Welcome to the Chronicles

Mommyhood. Advocacy. Food. Policy. Culture. Hilarity. Nerdom.

Who is The Crazy Creole Mommy?

I am just a mom living with multiple chronic conditions trying to change the world to make it a better place.

I love my Child. I love Coffee. I love Politics. I love Baseball. I love my Family. I love Architecture. I love my Friends. I love History. I love Fox Mulder because he loved Dana Scully. I love raising a little hell!

The End.

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crazycreolemama

Spread the love this season! 🌟 Join us in suppo

Spread the love this season! 🌟 Join us in supporting IBDMoms and IBDKids by checking out our Amazon lists featuring hospital-friendly essentials. 🏥💙 Take advantage of Cyber Monday deals while making a difference - your purchase goes a long way! 🛍️✨ Don’t forget to email your receipts to info@ibdmoms.org for a donation receipt. Together, let’s bring comfort and joy to those in need. #IBDCommunity #GivingBack #CyberMondayDeals #ibdmoms #ibd #ibdkids #crohns #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #momlife

When you are a mom with a chronic condition, peopl

When you are a mom with a chronic condition, people will do one of two things, support or suggest. They suggest we only have one child. They suggest we rest. They suggest we stay in. And some suggest that we not have children at all.

When living with a chronic condition, you feel like a ticking time bomb. You never know when your life is gonna blow up! So, we have learned how to take life moment by moment. There will be moments we can do all of the things and some moments when we can do some of the things. Then there are the moments when we cannot do any of the things. Trust me when I say, we know our moments. We also miss more moments than the average parent because we are balancing between creating and making up. Making up for the time at the doctors, being sick or being hospitalized.

But this illness we got will never go away. We may have a reprieve here and there, but we will not be 100% ever again. So, we have to take the moments as they come. These moments I shared with this beautiful human I helped create were not without frequent breaks, bathroom visits and walking slowly. But I knew my limits and I knew that my time and energy were limited.

Somedays IBD and all the other conditions are gonna have to wait. Somedays I just need to be mom.

Getting sick 2 hours away by car from my physician

Getting sick 2 hours away by car from my physician gives me anxiety. Now imagine my level of anxiety being a 13 hour flight away from him and our beautiful IBD center. So, I started this journey having bronchitis and now I’m in full IBD flare hell…while I’m supposed to be studying. This has been so overwhelming! However this morning I was able to utilize @ibd_passport ‘s website and find a center here in the UK that I can find help at. This is NOT a paid sponsored post, this is real life emergency and I am do grateful for this resource. I was able to find IBD specific hospitals and clinics in the city I am in and have hope now I will be able to get better and finish the my semester strong.

Posted @withregram • @ibdmoms Today IBDMoms is j

Posted @withregram • @ibdmoms Today IBDMoms is joining other health advocacy groups in their mission to pass the Safe Step Act (S.652/H.R. 2630 - Step Therapy Reform) and advocate for PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) Reform. Your voice matters! Tweet or call Congress today to make a positive change. Together, we can make a difference!

All about studying and core memories at the moment

All about studying and core memories at the moment. IBD can wait, Mommyhood is calling. ✨

It’s that time of year when arthritis likes to t

It’s that time of year when arthritis likes to turn all the way up and party all the time. I don’t know about you, but October-December are the months when my body is in a state of revolt! Minuscule tasks like running a vacuum, hanging things or washing my hair get really hard for me during this period. So quite often if I can, I will go into a protective style like braiding my hair in individuals or two french braids. This is also my go to when I am sick, procedure or surgery coming up or extreme temperatures.
🫶🏽
Normally I will go see @miragecamillehairstudio or @risscat for braids. But here in the UK, I see @boombasticbraids .
🫶🏽
If you are an @ibdmoms who is not of color, and has questions about braiding or a protective style that will work with finer, straighter hair ask the hair guru herself, @valabronharrell aka my mama. She works with all textures of hair and understands those of us dealing with chronic conditions. She will point you in the right direction. Tell her, her daughter sent you and that she owes me a haircut! Just keeding! But reach out to my mom, her dms are open!

No Harry Potter and his Dinosaur Trixie this year.

No Harry Potter and his Dinosaur Trixie this year. Or a Rockstar and his manager or a Senator and his Chief of Staff. Or a Detective, Indiana Jones or an astronaut. Nope. No costumes this year. Just class field trip and shelter from the rain inside of a museum. It was kinda perfect.
💀

I am in a flare. Yea, fun times over here. But in-spite of it, I was able to navigate through my class and give Jax a special day. Here are some things I learned while navigating London in the rain while having pouchitis:

✨ take the bus versus the underground. In case of an urgent need for a bathroom, you can hop off and find the nearest restroom
✨ indoor activities that are frequented by children often have: bathrooms, benches to sit and coffee/tea bar or cafeteria. That is why we chose a popular museum to stop in at after my school field trip
✨ keep two packets of an ORS (oral rehydration solution) with you. As well as a portable fan and a thermal care patch for your tummy or back.
✨ take frequent breaks. Especially if you have to walk a distance after you disembark off of the bus or tube.
✨ if they are old enough, let them explore without you. Have a meeting place and time, and let them go off on their own. My kid does have devices that help me track his location just in case, and they make us both feel comfortable knowing that I can find them if anything happens.

Have you ever had to mom out in public in the middle of a flare? What are your tips for getting through the day?

Spent the evening surrounded by medieval relics an

Spent the evening surrounded by medieval relics and the moon.

School field trips here definitely win! All we had were the LaBrea TarPits and the Reagan Library. Jax is getting Shakespeare’s prayer book and Sir Francis Drake’s ship!

Saturday, October 21st marked the 14th anniversary

Saturday, October 21st marked the 14th anniversary of our initial meeting. It’s been quite the adventure, kid! And you know what, I wouldn’t change a thing! It got us here, to this point. So proud of you! You really keep me on my toes and challenged, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you so much, @jaxonhoneycutt ! This new year is starting off with a new adventure and it’s going to be your best one yet! I know it! Keep moving forward and pushing through! You got this! And I got you! Xo mom

I dont always get it right as a parent. But one of

I dont always get it right as a parent.
But one of the best decisions I’ve ever made was to move my Black Queer-identifying empathetic brilliant child out of the United States to a country with more diversity and less gun violence.
A clear heaviness has been lifted.
A light has returned.
London is not perfect, but I do not feel hunted here.
It’s very clear we needed a break.
A break from the perpetual racism and homophobia.
A break from the mass school shootings.
A break from the disillusions and political trauma.
A break from a broken healthcare system that is killing people.
A break from choking nationalism that doesn’t include all citizens.
My kid is just being a kid again and I didn’t even realize how much weight he was carrying.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity.

You would never know by looking at me that I live

You would never know by looking at me that I live with several invisible life altering conditions.

Ps. I think I left two off by accident. Chile, apparently I catch conditions like Pokemon! 🤣

Happy Birthday, Sammy. I am so proud of you. You a

Happy Birthday, Sammy.
I am so proud of you. You are such an incredible human, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, auntie and friend.
Our ancestors being neighbors and friends confirmed that we will always be sisters. I wish you nothing but the best in everything you do! I can’t wait to see what you do next. We are all so proud of you! The ancestors are guiding every step with pride and joy! Love you much! 🫶🏽 xo, Left

Being a single parenting student with a chronic co

Being a single parenting student with a chronic condition is not easy. Especially when you have a curious and empathetic child. I never feel like I have time to enjoy or really listen to my kid as much as I want because I am always busy trying to provide. Today, regardless of how I was feeling, it was important that I pulled my kid away from CNN and out into the world. I also needed to help strengthen my back and legs for the excursion I am taking with my class next week. AND in light of some of the protests and demonstrations, I wanted to be closer to the American embassy…just in case.
So we did a walking history lesson at the Tower of London.

Tips For A Walking History Lesson:

🫖 create trivia questions
🫖 make it a fun excursion, but also work in some teachable moments
🫖 make sure it’s near a cafe or restaurants where you can use a cleaner restroom
🫖 don’t rush
🫖 take breaks to sit and talk about what you just saw or did
🫖 enjoy a treat, especially if its been a hard week
🫖 take above ground transportation so you can see the city or town you are visiting
🫖 take a personal fan
🫖 follow up trip with a related movie or book to enjoy together
🫖 let your kids lead. Ask them questions. They may know more than you think.

One thing I learned since becoming a parent is that kids with learn any and everything in bother traditional and untraditional ways. There is an opportunity to learn something everywhere. Take advantage of what is around you. And right now, our kids need us more than ever. Take the time to share their world with them. I learned more about medieval daily life from Jax today, than I learned from the Yaoman. I was grateful for the lesson and the time.

Image that reads: Checking in on my Jewish and Pa

Image that reads:

Checking in on my Jewish and Palestinian friends and followers.

I know the violence and bigotry feels so overwhelming and endless, but I continue to pray for peace. I do believe one day we shall overcome. It gives me hope to keep fighting.

My DM’s are open.
My texts are open.

Love you!

Grief and fear can be overwhelming, especially for

Grief and fear can be overwhelming, especially for those of us who have been targeted by hate because of our ethnicities, cultures, skin color, sexual orientation, gender and religious beliefs. Sending love and peace to all right now. Holding you all close and praying for peace. No one deserves to live in fear and violence. Hate has no place in society. xoxo -Brooke (president + co-founder, IBDMoms)

Posted @withregram • @ibdmoms IBDMoms continues to stand against any and all forms of violence against humanity. Our DM's and email accounts are open. We are here to listen and help in anyway possible. We are open to partner with others to help provide support wherever it is needed. We love you & we are here.

Thriving with IBD while abroad: 👑 Do the tours

Thriving with IBD while abroad:

👑 Do the tours you want, regardless of popularity
👑 Go when your body feels good
👑 Wear comfortable shoes
👑 Take all the breaks you need
👑 Take a personal fan
👑 Enjoy and thrive

After seeing how the AI did my brother @codyharr.l

After seeing how the AI did my brother @codyharr.la so dirty, I had to see what mine would look like. I have to say, they are pretty much my highschool vibe. Minus the crown at the end, the idea of me as anyone’s prom or homecoming queen is hysterical! Thoughts, @kamirose82 ? #yearbook #2000sTeen

Sometimes life feels claustrophobic. Sometimes li

Sometimes life feels claustrophobic.
Sometimes life feels so freeing and extraordinary.
Sometimes life is just a series of mundane moments.
Sometimes as patients you feel like you’re just running out of time and yet you have no energy to make up for lost time.
I remember thinking out loud in a hospital 2012, “ I have to make it outta here. I gotta throw my baby a birthday party. I have to finish school. I have to restart my career. I have to take my baby to see the oldest books in the oldest libraries.”
This week has been such a mix of emotions with things working out and not working out. Health cooperating and not cooperating, but I’m so proud of being here. Moving fast and moving slow. Getting there when I get there.

Trailblazer doesn’t even feel adequate enough to

Trailblazer doesn’t even feel adequate enough to describe this force of a human. Her policies were often rooted in humanity. She always had the smartest and hardworking staff. Her fight was never ending. From healthcare to Women’s rights to gun safety to LGBTQ+ rights to anti racism to just being an accessible representative, Senator Feinstein was a it!

I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with her a few times on and off the Hill. She stopped and listened each time. No frills, no nonsense, but empathy & care nonetheless. The people I have gotten to know who have worked for her are all some of the most brilliant and hardworking people I know. That says a lot about the Senator and what she expected of her work in the Senate. I can remember the year of the woman, her and Barbara Boxer with their hands joined in defiance of the Boys Club. Along with all of the other women elected to office that year. I was inspired at a young age and will continue to be inspired and fueled by her work. I am grateful to her work on appropriations ensuring yhat conditions like IBD and IBS that hide in the shadows get their voice in research and awareness.

Thank you, ma’am. Rest well!

#diannefeinstein #senatorfeinstein #RIP

It’s #nationalsonday and I am honored to be this

It’s #nationalsonday and I am honored to be this person’s mama. My mom said I gave birth to my own best friend, and this is true. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be both a parent, protector, friend and teacher to this ball of light. To say I am proud would be an understatement.

From our Harry Potter marathons to our policy discussions over dinner. Our traveling adventures and advocacy days to baseball games and days at disneyland. You are the light of my life and such a special addition to our family. I love being your mama!

Through it all, I remain grateful.

*disclaimer: This was posted under the hashtag with Jaxon’s permission. Though Jax is non-gender conforming, Jax identifies as a son, grandson and nephew, while using all pronouns. There is nothing confusing about it. Jax is just Jax.

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