Instagram can't always make this look good

I was reading an article today called "Stop Instagramming Your Perfect Life." (In case it doesn't come up clearly, the title of the article is a link to it).

Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend everyone read the article, I did find it challenging.  I look through my own blog at all the posts about things I've made and photos of our cute son.  It probably looks like I have a never ending amount of free time, always have a delicious dinner on the table when Grant comes home or that Will's clothes always match and that he must not spit up all over the place like other people's babies.  The photos I post either have a blurred background or are taken when our apartment is tidy.  The photos don't show the smelly diapers that need to be washed, the never ending pile of dirty dishes, the toys strewn all over the place or the spit-up on sweat pants I wear almost every day.

I think I have a great life but that it's hard too.  I am married to an incredible partner who loves and supports me.  We also have stupid arguments and sometimes feel like we're on opposite ends of the teeter-totter.  I have a the most amazing son who brings an incredible amount of joy to our lives.  I've also never felt busier or more tired in my entire life and the phrase "there's only a little bit of poop on it" actually left my lips as a valid reason for Will to keep wearing a t-shirt.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want to show a more accurate picture of my life, including the parts that instagram can't make beautiful.  I want others to know the great and the hard parts, to be known by others and to know them as well.  As a good friend and co-worker used to say, I want others to see the beauty and the pain that are a part of a real life.

Como Conservatory

In July when Will was first born we went to the Como Conservatory with my mom.  It is an incredible place.  The building is beautiful, it's warm and full of lush, green plants and purple orchids.  Even when crowded, it is somehow still peaceful and quiet.  All I have to say is why on earth did it take me until the first day of spring to think of going back there?

The three of us spent a few hours at the conservatory this weekend and it was incredible.  This was of course, after Will and I spent some time there earlier this week with a friend.  And I think we'll go back often on cool days this spring.  We had some fun with our camera too and not so surprisingly we ended up with more photos of our son than anything else.

We spent a lot of time with the tulips since we miss seeing them grow each spring in our yard in Wheaton.

He seems like he's growing up so fast.

A bit of life lately

Life has been FULL over the last few weeks! 

I usually try not to hate on winter too much.  In fact, winter has always been one of my favourite seasons with all the snowshoeing, cross country skiing, skating and downhill skiing I've done.  This year has felt different, though.  Something about bundling up yourself and a baby, fumbling with car seat buckles and mittens and a baby who has learned to pull his hat off.  That said, we've been trying to get out and enjoy the snow regardless and with the hopes that the frigid weather will end soon, the ice will melt and we'll hear the birds once more.  These are a few photos of some of the things we've been up to lately.

First tooth!

Learning to crawl

Snuggling under the covers (and more crawling practice)

New favourite toys

Winter walks

Photo bombed by his dad

Learning to crawl to his toys and tip the bucket over