So full. And I thought to myself...what the hell am I doing? This is it...this is life...what am I searching for that's so big and better? Always digging and ripping and pulling and rushing. It can be this simple...Can't it? It can be slow...can't it? I can remember this... I will remember this." --@gkiddskygazer

Something in that passage speaks to me, and now I can see how easily one could fall into this place. I've gone back to it a couple of times since I had Rowen, using it to check-in on myself. It's been a kind reminder to be mindful and present during these crazy times. And lately I've felt almost to that point of "merely surviving" and lonely frustration. I've caught myself pining for those magical scenes and curated lives I see on Instagram photos, wishing for the "big and better". But when I take a moment to think about it, I know I'm here, present. Laughing with Rowen everyday, smiling at our miraculous views, putting everything else aside when necessary to embrace slow moments of love and discovery. And the anxiety goes away. Sometimes, all you need is a little reminder!

And thank goodness for photos, which help keep the memories clear. Here are some taken back when Rowen was a little 2-month-old squirt by our dear friend Alexa Heung. 

Can you manage a tiny baby in a tiny home?

One of the first things people asked us about when they found out we were expecting was how on earth we planned on making it work with a baby in our teeny tiny home. We had a lot of little jokes on hand that we used with people like "well we hear they're pretty small at first!" and "we're just going to put her in a drawer!". Truth is, we clearly didn't know exactly how it would turn out! But we had confidence that we could make it work, at least for a little while :). 

Now that it's been almost 10 weeks with our lady, I can confidently say that...we have made it work! And happily. But the unique living situation has certainly presented some challenges as well - some expected, some unexpected. 

For any of you out there considering expanding your family in a tiny house, maybe this pro/cons list will help you wrap your head around what you'll be getting into...

Pros and Cons of having a Newborn in a Tiny Home

Pro - Only the right stuff

This one was big, so it has to go first. I really took time in my research to make sure that we only bought and asked for the right baby supplies. We really only have exactly what we need, and (almost) nothing more! People have been so kind and generous, and because of our space, everyone was really careful to get us only things we really needed (i.e. things on our registry, gift certificates, can't-go-wrong kinda gifts). I've heard a lot of moms report that they were gifted and handed down way more stuff than they even knew what to do with, or that they received too many cutesy gifts and not enough necessities. I love the simplicity of our nicely curated baby stuff.

CON

But still...there's stuff

The other side of this coin is that there still is going to be some stuff...and in a house that was perfectly accommodating just two people for 9 months, there was still a major change when the little one came along! Move over books and purses, come on in diapers and burp cloths... 

PRO and CON

Keeping it clean 

More than ever before, we need to make sure to put everything away at the end of each day. On a daily basis, there's a small explosion of diapers, cloths and dishes, and somehow at the end of each day we manage to wrap it up. It's sometimes unfortunate that due to space, we're forced to be extra tidy (at times you just want to let it go!), but it's of course a pro as well - it feels good to be in a well kept space. 

PRO

Everything is in reach

Hey lazy people (and exhausted mamas) out there, this one is for you! Not going to lie, I kind of love that the sink, couch, bed and changing table (etc. etc.) are within 10 feet of me at any given time. When you're a new mama with a crying baby in your hands, the last thing you need is a few extra walls between you and that diaper/pacifier/toilet/whatever it may be you're looking for. 

PRO

#itswhereyounurse

During those first few weeks especially, you really only have your favorite spots, and you don't need to venture far from those. For me it was nursing spot #1, the bed, and nursing spot #2, the couch. A few times a week I made a guest appearance at nursing spot #3, the deck chair. Most of a larger house would go vastly unused, so why have it?

CON

No laundry

This hasn't been as big of a deal as you might think, but it's not the best. Tiny homes don't often have full sized washers and dryers. We started off with a washer/dryer combo but ended up getting rid of it since it wouldn't run well on our solar energy, and we needed the extra space. Luckily we're only a stones throw from some washers and dryers that we have access to, but I will say that especially if you're minimalists (and therefore probably don't want to own a zillion swaddles and onesies etc.), you will need regular access to laundry.

PRO

The great outdoors

Ahh the burden of walls! I love love love that Rowen's life is beginning in a place where we spend so much time outdoors. Our deck area is our 2nd living space, and we spend so much time there, partially out of necessity! I wouldn't feel nearly as compelled to be outside if I was in a "norm" house, and I'm afraid my exhaustion and overwhelm would have kept me inside for much longer. 

CON

No bathtub

I don't often miss having a full sized bath tub, but in pregnancy and in the first month or two after, I really did! I read a lot about nice sitz baths to help with healing, and I would have liked those. I also did take a couple of baths with Rowen when we were at a friend's house at the beginning and loved those intimate moments with her - if we had a bathtub I know that would be a regular indulgence of ours.

PRO and CON

No nursery

When nesting mode hit me full stride in the 3rd trimester, I was a little bit sad about our lack of space and how I wouldn't have a real nursery room for the babe. But, I think this was all for the best. With a little bit of creativity I was able to make her a cute little "area" that fulfilled my nesting needs, and we spent a heck of a lot less money on the ordeal than we would have in a full size room. 

The way we figured it...children have grown up in much smaller places all over the world! At the end of the day, we feel really lucky to have this beautiful place to call home... I think Rowen likes it too :).

Welcome to the World, Little One!

On June 11th at 5:55am, Jim and I welcomed our adorable and healthy little girl into the world! We'd like to introduce you to Rowen Ocean Ladio, born 6/11/16 at 5:55am at 7lbs 6 oz. and 19.75 inches.

Rowen was born at just 36 1/2 weeks, so she took us by a bit of surprise! We've been in such a beautiful whirlwind of craziness these last two weeks, soaking in as much time together as a new family as possible, learning and loving and snuggling and staring...and NOT sleeping ;). 

She has papa's fingers and toes, mommy's mouth, and the most kissable little neck you've ever seen. She loves eating (constantly), naps on chests and bobbling around in her baby carriage; she hates diaper changes and baths.

I'm in awe of this transition we've gone through, and of the love I already have for this little being! I'm in awe of Jimmy who has been taking care of my every need, has changed almost every diaper, and is already showing to be the best papa ever for baby Rowen. We're also in awe of our community who has so generously wrapped their arms around us, delivering dinners, helping with laundry, and generally showering us with love and support. 

Can't wait to share more in the coming days! Find me on instagram (@minimallie) in the meantime for updates - it's a bit more breastfeeding-friendly than the 'log ;). 

A Babymoon

What a couple of weeks it's been! 

All of a sudden a lot is hitting me all at once. We are going to be parents (don't worry this wasn't new, this has hit me on and off since we found out we were having a baby!). We will be taking this little girl home. Forever! She could be here soon. We need to get ready! We need a name. 

Also smacking me in the face lately? Exhaustion. So are aches and pains, and foot swelling, and Heartburn (with a capital H). 

Oh and work. I need to get ready for maternity leave, I need to leave my work and my team in a good place! I've been working around the clock to get things to that place. Oh and wedding! Wouldn't it be great to have all of the "big stuff" planned before baby comes? Photography, catering, guest list oh my...

Needless to say, a break was needed. 

Everyone says to make sure to spend a lot of quality time with your love before the baby comes, and I've gotta say that we've been acing that assignment. I don't think Jimmy and I have ever been so in sync. We've been making time for each other and squeezing "dates" in amid the chaos. But to put the icing on the cake, we decided we need to truly get away and do a "baby moon". 

We used a work trip of mine (to Seattle) as an excuse to pick Washington as our destination, and snuck off to a quiet cottage on Orcas Island.  Our visit consisted of ocean views, relaxed mornings on the deck, wildlife sightings and ice cream. Lots of ice cream. 

Thank you, tiny island for providing your adorable tiny-home away from our tiny home! It's just what we needed.

Pink or Blue?

We had so much fun with finding out the baby's gender! It was such a special day. My mom was in town from Massachusetts for the weekend and she was able to join Jim and I for our mid-pregnancy ultrasound. I loved seeing our little one in there wiggling all around! Seeing the fingers and toes and cutie little profile was such a fun way to start the day. After the ultrasound and leading up to "the reveal" which we had planned for right around sunset, I got to spend a full day with my Mom, talking about pregnancy and parenthood, baby showers and weddings, traditions and lullabies. I'll never forget the time I had with her throughout that weekend, being able to talk to her in a completely different way - not only as mother-daughter, but as moms :).

We had decided that with Mom in town, to find out the baby's gender it might be worth doing one of those fun fancy, pregnancy reveals that are all the rage on Pinterest. But actually, Mom was my excuse -- I just really wanted to build up the suspense a little bit (I rarely get surprised so I figured I could create one for myself! It worked like a charm.).

We decided to bring the sealed envelope from the ultrasound to a balloon store and have them put colored confetti into a black opaque balloon, then mix that balloon into a bunch of other empty black balloons...so that we'd have to pop them until we found the colored confetti (blue or pink, of course!). But before we went for it with the popping, we called our other parents on Facetime so they could enjoy the moment with us too (which explains the photos of us playing with our iPhones!). There were 6 balloons total...and the suspense was awesome. I popped the first one knowing there was a pretty small chance that it would be "the one". Jim went next. Then me and so on. As we popped we kept thinking that the next one would be it, but we got through FIVE and still hadn't found the confetti-- it turned out to be in the last one we popped! What are the chances??! (No seriously... what are they? I can't do that math and I really want to know...).

We finally popped the last one, knowing it was either going to be IT or that the balloon girl had messed up big time, and the confetti burst out brilliantly. I'll let you check out the photos to find out which color popped out. It was SO MUCH FUN and I highly recommend this method for anyone who loves surprises!

Thanks so much to my dear friend Alexa who was kind enough to document the moment for us! 

Here are some photos if you'd like to see:

If you couldn't tell from the jumping up and down pics, I was pretty pumped to find out that the confetti was pink!  Three cheers for baby girls!