January. The month of new beginnings. The time of year everyone buckles down and gears up for the year to come. The moment we all commit, or in our case recommit, to the things that we love, we want to invest our time in, and will propel us forward.
Last summer we decided to press pause and focus on our families. To enjoy the sunshine-y weather before the freeze sets in. (The current temperature is 9 degrees in Minnesota, brr.) Then when mister Finnegan arrived the pause button stayed pressed a bit longer.
But, we are back at it friends, and in full force!
Each month we are going to be coming at yah with a peek inside our everyday lives! This will include, an update on our kiddos and general happenings, and a list of a few of our favorite things, peeps, and mom hacks.
E: December begins as an extremely busy month for us. Between getting ready for Christmas, celebrating little miss Elle’s birthday, and all the Christmas festivities — we are busy. Then, the what-day-is-it feelings set in as December turns into January. So we have spent the better half of January getting back into the swing of our everyday lives. The transition was rocky at first, but I think we all do better with a little bit of structure to our days.
My husband and I have gone #KonMari crazy, purging the house and organizing all the things. It has actually been really fun to take some control back of the house after the chaos of the holidays. (We are very blessed, and our toy room shows it.)
The kids are all-too-excited that their activities are going again. Elaina just started learning her spring recital dance and it might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Atlas has been taking full advantage of the winter weather, sledding and playing in the snow at nature classes and ice-skating for the first time. He cannot wait to start hockey next fall.
As a family, we choose one value to focus on for the month. (A practice I have adopted from @MerricksArt.) This month our value is joy; finding joy in the things we have, saying goodbye to the things that don’t (@MarieKondo style), and enjoying of time together.
A: This January is a true season of newness at the Meech house! We’re still making adjustments in our journey of two under two (though miss E is soon to be two!).
Most days are fantastic. Eloise adores her baby brother and Finn loves her just as much. Some days consist of fighting an exhausted baby to sleep while a toddler whines constantly to get some attention but we make it through each day and end it with laughs and snuggles.
Isn’t it just the best how quickly our kiddos can forgive, something I hope I can learn from them and apply in my life too!
Currently Reading
E: Triggers by Amber Lia + Educated by Tara Westover + Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
A: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (though honestly I’ve only read like 4 pages)
Currently Listening
E: Rad and Happy Podcast by Tara Nearents (@radandhappy on insta)
A: Playing Lauren Daigle’s song ‘You Say’ on repeat lately
Currently Binging
E: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
A: Honestly, One Tree Hill ha!
Currently Drinking
E: Strawberry Açaí Refresher without the strawberries from Starbucks
A: Energize + Recover from the Beachbody Performance Line
Currently Cooking
E: Aly sent this one my way — Raspberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars. We made one without the raspberry jam, for my non-raspberry loving husband, and that was really yummy as well.
A: This one won me MOPS taster choice — Eggs Benedict Casserole (You can find it in your Magnolia Table Cookbook by Joanna Gaines)
Currently Mom Hacking
E: Buy all the mittens. Like not just one extra pair, but three extras. And always keep one in your car, and one in your bag.
A: Keep your mascara in your car (or whatever makeup is your go to). That way you can apply it after the kids are restrained + not worry about accidentally poking your eye out.
Currently Following
E: Currently obsessed with Jenn from @thesisterstudioig, she always find the best deals and you instantly feel like best friends sharing tips over coffee when you watch her stories.
A: Jacquie from @sweetersidemom, she posted a story describing herself and I literally had to read it to my hubby because it described me to a T, I swear we are actually soul sisters.
Currently Obsessing Over
E: Shipt. We signed up just before Christmas and it has been a game changer in our house. Not only do I gain 2 hours back into my day, but we have been eater healthier + spending less money on groceries because there are way less impulse buys. You totally think twice about adding the hohos into your cart when you know someone else is going to see it. Ha.
A: Ditto to that except I’ve been using Instacart because my target isn’t a super target!
Currently Buying for Babe
This one is unanimous mamas, we are all about the Tubby Todd.
Currently Buying for Mama
I don’t know that we’ll both ever not agree on this one, get yourself a Saranoni Blanket stat. They’re literally the softest ever.
E: Skyn Eye patches, fool people into thinking you actually got 8 hours of sleep last night.
A: Zenni Glasses (Do yourself a favor + “splurge” for the smudge proof lenses)
Currently Dollar Spot Carting [at Target]
E: I found the sweetest Valentines for A’s classmates, and Valentines Day bowls with all the little hearts on them.
A: With E’s birthday coming up I have been scooping up all the party decor and thank you cards! Also, gimme all the fake succulents.
Currently Stocking Up On [at Costco]
E: The kids have been obsessed with Pirates Booty.
A: I just discovered they had pomegranate seeds in the cold produce room and I am so excited! They are one of my fave “treats” and I feel like I can never find them anywhere!
Currently Ordering [on Amazon]
E: Oh boy! A million things for organizing like these food canisters, these bins, and this under bed storage for toys. But we are also gearing up for potty training, so we just order this toilet seat. Haha.
A: All the party things, but specifically I have found they have ‘party packs’ of tableware and it just makes that piece so easy! Just scored this pack for E’s second birthday!
Currently Shopping Small
E: I’ve been searching for new hair care products and stumbled across Navy Haircare. I recently ordered their Search and Rescue: Shampoo and Conditioner + have been loving it so far. I want to try the dry texture spray next.
A: I’ve been following Modern Piggy for quite some time but finally placed my first order and I am hooked! Not only can I get Eloise + Finn matching bows/bowties, but I can get myself a scrunchie or handkerchief tie to match!
Currently Subscribing
E: I finally jumped on the Color Happy bandwagon and it’s amazing. If you don’t know what it is, it’s a subscription for coloring pages! @Radandhappy creates 3 new pages a month that you can color digitally or print + color. I love it, and so do the kids.
A: This is a tad cliche for January but, Beachbody on Demand. I just started Shaun T’s newest program Transform: 20 and I am so obsessed. Being able to get a little me time while working on my body + mind all within 20 minutes in my living room is fan-freakin-tastic.