I just wrapped my FOURTH move of the year. Yes, you read that right. I moved four times. LA > MN > BK (Sublet) > CT (House, more on that later) + BK (permanent apartment)
In the midst of all this, my husband threw out his back. My guess would be cutting down too many trees at our CT property. You can take the man out of the midwest, but he’s still going to find a physically laborious task to do. Turns out he has a small hernia, but it’s manageable.
So I turned to my version of Web MD aka Instagram Stories, and got some trusted recommendations, that due to popular demand — I’ve decided to share below. Who knew lower back pain was such a hot topic? Real suggestions from real humans below:
Papa Barkley Hemp Relief Balm (multiple submissions and rave reviews)
Accupuncture
Applying a heatpack to the face, head and lower back with the lights dimmed.
RX recommended - Gabapentin (extreme pain relief)
Franny’s Farmacy (also one one of the first female farmers in the South, very cool)
Pilates (multiple suggestions on this)
Joggy Joy Stick (multiple submissions and I am also a fan of anything Ty Haney)
Voltaren Extra Strength Gel (suggested by my friend Lauren who I deeply trust and also appears to have amazing amazon reviews)
Charlotte’s Web Hemp Cream (another amazon fave with multiple submissions)
Thankfully, I finished my last job for the year on Monday! So I can get back to my other big boss. Ten months old, thinks she’s my only client and needs constant attention. I also want to give a special shout out to Lugg — an uberesque like app that gives you on demand moving. No piece is too big or small. If you want to try it out for yourselves, you can use code AMRIT for $10 off your next facebook marketplace/ flea market/ estate sale/ mini move/ OTT shopping haul)
Frankie has entered her era of standing liberation. Now that she can pull herself up in the crib, it’s all she wants to do. Sitting? Sleeping? Peacefully playing? Never heard of her.
Which has made bedtime tricky! So all that persistent ferber-ish sleep training has gone out of the window. One of you suggested I have Jon put her down, which unfortunately does not work in our dynamic of: Me (Bad Cop), him (Good Cop/ Softie/ Can’t say no to his daughter or handle Cry it out)
I got a ton of encouraging and helpful DMs from you, which I will compile in a separate newsletter to share in case you are also going through something similar and want a sliver of hope. The real takeaway for me was that sleep training is not a one and done type thing and is something you have to do over a series of time. Maybe this is not news to some of you but as a first time m
Speaking of being a first time mum, I have two close friends delivering in Feb/March 2024. Yay to more new mum friends! I made this list for them but I’m also opening this up to the public because you get alot of options as a parent and I’ve always found it helpful to know what was actually helpful (like The Snoo) VS what was an unnecessary buy (think: any type of bassinet extension to a stroller, save your money on that) — here are some of picks:
BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss — anything that buys you hands free time to me is worth the coin. In my early nursing days I would pop Frankie in this and bounce her with my foot while pumping (and losing my mind).
Bumbo Seat — like I said, any hands free contraption that gives you a moment of peace is worth the investment. This is an inexpensive option that you can plop down on any surface like a kitchen counter while you’re making a snack and still have baby in sight. We keep one of these permanently on the kitchen counter at home and the other in her room.
The Mushie Pacifier clip — no more lone soliders to the binky graveyard. Super helpful when they start just throwing stuff out of the stroller cos they can. I cannot stress how many times Frankie has had a full on meltdown because she’s thrown out her pacifier and since we’ve gotten this it’s been smooth sailing. Highly reccomend.
A Sticky Grip — I mean. Just look at gods work below as he intended it.
While we are still doing our best to enforce as minimal screen time as possible, there are moments in which Ms Rachel must come to the rescue, and when she needs to be summoned — this allows you to stick her onto any surface and keep them distracted. We use it towards the tail end of our car ride to Connecticut when all the toys have lost their appeal.
Now that my financial expenses include a mortgage, rent AND a child, I’ve had to scale back the shopping but here are a two things I bought myself this month as a “you deserve it babes” pat on the back for surviving this crazy thing we call life.
A Simone Rocha Velvet Off Shoulder Mini Dress — the perfect holiday dress for any occasion. This will most likely be my Christmas Day Dress!
The Gucci Embellished Slingback Pump — also worn by another purveyor of fine taste, Alexa Chung
If you’ve made it this far, I just want to thank you for taking a moment to step outside with me (puff puff puff, on our imaginary ciggies) If you’ve enjoyed these chaotic updates, please consider subscribing (it’s free!) or sharing this with a friend.
Until next time, ciao for now! x