Nico is now ONE and we have entered the world of toddler-hood. Although we wish time could slow down, we are enjoying watching our baby boy grow. His personality is shining! He is strong-willed and strong! He is a mama’s boy through and through and has mastered the army crawl and standing but not yet walking. His favorite movie is Moana; which is on repeat in our house and everywhere we go. It is truly the little things that really are the big things.

Some of you may know our sweet baby Nico was diagnosed with Epilepsy at 4 months old and life has been a whirlwind of emotions. I too have epilepsy, so we are in the midst of genetic testing through UCLA Pediatric Neurology. We are so thankful for the amazing doctors and nurses we have met along this journey. It’s been a lot of waiting and still waiting for results, doctors appointments and check ups. Nico has been seizure free for a few months now and it feels as if life is getting back to normal. Now that I am back to work, I will miss these days of being with my son every minute but his health improving is the most important priority of all.

September marked the month of ONE. One full year of motherhood, parenthood and wearing our hearts outside our sleeves. To celebrate, the amazing Ashley Alexis Photo captured some beautiful family memories for us and our amazing doctors cleared us to fly to Hawaii.

This post is a blended one; our family photos and our fight to end epilepsy. I chose to blend this post because it’s important to not let disabilities rule our lives. It’s even more important that people understand what they see on BLOGS or Social Media is not always reality. What you write about or photos you post can be filtered and almost always are. They are also moments in time and not every day life. I’d like to think we choose to pick and choose the best photos and the prettiest filters as a reflection of the way we felt in that moment and always hope to feel. I take it as inspiration.

We are happy, we are special, we are proud and we are not perfect. I have photos of my son at UCLA Medical Center with EEG wires and monitors hooked up to him but these are the moments I’d like to share. These are the moments I look back on as a reminder of our blessings, our growth and our strength.

Epilepsy Foundation

I urge you to learn about Epilepsy at the Epilepsy Foundation website. As a person with epilepsy, I feel it is a condition that is not often spoken about or understood. From the outside, my son and I look perfectly normal and healthy. In reality, we are both seen by neurologists and our conditions are controlled by medications. Doctors appointments, EEG’s and MRI’s, and the anxiety of not knowing when or where a seizure will happen are our daily struggles.

For over 10 years I have struggled with my condition and have learned how to maintain it and be a working and successful person. There are good days and there are bad days, albeit, I am blessed. I only hope that my son develops out of his condition and those who are also fighting every day for a cure are blessed with one.

The Walk To End Epilepsy in Los Angeles is on November 5th. You can donate to “Nico’s Armi” Team Page here today! I created my blog as my creative space to share my passions with others. With that said it is important to me that I also use this platform to raise awareness for Epilepsy.

Calamigos Ranch, Malibu

When thinking of the perfect venue for this special time in our lives, only one place seemed to fit the bill. We went back to the place Michael and I said “I do.” Calamigos Ranch will always have a special place in our hearts. It will forever be the place that two hearts became one, two families became one and our promises were made. (Blog on our wedding in the works!)

CAKE SMASH at the Malibu Cafe

Nico’s cake smash was epic and he loved every minute of it! The delicious recipe came from Fit Mama Real Food and you can read all about it here.

There are always going to be people who are better off than you or in much worse conditions. We most definitely learned that during the many nights we spent at UCLA Medical Center. When something in your life happens that is the worst for you, it could most certainly be the best for someone else. Although our son’s condition has been the most devastating and heart breaking thing to come into our lives; we are blessed that we have built the strength to carry it and begin to raise awareness around us.

No matter what your daily struggles are, keep on soul-searching. Never let your disability out shine you. Make every day count. Find love in your heart and kindness in your soul. I’d love to hear your story below. Let your voice be heard and raise awareness for what matters to you!