This blog was started in June, 2011 as an offshoot of my
paper crafting/DIY blog, La Georgia Paperie. I was pregnant at the time and
wanted a space to talk about my pregnancy and every day life.
Over the past two years TAW has evolved into a
place where I share everything from crafts, recipes, safety tips, money saving
ideas and photography how-tos. And of course tons of pictures of my son, Harry.
What’s with the blog’s name?
Ugh. I really don’t like The Accidental Wallflower. It’s
such a mouthful! I chose it because of my social anxiety. Lame, huh? I’ve
thought about changing it but I don’t think I ever will; coming up with blog
names is not something I’m very good at!
Who’s who?
When writing about my life, I tend to focus on my husband
and son. I feel weird writing too much about other people on my blog in case
they’d rather not be featured. Sometimes I mention times spent with friends and
family, other times I don’t.
So here’s just a little about my family.
Lindsey
That’s me! I was born in sunny Los
Angeles and after touring the globe a few times by the
age of six, my family settled in Wheaton , Illinois
when I was in first grade. I consider Wheaton
my hometown and graduated from high school there in 2003. That fall I moved to Columbia ,
Missouri and enrolled at Stephens
College . I was really active on
campus, participating in the swim team, residence life, student government and
a sorority. I graduated from Stephens in 2007.
After graduation I moved back home to Wheaton
and held various jobs in the retail industry. In April, 2011 I was working as
an administrative assistant/bookkeeper for a store when the company
restructured and my position was eliminated. I haven’t worked since then, but
between being a mom and writing this blog, I stay plenty busy!
While I know I’m not the best writer in the world, I
absolutely love blogging. Since I think I’m so awkward in real life I feel like
this is my one outlet for being “normal.” I blog as a way to record memories for
my family, but the perks are a fun bonus! I am very thankful for all the
opportunities this blog has awarded me over the years.
Ant
That’s my husband! Ant, if you’re wondering, is just a nickname I gave him for the blog. He grew
up in Palatine , Illinois and by chance moved to Columbia , Missouri the same time I did to attend the University of Missouri . In May, 2005 he was a contestant on
Wheel of Fortune. I was renting a house without cable at the time so I watched
a lot of Wheel. I saw his episode and thought the shaggy haired boy from Mizzou
was cute. A series of seemingly random events happened over the following
months and by March, 2006 we were dating.
Ant proposed in
2009 and we moved to Roselle in November, 2010. We were married on December
3, 2010 . He works
as a writer/editor for a news organization in Chicago . His schedule is a little crazy, but it
actually allows for him to spend more time with Harry, just at different times
of the day compared to most dads.
Harry
18 months old, May, 2013 |
That’s our
awesome toddler! Harry was born November 7, 2011 after what ended up being a pretty
complicated pregnancy (you can read his birth story here). He was a month early
and spent nearly a week in the NICU. Which I know is a piece of cake
compared to many parents, but it was still a very trying experience for us.
He’s absolutely
thrived since coming home. He was a fairly easy baby and has turned in to a
very curious toddler. He keeps us on our toes all day long and watching him
learn and discover new things is second to none.
As of 18 months,
some of his favorite things include: pointing out every car and airplane he
sees, puzzles, Yo Gabba Gabba, running around outside, blueberries, green beans
and yogurt.
We don’t
subscribe to one style of parenting. We just do whatever works for our family. A
little attachment parenting mixed with more mainstream ideas and admittedly, a
little helicoptering thrown in. As Harry’s grown I've noticed I have subscribed
more and more to AP and natural ideals, but it isn't exclusive. I've come to
find parenting is just as much about growing myself as it is helping Harry
grow!