Oh my goodness, friends! What has March done to us? There's been sun, there's been rain - both literal and metaphorical. Just remember, we are in this crazy month together!
By this point, you've heard it all. So, starting off on a POSITIVE NOTE:
Sawyer is one!
My sweet baby is one year old. Right before quarantine hit, we had a birthday party with balloons, cake, presents and all the friends and family that could fit in our house. He was equal parts shy and thriving on the attention.
In true First Time Mom fashion I baked him a low sugar smash cake, which he gobbled up. (All guests over the age of one enjoyed a big version of my favorite Carrot Cake.) Decorated the house from top to bottom, made enough home-cooked food to feed an army, and even ordered him a special party themed outfit (not pictured since it was COVERED in cake).
His first year feels both so long and so short. It doesn't feel like he was born yesterday, at least not yet. I know the sweet newborn snuggles, and a lot of firsts are behind us, but so are the sleepless nights. I cried when he wasn't a newborn anymore, thinking I would long for those days, but each new age and stage has quickly become my favorite. Right now, getting watching his personality unfold and develop is the best yet.
Quote of the Month
"We encounter God all over again every time we're desperate enough to realize we're not actually in charge." - Bob Goff
Recent events have me feeling stir crazy, uncertain, and realizing how unstable our world is. Growing up in a middle class family in America, my parents gave me no reason to doubt my safety or stability. And I have taken this invincible outlook into my adult live. I live in a safe place. I am competent. I can face anything.
It's not until something so far out of our control rocks our world that we realize how fragile everything is and how out of control things are.
For me, this is equal parts scary and comforting. It is a great reminder that we aren't in charge. And as a Christian, I am reminded Who is. I am reminded of Who takes care of me each and every day, how much pain I have been spared in live, and how many blessings I have been given - both currently, in a time of uncertainty, and every certain day leading up to now.
That Work From Home Life:
How are you doing with this work from home situation?
Reed and I have both worked from home, without childcare, for the past year, so not much has changed in our day to day. Except the whole leaving the house for more than groceries thing.
Working from home can be really hard and challenging at times (especially if you throw in a spouse and young kids in the mix!), but here are some tips we have learned from the past year:
Make a schedule ahead of time and stick with it.
Knowing when you'll have time to work is essential. There is nothing worse than having a to-do list and not knowing when you'll have time to squeeze work in. Plan when each partner will work and when each is on kid duty.
Our schedule looks like this:
- Monday: Laurel works/Reed is on childcare from 8am-12:30pm then we swap so Reed works/Laurel is on childcare from 1-5pm
- Tuesday: Laurel works the full day/Reed is on Childcare
- Wednesday: Reed works/Laurel is on childcare from 8am-12:30pm then we swap so Laurel works/Reed is on childcare from 1-5pm
- Thursday: Reed works the full day/Laurel is on childcare
- Friday: (normally) Grandma watches Sawyer for the whole day and both Reed and I work
Since we are both entrepreneurs, we always need work time outside this schedule. We both work most nights from 7-9 and work during Sawyers naps on Saturday or split Sunday like we do Monday and Wednesday.
Having a consistent schedule has been incredibly helpful for us! We can plan our week around when we will be working and set realistic goals and expectations.
Be as productive as possible during your scheduled hours.
When you're on, you're on. When I have work time, I try not to waste a minute of it. I swear by this planner to keep me focused.
I also swear by working in a distraction-free zone. For me, that means working in a room with a closed door. If I am working within earshot of my son, I can't help but peak in and see what he is doing. This really inhibits my ability to work focused and undistracted. I end up not getting enough work done during my work time which leads to me trying to sneak in some unfinished tasks during my time with him. At the end of the day I feel like I didn't give wither my work or my son my all.
It has taken me time to learn, but I now know I would rather work hard and focused and then be off and enjoying my sons company.
Embrace and enjoy it.
Whether you're a veteran work from home mom or are working at home for only a few weeks (hopefully!) it will be over before we know it. Kiddos will go to school. Partners will go back to work and I think we just might miss these days. We might be too close to see it now, but looking back, I think we will look back on these crazy messy memories and smile.
Currently Eating
Early march: Yogurt
As soon as the sunshine started breaking through, I started craving probiotic-rich cool and creamy yogurt. Coconut Cult, Culina, or this homemade recipe (made with pantry ingredients!)... I have been loving it all!
Late march: It's been all about pantry meals like...
Protein Packed Creamy Chipotle Pasta Salad (throw in whatever veggies you have!)
100% Whole Grain Gluten Free Artisan Bread
30 Minute Chickpea Walnut Chili
20 Minute Curry Red Lentil Salad
Loving lately:
Discovering my undying love for Moon Milk! Aka a sweet and creamy end of the night drink that curbs my evening sweet tooth. This cookbook by my friend Gina is AMAZING! It has 55 plant based moon milk recipes to help you get a better nights sleep. And you better believe I have one almost every night. My current favorites are Carrot Cake, Cake Batter, and White Chocolate Raspberry. Yes, they really are that GOOD!
TV. Who isn't? Looking forward to every new episode of the Rookie. Breaking into the archives to binge watch Castle. And we just caught up with last seasons Top Chef.
I have wanted an air purifier for so long and we finally snagged this one at Costco. I am amazed by the difference in our air quality. Not only does the app let you know the quality of your air, but we actually "felt" a difference. We have this unit in our bedroom and the air feels crisper and cleaner. Like the window is open and fresh air is coming in from outside.
Baking! Grateful that baking is 99 percent pantry staples. There is something so soothing about a long day spent baking bread. Specifically, this bread. Currently working on a CINNAMON RAISIN version. Wish me luck!
What is it about babies in jammies?! Specifically this sweet solar system print I recently snagged for sawyer. And I'm living in these joggers. Butter.
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