let’s recap this month:
created + ordered our Fall 2020 Chatbooks
see this instagram post if ya want a visual + a peek at our Summer 2020 book
made a winter bookshelf for KK (link takes you to shop the bookshelf - see the “winter” highlight on my Instagram to see how it looks in our home!)
did a virtual color consult to find out what colors I look best/worst in, purged my closet, and now have the best direction for both getting dressed and ordering clothes online. can’t recommend enough.
made my favorite chicken noodle soup + froze leftovers in the freezer for Future Haley
also ate a lot of my favorite cut grapefruit, my favorite oven omelette, and my favorite chicken sandwiches
KK started solids and I made an eating cart
this document details my favorite resources/tools + how I’m learning about everything + why/when KK stopped breastfeeding + what she’s eating each week
I don’t share photos of KK eating all too often on my Instagram just because I want to avoid the feedback and I think it’s great we all get to choose what works best for us and our babies. So while I know you may have good intentions, pIease refrain from sending me any opinions. This process has taken a lot of research, both we and our pediatrician love it, and KK is happy + healthy. :)
ordered a grill prep table for Grill and Chill for our Christmas Eve Box
received two new pieces for my turquoise collection
fell back in love with mason jar make ahead yogurt parfaits
made a list of baby-and-pandemic-friendly things Brett and I like to do together
created the most happy accident on F It Friday (aka Leftover Night)
a double batch of this garlic alfredo sauce mixed with a single batch of leftover pasta, and baked until bubbly. NOM.
spoke on stories facing the camera for the first time ever. see the “how i menu plan” highlight to see this jewel for yourself + watch me walk you through how and why we menu plan this way.
KK graduated from her Snoo. here’s how it went.
see the baby section of this post for our baby favorites + how/why I got a Snoo secondhand.
prepped several salads on Sundays during #hwdmealprep and Grill and Chill to enjoy easy weeknight dinners. here’s the post on how I do it.
the post also talks about where I get my mason jars. you might be surprised.
showed yall a corner of our bedroom - aka the corner of dog kennel and robes and slippers OH MY.
aaaand why we finally got a bedroom TV after a particular incident. i still shudder from that weekend.
aaaand the first three things I ALWAYS look for at Goodwill.
loved our laundry room finally with the help of two humble bulletin boards.
skipped what was on our menu plan a few times. here’s what we eat instead when that happens.
introduced KK to my love for daily smoothies, thanks to these cups, this article on smoothies, and this article on introducing straws.
got new sheets - BLESS.
found a perfect white tshirt FINALLY.
already ordered in several more colors, as well as the long sleeved version. this tall girl so appreciates the length.
also fell in love with this cardigan, if we’re listing other solid amazon clothes findings this month.
ordered three pairs of relatively inexpensive sunglasses for Brett
Brett used to have a really, really nice pair from a brand that rhymed with Shay Shans, and he lost them. so now I order these, but I ordered extra so that he can keep them in the three places he needs them most: his car, my car, and his garden. (might order another pair for the stroller at some point.) this system is working beautifully.
ordered a little pretty something for our front door. I CAN’T WAIT.
also ordered wine storage, door mats, more baking mats, more of my produce keepers, more washing machine cleaner, more of my vitamins,
created + mailed christmas cards - here’s how ours turned out.
here’s how I budget for annual photos/christmas cards/seasonal photo books to make them a high priority.
took time away from instagram. i’ve had the notifications turned off on my phone for years so that it’s not blowing up my phone, but sometimes I crave a bigger break - and when I do, I honor it. because 99% of the time, instagram is such a lovely space, but sometimes when I haven’t had a break, that 1% really wears me down. so I stepped back and enjoyed some slow, phone-free holiday time. it was glorious and I’m so happy to be back.
ordered two more of my favorite door racks
we recently turned our pantry one into the spot where we keep KK’s things - I let them dry there too so that nothing is crowding up my counter
see “pantry” and “kk eating” and “closets” highlights on my instagram for more
binged a TV show that was SO FREAKING GOOD, read some books, planned to eat through our freezer, and received the best gift ever - this quick instagram post gives more details. you have to see the gift!
got more shelves to do this in another little hallway in our home.
enjoyed these KK-related resources: montessori toddler, bringing up bebe, how to build a home that promotes independent play, independent play, and these eating-related guides.
got KK a Nugget for Christmas (and ordered a second one because I think it’s that great)
since it was her first Christmas and she doesn’t know any different, I wanted to use this year to splurge on something that I knew would be enjoyed for many, many years to come. I wanted a Nugget even before I got pregnant - my sisters and I would’ve loved having this thing growing up.
I also gifted her a few books for her seasonal bookshelves (see fall books here, winter books here, spring books here, and summer books here), as well as asked family members for books.
also ordered this for KK - another jewel I’ve wanted that I’m hoping will last for years to come and be enjoyed by siblings.
I love homes where you can tell it’s very kid-friendly, but not obviously this-place-is-run-by-kids. So basically I’m working on incorporating alllllll the storage, like my favorite Ikea hack. And ordering pieces - like the Nugget and the triangle and our bookshelf and our chalkboard - that I don’t mind having out in the open, as our wide hallway and open living spaces will also be play areas.
watched these KK resources with brett and it was so helpful - it now feels like we’re on the same page: baby led weaning basics and how to prevent picky eating.
this document about KK’s eating opens with a blurb on why I’m so interested by this if you want to know my background story.
fell off my water routine for a bit, then focused on it for a few days to get back on track and noticed how much better my body and mind feel with this routine - this post explains this easy thing I do to get enough water. It’s the only thing that has ever worked for me.
and wrote a few words on how I’m feeling in this weird year of a pandemic, cancelled/postponed/masked weddings, a new baby.
