Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival // Family Fun near Washington, DC

Last week I picked up Miles and was given his tiny hand print on a construction-paper-leaf, his name written at the top. I swooned. It was going on the fridge. Immediately. 

How in the world? Is this even real life? My baby is playing with paint and I am the parent going home with handmade crafts (works of art to me, of course). And that feeling of how lucky I am to be a mom to this little guy keeps coming. 

Last weekend we went to Butler's Orchard for the morning. We got a perfect, sunny day and even though Miles had been teething a lot, being outside for awhile was just what he needed. There was a hayride and pumpkins. We even brought home a huge one for our front porch (again, surreal- I have a front porch?). 

I live for this stuff. It is what I think about all week long: one day closer to going here or there, together. 

Soon: family photos, Halloween fun, and a road trip!

What are you up to this fall?

wishing you joy on your journey,

kristen

Out & About with Baby // 2-6 months old

In only six months I have consistently done more new, fun, and interesting things than any other time in my life. My little guy loves to go out, see the sights, people watch, and most recently- try new foods! (Exciting times for us as parents who love food and travel.) He was just meant to be a city baby. 

This post features the basics of what I consider the essentials for getting out and about from about 2-6. At this point we go out for up to 5-7 hours at a time. That means there are bottles, naps, and diaper changes all happening on-the-go. At first I was so overwhelmed to even take him out for a short while, and then I worried about going out by ourselves, and then my concern was juggling going out with friends and a baby...and whew, now it feels totally natural to just step out the door quickly and easily, without any worries! 

Or taking five million things!

Find yourself a diaper backpack that does it all, but especially one that wipes clean, has a changing pad, and an easily accessible pocket for your wallet and keys. There are always: wipes, 3 diapers, 1 outfit, infant tylenol, a headlamp, hand sanitizer, a pen, 1 sippy cup, formula, a spare metro card with money on it, and 1-2 bottles with just water inside (which I do before we head out so it's fresh), 1-3 small toys (see below).

That may sound like a lot listed out but it is barely anything. At least to me!

A teething toy is really a must. Even if baby is not teething, it is something to hold and play with. I carry one book and one small animal toy as well. Typically there's enough interesting things going on around us that the scenery gives us all the entertainment we need.

A nice, soft, lightweight blanket for stroller naps, a stroller that is comfy enough for baby to fall asleep in also equipped with a giant sunshade. In DC summer heat, there was a handful of days I had a clip on fan attached the stroller as well. In fact, most of our time outside was spent at the very end of winter, then spring through summer. Now that it has been more rainy I always have the stroller rain guard and a small umbrella in the stroller, ready to go.

So, those are my essentials things! Besides the stuff, I check the weather and make sure I know the area where I am going that day. Can we go inside if needed? Is there food around? When does everything open? Is there parking? Is the metro elevator working where I am headed?

Having these essentials means we get out the door extremely fast and with a light load. I just live it up with Miles. I let myself relax, have fun, and be excited about things. It helps that Miles has a great attitude and enjoys doing new things. It is amazes me to think about how much he has opened my eyes to so much. I feel like I am discovering the city all over again. We try coffee shops, visit exhibits, and also do fun baby things like go to storytime at the library.

I have really been enjoying finding nice things for us to do as a family. When I think about the future my heart skips a beat because I just can't wait to see what he likes and what he becomes interested in. The day I took him to see pandas at the zoo was seriously thrilling. I love that I can do these things for him here in DC. And right now, I am very grateful to have so much to explore, together.

Infant Massage Class // Nook + Tubby Todd Bath Co.

What better way to start a morning than with a baby massage class in a beautiful space? 

Nook is a creativity-inducing playspace for babies + kids, and this was our first visit! DC mamas, it is a haul to get out there but, I think it's worth it to attend a special class. There is another location opening that will be larger and a bit closer to the city, yay!

This class was all about infant massage and it was led by a massage therapist. How awesome is that?! Every single night we give Miles a massage as a part of his bedtime routine and the techniques I learned really upped my skills! Miles enjoyed it and I think you could tell he was used to having massages. :) If you have never tried massage for your baby it is well worth it. It helps with relaxation and helping ease tummy troubles, too.

This is me in my truest form. Getting excited over awesome things to enjoy with my Miles. 

We laid our babies out on yoga mats and used this Tubby Todd baby massage oil which was absolutely fabulous. It absorbs so well and left Miles' skin crazy soft. I'm going to keep using it to see if it beats the current massage oil I've been using.

Oh hey, Wee Gallery! We see you!

If there is a panda somewhere, me and Miles will find it.

Not pictured: all the delicious treats and goodies! I know, how could I not get a pic of that. But, we were having way too much fun exploring. I am so glad we got to learn and play all morning. Thanks for having us, Tubby Todd + Nook! 

Seylou Bakery & Mill // Shaw, Washington, DC

One cool winter morning, I woke up just knowing something was different. Nine months pregnant and realizing my water was breaking was definitely different. Max and I proceeded to walk, walk, walk all around Shaw to try to keep labor progressing. Imagine convincing a very pregnant woman to keep moving Yeah, I was losing momentum big time. That is until we spotted Seylou. 

It only made sense to go in and get some treats. And that we did. We stocked up on croissants and continued on our baby-walking journey in the neighborhood. Later, when the weather began to ease into spring, we returned with itty bitty Miles almost every single day. At this point, I have brought nearly all of my best friends and any family that visits knows they are going to end up here, too. I think this makes Seylou our first family spot.

My photos of this space do not do it justice. It is a very stunning, minimal, industrial vibe you just have to be there to enjoy. 

The kale and cheese croissant is hands down my favorite. I don't know how they make crisped kale look so beautiful but it just is.

Miles certainly loves it here! I can't wait until he can try some of the treats!

Even times when we were not able to sit in for a visit, my husband has gone to buy us a loaf of fresh bread. Our favorite thing to do is bring home the whole wheat sourdough, slice it thick, toast it, and brush it with a bit of olive oil. Add an egg on top with salt and pepper, and ah- the perfect breakfast.

This is the chocolate almond croissant and it will rock your world.

You guys, it would seriously be a dream to work here even a few hours a month! Baking is a big passion of mine. I have so much respect for the way they are running their business and all the knowledge behind the operation. Every time I visit- large stroller and all, I am greeted and welcomed so kindly. I am so glad a space like this exists in DC. My suggestion: grab a drink, a treat, sit by the giant windows facing Blagden Alley and read, write, get lost in your thoughts for awhile. 

wishing you joy on your journey,

kristen

Prose Custom Shampoo & Conditioner Review

My self-care is decidedly simple and affordable. This time, however, I decided to splurge on new, custom shampoo and conditioner by Prose. I had been using the same Aveda shampoo- the only one that seemed to work on my hair during pregnancy. But now, five months postpartum, it was time to change things up. 

Some times my hair ends up in a bun for a day or two. And it turns into this and only gets more dry and tangled as time goes on. I despise washing my hair (sorry, but it is true).

Below is my hair four days into throwing it up into a bun, napping, not having time to brush it...still looking strong and no bits of frizz at the ends! For me, this is a good hair day. It has lasted through bath time splashes and the fragrance is subtle but still there if I grab a handful of hair and smell. 

Prose takes into consideration where you live. Everyday life in a city means extra pollution and more walking outside. Equally smart, the lifestyle factors play a role in what formula you receive as well. I anticipate being able to work out much more often once I go back to work and that was noted in the Q&A process. 

Part of the questionnaire is also about your scalp! I never thought about it but I realized from the options that mine was uncomfortably tight. Since washing it, I already notice a big difference. Some standout ingredients in my formula: pisatchio oil for suppleness, odor neutralization from lemongrass, and porphyra algae to repair ends over time.

I choose the strawberry and rose fragrance, which is still ever so slighty too floral for me but overall I still really like it. If I got another set, I would try a different one. Typically I avoid perfumes and scents in everything I own but I decided to make an exception for my shampoo and conditioner right now. The smell gives me a bit of calm and makes me feel a bit more put together.

Next time I am going to blow dry my hair and see how it goes! Have you tried Prose? Did you like it? If you're curious, at least give the quiz a whirl and see what you think. Let me know. :)

wishing you joy on your journey,

kristen

Baby Nursery: Safari Organic Growth Chart by Wee Gallery

Baby Miles' nursery is coming along! Because we did not even have a nursery until we moved into our new home last month, I am taking my time finding special things. There is no rush, ya know? One thing I have known I wanted for him is a special growth chart! Miles is super tall already and it is going to be fun to see him grow, grow, grow!

I tried to include photos below to show you guys the awesome packaging this came with. It really is all about the details with keepsake things like this. Here it is...

Something I want my baby boy to always remember: to live boldy, to live wildly. He seems to be a adventurer already so I think this design suits his personality well.

There are a lot of options out there including wooden, personalized, and fabric growth charts. This fabric is certified organic and has the perk of being easy to roll up for storage one day to save as a keepsake. Seeing these bold black and white designs from Wee Gallery caught my attention immediately. Once I learned that they are a small, eco-conscious business, I was set on it!

The designs are simple but striking and let's be real, you can never go wrong with black and white. Miles immediately noticed his growth chart and continues to stare at it longingly. I do think these designs are enticing for little ones.

I truly love that this can be personalized in my own handwriting. So special.

Customer service from Wee Gallery is awesome! When I made my purchase, I also ordered a custom name print with Miles' birthday, weight, etc. There was a mix-up with my promo code and I also accidentally placed the order twice. Before I even noticed the double order customer service was kindly in touch with me and handled everything so quickly. Even the custom print shipped incredibly fast! All around awesome.

Link to growth charts by Wee Gallery here!

wishing you joy on your journey,

kristen

Family Vibes: Brunch + Food Shopping in Bulk

Getting to know our new neighborhood has led us to venture out to different parts of the city. Prior to moving, we always pretty much stayed in and around Shaw. We had no car and it was easy to walk to variety of spots. Now we are eager to explore, explore, explore! And figure out our new routines, like where we want to get our fresh fruits and veggies every week.

Yes! Organic Market is nearby so we gave it a look. We went in for soy sauce and some veggies, left with a variety of grains, vegetables, and a homeopathic teething treatment to try for baby Miles. I expected the cost to be out of control but it was surprisingly reasonable for the things we purchased.  The prices were competitive or the same as the farmer's market, plus organic. Buying from the bulk section has been one step in the direction of decreasing our packaging footprint at home. Now that we are shopping like this often, I ordered a set of market bags specifically for bulk foods instead of using the plastic bags. 

Go for it, baby boy!

On my mom's last day visiting us, we had a fun brunch at Open City. This spot continues to be a favorite. Whatever you're in the mood for, they've got it covered. I had the croissant breakfast sandwich for the first time and loved every bite.

Time with Grandma was refreshing for all of us. We finally have space to host guests and she is a guest of honor! We made lots of new, vegetarian recipes (my mom is vegan/vegetarian) and had so many laughs. It was so nice to sneak away in the mornings for time together with my husband. Early morning outings are romantic to me. Everything is just beginning to stir and there is a calm vibe that I find brings about the best conversations.

Everywhere we go we are trying to get landscaping ideas and check out color options to help us decide on the color we want to paint the brick of our house. It is neither of these, but I think we finally got it!

wishing you joy on your journey,

kristen

A Happy + Healthy Maternity Leave: Planning Financially

Each day home with a new baby is filled with ups and downs. There are truly once-in-a-lifetime moments. But it is also just a fact that there are long, monotonous days that can feel totally unnerving if you are used to being at work.

This post is just me sharing real life experiences to help you make the best choice for you, Mama. Intertwined are pieces of truth and wisdom along with the real and honest-to-goodness things I have learned along the way. I'm writing this during naptime, so let's get to it...!

When we started seriously think about starting a family I researched the policies at my workplace and quickly learned the bulk of any of my time off would be unpaid. I strongly desired six months of maternity leave. That is by all means, a very generous amount of time. My workplace does not have a formal parental leave policy, so as soon as I found out I was pregnant we reached out to our financial planner and she helped us establish a savings plan for my time off.

The goal? Zero interruption of income for our household even when I was not working. This is only one approach to funding your maternity leave, but generally speaking, as soon as you know you want to start even trying to have a baby, save as much money as possible. By time Miles was born, the savings was fully funded. We were dedicated to working hard to meet this goal. If you are feeling totally overwhelmed by having no paid leave, I understand. It is stressful and challenging to navigate all of this when all you really want to do is focus on your growing family.

We read a book together called, Becoming a Calm Mom*. It was so helpful and we were able to discuss big topics in manageable ways. The guidance in the book led us to feel confident that six months off was the right amount for our family and we learned how to better discuss the major topics that face new parents.

In total I used 3 weeks of saved sick/vacation time (ALL of my time off) with 12 weeks off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA, unpaid) and the rest was approved by my management as time off under Leave Without Pay (LWOP, unpaid).

In addition to our savings fund we began putting aside some money every paycheck for a baby savings (the baby savey, as we call it) to use on any baby needs after Miles was born. In the first week or so we bought a SnuggleMe ($100), a Rock'n'Play ($65), and a lactation consultant home visit ($350). There are plenty of things to get second hand or buy used, but when you really need something immediately, it is a relief to be able to have it right away. It is crazy how much things add up! Overall, saving created a solid foundation. It gave me breathing room to focus on motherhood instead of feeling pressure to get back to work.

While six months off sounds like a long time, it has flown by. All in all, 12 weeks of leave seems to be a sweet spot for many working mothers I have spoken with, but they do often mention not yet feeling physically recovered. For me, at 12 weeks I felt recovered physically but I was not ready to be apart from Miles all day. We were bonding and I was just starting to get into my groove as a mother. It takes time. Many new mothers say they did not truly feel like a mother until their baby was 3, 4, or even 12 months old. I would recommend getting as much time off as you can, keeping in mind you can always go back to work earlier than you planned. Nothing is permanent.

If your partner has time off, consider splitting it up. My husband and I staggered his paternity leave so that he would have the bulk of it when Miles was born, and the rest when I return to work next month. This way we can transition as smoothly as possible with managing household chores and baby tasks, and I have his support as I make my jump into becoming a working mom. An older colleague once told me that the time he spent staying home with his children when his wife went to work was one of the most significant times of his life.


Speaking of partners...I felt so guilty when my husband returned to work but I still needed his help. Reality is that I put this pressure on myself. My husband's support to balance his work and home life was and is essential. For example, at one point when Miles was younger, the best solution for us was that I went to sleep early, hubs was on baby duty until midnight (usually one feeding), and then I would get the early morning one. We both got some sleep and baby was happy.

Each family balance is different. One common thought is that in the face of high childcare costs, one partner should stop working. And I get it. Washington, DC has the highest childcare costs in the country. I would be lying if I did not say the idea crossed my mind. But, I considered the cost of long term earnings loss (as in the money I would make after the few years of childcare) and it does not seem worth it save money in the short term. Again, nothing is permanent. One amazing thing about motherhood is that it really sparks a revolution for you and your family: a chance to review your entire life. You may want a whole different career. Your spouse may change jobs. You may move somewhere new. Who knows! But the chance to truly think about the WHY behind everything you are doing is a gift, even when it seems overwhelming to do so.

Part One Wrap Up:

Research what kind of leave is available to you

Save, save, save

Plan to share baby tasks even when your partner goes back to work

Invest time to learn how to discuss parental topics (childcare, balancing work life)

The second part of this post will focus on more bits of wisdom I think make all the difference in enjoying your leave. I hope the practical insights here have helped organize your thoughts. Definitely email or message me if there's anything you want to talk about, I'm here!

wishing you joy on your journey,

kristen

*My first time using an affiliate link!

Before Miles

Motherhood is having half of the things on your to-do list halfway done, perpetually.  So where better to start than where I am?  Over four months into this new life, I have to say the landscape of day-to-day is ever-changing.  

If there is one thing I know to be true, I will never be the same.  

It is incredibly difficult to write about the experience of becoming a mother because it is very intimate. I find it to be the hardest thing to describe. I'm speechless. As mother and son, Miles and I have been on an unbelievable journey together. Many days I doubt myself and my own capabilities while simultaneously basking in the glow radiating from my Miles' golden-red hair and cheerful demeanor.  In the words of one of my all time favorite songs: I am in repair, I'm not together, but I'm getting there.

If you have ever felt like you were building yourself from the ground up, I am with you. Before Miles I was not as deeply motivated as I am now. Before Miles, I was in the habit of accepting of my constant procrastination and not challenging myself to pursue my passions. Before Miles I never knew how incredibly sweet and delicious a darling cheek against my own could feel. 

Before Miles there was no boundary on how much time I could waste. Now my spare moments- while sometimes are spent in total relaxation and other times fast energy- are decidedly purposeful.  My lips have given five million kisses (and still it feels like too few each day).  And when I think about fear, my first instinct is to smirk a bit because I have already faced so many of my own in the process of becoming a mom, and one wild thing about my son is that he is fearless. 

Thank you

for following me on this journey and sharing in this next part of my life! I am excited to write again. I feel inspired by so many things right now, from motherhood to setting up our first home, and discovering what truly brings me joy in life. I hope this is a place you leave feeling uplifted and reminded that challenges we face are just opportunities to grow.