Altered Latitude

  • Jenna

    A Little Baby Tooth

    Maisley has managed to sprout not one, but two baby teeth in the last month. I can’t even explain my excitement when that first tooth popped through. More than rolling over. More than her first bite of avocado. Even more than crawling. “Ryan, can you see it?!” “No seriously, come feel it, it’s so sharp, it’s right there!” For some…

  • Jenna

    Ideas & Daydreams

    I felt a breeze of Australia today. I was putting Maisley in her car seat and out of nowhere this rush of air came through me like a whisper on a whim. The sun, a smell, the air. It was transporting and invigorating. It filled up my wanderlust tank in a split second. It was Australia, in Carlsbad. I felt…

  • Jenna

    The Motherhood

    Before August 16th, 2016, I thought motherhood was a phase that women entered; a personal journey. I thought it was the experience of becoming and being a mother. {The only thing I really had to compare it to was the journey of entering “womanhood” at age 13 and the cringe-worthy feeling of telling my mom I got my period through…

  • Jenna

    Before You; Us

    Dear Bean, I love your Dad with all my heart. It’s so important for you to know that. Before you so perfectly came into our lives, we dated. We met in high school, but always stayed in the “friend zone” {even though I totally had a crush on him}. Like a true friend and gentleman, he always held the door…

  • Jenna

    I carry your heart with me

    Here is a letter I wrote Maisley when I was 35 weeks pregnant and she was still “Bean”. i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) – E.E. Cummings Dear Bean, You…

  • Jenna

    Just as we are now

    :: MaisleyNienhuis@gmail.com :: She won’t need it for a while, considering she’s only five months old, but I wanted her to have an email address just in case {and a clean one without any numbers or silly characters}. Although, around the year 2030, will email even be a thing? Or will she just simply write her note into thin air and it…

  • Jenna

    30 Years Young

    20 wasn’t so long ago, and it was also a lifetime ago. Many days in my early 20’s were marked with independence and freedom. My mid 20’s with uncertainty, exploration and career growth. And my late 20’s were filled with unconditional love, I do’s and a baby. I graduated college at 21, lived in Australia at 23, ran a marathon…

  • Jenna

    For Jack.

    A legend; humble in his adventures, wild at heart, a shipmate, friend to many. High wispy clouds, a golden haze on the horizon. Deep blue water, an oasis of childhood memories. Waves crashed on the three arch bay, ebb and flow, ebb and flow. Bringing in peace, washing away grief. Family and friends gathered; from every season, from every adventure,…

  • Jenna

    It’s About Time

    I am so overly aware that my time as a new mom is precious. “The days are long but the years are short. Enjoy it. It goes by too fast!”, they say.  Time is an interesting character. A thing of its own. Ticking away either much too slow or way too fast. I feel at the mercy of time, now more than ever.…

  • Jenna

    The Mustn’ts

    Shel Silverstein and poetry in general has been on my heart a lot lately.  As a new mama, I hope my baby girl sees the world this way: “Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child, Listen to the DON’TS Listen to the SHOULDN’TS The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT’S Listen to the NEVER HAVES Then listen close to me- Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can…