10+ Things On My Mind This Week
It’s been a minute since I’ve written a 10+ Things On My Mind This Week post. I sat down to write this week’s blog post and it felt like I couldn’t focus on one thought. So, here are 10+ things on my mind this week (or, at least the first 10+ things that came to mind while writing).
You can check out my 10+ Things posts from March and August 2022 for more random thoughts.
I turn 30 next week and I’m not sure how to feel about it. My 30th birthday is next weekend. I love celebrating birthdays, but I have no idea how to celebrate this milestone year. It falls on a Saturday, which feels like a blank slate that I can’t figure out how to fill in. I also am trying to process that my 20s will be over. I’ve loved my 20s. Luke and I started dating, got engaged, and married in my 20s. I graduated college, began my career, and switched jobs in my 20s. I moved out, bought a house, had a baby, and experienced a lot of huge (and not-so-huge) milestones in my 20s. Generally speaking, it’s been a great decade, and it’ll be bittersweet to say goodbye to it next week.
I got blond balayage this week and it made me feel like a new person. My hair was in desperate need of help. I scheduled this hair appointment literally the week after I had Vienna because I knew I’d 1) need a haircut, and 2) want a change before going back to work. I decided to go lighter this time ‘round, just in time for spring, and I love it.
Maternity leave is the best. I’ve mentioned this a few times in recent posts, but I have really loved maternity leave. Of course, it has come with its challenges and is not a vacation by any means. It has been an adjustment in every aspect, but I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I’d be lying if I said I’m not anxious and sad to go “back to normal” in a few weeks (aka, working full-time and not being with Vienna 24/7). I love my job and the people I work with, so I know once I’m back in the swing of things and a routine has been established, it’ll be okay. But I’m so thankful for these last couple of months I’ve had to be fully present with my baby girl. I’ll cherish it forever.
Bloom Planners’ 2023-2024 Academic Year Launch is SO GOOD. It’s no secret that I love Bloom Planners. I’ve used the Vision Planner for 5+ years now. All of their designs and planner styles are so diverse, you’re guaranteed to find something you love. Bloom recently launched its 2023-2024 Academic Year Line and I’m not lying when I say that they somehow crush it every. single. time. SO MANY cute options! I haven’t purchased my new Vision Planner yet, but I’m torn between the Eucalyptus Vision Planner and the Blue Poppy Meadow Vision Planner.
Getting back into a workout routine has been harder than I thought. I know it shouldn’t come as a surprise to me that my body and endurance are not the same post-baby. I couldn’t wait to be cleared to exercise again and as soon as I got the green light, I walked into the gym, hopped on the treadmill, and tried to run. TRIED is the keyword there. I lasted 5 minutes of running before I lowered the speed and started walking, out of breath and feeling defeated. It was a LOUD reminder that my endurance needs work and getting back to where I was before I was pregnant is going to take time. I ended up doing a run-walk-run-walk situation, but it was a wake-up call that I need to do baby steps instead of going from 0 to 100 in a single day. I’m the first to admit I’m terrible at giving myself grace, but consistency is key and I know I’ll get there eventually.
Reading with Vienna is my new favorite thing. Vienna has been getting more alert and staying awake for longer periods of time, so I started reading to her every day for as long as she’ll let me. It’s my new favorite thing. I received a lot of books at my baby shower so part of her morning routine now is, after eating and some swing time, we’ll sit in her nursery (with her in my lap) and I’ll read a few books to her. Surprisingly, this can last up to 45 minutes before she gets tired or antsy. Her favorite books seem to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
Speaking of reading, thrifting books is the best. I recently went thrifting with a few friends to specifically hunt for books. Do I need more books? No (yes). Can you ever have enough books? Again, no (Luke would disagree). The first thrift store we stopped at, I hit the jackpot by scoring the entire Winter in Paradise mini series by Elin Hilderbrand for $5…3 books for $5. You really can’t beat it. We also stopped at one of my favorite local used bookstores, Around Again & Again, where I found Then She Was Gone for super cheap (like $6). Highly recommend shopping at used bookstores and thrift stores for books; you never know what you’ll find!
YouTube has been a lifesaver. I’ve found a lot of baby stimulation videos on YouTube that basically are just random shapes that move to the beat of classical music. Exciting, right? To Vienna, these videos are mesmerizing. She loves to sit in her swing and fall asleep to the soothing sounds of classical music as red, white, and black shapes move across the screen.
Also, I’m currently sitting in the nursery as Vienna sleeps in her crib next to me. Her sound machine is in our room, so my phone is currently playing a YouTube video of white noise to help her sleep. (She fell asleep while I read to her.) YouTube has a video for everything, and as a new mom, this has been a lifesaver.
Daisy Jones & The Six on Amazon Prime is fantastic. Daisy Jones & The Six is one of my all-time favorite books, and it was turned into a TV show on Amazon Prime that premiered last week. I’ve watched two episodes so far, and the casting is on point. I’m sure it’s hard to turn a beloved book into a movie and meet readers’ expectations, but so far, the TV show is doing the book justice and I can’t wait to watch more.
Spinach, Cheese & Egg Quiche = My new go-to breakfast. I’ve never been a big fan of breakfast. Anything “grab and go” has been my jam. My mom comes to my house on Wednesdays and for a few weeks, she brought breakfast quiches for us to eat. It gave me the idea to make a breakfast quiche that I could eat throughout the week. They’re so easy to make, delicious, and healthy too (depending on what you put in them!). Here’s how I make mine (about 6 servings):
Fill the base of a frozen pie shell with chopped baby spinach and your favorite shredded cheese (I use Mexican Blend).
Stir together 4 or 5 eggs, 1 cup of milk, a little onion powder, salt and pepper.
Pour the egg mixture over the spinach and cheese.
Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.
Voila, you have breakfast prepped and ready for the week!
I’m on the search for Easter dresses. Easter is around the corner and I kind of want to be “that mom” who matches with her daughter. I’ve found a few “mommy and me” dresses on Amazon, but most options I’ve found only have sizes for girls who are toddlers and older. Since Vienna is (obviously) not a toddler, my options seem to be limited, but I haven’t given up yet! We shall see if I find anything.
