Currently: August 2018

Currently August 2018: What’s going on this month for Life With My Littles

Happy August! Can you believe the next holiday is Halloween? Yes, it’s still like 90 days away (I’m guesstimating, people), but we’re a full month into the second half of the year now. And I love it! July was fab. I took two weeks off, which was much-needed and seriously amazing. The Fourth of July was during that time, and not only is it one of my favorite holidays, but it was so fun to just enjoy it and not worry about documenting everything. We also went on trip to visit my sister and her family, my father-in-law’s side of the family, and the rest of my husband’s family. We did a lot of driving, had a lot of fun with family we don’t get to see very often, and we swooned over our adorable niece and nephew. I also celebrated my 29th birthday (yup, last year in the twenties), figured out what the deal is with our garden (lingering pesticides that are causing half of everything to die, but it’s wearing off now and things are growing again!), and sort of did another 5k (it’s a long story). Oh and for my birthday, I decided that I wanted to mount the TV and finally do a gallery wall downstairs. It’s coming along very nicely and I am thrilled.

Here’s what’s currently going on over here:

Preparing for the Minnesota State Fair. If you’ve been with me for a while, you might remember that last year I entered a few baking competitions at the Minnesota State Fair and my shortbread cookies placed fifth in the shortbread category (I’m still so excited about that!). So this year, I’ve dropped one of the categories from last year, and I’m entering three competitions. First, shortbread. I can’t not enter when last year I placed. Second, brownies. I was SUPER CLOSE to placing last year, so maybe I can perfect my recipe and place this year. Third, decorated cookies on a stick. The theme this year is animals, so I’m doing stegosaurus cookies. I’m jazzed.

Visiting my new nephew! My sister is getting induced today with her second baby, and I get to fly out and visit them for a weekend this month! Little R is coming with me, and I am seriously super excited to go help out and meet the newest little Wilson. We’re also headed to Wisconsin Dells this month with my parents, so that will be fun!

Shopping for school supplies for the first time ever! Little J picked out a special backpack for preschool last year that is still basically new, so he just has to pick out a lunchbox. Right now it’s between a BB8 one or a Jurassic World one. And Little A starts preschool this year so she picked out a new backpack. She found a cute Moana one at JC Penney, so we went with that. Then of course there’s school supplies, too. We’re going to hold off on clothes until fall since they both have clothes that fit right now. I’m excited! A little sad, but mostly excited!

Hoping to hear back from B&N this month! ALL THE FEELS. I sent my book in at the end of May, and on their website it says it takes “about three months” and three months will be the end of this month, so again, ALL THE FEELS. My biggest goal this year besides publishing “Preggers” was to get it sold in stores at a national chain, which really just meant Barnes and Noble. I’m a little anxious about this one!

Creating new goals for my business. I bought some audio courses that I am super pumped about and that were also pretty pricey, so I am 110% all in there. My plan is to start them when school starts, but I am excited about them so I might start them sooner! I also am rethinking my Insta game and I’m thinking about serious goals with what I want to accomplish there. I also want to continue to spread the word about “Preggers” and sell more books and help more mamas enjoy their pregnancies. And I want to do some more collaborations so I’m trying to come up with brands I really love and reach out to them. And I also am going to make a few small changes to the site (things you probably won’t notice, but I totally will) and make it better and easier to navigate and stuff. I’ve kind of felt like I’ve plateaued for the last year, and I want to continue to grow and help more mamas enjoy motherhood!

Making a game plan for when school starts. I’ve been having a hard time with time management and balancing all my different responsibilities. I love the creative outlet blogging provides, I love being with my kids and doing fun things with them, and I have to also clean and cook (I only like the second part of that!) for our family. So I am often pretty anxious with all that I have on my plate. The good news is that come September, I’ll have one less little at home (bittersweet, I know), so I think I’ll be able to manage my time a little better. Little A has preschool twice a week, and it’s conveniently during Little R’s naptime, and honestly quiet time is a lot easier when Little J isn’t home. So I’m trying to figure out when I’m going to get everything done so I can feel a little less overwhelmed all the time. One thing I’ve started doing is fitting everything I can in the first hour of quiet time, and then spending the rest with the big kids while Little R naps. Then I do more work if I need to after everyone’s in bed. So far, it’s been good, but I think it’ll probably change a bit once school starts. We’re definitely going to have to get on a new schedule since we’ve never had a kid in full-day school before!

Well that’s it for me! Thanks for sticking around, mamas!