W Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid food to your baby. You skip purees and go straight to finger foods. This is supposed to improve dexterity early on, teach babies how to regulate their appetite, and introduce them to a wide variety of flavors and textures that promote healthy eating for a lifetime. We tried baby led-weaning, and it was a huge success! 🙂
S The sun warms our skin, and a light breeze fills the air as we admire the delicious harvests of seasonal fruits and veggies at our local farmer’s market. I love being able to connect with the farmers and artisans, and meet the hard-working people who grow our food. Local farmer’s markets contribute to healthy and sustainable food systems that preserve our land and community. We are always sure to opt for organic or pesticide-free fruits and veggies while wandering through the market. Organic food isn’t just healthier for you – it’s healthier for our planet too.
V We visited the beautiful Getty Villa! My son loved looking at all of the sculptures and hanging out in the garden. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to bring a baby to the Getty Villa, but he loved it! I carried him around in his carrier most of the time, and he enjoyed looking around and taking it all in. The garden area is very beautiful and a nice place to relax and end your day after viewing the galleries.
E It can be difficult to stop and enjoy the simple things in life – like going to the park to feed the ducks. We had driven past this park countless times, but never stopped to explore it. Becoming a mother has helped me slow down take time to appreciate the tiny moments. We had a lovely time! 🙂
M When I gave birth to my son, I gained a new perspective. It was a revelation. Life became about living beyond myself; about being bigger and better. Becoming a mother made me see the world differently. It gave me purpose, humility, and an ingrained sense of empathy. And most importantly, it gave me love: true unadulterated unconditional love.
K In the mountains above Santa Barbara, there’s a famous ruined mansion with fantastic panoramic views of Santa Ynez Valley. One of the many hidden gems near Santa Barbara, the so-called Knapp’s Castle is a palatial estate that burned down over seventy years ago, and the remains are now a popular short hiking destination. It’s a pretty easy hike, kid friendly, and less than a mile round trip, with about 50 feet of elevation change. Although it can be tricky to find the trail, the majestic views from this unique spot are worth the effort.
B Just off the coast of southern California, there’s an enormous, record-holding sea cave that almost no one sees. Named from its colorful rock formations, lichens, and algae, the Painted Cave (the second largest sea cave in the entire world!) plunges a quarter-mile deep into the side of Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park.
R Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located just a few miles west of Las Vegas and encompasses 195,819 acres within the Mojave Desert. This beautiful place features a one-way 13-mile scenic drive, hiking and trails, plants and wildlife, geology, camping, cultural resources and much more. If you’re ever staying in Vegas, I highly recommend driving out to see it!
V A luxurious and quiet escape from the Vegas frenzy, the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is my favorite place to stay in the city. It is blissfully smaller and feels more private than other Four Seasons, while consistent with their signature high-end experience.
W Spring is here, and so is the super bloom! We went on a little road trip to see the wildflowers at Carrizo Plain National Monument, and it was amazing! 🙂 The rolling hillsides are covered in flowers; shimmering in gold, buttercream yellow, and soft blue, as they sway in the spring breeze. Near Soda Lake, patches of amber orange flowers mix among vibrant purple blossoms.
B It was my baby Ocean’s very first time on a boat (at 4 months old)! We went on a fun sunset sailing cruise in beautiful San Francisco Bay! I think that the best way to see this incredible city is from the water, as the sun is setting over the Pacific Ocean. There’s nothing more serene, romantic, and magical than sailing at sunset! 🙂
M The day my son, Ocean, was born was the most amazing, most painful, most difficult, most beautiful, and most transformative day of my life! Remembering this day is the best feeling in the world. I learned that just because something is painful or difficult, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Pain and pleasure, struggle and strength, life and death — they’re all intertwined. Our judgments of “good” and “bad” are meaningless. We are capable of doing impossibly difficult things.
1 The beach is one of the most wonderfully romantic and naturally beautiful places for taking maternity photos. Even if you’re camera shy, you’ll regret not capturing the amazing moments of your pregnancy later — I promise! 😉 Here are some tips for a gorgeous (and fun!) beach photo shoot.
