Loving Lately: Mom of 3/Holiday Edition

1. Christopher & Banks Pull On Denim Jegging

These jeans are the ideal combination of comfort, style, and reasonable price point. They look and fit great, especially for this post-partum mom bod, and they are super comfortable with the elastic waistband. I've been a convert to high-waisted jeans in the last year or so (although, you won't see me tucking my shirts in) and these jeggings come up to just below my belly button. Best of all, they don't sag or stretch out, even after wearing a few days in a row! Which, obviously, is my modus operandi right now.

2. A Windham Hill Christmas

Christmas music is playing constantly in my house or car during this time of year. I love hearing seasonal tunes in the background throughout my day, and the collections by Windham Hill are lovely renderings of traditional favorites. Also, see below... I've been listening to this album on my Amazon Music account!

3. Technology, in general

And Amazon, specifically. I've ordered pretty much all of my Christmas presents here, as well as some new mom/baby essentials -- from diapers and wipes to nursing tanks and compression leggings. And you can't beat Prime 2-day shipping. We also use the Amazon Firestick with our television, and this means plenty of catching up on shows while I'm on "maternity leave"! My favorite shows lately have been Outlander, Poldark and Fixer Upper. I also love the Kindle app on my iPhone, since I enjoy reading during those late-night nursing sessions, and also the BabyHub app for tracking feedings.

4. All the coffee

Caffeine is a necessity when running on 2-3 hours of sleep at a time, and my older children are early risers, so dragging myself out of bed by 6am requires coffee ready in an instant. Pop a pod in the Keurig and we're ready to go! Once again, ordering through Amazon makes it super easy to keep these on hand!

5. Diaper Purse Organizer

I have all kinds of bag, purses, wallets, satchels and other carrying accessories (what woman doesn't!), but not all of them are "diaper friendly". This little organizer tote makes all the difference. Slide it into a regular purse or satchel, and suddenly it becomes a diaper bag! It also makes for much easier transition between purses -- mom's gotta stay stylish, you know. ;)

6. Scents of the season

I enjoy lighting scented candles year-round, but something about the smell of a Christmas tree, gingerbread or peppermint permeating the house really gets me in the holiday mood. These cute little tins by Paddywax also make great gifts or stocking stuffers!

What are your favorites this time of year?

Make A List...

I've been writing a lot of lists lately... grocery lists, work lists, cleaning lists, prayer lists, this-baby-is-coming-soon-so-get-it-done lists... (the list could go on). It helps keep me sane and on track. This is probably a habit from my corporate office days when I made daily agenda outlines to keep my tasks and deadlines straight. For my freelance work, I keep weekly to-do lists that seem to get longer as the week goes on. There's no denying the sense of accomplishment that comes with checking something off your list -- but sometimes it feels like every completed task adds up to 3 new ones!

This past spring, I was struggling through the physical strain of constant nausea during early pregnancy, and I challenged myself to write a daily 'Happy List'. The list included (seemingly) little things like a sunny day or a hot cup of coffee. This daily practice was not only encouraging, but convicting. It helped me to recognize the areas in my life that lacked gratitude and appreciation of all I've been given. The Lord has richly blessed me and my family and, even on my worst days, the awareness of His grace in my life is enough. Funny how easy that is to forget. But keeping a tally -- even just a daily mental list -- of the many good things He gives, is an incredible reminder.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 

I need that reminder again as the arrival of this new babe approaches. With two little ones in tow, the days feel so long, and my temper very short. I struggle to stay inspired and alert when my energy is low and parenting struggles leave me discouraged. But, in the quieter moments, these littles lists in my head remind me of the end goal. And that I'm not pursuing it alone.

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Taking the time to slow down, re-focus on the task at hand, and enjoy the precious moments I've been given is time well spent. So, here is today's list:

• A few quiet moments  to sit and think
• Extended naptime for both children (after two days of bad/short naps)
• A healthy baby girl (kicking me right now) who will be arriving soon
• Modern technology that allows me to communicate with family and friends, near and far
• Consistent freelance work and creative outlets
• Fall! (I love this season)
• Coffee. Always.
• Anticipation of impending events, holidays and family gatherings
• Good health and modern medicine

Really this list could go on... the more you think about it, the longer our list of blessings becomes. In this season of harvest, as the holidays and end of the year approach, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. I'm savoring these quiet moments of "reaping" to appreciate and enjoy the generous harvest God has given this year. This favorite old English hymn comes to mind:

Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come;
Raise the song of harvest home!

https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/come-ye-thankful-people?lang=eng&_r=1

The Bourgeois Pig

Met a friend here for coffee today: The Bourgeois Pig
(I always have trouble spelling that word--"bourgeois" not pig)

It's a quaint little coffee cafe off Fullerton in the heart of Lincoln Park, and right next door to the DePaul campus. This may have been the reason it was a tad crowded in the main room. We did not venture upstairs to the "additional seating" area, although from the pictures online
it appears to be pretty cozy.


The extensive menu includes a variety of salads, soups, hot & cold sandwiches, and a host of coffees concoctions and teas. I ordered a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have no previous experience with this drink for comparison (no, I have not had the Starbucks version although I hear it is great), but I was a little disappointed by the Bourgeois Pig's offering. I was expecting more pumpkin+spice flavor (?).....and it fell a tad short. Although, it could have been the abundance of whipped cream topping off the coffee.

I will gladly try the place again, though -- any cafe with a menu that large must have something good.

Listening to Iron&Wine Around the Well -- and wondering if I will ever be warm again.