I’m typing this post while Azelie is snoozing nearby and Dave and Charlie are on their way to preschool drop-off. After three weeks of having our parents rotate through our house to help out (which was WONDERFUL and such a huge blessing!) plus lots of days off of school for Charlie, the quiet in my house feels almost indulgent. Already, just a week and a half into being a family of four, I’m realizing these quiet moments will only be fewer and farther between from now on. I’m excited that during maternity leave for the next few months, I’ll really be able to soak them in. My strategy is to spend these moments resting, writing, or reading–a few of the activities that are the most relaxing and life-giving to me. I have many thoughts stirring in my heart about becoming a mom for the second time that I’m especially eager to get on paper…stay tuned :)

P.S. I finally added a way to subscribe to new posts via e-mail! If you’re interested, sign up here.

February Favorites
1. J. Crew’s new spring arrivals are SO. GOOD. I can’t stop thinking about this gorgeous ruffled blouse (which I surprisingly love in red–I literally don’t have a single red thing in my closet!), these chic heels, this simple-but-special top, this pretty eyelet blouse, and this floral headband.
2. One of my favorite things about being back in the newborn phase has been wearing Azelie in the Solly wrap–something I treasured so much when Charlie was little. We’ve also been loving their sleep gowns, which are dreamily soft. I honestly think Azelie cracked a tiny smile the first time we put her in hers!
3. My sister gave me the Half-Baked Harvest Super Simple cookbook for Christmas and we’ve pulled it out weekly ever since. I find HBH’s blog recipes a little time-intensive for our everyday life, but the cookbook recipes have been much quicker and easier (especially when they can be made in the Instant Pot, which she includes instructions for). Our favorites so far have been the chicken tortilla soup, everything bagel salad, parchment-baked salmon, and pork schnitzel (my mom made the last two when she was visiting–thanks Mom!).

Year of Wellness focal area: staying hydrated. This couldn’t come at a better time since I’m nursing around the clock and feeling constantly thirsty! I’m aiming to drink 120 ounces daily in my favorite Yeti tumbler and am keeping track of it with an adorable printable that Stephanie designed. Download it here and join us :)

February Goal Progress
1. Read a little bit of The Introduction to the Devout Life daily (a few sentences to a few pages–whatever I need that day).
2. Schedule a few fun little activities for Dave, Charlie, and me to enjoy throughout the month before baby girl is born. (Wasn’t as intentional about this as I wanted to be, but we did share some sweet moments together that I’m grateful for!)
3. Do a deep clean of the house before our parents arrive. (“Deep” might be a strong word, but clean enough ;))
4. Finish decorating the nursery and hang art downstairs.
5. Complete February prep time plus some advance March prep.
6. Blog “year of wellness” plan and action steps for February. (See it here!)
7. Blog about Ordinary Time and share Blessed Is She post about preparing for Lent in an unpredictable season. (Here!)
8. Enjoy getting my hair cut and my nails done.
9. Have a baby! :)

March Goals
1. Find a new window of time each day for prayer journaling.
2. Take Charlie on a little date, just the two of us.
3. Create a super-simplified chore list to keep things afloat at home during our first month with Azelie.
4. If the weather is agreeable, paint our front door!
5. Research some new service providers (dentist, eye doctor, etc.) that are located closer to our new house.
6. Drink 120 ounces of water per day for this month’s Year of Wellness focal area.
7. Celebrate some special feast days: Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (3/7), St. Patrick (3/17), St. Joseph (3/19), and the Solemnity of the Annunciation (3/25). For a few celebration ideas, take a peek at this past post :)
8. Embrace and enjoy a slow schedule during my maternity leave.