little peanut MAGAZINE
ON THE COVER PHOTOG RAPHY B R I T T C H U D L E I G H HAT | SCARF | TOP | SKIRT TOCOTO VINTAGE from OVER THE OCEAN MODEL EMMA CALDWELL
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little peanut MAGAZINE
EDITOR + CREATIVE DIRECTOR MEGAN BAILEY ASSISTANT EDITOR JANEE ARHETS ADVERTISING SANDI MONSEN PHOTOG RAPHY BECKY KIMBALL
CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOG RAPHY BRITT CHUDLEIG H KAYLA ADAMS MOMOKO PHOTOG RAPHY STYLING + DESIG N THE SHIFT CREATIVE
LITTLE PEANUT MAG www.littlepeanutmag.com submit@littlepeanutmag.com
EDITOR’S NOTE
It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of yet another wonderful year here at Little Peanut,
and this issue completes our first year as a digital magazine. What a whirlwind it’s been, and I couldn’t be more thankful + blessed to see what this little baby has become! The weather has turned from blue skies to shades of gray, and we’ve already seen a few snowflakes here + there. Winter is quickly approaching, and this time of year always puts my mind in a place of reminiscing on the days + months that have passed and brings feelings of gratitude for my journey to this spot. Our winter issue will bring you inspiration on preparing, styling, and mastering your own holiday gatherings--even with kids! We will also get a bit more intimate with a look into my bedroom which is a place my family + I spend a lot of time together. From room design to winter fashion looks, in these pages we hope to inspire your own kids’ unique style for these cooler temps. And of course we have lots of delicious, family friendly holiday recipes + a step-by-step on how to make your own fresh greens wreath! So grab a cup of hot cocoa + your favorite blanket, and lets stay warm this season!
MEGAN BAILEY
founder + editor
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LET’S CONNECT INSTAG RAM
@littlepeanutmagazine FACEBOOK
facebook.com/littlepeanutmag PINTEREST
pinterest.com/littlepeanutmag TWITTER
@littlepeanutmag BLOG
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HOLIDAY G IFT GUIDE
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ENTERTAINING WITH KIDS
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G ETTING COZY + CO-SLEEPING
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WINTER FASHION FOR LITTLES
CONTENT
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MEET MIGGY
88 107 120
KID SPACES
WINTER RECIPES
DIY FRESH WINTER WREATH
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H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE FOR BABY
WADDLER $99
LITTLE SAPLING TOYS $75
HAZEL VILLAGE $42
BRIAR HANDMADE $32
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LITTLE SAPLING TOYS $12
GATHRE $20
DONSJE $63 LE PETIT ORGANIC $24
MADE BY MARY $50
NINE & JUNE $79
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ODETTE WILLIAMS $40
MOULIN ROTY $96
POTTERY BARN KIDS $199
ZUZII $70
MINI DRESSING $24
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H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE FOR GIRLS
THE TWIG CO $45
OEUF $44
THE LAND OF NOD $59
ZARA $12
TIPPI TOE TAILOR littlepeanutmag.com
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H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE FOR BOYS PLAYSAM $42
PAIR OF THEIVES $8 MINT RHAPSODY $400 AREAWARE $16
MICRO KICKBOARD $79
NPW $8
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OEUF $96
FANNY & ALEXANDER $88
OYOY $80
DONNA WILSON $80
SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS $249
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WOODLARK $170 SAM EDELMAN $139
JIMMY CHOO $27
ARVO $64
MONOKLE $36
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H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE FOR MOM
MADE BY MARY $64
HEATHER BENJAMIN $320
LOOM GOODS $90
MADEWELL $59
MADEWELL $55
GOLD HEART SUPPLY $28 littlepeanutmag.com
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H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE FOR DAD
DWELL SHOP $10
BRIDGE & BURN $32
CB2 $18
BOTTEGA VENETA $480
THE ART OF SHAVING $75
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ERNEST ALEXANDER $145
FARIBAULT $65
VERTIGO HOME $32 SCHOOLHOUSE ELECTRIC $129
SONS OF TRADE $140
SWELL $25
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G ive the gi ft of ho lid ay ch ee r
BAGS AND ACCESSORIES FOR MODERN MOTHERHOOD
PETUNIA.COM
ENTERTAINING WITH LIT TLE PE ANUTS
a fresh take on a holiday soriée with friends
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLA ADAMS | CREATIVE DESIGN BY THE SHIFT CREATIVE
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By definition, a party is a gathering of people who
have been invited by a host for the purpose of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration of special occasion. When it comes to entertaining, there are so many styles and different ways to approach hosting an event from a simple get-together with friends + family to a formal sit down dinner. This time of year is always known for holiday festivities and dinners bring the ones we love most together. That might just be the reason why we can’t get enough of this season, staying indoors and enjoying delicious foods. We love any form of entertaining but our favorite parties of course include our little peanuts. We will be the first to admit that trying to host a party with kids definitely has it’s challenges, but for sure not a reason to avoid hosting a nice dinner if that’s
what you fancy. Just because kids are invited to a party or a dinner doesn’t mean that you have to cater just to them either. This is the perfect time for you to get your adult interaction with your friends so don’t be afraid to eat + drink the things you love! To show you just how to entertain with little peanuts we enlisted the help of talented event designer, Alexis Andra owner of The Shift Creative, to create a uniquely beautiful holiday soirée that included little ones. We love her fresh take on the traditional holiday party setting and we we’ve had the chance to get some great advice + tips on entertaining right from the expert! We hope this feature will inspire you to host more memorable events with your friends + family and of course don’t leave out the kiddos! Let’s dive right in.
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WHAT IS YOUR MUST-HAVE TOOL FOR ENTERTAINING? I always try to incorporate greenery, or florals when I’m entertaining. It doesn’t have to be over the top, but the smallest detail makes the biggest impact! Even adding greenery around your food makes it seem more special, and put together!
THE ENTERTAINING RULE YOU RARELY BREAK? The entertaining rule I rarely break is plating the food on coordinating serving plates. If your party is potluck style or guests are bringing a side dish I always ask to have them plate it on a white dish so that it goes with the overall vibe, or I replate their item on my own dish!
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WHAT IS YOUR ENTERTAINING STYLE? I am very detail orientated. I will go the extra mile whether its name cards per setting, florals styled on or next to the plate, or color coordinating the drinks to match the table settings. It’s all in the details, and I can’t say it enough! My current favorite color palette is very minimal - white, black, and ivory. I then use that base and bring in pops of color like mustard and indigo, or cranberry like I did for this party.
WHAT IS YOUR STANDARD HOSTESS OUTFIT? My typical outfit is either dark denim with a fancy shirt, platforms and a statement necklace, or a dress with tights and heeled boots! It really depends on the mood I’m in, and the season!
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YOUR SIG NATURE ENTERTAINING DISH I love me a good meat and cheese board! It is so classic, and you can adjust it according to the seasons!
WHAT’S ON THE MENU FOR THIS PARTY? For this party, I created a meat and cheese board consisting of salami, procuttio, brie cheese, goat cheese, ďŹ gs, honey, candied walnuts, pomegranate, and dark chocolate. Adding the pomegranate, candied nuts, and dark chocolate already makes it more of a holiday appetizer. Another appetizer created was bacon wrapped dates drizzled with a brown sugar maple sauce. Seriously to die for! For the entree, we grilled seasoned chicken, and accompanied it with charred lettuce and onions. For dessert, we had the kids decorate sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and sprinkled either with cinnamon, or crasins and rose merry sprigs. Decorating this way is still fun for the kids, but modern for a dinner party, and allows for more creative decorating ideas.
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WHAT ITEMS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR REFRIG ERATOR?
YOUR TIPS FOR ENTERTAINING WITH ADULTS + KIDS?
I always have salami in my fridge for a quick sandwich or meat and cheese platter, and I ALWAYS have a chocolate molten cake in my freezer for a quick and YUMMY dessert!
I am a firm believer that you CAN have a pretty party with kids! Yes, you heard me right! Decorate your tablescape with all the flowers you had in mind, and even your pretty dishes! If you are worried about things breaking create a separate table or space for the kids, and make it cute for them so they feel apart of the party! Incorporate activities like a DIY wreath station and a DIY cookie bar! This way they have a creative outlet to keep their attention. Additionally, choose a broad range of food that you know both kids and adults will enjoy. Most importantly, be flexible! Spills happen, photos don’t go as you planned, and the list goes on, but try to remember that its about connecting with your guests and doing life with one another through the melt downs and the giggles. Not everything is going to be picture perfect, and thats okay.
WHAT ARE YOUR ENTERTAINING FEARS? One entertaining fear is that whatever I am preparing for the meal is going to be dry (typically chicken) so I try to steer away from dishes that might have the problem of drying out or being over cooked.
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SOURCES EVENT DESIG N
The Shift Creative PHOTOG RAPHY
Kayla Adams TABLETOP STYLING
Hostess Haven FLORALS
Pick Tulip CALLIG RAPHY
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GETTING COZY A PEE K INTO OUR B E D RO O M
+ co-sleeping with little peanuts
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY KIMBALL
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There is so much that comes into play when it comes
to sleeping and children, and many families have differing opinions on the best method or personal beliefs on this subject. Some parents believe in strict sleep-training at a very early age for their children while others believe in the benefits of co-sleeping. When reading all the information out there on both sides of this important parenting aspect, it can easily become overwhelming to decide which sleeping method has the most success, is healthiest for children, and also fits your family’s lifestyle best. For us, we’ve pretty much tried a little bit of everything! With our first son, Beckham, we were pretty good about keeping him on a sleeping schedule but we weren’t crazy strict about it so if our schedule got off track, it wasn’t a big deal. We put him in his crib whenever he slept and we were pretty good about letting him sooth himself back to sleep if he
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woke up in the middle of the night. From very early on, Beckham was a great sleeper and continued to be for a a couple of years.He would even walk himself into his room every night after bath time and wait to be lifted into his crib. Once our second son, Bennie, was born, I feel like (and I’m sure many moms can relate with their second child) all the schedules and rules and guidelines went out the door, and we were basically just trying to make it through the day in one piece! Bennie was nothing like his older brother as a baby and was not a good sleeper, waking up a couple times throughout the night. We also live in a smaller home and didn’t want Beckham to get woken up every night from his brother crying, so we ended up having Bennie sleep in our room in a pack-and-play. I’m sure this was the start of creating bad sleeping habits for him, but with a young toddler and a new baby on top of a husband who is a
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firefighter and has crazy work hours, we were just taking any kind of sleep we could get! This was the beginning of us becoming a co-sleeping family. Fast forward to today and at some point in the middle of the night, we all end up in the same bed together! Sleeping + co-sleeping is something I think about often. I have mixed feelings about it and see the pros and cos for both sides. For instance, I do love our nighttime routine of reading stories with the family and my boys going to sleep in their own beds. This window of time does give my husband and I a chance to have some alone time and relax just the two of us. (That’s a whole other topic about making sure to spend quality time with your partner to continue to grow that relationship together) but I do love + relish this time and believe it’s healthy for both parents and kids. On the flip side, I secretly love it when my boys come into my bed at night. I love cuddling with them and sleeping next to them. I will also admit that I don’t get as good of sleep because of this, but waking up to all four of us cuddled in a warm bed seriously fills my heart as full as it can get. I can’t even tell you how many pictures I have on my phone of my boys first thing in the morning still asleep in my bed. For us, this is how we spend time together and strengthen our family bond. I truly believe this is what brings our family closer together. I know when I’m old and my kids are grown up that these will be the memories I remember most and the memories I long for the most. Co-sleeping allows more time for conversations, skin-to-skin contact, hugging, and of course lots of kissing. One thing my boys are not deprived of is kisses. And to add to that, our boys see me and my husband kissing and cuddling a lot too which I also believe is so good for them. What better way to see what a happy marriage is like than to witness that on the daily. As a parent, I would probably consider myself pretty laid-back. We of course have rules and schedules, but I’m not one of those moms who gets all crazy if we are somewhere and my kids don’t go down for a nap right on time every single day. I’m also not the type who cooks a well-balanced meal every single day for my family. I’m the mom who is going through McDonald’s
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drive-thru a couple times a week, whose kids main source of vegetables comes from ketchup, and whose kids are not in bed by 7:30 every night. I will be the first to admit that we should probably be a bit better at disciplining our kids and setting more rules, but in reality, we are just lax when it comes to some of these things. We are very spontaneous people, love adventures, and are basically just trying to navigate our way through this journey of parenthood the best we can. At the end of the day I think about all of the things that I do “wrong” as a parent. There are so many moms I compare myself to because of the world of social media; so many moms that just seem to be doing all the things right and checking the boxes when it comes to the traditional roles of a mother. It's so easy to compare and worry and to beat myself up, but I keep trying to tell myself that as long as my boys are happy and feel loved then that’s all that matters to me. Really isn’t that the most important role as a mother or a parent? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what new fashion your kids are wearing or what trendy restaurant you visited or even that your kids ate at McDonald’s for more meals than you want to admit. All that matters is that our kids feel safe and loved. And if that is in fact all that matters, then I feel like I am doing something right with my kids. I love them more than words. I work so hard for them, and I genuinely want them to grow up feeling like they had an exciting + happy childhood and got to experience all of the amazing things this life has to offer. I think we can easily get hung up on all the information out there on the important topics of parenting, and we are overly critical of ourselves. We always tend to worry what others might think of our decisions and what is perceived as the right way to do something, but I’m here to say, choose whatever feels best for you and your family. If you believe it’s best that your kids go to sleep on their own + stay in their bed all night or if you have decided that co-sleeping fits cohesively with the way you want to raise your kid, then do it and don’t feel bad about it for one minute! Let’s stop being so hard on ourselves as parents and spend more time enjoying these special moments that go by way too quickly.
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Since we’ve decide that co-sleeping is how our family sleeps and we spend so much time in our bedroom, we wanted to create a space that was comfortable for our entire family. Do I even dare admit that there was a time not very long ago that all four of us slept together in a queen size bed? Ha! It really is laughable at how we made it through those crazy nights and for sure not something that I would recommend to anyone! There is a point when co-sleeping is probably not very beneficial when it’s depriving you of sleep. After many nights literally getting kicked out of bed we finally broke down and bought a king size bed. It was the best decision we ever made!! Once we got a new bed it was time to give our room a little face-lift as well. It’s crazy to think that we spend a third of our life in bed, so what you sleep on truly matters! The key to all of our newly-found comfort comes from Parachute Home’s amazing bedding. Their
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products are made of the finest long-staple Egyptian cotton, combed with precision to remove all impurities and dyed naturally in a process that surpasses the highest safety and environmental protection standards. I didn’t even know that sleeping could be this enjoyable, and I can’t say enough things about the quality of Parachute Home’s products… but the best part is their affordability. You don’t have to pay a lot for great quality and comfort! It makes sense to create an enjoyable space for your family to grow together right? To finish off the final details, add in a few great lighting fixtures from School House Electric and a fresh coat of white paint, and you have a simple yet perfect room for spending quality time with the ones you love most. We may not have a lot or a big beautiful home, but as long as we are together we absolutely have it all and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
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SOURCES PHOTOG RAPHY
Becky Kimball BEDDING
Parachute Home LAMPS
Schoolhouse Electric NIG HTSTANDS
West Elm CANDLE
Monokle Collection PILLOWS
Mae Woven PAINT
Sherwin Williams Color: Extra White
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For a newborn there's nothing more soothing than being held... but figuring out how to correctly wrap your little one can be confusing. Meet the Soothe ShirtŽ, a stylish top for mom, cozy pouch for baby & nursing bra all-in-one — made in the USA.
WINTER FASHION COOL WEATHE R LAYE RE D LO O KS
for little peanuts
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITT CHUDLEIGH STYLING BY MEGAN BAILEY HAIR + MAKEUP VERSA ARTISTRY
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cape MILK & BISCUITS turtleneck ZARA check skirt MILK & BISCUITS boots ZARA
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pom-pom beanie ZARA turtleneck ZARA cape ODE TO JEUNE skirt ZARA shoes ZARA
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scarf ZARA oversized jacket GRAY LABEL striped sweater GRAY LABEL pants GRAY LABEL boots ZARA
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scarf BUHO via OVER THE OCEAN blouse | suspenders skirt TOCOTO VINTAGE via OVER THE OCEAN Ribbed tights COLLEGIEN via OVER THE OCEAN boots ZUZII
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beanie VELVETEEN CLOTHING sweater VELVETEEN CLOTHING peacoat VELVETEEN CLOTHING skinny jeans ZARA boots ZARA
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hat | scarf | blouse | tights | skirt TOCOTO VINTAGE via OVER THE OCEAN boots PEEK KIDS
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beanie I DIG DENIM denim vest I DIG DENIM sweater ZARA black jeans I DIG DENIM boots DR. MARTENS via NORDSTROM
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snkit snood ZARA denim dress MABO KIDS polka dot socks MABO KIDS saddle shoes MABO KIDS
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pom-pom beanie WOLF & RITA chambray shirt J. CREW jacquard sweater ZARA skinnyjeans ZARA shoes FRESHLY PICKED wood stump KALON
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knit scarf ZARA faux fur vest ZARA chambray jumper ODE TO JEUNE boots MIKOLEON wood stump KALON
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MEET MIGGY A G LIM PSE INTO M OTH E RHO O D
+ Lamp’s journey with special needs
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOMOKO PHOTOGRAPHY
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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU Hi! I’m Miggy. I’m a wife, mother, blogger, artist, and special needs advocate. My husband and I have been married 10 years and are lucky enough to be the parents of 3 beautiful girls. In our married life we’ve lived in New York City, San Antonio, TX and currently (most likely, permanently) in the lovely city of Cincinnati, OH. Each of our girls was born in a different location--which is great because they double as our kids and our favorite souvenirs. Also, since we are no longer moving I think this means we are done having kids. Our girls are each amazing individuals and a fantastic trio of sisters at the same time--honestly, I feel like I won the mom jackpot. Our eldest daughter, blog named PSP, is a remarkable first child. Smart, thoughtful, loving and fortunately resilient as we’ve no doubt made and will continue to make our worst parental judgment calls on her. Our middle daughter,
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blog named Lamp, was born with a condition called microgastria and limb reduction complex. In short, she was born with a small stomach and with limb differences on all four limbs. Shortly after birth we also discovered she was born with extra awesome. (Fist bump.) She is precocious, outgoing and wise beyond her years. And our youngest daughter, blog named Zuzu, is the perfect combination of delightful and infuriating, often at the same time. She is the ideal caboose for our little clan. I’ve been blogging about our family, the ups and downs of limb differences, art, DIY’s and everything in-between on my blog This Little Miggy Stayed Home, since 2005. Four years ago I also started a series on my blog called the Special Needs Spotlight where I interview other families on their special needs journey. No doubt this feature has become the heart of my blog and has personally been a life changing experience for me.
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WHAT IS MICROGASTRIA AND LIMB REDUCTION COMPLEX? Microgastria and limb reduction complex is just one of many conditions that can cause a person to be born with limb differences. As you may have guessed, limb differences refers to someone whose limbs are different, affecting anywhere from 1 to all 4 limbs. For Lamp specifically, the microgastria portion of her diagnosis means that she was born with a small stomach and therefore had a g-tube (feeding tube) from the age of 6 months to 18 months old. Thankfully she has grown out of the stomach issues and no longer requires a feeding tube. As far as her limb differences go, she is affected on all 4 limbs. Both of her arms are shorter than average, with her left being shorter than her right arm. She has no
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hand on her left arm, and has a small hand consisting of 3 fingers fused together on her right arm. Her legs are also shorter than average,and differing lengths, with 2 feet and 9 toes. And yay! for those amazing toes because they enable her to do a lot of her fine motor skills including writing and drawing, grabbing, turning pages, etc. While she can’t yet walk independently she is quite mobile--she scoots around, she can walk with holding onto things, but mostly she is a fantastic little powerchair driver who zips around our house, yard and school all day with her two different chairs. With the help of her chair, an adaptive fork and spoon set her dad made for her, she is able to do almost everything other typical, able-bodied children do. Don’t get me wrong, she definitely has limitations and challenges, but I think of her as differently-abled more than I do disabled.
TELL US ABOUT THE MOMENT YOU FOUND OUT LAMP WOULD HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS? I remember that day well and when I replay it in my mind it’s like watching a movie. I see our family of three--my husband, our oldest daughter and myself--meeting in the parking lot of my OB’s office on a sunny Friday afternoon, so giddy with excitement as we all go in together for the big gender-revealing 18-week ultrasound. In my mind, my husband and I are all smiles, holding our daughter’s hand and swinging her in the air as we bounce into the doctor’s office with the sun shining all around. One thing that stands out is that since we were leaving on vacation in a couple of days I had a few errands to run, and immediately after the appointment I was going to take PSP to my friend’s house so she could watch her for a couple hours while I ran said errands. Now this friend had recently been pregnant and had gone through their own terrible ordeal where they ended up losing a precious baby girl just about 2 months before. And in fact we had the same OB. So as I was on the phone with her in the parking lot finalizing plans, I remember getting off the phone and saying “Wish us luck!” and I immediately wanted to kick myself. Obviously I didn’t mean to be insensitive, but I felt horrible. In hindsight, the sunshine, the smiles and this conversation all seem like an obvious theatrical foreshadowing for what was about to happen. During the actual ultrasound I tell the technician that I’ve been a little worried because I haven’t felt the baby move that much. She immediately tells me that my placenta is on the tummy side of my uterus and therefore I probably can’t feel the baby that well. She then says, “There’s the heartbeat--it looks great!” And I relax. Everything is going to be fine. My husband, my daughter and I are all chatty while the tech is rather quiet, but I don’t really notice until later. When it comes to telling us the gender she says in very anti-climatic, almost stoic tone, “I think it’s a girl...I can’t get a good look but I think it’s a girl…” And I’m like, really? That’s how you tell us this exciting news? But at the same time I was too excited to notice. I really, really wanted another girl. The tech kept working, being super quiet and then she suddenly gets up. Stunned I said, “Is that it?” She quickly says, “I’ll be right back.” And walks out. My husband and I look at each other and immediately our hearts drop. He then says, “I feel like I didn’t see an arm on the baby…”
I really, really wanted another girl. The tech kept working, being super quiet and then she suddenly gets up. Stunned I said, “Is that it?” She quickly says, “I’ll be right back.” And walks out. My husband and I look at each other and immediately our hearts drop. He then says, “I feel like I didn’t see an arm on the baby…” What? What are you talking about? I couldn’t even process what he was saying or that it might possibly be about this baby I’m carrying. That sentence had no relevance in my world and whatever he thought he saw or didn’t see was clearly just wrong. And for a split second I imagined that I might have a kid without an arm and again I couldn’t even process the idea. This seemed like the most crazy suggestion I had ever heard in my life. Then the Dr. walked in. When I asked him if everything was OK, he said, “No.” And I will never forget the following sentence: “While your baby’s head, heart, lungs, spine and kidneys look fine, it’s the limbs. All of them... are deformed, misshapen or missing bones altogether.” BOOM. Just like that our lives were forever changed. The doctor kept talking and using terms like “skeletal dysplasia” and “dwarfism.” The words were pouring out of his mouth so quickly like water over my head that I was struggling to breath, drowning in what he was saying. When I finally opened my mouth to ask a question I got about halfway through before I burst into tears, buried my head in my hands and sobbed. I think that’s the only time in my life I have legitimately done that. We left the office with no answers. This completely unknown condition was either “incompatible with life,” or if she did live, our baby was clearly going to have a host of issues all of which would remain unknown for an indefinite amount of time.
WHAT HAS LIFE BEEN LIKE RAISING LAMP AND YOUR OTHER DAUG HTERS? In a word, they’ve been amazing. Our three girls are a gift, individually and collectively. I couldn’t imagine our life without all 3 of these little rascals.Sure some years have been tougher than others, you know cuz LIFE, but definitely brighter than we could have ever imagined after that first ultrasound. When Lamp was a baby there were difficulties
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with her g-tube and of course her limited mobility. However, as a baby we didn’t worry too much about the social aspect because she didn’t yet understand what people were saying. She was so good natured and was blessed with this otherworldly patience. I really assumed that she would get super frustrated when she realized she couldn’t grab toys, crawl/walk or do things she saw her big sister doing. A lot of babies and toddlers get frustrated by not being able to do things they see other kids doing or even just frustrated for lacking the coordination to do something…so I assumed this was something we would deal with. I was wrong. She was so content and really just patient with herself and us. That was a gift. As she grew into toddlerhood she astounded people with her sharp vocal skills—she started speaking in small yet full sentences by 15 months old. During this time she was also doing therapy 3 times a week which helped immensely. However, she was also figuring out many things on her own and I was realizing that I had really underestimated what she was capable of. See, often when a person is missing their arms or hands, their legs and feet become their arms and hands instead. Well I thought that since her legs were shorter than typical legs that they wouldn’t be much help to her—wrong. She started grabbing things with her feet—again this was on her own, not driven by therapy—and then she started to be able to feed herself with her feet. Finally, it was during a chance meeting with another limb different girl who has differences very similar to Lamp, but who is a few years older, as I watched them pass markers back and forth between their feet, drawing little pictures for each other, it was then that I realized her feet were going to be a big part in who she is and how she uses her body. Another big deal was when Lamp started to learn to drive her power chair and the day we finally brought it home. She started driving a chair at therapy when she was about 16 months old and we didn’t bring it home for many, many months after that—maybe 9 or 10? It took me a while to admit that I was really hesitant to bring her chair home. Her therapist kept telling me, “She’s ready. You can take the chair home anytime.” And I kept pushing back—“Oh I don’t know how to operate it very well, oh we need to get a lift for our car first, oh we need to do this…” sure there were some practical things to figure out, but mostly I was resistant for the change that came with having a power chair. Having her in a stroller definitely provided a somewhat inconspicuous
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cocoon of safety. Having a 2 year old, with limb differences, driving a power chair around was like putting a giant spotlight on her everywhere she goes. Blending in was no longer an option. BUT it also gave her freedom and of course we were really excited to see her patience finally being rewarded with mobility. Now Lamp is 5. She has a second power chair (custom made from a local non-profit), just started kindergarten, loves her friends and is actually a cheerleader for our local school district. Our main concerns with Lamp boil down to social acceptance. We were lucky to have a special presentation given to her entire school talking about her differences and highlighting some of the tools she uses on a daily basis to help educate the kids around her. But it’s strange to have “send pictures for Lamp powerpoint” on your back to school to do list…I will always feel this odd dichotomy between the completely normal life of our family leads and at the same time the very unique life of our family. But I really think there is something universal about that “my life is so normal/my life is so strange!” thing. I think everyone feels that in one way or another.
WHAT BLESSINGS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM HAVING A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? Many of the blessings of having a daughter with special needs are the same as having kids in general. The light and love she brings to our home, her silly sense of humor, the delight she sees in the ordinary and her precocious observations on the world around her. She’s sharp as a tack! But the blessings that are specific to having a child with a disability are that I see the world, and more specifically the people in the world, with new eyes. I am much more aware, of the infinite worth of each individual person simply because they exist. Some people can’t move independently, they can’t walk or talk or do all of these things that we think make us human… but they are human. And they are priceless and worth so very much to their loved ones. In a way I always believed that, but it’s become so much more clear to me. And true. It’s just true. And a huge part of my understanding of this has been due to the special needs spotlight series I started on my blog. I would have never started that series if I hadn’t become a special needs mom myself. I went into it
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thinking, “Oh, I’m going to educate the world on our stories and what it’s like for us…” but after doing these interviews for 4 years I have come away completely humbled, realizing that I know nothing, that I’m still learning as much as anyone. I also see so much more clearly than I ever did before the fact that every person on this planet has disabilities and that in one way or another we all live in an impossible situation where our reality seems to be completely at odds with what is being asked of us. Maybe your impossible is loving a family member who is completely unlovable, or living with a wound of some sort that won’t heal, or fighting an addiction, or forgiving an unforgivable situation, or in the case of my daughter living without hands in a world that was made for and by people who have hands! All these things are impossible! And yet through the grace of God and the help of others, we do it.
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ON THE FLIP SIDE, WHAT CHALLENG ES HAVE YOU (DO YOU) FACE? By far the biggest challenges Lamp faces, and us by proxy, have to do with social acceptance and awareness. Day to day Lamp really doesn’t have many physical challenges. She plays, eats, gets dressed, reads, writes, gets around the house, all these things, independently. There are definitely things she does need help with around the house, but fewer than you might expect. She also has the necessary adaptive equipment to help her, especially her power chairs, so again the physical challenges are minimal. And socially she does very well overall. She has friends at school and church, she plays with the neighborhood kids, she is very outgoing and well liked by most everyone who knows her. I liken being Lamp’s mom to having a celebrity for a child. In public,
people stare a lot, especially when she’s in her power chair (which is most of the time). Fortunately most of the stares are kind—people smiling and often really amazed at what a good driver she is! (And she is really good—it is not as easy at it looks!) The other thing is that people remember her and know who she is at stores and places we frequent. We often hear, “Oh she’s getting so big!” or “How’s my little friend doing?” And we have no idea who they are--ha! For the most part Lamp doesn’t even register the stares anymore. I know she’s aware of it, but she just keeps moving forward with her head held high. She has also learned that if someone is staring at her to smile and say, Hi! This is quite a charming and disarming tactic that works remarkably well--you actually see awkwardness and discomfort melt away and if someone wasn’t smiling before, they are now. For some reason I frequently get a little catch in my throat watching these scenes play out. I don’t know exactly how to articulate why this happens, but it’s this little feeling of pride and love as I watch my very vulnerable little girl handle ever so gracefully the charge that has been placed on those tiny little shoulders of being visibly different. I feel so much in these nano-second interactions…I wish I knew how to describe it better. I really do want to stress that most of our public interactions fall under the umbrella of kindness, curiosity and extra attention, which are all manageable. That being said, we definitely have had our share of difficult or even just odd situations. For example the time a woman followed me, while holding Lamp, into a bathroom STALL--not just the bathroom, but the STALL YA’LL--to ask what was wrong with her while reaching out and grabbing her arm. (To be fair, I think the woman may have had intellectual disabilities herself but it was still super unnerving). Or the time we exited the plane last year while on vacation and everyone started clapping and waving to Lamp as she’s driving her powerchair off the plane. I had this weird motherly instinct to encourage Lamp to wave to everyone, you know to be ‘polite’ but then I was like, What is happening? Why are we doing this? Such an odd and funny moment! Meeting new people, especially young children in larger groups can be difficult. Kids will ask what happened and sometimes grab and touch her arms. In some of our worst case scenarios Lamp has literally been encircled by a group of kids (sometimes adults as well...sigh)--asking questions, pointing, staring, maybe using rude words like weird or creepy--and we find ourselves trying to be both protector and educator. There is no way around it, those situations
SUCK and are very hurtful. But they also propel me to continue advocating through my blog and other social media.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER OTHER MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH LIMB DIFFERENCES? The good news is that a newborn with limb differences is no more or less helpless than any other newborn—in that respect you’re free to snuggle, love and enjoy your babe just like you would any other little one. (This is of course assuming there aren’t other complex medical issues...I will get to advice about that in a second). Next, and this will probably sound cheesy, be prepared to be amazed at everything your child will do and figure out on their own. Be open to your child doing things in their own unique way and make sure the doctors and therapists your child works with are also supportive of letting your child lead the way when it comes to therapy and doing things in a way that feels most comfortable for them. As your child grows remember that there is a HUGE range of how your child’s specific limb differences will affect them. I would say the two main challenges will be physical limitations/barriers and social acceptance. Hopefully your doctor is pointing you in the direction of a specialist—usually a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I would add that you want to find an orthopedic surgeon who really knows limb differences—this can be hard to find, but it’s worth it to look. There are a few big pediatric orthopedic hubs around the US and hopefully one is close enough to accommodate your family. The last piece of advice is definitely applicable for all special needs parents everywhere. It is simple, but profound: TRUST YOUR GUT. I had many a ‘trust your gut’ experiences when Lamp was a baby and I can’t tell you how often my gut ended up being right. And it’s not just me, this is a common thing I’m always hearing from other special needs families: Trust your gut! I can’t tell you how many mama’s have had to push back against what doctors have told them to get their kids the help they needed. I don’t think of it as merely intuition. As mothers we are blessed with a knowing that comes from deep inside when it comes to the well being of our children. We have to be our children’s advocates as they can’t speak for themselves. This is the most important advice I could ever give another special needs parent.
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KID SPACES THREE IN SPIRING LIT TLE SPACES
from a gender neutral nursery to an imaginative play room
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G ENDER NEUTRAL NURSERY DESIG N BY VENEER DESIG N A well designed children's space should be created to transitional easily into a more grown-up room over time. A neutral color scheme and organic layering is the key to creating these types of spaces. Keep the colors light and textures soft. In this nursery we love the understated modern geometrics that were paired with the tribal patterns of the wallpaper, rugs, and textiles. The fiber art wall hangings introduces indigo accents and a boho chic flair that is perfect for a baby boy or girl. To get this look don’t be afraid to use color palettes or decor pieces that aren’t gender specific and get creative with mixing patterns + textures.
SOURCES PHOTOGRAPHY AMY BARTLAM WALLPAPER CAVERN HOME RUG BOHEM.CO MACRAME WALL HANGING JUNIPER AND FIR BASKETS TARGET ROCKER ALL MODERN ACAPULCO ROCKING CHAIR TEEPEE THE TEEPEE GUY PILLOW BOHO PILLOW ARTWORK THE ANIMAL PRINT SHOP
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WILD BOY PLAYROOM DESIG N BY LIVE LOUD G IRL This fun playroom is ďŹ t for any wild-hearted little boy and we are obsessed with every tiny detail. The main focal point of the room is the lounge area that was created by pimping out an Ikea bed with birch wooden legs and a mix + match mattress cover. Add in a bunch of comfy + stylish pillows to create the perfect spot for a bookworm. Get this cool vibe with contrasting white walls + pops of moody blues and minimal details. What is not to love about a room designed solely for imaginative play?!
SOURCES MATTRESS BASE + LEGS IKEA ADVENTURE RUG OYOY BY MARMARLAND FINE LITTLE DAY PRINT + CUSHION IVY CABIN GROW UP PRINT MINI AND MAXIUMS GREY BLACK CUSHION IN TO THE FOLD ICE CREAM POSTER JUST BO WALL DECALS CHISPUM FLAG ROXY MARJ
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PRETTY PINK G IRLS ROOM DESIG N BY HONG HENWOOD When it comes to girls rooms we always love soft touches of pinks + peaches and this little lady’s room is as sweet as they come! From the unique clothing wrack perfect for showcasing dress-up outfits to fun + unique shelving options to the vintage desk and doll house, this room is truly fit for a princess. Get this look with light white walls and lots of small decor pieces that can double as play toys.
SOURCES PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREA GALKOVA | WONG WEILANG CLOTHES RACK SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS RUG ARMADILLO AND CO VEE SPEERS PRINT NORSU INTERIORS MIFFY LIGHT LELUCI LIGHTS BOOK SHELVES IKEA HOUSE BOXES TYPO DOLL HOUSE DOFFIE BEDDING JAMIE KAY CUSHIONS NUMERO 74
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RECIPES FAM ILY F RIE ND LY RECIPES
inspired by the season
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RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE DANISH ING REDIENTS - 1 box (1 pound) puff pastry, cold - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened - 1 egg - 1/4 cup white sugar - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1/4 cup raspberry fruit preserves - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened - 1 cup icing sugar - 1 tablespoon milk - additional fresh raspberries for serving
DIRECTIONS - In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment beat cream cheese, egg, white sugar, cornstarch and vanilla until smooth, set aside. - Once your filling is ready, roll out your puff pastry to a thin rectangular shape. - Cut lines diagonally on each side leaving about 4-5 inches in the center. Add your cream cheese followed by spoonful's of the raspberry preserves. - Fold in ends & cross the lines in a V shape to get the braided effect, make sure to braid some what tightly. - Follow by a light egg wash on top. - Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until the puff pastry is golden brown. - While the Danish bakes, make your glaze by combining cream cheese, sugar & milk until the desired consistency is formed. - Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with the glaze. - Top with fresh raspberries if desired.
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HONEY SPICED CAKE + G ING ERSNAP FROSTING ING REDIENTS CAKE INGREDIENTS - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon kosher salt - 2 teaspoons cinnamon - 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger - ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg - ⅔ cup granulated sugar - ¼ cup packed light brown sugar - ½ cup coconut oil - ½ cup honey - 1 large egg - 1 large egg yolk - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice - ½ cup buttermilk
FROSTING INGREDIENTS - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened - 3½ cup confectioners' sugar - ½ cup ground gingersnap cookies, passed through a fine mesh sieve - 1 teaspoon milk - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9" pan with nonstick spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, fresh ginger, and nutmeg to combine. In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar, brown sugar, coconut oil, honey, egg and egg yolk. Beat on medium speed until mixture is pale and thickened, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed and gradually add vanilla, orange juice and buttermilk. Beat until frothy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients. Beat until just combine. The batter will be thin, similar to pancake batter. Pour into prepared pan and bake until cake is golden brown and the center springs back when touched, about 45-55 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the cake to loosen and invert onto rack; let cool completely. FROSTING DIRECTIONS While the cake is baking, combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth. With the mixer running, slowly add the ground gingersnap cookies. Add the milk and vanilla and beat for about 3 to 5 minutes. Adjust consistency as needed by adding more confectioners' sugar or milk as needed. Frost cooled cake and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and fresh berries, if desired.
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PUMPKIN TORTELLINI + BROWN MUSHROOMS ING REDIENTS - 1 package of your favorite refrigerated cheese tortellini - 10-15 brown mushrooms, sliced - bunch of sage leaves, stems removed - olive oil for frying - 1/2 cup pumpkin puree - 4 tablespoons heavy cream - 2-3 tablespoons white wine - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - salt + pepper to taste - dash of nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
DIRECTIONS 1. Cook tortellini per package instructions and set aside 2. Fry sage leaves in olive oil. Drain o excess oil o leaves on a paper towel and set aside. 3. Use the same oil from the sage to fry up the sliced mushrooms, set aside. 4. In a small sauce pan combine pumpkin puree, cream, wine, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and garlic. Whisk together and cook until cheese is melted and a thin sauce forms. 5. Toss together pasta, sauce, mushrooms, sage and enjoy!
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PEAR MOSCOW MULE ING REDIENTS - 2 ounces vodka - Juice from ½ lime - Sparkling pear juice - Ginger beer - Dash of bitters - Thyme
DIRECTIONS To prepare the cocktail, fill a copper mug with ice, then add two ounces of your choice of vodka and the lime juice. Fill the mug about three-quarters of the way with the sparkling pear juice, then top off with a splash of ginger beer and a dash of bitters. Stir to combine and garnish with thyme sprig, lime slice and mini pear (optional). Enjoy!
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ROASTED BEET WINTER SALAD ING REDIENTS - 3 large beets - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp olive oil - sea salt and pepper - 2 cups arugula - 2 small or 1 large orange, segmented - 1 shallot, sliced - 1 oz goat cheese, crumbled - 1-2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
DRESSING INGREDIENTS - 1 tbsp olive oil - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp maple syrup - 1 clove of garlic, minced - salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS - Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. - Cut away the stalks, leaves and any pointy bits from the beets. Peel and then cut into 1/2 inch wedges. Place onto a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar. (It is preferable to use a sweet thick aged balsamic vinegar, but of you only have a thin more pungent balsamic, add a tbsp of maple syrup to the beets). Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and toss. Place into the oven and bake for 40 minutes (or until tender), ipping the beets after 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. - To prepare the dressing, add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, garlic and a dash of salt and pepper to a jar with a lid. Shake. (If you are using a sweet thick balsamic vinegar, omit the maple syrup). - In a bowl, toss the arugula with the dressing. Place the arugula onto a serving plate, and top with the roasted beets, orange segments, sliced shallot, goat cheese, and pumpkin seeds. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
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FRESH WREATH CRE ATE YOUR OW N W RE ATH
using fresh holiday greens
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECKY KIMBALL | WREATH DESIGN BY LIZY’S LILIES
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WHAT YOU NEED - wire wreath frame - paddle wire - wire clippers - pruning shears - variety of greens (huckleberry, bay laurel and cedar) *greens can be purchased at costco, a local flower shop, or even foraged from your backyard!
DIRECTIONS 1. Make a little bundle of greens by cutting down larger branches. The length of the bunch will determine how full or wild your wreath is. Shorter more compact bunches will make a tighter wreath, longer more wild bunches will make a more loose wreath. 2. Attach the end of the paddle wire to your wire frame. 3. Place a bundle of greens on the hollow side of your wreath frame, then wrap the wire around the base of the greens four or five times until secure. 4. Place a second bunch of greens on top of the wire wrapped area until it covers it completely, then wrap the new bunch with wire. 5. Continue placing bunches on the frame and wrapping with wire until your whole frame is covered! 6. Once you’ve reach the end cut the wire, leaving a little tail to be secured to the wreath frame. *Fresh wreaths will last best if hung outside, usually 2-3 weeks!
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