
Mother Stories
A Seattle Mama On Raising 3 Under 3
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Belathée Photography
Sep 7, 2016
When we ran our very first contest for a Mother reader to be featured on these very pages (along with winning $1,000 to Old Navy), we lucked out randomly choosing Seattle-based freelance stylist Mary Elizabeth Ford. Not only did the youngster mama of three under three totally deserve the cash—at the time, she was incredibly pregnant with twins—she’s also natural Mother material, thanks to her admirable style and relatable motherhood M.O. Meet the mama of nearly 3-year-old Theodore Scout and nearly 5-month-old twins Ruby James and Walter Wilde, right here.
- “We moved to Seattle within a week’s notice and just got lucky that some friends were moving out of their home in Ballard, so we were able to take it over before it was listed for rent. It’s a tiny two-bedroom house with lots of windows and a backyard. We were really stoked to get the place since we had only been in one-bedroom apartments and studios (we even spent a couple of months in a garage) prior. We’ve been here almost a year now, and it's the best.”
- “Nostalgic, eclectic, and honest. We’re usually drawn to simple and clean lines, with a bit of a worn-in sort of vibe. It’s also great to be able to fill up our home with photos of our family that are real. I’m not into things feeling posed or perfect because that isn’t our story.”
- “The piece above the record player is my current favorite. It’s by our good friend Evan Trine and has some serious Twombly vibes that I'm really into. And Grandma Ford (the photo of the old lady flipping the bird), which is my husband's actual grandma, photographed by him, and I guess because she is perfect and that photograph truly honors who she really is.”
- Tickle time!
- “I don’t think I have a philosophy. Things come and go often, and I rearrange the living room on a semi-regular basis. The art wall is consistently being added to and/or taken apart. A lot of our friends are artists, so I love hanging the artwork they make—I think it makes our space feel more personal.”
- That plant life.
- “Our kids don't have an overwhelming amount of toys, so it's free-range to play throughout the house, but at the end of the day, we put the toys out of sight. Ryan, my husband, and I really like to close out the evening feeling like adults, and it's been important for us to have a space that has that ability.”
- “All three kids share a room! My toddler sleeps in a twin bed and the twins sleep in two mini cribs. It’s the only way I could fit all three in one room without feeling so cramped. I’m actually surprised how well they all do together, thank God they're deep sleepers. They have one large dresser that they share, and it also doubles as a changing table. There really isn't a ton of space, so minimalism and organization are key.”
- “I love the bed and dresser set. I found it at an estate sale for $100.”
- Steve Zissou vibes.
- “Not losing your mind! When you hear a baby cry, it's easy—you go get that baby. But when they are all crying, it’s the worst. I have to do a quick evaluation to see who needs the most immediate help and work my way down the line. I remember right after we had Ted there would be these moments of silence throughout the day where I could sort of collect myself. I don’t have that anymore, and it’s really hard. I also feel very outnumbered now. Three-on-one is so challenging, but I usually feel like a magician at the end of everyday.”
- “Built-in friendship.”
- "Pros: They are already the best of friends. Cons: I’m really tired. All. The. Time.”
- The aforementioned bad-ass grandma pic.
- “Our oldest is Theodore Scout. Ryan met a kid at Wild Rivers named Theodore so many years ago, and the kid was just really cool, I guess. I’d always loved the name Scout (it also happens to be my childhood dog’s name). The twins are Walter Wilde and Ruby James. Walter is my grandpa’s name, and Wilde because of how he was born (it happened really quick, almost no one was there to catch him!). Ruby is Ryan’s great-grandmother's name, on both sides. And James because I can’t handle anything too girly. I thought it felt more balanced.”
- “My sister. I can't remember a time when I wasn't looking to her for wisdom or guidance. She’s incredibly graceful and patient in mothering her children. I admire it so much.”
- “I love watching my children grow. Seeing Ted be a little kid—with his own personality and humor—it makes me so happy. I can’t wait to watch Ruby’s and Walter’s personalities unfold as they grow.”
- “I worry about when they start going to school, really becoming kids and young adults. I feel like I'm really good at taking care of babies, but 10-year-olds that can have weird conversations with you? That’s a whole new realm of parenting I'm not ready for yet.”
- “I don't feel that my young age of nearly 25 commands wisdom by any means. That said, I will say through some of my experiences I have learned a few things: Don’t worry if things don’t go according to plan; everyone has a different way of doing things—there is no right way; always keep a bottle of wine; enjoy your kid.”
- “Everything is going to be okay. Keep your expectations low and accept all offers of help.”
- “Honestly, I haven't changed anything but the car. My 1975 Mercedes isn’t quite equipped for three kids (it was our only car up until last year). So, we had to buy a second car. I didn't know I was having twins yet, so it was a bit of a math game, but I found out that Clek makes car seats skinny enough to fit three in a row, so it was tight to know that I didn't need to buy a van (at least not yet). I had the Uppababy stroller with Theodore, so I just bought a second seat for it, and the little toddler skateboard for Teddy to ride on. I tandem breastfeed the twins, but I understand that isn’t possible for everyone. Also, find some twin moms and be their friends, you’ll want some people in your life that ‘get it.’ Other than that, getting [the twins] on the same schedule has been key to my sanity.”
- “I was so surprised at how instinctual motherhood is. I’ve realized there is no time for bullshit.”
- “I can’t even think about that question right now.”
- “Marriage comes first. It’s really easy to get caught up in the newborn stage of babies and parenting. Also, do date nights regularly and have good communication, there’s no such thing as too much.”
- “Simple but thoughtfully curated. Less is more.”
- “Not at all.”
- “Vintage jeans and a T-shirt is my go-to, almost every day. I try to mix it up with the shoes, but I usually end up wearing slides or mules. I’m not a big accessory person, but I like a good hat and usually wear a necklace Ryan had custom-made for me.”
- “I really adore Maryam Nassir Zadeh and Rosie Assoulin, but honestly, I can't afford anything from their collections. I’m just a big fan. Mari Giudicelli's shoes are all I can think about right now, and I always want something from Black Crane or Ilana Kohn.”
- “Online usually, shopping with three babes is not fun. But we also live in an affluent area of Seattle, so our local Goodwill is insane. I will take all three of the babies on a morning that we drop off Ryan at work and get there before they open so I can steal all the goodies. I just make sure I bring snacks so I don't lose my mind.”
- “Nonexistent. I use Dr. Bronner's soap for face wash and Honest Company's face and body lotion. I rarely wear makeup, and I don't do my hair.”
- “I tend to walk everywhere instead of drive because it can be such a hassle for quick market trips. I also do yoga when I remember. It keeps me calm. I love to cook, so we don't eat out often. I’m also a huge believer in placental encapsulation—those have been a lifesaver/mood booster both times around.”
- “I'm a wardrobe stylist mostly, but I am also an artist and a camera assistant to my husband when he lets me.”
- “I grew up in Yorba Linda, California. I went to Otis, a small art school in L.A., and majored in fashion design. When I found out I was pregnant, I dropped out of school. I stayed home with Theodore for eight months, and then I started assisting a wardrobe stylist I had met through a friend, and from there, I started doing some of my own stuff.”
- “I didn't really have a career before I had kids, so I've sort of made my work fit to my lifestyle. Freelance has its perks.”
- “I'm freelance, so it’s tough. When someone calls you for a job and you aren't available, they might not call you again, and that sucks. It’s going to be hard to get back at it without a specific time frame for when that is. I’m totally going off of how my kids feel.”
- “Yes and no. We’ve got a few good friends up here, but it really takes time to cultivate a community, especially when you're new to a city.”
- “I actually really enjoy it all, but I guess the best part is working alongside really awesome people.”
- Daddy time.
- “Who knows, I just want to work really hard and take my career more seriously as soon as my children are all out of diapers.”
- “I'm not sure. Moving here wasn't overly thought-out, and I don't know how long we'll be here. Seattle is a beautiful city, and the greenery is really something I can appreciate, so I hope they do, too. Home to them is still very simple, though, wherever Ryan and I are is home. I don't think geographical points matter right now.”
- “Totally. I think I'd love to go to the desert next, but we also talk about going abroad every now and then.”
- “There are so many beautiful parks up here that we visit routinely, like Carkeek and Golden Gardens. We are also regulars at the Woodland Park Zoo. They have an indoor kid area that is great when it’s raining. Favorite spots to eat/hang are all walking distance because I hate driving, but also they are all the best. Un Bien, goddamn, their Cuban sandwiches are amazing. Honoré is well-visited (their pastries are so good). For date nights (but also kid friendly), Essex for great cocktails and charcuterie plates, and then next door to Delancey for some of the best pizza and wine, and if I'm feeling jazzy, a chocolate chip cookie.”
- To follow along with Mary and her family, check her out on Instagram.
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