Front porch weather and fifteen minutes to myself. The weather has turned ahhhhhmazing and it's not even a stretch to say that the mornings are chilly. Our front porch is perfect in the mornings and evenings; I love seeing what's going on in the neighborhood (never anything much) and waving to any neighbors strolling by. On Tuesday morning, Chris took Dashiell to daycare and I took fifteen minutes for myself and sat on the front porch, drank coffee, and did nothing else. I realized that I don't know the last time I sat, just sat, without multitasking. It wasn't a... Read more →

I've been sustaining a little human life with my own body for 16 months (pregnancy + six months breastfeeding). I'm in awe, incredibly thankful, and humbled by my body's ability to do this. Breastfeeding for any amount of time is a combination of luck and hard work. I'm lucky that I have been physically able to breastfeed at all and especially for this length of time. I feel so fortunate for that fact. But it's also taken a lot of work; I've put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that Dashiell has enough milk to drink. And... Read more →

When we're out and about and someone asks me how old my baby is I've heard myself saying, "Almost six months," but then wonder who I'm talking about because my baby is definitely still three months old. How have we had this baby for six months already?! But then again, what did we even do before we had Dashiell?Life was much less fun, interesting, and full, I know that for certain. Now more than ever Dashiell is growing and learning so quickly. It's amazing to watch him attempt a new skill and, within a few days, master it. Triumph was... Read more →

{everything we need for daycare and our work days} On weekday mornings, between the time that I get up and the time I arrive at work, a lot has to happen. My mornings consist of getting myself ready for the day plus getting Dashiell ready for the day plus fitting in a pumping session plus spending as much quality time with Dashiell as possible plus dropping Dashiell off at daycare. On some days I even try to fit in a morning run or spin class. All in the span of two to two and a half hours. Here are the... Read more →

Introducing a new weekly series that features one or more things making me happy this week. The idea is inspired by something similar on the podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour which has a been on regular rotation lately. This series is a fun way to step back from the busyness of life and appreciate something small that's bringing a smile to my face. I hope you'll be inspired to take a minute to do the same. Making me happy this week: Homemade pumpkin spice syrup; rocking my coffee mug and my world. You need this in your life now. Yesterday,... Read more →

Last weekend I had a chance to reorganize my recipe binder. I'm picturing you reading that in a monotone voice because it doesn't look like a very exciting sentence. But let me assure you that for this organization-loving gal there are lots of implied exclamation marks. When I read it, it's more like this: Last weekend I had a chance to reorganize (!!!!) my recipe (!!!) binder (!!!). See? So fun! I first wrote about my plan for recipe organization here. Even though I think the system will work well for me I haven't been using my binder a lot.... Read more →

September felt like a fresh start. Even five years out of school I still feel the excitement of each new semester and the drop in temperatures this month has been especially rejevenating. We're opening windows and spending more time outside; I feel like I can breathe again. In September, I started my Mondo Beyono course (Meghan's taking it too!) and I'm loving it. Everyday I make a little time to read and participate in the lesson. In the midst of all the busyness of my life the few moments to reflect on making big dreams happen are so welcome. The... Read more →