oak alexander

He is here!!!!!! Oak Alexander Rodriguez was born peacefully at home, surrounded by an amazing birth team, one week ago today on Wednesday, February 24th, in the wee hours of the morning. He was 8 lbs, 8 oz, and 22.25" long. He is a happy, healthy boy and we are enjoying him so much!  Today was his "due" date, but we are so thankful that our big boy came a week early!  

I'll write more about his birth and our first experiences together in the coming weeks. For now, though, I'm going to simply keep enjoying my sweet little baby. 

cold, quiet january

I love January.  I think it's a month that often gets overlooked and even gets looked at in a negative way.  People tend to dislike it because it's cold and sometimes a bit lonely feeling, but those are exactly the reasons why I love it so.  Being an introvert, January is the perfect refresher after the hubbub of the holidays.  I love the holiday season, but by the end of it I am so very ready to become a hermit for bit and the cold, quiet January that follows is simply perfect.  

These past two weeks, I've been cleaning, organizing, and purging things around our house--it's partly due to the nesting stage I'm in and partly due to January being the perfect time of year for those types of projects.  Cupboards have been cleaned, important papers have been filed away, and the sewing machine has been running.  There has also been time for quiet relaxation and reflection too.  I think I've read more in the past few weeks than I did over the few months that preceded them.  What else is one to do when the temps are below zero and the days are short? We often live such fast-paced lives, I love how January forces us into a bit of quiet at home.  What a great way to refuel the body and the soul.

So, take advantage of these next few weeks.  Let the cold and the quiet dictate your schedule.  When the roads are icy and the temps arctic, allow yourself to say no to the activities and commitments and just stay home.  Take some time to let your body relax and refuel.  There will be plenty of time to be busy later in the year.  

soon to be three!

The secret is out!!!!  We're having a baby!!!  

Gosh, it has been far easier to keep quiet about this little one than I thought it would be...except in this space!  For those of you who are avid readers of my little blog, you may have noticed that I've been a bit off of my normal routine of 2-3 posts per week.  Well...I must say, it is 100% pregnancy related!  Ha!  This pregnant mama has been SLEEEEPPPPY!!!  And I've been finding it rather difficult to fit everything into the more limited hours that I now have in a day.  I've also been a bit quiet on the blog because I've been making so many baby-related things that I haven't been able to share with you!  And at the end of the day...there just wasn't much else to write about!  Just wait...I've been saving them all up and plan to show you all each and every one! 

We are so very excited for this little one, who will arrive late February or early March!  Pregnancy is such an amazing thing.  I feel so empowered, like my body is doing exactly what it was created to do and it's thriving in that.  More on that in the weeks to come...but until then....WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

busy little bees

Life has been a bit busy around here!! We're busy adjusting to new fall schedules, busy in the kitchen with the produce and eggs that are filling baskets and countertops, and busy with a few new adventures as well! 

Next week will hopefully bring a bit of normalcy and a steadier rhythm. Until then, cheers to Friday and the coming weekend! 

when life is too busy to pick the beans...

...the beans get really big.

It's been a week of really big beans around here.  With a busy holiday weekend spent with the best of friends and the start of the fall semester, there has hardly been time to sit down, let alone pick the beans!  And because of that, I just washed and froze a quart of rather large beans.  They won't taste the best and the texture may be a bit strange, but they will still nourish our bodies in the middle of winter and that's what's really important.  

So, with the summer behind us and the fall in full swing, I wish you all the best as you find yourself with maybe a little less time than you had a week or two ago.  There is something about fall that brings more regular commitments to the table, which can be lovely and bring such a good rhythm to our lives, but it can also mean that some things, like the beans, get a bit overlooked in the hustle and bustle.  So, as you fill your days with things, I hope you are still able to find ways to nourish your bodies and souls, even if it's with slightly overgrown and less than perfect beans.  

Cheers to fall!  And cheers to you, my dear readers.