OUR NEW NORMAL

We’ve been parents for a whole year! Let’s celebrate! Okay, now I’m tired. 

It is hard to remember what life was like before Atlas. Not just an extra person in our house, but the joy that he brings every day is another level. Sleeping eating, showers, shitting everything revolves around Atlas; he is our world. This is our new norm and we wouldn’t trade it for the world- we already did.

We are full-time working parents balancing taking care of a tiny human and it’s not easy. Kudos to all those working parents out there! Leaving for work is not a relief by any means. I may go from singing “Purple monkey in a bubble gum tree,” to having real adult conversations, but that also means my husband is putting in work around the house with the baby and sacrificing his career in the moment too. Then we switch. 

Can I vent a for second on how the world doesn’t show you what parenthood is like. The movies, reality shows. social media they’re showing you the sunshine the rainbows the butterflies. The nanny takes the child while it has a diaper blowout. Their meal planner is prepping all of their food to make sure they keep up with their nutrition to properly pump 6 ounces on schedule. Day care is taking the kid with dozens of others. It’s been 365 days and I haven’t had a manicure or a pedicure, but I did have a haircut (just one)! And as much as I tell myself every single day I need to take care of myself to take care of him I still don’t do it this. It is my new norm.

i’m hungry .

I’m tired .

I’m on the verge of tears .

But I would not trade any of it for my perfect family of three

I feel a frustration towards myself . The harder part is admitting something is wrong and admitting you’re feeling signs of depression. It is an overwhelming feeling to admit. It’s not all the time, but it manifests itself in different ways. And my kid is pretty good, so like what?  I know the fruits of my labor reflect his life, but I have less patience for bullshit. I am here to prepare my son for this world and what ever the new normal becomes in the future.

Do you know someone going through this? What can you do to support or help? Instead of asking them what can I do for you- just do it! Send them dinner or something sweet because we all know the last thing we do is make sure we eat and buy ourselves the flowers.

WARM HOLIDAY WISHES

Merry Christmas 2021 from the Acevedo Family. Atlas’ FIRST Christmas and we had to make a statement for this year’s Christmas card. His face says it all. Scroll through and let me know your favorite.

I found the inspo on Pinterest. I scored the suits on Amazon #FTW ! I sourced out my parents who were visiting that week as our photogs. I edited the photos in Lightroom and used Canva to design the card from scratch. Easy-coming from this full time worker full time new mama. Don’t let the matching sweaters, fancy foil and pre-made templates scare you from creating the most perfect holiday card.

Also, while I have you. Do me a favor and watch this SNL skit about family holiday cards.

We would love to get your family holiday card and display it on our wall. Send us your warm wishes too!

XoXo

Britt

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH AND...

Admiral Atlas here and boy is it Christmas! I guess thats what they call it. We went from spooky things to holidays rings overnight. My mom even put lights, these red balls and this shiny stuff on my palm tree in my room. We’re constantly watching and reading about a guy in red suit and this white stuff that make its cold. I haven’t seen either with my own eyes, but I’ll take my parent’s word for it.

I do enjoy the music. My mom made me this playlist (like she does for every holiday). The songs are fun and I love hearing my crazy family sing. Another thing mom and dad are great at is reading me that Grinch book. Every night at bedtime I get my very own Dr Seuss performance.

Now I sit down and write a letter to this Santy Claus about how good I’ve been and what I want him to bring me. Mom went from saying, “tell Grandpa,” to “tell Santa.” So here you go mister.

I have everything I could ever need: love in my heart, food in my belly and a safe home, BUT if I had to ask for something I guess you don’t have to twist my arm. First, I would like my two front teeth. They have been pushing through for nights and days and I am ready to just have them so I can eat all the yummy things and sleep peacefully. After that I’ll take shoes. I am really learning to get around and I out grew all my baby pairs so if you want me walking get me some shoes, please.

I just want to make amazing memories with my family and take in every minute of my first Christmas! I hope you have an amazing holiday with the ones you love and I will seA you soon, eh!

9 MONTHS IN, 9 MONTH'S OUT

I cannot believe it’s been 9 months since this tiny human joined our world! Now that Atlas has been in this world as long as she was in me, I thought I would talk a little bit about my experience as a new mom and the nine things I have learned along the way.

1. I am stronger than I think- mentally and physically at handling pain, sleepless nights and days, maintaining a good headspace, etc. I thought I had been challenged in the past, but a newborn will put you to the test.

2. I need to take care of myself so I can take care of my family. Our breastfeeding ended early and I lost baby weight quickly, but not healthy way. Skipping meals or “intermittent fasting” is the contributing factor, but I need to rethink. I need to consider not only what I’m feeding myself and my family, but also the amount of water I need to be drinking. My esthetician said I can solve a lot of my skin issues by just drinking more water. Noted.

3. I can’t be the world’s best mom and world’s best boss at the same time - it’s a give and take. I have to make sacrifices and show Atlas we are contributing positively to the world around us. But, I also have to say “No,” at work, create boundaries, and get home at a reasonable time.

4. Don’t make plans- Atlas rules everything. Stick to his routine: Wake, bottles, feeds, naps, play time, etc. Whatever else you can fit in is a bonus. We do projects and house cleaning during naps and make sure to get outside and take Winter on her walk the same time every morning.

5. Be a great partner, wife and mother everyday. I hate to label myself and put what I do in a box, but once we had Atlas mom mode kicked in and I almost forgot to be a wife, partner, daughter, friend, etc. I wear a lot of hats and want to show Atlas he can too!

6. This shit is hard. We read the books, took the classes, got the advice, but whew! Shout out to all the parents out there- you are the real MVP’s!

7. His smile is worth everything. The hardest day, the tired nights, the stressful work meetings, it all goes away when I see Atlas smile.

8. Take all the pictures! At first I just wanted to take them of Atlas, but making sure we are in them too is just as imports. It doesn’t matter if we don’t “look good” because booking back at the photos we don’t say, “wow my hair,” we say, “look how cute Atlas is." Videos too! Check out our Youtube page to watch our Vlogs. We have more coming soon!

9. Being your mom is more beautiful than any dream I could have ever imagined and this dream just started. I love you Atlas J.

5 ARIZONA CASINO RESORTS TO UNWIND IN

Arizona is one of the sunniest states in the US with amazing natural views and good weather all year-round. In 2020 alone, there were an estimated 32.1 million overnight visitors. With different sights like the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam and beautiful cities such as Phoenix and Tucson, there is something in Arizona for everyone. For state natives, there are always new places to discover and unwind in too.

Casino resorts, in particular, are a great option if you're looking for a place where you can play and relax. There’s nothing quite like playing poker in a casino. It is a great way to be competitive while on vacation. If you are a newbie at playing in a casino, don’t make it too obvious as people may take advantage of you. It’s normal to be nervous when you’re just starting out to take a breath and try not to fold your cards unless you are sure it is the right move Remember to only act on your turn and to keep your chips organized. It is also customary to tip your dealer if you’ve won a round. Casino resorts let you unwind while allowing you to still experience thrills. If this sounds exciting, then here are some of the hotels with great service and amenities in Arizona:

Prescott Resort and Conference Center

The first one on this list is a full-service resort, named after the city where it is located. The in-house restaurant serves everything from fine wine to freshly brewed coffee. There is also a spa, fitness center, and heated indoor pool for all your relaxation necessities. Adjacent to the resort is Bucky’s Casino where you can play cards and slots while strictly following their COVID-19 guidelines.

There are also lots of different activities in the area. Downtown Prescott has some historic places like Whiskey Row and the Shallot Hall Museum if you want a peek into local culture. The Elks Theatre Opera House also holds concerts and events so be sure to check out their calendars. Staying here will surely make for a fun and relaxing trip.

Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak

This is an older place but it’s infinitely charming with its Spanish architecture. It has a four-acre water park where visitors can enjoy some time in the sun. They also have mini-golf and tennis for sporty guests. Although there is no casino in the hotel itself, there are many surrounding it, so you won’t run out of options.

Phoenix is a bustling city with many things to do like the Biltmore Fashion Park and the Museum of Native Cultures and Arts. The country’s largest butterfly pavilion is also in the area, which can make for a unique trip.

Gila River Hotels & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass

A hotel that opened relatively recently, Gila River boasts a modern and luxurious stay. There are restaurants with different cuisines and is even home to George Lopez’s Tequila Lounge. The casino has a variety of games, whether they’re cards or other tabletop ones. It also has a full buffet to serve its customers.

Patrons can even take advantage of THE Card, a rewards system that gives users points and privileges with each spend. This will come in handy for those who have a regular staycation in the hotel because it will allow you to accumulate rewards. If you want to be away from the bustle of the city, but not too far away from it, this is a good place to check out.

Talking Stick Resort

This resort has the most unique amenities as it even has a cultural center with Native American art. It also has a spa with many amenities like saunas, waterfall showers, and even meditation rooms. When it comes to the resort casino, it has everything including keno. The facility is known to be one of the best, even hosting the Arizona State Poker Championship.

Casino del Sol

The last hotel on this list is a luxurious one that offers many different kinds of suites and accommodation. They have an in-house amphitheater that hosts different shows and festivals. They also have a few shopping boutiques for those who want to go on a spree and a spa for those who want to release some tension.

For those who are traveling in an RV, fret not because this resort offers a big parking space for these vehicles. Not only is it convenient to stay here, but it is also a good place to rest and forget about stress.

Going on a staycation can be good for you, so check out these locations to help you plan your next trip.

Credit – Tiffany Valladares/ Writer.

INGOS. YUMMY.

The best burger place is now in downtown Phoenix. This little hidden gem started as a to-go during the pandemic and recently we got a chance to dine-in and obsess over the delicious foods of this new LGO Hospitality Restaurant in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

Here are the Finding Arizona pro tips. Once you go, leave a comment and share some more with us.

Number one, park in the Fry’s parking lot get your ticket validated.

Number two, come for breakfast lunch or dinner and come hungry. We dined in for a late lunch / early dinner. We had an introductory drink, but my favorite part was the burger. The staff was very friendly especially the general manager, Gabby, she had such a passion for not only the restaurant group, but the food and the family that works there as well.

Number three, I love the decor. Jose would describe it as industrial modern. I described it as Restoration hardware commercial kitchen meets World War Two. But, back to the food that’s the most important part. 

They have three cocktails on the menu and if I had three cocktails on the menu of my house they would be these: a Greyhound, Lavender Lemonade and something with tequila that’s called a Diego Rivera. I’ll let you guess who ordered what. Next, we split their house chips but honestly we could’ve ate an order ourselves. Each comes a two sauces: one fermented chili and one cool yogurt deliciousness. Pro tip! Combo them. These warm crunchy chips have a soft inside; I could eat these all day long. They paired perfectly with our burgers. Jose got the Paris Texas Burger- a bacon barbecue saucy number and I got the Farmer’s Daughter Burger- sauerkraut Yum Yum. The buns are soft, the toppings are fresh, and I don’t mean that lettuce tomato pickle freshness, I’m talking about flavorful, real ingredients combined to perfection. And the burger, which was ordered medium well, was juuuuuuuicy from every bite. I honestly don’t wanna eat another burger again if it’s not grass fed and not from INGOs. The coffee smelt like heaven and we got Almond Bear Claws to go and then the next morning I dumped it in my coffee and I went back to food heaven.

Currently dreaming of the next time I’ll be visiting downtown Phoenix for a Fry’s grocery pick up and an Ingo’s food pick up. You know Tuesday is “Takeout night”, or “We or Out Wednesday” or any excuse.

XoXo Britt

You can find Ingo’s at : 4502 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

WERE DOING THIS WRONG! SLEEP TRAIN ANIMALS NOT BABY

All right we’re nine months in and I would say a good solid week into a good sleeping pattern and I feel confident to share our highs and lows of what the pros call sleep training.

Let me preface this by everyone jokes you not gonna get any sleep when the baby comes but it’s nothing you really are prepared for in the I am pre-labor classes doctors appointments videos and books or at least I wasn’t. I don’t have any other children to compare to and of course everyone thinks their own is perfect but since day one atlas has been great about expressing his needs and we have been very attentive and listening for example tired hungry grumpy happy sleepy all the seven dwarfs we know his signs and symptoms. We also know that there are plenty of professionals out there who will charge you to take their classes to read their books and I don’t knock any of them because I’ve gotten a secret on the i’ve gotten a secret tip from an insider and Jose and I have been doing all those same techniques since day one.

We worked in creating the perfect space for Atlas we chose the darkest room in the house the coolest room in the house and since day one our goal was to put him in his crib. Our first challenge was mastering the swaddle between watching YouTube videos and trying different blankets we ended up going with a secondhand find of a zip and Velcro halo brand swaddle we use that until he outgrew it Atlas needed his hands wrapped in the beginning it was his saving grace. Once he learned the rollover we on swaddled one hand for a week and then once that was great we on swaddled the second one. We always tried new things on the weekends in case the sleep deprivation was high and between asking pediatricians and other “professionals in the industry “we tried three different sacks on Amazon and quickly got a return policy initiated with all three of them. We landed back with the halo sleep sack we wanted some thing waited but the thickness of this one worked perfectly his arms are free and he can kick his legs as much as he wants to fall himself to sleep.

As soon as we could we were initiating night from day we sleep at night we play in the day. We turn off the TV at a certain time we don’t turn it on until a certain time we do bathtime we do story time we do lotions massages and soft music every night is the same routine atlas loves his routines.

For the past nine months every night has not been sunshine and rainbows there’s been plenty of tears plenty of hair pulling plenty of asking ourselves why what are we doing wrong plenty of googling at 3 AM on how to get your baby to sleep but those are just the normal thinks he’s growing “growth spurts he’s teething coat pushing a tooth he’s like his mom and dad we don’t sleep all night either even if we wanted to. At first we would Russian on every little grunt every little movement try and rock him to sleep but then we learned that he’s an active sleeper we learn that he does make sounds in his sleep we also learned that he’s a hungry boy and as much as we try to wean off the night feeding we’re still down to one bottle a night and that’s OK he’s a growing boy if he’s going to be anything like his dad or his grandpa who still snacks in the middle of the night.

Another amazing tip or trick that we learn from the community was a five 1015 role atlas is smart and he knows how to get our attention but we also know how to trick him checking on him the same time will prompt a response for him to alert us to come in but if we change it double up the time so we check on him after five minutes and putting him down pat him on the back rub his head massage his hand leave the room quietly. 10 minutes later go back and do the same thing. 15 minutes later do the same thing. There’s time where we had to do this over and over two hours later staring at the clock. But it’s all worth it he’s worth it.

No you may be asking why was this post called sleep training the animals was this click bait? No not at all because even though I have learned a lot and shared a lot I think the biggest factor is the shenanigans that are animals display when it is sleep time for Mr. A. Naptime is there a noisy the dogs barking at the mailman. The later nap interferes with their dinner time so they’re Hooten and hollering wanting to get fed. In the middle of the night the cats who sleep all day love to barge in his room bring him toys and blankets and just run amok throughout the whole house. Thankful for the two of us in times like these I know some parents split the shifts but I can’t sit there sleeping peacefully knowing that my cats barging in while my husband‘s trying to make a bottle change her diaper and get our baby back down in the most common way possible.

So will continue to sleep train the animals and atlas and then hopefully our self will report back on the progress let me know if you have anything that worked for you or if any of these helped

Xoxo Britt 

OVERNIGHT IN FLAGSTAFF WITH A BABY AND A DOG

We survived our first overnight with baby A! We patiently waited 7 months to venture out and Atlas, Winter, Joe and I are so glad we did. A night in Flagstaff was the perfect family outing for us. We found great places to eat, drink and rest our heads. Here’s our quick guide and reccs especially during the new pandemic normal with a baby and a dog.

Where to stay?

That’s was top priority. The birthday queen in me was temped with a bougie glamping tent off the Grand Canyon, but the mom in me thought smarter. AirBnB to the rescue. We found a 100 year old A-frame home in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. It had original wood floors, a claw foot tub and antique fridge. But plenty of space for a a pack-n-play, a dog bed and all off Britt’s luggage. Side note: packing with a baby requires a lot of things! Stroller, seat, bed, bath, Breza, mat, toys, all the clothes, etc. We just did one night; it’s a 2.5 hour drive from Phoenix and great practice for car trips and overnights with Atlas. (& mom to practice pacting).

Where to eat?

Breakfast?

Biff’s-Bagel sandwiches. Get there early and take to go. Walk to a near by park or coffee at …

Late for the Train- Order the Coconino Mocha, thank me later.

Lunch?

Toasted Owl Cafe- Outside dining bring baby and dog. Order the Turkey Pesto on Ciabatta. Order dranks or water, the drinks taste like soda fountain.

Dinner?

Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle House- Love at first flight. Sip some sours, IPA, rose, ciders and more. Nine brewed locally. Plus the food is delish: burgers, wings, fried pickles, chicken fingers, etc. you can eat inside or out and everyone is sooo friendly. The smallest of world moment happened when our waiter walked out with our food it was the same guy from lunch!

Desert?

Yet to find! Leave your reccs. We did the gelato at a pizza joint but i won’t not recommend, sorry.

Where to go?

Parks:

Wheeler Park- grass and beautiful trees.

Heritage Square- live music and great shops. Be sure to check out P.J. Chilcottage!

Shop:

P.J. Chilcottage- everything from littles to moms. Great tourist gifts and home decor. and homemade soap. Literally wanted everything in the store, EVERYTHING. Check out their IG.

Babbitts- outdoor gear, dog swag and souvenirs. Love the historical building too!

What a trip for the memory books. We even signed the AirBnB guestbook. Reading some of the entries on the travelers and their stays in the past were entertaining. Let us know if you recommend anything in Flag so the next time we head up north we can be sure to check out. Be well and continue to stay safe out there.

XoXO

Mama Britt

MONSTER FOODIE

Atlas is finally experiencing the deliciousness along with the nutritiousness of food. One of the many reasons to live in my opinion. BUT with the millions of advice out there on how to raise your child all I can say is this is our choice of food introductory the with the guidance of the community and our pediatrician. We are all about purées and trying all the delicious gummy all natural things first.

First, was the basics like avocados, apple, bananas, sweet potatoes and squash. Then we found Sprouts the grocer has a variety of little squeeze purées made with only natural real easy to pronounce and recognizable ingredients. No matter what variety we get, and we like to stick to a vegetable base: peas carrots chickpeas beets squash, Atlas loves them all. Lastly, I started getting creative at home for flavors and proteins. The other night I boiled some chicken, used the broth to boil some mushrooms ,added some blueberries, threw that in the magic bullet and Atlas could not stop eating it up.

We also love breakfast around here. Atlas does too! From a yogurt parfait, baby oatmeal, and all the fruits. Again, from Sprouts natural raw live active cultured yogurt, some frozen strawberries or blueberries, and the three ingredient oatmeal. We also like to mixing things to our oatmeal like spices such as cinnamon and nut butters like peanuts and almond.

As busy parents we do enjoy the convenience of the Sprouts squeeze packets and will continue to use those. They retail at our local grocer $5 dollars for three pouches and last 24 hours once you open them. Atlas will finish one in a day: one meal one day and then in 24 hours he’ll finish the rest.

Let me know if you have any amazing recipes ,quick tips or tricks. We’re learning together and it’s so much fun! Enjoy the adorable foodie photos.

XoXo Mama Britt

HALFWAY TO FIRST

Atlas! Happy Half Birthday! You are officially six months old today and I am so proud of you. You continue to amaze me everyday with you expressions, eagerness to learn and just plain adorableness. You are growing every minute and I joke tomorrow you are going to get married and move out. But, here is something I tell you everyday because you are all these things and I want you to remember them forever. Happy Half Birthday Mr. Man, Mama loves you so much.

You are so strong

You grab on to things and now you dont want to let go. You lift your 1 oz bar bell multiple times a day and your sleeveless shirts show the guns out when the suns out. You love tummy time and while doing push ups you grunt like your dada and your grandpa the Rock.

You are so smart

You love learning new things. From how to swim, to how things work the house like the faucet and the “Milkie Machine.“ You know your name, the sound of mama and dada’s voice and the kitty and the puppy siblings make you laugh so much.

You are so tall

You came home barely fitting into newborn clothes now you are wearing 3-6 months becuase you are so tall. You hate your footie pajamas and love to kick. You now have a jumper and a Jeep to keep your little feet busy. We try and swim as much as we can and now that you are learning to crawl you attempt to swim on land- my little sea monster.

You are so patient

You communicate with us so well. You let us know when you are sleepy, hungry or sometimes just grumpy. We are all learning together and we appreciate you being so patient with yourself and others. You are learning to pet the kitties and puppy, how to crawl and we know a tooth is coming soon. You are learning its hot in Arizona and cold things are where its at. Continue to be patient my love, I am learning from you and I thank you for it.

You are so kind

You get along with everyone and are so attentive to new experiences. You are gentle, but alert. You are cautious, but brave. You will learn to love everyone and respect everyone. With your cousin coming soon you will be a great example and you will have amazing friends surrounding you in life.

You are so handsome

You have the most perfect eyelashes and they grow every day. Your big brown eyes are mesmerizing. Your butt chin is the utmost adorable. You look like your mommy, your daddy and you look like you- Atlas. I wouldnt change anything about you from the inside out. You are healthy and it shows and you glow and thats all that matters.

You are so brave

You try new things, like foods including your greens. You trust the water and your natural instinct of swimming. You want to stand much more than you want to crawl. Of the few bumps and bruises we have laughed through them all. Make sure to use your big brain and think, but youll do just fine trying one thing at a time.

There is much more that you are and I will continue to tell you every day. Atlas thank you for making us the happiest and creating the best last 6 months of our lives. Cheers to many many many more - thanks for picking us as parents.

XoXo

Britt Mom