for each month of this year (I started in March), I'm going to be doing a monthly challenge, where I practice something NEW for the entire month (about 30 days). I didn't want to preselect all the challenges for the entire year, because I'm always changing and there are always areas of my life that change and some need more help than others at certain times.
let's start with a recap of the last month and then get into this month's challenge!
october's challenge: recap
october's challenge was to set myself up for success in the morning by keeping the living space (living room, kitchen area, etc) clean and ready for a new day. that meant doing all the dishes, clearing the clutter,...
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when we were nearing Luca's first birthday, my husband and I decided that for the first time ever, we'd take a trip just the two of us, without the baby. for some reason, with Luca being 1, we felt ready. a month after Luca turned 1, was Lu's 40th birthday, so we wanted to do something new - go on an adventure! we're such beach vacationers (we've done most of the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda, etc) that we wanted something different. something new - something to discover together!
as a mother to a 13 month old and entrepreneur (and wife of an entrepreneur), getting to take long vacations is tough. Lu's birthday falls right before Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we couldn't...
Continue reading My getting-into-shape postpartum journey has two parts and some ups and downs in between.
The first part
First off, my body recovered pretty quickly after having the baby. About 6-8 weeks later, I felt great. I felt like my body was starting to look like its old self, with a flatter tummy. Breastfeeding was really working wonders, from a weight loss perspective. Then, at around 2.5-3 months, my appetite kicked up big time throughout all of Luca's growth spurts and breastfeeding. I started to use that as an excuse to eat more than necessary, and I started gaining some pounds back. I wasn't exercising constituently, either, because, well, newborn life.
I was okay with that, because I was being gentle to myself during...
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I'm always fascinated by how parents balance life with children - the housework, the meals, the playdates, appointments, classes, school, and just the day to day. No parent duo is the same, but we all seem to make it work (and major shout out to the single parents out there - you're the real heroes!)
Before the baby, Lu and I had the, "I cook, you clean" separation of duties. Now, there's a lot more to do other than cooking and cleaning (and there's even more of that with the baby, haha!) and it's a bit more complicated and busy, which is why it's important to have each partner be responsible for something separate.
I feel like Lu and I have our...
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It's so hard not to buy clothes for your baby. Everything is so cute! And the time when you can decide what your baby will way is limited, because then they grow up and they have their own opinions! I've loved buying Luca's clothes, from his first outfit home from the hospital to now, with his big puffy vests he's been wearing now that the temps are dropping.
Babies grow so quickly, so you feel silly buying clothes they'll grow out of in a month. For me, I say what the heck, babies are only babies once, and his cute little outfits make me so happy and we need a bit more happiness in the world! Sometimes, it's the little things,...
Continue reading Around the time that Luca turned 1, a lot started happening. He really shifted into a schedule, he started walking, he started drinking less breastmilk, eating lots of solids, and to my delight, started sleeping on his own! Every stage is so much fun and this stage just seems to be full of so many milestones! So, let's give an update and chat about his schedule, weaning, and just how we're doing!
Sleep
We never sleep trained Luca, primarily because we're not "schedule" people (we don't like to be on a schedule, so we didn't want to put the baby on a schedule that we'd have to follow.) The downside? He can't really sleep well on his own - he needed coaxing,...
Continue reading The Sunday before Luca turned one year old, we threw him a birthday party! The theme was "wild party animals," which meant lots of safari and jungle animal decor and themed food. We celebrated with our closest friends and family, and felt extremely proud, blessed, and loved that day.
The first birthday party is a funny thing, because, of course, the baby won't ever remember it, BUT the parents, family and friends certainly will. I mean, one year with a baby is an accomplishment! There are sleepless nights, non stop crying (at times!), early mornings, and just an overall total lifestyle shift. It takes about a year to get used to it! And it's the BEST.
I have to say, I've loved...
Continue reading for each month of this year (I started in March), I'm going to be doing a monthly challenge, where I practice something NEW for the entire month (about 30 days). I didn't want to preselect all the challenges for the entire year, because I'm always changing and there are always areas of my life that change and some need more help than others at certain times.
let's start with a recap of the last month and then get into this month's challenge!
september's challenge: recap
september's challenge was to listen to a new podcast episode everyday. I didn't do this very well, because it's impossible for me to listen to podcasts while doing anything that requires typing or writing (which is a big...
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27
Sep
month 11 of the BABY FAVORITES series. things that my baby (and me!) are loving at this stage. for this series, I'm going to list the things that made month ELEVEN great!
and this will be the LAST favorites post, now that Luca is 1 year old. I wanted these faves to be a catalog of all my favorite things for Luca's first year and now that he's officially 1, this is the last post! hope you enjoyed and found some inspiration.
and of course, you can check out newborn favorites, month 4, month 5, month 6, month 7, month 8, month 9, and month 10.
month 11: baby favorites
1. Peekaboo Bunny: This bunny is great - it plays Peekaboo and sings a little song...
Continue reading Dear Luca,
Happy Birthday, honey! You're one year old today. I knew that day and I know now that I was put on this Earth to be your Mommy. Nothing in my life makes me prouder or happier than you. Waking up to your adorable little face and fluffy hair starts each day off with love and light.
Before you arrived, we were never nervous. We were ready for you to arrive and change our lives forever - and boy, did you! When you first were put on Mommy's chest the moment you were born, I felt like I was born too - my purpose in life became clear. My purpose is you! I don't remember life before you, and what I...
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